Employment Issues

[Anonymous]

Our 28 year old son has been unable to keep a job for more than 6 months since graduating from college (later) four years ago. Has ADHD and a liberal arts degree. Jobs have mostly been in sales. Not sure what would be a better career at this point. Keeps saying it’s the economy but I’m not sure.

[Anonymous]

He should see a specialist to seek skills, therapy and medication. If he is living at/near home, that needs to change so he is more independent and has to think of consequences of every action.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He should see a specialist to seek skills, therapy and medication. If he is living at/near home, that needs to change so he is more independent and has to think of consequences of every action.

OP here. Should have mentioned lives with a roommate on own for the last 4 years. We have to help occasionally between jobs. He is otherwise very sociable and has friends. He has done therapy and takes ADHD meds, though I can’t be sure it’s consistent.

[Anonymous]

Does he tell you why he gets fired? Or is he quitting? How do you know whether to believe him?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does he tell you why he gets fired? Or is he quitting? How do you know whether to believe him?

This

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]Does he tell you why he gets fired? Or is he quitting? How do you know whether to believe him?[/quote]

He's not quitting. He says it’s because he is not making his sales numbers. Also usually blames the company.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]Our 28 year old son has been unable to keep a job for more than 6 months since graduating from college (later) four years ago. Has ADHD and a liberal arts degree. Jobs have mostly been in sales. Not sure what would be a better career at this point. Keeps saying it’s the economy but I’m not sure. [/quote]

What kind of sales? Is he in retail or selling tech/medical products?

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Our 28 year old son has been unable to keep a job for more than 6 months since graduating from college (later) four years ago. Has ADHD and a liberal arts degree. Jobs have mostly been in sales. Not sure what would be a better career at this point. Keeps saying it’s the economy but I’m not sure. [/quote]

What kind of sales? Is he in retail or selling tech/medical products? [/quote]

Not retail. Selling services. A lot of time on the phone.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]Our 28 year old son has been unable to keep a job for more than 6 months since graduating from college (later) four years ago. [b]Has ADHD and a liberal arts degree. Jobs have mostly been in sales.[/b] Not sure what would be a better career at this point. Keeps saying it’s the economy but I’m not sure. [/quote]

That's a trifecta of problems there. He has "high turnover" written all over him. So just have to accept that it will always be so unless he at least eliminates one or more of those.

[Anonymous]

As someone with untreated ADHD and a person who had a VERY hard time keeping a job, I think he should take the hint that sales positions are not for him.

You need to get him to get very honest with himself about what his weaknesses are. Because sure, one or two companies are awful, but ALL of them? No. Common denominator. He has to identify his weaknesses and figure out how to work around them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As someone with untreated ADHD and a person who had a VERY hard time keeping a job, I think he should take the hint that sales positions are not for him.

You need to get him to get very honest with himself about what his weaknesses are. Because sure, one or two companies are awful, but ALL of them? No. Common denominator. He has to identify his weaknesses and figure out how to work around them.

What changed for you? The type of job? Just not sure what other types of jobs he’s going to be able to do?

[Anonymous]

Sales is really demanding with high turnover.

He may need to explore a different field.

[Anonymous]

Sales is not for everyone. Is there something he’s particularly strong in that he can turn into a career path?

[Anonymous]

I would not make this your issue, OP. He is living independently and making his own decisions. No need for you to intervene, right?

You say you help him out occasionally. If you're talking about $5,000 per year and you can easily afford it, then whatever. Now, if you're talking about $50,000 per year, then maybe you do need to intervene by telling him that you can no longer give him any funds.

[Anonymous]

I do think part of this is the industry. My BIL is in tech sales and seems like he is always being laid off (does not have ADHD or any performance issues, as far as I know) but always lands on his feet.