Job search is grueling, readers say

  • Mike Benbow / Business Editor
  • Sunday, April 11, 2004 9:00pm
  • Business

I touched a nerve with last week’s column on the large number of people who aren’t on the unemployment rolls anymore and are getting increasingly frustrated in trying to look for a job.

There are all sorts of facets to the unemployment story, and I heard several of them.

One reader mentioned that the shortage of jobs is particularly tough for young adults. She said her 19-year-old son must compete with people who are much older and much more experienced for jobs that older folks never used to want.

Mark Runnels of Texas e-mailed me after reading the column on the Web.

Runnels — who said he had a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s in business administration, was a certified commercial pilot and a former Naval officer — said he has sent out 1,530 resumes and hasn’t heard back from a company in more than two years.

"Hopefully, you can now better understand why so many are angry and frustrated," he said, noting that he had been living on savings that won’t last much longer.

Laura Fletcher of Marysville also e-mailed to note I didn’t mention the many people who have lost jobs and then worked hard to start their own businesses.

"One critical factor in the equation that you overlooked are the people who have become self-employed," she said. "Many people have started home-based businesses that do not show up in the economic statistics. …. Many are investing in income real estate, or taking their own great idea and turning it into a cash flow for their families."

That would be a good topic for another column.

If anybody has some ideas for a good business that doesn’t require a large investment for someone who is unemployed, let me know. It could be a part-time business to help tide someone over until they get a full-time job, or it could be full-time self-employment.

George Richardson, a long-time friend, said he’s tided himself over by tackling a series of temporary jobs. He said his lengthy job search has been tough and that he’s been fortunate that his wife has a good benefits program.

And that brings us to another topic for today’s column: worker benefits.

A new report by the Washington State Employment Security Department says more than three of every four employers offer health care insurance to full-time workers.

But only one of four offers it to part-timers.

Most companies who didn’t offer health care said it was too expensive.

The most common benefit was a paid vacation, with 82 percent of state companies offering it to full-time workers and 36 percent to part-time employees.

Only 57 percent offered paid sick leave to full-time workers and just 52 percent offered a retirement plan to full-timers.

Large companies, as you might expect, had better benefits, with 97 percent offering health insurance compared to 72 percent of very small firms with four to 19 workers.

Mike Benbow: 425-339-3459; benbow@heraldnet.com

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

A closing sign hangs above the entrance of the Big Lots at Evergreen and Madison on Monday, July 22, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Big Lots announces it will shutter Everett and Lynnwood stores

The Marysville store will remain open for now. The retailer reported declining sales in the first quarter of the year.

George Montemor poses for a photo in front of his office in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Despite high mortgage rates, Snohomish County home market still competitive

Snohomish County homes priced from $550K to $850K are pulling in multiple offers and selling quickly.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s robotic team, Jack in the Bot, shake hands at the 2024 Indiana Robotics Invitational.(Henry M. Jackson High School)
Mill Creek robotics team — Jack in the Bot — wins big

Henry M. Jackson High School students took first place at the Indiana Robotic Invitational for the second year in a row.

The computer science and robotics and artificial intelligence department faculty includes (left to right) faculty department head Allison Obourn; Dean Carey Schroyer; Ishaani Priyadarshini; ROBAI department head Sirine Maalej and Charlene Lugli. PHOTO: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College.
Edmonds College to offer 2 new four-year degree programs

The college is accepting applications for bachelor programs in computer science as well as robotics and artificial intelligence.

FILE — Boeing 737 MAX8 airplanes on the assembly line at the Boeing plant in Renton, Wash., on March 27, 2019. Boeing said on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, that it was shaking up the leadership in its commercial airplanes unit after a harrowing incident last month during which a piece fell off a 737 Max 9 jet in flight. (Ruth Fremson/The New York Times)
Federal judge rejects Boeing’s guilty plea related to 737 Max crashes

The plea agreement included a fine of up to $487 million and three years of probation.

Neetha Hsu practices a command with Marley, left, and Andie Holsten practices with Oshie, right, during a puppy training class at The Everett Zoom Room in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Tricks of the trade: New Everett dog training gym is a people-pleaser

Everett Zoom Room offers training for puppies, dogs and their owners: “We don’t train dogs, we train the people who love them.”

Andy Bronson/ The Herald 

Everett mayor Ray Stephenson looks over the city on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2015 in Everett, Wa. Stephanson sees  Utah’s “housing first” model – dealing with homelessness first before tackling related issues – is one Everett and Snohomish County should adopt.

Local:issuesStephanson

Shot on: 1/5/16
Economic Alliance taps former Everett mayor as CEO

Ray Stephanson will serve as the interim leader of the Snohomish County group.

Molbak's Garden + Home in Woodinville, Washington will close on Jan. 28. (Photo courtesy of Molbak's)
After tumultuous year, Molbak’s is being demolished in Woodinville

The beloved garden store closed in January. And a fundraising initiative to revitalize the space fell short.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center executive director Larry Cluphf, Boeing Director of manufacturing and safety Cameron Myers, Edmonds College President Amit Singh, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 2 celebrating the opening of a new fuselage training lab at Paine Field. Credit: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College
‘Magic happens’: Paine Field aerospace center dedicates new hands-on lab

Last month, Edmonds College officials cut the ribbon on a new training lab — a section of a 12-ton Boeing 767 tanker.

Gov. Jay Inslee presents CEO Fredrik Hellstrom with the Swedish flag during a grand opening ceremony for Sweden-based Echandia on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Swedish battery maker opens first U.S. facility in Marysville

Echandia’s marine battery systems power everything from tug boats to passenger and car ferries.

Helion Energy CEO and co-founder David Kirtley talks to Governor Jay Inslee about Trenta, Helion’s 6th fusion prototype, during a tour of their facility on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
State grants Everett-based Helion a fusion energy license

The permit allows Helion to use radioactive materials to operate the company’s fusion generator.

People walk past the new J.sweets storefront in Alderwood Mall on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Japanese-style sweets shop to open in Lynnwood

J. Sweets, offering traditional Japanese and western style treats opens, could open by early August at the Alderwood mall.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.