Honestly…|an honest take on the world of PR and other things by Cindy Ronzoni

Recently a friend of mine accepted a part-time job to get a bit of extra cash.  He called me to ask me if I thought this particular job was in anyway demeaning.  The job he accepted was out of his field and I think he was worried what others might think. Well, his question got me thinking and what I’ve come up with is this statement.  THERE IS NO DEMEANING JOB.

I mean the only thing demeaning is that there aren’t enough jobs for those who are seeking them! And you can quote me on that!

According to Computer World, Obama said that as president, he “will stop giving tax breaks to companies that ship jobs overseas, and I will start giving them to companies that create good jobs right here in America.”

I sure hope that is true. We need to CREATE new jobs in the USA and not for other countries. It’s extremely difficult to find work these days period. So for anyone that has a job, it’s to be respected no matter the duty or responsibility.  I know that one of the most popular subjects on TV shows right now are jobs. The dirtier or worst the better. So disgusting jobs are sexy now.

But that’s not the point I want to hit home. The point I want to make is…times are really difficult now in employment.  The days of having someone work at one company their entire career are rare. Yes, they still happen, but not like our parent’s generation.  Security does not exist.

I loved something I recently read in Business Week’s August 25th edition on “Business@Work.” Marshall Goldsmith gave sobering advice to young workers. His advice was:

• It is tough out there, and it’s only going to get tougher.
• Forget about security.
• Like it or not, even if you start out with a large corporation, you are going to be an entrepreneur.
  
• Make peace with this reality, and your life is going to be a lot better.

Nothing like having a cold glass of water thrown in your face, huh. Goldsmith is so right! Our current times are forcing us to “change” our views about how we earn our money.  It’s not the same as when I entered the workforce after college. And now that I am in the unemployment line, I cannot employ the same mechanisms I did then looking for work.  All four points he said are true. It’s a whole new ballgame.

But, we all need money. And if you are the head of a household, the pressure is great.  So if someone feels demeaned by a job that they had to take to “take care of their family,” they can internally feel that way. But, to others, we understand and applaud and respect the fact that he/she had to do what he/she had to do to support loved ones.  For it’s tough out there. Therefore, no job is demeaning.

Times are tougher for those already established in the workforce, especially if they  were downsized. If he/she is near 50, the reality is that it will take some time to find a equal position and pay as the job you  left.  Most larger companies are laying off higher waged employees who have been nothing by loyal to the company to make the bottom line. The higher placed experienced employees are being replaced by less experienced employees at much cheaper rates.  But, the funny thing about this practice is that the Presidents and CEOs and CFOs who are making these decisions aren’t touching their paychecks.  Ironic huh.

So Presidential hopefuls McCain and Obama, you both keep spouting change. Well, this is one key area that needs change.  Let’s see if you can keep your campaign promises and bring back some jobs to the US! Make our votes count and remember what you have been hearing from those who just want decent jobs with decent salaries.