RANT ON.
Have I mentioned how much I hate job hunting? Because I do. HATE. IT. I have applied for more than 50 jobs since getting laid off, and I have received exactly one acknowledgement of my application. Unfortunately, that acknowledgement came in the form of a rejection letter. The rest have just ignored me until I assume the positions have been filled.
I am off work this week because the company I work for literally cannot afford to pay me (whee!) so I have plenty of time to sit around and wring my hands about my job situation. It’s not exactly a money issue, as I’ve been saving like crazy ever since the company brought me back part-time (though I’m still not rolling in it, mind you). No, the real problem is that I don’t have a plan. I like having a plan, and it makes me acutely uncomfortable that I don’t have one. I’m working on a list of grad schools to apply to in the fall, but I also have to face the possibility that I won’t get in anywhere, and if that happens I’d like to at least have a good job to fall back on. (Me? With a good job? Ha.)
Looking back on the six years since I’ve graduated from college, I have to conclude that the business world has not been kind to me. My first job involved a 4 p.m. – midnight copy editing shift at a shitty small daily newspaper where dirt and cigarette smoke clung to the walls and my asshole of a boss had a penchant for calling women a very bad word that rhymes with “bunt.” When I escaped that by running away to Kentucky as an education beat reporter at yet another shitty small daily, I had yet another asshole boss who would drink scotch all day until he couldn’t walk straight and then yell at his reporting staff for things that only made sense in his boozy world.
Screw this, I thought; I’m going to grad school. But finding a job in Knoxville proved to be difficult – even with my college degree and few years’ experience, I still ended up with no options other than to work as a temp for an appliance company for nearly a year. Then I took a secretary job at UT that I was insanely overqualified for, and while the free tuition was nice, the pay was awful and, again, my boss was horrible too. (See a pattern emerging here?) Then I worked for a month as a graphic designer, which I actually did enjoy, but then got laid off. And here I am.
Here’s the thing: I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong. I’m smart. I learn quickly. I show up on time. I’m quiet. I don’t contribute to workplace drama or make things harder than they have to be. When a bachelor’s degree wasn’t getting me the jobs I wanted, I went back and got a master’s. On my own dime. I go above and beyond whenever possible. I never take sick days. I have a genuine intellectual curiosity. I don’t think I value money or material possessions more than I should. I’m nice to people. I feel I’ve taken all the steps a person should take in order to find a good job. Why is this not happening for me?
I can only conclude that I did something in the past, or possibly a previous life, and now karma is bitch-slapping me for it. If that’s the case, I’m sorry, Universe. Please stop punishing me.
It’s my goal to apply for five jobs every day this week, including the weekend. So by Monday, I will have 35 more resumes out there for someone, anyone, to consider. This has to work out soon. It just has to.
I’m done now. RANT OFF.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
15 comments:
Oh word. Those are all great qualities in a worker, but they don't seem to lend any help in GETTING a job. They're good for KEEPING a job, though.
I'm afraid that if this job dissolves, I'll be in the same boat. Except that I totally contribute to workplace drama.
Maybe you should contribute to the workplace drama?
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.
I don't think it has anything to do with karma, but needing a job precisely at a time when the job market sucks. That and choosing to work in fields where the economy effects the job market unlike education or the medical field. You really should have had a passion for changing old people's diapers instead of pursuing the truth and publishing it.
I'm sorry things have been so crappy! We're looking for a content editor for our Web department. They're basically looking for good writers, and they are notorious for hiring graduates... just a thought. Can you tell I'd like to see you guys more often?
This rant sounds like my life. Except I have a good job now that I hate, but if I left it for something I would I'm afraid the guilt my parents would lay on em e would bury me. No shovel or excavating tool would be able to get me out.
I also stay because I fear that it can only be worse. My career history has not been filled with much good/fulfillment.
I'm sure you know that life is not fair, right? Hence, all the people getting your jobs are the ones with the exact opposite traits you mentioned. Try pulling a George Costanza and doing the opposite of what your instincts say in every situation and you'll probably be employed by week's end!
Man, I think we may have worked at the same newspaper. My editor used to chain smoke Merits and bitch about the bunts on the local desk. Good times.
Getting a new job truly sucks. I now feel bad about moaning as you've had it much harder than I did. I doubt there's anything wrong with you, you're probably just a victim of the Bush economy. Like syphilis, it's the gift that keeps on giving.
I feel your pain. I am sorry for the stress. You and I can have a job applying party if you want...
I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this. I have had ridiculously crappy jobs with ridiculously crappy bosses since college too. It sucks!
And the lack of response is awful. But there's no way it's about you or karma. It's the economy. And it will get better. And you will get into a good PhD program. When you apply, make sure to send them a tape of your Irish Jig.
Ugh. Applying for jobs is awful, I feel for you. It's the reason I went back to grad school- so I didn't have to apply for jobs right away.
You're right though, it's the complete lack of acknowledgment that really bothered me. Like I just put all this work into a cover letter and a resume and they can't even send an email saying thanks for applying?!
Hope things look up soon, lady. I have my fingers crossed for you.
One theme common to that whole time period of self-diagnosed underachievement? Me. I'm bad voodoo, chica.
Well, I wasn't going to say it, but since he confessed already --- yes, Mickey is a terribly unlucky charm in the career department.
Unfortunately I can't offer much advice. I have fairly little job search experience, which is a good sign on one hand but a problem on the other hand. If I ever do get fired/ laid off/ down-sized/ right-sized, I will have no idea what to do.
I hate to suggest paying a consultant, but I've heard people do have some degree of luck with those career coach/ headhunter people. They apparently know how to pull some strings.
UGH. Looking for jobs is the WORST. I hope things turn around for you - and soon! (Do you hear me, Universe? Be nice to Courtney already, mmkay?)
Amen, sister. Here's to better luck!
Also, I can't get that Ben Folds Five song out of my head now. Which: not a bad thing, I'm just saying.
1. I admire your ability to turn off the rant. I seem to be incapable of doing so - which does not make me pleasant to be around while miserable with my job.
2. I believe that I cannot get a job in my chosen field because I don't have any family friends in the field. People who get the jobs I want get them because their dad's golfing buddy runs the company. My parents (and my friends parents) do not have golfing buddies in my chosen field.
Side note: I tried changing fields when my friend's uncle needed an employee and that worked for a while, but it's not all it's cracked up to be.
Post a Comment