Daily News

View All News

Almost half of unemployed in US have given up on job search, survey says

May 23, 2014

Nearly half the unemployed have not gone on a job interview in the past month, and 47 percent of the unemployed have completely given up looking for work, according to Express Employment Professionals’ survey of unemployed Americans, “The State of the Unemployed.” However, 91 percent agreed with the statement, “I’m hopeful that I will find a job I really want in the next six months.”

When asked whether they agree with this statement, “I’ve completely given up on looking for a job,” responses included:

  • Agree completely: 7 percent
  • Agree a lot: 7 percent
  • Agree somewhat: 15 percent
  • Agree a little: 18 percent

Sixty percent said looking for work has been harder than expected; 10 percent reported it’s been easier than expected.

“The study offers several surprising and sometimes troubling insights into how unemployed Americans are faring and what they’re doing, and not doing, to get jobs,” said Express CEO Bob Funk. “It also demonstrates why the labor force participation rate is so low — many people have given up looking for a job.”

The online survey was conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from April 9 through April 21, 2014 among 1,500 unemployed adult Americans.

Express Employment Professionals, based in Oklahoma City, ranks No. 7 on Staffing Industry Analysts’ list of largest U.S. staffing firms.