COVID is eliminating choice in employment

I am really frustrated.

Every single job I've had so far, I've had to take because it was the only opportunity in front of me. I've never had a choice or more than one option to choose from. I've always been under the gun to just "get a job" and take whatever comes.

I was laid off this July from my company. And once again, due to COVID and other issues presented (ie, my husband hates his job and wants to quit/leave), I have to take whatever comes and I have no choice in the matter.

I was hoping to land a director level role to further my career and increase my salary. I applied for 2 months for director roles, and received just ONE inquiry from a company I determined would not be good for me. So I did decline that one opportunity.

But now since I've received only rejections for director roles, I determined I have to make a lateral move to another senior level role.

And now that my husband is suffering greatly at HIS job, I feel an enormous amount of pressure to be working again so that he can leave his job and find something better.

Not only that, but there's great financial pressures for me to take the first job offer that comes. Finances are very tight while I am on unemployment benefits, and it looks like the government is not passing any additional benefits anytime soon.

I am just really sick of this situation I keep finding myself in: pressured to take whatever comes along - the first job offer, whether I like it or not. And invariably, the company ends up being toxic for me in one way or another.

I'm 50 years old and am a veteran in my field at this point. I feel like I SHOULD have choices, but I don't. The market is totally over saturated in my field due to COVID with qualified candidates and the competition is fierce.

It's just super maddening. I know I am not the only one in these shoes, but I am sick of this.

Job search is a pain in a neck. Sorry I hope something comes up soon.

I sure hope your husband does not just quit his job to look for a different one. He knows you lost your job and he now wants to quit his? He is out of his mind. I honestly have not heard of grown people ever doing that. If he hates his job, he could keep looking for a a better job while still working. I’d absolutely wouldn’t tolerate my spouse just leaving his job. He wants you to get a job so he can quit his? Makes no sense. Who does that? No one stops him from doing job search in his free time.

Thanks Divine.

He won't quit without another job lined up. The other day he told his boss he wants to leave, which I didn't think was a good idea. But he's miserable, and insinuated that I should just take anything.

We talked about it more yesterday, and he understands how important it is to me to like where I work. I do feel really badly for him and I hate seeing him suffer, but I also need to take some time, interview and find the right place.

He is looking now and is putting out feelers. It's what he can do - he can start looking.

And since posting this thread, I have three potential interviews! Two confirmed, and one is waiting to be confirmed.

Good luck with your interviews!!!!

Thank you!!!

The first interview today went very well! They invited me for a second interview, which is very promising.

Now I have one more to get through today - this is the one I am most interested in.... it's a bit of a higher level position than the first.

If I do this right, perhaps I CAN have a choice in employment.

Hey @HaveHope- I can identify with your feelings. I do not work now(pt job was a disaster) but all my life previously I have always had "have-to" jobs. I graduated with an English degree and have never used it. I ended up on disability and have 3 kids and daycare would be more than I would make so I had to stay home. I applied at my local pharmacy because they had 3 people quit and have heard nothing. If I were to get something more than a clerk My work history is non-existent. The company I worked for last went out of business. I have no references and no matter what people say "Momism" exists. Ageism does too. You are not old but some companies would rather take some newly graduated kid and pay him peanuts rather than pay someone older what they are worth. Keep track of things so that doesnt happen. I cant remember if its a discrimination "crime" with the dept of labor but people have sued over it and won before. XXXOOO

Thanks, Sarah.

I hope you hear something from the pharmacy.

Yes, that's really tough to get back to work after being at home for years. My sister is a lawyer who stayed home, then had to start back up at the bottom again after she returned to work after 15 years.

It's not easy after so long, but that doesn't mean impossible. I hope you don't get discriminated against.