'The timing couldn't be worse'
- Name: Fred Royal, 40
- Place: Houston, Texas
I have always been in the administrative field for the last 15 years. Basically, I'm a secretary by training.
It's hard enough being a male in a female-dominated industry. Now with the economy being the way it is, it's that much harder.
I recently went through a divorce, and I live in Texas with no family. My only surviving parent is on a fixed income and sometimes depends on me to give her a few dollars here and there.
I lost my job as an administrative assistant at a large grocery retailer in March of this year. I have put in what I would estimate to be at least 100-150 resumes with maybe 20 interviews. Most of these employers are offering $20,000 to $25,000 a year and don't want to hire me because they are afraid of my experience.
Many have have said they think I will leave for a better paying job.
Better paying job? I can't even get one job.
The timing couldn't be worse. I recently had to relocate to a smaller apartment, and then I got the news that federal benefits will be stopped on December 28th. I found this information out only 11 days prior.
Unemployment benefits provided enough for me to pay most of my bills, but it wasn't enough for me to keep my car. I turned it back in, because I couldn't make the payments.
At this point, I'll probably have to lean on my mother to help me. She is still working in her 60's, and now she's making more than I do.
