This is for the employers of Western Washington: I have been unemployed for seven months. I have been doing my due diligence in finding a job. What pains me is what I am finding; or lack thereof. A decent salary.
My requirements are simple: the same pay I was making before I was laid off, if not a bit more. Reasoning? Ten years experience at the same company, a diverse background, and an almost completed bachelor’s degree, with a minor in business, along with a hefty student loan balance that is still going up with one year left to finish. No matter what, I decided to finish my education. You like my experience, but want to pay in the low- to mid-30s? Are you kidding me? What an insult.
Americans’ lack of education is not the problem. Americans are drowning in debt because companies are cheap and do not want to pay for an employee’s worth. So, why go to school and accrue debt that is impossible to pay off when you make anywhere from $9-$15 an hour? Yes, I really just said $9 an hour. Experience required for this particular position was a bachelor’s degree and three years’ experience, just to start. I made more money with far less experience when I was 19. What is happening to America?
Do you consider this valuing your employees? I would rather stay on unemployment than take less than what I am worth.
Janean Desmarais
Everett
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