.random[oid]archive

Wouldn’t it be great if all of our assumptions were true and logical? No longer would we rely on facts. Now that is a world most would probably enjoy living in, but in reality that world might never come true; as it is the society we often refer to as utopia. Not only is it far fetched as it is too perfect, but we humans are too different that one utopia would not work for everyone on this planet.

As I am still unemployed I am often encouraged to go “door knocking” for jobs, at any place thinkable, regardless if they need staff or if it is a job I would find tolerable. And we can not forget that even if they have not advertised they need staff, they always need staff, anywhere and everywhere, right?
To me that is when good intentions collide with reality. Of course, if you spot an establishment you would not mind working for, ask if they need a job; but if the establishment has five staff members and one customer, how likely is it they need staff?

Let us not forget the main task of the employee; to do a good job. If you cringe on the thought of working at a certain establishment, do you think you will do a good job? Not to mention, how do you think that will affect you mentally?

Too often I meet people with a job who say that I should apply for X, Y and Z and I will have a job. Well, I have done that for almost a year now and I am still without a job.
Get to know me first before you give me job suggestions based on what you would be able to do and have skills for. I am a Linux geek, but I do not tell people to switch to Linux just because I did it and found it easy.

The best you can do to help someone who is unemployed is to ask them what they have done, what they want to do and what they are trying to do to get that certain job. When you have done that, listened to that person, you have done the most important thing, being there for that person; only give advice if you are asked for it or know you will be giving helpful advice. The best thing of course would if you offer them a job.
Just showing someone who is unemployed that you are there for them and trust them that they are doing their best trying to find work means a lot to them.

It also fascinates me that people who either tell you to ‘get a job’, ‘do this to find a job’, etc, assumes that by invoking those words you will magically get a job the next day. If you do not get a job the next day you are the one who did something wrong or didn’t listen properly.
Bunch of bollocks if you ask me.

And I can not forget to mention those who set very high standards for themselves seems to always ask you to lower your standards. Oh the irony, and hypocrisy.

I did a few edits on my CV today, printed out eight copies and went for a walk. As expected, as none of the establishments advertised for staff, they did not need me. In other words, I still have my eight printouts.

Instead I am going back to the old drawing board and do what is more common now, looking for work online where you find companies that actually need more staff.
I am also going to scrap my very positive and polite cover letter and write a new one, that is more honest and blunt; in other words, no more mister nice guy.

I apologies for sounding so negative and absolute, but I am sick of living up in the clouds thinking I would get a job by doing what everyone tells me to do, instead of listening to my own instincts. I am also sick and tired of pleasing everyone else, except myself, but when I standup for myself, as I have been told to do, that is wrong too.

If you know me and feel very offended by what I have written, don’t be. This is not about you, but what I have experienced at least the last 10 years of my life; and this article is written to make people that is in a similar situation as me understand that they should not feel bad about their efforts trying to find work. They should especially not feel bad if someone gives them shitty advice and later on tell them they did not follow their instructions properly.

As I wrote earlier; if you know someone who needs a job, give them a job (if you can offer one of course)! If you can not offer them a job, keep your opinions to yourself, as you are not helping making them feel more useless when they fail trying to follow your shitty advice!