You know all those millions of unemployed people you assumed were searching for a new job after getting laid off? Yeah, they’re not looking. They are, however, pretending to look for a job because 1) they want to save face for strangers and colleagues and 2) they are required by law to say they’re looking for a job in order to collect unemployment benefits. It’s tough walking the fine line between wanting to appear to be doing everything possible to get back in the work force and rubbing it in to those still employed about how great it is to be paid to do nothing and “not be in a rush” to get back to work. The last thing an unemployed person would want to do is get too careless about expressing disdain for job searching lest someone from the unemployment office find out and revoke those glorious checks.
So while the unemployed busy themselves by sending out emails to friends cajoling them to ditch work for a day to experience a taste of unemployment, they are making sure to cover themselves by saying they are “job searching” – always in quotes, always in jest, of course. The apathy towards job searching could be due to the dire job market, and the worldwide hiring freezes, but they wouldn’t know it until they tried, and they’re not even bothering to try. It’s much easier to pretend and agree “Yes, no one is hiring, it’s so hard to get a job” than it is to take time out of sleeping and doing nothing productive to scan for undesirable jobs. Really, who wants to take time out of fun to write a unique cover letter for a job that’s probably not going to be filled anyway?
Tags: job search, not applying for a job
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Haha. Great article. On a more serious note, the job hunt process requires a lot of momentum, and it’s hard to get started without a great support network or some other catalyst. For those of you in NYC looking for a little spark, there’s a lot of folks in “career transition” meeting up in person at LaidOffCampNY on 5/1 and 5/2. Details @ http://bit.ly/RgNo.
Euwyn/loc
I’ve lost my good job almost 2 years ago. Since, I was offered very low offers and have taken a couple on. Once in the job, I was abused and way underpaid for the task. Both times I was let go even though I didn’t do anything bad except not being able to hide that I am disappointed with the “opportunity”. Employers are so quick to let you go and the unemployment situation gives them a lot of power. I say to heck with their jobs… they are not that valuable to me… luckily I still get those little unemployment checks that help me survive until this madness stops and economy gets better. I have downsized expectations and lifestyle so much, there should be nobody envying me… The irony is that although I have always worked, I am now discovering the luxury of time to be priceless and I am not certain that I want the high paying corporate job any more. Just something decent, and a workplace where employers actually respect you as a human being.
I am so sorry I ever came across your blog. You are a very
sick and peculiar individual. Seriously.
I agree with Marley. You should watch your karma and hope that you do not end up in dire circumstances.