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Canada, culture, Employment, jobless, jobs, Motivation, musing, Résumé, work, writing
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Before sleeping last night, if you can call that fitful spate of restlessness sleep that is, I picked up something from the bedside to read. Okay, admittedly, this is not bed time reading but inside the pages of a September 10th 2011 issue of the Economist was a piece about leaders that stated “It is not impossible for politicians to reduce the West’s frighteningly high unemployment levels.”
While this is a U.S. focused piece, we in Canada are enduring much the same “joblessness wave” for all the same reasons cited. What next entered my mind as I finished reading the entire article was this: “If that is so, why aren’t politicians responding to this massive quest for jobs?”
As a jobless person in Western Canada, I have seen little to assist those seeking work and plenty to assist those who don’t really need to worry about working at all. The only thing I know for sure that we can do for ourselves is keep trying.
On a recent Job Skills course, I learned several factors that might actually help someone, somewhere:
1. Network, network, network. In other words, talk, talk, talk to everyone you know and even those you barely know or just met. Let everyone you speak to know that you are seeking work. When people ask me what kind of work I am seeking, I say I will consider anything so please let me know if you hear of anything.
2. Apply to places that are not even advertising and keep applying. I do this with local libraries who only keep me on file for 3-4 months. I just keep refreshing my information and re-applying. Apparently refreshing my applications with larger employers is not as effective as seeking employment in smaller organizations. So I am learning to look at companies employing only a half-dozen people. However, in my area, that usually equates to roofing or construction or something so distant from my capabilities that I would waste paper to apply at all.
3. Cold call on the telephone and in person. The worst aspect of this is rejection. Fear of rejection, that is. The strange thing is I was a high achiever in my 20′s when I did cold calling for a living until I burnt myself out as their best performer. But I wasn’t doing it for myself. The rejection of those reluctant (though, I have to say there were very few flat-out NO’s for me), to do a telephone marketing survey is far different from the rejection of YOU. It’s best when I do this exercise if I pretend I’m calling on behalf of someone else even though I am speaking in the first person when I ask to speak to the manager. Let the company know you are interested in working for them, say your name again before you hang up and show up there if at all possible within a few days of calling. My interpretation of this whole process of persistence is that the more we “humanize” ourselves (ie: give them a face, voice to attach to the name), the more our chances increase of being remembered should an opening suddenly occur for reasons no one could have anticipated. Sending resumes is okay but from what I learned on the job seeking course, it is ineffectual without what I call the “humanization” factor. Has it worked for me? Not yet.
4. Look for jobs in odd places. Most of the jobs out there aren’t even listed in the standard venues is what we learned on the job searching course (ie National Job Bank or newspapers). Visit individual company websites, do the yellow page crawl, go to your local library and ask what job seeking resources they have because my local library has several that are “off the beaten path” and I was unaware of these avenues of job searching until taking this course this year. Don’t use conventional methods of national job banks as your only resource. Millions of people are clicking there and applying. You are one of many who may simply be at the bottom of the heap when the recruiter gets through the first 500 applications and makes a decision to turf the rest. Well, it makes sense to me. If I were a recruiter being inundated with perfectly good candidates by the score, why would I peruse hundreds of applications when I find a dozen suitable people in the first few resumes. A friend told me there was a book store clerk job on a college campus last year and they had something like a couple of thousand applicants. Bearing in mind that many of those are likely students who are also attending the university, it was still a huge indicator of what we are up against in terms of applying for even rather menial positions right now.
5. Change your resume for every single position you apply for. Make it “meet” what they are seeking without directly insulting their intelligence by parroting their own language in the advertisement. At least your resume or application may stand a chance of being read. Following up with a phone call here is also a good practise. I just call and say something like, “My name is _______ and I recently applied for the position of ______. I’m very interested in this position and wanted to make sure you received my application.” This is the lead in that will either get me to the next person I need to speak to in order to “humanize” myself to them, or it results in learning they’ve made a decision and it wasn’t me. Either way, it’s better than waiting. I’ve done enough waiting for replies to my resumes and still doing so.
6. Numbers count. Well, in some way they don’t but here’s the number I’m talking about. Apparently for every 20 resumes we submit there is an average formula of achieving one (yes, 1) interview. Well, I submitted 35 resumes in one week and didn’t get any interview at all, nor any luck with follow ups but I did get automated replies that said either they’d received my resume or the position has been filled. Still, I keep plugging on, hoping that average will materialize.
Looking for work is very exhausting because you feel like you are running against the clock, the bank account and the big machine that tells you how badly the sky is falling on the news every day. So ignoring the news is something I try to do on a regular basis. I don’t have any magic formula or answers for anything out there, I’m just one person on a quest for a job I can’t find… yet… and I hope my sharing helps someone in some small way on their own quest.
As for me, I am seriously considering applying for student loans and going back to school. I just don’t know what else to do to survive and if I can learn something that might increase my chances of employment, why not. Of course, it translates to more debt but either way, if I don’t get a job soon, it all translates to more debt anyway.
Wishing you the best in your search for a job. It’s not a kind market out there but I’m just going to keep trying different methods and learning all I can because I sure don’t have anything to lose for trying and everything to lose if I stop.
Nice post…you know…human beings have so much to offer…capable of employing their energy drive by passion…we have gone great heights when these align…there should be no such thing as unemployment…unemployment is a symptom of a system…from education…to working…to goals of the cultures at large…that is failing on all these fronts.
I will post you a solution…LOL…you will enjoy it.
Your philosophy is of great heights itself, given our massive and continued shortcomings as a people/world at large. Systemic symptoms, agree. Cannot wait to see what solutions you offer… as long as I can write and be paid by the hour, I’m in, LOL See ya soon.
I composed almost a one page masterpiece (LOL)…and realized…what the hell am I doing…I am just attempting to summarize what I have made some 35 posts about…in short…I would just be repeating the same crap with too many words for one post…so I decided to put in the trash:) Bottom line…less of us means more…economics should be under our control not vice versa and only reason it controls us is because of our invention of money, debt, banks, investment banks, wall street casino, capitalist profit motive…and the god like adoration of money…lack of visions and purpose for mankind beyond economics…poor education for young that is focused on fulfilling status quo as opposed to preparing them to fulfill great visions and purposes and in fact developing further ideas for visions and purposes….ah….I am tired….have a great night princess…will be on a trip for a few days and not taking this damn computer with me…time for a break.
Okay, thanks for the heads up. I shall stop looking out for that piece now, lol. have a great trip away… hope your break rejuvenates you
Many of your suggestions are excellent. I believe I have at least 5 to 10 resumes and vitas. Some for teaching higher education, some for public school, fitness, natural medicine, art and dance. In some my degrees ( 2 masters and PhD) are listed in others just a BFA. Unfortunately there is such a thing as over qualified. Which basically means “we will have to pay what you are worth so … to bad.”
Look in unexpected places or jobs that may not on the surface seem related. After my position as ceramics teacher was eliminated it took me 2 years to find the job I am now at as dance and yoga teacher. So use your multiple skills.
At this point I have done an enormous amount of soul searching. Teaching in this type of environment is not what I want to do. Come the end of November (if not sooner) I will journey on.
Aurora, you are a skilled writer. There is much you have to say that I and others want to hear. Please do not give up the voice for a job, let the voice create the job. Yotaki Beautywalk
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If anyone knows what a track back is, I’d be glad to know
Isn’t that the truth, that “we will have to pay what you are worth so… too bad.” So sad. but I feel that one to the bone alright. Then there’s the age barrier. When are all those yuppies who were supposed to be retiring leaving behind those spaces for older workers… or have they just become the working retired…
Your multitude of skills and abilities are impressive, Yotaki, I admire your diverse collection of talent. You give me hope my transferable skills, especially for doing something I really love doing is actually possible. I love your phrase: “Let the voice create the job.” Much love, j
As usual I have to be the anarchist spanner in the works here.
No, don’t thank me – it’s a pleasure…
Governments won’t create jobs because of the business-inspired philosophy of ‘big government is bad government’ which pervades political persuasion these days. Remember, all providers of mass-information are businesses. The line is dished out thus: “Any attempt at social programmes by Governments is tantamount to… no, IS… communism.”
Of course big government IS bad government, but for a whole different set of reasons. That’s another story.
The problem with seeking employment is that what we effectively do is to flood the jobs market, driving down the price of available labour – the old capitalist, free-market principle of supply/demand. This ensures that working people keep less and less of the ‘fruits of their labour’, and that the resulting wealth concentrates in ever-increasing amounts in the hands of the few. This analysis of the ‘theft of labour’ isn’t new, it is a 19c analysis by the boring old communist Karl Marx, and I applaud him for getting that much right.
Now, I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. What we need to do is subvert the whole idea of work as a commercial commodity and one of the cheapest commodities in the capitalist system at that. We subvert it by substituting it with labour that has purely social value. In short, more and more we must work for nothing and support each other. Yes I’m suggesting doing away with money, as quickly or slowly as it takes, but no I’m not suggesting that we replace it with bartering. Bartering is another form of currency and is subject to supply and demand. I’m suggesting that we substitute it with mutual aid.
I’m not going to sit down and write an exposition of the whole idea of mutual aid – I’ve taken up enough space under your entry for today – but let me use the analogy which I have quoted many times in many places. If capitalism means we must fight to be the one person entitled to use the boat to cross the river, and communism means we all have to get into the boat at once even if it sinks, mutual aid means we figure out the best way to use the boat help each other get across the river.
Happy Thurday, Janice.
M
I agree with you…the eventual goal of a higher and enlightened culture would eliminate money and not return to trade and barter…you coin it “mutual aid”…I coin it as people using their brain, opposable thumb, and energy to move us onward and upward generation upon generation…long-term approach…we don’t have to work like slaves when we have longer term visions. But for now…we live on a slave ship and continue to paddle along with not chartered course.
Slave ship indeed. That’s what our bosses mean when they tell us we’re all in the same boat.
LOL…except we are the ones down in the guts of the ship rowing the boat and getting whipped while they are up on deck drinking wine and eating grapes wondering where to sail next to keep us busy below.
Slave ship… imagine… in 2011… what a sad reflection of progress to envision… still paddling as fast as I can because those with longer-term vision are not the rulers of the slaves… just temporary masters whose faces change with every election… spell me at the oar for a wee break from the inhumanity of it all, will you, friend? LOL
Marie! Throw your spanner in the works anytime. Love the concept of Mutual Aid… many of your thoughts align with http://lifeatfiftysomething.wordpress and I wish we had more vocal, independent thinkers who could catapult us into realizing the concepts you so passionately share. Sadly, we seem, thanks to leaders, locked into a pattern of failure that sees no end to the “theft of labour,” at least no immediate end. Will sit in your boat to cross the river any time, even if it sinks. (Did I mention I swim well, lol) Glad to have your always insightful feedback
Blog on my blog as and when you please… I wasn’t fully awake today until I read what you said but my mind is sparking on all four cylinders now, LOL
@ Tincup
Ah, you noticed!
Have you ever applied at a placement agency or job seekers support office of some sort? I don’t mean to use their services, but to work FOR them as a job placement specialist? I ask because I worked as a placement person at a college right after graduation, and kept up with the industry over the years. You give the same advice I would, you write well, you’re compassionate and seem like someone who would be a great job search skills mentor/teacher/coach : ).
Why thank you, kindly, Pam! I am listed with a temp agency but perhaps I’ll go apply for “their” positions, lol I have worked in positions where I “advised/counselled” so it ties into my skill set somewhat, just not employment counselling… yet… lol. While I have applied for a couple of similar positions, I have, so far, had no success. With your “in-the-know” encouragement, will mightily press on
Oh Aurora! I really hope you find your perfectly stable job! It’s true that these days recessions are everywhere and life becomes suddenly very hard. Good luck!!!
Thanks, Daphnee! If not, you may find me elbow to elbow immersed in studies alongside you and you can help me with my homework which will, I am certain, ensure I pass everything with flying colours, LOL
As a bleeding heart liberal American, I feel pretty comfortable blaming Republicans here for our joblessness issue. It seem most programs here are designed to make the rich people richer, the poor people poorer and everything funded by the working class stiff. Our president keeps trying to push legislation through to create jobs here, but the Republicans keep shooting it down. Until something is done to force Repubs to do what they know is right, we will maintain our jobless rate. It used to be that if you went to college and got a degree, you’d have a job. Well, I got my degree. All it does is collect dust. Best wishes on your job search, Aurora. I hope things improve in Canada and the US, not to mention everywhere else!
Appreciate your thoughts and wishes, Miranda! All too often the paper collects dust while the worker is imprisoned in a warehouse among the cages they shift. This is a story I have heard time and again and it’s so disheartening. The vibrant young man at the dollar store counter has a degree in Journalism. The lovely lady in the fashion department helping you find something to wear to an event holds a Masters. The friend who wonders why he went to university at all is working in pest control. While it is good honest work and provides the means for food and shelter that many do not even have the luxury of, it is, as you say, folly to think any longer that a degree will ensure employment. Mentioning assets whether experiential or educational seems fruitless because as Yotaki (Beautywalk) said, they will have to pay more. I have “dummied” my resume down so much, I don’t even recognize myself anymore, lol. Ah, well, off I go to see if sheer tenacity proves rewarding…will keep you posted LOL
Great information. Joblessness is a real problem and you did something very positive here. Bravo!
My pleasure. Will be visiting you soon for some comic relief from all that presently weighs my mind… if something I say helps somebody, even better
Maybe it might even lead to a job for some of us who are looking, you just never know… thanks for taking time to read my pages, Lorna 
I was unemployed for three months last year. The networking thing is spot on. I put well over 100 applications during that time, managed to get several interviews, but the job I finally got was from a contact who worked with me at the place that laid us all off. It’s a different market these days. Not sure about where you are, but around here, they don’t really want people “cold calling” in person. Everything is done on line. I even applied for a couple of police dept jobs that specified “on line ONLY.”
Congrats on finding work, Jeff. It’s true they don’t WANT people cold calling but the course we took encouraged it anyway even where contact info states “NO PHONE CALLS.” I actually told that to a man I know and he got an interview just for making the call anyway… he didn’t land the job but… It’s a hit and miss situation, really. It might peeve some but then it might be just that lucky break we need. True everything is online now but then there’s no way to “humanize” ourselves and stand out from the rest if we submit to the norm… so I just try anyway. The worst they can do is yell (in which case I might yell back, lol) or give me the cold shoulder but so far that hasn’t happened. Though no job yet either, LOL
Back to the networking right now
And you make a very valid point. It’s not like you’re going to get in trouble or anything. The worst that can happen is they can say, “No, thanks.” Wishing you success very soon.
LOL at get in trouble, who knows, anything is possible with this unpredictable world of ours
Thanks, Jeff for your kind wishes.
Good luck whatever you do. I hope you do consider going back to school. It’s a blessing that you have that potential option. Cheers.
Yes, it is a potential option fraught with about 80,000 worth of debt by about age 60 (student loans), I’m not sure I want to take that on at this stage of life but if a dependable income doesn’t soon appear in the shape of a steady job, it may well be the shape of my future. Still, debt means nothing if we suddenly drop dead (dark humour, I know lol – the result of working in corrections in case I haven’t mentioned that before lol) and I know I am fortunate to even have some options. Thanks for the wishes and the cheers