Unemployed & Looking for Work

Working in construction my whole life has had its benefits. I’m 59 years old and in very good shape physically. I’ve been retired for the last five years, but I need to get back to work because I’m finding that my money is being stretched way too tight. Insurance is more expensive than I thought, the cost of living has gone up and even food has gotten very expensive.

I thought I’d be OK, but I’m coming up short every month. The big problem is, with the economy the way it is, there aren’t any projects being built and there’s pretty much no work to be had. Living in Maine is tricky, too, because construction doesn’t go on year round, so I only have certain months when I can work. I’ve been looking for a project now for months and have come up empty-handed. I’ve contacted every builder I know and talked to all the guys I’ve worked with, but they’re all out of work right now, too. And if there IS a job to be had, the younger guys are getting them.

Meanwhile, I’m plowing through my life savings and getting very nervous about the future. I’m willing to relocate, too, but there’s just nothing going on construction wise, so all I can do is wait and hope that eventually new projects will begin. I wouldn’t mind doing something else, but in this job market, someone my age is going to have a really hard time breaking into a new industry, especially with no experience. I’ve applied to so many entry-level jobs and never even heard back with a rejection!

I feel like it’s too late for me to go back to school and learn something new, so it’s a very frustrating period in my life. I keep reading that things are “easing up” and that the job market is getting better, but personally I’ve had NO indication of that whatsoever. I’ll keep trying to find something, but the outlook is grim from where I stand.

By: Joe K, Portland, Maine
9/06/2009

(5 votes, average: 1.00 out of 1)
 Loading ...
Show This Story Some Love