Lost in a Jobless World

Today is three months since I was laid off.  I am still looking for work.  It is not at all surprising, but it still chomps. The job market is tight, tight, tight. There are a few jobs being posted that I can apply for, but there must be 200 people, at least, applying for each one. Knowing that can be, is, discouraging.

I am applying for all of the jobs that I have even a remote chance at.  So many want experience or software expertise I do not have. Or, they are wanting an entry level person. I am going into those areas but, having worked in recruiting and even been a hiring manager, I know what happens. If they even look at your resume, and that is a big if, you immediately go in to the reject pile. You either hit a large majority of the keywords or it's easy to see that you have way too much experience and will want too much money.  They can be very, very picky.

There still aren't a lot jobs out there. Even the agencies haven't had much. And those were mostly so far off the mark it was laughable. 

Job boards are full of the same or fake postings.  One can see the same jobs posted there by agencies week after week.  They never change, they just get reposted so that the agencies can get more resumes.  One applies for them only to be told they've been filled, but they are still there next week and the weeks afterward.
At least I know what the score is. Having worked in recruiting and been responsible for hiring my own staff at one stage, I know what goes on. I have realistic expectations and no illusions. It helps, but only a little.

One looks, though.  The daily trawl through the boards is the daily reminder how little is out there.   Then there is the agonizing over the cover letter and resume as well as the need to send them in fast.  If you don't get your application sent within 24 hours your chances approach zero.  So many applications are sent, many employers just can't accept any more.   You worry if the cover letter is just right.  It needs to stand out in a good way, just the right amount of information, not too long, not too short, enthusiastic but not desparate.   You add a line to the growing spreadsheet that records your efforts.

Then you have to let it go and continue the search.  And, you have to stay positive.  You have to keep yourself from sliding into a despondency that kills enthusiasm.   You keep moving and, every day, keep looking and sending in the resumes.  You try to figure out more ways to cut spending, let go you more of the things that make life worth living.  You hope and pray that one day those things will come back.

Anyone who says people getting unemployement insurance are lazy and not looking for work are utterly clueless or hateful liars.  They sure as hell don't give a damn.  I have been taking workshops to help me with writing resumes and cover letters, and interviewing.  Each workshop is full of people frantically looking for something.  Anything.

Most of them are so close to the edge. They are desparate for work and pray for Congress to extend benefits just so that they can keep a roof over their heads and food on the table until they find work. We are all just hoping to find something, and that it will pay enough to live on.

I will need to take a lower paying job. That is a certainty.  So many employers just aren't hiring.  They are hanging onto money they should be using to grow their businesses.  Those that are hiring know they have job seekers at their mercy. Most will take advantage of that. For some, it may mean the difference of being able to have that extra body at all.  For others, it will be a cynical opportunity for cheaper labor.

A problem I have with taking the low paying job is that I do not like to take a job only to turn around and leave as soon as I find something better that pays more, leaving the employer in the lurch. It's an ethical thing for me. I did that once years ago and it didn't sit well with me. My consolation was that it was obvious the job was going to disappear in the very near future so I saved the employer the need to lay me off.

I don't mind taking lower pay if I can get by and save a little on it. More important to me is the people and the work. If those are good, and the day is more fun and interesting, I can deal with less money. Those jobs are few and far between, I am very sad to say.

Anyway, the whole point of this screed is that I hit a milestone of sorts with three months. My family is trying not to freak. I am trying not to freak. I have a small cushion of money, but it won't last forever. Am I already tainted as someone not to be given a chance? Am I already considered to be too lazy to want to work, wanting instead to live on unemployment forever? Will the voices out there painting the unemployed as being unworthy, lesser humans prevail and convice the world that they are right?

I know my own fears and worries and I have only myself to worry about.  it must feel like the end of the world for families.  How do they cope? I cannot even imagine. My heart breaks for them.