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Jady Swinkels was retrenched seven months ago.
Since then, the father of two young children says he has applied for about 200 jobs and missed out on them all.
He’s suffered the further indignity of finding that half of those applications have not even warranted a response.
He’s been over-qualified and under-qualified.
He’s been through a dozen recruitment agencies, gone door-knocking and cold-called companies in a bid to find work.
‘‘In the last two days I’ve had four knock-backs – it makes me feel like giving up for the day, but I keep persevering for the sake of my family,’’ said Mr Swinkels, who was a project manager for five years at Dywidag Systems International before he lost his job when the company downsized in July.
Rather than give up, Mr Swinkels has spent the past two days standing on the northbound side of the Pacific Highway at Adamstown Heights with a large ‘‘Work Needed’’ sign.
He considers it a last resort but the signs are positive.
A handful of prospective employers have stopped and he’s handed out six resumes.
‘‘Any exposure is welcome and I will continue to stand on the side of the road,’’ he said.
While the national jobless rate is 5.8per cent, the Hunter was faring slightly better at 5.2per cent, according to the Hunter Valley’s Research Foundation’s September 2013 report.
But it has been a tough seven months for Mr Swinkels.
His redundancy package is almost gone and he says he is not yet eligible for government assistance.
His wife works as a part-time social worker and had to cut her maternity leave short last year after the redundancy.
The family are trying to keep on top of mounting bills and mortgage payments.
‘‘It is hard only giving your kids some clothes and one present for Christmas and their birthdays and not being able to take your family on holiday,’’ he said.
Mr Swinkels and his wife give each other $10 a week for ‘‘luxuries’’ and in an effort to bring in some money, he has sold off three machines from his prized pinball collection.
Before working at DSI, Mr Swinkels said he had held jobs as a motorhome and machinery technician and a light aircraft production team leader.
He’s applied for jobs ranging from project management to maintenance and retail work, and says he is prepared to travel up to an hour away from his Belmont residence, anywhere from Maitland to Williamtown.
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