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The Nightmare That Is Job Hunting

In the midst of job applications, and I thought I'd detour since the laptop is already on my lap. It's just me procrastinating on the grownup things I should be doing like looking for jobs, making lunch, cleaning the balcony, combing my hair and decluttering the common shelf - yes, the dreaded hidden clutter and it's not even a year yet since we walked into this house with just three luggages. 

Do you know that I had applied for 155 jobs on LinkedIn alone in the past 6 years? Yet the two roles I held during the period were not from those applications. A whopping 155 applications and none materialised. Most employers don't even send rejection email - I don't know if that's kind or cruel but it sure is nice to get some form of feedback for the effort put into the tedious applications. Section after section of information to fill in AFTER a resume upload along with a cover letter which already contains all of those info. Some applications even come with tests or extra questions to prove your eligibility for the job. Why? You're not even shortlisted yet. 

I did get some enquiries from recruiters based on my profile but those weren't good for me. Or for them. Either I was experiencing a moment of high at work during the period that I was reluctant to leave, or a desperate company was just looking to replace someone who had left them high and dry in the middle of a mega project. The latter, I imagine, is the worst way to get employed. Think of the mess you have to clean up and they'd usually expect you to "hit the ground running", a phrase that should only be used to describe a paraglider landing.  

I'm not a picky hunter. I love living too much to chase a high profile position. But I do like to have a job I love and do it well in a community of people I could learn from and with, and in the process drive a difference in one way or another while contributing to that facelift fund. Sure I may lack the experience needed in some of these jobs I've applied/ applying for but whatever happened to that need for a "resilient team-player with great interpersonal skills and an eye for detail who is also a quick learner". 
Hey, that is me. 


Here is a recent picture of me living life in Queenstown. 





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Comments

  1. Blue Grumpster03 May, 2023

    The older I get, the more I realize life is getting less personal and less polite. Dehumanization resulting from advances in technology, our latest drug. You see it everywhere. In shops, in movie theaters, at the airport or when applying for a job. It's so unhealthy.

    Good to hear from you again.

    Blue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JJ04 May, 2023

      Enters ChatGPT! Did you have to address this with your students? You're right, Blue. The world has become less polite. Can't really speak your mind anymore in good conscience or you run the risk of getting cancelled.

      Long way from home, but come visit us in Australia :)

      Delete
    2. Blue Grumpster24 May, 2023

      The trick is to keep speaking your mind even if it means losing losing friends or relatives. You have to be able to look in the mirror and like what you see. It's funny how the internet has made us walk on egg shells. They can go sit on a stick and call it a day. Just saying. Good times breed weak people. Weak people breed bad times. Bad times breed strong people.

      Delete
  2. Jules05 May, 2023

    It’s amazing how we accumulate things. If we have a space we tend to fill it.

    I feel your pain, J. That’s a lot of applications and I’ve heard that many companies don’t even write back. Apparently they are so inundated they don’t have the time or resources to. However, I’m sure it can’t be that difficult to compile a short and pleasant e-mail to the unsuccessful. There’s nothing worse than waiting for an answer. Don't worry - the right thing will come along and in the meantime keep enjoying life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JJ09 May, 2023

      Thanks for the nice words, Jules. I believe in that too - the right thing will come along. I'm just a bit impatient and I guess there's the lesson I'm meant to learn in the process. Speaking about things....I just went out and bought another 4 pots of succulent today :p

      Delete
    2. Blue Grumpster12 May, 2023

      I KNEW Jules would be the next one to post a comment. Hello Jules. Hello Jaya J.

      Delete
  3. Blue Grumpster25 December, 2023

    Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete

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