“If I show up at your door, chances are you did something to bring me there.” – Martin Blank, Grosse Pointe Blank.
Clark: “How can they have nothing for their children?”
Ellen: “Well, he’s been out of work for close to seven years.”
Clark: “In seven years, he couldn’t find a job?”
Ellen: “Catherine says he’s been holding out for a management position.”
You remember that scene in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, right? (Well, maybe not if you’re not old like us, but work with me)
I think we all know a “Cousin Eddie”, the person that hasn’t found work in 5…6…7 years because everything out there “just isn’t good enough for him”…
Well, this past week in Ann Arbor, I met Cousin Eddie at our event. Nice guy, asked for help, and then he drops the bomb…
Him – “I was at your March event, great event, and I still haven’t found what I’m looking for…”
Me – “Well, what do you do?”
Him – “I’m a consultant.”
Me – “What kind?”
Him – “You know, all kinds, Linux, Microsoft…”
Me – “Umm, do you want to do something like MS migrations? Program management? I can introduce you to some great recruiters…”
Him – “You know, it’s so loud in here, I can hardly hear…you know, I think I’m going to leave…”
And *poof*, like a fart in the wind, he was gone.
I shook my head. I mean the first thing that came to mind to say back to him was “I’m sorry that the talking at our free event with free food and free drinks for a couple hours inconvenienced you…” but that would be too easy.
I mean seriously, what did he want? Was he just building up an excuse so he can go home to his wife/partner (hey, I don’t judge) and say, “You know it was just so loud there, I couldn’t hear myself think, how was I supposed to find a job?”
Well, 500+ other people have faced that same challenge and found new jobs through our events.
You know, my dad always instilled in me that you always work, no matter what. Laid off from your cushy office job? Too bad, go cut grass.
This job doesn’t pay enough? Tough (bleep), get a 2nd job on the weekends.
Want to quit your job? Your (bleep) better wait until you find a new one…
This has stuck with me throughout the years, staying sharp is far more important than waiting for something that “suits you”.
Find me someone that is motivated after two weeks of sitting at home and emailing out 300+ resumes.
Find me someone that is motivated after two weeks of sitting at home period.
No one will think less of you if you take that $17/hr help desk job. And who knows? After you find your “happy place” job, you could always go back there on the weekends or refer a good friend who isn’t as fortunate as you.
It all comes around in the end.
Thanks for reading, try not to be “that guy”, and see you soon.
Now go read something else – https://itinthed.com/read/ – and don’t forget to listen live to our radio show on Monday nights from 9pm to 11pm – http://www.ITinTheD.com/listen/