ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2007 > June > 15 > Entry
Dealing with unemployment frustrations
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Occasionally a job seeker will come to me as a last resort. Their situation has brought them to the point of desperation. Usually in this case, this is compounded by their feelings of anger and frustration about their state of unemployment.
They’re talented people with great experience who want to go to work and feel as though they’ve contributed something at the end of the day. But sadly, many of them have waited so late to ask for help, that there may be no quick solutions at this point.
Looking for a job is a highly emotionally charged time that most of us will have to experience at some time or another. The longer the uncertainty of unemployment continues, the deeper into desperation many people sink. Unfortunately, desperation is the worst possible place from which to be conducting a job search. This is of course, the last thing that a person desperate for a job wants to hear.
It is under these circumstances that we make poor decisions. We waste time applying to jobs for which we’re unqualified. We avoid social gatherings because we’re embarrassed about not having a job. We dismiss the value of networking by saying we don’t have time because we need a job today.
If we’re lucky enough to get a job offer, we’re in danger of taking a job that’s a poor fit. If the fit is bad enough, we may end up being let go and finding ourselves in multiple cycles of unemployment. Of course by that time, our resume is a mess. So, that makes it even harder to set things back on the right course.
It’s helpful to think about your career in terms of preventative maintenance, much like taking care of your car. If don’t replace the oil, the engine will clog, stall and eventually break down. It will take a lot more of your resources to fix once it’s already broken than it would have if you’d invested the time and effort early on. It’s the same with your job search.
Preventative career maintenance involves preparing for a career change while you are still happily employed. It means keeping your network current, regularly checking in with your supervisor to make sure that you’re meeting and exceeding goals, staying on top of your computer skills or certifications relevant to your profession. If you have the misfortune to be downsized, take advantage of every resource available to you as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it’s going to be.
Comments
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By dwayne
June 22, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this
how come its so hard to get a job in the atl, if u been convicted of a feloney.i cant get a job n 5yr,now what im i todo.i dont blaim anybody for my mess-up,but i still need to work.its a lot more people out thier with this same issues. do somebody out there have any jobs. think this is funny til it happen to u…EMAIL-terquie15@yahoo.com
By Katie
June 22, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
I suppose your inability to find employment might have something to do with your poor grammar skills and/or a lack of the minimum education requirements by most employers. I would also assume if you have been convicted of one felony, it’s highly probable you have more than one on your record.
By Jeremiah P. McCarthy
June 26, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this
I suppose that the educated are less likely to have been convicted of a felony. And I suppose that correct usage of the language would help an individual get a job. I KNOW that those of us with felony convictions face your kind of pre-judgement daily.
By michelle j
June 26, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
This is actually what i’m experiencing…some of my friends are’nt empathic one of them in particular is a pre-school teacher/special needs skills instructor so she was able to return to a previous job fro the summer. She had quit prior to the schools lack of paying there employees on time. And not wanting to do her present school’s summer camp session to take a break accepted her old job!!! She approached me regarding my driving skills and i’d to search my heart truthfully and share I’m somewhat afraid of those type of innocent children… yes I’VE WORKED with children but only two/2 in my lifetime regarding handicapped issues and it wont be fair to them especially if I’m not emotinally attached… My whole take on this Is: It’s not just the paycheck but the enjoyment of doing the job with the rewards of knowing you gave it your all and all..And I want a JOB i enjoy doing as well, as providing the correct and proper service my employer Deserves