An acquaintance of mine is a teacher.
Because of a change of rules at his school, all the teachers will have to reapply for their jobs next year. I'm sure he'll get his job back, but if he does not, he'll probably be given a different post elsewhere in the school district.
I've told him that, in addition to reapplying at his school, he should apply to other teaching jobs at nearby schools. With his experience, I think he'd be highly desired and possibly get a better salary.
He says he shouldn't bother. That other schools would rather hire someone less experienced and cheaper. And if he did get the job, he wouldn't have the same seniority.
I've got more reasons. Maybe other schools won't have the problems he complains about at his current place; maybe an offer from another school would give him bargaining power...
...but you know what? I think he's just being pessimistic. I've known him a long time, and it's a trait of his. That's why I'm here instead of Workplace StackExchange.
I understand that filling applications for the first time in years is intimidating and scary, but the upside could be great. Besides, he does have to fill out one this year anyway.
How can I tell this possibly pessimistic friend that he should, at least, try for more opportunities?
EDIT: I discovered that I was unclear about my friend's reasons for not wanting to apply elsewhere. He says that the last time he checked, no other school districts offered benefits as good as his current one. (This is in addition to the seniority issue.) From my POV, I feel he should update his research and see if this is still true. (I suppose I could do it for him, and gently inform him.)
ADDENDUM: The problem has kind of solved itself. I had assumed that this application would be due during the summer vacation, when he'd have only a few months to find another job if necessary. Instead, the application is due now, near the start of the current semester. If he doesn't get the job, he has plenty of time to apply elsewhere. I'll bring it up at that point if necessary.