Tom Delay: People Are Unemployed Because They Want To Be

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

If you lose a job making $50,000 a year, a $7-an-hour position isn't going to allow you to continue supporting yourself/your family.

I'll admit that my situation is a bit different than say, someone with a family (I'm single and I have parents who would take me in if push came to shove).

Just putting it out there moreso to say that if you are unemployed, hang on. You never know what is around the corner for you. Just keep at it.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by als463

Well, I graduated undergrad in 2007. I was hired in June of 2007, after going to interviews before school ended. Remember, that is when I took my civil service exams (Spring Break of 2007). That was my first "real" job where I was paid salary of about $24,000 (which was about $19,000 after taxes). I started graduate school in September of 2007. I left my job as a Caseworker in January of 2008 because I wanted to go from being a part-time graduate student to being a full-time graduate student.

Then, I applied to a job at a Juvenile Detention Facility, which paid about $7/ hour. I worked part-time as I attended graduate school full-time. I was hired around the end of February (I left my job as a caseworker around the middle of January). My boyfriend then got into school in New York and he moved to New York for the fall of 2008 to start school, while I stayed in our hometown to work part-time and finish my Masters until I got to my "thesis" portion of my degree. In January of 2009, I moved to New York (around the end of January), obviously leaving my job at the detention facility. I applied to about 40+ jobs and within 2-3 weeks, I was hired as a Counselor.

I worked as a Counselor until I started school in September 2009. I might go back and work over the summer there. If I don't do that, I'll be happy to flip burgers until school starts up again. Hell, I might decide I don't care for school and go back to working where I was working. We will see, but I don't get worried that I won't be able to find a job.

As far as people who aren't "passionate" about joining the military, I disagree. I wasn't "passionate" about it, but I learned some great skills and met some incredible people. I had the opportunity to build my resume while getting a chance to travel and serve my country. I didn't "LOVE" it, but I didn't mind it. Once again, that is no excuse because you don't have a "passion" for something.

Got it.

FYI -- 2007 =/= late 2008-2010. The country was not in the same state at that point in time.

And salary history makes a difference. Many employers now ask for salary history. Even if you leave off your additional degrees, the amount of money that you've made in the past makes a difference.

I lost my job at a large bank in 2008. I was making about $35,000 PART-TIME and had become accustomed to that lifestyle. When I was unemployed, I cut a lot of things out of my life and tried to get something to make ends meet. I was literally sending out 20-30 resumes a day, and would get only 1-2 callbacks every 2 weeks. At several places, I had connections on the inside, and the most common excuse for not hiring me was that I was overqualified and that senior management couldn't "exploit" me (for lack of a better term).

It wasn't that I wasn't trying. There weren't any places that were willing to take a chance on someone who they knew would leave the minute a better paying job came along.

Thankfully, I've found something since then, but I'm making less than what I was making. Even now, though, when I search for other jobs, they either want someone who has no degree or someone who has 10-15 years of experience.

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

I'll admit that my situation is a bit different than say, someone with a family (I'm single and I have parents who would take me in if push came to shove).

Just putting it out there moreso to say that if you are unemployed, hang on. You never know what is around the corner for you. Just keep at it.

I'm single with no dependents as well, and if it REALLY came down to it, my parents would take me in too. But this is not the case for the majority of job-seekers out there.

[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.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Just putting it out there moreso to say that if you are unemployed, hang on. You never know what is around the corner for you. Just keep at it.

That isn't really the topic, though.

Did als463 essentially post her resume`? LOL For the record, there are many things that younger people don't know that older people know through direct and indirect experience. Success at finding a job when you graduated from college in 2007 doesn't necessarily mean much. And what salary, experience, and resume` circulation mean for a relatively new college graduate is different than what it means for someone who has been out of college longer.

[als463]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

That isn't really the topic, though.

Did als463 essentially post her resume`? LOL For the record, there are many things that younger people don't know that older people know through direct and indirect experience. Success at finding a job when you graduated from college in 2007 doesn't necessarily mean much. And what salary, experience, and resume` circulation mean for a relatively new college graduate is different than what it means for someone who has been out of college longer.

Well, when Knight_Shadow asked what I had done with myself, I told him. I was showing that you can find a job if you really-really try. To sit there and say that "success at finding a job when you graduated from college in 2007 doesn't necessarily mean much," seems to go against this whole thread, doesn't it? You have people on here complaining that they attempted to find jobs as recent college graduates, but couldn't fnd a job. Then, there were people saying that they were "over-qualified" for jobs because of their college degrees, yet you think that finding a job right away is not a success?

Considering many people are talking about having trouble finding a job, I think it is very successful. To get technical, I graduated college in 2004 with my A.A., so I find it very successful to have worked up until I decided to go back to school. I put out tons of applications, so I realize the hard time people may have finding a job, but if you aren't willing to put out (at least 20 resumes a week) all over the place when you have been unemployed for more than a year, then you aren't trying that hard, in my eyes.

[knight_shadow]

I think the only reason this thread strayed was because he assumed that everyone's situation was the same.

And I hate to beat a dead horse, but again, the military is AN option, but it's not a reality for a lot of people. When I was considering the AF, many of the jobs didn't align with my learning style and interests (I have a business degree, but I've been a creative in many of my positions). That structure can be stifling for creatives (if they can find a job) or cause them to do a poor job in another position.

[agzg]

You didn't get it right.

It's "Shit the bed" or "Fudge your undies."

By the way.... you've reaaaaaaaaaaaaaally fudged your undies now!

ETA: "She works haaaaaaard for the funny (hard, hard, hard for the funny) so haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaard for it honey (hard, hard, hard for it honey) she works HARD for the funny so you better treat her right! (so right!)"

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by agzg

You didn't get it right.

It's "Shit the bed" or "Fudge your undies."

By the way.... you've reaaaaaaaaaaaaaally fudged your undies now!

Gawwwwd...picky picky...

[agzg]

[xp2k]

I think what Kevin is dancing around saying is "I think most people who are unemployed and continuing to draw unemployment are lazy black people who just dont want to work". I really HATE to bring race into this, but thats really what I think he's hinting at.

If the number of jobs in America are finite, and the number of applicants in America are finite as well, but they outnumber the jobs, will the rejected applicants be unemployed because "they want to be"?

Temp agencies arent an option, because there are no jobs. Someone said they had a friend working in temporary staffing...well I have several friends who have CAREERS in this field, and they've all said they've never seen anything like this (recession)...they are flooded with candidates but they have no where to place them.

Starting a business isnt an option either. Unless you've noticed, the credit markets are still pretty cold....and banks are making restrictions on who they lend to. So how is someone suppossed to start a business with no capital? Are they suppossed to use the thousands of of excess dollars they have stuffed in their mattresses?

I'm not getting angry or emotional or putting out my situation (i am employed but I have been unemployed before) because that really wont convince anyone who DOESNT WANT TO BE CONVINCED regardless of their poor logic.

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by xp2k

I think what Kevin is dancing around saying is "I think most people who are unemployed and continuing to draw unemployment are lazy black people who just dont want to work". I really HATE to bring race into this, but thats really what I think he's hinting at.

That may be the case. I can honestly say that for once I don't think this is the case though. Kevin just appears to have a general disdain for people who are not in the same financial category as he. That applies to all races.

[XAntoftheSkyX]

My face at this ENTIRE thread.

[dreamseeker]

Originally Posted by XAntoftheSkyX

My face at this ENTIRE thread.

lol

[DrPhil]

OK...here's my advice to the currently unemployed:

Keep the faith, stay positive, and keep your networks and options open.

Keep your resume` (or c.v.) updated and email it to people who may be "in the know" and send it to different employers.

Worse comes to worse, there are a lot of jobs where you can bust your ass for about $10 an hour without benefits and end up struggling at the end up every month despite working double shifts.

I hope none of you found this "no shit, sherlock" or condescending to a group of college-educated (and beyond) people who consider themselves hardworking and nonidiotic. The minion als463 wanted me to post advice that all of you know already.

[33girl]

Where the hell did Titanium Gene go, anyway? Thanks for farting in a crowded elevator, dude.