Tom Delay: People Are Unemployed Because They Want To Be

[libramunoz]

Originally Posted by Kevin

If you're only interviewing once per month or every other month, you're not trying hard enough or you need to move to where the jobs are or you need to pick a new profession. Truth. I don't care where you are -- there are more jobs out there than an interview in December and one in February.

Kevin you must have the brainpower of a gnat because that's where your level of thinking is.

If people have tried to explain it to you fifteen different ways to Sunday, you just WANT to remain clueless.

As far as picking a new profession, going back to school, getting new school loans, and getting another profession, I guess you're right, I should, because obviously an AA trumps a Master's.

I know that you don't care where I am and that there are more jobs just floating around out there. Good, I guess I'll just jump the hell up, grab my shotgun, and get me one of them. Yeah, that'll do the trick. Oh by the way, when I need a lawyer, will you be mine?

As far as trying hard enough, WHO IN THE HELL ARE YOU TO TELL ME THAT I HAVEN'T TRIED HARD ENOUGH??? WHO IN THE HELL ARE YOU TO TELL ME WHAT I HAVE AND HAVEN'T DONE ENOUGH OF TO GET A JOB? WHO IN THE HELL ARE YOU?

Because from what I have seen, you are someone with the brain of a gnat, with the compassion of a snake, and with the humility of eel. So Mr. Grinch, how is your Christmas going to be this year?

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by libramunoz

Kevin you must have the brainpower of a gnat because that's where your level of thinking is.

lol
o.k that was hilarious, but I do agree with a lot of what Kevin is saying.

[als463]

I don't really understand why everyone is taking what Kevin has said so personally. I agree with a lot of what he is saying. Here are some options, so I can contribute to this discussion without being told I haven't given any solutions to the problem.

1.) If you are "over-qualified" (because, as someone with an A.A., 2 B.A.s and an M.Ed., I have been told the same thing) maybe you could work on "fixing" your resume to reflect having one down of your actual degree. Meaning, if you have a Masters, maybe your potential employer only needs to know about your Bachelor's degree.

2.) There are some jobs out there that people don't want to take. I get that. Many people are losing out on Civil Service jobs to prior military. Solution: Why not consider checking out the military. As former military, I can tell you that, for the most part, the military is always looking to hire.

3.) You don't have enough education? Maybe you could consider going back to school. For some people, that might suck. I get that, but you have to make a move one way or another to get yourself out of that situation.

When I first moved to NY, I had a job within 2 weeks. I had NO PREVIOUS experience (completely) in that field and I didn't know one person in the city. I sent out 40+ applications in a 2-week span and I got called back for maybe 5-10 interviews. It worked out.

Now, I have gone back to school, again.

I just don't think people need to chew him up and spit him out. It is a harsh reality, but maybe people are choosing you to work for them because your degree isn't very sought after or they are looking for people who went to top schools when maybe you didn't go to that great of a school. Maybe your GPA was bad. I don't know. This is NOT DIRECTED AT ANYONE. I'm just saying that if I lose out on a job to someone who went to a better school than me, I accept that. If I lose out to people with more experience, so be it.

I hope everyone finds a job that they truly enjoy.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by als463

I don't really understand why everyone is taking what Kevin has said so personally.

Perhaps because many of them actually have personal experience with the topic at hand, and their personal experience has taught them that it just ain't as simple or black-and-white as he makes it out to be.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Perhaps because many of them actually have personal experience with the topic at hand, and their personal experience has taught them that it just ain't as simple or black-and-white as he makes it out to be.

Exactly.

Originally Posted by als463

I don't really understand why everyone is taking what Kevin has said so personally. I agree with a lot of what he is saying. Here are some options, so I can contribute to this discussion without being told I haven't given any solutions to the problem.

1.) If you are "over-qualified" (because, as someone with an A.A., 2 B.A.s and an M.Ed., I have been told the same thing) maybe you could work on "fixing" your resume to reflect having one down of your actual degree. Meaning, if you have a Masters, maybe your potential employer only needs to know about your Bachelor's degree.

2.) There are some jobs out there that people don't want to take. I get that. Many people are losing out on Civil Service jobs to prior military. Solution: Why not consider checking out the military. As former military, I can tell you that, for the most part, the military is always looking to hire.

3.) You don't have enough education? Maybe you could consider going back to school. For some people, that might suck. I get that, but you have to make a move one way or another to get yourself out of that situation.

When I first moved to NY, I had a job within 2 weeks. I had NO PREVIOUS experience (completely) in that field and I didn't know one person in the city. I sent out 40+ applications in a 2-week span and I got called back for maybe 5-10 interviews. It worked out.

Now, I have gone back to school, again.

I just don't think people need to chew him up and spit him out. It is a harsh reality, but maybe people are choosing you to work for them because your degree isn't very sought after or they are looking for people who went to top schools when maybe you didn't go to that great of a school. Maybe your GPA was bad. I don't know. This is NOT DIRECTED AT ANYONE. I'm just saying that if I lose out on a job to someone who went to a better school than me, I accept that. If I lose out to people with more experience, so be it.

I hope everyone finds a job that they truly enjoy.

1) You don't think a background check will bring up the fact that you have more education than your resume states? Even if you do "dumb down" your resume, several employers are looking for either executives or hourly employees. If you're used to being a mid-level employee, you're SOL.

2) That's not always that easy, either. My sister graduated with an amazing GPA and had plans to become an officer in the AF upon graduation. Once she graduated, she was forced to enlist and will only be eligible for officer status after a year or so.

On top of that, a lot of people wouldn't fit in with the military lifestyle. Of course, it's an option, but don't try to act like I can just up and join the military tomorrow if I wanted to.

3) Lack of education isn't really the topic at hand. Most of the time, those are the people getting the jobs (since employers can pay them lower wages). It's the people with education that are having a hard time, as they're constantly being told they're overqualified (for lower level jobs) or not qualified (for executive level jobs). There's not a lot of middle ground anymore.

Again, some folks here are clearly out of touch with reality.

[als463]

I don't think it puts you out of touch with reality if you suggest that people look at alternative options. It took me 2 weeks to find a job, only after sending out 40+ resumes. That is what it took. Did I enjoy sending them out, only to hear that I was "over-qualifed" or not qualifed enough? No. That sucked.

Once I graduated college, I took a job as a caseworker. I made about $19,000 a year, once taxes were deducted. Instead of going on Spring Break my senior year of college, I chose to take my week and head over to the State Capitol to take every civil service exam for which I qualifed. It paid off. Sure, I made horrible money. I loved my job, though. Then I went back for my Masters.

As I worked on my Masters, I left my full-time job and worked for about $7.00/ hr. (part-time, so I could attend graduate school full-time) while being talked down to by people with far less education than me (some who had no degree, at all) to make ends meet. That job was horrible. I hated how rude people were and catty some of my co-workers were. I did my job, and I left. No less, no more. I was "over-qualified" for the job, but I was hired to work part-time because I was honest with the employer letting them know that I was going to school full-time.

My employers have been impressed with my resume and all the things I have done because even when I wasn't working, I was doing community service and doing things with my GLO as an Alumna.

I'm not saying it is easy, but I feel like people are really ripping Kevin a part because he thinks some people may not be trying very hard.

To Knight_Shadow, if you couldn't find a job and the only thing being offered was a military position, if you don't take it (and you are qualified for it) then that is your fault for not doing what you need to do in order to make a living. My uncle, a college professor, always told me that he didn't believe people (in this day and age) had ANY excuse for not having a college degree because if they were able-bodied, they could join the military and apply for loans if that is what it took. Do you think I LOVED being in the military? Nope. I did it, though. If you have kids (which I don't, yet) then you have to set aside your pride and take what comes your way.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by als463

To Knight_Shadow, if you couldn't find a job and the only thing being offered was a military position, if you don't take it (and you are qualified for it) then that is your fault for not doing what you need to do in order to make a living. My uncle, a college professor, always told me that he didn't believe people (in this day and age) had ANY excuse for not having a college degree because if they were able-bodied, they could join the military and apply for loans if that is what it took. Do you think I LOVED being in the military? Nope. I did it, though.

So You would trust your life to somebody who only joined the military because he couldn't get a civilian job? I hate all the people who promote the military as a job that is always hiring. It should be something you are passionate for, not something you are forced into.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

So You would trust your life to somebody who only joined the military because he couldn't get a civilian job? I hate all the people who promote the military as a job that is always hiring. It should be something you are passionate for, not something you are forced into.

Right. Same thing needs to be asked of folks that are pushing teaching and healthcare jobs.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by als463

I don't think it puts you out of touch with reality if you suggest that people look at alternative options. It took me 2 weeks to find a job, only after sending out 40+ resumes. That is what it took. Did I enjoy sending them out, only to hear that I was "over-qualifed" or not qualifed enough? No. That sucked.

Once I graduated college, I took a job as a caseworker. I made about $19,000 a year, once taxes were deducted. Instead of going on Spring Break my senior year of college, I chose to take my week and head over to the State Capitol to take every civil service exam for which I qualifed. It paid off. Sure, I made horrible money. I loved my job, though. Then I went back for my Masters.

As I worked on my Masters, I left my full-time job and worked for about $7.00/ hr. (part-time, so I could attend graduate school full-time) while being talked down to by people with far less education than me (some who had no degree, at all) to make ends meet. That job was horrible. I hated how rude people were and catty some of my co-workers were. I did my job, and I left. No less, no more. I was "over-qualified" for the job, but I was hired to work part-time because I was honest with the employer letting them know that I was going to school full-time.

My employers have been impressed with my resume and all the things I have done because even when I wasn't working, I was doing community service and doing things with my GLO as an Alumna.

I'm not saying it is easy, but I feel like people are really ripping Kevin a part because he thinks some people may not be trying very hard.

To Knight_Shadow, if you couldn't find a job and the only thing being offered was a military position, if you don't take it (and you are qualified for it) then that is your fault for not doing what you need to do in order to make a living. My uncle, a college professor, always told me that he didn't believe people (in this day and age) had ANY excuse for not having a college degree because if they were able-bodied, they could join the military and apply for loans if that is what it took. Do you think I LOVED being in the military? Nope. I did it, though. If you have kids (which I don't, yet) then you have to set aside your pride and take what comes your way.

Two questions:

1. In what year did you get the job that quickly?

2. Did you have any non-$7/hr experience when you were applying for your positions (outside of military service)?

[als463]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Two questions:

1. In what year did you get the job that quickly?

2. Did you have any non-$7/hr experience when you were applying for your positions (outside of military service)?

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.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by als463

I'm not saying it is easy, but I feel like people are really ripping Kevin a part because he thinks some people may not be trying very hard.
.

Yep. I agree.

[KAPital PHINUst]

Originally Posted by als463

I don't think it puts you out of touch with reality if you suggest that people look at alternative options. It took me 2 weeks to find a job, only after sending out 40+ resumes. That is what it took. Did I enjoy sending them out, only to hear that I was "over-qualifed" or not qualifed enough? No. That sucked.

Once I graduated college, I took a job as a caseworker. I made about $19,000 a year, once taxes were deducted. Instead of going on Spring Break my senior year of college, I chose to take my week and head over to the State Capitol to take every civil service exam for which I qualifed. It paid off. Sure, I made horrible money. I loved my job, though. Then I went back for my Masters.

As I worked on my Masters, I left my full-time job and worked for about $7.00/ hr. (part-time, so I could attend graduate school full-time) while being talked down to by people with far less education than me (some who had no degree, at all) to make ends meet. That job was horrible. I hated how rude people were and catty some of my co-workers were. I did my job, and I left. No less, no more. I was "over-qualified" for the job, but I was hired to work part-time because I was honest with the employer letting them know that I was going to school full-time.

My employers have been impressed with my resume and all the things I have done because even when I wasn't working, I was doing community service and doing things with my GLO as an Alumna.

I'm not saying it is easy, but I feel like people are really ripping Kevin a part because he thinks some people may not be trying very hard.

To Knight_Shadow, if you couldn't find a job and the only thing being offered was a military position, if you don't take it (and you are qualified for it) then that is your fault for not doing what you need to do in order to make a living. My uncle, a college professor, always told me that he didn't believe people (in this day and age) had ANY excuse for not having a college degree because if they were able-bodied, they could join the military and apply for loans if that is what it took. Do you think I LOVED being in the military? Nope. I did it, though. If you have kids (which I don't, yet) then you have to set aside your pride and take what comes your way.

als,

I want to say thank you for sticking up for Kevin the way you did. I think you helped explain the points he was trying to make very well. I also thought he got needlessly flamed, then again, I fully understood, and I daresay, agree with what he was trying to convey, though he didn't make it very clear, and I think that was why he got flamed.

As for your post here, it serves as a testimony to your tenacity and commitment to find and maintain work. Working a crappy job you can't stand takes a lot of guts and a lot of heart. Been there, done that. And yes, I am also without a job, per se; I'm starting a consulting firm. What am I doing in the meantime?

What else! Street accounting, hey sometimes I have to take it to the streets, literally: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfcZpAVXfew

[als463]

Originally Posted by KAPital PHINUst

als,

I want to say thank you for sticking up for Kevin the way you did. I think you helped explain the points he was trying to make very well. I also thought he got needlessly flamed, then again, I fully understood, and I daresay, agree with what he was trying to convey, though he didn't make it very clear, and I think that was why he got flamed.

As for your post here, it serves as a testimony to your tenacity and commitment to find and maintain work. Working a crappy job you can't stand takes a lot of guts and a lot of heart. Been there, done that. And yes, I am also without a job, per se; I'm starting a consulting firm. What am I doing in the meantime?

What else! Street accounting, hey sometimes I have to take it to the streets, literally: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfcZpAVXfew

Thanks KAPital! Good luck with finding a job that you love. Sure, you might have to take something crappy, at first-but I know you'll eventually find something you want to do. Also, I think that shows a lot of commitment and tenacity to start a consulting firm in this economy. That takes a lot more guts! Good Luck!

[33girl]

Originally Posted by als463

Solution: Why not consider checking out the military. As former military, I can tell you that, for the most part, the military is always looking to hire.

I love you hon, but oh hellz no. If there's a job I'm less suited for than health care, it's the military. I'd be dishonorably discharged approximately 3 minutes after arriving in camp.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I love you hon, but oh hellz no. If there's a job I'm less suited for than health care, it's the military. I'd be dishonorably discharged approximately 3 minutes after arriving in camp.

LOL

I wish you could talk to my dad so he could understand that I'm not the only one.