Seattle: Job Search Grinds Along

ABC News’ Mary-Rose Abraham reports from Issaquah, Washington:

Lori Campbell chooses a good day to make her first Manhattan. Since they’ve been out of work, she and Rick Hirst have cut back on all of their expenses, including the alcohol they enjoyed at times. So this rare cocktail after dinner is a treat for the couple and a fitting celebration of sorts for the news Rick brings home. His interview for a contract position at Microsoft goes well and he’ll be given an answer by tomorrow. In addition, he hears back from the small Seattle start-up where he had a very good and long interview. They want references now and Rick feels he’s on the short list for the position. "Things are kind of grinding along," says Rick. "But they’re looking better than a week ago."

The details temper the good news. The Microsoft position pays $30 an hour, about a third less than what he was making before. The health care benefits will be nowhere near as good. Not only that, Rick feels it’s a "step down" from his previous job as a full-time employee at the company.

Lori’s job prospects are not looking as good. A contract position she interviewed for with the city is on hold because of the city’s budget deficit. And all the recruiters she talks to are having a tough time finding positions for her.

As she and Rick lounge on the living room couches, they recount how much finding a job has changed. Lori’s experience with an employer who interviewed dozens of potential hires for 30 minutes each over two full days: "By the time she got to me, her brain was fried. She couldn’t even think straight." 

Lori says they will take what they can get. They know most of the jobs out there won’t be ideal, but what unemployment benefits offer is minimal.  Faced with the prospects of working two jobs to provide for the family, Rick is summoned for homework help from their 12-year-old son Ben.  Lori continues to sip her cocktail.  The job search continues.