BY DENEEN SMITH
dsmith@kenoshanews.com

When he first lost his job, chemist Carl Karlowski began keeping track of his job search in a spiral notebook, keeping a handwritten note on each job application.

Three notebooks, two years and 552 entries later, Karlowski is still looking.

"I represent the worst-case scenario," Karlowski said. "Laid off and over 50."

Now Karlowski and thousands of the long-term unemployed in Wisconsin are facing a further hurdle, the loss of their unemployment benefits.

Typically workers qualify for 26 weeks of unemployment benefits, but a series of extensions have expanded benefits to up to 79 weeks during the recession.

Now, those benefits are coming to an end. The Senate failed to reach a deal to extend unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed last week, the measure blocked by a Senate Republican filibuster.

More than 1.2 million Americans will lose their unemployment benefits today unless Congress can reach an agreement on extensions, according to the National Employment Law Project.

In Kenosha County — where the unemployment rate stands at 10.1 percent — about 830 people have already exhausted their benefits.

Last check

Karlowski is among them. He said he received his last unemployment check in early June.

"They gave everyone a six-week extension in April, and that ran out June 2," he said.

Karlowski, 54, has a master's degree in geo-chemistry. He worked 20 years for a North Chicago, Ill.-based metals manufacturer.

"They were nice people, and I stayed there for 20 years" until the company closed in 2000. "Their prices were undercut by production in India," he said.

"It only took a couple months for me to find another job," Karlowski said, saying he got a job as a chemist with Lawter International in Pleasant Prairie.

"The company changed hands about four times between 2000 (when he was hired) and the end of 2007," Karlowski said.

He survived a number of layoffs at the company and said he continually took on new job duties, but lost his job at the close of 2007.

"In that last one, they got rid of pretty much everybody."

Constant search

Since then, Karlowski said, he has been searching constantly for a new job.

He has lowered his expectations. No longer set on finding another chemist position, he applies for anything from customer service to sales to clerk positions.

He has three separate resumes, including one that downplays his education credentials for lower-end jobs because he worries that he will be seen as overqualified.

"I have not been holding out for higher-paying jobs. I will take any job," he said.

Despite his efforts, Karlowski has not been called for a single interview in 2010.

Bad demographic

John Milisauskas, Kenosha County Job Center manager, said Karlowski falls into the demographic most hurt by the recession.

"There is an increase in jobs available, but what they are looking for doesn't necessarily match the skills of workers," Milisauskas said.

The largest number of jobs available is in health care, followed by managerial jobs, office workers, sales and computer technicians.

People who have worked in manufacturing have been hard-hit by the recession, and few jobs are posted in those areas. Those companies that are hiring tend to bring on workers through temporary employment agencies, he said.

"Those people who are 50 and older" seem to be having the hardest time finding work, Milisauskas said. "I keep hearing from them that when they go to interviews they get the feeling that they are looking for someone younger, although they can't say it."

Uncertain times

Karlowski said he is not certain what will happen if his unemployment benefits are not restored. He said he and his wife share an apartment, and have about $5,000 in debt, including medical bills.

His wife is employed in customer service. However, he said, her salary is too low to cover their expenses, and he is not sure they will be able to keep their apartment. They have cut back spending to the bone, but have already run through most of their savings.

Meanwhile, he said, his car needs repairs, and he is falling far behind in child support for his 15-year-old son from a previous marriage. He said he is likely to file for bankruptcy protection.

"I'm at bottom. We have enough money to pay the rent for another six months, then I don't know what we will do," Karlowski said. "My biggest fear is — well, I can't even think about that. I can't afford to think about it.

"I'm not bitter. I'm not angry. I'm just just numb," Karlowski said. "You can only panic for so long."