For the Job Seekers…
And those who employ them.
Photo by Matt Noble on Unsplash
Whether you’re new or returning to the job market, you’ll find it familiar with the line from Disney’s Pocahontas, “You can't step in the same river twice. The water's always changing, always flowing.” Actually, that quote (or something very similar to it) can be traced back to Ancient Greece, before Socrates.
The point is, the Job Market is ever changing. The way employers list jobs, the way checks and interviews are performed. My last job seeking took place in 2008, and it’s like I’m learning the craft all over again!
Photo by Marten Newhall on Unsplash
Update my profile on LinkedIn and the numerous other Employment Websites (Indeed, Monster, ZipRecruiter, etc.). Upload my resume here & here & here, input my details on this page, confirm I’m not a robot by choosing how many busses are in the pictures above. Then begin my search.
I ask for notifications from the Employment Websites, jobs where I might be a good fit… And get notifications for Nurse, Accountant, Hair Stylist, Dental Assistant and State Trooper. Yeah, not licensed or qualified for any of those!
Made it a point to go through job listings each morning: Oh- that sounds interesting!! Nope, no college degree in Marketing and my years of experience don’t count. Hey- there’s a job where I fit into what they require!! Except it’s in NJ and I’m in NY -not remote and I’m not willing to relocate (again!).
Then there’s the listing that looks legit, only to find out it’s not - with a bunch of spam in my inbox & robo calls on my cell.
Wow- here’s a job listing with four reasons why I should work for them (as opposed to ‘with them’), and here’s the 10 mile long list of what the responsibilities are. Can’t forget my carefully crafted cover letter!
Then, after I’ve declared I’m human, I get the very automated robotic response of, “We’ll review and let you know.” Hhuuummmmm…. great, thanks - I think!!
Working at dealerships in the past, I’ve had my fair share of placing these job listings, with the promise from the Employment Website, “We’ll get your job opening in front of thousands of applicants!!” What they forgot to include was whether or not that person lived in the area and/or was actually qualified to do the job… But I digress.
My point here is that, even though you’re not working for an employer at the moment, you’ve got to work to find your next opportunity. Even if you’ve decided to work for yourself - on Fiverr, with Care.com, Insta-Cart or Uber, or start your own business - YOU are going to have to put in the time and effort in order to make your dreams come true.
I found this cutie on Reddit:
“To you Job Seeker....
Oh, noble job seeker, in pursuit of employment bliss, Embarking on a quest for a paycheck, not to miss. Through the jungle of resumes and cover letter lore, You march forth, undeterred, seeking that office door.
In the land of interviews, where nerves do play, You, the valiant candidate, slay each question’s prey. A dance of skill and wit, a tango with HR, Navigating the maze, like a job-seeking czar.
Oh, job seeker extraordinaire, fear not the rejection sting, For with each ‘no’ received, you’re one step closer to the bling. Your resilience is unmatched, your spirit unbroken, In the kingdom of careers, you’re the wordsmith, not the token.
So, lift your head high, and wear that suit with flair, For the job market’s a rollercoaster, and you’re the one in the chair. May your LinkedIn Indeed shine and your references sing,
To you, job seeker, I embrace thee! 🍻”
Making sure what I perceive in the world is what I’m looking for
so as to bring about what I hope to happen.
Keep your head up & keep going!! Have a pretty good idea about what it is you’re looking for so you can recognize it when you see it.
It took a little bit for me, and I’m happy to report that I have found an opportunity to use my talents and help both myself and the company grow - I start next month!
