“I wonder what America would tell this person to do?”

Today, I read an article posted at www.careerealism.com with a very similar story and emails that i receive almost daily!, . I had posted my advise and comment on the same blog, and before i share it with you , i wanted to hear from you and job seeker experts what would they do or say to such job seekers.

“I wonder what America would tell this person to do?”

So America, here’s your chance!
Please read the e-mail below. I haven’t included a name or location to ensure the person can remain anonymous, but I assure all of you, this is a real e-mail, not a single word has been changed. AND, I am going to take the best responses and include them in our nationally syndicated advice column.
Write your response to this person in the comment section below. I look forward to reading your advice and perspectives!
Here it is…
I have been unemployed for 17 months now.  All I hear is that so many are in my boat, yet no one we know understands.  We aren’t seeing the others in our boat because everyone in our families and circles are still working and enjoying the good life.  I am at rope’s end.  There are no finances to return to school and at this point in my life, almost 50, I don’t really want to.  I just want a job in my field (bookkeeping) that pays a decent wage we can live on and have insurance benefits.  I apply for 3 jobs every week to get unemployment but we want to get on with life.  We feel stifled and alone and with so little resources left there isn’t much we can do but sit home.  It is very depressing….Moving is not an option, so when will this end?  I don’t have a really great record….I have had MANY (18 jobs) in the past 25 years….about 8 I have been fired from.  I also have alot of debt, my health isn’t perfect anymore and I have some things on my background check (not bad but there).  How can I get hired and succeed again???????

Rob