A jobless recovery?

According to a U.S. Department of Labor report released on Friday, the number of job seekers competing for each job opening has reached its highest point since the recession began. There are 6.3 unemployed workers competing, on average, for each job opening. When the recession "officially" began in December 2007, there were 1.7 unemployed workers for each job opening.

Now, some economists predict a "jobless recovery," according to an article in Saturday's Washington Post. (Business Digest)

Huh? So what constitutes a recovery? A drastic cut in the number of jobs lost each month? A more favorable Gross Domestic Product? A more favorable trade balance with foreign countries? Increased retail spending?  But what happens to the jobs -- and the people seeking jobs -- in a "jobless recovery?" 

Does the lower economic group in this country grow in number, creating an even larger group with limited resources to pay for housing, health care, taxes, insurance, food....not to mention all the "nice to have" things like travel, entertainment, and charitable giving?

And what happens to the people?  After all,to put a face on unemployment and job seekers is the real story. They are people like me... and the many people I know who have recently lost their jobs and are worried about the future.


Companies are reluctant to hire; that's been well-documented. But there are jobs out there as a result of re-organizations, contracts that have been awarded, attrition, and some new positions being created. In my view, it seems that people with experience are finding it tougher and tougher in this economy. I believe hiring managers have a preconceived, biased view of more experienced professionals: they are set in their ways; they may not know new technologies and the online world; they expect too much salary; they are not as adaptable to change as younger people; they don't have the energy; I need new ideas, not old ways of thinking; this is a young person's business. We must assure hiring managers that this is NOT the case -- and it can be challenging to do in a resume and cover letter.


I worry. I worry about the future of this country as well as my own future. A "jobless recovery" has other implications somewhere...and I just wonder what those are and how it will affect me.