The slumping economy continues to wreak havoc across the nation. In one year, the national unemployment rate has gone from 5% to 8.9%. Here in South Carolina jobless numbers have gone up 14 straight months. The latest figure is 11.5%. Nearly 253,000 people are out of work here. That's a new 26-year high. Even with the constantly growing numbers, a Midlands man sees a silver lining.
Every day Jeff Jordan checks the mail hoping for good news. The 49-year-old was a software development project director until last October. That's when budget cuts forced his company to cut his the job. Immediately Jordan started looking for opportunities.
"Do whatever you can to make ends meet," says Jordan.
He's been doing odds and ends jobs. Now, Jordan considers himself a jack of all trades.
"I can run your business and clean your toilet too," says Jordan.
He tries to stay positive and keep a sense of humor through his search for new work. Jordan says rejection can be very frustrating. He's experienced rejection hundreds of times.
"I got rejected from a job I didn't apply for," says Jordan.
He's been through recessions before and has faith things will get better.
"I know there's a plan for me. Every day I'm one day closer to employment. I'm strongly encouraged by my faith," says Jordan.