I have written about my friend Dean before. He has been out of work for thirty weeks at this point. All because the company he worked did not get what they wanted when they demanded that the State of Wisconsin provide incentives, i.e. tax breaks, for them to stay in Wisconsin. Governor Doyle said, “No,” to their extortion and about a hundred jobs left the state.
Dean has worked blue collar jobs since graduating high school. I have been trying to get Dean to blog about his unemployment on Daily Kos…so far I have been losing that battle. I tried again on Saturday evening when we went to St. Dennis Fest (A bit of tradition for anyone from the east side of Madison) to no avail. When we used to go out we would talk about airplanes, flight lessons, playing guitar, his always grabbing my beer at bowling and drinking it. While we still talk about those things today many of our conversations center on his being unemployed. The despair is in his voice. He is still the same dopey, and I say that affectionately, Dean I have always known; however, something is different—there is an undercurrent in his words that I cannot put my finger on. He is the same guy, but not quite. On occasion Dean will post a note on Facebook or send me an e-mail telling me how he feels or what he is going through. The one he posted late Sunday evening helped fill in the blanks on what is going on for him. His post is below. I have edited for spelling and grammar; however, the words are his.
Have you ever had one of those days where it feels like you hit a brick wall? Being unemployed is like that. Suddenly you have no idea what direction your life is headed. You wonder why companies will have nothing to do with you. Some don't even respond to your submittal of a resume or application. Some don't call you for an interview because they can tell from your resume that you just aren't right for the job. Some look at you and lie to your face saying that your interview went fine and you'll be contacted for a follow up. Now I know what women go through when a guy doesn't call back.
The choices after 30 weeks of unemployment start to deteriorate. You start to see the same jobs that you've already applied for on the websites and in the newspapers leaving you to wonder where to apply next. This is all strange to me after being employed since just after high school. I know some of you out there will say stop your whining, get out there and take the bull by the tail. Well this bull’s tail is so short I keep missing and getting my hand dirty if you know what I mean.
Where is Wisconsin’s future and who gets to live it? Does being unemployed make me that much a less likely candidate for a job when compared to someone who is employed and in the job market now? Education doesn't seem to matter over real world job experience. A lot of jobs ask for specific education and then a certain amount of experience in the field. Whatever happened to entry level? I understand that companies want people who can hit the ground running, but if companies don't take a chance on bringing people on board and training them how will the inexperienced learn?
I remember my first day as a screen printer, and let me tell you it wasn't pretty, but I learned a great deal and carried it on to the next day, and the next day until I became proficient. After less than four years if I would have stayed with that company I was told I would have been made production manager. That from an entry level position to a management position just by hitting the ground running, and gaining experience as I went. We unemployed might not be the ideal candidate right off the bat but give us a chance. We might surprise you.
Dean is a great friend and has always been there for me. I am trying to always be there for him. Help me convince him to blog here. We need his voice.