I don't know what kind of menial positions you're hiring for but I have definitely seen companies with implicit hiring policies that would make it difficult to hire many of the people who are actually in need of menial work for employment. e.g. want menial work? Well you should still at least sort of remind me of the upper middle class/Ivy league types I am hiring for my salaried positions. Even in our current context of an industry dominated by affluent white males I think what I describe above is where race and class discrimination are worst for job seekers.

That's just anecdotal evidence, what you're experiencing might just be local to your town or the type of work you're offering.

Hey, I'm an iOS developer desperately seeking work. I am also a vet, and I've had no luck finding work. Where can I go to get this work? I'll even do menial work.

Location?

Austin, TX

http://randydillon.net

I know someone looking for an iOS dev, I'll pass that along. Can't really promise anything but maybe something will come from it.

Thanks. My email is randydillonnet AT gmail DOT com and my github is https://github.com/NSausage

Your observation appears to be consistent with a declining rate of people who want a job but don't have one.

Where?

Speculation: someplace where $15/hr isn't enough to live even a commuter lifestyle.