Research Briefing

Obama’s High Gas Prices Aren’t Just Draining Wallets, They’re Limiting Opportunities For The Unemployed

“‘I Need To Work, So I'm Basically Willing To Go Anywhere,’ Harris Said. ‘But Will I Be Able To Make Any Money If I Take The Position? By The Time You Pay For Gas, That's Half Of What You Work For An Hour.’” (Gerry Smith, “High Gas Prices Change The Way The Unemployed Look For Jobs,” Chicago Tribune, 5/22/11) 

THE HIGH COST OF FUEL IS HAMPERING JOB SEARCHES AND LIMITING JOB PROSPECTS FOR THE UNEMPLOYED

Job Seekers Are Forced To Ignore Job Opportunities Because Of How Much It Would Cost To Get To Work. “Some job seekers say they are more selective now, curtailing face-to-face networking and ignoring some opportunities based on the high transportation costs.” (Gerry Smith, “High Gas Prices Change The Way The Unemployed Look For Jobs,” Chicago Tribune, 5/22/11)

“Soaring Fuel Costs Have Changed The Calculus Of Unemployment.” “For people like Chicagoan Nicole Harris, 42, who lost her job more than a year ago, soaring fuel costs have changed the calculus of unemployment. Harris lives in Hyde Park, and when she sees job openings now, she asks herself a series of questions: How much am I going to make? How much will I spend on transportation? Can I commute, or will I need to relocate?” (Gerry Smith, “High Gas Prices Change The Way The Unemployed Look For Jobs,” Chicago Tribune, 5/22/11)

While Some Companies Are Rejecting Applicants Because They Might Quit If Their Commutes Get Too Expensive. “On the flip side, some companies are rejecting applicants who live more than 25 miles from the office out of fear they will quit because of high gas costs, said Maguire-Dooley, who advises job seekers to remove their address from their resume to avoid being weeded out.” (Gerry Smith, “High Gas Prices Change The Way The Unemployed Look For Jobs,” Chicago Tribune, 5/22/11)

"When You' Unemployed, Putting Gas In Your Car Is Ridiculous." With fuel costs expected to remain high this summer, those without jobs are doing everything they can to conserve gas. When Verisha Atkins, 24, heard that Home Depot was hiring near her Carol Stream home, she walked more than a mile to the store to fill out an application. ‘I walked there because I can't afford gas,’ she said. ‘When you're unemployed, putting gas in your car is ridiculous.’” (Gerry Smith, “High Gas Prices Change The Way The Unemployed Look For Jobs,” Chicago Tribune, 5/22/11)