Posted by Kate Oatis - email
TOLEDO (WTOL) - Unemployment is high and job availability is low.
That's made competition for even the least desirable jobs much steeper. As a result, some over-qualified candidates are taking pay cuts for the sake of an income.
"The competition for jobs is very, very, very stiff," said 45-year-old Norm Uhlman, who'd been a maintenance manager for a company that made building products.
His background in "mechanical engineering, and I have a strong industrial electrical background -- like PLCs and robots" hasn't kept him from going from maintenance manager, making $18 dollars an hour, to a warehouse worker -- a job paying only $8.
It's a steep fall. But his current job pays the bills.
"It's like a head wind. You just turn into it and you have to do what you have to do," Uhlman said.
Jackie Barnes runs a Renhill Staffing Services, which helps place people like Uhlman into jobs while they wait for something that fits their resume. She said over-qualification for jobs is a trend.
"Over the last couple of years, we've seen a lot of employees come through our doors with a mix of talents and skills that are beyond even imaginable," Barnes said.
All across the country, companies are opening up low-paying jobs and getting applicants in droves.
If you're looking for a job, here's a tip: Talk to everyone you can -- and carry around a notepad with you to jot down names and numbers of people you meet so you can send them your resume. It just might help you find the job you're looking for -- or at least one to get your foot in the door.
