When the narrator sought help from family to find a new job in anticipation of being laid off, their father suggested they should “dress for the job they want,” insisting that wearing a button-up shirt and slacks for their remote call center role would improve their chances. The narrator appreciates the intention but finds the advice outdated, similar to their father’s suggestions from his long, traditional career, leading the narrator to question their final comment during the discussion.
Also I have worked for the IRS for just over 4 years, and while it has hardly been a dream job, it has been reliable employment in otherwise turbulent times these past few years. That of course all started to change with DOGE, the new administration, etc.
Disclaimer: I have not been laid off yet, and nothing is set in stone. But with tax season having passed they’ve been ramping up the lay offs again, nearby departments have been gutted in the past few weeks, etc.
After I asked some family members for help looking for a new job for when I inevitably do get laid off, my dad texted me saying that he and my mom had talked and were essentially suggesting I “dress for the job I want”.
Insisting that dressing in a button up shirt and slacks for my (formerly) remote call center job would tip the scales in my favor.
Bless his heart, I do appreciate where he’s coming from and that he’s trying to help, and it’s honestly kind of cute that he thinks that kind of thing matters in this situation. For added context, he’s retired from a 40+ year long career and has given similar “walk from one business to the next with a printed resume in hand” type of advice.
Which is equally hilarious advice in today’s job market.
I explained this to him (in a less sarcastic tone) and I stand by everything said up to this point.
Where I still feel a little guilty is that I ended the conversation with “this is what you all voted for, and now it’s a bed that I have to lie in.”
I had already made my point by then and adding that bit only really serves to make him feel guilty. It’s not like I’m going to retroactively convince him how bad this administration has been for the country, and reminding him that his decisions are hurting me isn’t going to make him change his ways any time soon.
So it just felt like a pointless way to make my dad feel bad because I’m frustrated at who he voted for.
Conclusion
The narrator is currently feeling guilty for concluding a conversation about job advice with a politically charged statement directed at their father, acknowledging that the comment served only to make him feel bad without offering any constructive outcome.
The central conflict lies between the narrator’s need for practical support regarding job security and the father’s outdated, though well-intentioned, advice rooted in his past career experience, compounded by the narrator’s political frustration. Was the narrator justified in voicing their political frustration in that moment, or did they cross a line by making the conversation about their father’s past choices rather than focusing on current job search strategies?
Here’s how people reacted:
I also got laid off because of cuts in education which my industry depends on
My wife’s company has also been experiencing some loss orders due to tariff stuff
As much as it sucks, I still agree with the measures that have been taken in those two areas
I think they will be better for the country in the long run, but in a short term there will be some pain .
We are already seeing some countries coming to the table on tariffs.
We are already seeing a resurgence in our 401(k) is after an initial drop earlier this year. Things will stabilize.
Best of luck to you with whatever comes next. And ask your Dad for rent money if it comes down to it. That’s the least he can do.
And yeah, telling someone to “dress for the job they want” is about as helpful as advising a kid to challenge a bully at school with a better tie.
Dude was terrible the first time, was nothing but scandal after scandal, yes people still voted for him again like it would be different the second time. Idiots, all of them.
And the “dress nicely” suggestion was just another way of saying “ahhh fuck off I don’t really want to help you in any way”
It’s a “fuck off” answer. It’s like telling you to “be confident”
People need to realize who they support politically leads to real consequences.
r/LeopardsAteMyFace/
Honestly you should rub it in their faces