By Candice Ludlow
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkno/local-wkno-922546.mp3
Memphis, TN – WKNO continues its intermittent series on the economy as the unemployment rate in Memphis continues to hover above 10 percent. Tennessee as a whole and the nation are faring a little better, with an unemployment rate stagnating at 9.6 percent. Candice Ludlow reports that finding a job in a weak economy is difficult, at best.
Looking for work is tough. It's even tougher when the economy is weak. Daniel Wiltberger is a manufacturing engineer. In May when we spoke, he had been out of work six weeks. "I kind of gave myself maybe eight weeks before I start panicking," Wiltberger explained.
Since then, he's interviewed for contract and permanent positions, locally, regionally and on the East Coast.
"Basically, we've decided as a family to agree to have a very difficult year. If I have to move to this other location, wherever that is, I'll go there. And (my wife) can finish her year of school cause it's difficult to transfer in your senior year and lose all those credits," he said.
The Wiltbergers live in Olive Branch. They have three children. The oldest is 12 and the youngest was born in June.
"Ya know, if I land in Nashville, it's only three hours, well a little more, actually shy of four hours to here. So that's definitely a weekend commutable distance," Wiltberger explains. "(My wife) talked about coming up there one weekend. I come back the other weekend. We discussed some of those options. But like I said, it's a risk. It's very difficult to sell a home, and we're well aware of that."
Wiltberger is talking to head hunters, going to career transition meetings, and interviewing, but he still hasn't landed that permanent position. Now, he's been out of work for five months - except for the two weeks he worked on contract for a company in Covington. Still, offers are few and far between.
Recently, Wiltberger decided it didn't make sense for him to take a temporary position in New York.
"That opportunity was in Westchester. Very expensive cost of living, and it was contract. And they were going to pay me just a little more than the company I left, and I couldn't. Financially it wasn't a good decision. It sounds silly to turn down a job, but when I was paying for a house here, and have to pay for something up there. You know, a one bedroom, nothing. It didn't work out. It didn't make sense," Wiltberger said.
Since we last spoke, two companies in the Memphis area have extended offers. Wiltberger is excited about one in particular, maker of his favorite shoes. It will provide professional growth, good benefits and it's close to home.