Replies

My company over the past couple of years has hired -- and subsequently fired -- some older women with 'impressive' resume's (one had a Phd) -- because they just could not learn on the job how to use computers in a work environment.

I personaly spent weeks trying to help train them (it wasn't my job, I was just trying to help), but they were simply too stubborn. The one with the Phd knew how to put a pretty picture on her desktop background, but saving files to different directories? You mean like we did yesterday, and the day before, and the day before, etc. (for weeks) -- forget it.

Years ago I was training a young kid from UPenn w/ a 4.0 GPA. He was really bright, but he could never quite get the handle of scrolling. Seriously, every day he would have a problem and I'd come over and say 'remember that scroll thing we talked about?' I'm sure he's in some job now where his assistant takes care of that -- maybe he's even figured out email!

Meanwhile, my mother has been gainfully employed for decades as a nurse -- specializing in ob/gyn the past 10+ years. Now that's she's retired she's thinking about getting a computer and 'checking out this internet thing.'

There's jobs out there, people have to work on finding the right one for them. In the early 1990s I had a tough time finding a job. I did the same as you, went to the useless govt. job recruiting centers, etc.

Once, I applied for a third-shift (night) assistant accountant job at a Red Roof Inn. Thirty other people applied. I didn't get the job, but I was just looking for anything. Eventually I found a career.

One correction though, I didn't voluntarily go down to the local labor office. They make you come down and get oriented (more to prove you exist IMO, since everything is filed and applied for online or on the telephone with unemployment now). They offer services and state that they're going to look for work for you, althought they do let you opt out of them helping you.

But yeah, I totally agree with you on computers. You gotta know the basics. Word, Outlook, maybe Excel. PowerPoint is helpful. 90% of people can get by without Access. But Word, Outlook, and Excel definitely.