NYS Department of Labor 2019 unemployment rates - what was unemployment like back then?
I'm trying to understand how bad things really are right now with my job search. Been unemployed for 6 months and it feels impossible to find anything decent. What was unemployment like in 2019 before everything went crazy? Was it easier to find work back then? I keep hearing people say the job market was so much better but I want to know actual numbers. Anyone remember what the unemployment rate was in New York back in 2019?
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Salim Nasir
In 2019, New York's unemployment rate was around 3.8% for most of the year, which was considered pretty low. The national rate was similar. It was definitely a job seeker's market back then - employers were competing for workers instead of the other way around. Way different from what we're dealing with now.
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Quinn Herbert
•Wow 3.8%? That's crazy low compared to now. No wonder everyone says it was easier back then.
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Hazel Garcia
Yeah 2019 was a completely different world for job hunting. I actually switched jobs twice that year just for better pay and benefits. Employers were desperate and offering signing bonuses left and right. If you're struggling now, don't beat yourself up - the market is just brutal compared to then.
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Laila Fury
•I miss those days! I got three job offers in one week back in 2019. Now I can't even get a callback.
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Geoff Richards
If you're having trouble with your current unemployment claim or need to talk to someone at NYS Department of Labor about job search requirements, I had good luck using Claimyr to actually get through to an agent. They have a service at claimyr.com that helps you connect with NYS Department of Labor reps when the phone lines are jammed. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting disconnected.
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Quinn Herbert
•Thanks, I might need that. I've been trying to call NYS Department of Labor for weeks about my weekly claims and can never get through.
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Simon White
2019 feels like a lifetime ago honestly. I remember complaining about my job back then and my dad telling me to appreciate having steady work. Wish I'd listened lol. The unemployment rate might have been low but there were still plenty of us struggling to make ends meet even with jobs.
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Hugo Kass
same here, 6 months unemployed and its rough out there. the numbers dont tell the whole story though, even when unemployment was low in 2019 wages were still garbage for most people
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Salim Nasir
•That's true, but at least there were more opportunities to move up or find something better. Now you're lucky to find anything at all.
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