This is one of the toughest job markets I've ever experienced for specialized labor. I was part of the tech industry layoffs last year and I busted my ass for months before I got an offer. Many people I know are going through the same thing. It was honestly more draining than my actual job and I'd occasionally reach a burnout point where I couldn't even look at listings without being consumed by anxiety and dread.

On top of that, I was still paying ludicrous rent prices because the housing market is also shite and by the end of my unemployed period my net worth had been cut by almost 50%. I'm fortunate enough to have had an emergency fund but having the option to live rent free in my parent's basement sure would have been nice.

Obviously, every situation is different. But I'd advise anyone to be aware of the situation and ask how they can support somebody going through that rather than assuming they're just being lazy and regularly pestering them.

i dunno, that culture of everything (even your care for your son) being transactional and people kicking their kids out of the house at 18 for being "leeches" doesnt seem like it helps a lot. feels like extreme alienation.

it doesnt help that working and paying rent is significantly more difficult than it used to be for the previous generations. despite advancing technology we now have to slave away much worse to afford living.

all that said, i guess the problem its on the tone of it or how culture is in that regard, not so much about just the act of asking. i think capitalists have succesfully associated the grind with some sort of virtue.

Except pressuring them is counterproductive and demotivating. Just adds to their stress and shame

If you’ve got a lazy teenager (or even adult) living rent free in your basement

I mean, pressure has its place. But when it becomes a particularly sore subject, especially in a tight job market, you're just poking an open wound.

If you want to help someone get on their feet, maybe try... actually helping. "Hey, I found someone looking to hire an entry level thing-you-do and here's the contact information" / "I saw a help-wanted sign over at the place that has jobs you're looking to fill" / "I asked my friend if they have any openings at Company and it sounds like they might be willing to give you a referral" is vastly more helpful than "Have you tried looking online yet?"

All of MLM energy but for people with slightly better -- but only slightly -- bullshit detectors.

The link I posted is the site used by many state and local governments for job postings. It acts as a hub for hundreds of agencies in the country. Essentially everything non federal that has not seen quality applicants for generations.

I applied to like 80 jobs on usajobs.gov. didn't get a single call back.....for about 6 months. I had a job by that point.

I got a call back from almost every single job I applied for wanting an interview. Not joking. I got about 10 calls a week for around 2 months or so.....like fucking hell guys, you could a called half a fucking year ago. Nobody can wait that long to be unemployed.