Volker Joh (60) has a job on the horizon thanks to this report: “I’m finally free from the unemployment grind”

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“I’m finally free from the torment of unemployment,” says Volker Joh, smiling cheerfully. After months of searching and dozens, if not hundreds, of rejections, the 60-year-old found a new job.

In October, Joh gathered his courage and told Blick about his unemployment. While employers complain about the lack of skilled workers, 441,000 people in Switzerland are unemployed or underemployed, according to official figures. These include older workers like Volker Joh, who are old news in the eyes of many employers and are weeded out when applying.

Even in the food industry, people over 50 are underestimated

Particularly shocking: Volker Joh is a trained chef and waiter. Complaints about staff shortages can be heard regularly, especially from the catering industry.

But now his courage is paying off. According to Blick’s report, the doorbell rang at Joh’s front door at Möhlin AG. The Marti brothers, landlords of the nearby Schiff hotel restaurant, stopped by and offered Joh a job.

He will start his new position at the beginning of January. After decades of working in this field, Joh returns to his professional beginnings. “I am happy to be able to satisfy my passion again.”

Guests have become more demanding

But a lot has changed in the kitchen. It’s not just about technical aids like induction hobs and steamers. But also from the perspective of the guests. “With globalisation, you can now buy food from all over the world and cook in more diverse ways. But guests have also become more demanding,” says Joh happily. Special requests such as vegan or gluten-free meals are now part of daily life.

Despite all the joy the new job brought, the job search was definitely not a dream job for the 60-year-old. “I need to get out of my comfort zone as a chef in a hectic kitchen, but I really want it!” The important thing is to be able to get back on your feet financially and no longer have to rely on unemployment benefits. Each month spent on the job market increased Joh’s existential fears. “What if I had been expelled from school at 62? You’re standing in front of a pile of broken glass.”

Room hours and weekend homework

Joh says he can now “live” another five years until retirement: “In field service I was always measured by numbers and spent a lot of time alone in the car,” he recalls. As a chef, the focus is now again on quality.

He doesn’t mind that the new job also includes weekend and evening work. His new workplace is just a 5-minute bike ride from his home; He/she can spend room time (the break between lunch and evening work) at home. His wife and son also work in the catering industry, and the family is used to irregular working hours.

And for Volker Joh, taking a job as a chef at the Schiff restaurant means a return not only to his professional beginnings, but also to his family roots: “My wife and I celebrated our wedding in this restaurant 23 years ago.” Now he is celebrating his return to the job market.

Source :Blick