10d • General discussion
Trying (desperately) to suggest a solution
I have been reading some very depressing things about the job market these days.
It sounds like a lot of people are stuck — we just keep sending out resumes and job applications to no avail.
It makes me feel like asking: Does one need to forge a relationship with an employer in advance to get a job? I do not know for sure, but it feels like the situation is desperate for so many of us - so please be patient with me as I try to suggest a creative solution.
Now, notice I did not say “network” to get a job. By ‘forging a relationship,’ I am thinking of something different than what I usually think of as networking. When I think of networking, I usually think of a whole lot of people, often most of them jobseekers, meeting at a mixer of some kind and exchanging business cards. And, I suspect that most of them forget who they met minutes later.
By 'forging a relationship', I think we would have to look to what my kid did to get their first job. I know, it may sound weird for grown adults to be learning job strategies from a child— but please hear me out.
What my kid did is:
First, they took sailing lessons for several summers at the sailing club at our local pond.
They became skilled at sailing, forged a relationship with the sailing club, and proved that they had skills.
They leveraged their relationship and reputation with the club to obtain a job as a sailing instructor there.
I understand that they initially faced rejection. However, they did not take ‘no’ for an answer and just kept asking until they were accepted for a job.
I wonder: could we extrapolate a job-seeking strategy from my kid’s experience?
Don’t just send out resumes.
#1. Find an employer you like and become active with them. Maybe take classes or some kind of other activities with them.
#2. Learn skills relevant to that employer.
#3. Prove your skills and worth to that employer.
#4. Forge a relationship with the people at that employer who can actually give you a job.
#5. Apply for a job and keep making your case until you (hopefully) get from ‘no’ to ‘yes’.
But, I have to admit that I am no expert. I am just an amateur trying to think of a creative solution to this overwhelming employment problem. If you can improve on my recommendations - please do so.
Thank you very much in advance, and I wish you all the best.
Respectfully,
John
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Trying (desperately) to suggest a solution
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