Dad sends job adverts every day, and I dread his calls. How can I keep the help useful?
Family“Have you applied to the three I sent?” Dad asked before we'd said anything else on the phone.
I lost my job eight weeks ago. Dad checks vacancies every morning and forwards whatever looks possible. Some don't match the work I do; others are ones I have already considered. He is trying to help, and I used to thank him without explaining which messages were useful.
Now every conversation starts with a progress check. I delay answering because I don't want to account for each advert, then he sends more because he thinks nothing is happening. I have started replying “I'll look” to end the exchange, even when I already know the job isn't a fit.
I want to talk to him about ordinary things again. I would also welcome help with one application when I ask for it.
How do I change the arrangement without making him feel that he has to stop caring about what happens next?