Is this a morbid way to get job leads?

[Nikia]

Am I just sick? I know a couple people who are unemployed. I would like a better job. Aside from the usual classifieds and job search websites, I browse the obituaries. The local obituaries often list the place of employment if the person was still employed when he or she died. If the obituary says something like "died unexpectedly" , I know that there probably is an opening. The few leads that I have gotten that way have been general labor positions at manufacturing facilities for friends who simply went to the plant and filled out an application. I can't think of any tasteful way to write a cover letter saying how I learned of the job lead that way. In a way, I feel sick and wrong for thinking this way and more so for posting this. It's difficult out there though.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

1. Who does it harm, really?

And no, you shouldn't say how you learned of the opening. It's better to say you're just looking for a job and sending CVs to companies you'd like to work for.

[212demop]

2. It's a great premise for a movie- if you can't get a job write a

screenplay about it!

Hey, these are desperate times. You shouldn't be ashamed. Bush should be. You're not ransacking dead peoples' homes. You're looking to make an honest buck by working for it. It's called resourcefulness.

Good luck!

[Aiptasia]

3. F that, that's how people find cheap housing in big cities

is to read the obits, it's a great way to find rent controlled apartments in NYC.

[flvegan]

4. Didn't Seinfeld have an episode like that?

[leftofthedial]

5. it's only morbid

if you're helping them along in their, um, transition

[Liberal_Andy]

6. no it is not, and I salute you.

resourceful, not morbid!

[jburton]

7. As long as you didn't kill 'em, it's OK

A few years ago when I worked in the hiring dept, I received similar calls about once per month. Even more common: "Are you planning on firing staff in the near future due to their poor performance?"

[Taverner]

8. People hunt for apartments this way in NYC all the time

It's a little morbid, but one does what one has to do...

Called "Will To Power" I believe...

[AngryAmish]

9. Read "The Ax" by Donald Westlake

About a guy who does this same sort of thing, except he is a bit more pro-active about the death thing.

[Dukkha]

10. Great way to get a rent controlled apartment

How do you think Antique dealers get their stuff too?

[trof]

11. Naw, I did it once.

Big utility company crashed one of their corporate jets.
I was looking for a job as a pilot.
I called their chief pilot the next day.
Didn't get the job because they'd already decided not to replace the aircraft.
Good luck, though.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

12. Well I guess it is in a sense "morbid" by definition. But it's not wrong.

Didn't the father/daughter grifter team in "Paper Moon" sell Bibles to people whose relatives just kicked by checking obits?