The Economy Sucks

So, this isn’t the kind of post I normally write.

This is a post about how awful the economy is and how it’s affecting me and the people around me.

Quite honestly, I’m faring well. But like millions of Americans, I am scared too. No one knows what’s going to happen next.

But here’s what is happening.

On December 8th, I posted a job on LinkedIn, a social-networking Website for professionals. It was a small, freelance job, about 10 hours a month, paying $20-$25 per hour.

I sent it to about 80 people in my network, hoping that they–but more likely someone they know–would be interested. I’m 35 years old and most of LinkedIn connections are about the same age, give or take five years or so. Mostly people, like me, in the middle of their careers.

I was expecting few to want the job themselves, because they’re in mid-level or senior positions.

Instead, the next day, I got a flurry of responses from first-degree contacts who wrote emotional and urgent notes to me.

Here are a few. There are no names, but I have gotten their permission to include them:

A former co-worker:

If you think I can do it and you trust me, I’d like to give it a go. If not, I understand that too, no hard feelings. The rate is lower than my usual but obviously at this time I want what I can get while still being somewhat selective.

Well, I do like heels, and am looking for more work from home, so you guessed right.  Who exactly posted this ad, and how could I get more info and see if I am qualified?  I do need to update my resume a little.

A human-resources professional who helped me find a job:

Sure- sounds easy enough.  I’m well-familiar with all three of those sites.  If you want to discuss moving forward, feel free to give me a call…and we can chat.  For something like this I would charge $18/hr – is that within your budget?

All of these people have jobs.

I also have several friends who were laid off and are actively searching for work. Those emails were harder to read.

It’s certainly much more difficult for them than for me.

But I have to tell you. The decision I have to make now is excruciatingly difficult.

I have to choose one of my friends, not only on the basis of how well they will do the work, but also based on who I think needs the work the most and ultimately how important it is to me that one of them gets the money.

Now, you could say, as part of me is right now, “Why even consider friendship. This is a business deal and it ought to be decided based solely on who will do the best job for the least amount of money.”

Okay, so what I am to do? Bid down one of my friends? Hire someone I don’t know as well and then look one of my closer friends in the eyes?

Instead, I could hire a complete stranger. But that defeats the whole purpose of calling on my LinkedIn network. I don’t know the caliber of their skills or their work ethic. And they don’t know me.

So, as problems go, mine isn’t dire.I’ll help one person, but the others will be fine. They’re all extremely talented people.

But what does this mean for all of us? How much less stable will the economy get?

I wish I knew the answer.

All I know is that the economy sucks.

Tagged as: economy, online marketing