Unemployed During Coronavirus Isolation
Because being unemployed wasn’t enough
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When I lost my job in January of 2019 due to office closure, I wasn’t too worried. I’ve been in the employee benefits field for over 30 years, had a varied experience, and had always been a dependable and capable employee.
Plus, I had never had any difficulty finding a job in the past, even when I didn’t want a new one.
But this time, it has been incredibly difficult. My years of experience are not a huge benefit. I suspect in the eyes of those doing the hiring; it means I am getting older, and perhaps also, my salary is higher than someone in a younger demographic. Knowledge and experience and dependability do not seem to be the biggest drawing card for employers or worth much money.
And then the coronavirus came along. What was already frustrating, took on new levels of concern. How many potential employers have put hiring on hold, or have had to reduce staff? How many other people am I competing against in the job market for the limited available positions?
I’m still able to apply for jobs, though there may be only one a week now that fits my needs. It is frustrating. I’m flexible. I can travel, work from home, commute to nearby cities, or even move if necessary, and I can do a lot of different jobs. Where are they?
The news of additional unemployment benefits due to the coronavirus restrictions is welcome. The benefits are needed. I had questions, of course, since I didn’t technically lose my job due to anything virus-related. Reading different articles, I believed I did qualify, because the virus certainly impacts my job hunt.
I saw some information on North Carolina’s Department of Employment Security website that seemed to confirm things, but still had questions. I needed to call them. My initial call experience was not a good one, so I wrote about it as I waited.
