More workers ‘overqualified’

The poll, conducted by the Pew Research Center, indicated 54 percent of reemployed workers feel they are overqualified for their current positions compared to 36 percent who did not suffer a loss of employment during the recession.

A significant portion of re-employed workers – 60 percent – say they changed careers or seriously considered changing careers while unemployed.

Approximately 26 percent of workers currently employed have been unemployed at least once since the recession began in December of 2007. For these workers, the recession has had a profound impact on their personal lives and finances.

A majority of the reemployed (55 percent) report their family is worse off financially now than before the recession started. More than a third (35 percent) say they have made major changes in their lifestyle due to the economy. Only 20 percent of Americans who remain employed during the recession say the same.

Other findings of the survey include:

•Only 38 percent of all re-employed workers make more money now than at their former job and just 28 percent enjoy better benefits. However, 43 percent of the re-employed say their new job is better than their old one.

•For those who were unemployed for six months or less, 53 percent say their current job is better than their old job. For those unemployed more than six months, only 36 percent are happier with their new position.