I don’t’ think anyone is immune to the minefield of emotions job prospecting brings up in us and you can’t prepare yourself for it. The only difference in the 70’s and 80’s was that the Employer had manners. It might be a one line letter saying: Unfortunately on this occasion you were unsuccessful, thank you for your application and Good Luck.” It just shocks me the level of rudeness to young and not so young job seekers.
It was much less life threatening not having a job in your 20’s you just went without food. Now a job is a little more important for Mums with mouths to feed, children to clothe, fuel, school fees, sporting costs and huge shoes. In 1979, I was in my twenties living in Brisbane and my only priority was to pay the $50 rent –- and have enough left over for some bubbles on a Friday night at the Embassy Hotel in the city.
The only jobs beside a notice in the shop window in the 80’s were in the newspaper. But, something always came up, not necessarily what you were after, but it was great to work in different businesses to get experience. Brisbane was very cool in the 80’s and secretarial work was the goal with legal secretary just a notch above. I also worked waitressing which I loved – The food and drinks, the atmosphere and the fun all fitted like a glove with me.
Today, the world is a different place. There is so much more opportunity for women to study and financial help to do it. Before they leave school today’s kids are much worldlier, well travelled, well spoken and more competent than most adults and the emphasis is University. Studying a particular degree doesn’t mean you have to stick to it for life but it’s a necessary fallback position. A lot of women my age don’t have that piece of paper, and so a lot are going back to college so they are ‘qualified’. We women tend to become mothers and wives and our employability diminishes –whether you believe it or not. I left the workforce in 1997 to have my first child and when I re-entered only 4 years later the changes were profound – when I left there were no computers – so I had to completely up skill or get left behind. I did a 12 month teacher’s aide course at TAFE which gave me the computer knowledge I needed to get up to speed, so glad I did.
For me, after I had children I could never give my career the commitment I gave pre children – as much as I tried. I was torn between children and work, watching their milestones or earning money for their commitments – it’s a terrible torment for most women.
My advice to anyone looking for part time work or full time work at the moment is to think outside the box and bring something exceptional to it. Watch the internet, read a lot and find your niche, find your passion and give it a go. Think of what you love and think of all the businesses in that industry – put yourself out there and find something that makes you feel as if you are making a difference and you will. Ignore the lack of contact from prospective bosses as I don’t think we can change that sadly, but don’t take it personally.
If you love coffee do a barista course, forget an office job for a while and get out where the people are. Take control and make people happy by serving them great coffee, perfect the froth pictures, make them your own and build a following. Work in a sandwich bar and pick up a new skill, learn to not judge your customers but just enjoy them, learn from them.
If you have never done waiting on tables – the businesses in my town are screaming for good wait staff and front of house, try it, be good at it, it might be confronting to start but again, it’s a fantastic place to immerse yourself in people.
Make a commitment to your job. Don’t just go oh I need a job to pay the bills, poor me. Get out there and be excited, be involved, learn new things, be amongst people and learn all the time – it’s the best course in human nature you can take and you get paid for it. For some the hours are terrible but again, it’s a decision, it’s not forever, it might be a stopgap or you may love it. You may decide you are enthused by something that happens and that is the path you take – eg a supplier, a chef, a wine rep, a coffee supplier etc. We are never too old to change direction and try something new and if you are good at anything, you are in demand.
My children are looking for work and are into health so over the holidays want to work in a fruit and vegetable shop – there is so much lifting to build up the fitness, they hope to get some perks like cheaper fruit. Or you can do the Barista course with them; up skill the family, it’s still a burgeoning industry and not looking like slowing down any time soon and work together ……or not.
All I’m saying is have a go, get your mojo back, get new skills on the job, be capable, smile a lot, show enthusiasm, go the extra mile, be unique and although it might be tough to start, it has just added a new string to your bow and it might be the best one yet. Mwah xxx Lee (PS I wouldn’t suggest anything I haven’t tried myself! I know it’s not rocket science but sometimes you just need a little prod to get out there.)
