Chris Putro, a 55-year-old man, has been struggling to find a job for the past nine years. Despite having a bachelor’s and master’s degree in chemistry and over a decade of work experience, he has had little success in the job market. Putro got fired from his financial analyst job at a tech company in 2013, and since then, he has been looking for work without much luck.
Putro mentioned that he has only had four phone interviews in the past nine years. Three of the employers ended up ghosting him, while the other one ended the interview call early after deciding he was overqualified for the job. Putro, who is based in Los Angeles, estimated that he had enough savings to get by for a little over a decade if necessary after losing his job.
However, as the years passed, Putro realized that his savings were depleting faster than anticipated. He mentioned that his stock market investments have performed better than expected, which could buy him a few more years. Despite not having student debt or children to support, Putro’s only source of income over the last decade has been the $50 a week he receives for producing a stand-up comedy show in the Los Angeles area.
Putro expressed concerns about running out of money and losing all his possessions, describing it as a difficult thought process. He is one of many Americans struggling to find work, especially due to a significant hiring slowdown across the US. The ratio of job openings to unemployed people has declined considerably over the past two years, making it challenging for job seekers like Putro to secure employment.
Despite his efforts, Putro remains unsure whether his age is helping or hurting him in the job market. He continues to apply for jobs regularly through platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, and major local employers’ websites. While he plans to keep sending out applications, he acknowledges the challenges he faces, especially as he approaches his mid-50s.
As Putro navigates the job market and continues his job search, he remains hopeful that he will eventually find a suitable position. With determination and perseverance, he strives to overcome the obstacles he faces in his quest for employment.
