No one understands us better than our own children.
We raise them, thinking we are teaching them and then sending them out into the world.
But sometimes, they find a way to help show us a thing or two.
For Pete Judge, after losing his long-time cashier job in Arizona, finding a new one seemed impossible. But his son knew better.
In this modern world, online job hunting is a common occurrence now, and entire websites are devoted to helping people network.
But Patrick McCarthy knew his dad didn’t have an online presence.
So he took to LinkedIn, a popular job-networking site, and talked about his dad.
“This is Pete. He’s my dad,” his post began.
My dad lost his job yesterday. I would tag him here, but he doesn’t have a LinkedIn.”
Patrick talked about how his father “loved his job.”
Patrick Judge. Photo from the family
“He loves being the reason people come back. He loves seeing customers seek out his lane for check-ins and updates,” Patrick said. “Most of his professional stints have lasted 10+ years. As anyone would be, he’s shocked. Overwhelmed. Scared. Emotional.”
“His network is not like mine. He doesn’t even really know how to make his next move. But I know whoever is reading this and this LinkedIn community can make magic happen,” his son added.
Pete, he said, had spent his life in the service industry. With a knack for listening, he had tons of stories about how people would come back, just to see him.
But then the job he loved was gone, Patrick said.
Both Pete and Patrick were stunned at the response. More than 600 comments poured in, offering job offers.
Even LinkedIn responded, writing, “Pete sounds like a top-tier employee! 💙 Keep us posted as he progresses on his journey, as well as any tips or insights either of you learn along the way—it may help those in a similar situation.”
Pete said that he felt lost after losing his job. He spent a few hours talking to his son, trying to figure it out.
“I was in a zone I’ve never been in before,” Pete said. He was worried about how long his savings would last him, but didn’t “want to file for unemployment.”
I just want to go out and get a job,” he said..
Thanks to the power of the internet, Pete has started his very first LinkedIn account.
The father and son have said that they are looking through all of the offers to find the best fit for Pete.
But in a world where in recent times, people have questioned the kindness of others, for Pete, it’s been the opposite.
“What’s happened in this past week with the reaction has completely restored my faith in humanity, period,” he said..
Losing a job is never easy. But when a son loves his father enough to know when he needs a helping hand, that loss can be made a bit easier.
For everyone who has reached out, he can’t say enough kind things. “I would like to thank all of you for the overwhelming support, suggestions and offers,” he wrote on LinkedIn. “My son Patrick is guiding me on this journey. I’m still learning the ropes of LinkedIn, so bear with me.”
Watch below for a look at this amazing father-son duo.
