Is the civilian job out look as bleak as people make it out to be?

I'm suffering through it now so yes it is. Businesses are looking for "perfect" people to hire 25 year olds with 20 years of experience that they can pay peanuts for. If that isn't bad enough, foreign contractors that work for a fraction of a US employees cost for the same job are being hired here or having the jobs handed to them when our companies ship the jobs overseas. I'm seeing it every day and it makes me sick.

It's tough to say if the jobs are actually there. I've had a few callbacks saying the position was filled internally, other positions are eliminated after they advertise them, others I think are out there as feelers to see what the market is like. Either way, I'm not landing them.

Keep looking around. I highly recommend checking all the businesses around where you're at to see if they are hiring. Check USAJobs although I don't think it's a great one. There are jobs on there but mostly in the medical field. I would also heavily recommend checking with your state's unemployment/workforce commission agency. I can attest to the latter here in Texas. I had been struggling to find a job but after attending a brief class last Monday (3 Nov), I went back onto the Work-in-Texas website, adjusted my profile and BAMM, got a hit for a job. Sent in my resume, got a call the next day (Tuesday) for an interview, did the interview the next day (Wednesday) then got a call on Thursday offering me the job. Started today. Other than that, just keep looking and keep your head up. There IS something out there.

SPC(P) Jay Heenan

I have found it to be tough. I had a great job and left because while the job was great the leadership left a lot to be desired. Then I took an OK job with even worse leaders, finished a Masters Degree, and was laid off. I have now again obtained a great job, but I am vastly under employed from a salary standpoint as the economy has slowed and the Government is shrinking.

You must stay in the fight, use all that ACAP has to offer, try the VA for Vets service to get your resume perfected, and be willing to examine things which may seem different than you expect.

Hard times don't last but hard people do.........