I can't find a job, why?

[Daniel Unplugged]

It is ubiquitous for unemployment people to state that "I can't find a job". The thesis of this post is to show that there is only 1 reason why that could be so, and, that it is always the same reason.

 

First, I need to nut out what is actually meant when a person says such a thing.

1. Finding a job is easy, the trouble is my applications are always rejected.

2. I have applied for many jobs, and have been rejected every time.

3. I have made seroius attempts to get the jobs I have applied for.

4. The jobs I have applied for are jobs that I can do (I am not a lawyer, so I don't apply for jobs as such)

5. I want to work, ever if it is for a low wage.

 

While these 5 statements are implied by someone who says "I can't find a job", I acknowledge that many who make the statement, are being dishonest in their implications. The following analysis only applies to those are being truthful in the full implications of their statement.

 

"I want to work.", means nothing more than "I want to sell my labor to an employer. ". It is analogous to wanting to sell a car. If a car has been on the market for a long time, and has not sold, it is because the seller is asking for more than the market price of the car. Cars, and labor, will always sell at the market price, given a reasonably amount of time on the market.

 

Since the person in question wants to sell their labor, they would naturally decrease the price of their labor, until it reaches it's market value and sells, just like when selling a car.

 

Since the person's labor has not sold, something has prevented it's price from reducing to it's market value. That thing is the minimum wage. It is literally illegal for the person in question, to sell their labor (and for an employer to purchase it) at it's market value. That is why they "can't find a job".

 

My sympathies go out to all who are prevented from working by the state.

[GRosado]

Yea I've been applying for months now to every place around my area with no gains. I don't think it's only the minimum wage that's affecting me personally, I have no job experience & I'm still in high school so I don't think employers want to take a risk with me.

[cab21]

create your own job?

[Phuein]

"I want to work.", means nothing more than "I want to sell my labor to an employer. "...My sympathies go out to all who are prevented from working by the state.

 

And the fact that homesteading has become illegal, as all land is now strictly guarded by the state, unless you already have the funds to finance it, and any business on it.

 

Oh, if I could only go and farm like people of old, without having to bribe any stranger in advanced and during.

[Daniel Unplugged]

Yea I've been applying for months now to every place around my area with no gains. I don't think it's only the minimum wage that's affecting me personally, I have no job experience & I'm still in high school so I don't think employers want to take a risk with me.

What is the risk that the employers would be taking in order to employ you? Could it be, that the risk you refer to, is the risk that they will get little or no quality work done, for the dollars they have to spend to hire you? If there was no minimum wage, you could reduce that risk to zero, hence removing the reason you can't get a job. If you used that opportunity to demonstrate that your labor is indeed valuable, you could then demand to get paid an appropriate wage. You would also get some of that experience, that would make it easier to move on to another, better job. If you can reach the first rung on the ladder, the next rung is always within reach.

create your own job?

Yes, very easy to do. Buy a lawnmower, print some flyers, do a letter drop, and bingo bango bongo, you have created a job. Excuses for being unable to do that, are very limited indeed.

[Alan C.]

The cost of hiring somebody isn't limited only to the wage paid. There is enormous risk involved in hiring; especially if disgruntled employees become vindictive. The State has incentivized employers to avoid hiring certain demographics, or to avoid hiring anybody at all.

 

When I was growing up in the 80s, all of my friends and peers had jobs. There were 'mom and pop' stores everywhere and it was easy to find a job. That has all changed.

[Daniel Unplugged]

The cost of hiring somebody isn't limited only to the wage paid. There is enormous risk involved in hiring; especially if disgruntled employees become vindictive. The State has incentivized employers to avoid hiring certain demographics, or to avoid hiring anybody at all.

True. An employer used to be able to sack a bad worker, no questions asked. To a large extent, they still can, if the employee is a white male. All other things being equal, an employer would employ a white male over others for that reason. Employers like to minimize risk.In Australia, where I live, an employer must allow a woman to return her job after taking 12 months maternity leave. I can only imagine how many women of child bearing age, are being denied promotions to important positions in a company for that reason.

[cab21]

government regulations is the answer to the question of "i can't find a job why"

[RyanT]

Very true, I also reckon immigration control has doubtlessly played a massive role,

Little over 100 years ago it was mearly a case of buying a ticket and getting on the boat.

 

Now it's all visas, work permits and mountains of expensive bureaucracy...

 

I've heard it said a few times that for a Brit to get a 'green card' you're looking at spending £10,000+

[HeyMorpheus]

The cost of hiring somebody isn't limited only to the wage paid. There is enormous risk involved in hiring; especially if disgruntled employees become vindictive. The State has incentivized employers to avoid hiring certain demographics, or to avoid hiring anybody at all.

 

When I was growing up in the 80s, all of my friends and peers had jobs. There were 'mom and pop' stores everywhere and it was easy to find a job. That has all changed.

 

I just finished a job search that lasted about six months. I have been employed this entire time, but wasn't happy with my current job responsibilities. 

 

This sums up my thoughts as well. Hiring employees is has become very expensive, and employers want to be absolutely certain the candidate fits in with other employees, the overall office culture, and has the background and experience necessary to do the job well. If any employer doesn't get a good vibe for any of those reasons it could lead to rejection of your application/resume.