When Unemployment Hits Too Close To Home

My mother is on Facebook. I’ve been mildly amused by this until last week when that’s how I found out my mom lost her job. That’s right, my mom - who lives a mile away, who I see twice a week and talk to on the phone almost every day, told Facebook she got laid off before her recruiter daughter. My jaw dropped. My eyes watered. I immediately grabbed my phone and ran down the hall to call her. After two tries she finally picked up, in tears. My brother, 12 years younger than me, is living at home (again) and going to college full time. Of course her only concern is for him.

 

My mom has been a single mom as long as I can remember… she raised me and my brother without any help. We had some pretty lean years growing up but she always worked hard to support us. About 12 years ago she got a lucky break – a terrific little accounting clerk job with a small manufacturer. All she ever wanted was to enjoy her work and get my brother out of the house. Her company hit some rough patches, but they were a tight knit group and the owner was determined to weather the recession. Things were going well… until she got the call to come in his office.

 

I’ve been laid off before. My husband has been laid off TWICE. We know what it’s like, and we’ve always managed to bounce back, and quickly. I’ve been recruiting for years and I feel like I should know how to fix this. I’m full of all kinds of advice for job seekers - telling people how to target their resumes, how to prep for an interview… you have a job search question? I have an answer. But this… this is my mom we’re talking about. Suddenly all the reports I’ve been pooh-poohing about baby boomers and the recession feel all too real.

 

What if she can’t find a job? What if my brother has to quit school? What if (oh please no) they have to move in with me? It’s easy to scoff at unemployment reports, those who purposely “game” the unemployment system and who clearly don’t want to work. On the other hand, many of us have those really tough to fill positions and can’t imagine a web designer or java developer out of work. But what about the accounting clerks, receptionists, warehouse supervisors? What about the countless workers who’ve been blindsided with a pink slip after years of dedicated service and don’t have the first clue on how to prepare a resume, let alone navigate an online application? Before we judge too harshly, just remember - that could be someone’s mother.

Views: 738

Comment by Steven G. Davis on December 15, 2011 at 10:34am

So true Amy, I am sure with everyone's help "we" this community can help her out. Contact me directly and give me more information, between all of our networks as @Sandra states, I am sure one of us can help her out! Best of  luck and connect sdavis@staffingsense.com.

 

Steve

Comment by Brigadier YR MAINDIRATTA on January 3, 2012 at 4:28am

Dear Amy,

I am keen to know as to what happened finally about your mother. I have been keeping my fingers crossed for the success of Sandra who had galvanised the community to chip in to find a job for your Mom. I really would say three cheers if the efort has successed.

Happy New Year.

Regards,

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on January 3, 2012 at 11:42am

Hi Brigadier - thanks so much for asking! :) Unfortunately she's still looking... she had an interview w/ a staffing agency but no work (not even short term) as of yet. But hope springs eternal. :) Thanks for asking!

Comment by Brigadier YR MAINDIRATTA on January 3, 2012 at 11:56pm

Wishing that your Mom lands a suiatble job soon. May someone from the Recruting Community manage to place her. It will be great for the Community.

Hope that people will not give up.

May be that Sandra can activate people once again.

Best wishes,

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