Tom Delay: People Are Unemployed Because They Want To Be

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by als463

Knight_Shadow, I agree. It can be tough. Keep in mind, though, that I just recently left my job in August 2009 (considering how recent you may consider that). Whether or not the country is in this economic slump, there are people who really don't try as hard as they claim they are trying.

Don't get me wrong, there are people out there doing what they can to find a job, but as a former caseworker and counselor I watched people play the system like some people play X-Box.

I'm glad you found a job. It sucks to be unemployed, but sometimes you have to take what comes your way, ya' know? I have also been working since age 14 (for a summer job, in PA it is legal).

There are other options out there. I remember how fresh out of college, I honestly applied at a Wendy's for a management position. The guy hiring me looked at me like I was crazy as he said, "You graduated from such-and-such school...with such-and-such degrees...and you want to work here? Why?" I explained that I was not above anyone else who was working there because I had bills to pay, just like everyone else. I showed up with a resume and a smile. I did my best at the interview and I was hired on the spot. This was in 2007 (when our economy totally sucked, as well). If you try, you can find SOME job-maybe not the BEST job, but it can be done.

I think we all know that there are people who are playing the system. They're more the exception than the rule.

I started working when I was 17 and was able to build up my resume very quickly. I had more experience than many people who had started before me. That doesn't matter, though, when 400 people are fighting for the same job. When I was looking, I looked at Target, Pizza Hut, and some other similar jobs (management and hourly). My previous experience spoke volumes to them, though. Even if I told them otherwise, they knew that I'd leave if something better presented itself. And this is in Texas, the state that's gotten hit the least.

Don't get me wrong -- I know that jobs are out there. There's just a bigger pool of candidates and now, people with degrees are fighting it out with people that don't have them.

I still don't see how people (not necessarily you, als) think that taking a mediocre job will allow job-seekers to support their families the way they used to with their mid-level jobs. Sure, it'll help, but a lot of folks think that being a cashier at McDonalds will make ends meet when you're used to making $50,000. It won't.