Dear friends with secure jobs,
Yes, I have been looking for a job for a while now. You may be aware that we are in the middle of a severe economic crisis. You may have heard that there are hundreds, sometimes thousands, of applicants for every job opening. Would you PLEASE stop asking me if I have found a job yet? When I find a job, believe me, I will tell you. You're my friends. I will share this happy news as soon as it comes in.
In the meantime, every time you say to me (with great concern and seriousness in your voices): "So, did you find a job yet?" or "Any job news?" or "How's the job search going?" It is a bitter reminder of the fact that, no, I haven't found a job yet. Don't think that I forget it for one second. It's always on my mind. But your asking about it is embarassing and makes me feel like a big failure. So please stop.
If you, dear friend, had mentioned to me that you were trying to lose some weight, and I started every conversation with a question like, "So, did you lose any weight yet?" or "Any weight loss?" or "How's the diet going?" I bet you wouldn't like that very much. And just think, to the outside observer, weight loss is all in your hands -- just eat less and exercise more. But finding a job is a lot harder. I can't just say, "Hey, hire me" It's out of my hands.
So, please, dear friends, stop asking. When I find a job, I will share my good news with you. And if you're trying to lose weight, then when you've reached your target weight, you can share your good news with me.
-- Your out of work friend.
I've written this because I haven't yet had the courage to say the words to my friends who keep inquiring about my job search status. It feels good to write it.... Maybe I'll just send them the link!
