The economic recession and the latest job data

So it looks like we're not quite out of the storm yet. In fact, even though employment is up, it mostly consists of people who are underemployed (for example, I'm a university graduate currently working a job that requests a high school diploma). The situation is so dark for most people, that even the Ex, where jobs include cleaning up after the animals, and where every year since the Ex's inception they have been chronically understaffed, they have been turning away people by the THOUSAND.

This tidbit brought on a number of questions in my mind. Working at the Ex is something even (and usually only) high school students can do to earn some extra cash during the summer, there are absolutely no requirements other than, presumably, being legally allowed to work. So how does their HR staff, used to just go through the motions of interviews and such to give these kids work, decide who is best suited, based on their qualifications, to shovel shit? It puzzles me. Do they prefer those with additional education, as they are less likely to quit (as they probably have financial obligations more urgent than going out for ice cream and lattes with friends) even if the job sucks; or do they go with young people who would earn less money? Does previous experience matter? I suppose only if you've worked at the Ex before.

This lead me to the eventuality that there are many companies out there, who typically have no choice in their employees, because their positions are strenuous, unpleasant, and poorly paid, and are suddenly in a position where for the first time, they need to make actual hiring decisions.

What do you do when you're woefully unequipped to do the job you're paid to do?