Pride versus employment

I heard an interesting conversation on the radio the other day.

Basically, there was a job fair held here in Georgia hosted by the airport and people who attended were very upset. They thought that because the airport was hosting the fair, there would be a plethora of high-paying airport jobs offered.

What they found out was that the majority of the openings were for a local fast food chain that happens to have a restaurant in the airport.

People called into the radio station livid. They felt that they were led on. 95% of the people who called into the show were unemployed – and had been so for several months.

The radio host asked the callers who were unemployed if they had, at least, submitted a resume. And, again, most of the answers were no. Most, talked about the job being beneath them. There was no way they were going to work for a job that only paid $8 an hour.

Now, I will admit. It would be a hard pill for me to swallow to have to work in a fast food restaurant at $8 an hour. I am used to working for a far higher wage, plus I know I am worth far more. But, if that were my only option, I would have to swallow my pride and ego and do it. Survival is the most important thing, first and foremost.

What will be interesting to see in the coming months is the reaction of unemployed workers. Will they lower their demands and accept lower waged jobs? Or, will they hold out in hopes of finding a job that pays an amount that reflects their experience?

Either way, the current reports regarding unemployment is discouraging. It is expected that between now and January 20, the day President Obama takes office, that approximately five hundred thousand more jobs will be lost.

That is one hell of a pool for employers to pull from.

And with the current economic struggle, it is reasonable to assume that employers are going to place a premium on those who are willing to work cheap. It isn’t fair but it is the truth.

Even for people like myself who are self-employed there is cause for great concern. Many of the business owners I talk to on a daily basis share with me that they are just about ready to call it quits. Business is too slow, and the bills are still coming in. They are being forced to make the tough decision between just closing the doors and filing bankruptcy – in some cases both.

Talk about being between a rock and a hard place.

There is really no easy answer for those looking for a job right now. We’re taught that we should have pride in what we do, and we should know our worth.

Still, too much pride, in these conditions, could lead to a shopping basket and a cardboard box – if you know what I mean.

The Wizard has spoken.