I'm not a stay-at-home mom. I don't collect disability. I have never attempted to get Welfare. But right now, I find myself lying in bed, trying to find the will to keep searching for a job. I've been at my endeavor for months now. Before, when people asked me what I was going to do with my degree in English, I would shrug and say "Eh, whatever I want." Now, however, the question prompts me into a fit of rage- I find myself defensive, combative, and just unpleasant to be around. I think there exists a double standard for people coming out of college; if one hasn't been accepted to a prestigious company by the time they've finished walking off the stage with their fake diploma in hand, they are considered lazy at best.
When I couldn't find work in the months preceding my graduation, I began to panic. I found out there are worse things out there than being considered lazy. People make suggestions about obvious career choices that you tried tens of times to obtain. They offer their input as to what you 'should' do, which usually consists of expensive options ranging from moving to a new city to going back to school. It's as if my lack of a job directly mirrors my intelligence and ability. That's not accurate at all. In my latest attempt to seek entry-level work, I came across a few employed women in various HR departments. I physically went to the place I was applying to (a medical center) to inquire about submitting my application in another way; the website was glitching, and I couldn't complete the online form due to a programming oversight. When I tried to explain this to the woman behind the desk, she told me I could apply online. She had sat through what I said, and offered a response that showed she hadn't listened to a word.
She continued to display her incompetence, and I found myself even further discouraged. If someone who lacked two brain cells could get a position which supplied benefits, a salaried wage, and a comfortable setting, why couldn't I?
What does that say about me? What's wrong with me?
The short answer is nothing. Nothing is wrong with me, except that I am too smart to realize what 'place' I'm supposed to submit myself to. Here's my opinion, and it's based on years of trying to gain employment throughout college. Managers do not want to hire someone like me: a young, driven person who has the ability to rise above their station to something more meaningful. Their job security becomes compromised. Having mindless, cowed minions beneath one means never fearing the loss of one's job to a more qualified person.
I can hear the protests already. Here are the facts as I've experienced them:
I've held a 3.9 cumulative GPA my entire college career. That means that out of the many courses I've taken over four years, I've gotten one B. In those four years, I've tried to get a job at every place in the mall. I submitted my resume to bars and restaurants. I even attempted to get into department stores.
I didn't get one interview from any of the places I applied to. The number, if I've calculated correctly, is somewhere in the forties. The only place I finally got into was the computer labs on campus- and that was a direct result of my friend, who was employed there, speaking for me.
In short, it appears that the only way to get hired is if you know someone in the company already. That, or you have years of experience already. It's a terrible cycle, because I can't get experience since no one will hire me.
I'm going to attempt to keep track of the places I apply to, and the outcomes of each endeavor. This blog will be the rough draft of a story that began to form in my head a few weeks ago, after my first interview* with a publication. I want to start a type of online sample of my writing, so I can have it for future reference. Yes, it's a little meta to write about trying to get work in order to secure a possible job, but maybe that's the way the world needs to head.
*It's important to note that I was only brought in to be told there was no open position. At no point was I given a real chance- it was a useless meeting that ate up an entire morning.
There are a ton of things wrong with the way the job market works now a days, and it doesn't mean that anything is wrong with you, you are totally right. You are completely employable. One of the many things making finding a job difficult is that the job market is extremely saturated already. There aren't enough jobs for everyone, especially in some cities. And most of the work that is available isn't specialized work. Thus, not work requiring a degree. I'm finding out pretty quick that this job I got isn't really very design-oriented, it is more production and customer service than anything. Probably anyone with good work ethic who is good at multitasking and learns quickly could do the job, they don't have to be an art major. So, that is slightly disappointing, but I feel like it is a start that I need to prove I can do good work and work hard, and that someone will be able to vouch for me that I have marketable skills.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, another problem I think you are probably running into is that the first people to get hired are the people who know people already in the market. They get recommended or referred or whatever by a friend, family member, etc, so they have a foot in the door that you don't have. I think I would stay involved in things going on in your interest, like conferences or even poetry readings, etc, trying to network with people who might need someone for a job or know people hiring in your area of expertise. I'm trying to get involved in AIGA for the same reason, to meet a lot of people who someday might need to hire me, and they might think of me before someone else if they know me.
I know it's tough, but try not to get discouraged. As you said, nothing is wrong with you, it is just hard to get started. All you can do is be persistent as hell until you break into that lucky spot where someone sees you are a valuable asset. Which you are! Don't listen or care about people who think you are lazy or whatever reason you don't have a job yet. They are being ignorant to how things are right now in the workforce.
Another thing, try to keep occupied with related activities, always keep writing. Look for places that need volunteer editors or articles, because that kind of work on your resume will show your drive and passion. I know it's hard to do work for free, but think of it as practice, and that you are getting paid with professional experience. The more things you can get published the better that will look. Don't loose hope!! All you can do is your best and eventually, it will pay off.