Jobless white-collar workers struggle in Calif.
In California, more than two million people are out of work. That's the highest number of any state. A lot of them have turned to unemployment clubs to help them find work. CBS Evening News anchor Scott Pelley spoke with four people who attend meetings of something called Experience Unlimited. It helps -- but they still have far to go.
For Jack Walerius, Kathy Frazier, Teri Smith and Ellen Byers -- looking for work is the hardest job these educated, highly skilled Californians have ever had.
Every week, they come to Experience Unlimited meetings, to polish their resumes and computer skills.
Jack Walerius has been out of work for nearly two years.
"In those 3 a.m. moments, you ask yourself what?" asked Pelley.
"'Why can't I get a job?' 'Why aren't I being hired?'" said Walerius."
Teri Smith, who is two years unemployed, just ran to the end of the maximum 99 weeks of unemployment benefits.
"I'm sending resumes as admin support to roofing companies, plumbing companies," said Smith. "I'm on Craigslist. Hopefully somebody will recognize my experience and skills."
For some people, it's not about a paycheck or paying benefits. "It's also about making a contribution, by continuing to be engaged in in the work world and with other people," said Ellen Byers, whose computer job was outsourced to Romania in January.
"Now that you've sharpened your interview skills and your resumes, what are you hearing when you apply for a job? asked Pelley.
"Well that's the big problem," said Walerius. "We're not hearing anything. They have these systems that scan you're your resume and if they don't have the key words that they're looking for it gets filed or trashed."
"Computers are reviewing resumes now?" asked Pelley. "So you don't even get a human being?" All in the group responded no.
Then Pelley asked, "How does it feel to be rejected by a computer?"
"Well, not good." said Kathy Frazier, who has been out of work for about 14 months. "But it's something that you know you have to deal with."
"In the past, it was somewhat likely that a job might come looking for us," said Byers. "That's not the case anymore."
Everyone in the group have college degrees. So does their ages having to do with them not being hired?
"Ageism is alive and well," said Walerius.
"I was told once we're looking for somebody with younger and fresher ideas," recalled Smith. "That was their way of saying you're too old."
Walerius: "That's why belonging to a club like Experienced Unlimited. You belong to something. You're helping other people."
"You need a reason to put on your suit every day?" asked Pelley.
"It's self-esteem," said Smith. "Why can't I get hired? I've never had this problem before."
Pelley then asked the group members how they could be optimistic after being unemployed for a long time.
"I've made rejection my best friend," said Smith. "I don't know how many resumes it's going to take for me to land that fulltime job. Regardless of the number, every time I get a rejection, my attitude, is I'm one closer to reaching the magic number. So you have to remain positive."
Unemployment in California has been over 11 percent for 26 months.
