Profile of someone likely to become long-term unemployed?

melysion

Wee question for everyone this sunny Sunday afternoon. Do you think that there are certain types of people who are more likely to become long-term unemployed? Or is it literally just down to luck (or lack of).

Does a positive frame of mind really help or is the fact that someone is feeling negative about their situation an easy way to blame them for their situation?

Are there certain age/skill groups that are more likely to become long-term unemployed?

All thoughts appreciated

whodathunkit

Low educational attainment, few or no skills, disability, non working family background, economically depressed area, narrow minded attitude are the main barriers to employment.

melysion

Narrow minded attitude? What does that mean? (sorry, being thick)

makeyourdaddyproud

Some people choose it; extended sabbaticals, round-the-world trips, caring for injured spouse, house building, rehabilitation etc.

Given those examples it would be difficult to assume a stereotype, though money would be a prerequisite for those, especially if they are a home owner.

Suffice to say it would be an interesting debate as the is the "work life balance" espoused by lifestyle gurus that suggest it's something we should all embrace. Unfortunately, it again comes down to £££.

There are those who are not cut out for fixed period working, or have the mindset to handle regimented hours but nonetheless want to work at their own pace. Sadly though the economy is only geared for human automatons who only do as they're told and when - this cuts out many who indeed have something special to contribute.

dandelionclock30

whodathunkit wrote: »

Low educational attainment, few or no skills, disability, non working family background, economically depressed area, narrow minded attitude are the main barriers to employment.

Utter rubbish,I know people with masters degrees who are long term unemployed. In this economic climate it could be anybody even you.

AP007

Mine are too many people applying for each job, agencies prefering to place people who are already in work and the old chesnut you are over qualified.

Getting an interview after 2 months according to people like Page Personnel and Robert Walters etc is going to be hard when not matter how many years experience you have they say the employers who pay them for candidates only want people in work.

But if you are talking about what a long term unemployed person looks like or acts like, I am not one as people are horrified to know I am not in work when I tell them.

melysion

AP007 wrote: »

Mine are too many people applying for each job, agencies prefering to place people who are already in work and the old chesnut you are over qualified.

What jobs do you look for (just out of interest)?

tomtontom

whodathunkit wrote: »

Low educational attainment, few or no skills, disability, non working family background, economically depressed area, narrow minded attitude are the main barriers to employment.

There are exceptions to the rule, but overall I would agree with this. However I would say the main characteristic likely to lead to long term unemployment is narrow minded/ poor/ negative attitude, as most of the others can be overcome with a positive attitude.

tomtontom

AP007 wrote: »

Mine are too many people applying for each job, agencies prefering to place people who are already in work and the old chesnut you are over qualified.

Getting an interview after 2 months according to people like Page Personnel and Robert Walters etc is going to be hard when not matter how many years experience you have they say the employers who pay them for candidates only want people in work.

But if you are talking about what a long term unemployed person looks like or acts like, I am not one as people are horrified to know I am not in work when I tell them.

In that situation I would get networking and sell yourself directly to employers - be in their mind before they even think of advertising.

AP007

tomtontom wrote: »

In that situation I would get networking and sell yourself directly to employers - be in their mind before they even think of advertising.

I do that too.

AP007

melysion wrote: »

What jobs do you look for (just out of interest)?

Accounts based roles with my 20 years experience

Or retail based office work as I started in retail and have buying office experience. Also customer service or mail order roles too along with shop floor work.