Job-seeker Laureen Bassett has lost count of the number of telephone calls and e-mails she has received since she took her job hunt public on East Broadway last month.But another jobhunter has found the going has been tougher despite having an accounting degree and an MBA.Just before Christmas, Ms Bassett resorted to handing out fliers to traffic and posted a series of signs on the roadside saying ‘Need Work’ and ‘Have a Degree’.A qualified consultant, Ms Bassett said: “In terms of jobs, I have at least five irons in the fire at the moment. There are three definite options. I still have a lot of meetings to go to and I’m still interviewing. It’s a tough call to make.”Offers include a partnership in a small business, which would call upon some of her consulting experience, as well as a position to work as a personal assistant in a company expected to move to the Island soon.“I’m trying to be as open- minded as possible and not just jump at what’s available,” she said. “I just need to take a little time and make an educated decision.”Ms Bassett’s advice to the unemployed is: “Be as innovative as possible.”With no children of her own, she acknowledged that her position is less urgent than that of other job seekers. Many people do not have the luxury of time.“I had one person interview me who asked what my passion was. It’s OK to say that, but the jobs are not there. People are just trying to survive from day to day. Most people have to put that passion on hold. It’s really hard to expect to work in your area of passion.”Asked if she believed the jobs market would improve this year, Ms Bassett said: “Personally, I don’t know. A lot depends on the US election this year. There are many factors involved and I don’t think anyone can predict. But it will be a few years before things get back to how they were in 2007.”For Judy Ming, who contacted The Royal Gazette after reading Ms Bassett’s story, the search for employment has been tougher.The former Corporation of Hamilton employee, who took “a little breather” at the end of 2009, said: “It does something to your psyche when you can’t pay bills.“Creditors don’t want to hear that, but if you’re unable to keep up financially, it’s not a win-win situation for anybody.”Ms Ming holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting, and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in project management. Like Ms Bassett, she is relatively free of family obligations, having one adult daughter.“I don’t have school-age children but I still have monthly responsibilities, such as my mortgage,” she said.Ms Ming said she started “seriously looking for work” in August, 2010.Since then, she said: “I sent my resume out to every company I could, and I got three interviews.“I have been applying for accounting and management positions. I've applied for treasury positions and investment positions as well. I have also applied for Government positions that fall within my skill set, but without success.”Ms Ming said she was inspired by Ms Bassett’s determination, but added: “I don’t think handing out my resume on the street will work now. It’s been done.”Having stepped outside her comfort zone to work for a brief stint in retail, she agreed that working in an area of passionate interest was not a realistic option.“I quite liked selling, and one benefit is that it enhances your customer service,” she said. “But I couldn’t keep it as anything permanent.”Attempts to improve her qualifications are hampered by her financial straits, Ms Ming said.“I was pursuing a PhD in Organisational Leadership. I was able to get a year of it under my belt, but I couldn’t afford to continue it.”She added: “It’s a fact that I have worked in accounting for 20 years. I have an MBA, which is a degree that prepares you to supervise CPAs (certified public accountant). I’m finding a lot of jobs now want you to have a CPA, and it seems like all that experience I have doesn’t make a difference.”Ms Ming’s struggle to pay her bills has eaten into the funds she had put aside for retirement.“When I do start employment again I will have to start all over with my savings,” she said. “But you can’t do that without a job.”Many qualified Bermudians are struggling to get work, she said.“The only thing I can do is remain positive and keep sending out resumes,” she said. “It’s rough. You go to school and obtain that level of education because you feel you can take care of your monthly expenses. I can’t even afford courses.”Ms Ming’s e-mail address is mkewlyn[AT]yahoo.com.