I worked for the same company for over 6 1/2 years never able to move from my position to another because of others not wanting me to progress, even though they all came to me to help them complete their jobs. After all this time with the same company, I was fired because of my performance, even after helping others move up in the organization. I have been unemployed since March 18th and have to start all over with another company as soon as I can find another job – hopefully one worthy of my talents.

Laid off 4-1-2009 – Microsoft

99 weeks + now. I am so tired and close to be homeless. Most my saving are gone now. I am over 50 and the stats indicate my chances of finding work is only 17% now that I am over that age mark.
I submitted over 1000 resumes or more, been to 50 interviews. Finding now my skills are being daily eroded away. Network Engineer but I cannot work on a enterprise network because I am not working. Maybe schooling but I was told I was over qualified. WHAT?
Tired of the Republicans doing what they do best.
Liars, Union buster, War Mongers, thiefs, and secret murders. We all no the real truth.

I want work N O W. Starving is just sick.
Funny how the Military Budget got a 200 Billion increase this year. But we have no money for the people that worked 30-50 years paid 100 of thousands of dollars in taxes and get back a few thousand for help.

I mean didn’t the Republicans bankrupt AMERICAN in 2008

Didn’t they start the Middle East wars killing over 10000 American and countless 100,000 of middle east people.
Wasn’t gas price below $2 in 2000

Why is it the Republican have no problem taking the money out of the Federal reserve for themselves but doing their job eludes them.

Stand together, let fight together, die together like

When I was growing up, I was always told that I could do whatever I wanted to; be whoever I wanted to be. After high school, I went to a great liberal arts college and graduated with honors. I moved to France for a year where I taught elementary school students. After returning home, I began a job in Human Resources at a large law firm. A year and a half later I found myself collecting unemployment. At first it didn’t phase me–I’d wanted to return to grad school anyway, so I took time to volunteer before the academic year began. In September 2009, I moved across the country to California, where I obtained my masters degree in the social sciences from a large, well respected university. I returned to Pennsylvania because it always felt like home. I’ve sent out tons of resumes. I am young, personable, well educated and am skilled in many different computer programs, yet was unable to even get any interviews.

This past August, my former employers asked me to return to fill in for someone on maternity leave. I went back so I could have a paycheck, hoping that if I worked hard, perhaps they would offer me a position. Six months later, I find myself in the unemployment line yet again.

It’s frustrating. I did everything I was told I could do as a young adult that was supposed to lead to success, yet I still find myself collecting money from the government. I can only feel sympathy and a profound sense of sadness for those who have had fewer opportunities than I have–if I can’t get a job in this market, where does that leave everyone else who worked hard their entire lives, only to be shown the door? What angers me more is politicians playing petty games, trying to make the unemployed look like they are asking for handouts, when all most truly want is a decent job.

I’m 27 years old and I know that things will get better for me eventually. I only hope that as my generation grows older, we remember the hardships of those who came before us and ensure that hard-working, well-meaning people do not have to suffer like this ever, ever again.

About 901 days ago, I was getting help with a retirement party or maybe a brief vacation for one of the guys who worked for me. My assistant said something I didn’t expect:

“Don’t you worry about it…the Company will pay for all that”

900 days ago, I got my “package” and realized that there was a good chance I’d never get another decent job.

A fire took care of my possessions a few months later and, today, I’m trying to limp to retirement age so that I can get Medicare. Depression? That’s only a part of it.

The last 25 years of my life were spent committed to an organization that I believed in. They used me; I got paid. When I saw that while folder, though, I thought I was gonna “stroke-out”. Sweat poured across the back of my neck, I wondered if I’d give them the pleasure of watching me die right in front of them.

I’m disappointed in the America we’re trained to believe in a s children. The middle class is disappearing and you’d almost think that the top 1% have an exit plan set-to-go.

Like Mars. Or Saturn.

They certainly are consolidating all the wealth in this country. Do you expect them to use it in the United States for our collective benefit?

Didn’t think so.

I was laid off on June 08 I been working for 30 years on the apt industry and i been sending resumes every day in 2 years only 4 interviews and they never call back because they preferred to give the job to a 22 years old no experience I am 54 years old I collected unemployment until it ran out, and now I am living with my daughter because I cannot make it on my own.No insurance I have diabetes and now no money for medicine.

I was laid off in june of ’08 and have not had a job since.. I worked for Xerox For Ten years doing mailrooms, copyrooms, basic fixes of copiers, and got comfortable doing it.. You realize when they come to you and say i am sorry but we have to let you go from losing an account we had and no where else to send you, You were just a number to them and we have to make sure the CEO of the company can still get her bonus.. I don’t understand that idea.. You are laying off but people can still get bonuses,explain that one to me..Well I am sure my story is so like others, It’s 2011 abd still sending resumes, calling people, finding old contacts but when it’s all said and done, still nothing..I wonder how long it will take to clear credit up, to really be back on my feet when i finally do get a job..Glad to have a site to go to where i don’t feel all out here by myself…

LOST MY JOB FEB 24 2010 HAVE BEEN UNEMPLOYED SINCE STARTED MY 2ND EXTENTION 02/20/2011
HAVE TAKEN A BARTENDING CLASS 04/2010

I ALSO HAVE 6 YRS SEVER EXP EVEN THOUGH
THAT HAS BEEN A WHILE SINCE I DID THAT
NO ONE HAS CALL ME FOR NOTHING FOR ANY KIND OF JOB GOV HAD PRES MUST DO SOMETHING

I have been out of work since March of 2008, I just as of today filled out my 670th on line application or resume and maybe if I am lucky have gotten 4 calls in the 2 years I have been searching for work.

For the most part it has been being turned down because of a better qualified candidate, which in warehousing I do not see that should be a reason for being turned down I can do the job just as well as the next guy, I know the fact that I am 54 years old may have a lot to do with it.

I feel we need to begin offering training centers so all of us can get the proper training that we need to be able to do the jobs that we are being turned down for.

I was 57 years old, worked 23 years as an IT Field Engineer for the automobile industry. I loved my job. Had many offers to go other places, but was very loyal to them. I learned all I needed to learn via hands on, never needed to get certified in my field. I was very good at what I did. That’s the way us older IT workers did it. We started IT before the profession was big. We learned as we went because there was no need for “certifications”. I planned on retiring from the place.

On Jan 5th, 2009 I was handed my walking papers, along with 11 other people, all long time employees, all over 50. I was devastated, to say the least. After a month, the realization hit me. I have NO income anymore. I woke up in the morning and had no where to go. I would go to the grocery store during the day and felt “weird” because I was not working. I filed for unemployment for the first time in my life. After the initial shock I called the people that offered me work in the past. 2 of the places were already gone out of business, the rest were no longer hiring. I was hoping that maybe I would be called back to my job after awhile, only to find out they actually hired a 28 year old in my place! How useless I felt!

I started sending out resumes. I soon learned just how bad my resume looked to a prospective employer. I had NO certifications in my field. No college diploma. My last schooling was High School….. in 1969!

After 2 years of sending out hundreds of resumes, I’ve had only 2 interviews. Neither one called back.

On the second week of January 2011, I became a 99er. No more check. I am now just a few months short of 60 years old.
I’ve been able to get some work on the side, but not enough to survive. I’m on Food Stamps for the first time in my life. I’m living off money drawn from my IRA, which is dwindling fast.
My wife is disabled, she’s getting a small disability payment each month, enough to cover her medical costs and prescriptions. I have no insurance at all. Thank God I am healthy. I still run 15 miles a week.

But I still can’t get over this. How could this be?
I mean, I’ve done everything right, worked 60+ hours a week, never took all my alloted vacation time because there was always a “project” going on. I was totally dedicated to my employer.
Now at 60 I have to start all over again.
I was hoping the government would create a jobs program, somewhat like the old WPA. Nothing. I was hoping for an extension of unemployment, nothing.
The only hope I have is that I’m not alone. I’ve got many friends who are 99ers or soon to be.
The employed friends I have are not understanding. I hardly see them anymore. They can’t understand being unemployed over 2 years. Then again… neither can I.

I was working as a Dispatcher for a towing company when they fell upon hard times and could not pay their employes any more.
I collected unemployment until it ran out, and now I am living with my daughter because I cannot make it on my own.
It has been almost 2 years and although I have applied to hundreds of jobs, I have never gotten even as much as one response.
I believe it is because of my age ( I am 56) because I have plenty of useable skills.