Yesterday, I talked with a person who took a second job at Lowe’s 18 months ago. He works his day job and has 45 minutes to get to Lowe’s for his evening job – which is also a weekend job. Why? Because that’s the only way he can meet his daughter’s college expenses, handle spiraling gasoline costs and hold down credit card debt.
He told me recently, that the local Lowe’s cannot fill available positions. In response to newspaper ads, the HR director receives numerous calls asking about the wages. When she quotes the starting wage, which is well above minimum wage, she gets this response “Oh, I'm getting a dollar more on unemployment. I’m not going to take a job for less.”
Really? How short-sighted is that!!! Every month you are not working, reduces your future wages. Employers believe that those who remain on Unemployment Compensation over many months have little or no work ethic.
I can almost hear the responses to that statement. “Wait a minute! Jobs in my field (or at my level) are limited. It's taking longer to get a job today.” Yes, it may be taking longer to get the job you really want at the salary you expect but not working at something is a mistake. It’s time for a new mindset.
Manufacturing jobs are on the rise and going unfilled. A local company president addressed this issue explaining that today’s manufacturing jobs are not for people who can’t do anything else, which many people erroneously assume. “These jobs are challenging work. These jobs are for competent people.”
What opportunities are you dismissing because of your assumptions?
If you get past the three month mark with no job in sight, find something. Don’t hold out until your UI compensation is exhausted. Work and continue your search – but work.
Please don’t hesitate to comment.
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