In the pit of my stomach, I knew it was coming and I’m sorry to see it finally arrive.  What am I talking about? The desperate stories of some of my friends, peers and even strangers that have still not found work after being laid off for months or in some instances years.  Here are a few quotes from people I’ve spoken to over the past couple of weeks.
“I never thought I’d be out of work for six months and looking at jobs that paid HALF of what I was making…”  from “Bob.”
“It’s been two years and I’m ready to get back to work but nothing is out there and I’m getting desperate!” from “Sally.”
“I’ve moved in with my mom and we’re getting by on babysitting money….” from “Cindy.”
I know it is only a matter of time before these people will tap me for money.  A few will be too proud to ask for money and will likely end up suffering the humiliation of being homeless, living out of a car or ending up in a shelter and a few won’t be too proud and ask for money and try to make a go of it but putting a band aid on a severed limb will only provide superficial help.
Ironically and what infuriates me to no end are these planned “shopping” trips that a few of my relatives are planning for the X-mas season. Yeah, that’s right, despite the horrible economy, potential for total financial collapse, there are people I know out there that are still interested in buying crap at outlet malls or other places to exchange gifts. Oh well, I guess if no one buys anything the economy will worsen so maybe shopping is a good thing but crap is still crap.
Like I’ve written before, either you are employed and doing the work of three people or you are unemployed with little or no prospect because someone is doing your job for you.
It may be appropriate for your chronically unemployed friends to train for jobs that currently have openings. As an example, the medical profession, at most skill levels, is actively hiring in all areas of the country.
Finding a job is like looking for a good stock to buy. First you pick a promising industry group, then you pick the best company in that industry.
When conditions change, you get out, and move on. The stock doesn’t know that you own it. The same can be said for someone’s current career.
Leo,
The problem, of course, is that people don’t want to leave their comfort zone and what they’ve trained for over the past decade or longer. For example, an out of work accountant making 80k per year doesn’t want to start over as a nurse even though the salary may be the same as these peers consider their training and experience a waste but I agree with you, you have to constantly reinvent yourself.