Every day symbolizes new beginnings. The sun comes up and says good morning, we say "Goodnight Moon" to the lunar body in outer space, and the world rotates on its axis like a goddam tilt-a-whirl, spinning around like the scratched CD that my job search has become.
Over the course of the year, I've easily applied to well over 1,000 jobs and have gotten 4 interviews (1 from the illegitimate ASL Marketing Group door-to-door scam). I currently work at my dad's retail flag store in Clinton, N.J., called Flying High, Inc. This store sells flags (obviously), kites, globes, telescopes, authentic model ships, mailboxes, ties, nautical art, etc. It's kind of like a glorified internship, and when I get paychecks, it feels more like I'm getting professional allowance from my parents, complete with tax rape from the government.
With my dad's time occupied mostly with Flying High Transit (the limo division of the company), I'm usually the one in charge of managing the retail aspect (with one other employee). Being an integral part of a small business for years, since I was a teenager in my case, is a great teacher in career preparation. It's the perfect jump-off to a professional job, one would think. It encompasses sales, marketing, advertising, public relations, accounting (through QuickBooks software), market research, and a strong emphasis on customer service, which is the gasoline in any business engine. Customer service plays a key role in marketing, especially in a small business when you just need your name to be out there.
When I'm not doing that, I am applying to jobs, lots of them. These past six or seven months (when I really put the job search in full-gear) have been absolute hell. It's impossible to save up any substantial amount of money because working for my dad is only on occasion and doesn't pay that well (there is only so much you can do with a nautical shop in inland Clinton). I just wish there was some way I could convey the description of this part-time job role and how critical it is to place the utmost importance on succeeding and being ethical to keep a small business above water.
The days that I don't work are filled with the arduous, anxiety-fueled obligation to put forth 100% effort to end this unemployed status quo once and for all. There are only so many ways I can "sell myself" to the machines with pulses that evaluate resumes, the people who assume the role of God (or the Terminator) on Judgement Day. I am currently on the sixth or seventh different/updated version of my resume (who's counting?)
Another point is the fact that the job market is far from good and the economy is right there with it. However, despite this fact, the majority of my friends from college have full-time jobs at this point, which is light years beyond the point of my comprehension of reasoning. What don't I have to make a good employee? Has this society become so bullshit-obsessed that liars get the best jobs? I'm starting to believe that it's the case. I ask my friends "how did you land your job in this economy?" Their answers are always the same... "I got lucky." (Although I'm fully appreciative of the tips and advice they offer). Luck has never been a friend of mine, so that is something I neither can utilize nor count on.
People have asked for my resume (middle-aged successful adults). This used to generate so much promise, optimism and enthusiasm. This too is just another repetitive theme in this first year out of college for me. I send the resume in a timely fashion, usually with a cover letter or a nice note thanking them. I also offer to submit supplemental information including a list of references and samples of my work as needed. But, like a phantom, these people almost always disappear, even after I send follow-up e-mails. I could have forgone these last four years of college and saved a TON of money. Hell, I could've even dropped out of high school and probably would have been much further than I am now. Opportunity never knocks, it just tantalizes.
I'm done with being broke, thanks for being there while I vent. Now I have a different form of "venting" I need to do thinking about this damn job hunt.
No comments:
Post a Comment