It Could Happen To You
Adversity is just a part of living. Stay strong.
You have no idea what challenges others might be facing. Be kind.
I didn’t do a good job of picking up on the signals. (And there were plenty of them.)
My Candidate, a very, very high-tech guy, had a tendency to work out of the public library. We laughed about his office, and he even sent pictures.
If I called before his office opened, I usually caught him driving in, or maybe stopping somewhere for coffee.
On the face of it, everything was fairly normal. We worked hard on his presentation and carefully defined his Dream Job.
Another Side
But there was something else going on. I didn’t really appreciate it until much later.
By the time I did get the picture, it finally dawned on me… there’s an entire segment of American society, caught in an invisible sinkhole of financial misery.
Here’s what it looks like…
Caught In The Trap
About a year before I met him, my Candidate – a highly accomplished automation leader – made a slight adjustment to his career trajectory. While he was willing to fulfill his responsibilities to his employer, he wasn’t all that thrilled about using advanced technology to target and kill people.
He was fired immediately. It turns out, Death is a big industry in the United States, and there’s a lot of money in it.
Startled but unfazed, Mr. High-Tech relocated and launched his job search.
He had two things going for him. First, his exceptional accomplishments in a high-powered industry group. And second, the public happy talk from the Biden Administration, featuring outrageously bogus employment numbers.
He also had two big things holding him back. That would include an economy designed for destruction. And the demonstrable fact that there were no new jobs for straight, white, American men. (Thank you, DEI.)
The Strategy
With his possessions in storage, no income, and rising costs, our hero was in no position to handle a pricey Florida real estate market.
He had exceptional references. He was willing to relocate pretty much anywhere in the continental United States. In any normal market, he would expect to get picked up in short order.
He opted to stay flexible, keep his costs down, and, if necessary, he would live in his car.
For a year.
Dealing With It
But his life wasn’t entirely miserable.
We’re talking about a remarkably positive, resilient, generous person.
Our Automation Guru made some cash, picking up manual labor projects. (Ironic.)
He flew to Europe to be with his dying sister.
And he got really good at living out of his car.
Maintaining Normal
In the morning, he might head over to the sports club to clean up.
His office hours matched those at the local library.
And in the evening, he drove down the expressway to his favorite rest area, where he’d settle in for the night.
It was at that rest area where he discovered he wasn’t alone.
Rest Area Refugees
Night after night, certain faces would make repeat appearances.
It seems that the Biden administration effectively redefined “Homeless” in the process of reversing Trump 1.0.
This (new-to-me) category of homeless people includes responsible folks with full time jobs.
One car reportedly held a mother and her children. She held two jobs. They didn’t have a home.
It’s a weird, nearly invisible situation. These are folks who might blend right in with normal activity by day.
At night, they don’t have a conventional home.
Recovery
We can’t report on the alarming number of Rest Area Refugees across America.
I can tell you that our friend did finally land a position. He’s been employed for a while, now.
It was one of those out-of-the-blue situations.
Today, he’s probably out-earning most folks you know. And I’m certain he hasn’t hit full stride, yet.
Nice to see things turn out well.
Recruiter’s View
Once again, good fortune seems to move on its own schedule.
Never shut the door to potential opportunity. When something good comes your way, your door must be open, or it will move on to someone more welcoming.
While you are waiting, focus on what you do have.
Be thankful for that.
Get right with God.
Finally, be kind to the people around you.
You have no idea what burdens they carry.
These are timeless principles that will serve you well.
God bless.
-TD