Tuesday 10 February 2009

Jobless

I feel a certain amount of shame announcing that I am jobless. The word 'unemployed' that really gets to me. It makes my cheeks burn. Eye contact goes out the window. I'm ashamed, I admit it.

Considering today's economic climate, I shouldn't feel this way. According to National Statistics Online, the unemployment rate has risen to 6.1%, the highest rate since September 1997. Trust me to graduate at one of the worst economic time periods in over ten years!

It is assumed, unfairly, that finding a job and securing it is easy. Let me tell you something. It. Is. Not. For two months I have spent twelve plus hours a day online, printing CVs, writing cover letters, visiting jobsite after jobsite. When I finally finished my MA degree those four months ago, I felt empowered. I thought I had possibilities. Prospects. I felt like my life was finally about to begin. I am not one of those graduates who expected a job to fall easily into my hands. I expected hard work. I expected rejections. I prepared myself for that eventuality.

But today, employers want more than degrees. They want experience. This makes me angry. I don't have work experience in the field I want to start my career in. But I am more than willing to get it! Unfortunately, no one will hire you without it. Just how am I expected to learn? This is what baffles me the most.

I feel disheartened. I feel like a little lost soul, simply trying to find my niche in the world and am getting nowhere for trying. But I won't ever stop. I will continue my daily efforts. I will write more cover letters and CVs. But what I'd really like is an opportunity to show that I am capable of doing a job, that I can give 110% in my career. All I need is someone to take that chance. Until then, I'll be keeping my fingers crossed!

2 comments:

  1. I have read a few of your posts and I like your writing. I enjoyed your 25...28 things about you.

    Keep on writing and developing your blog. I also would like to invite you to my blog.
    http://the-new-author.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. You're right about the importance of experience. With all other things being equal, the candidate with the most qualified experience has the advantage.

    I'd check with your grad school. (If you've done so already, I apologize). Many businesses with affiliations at the school will give preference to those graduates.

    Every now and then, my grad school forwards leads to me from such businesses. Perhaps your school offers the same...

    Good luck!!!

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