I second that.

Ten years ago, I made over 16.00 an hour, routinely. I had a full-time job, and a billing business on the side. Now, I am lucky to get $8/hour, using the same database administration and office skills I used back then.

What employers here do, is call the opening "receptionist", then expect you to do all the work required full-time in 20 hours a week with no benefits! I can tell you from experience, trying to pay full-time bills on one part time income just won't work!

Lately, the level of scams has been increasing alarmingly, too - one last week almost got me - after pages of entering personal information on an application for administrative assistant, it asked for my credit card number (required to get to the next screen). I put in bogus numbers, then the next screen wanted you to submit a sample of your technical writing skills by reviewing a website. Clicking on the link brought up porn, which could be accessed by charging that info. The job description said 15-20 reviews a week were required...

It makes me wonder what is being done with all my personal data.

Really? Wow, I did not know that. That really sucks for the workers, I can't believe there aren't laws protecting the workers from getting scammed like that. Minimum wage here is 9 dollars an hour... our taxes are way different though. I am a 3rd year apprentice and I make 2.5 times that, and with the taxes I still have a hard time making ends meet. How does your unemployment work?
Here, as soon as you lose your job, you're eligible for unemployment, it pays about 55% of your salary up to 540/week (before taxes, after taxes you barely get 400) for so many months, giving you time to find a job and not lose your house and all of your belongings. In the same situation, I would rather stay on unemployment till I found something decent that's better than minimum wage, and that has to do with what you're trained in. However, like I said, I have no idea how it works in the U.S.

You might try this website http://www.volition.com . Click on forums and check out the Mystery Shopping and Merchandising sections. I worked for Merchandising and Mystery Shopping for a few years before I had to quit to help take care of my Dad each month for a week. I got my start from this website and the information is free.

Hope it helps until you get the job you want. Hey it is a good way to get extra cash for stash too. It is very flexible work too.

Since you were teaching math, how about substitute teaching? You can work the days you want and the pay, while not great, is better than minimum wage.

i think somebody already made this recommendation, so i'd like to add my vote for the idea: look into working for a temp agency. if you find one that fits, you might find the variety of work, plus the opportunity to meet lots of new and interesting people a real bonus. :-)

I went to college for administration and a tech school to become an executive secretary. My first secretarial job in 1987 paid 5.25/hour - minimum wage. I stayed with the job and worked my way up within 8 years to Administrative Coordinator for 12.00/hour then moved to a different business doing the same thing and was paid 17.96/hour. I then became disabled and haven't worked since 2001. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you could take the job as a start back into the work force, you never know, they may have another position for you or create one for you. Jobs are hard to come by these days, you may take it to get a foot in the door.