There's a new Game we're seeing an increasing number of Americans playing: "Finding a Job." Here's how it works: a new graduate of any educational program, be it high school, college, or any vocational school, applies for a job and is not immediately responded to, OR, a person loses his or her job due to any reason and decides to 'vacation' till the unemployment benefits nearly run out.
Let's take the case of the new graduate first. Schools of all kinds never tell the students which fields are already saturated with job applicants. They just keep educating as long as the students apply. They tell the students which jobs are already filled in their fields and it sounds SO good, "Oh, there's all kinds of jobs out there for ----." Students need to face reality: some degrees are worthless unless you plan on getting your Master's Degree and teaching! To be sure, any person with any degree might get a job - any job - if they have the persistence and outstanding personality plus connections but - reality says that you want to be educated in a field that is growing.
Now let's consider the person who has lost a job and sitting around. The longer a person is unemployed, the less likely he or she is to be re-employed. Getting a job is serious business. I see people who have lost jobs with education and skills totally out-of-date! They might consider: go back to school in a different field or get further education in your field.
Why are these people sitting around? Because family or friends or unemployment checks are supporting them. What is the game they play? They apply for a job periodically, usually because someone suggests a particular job, and don't follow up. They may assure they won't be hired by being very restrictive ("I can only work day shift.") or looking unkempt or being late for an interview. They may go to vocational rehab counselors but don't like their suggestions or think the counselor 'is against them.' They know what their reality is: they have no intention of getting a job - EVER! - as long as some 'sucker' is still supporting them! .
This situation is tragic for all parties involved, both the 'supporter' and the 'pseudo-job-seeker.' The supporter has to knock himself or herself out to support the adult who has formerly supported self OR the adult graduate who should be contributing to the family economy. The jobless person thinks he or she has a good life because they can sit around all day, play computer games or watch TV all day, and perhaps not even bathe for weeks.
Another reality is that the pseudo-job-seeker helps out less and less around the home. They are experts at seeing just how little they can do and still play the game. Remember: it takes TWO to play this game, both the lazy, pseudo-job-seeker AND the enabler who accepts all the excuses for failure.
What could you do if you have a person in your household content to play this game? Here's what a friend of mine did when her newly graduated son showed zero signs of looking for a job after a pleasant month at home watching TV. Mom: "Well, Benny, when are you going to get a job? (this was in the month of July)." Benny: "How about December?" Mom: "Benny, I will give you three months to get a job. And then I will get you a job as a full-time volunteer in a nursing home or in a nice stable mucking stalls." Benny got an entry-level job in one week!
Lord, my God, how did our collective work ethic so deteriorate that WE PAY PEOPLE TO NOT WORK! Help us to be compassionate for all those out-of-work yet strong enough to insist they help out, they do their share and not take advantage. We trust in your guidance and love for us!
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