Boys and girls, I'm about ready to give up on a fruitless, three month long job search. I have been told I am "overqualified". I have received nothing but silence as a response to an absolute heap of resume chaff (Enough so, that I've burned completely through a printer cartridge and two packs of paper, then had to ask Ravenwood/Sabertooth for more). Would someone kindly explain three things to me?
How did we let ourselves get to such a state of utter servitude? Where day to day service in a corporate mill finely geared to fleece as much as possible while contributing as little as possible is the norm.
Why is it the most useless, unintelligent individuals somehow manage to stay perpetually employed, while anyone with even a modicum of intelligence or capability is turned aside, labeled 'overqualified' or 'Why are you not working in X industry on your resume'. If I was able to work in that industry and there was work in that industry, I'd work in that fucking industry. There is no fucking work in the fucking industry I have six years of on my fucking resume. Stop fucking bringing it up, employers.
What is the bloody point anymore? Forty years of the same thing, then twenty of enforced nothingness and rot when you've outlived your usefulness to whichever corporate banner you've been bound to.
Lately, boys and girls, I've had only one thought in mind: I can't make the world burn on my way out. That's about all I'm wanting for it nowadays, and as a secular humanist, there's something entirely wrong with that notion, of fantasizing about apocalypse and oblivion. But I'm at my wit's end, the last fibers on my rope, and even my own family won't help me; I am twenty seven years old. There's nearly a quarter of a million dollars held in trust for me, for education, housing, a vehicle, any basic need. A clause exists in that trust permitting the release of all funds at age 25. I'm "lying" about how bad my personal situation is, according to the soulless lump of meat holding the trust. Otherwise, no funding will be released until I'm 30.
I'm honestly starting to think it's time for Canada to get a Tunisian awakening.
: Selkit March 22, 2011, 12:01:40 -06:00There's nearly a quarter of a million dollars held in trust for me, for education, housing, a vehicle, any basic need. A clause exists in that trust permitting the release of all funds at age 25.
Words can't express my hatred. I'll tell you what you need. A kick in the ass. You think there's money waiting for anyone else? You piddle around for three years and get your fucking payout? You're about to get more money than people your age in this city will ever see at one time, and you're complaining. You make me sick.
Overqualified? Cheat. Leave things off your resume. You're allowed to. Pound the pavement to X Industry every goddamn day off and shake hands with everyone. Ask your friends if they know where you can get a job. And did I mention pound the pavement? Pound it like it owes you money. Anyone can send an email, and HR sites are notorious for leaving old and irrelevant job posts up. Force your resume into manager's hands, look them in the eye, and stroll out like the baaaaad motherfucker you are. Your resume should be properly typeset, in a font other than Times New Roman or Arial, be pleasing to the eye in "My god, it even has a watermark..." proportions. It should not over-glorify meaningless tasks, but get strait to the point in fifteen words or less on each point *exactly* what you did at your job. It should be no longer than one page (fiddle around with the margins if you need to), and only list the best parts of your employment. It's not a CV. Shine out.
: Selkit March 22, 2011, 12:01:40 -06:00How did we let ourselves get to such a state of utter servitude? Where day to day service in a corporate mill finely geared to fleece as much as possible while contributing as little as possible is the norm.
No one is pointing a gun to your head and forcing you into corporate servitude. There are many, many jobs and *ghasp* volunteer opportunities that let you make a goddamn difference. And that's the important part. You want to crush your soul? Corporate does a fine job. Think outside the box. Do what you truly want and never work a day in your life.
: Selkit March 22, 2011, 12:01:40 -06:00Why is it the most useless, unintelligent individuals somehow manage to stay perpetually employed, while anyone with even a modicum of intelligence or capability is turned aside, labeled 'overqualified'.
Confirmation bias.
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. ~Plato
Selkit, I'm not having an easy time of things either where employment is concerned and my situation is becoming increasingly dire each week that goes by, which is source of constant stress. You only have 3 years before you are basically set financially for years to come. Something a lot of us don't have the luxury of, which is no doubt going to rub people the wrong way when they read that. I too find myself envious and wishing I had such a short wait for that kind of money.
Your mention of people being in utter servitude. From my experience that is how it has always been in all my years of employment. You will always answer to someone unless you are at the top of the tree in a company. That's just how it is. Plenty of other options out there besides corporate.
I have found it's not how well you can do the job. It's how well you can charm the management, which is a practice that I have to adopt if I'm going to succeed. It's pretty cut-throat right now. You really have to sell yourself and be to the point. I can do this job and I can do it better than everyone else.
In the job market today your resume must be specific to the industry you apply. If you're applying to a retail job position yet you only have experience in another industry, it doesn't matter how many years experience you have, they are going to pass over you for someone who does have experience in that field.
If you have no experience then you need to sell yourself that much more and look at any transferable skills you can bring to the position. Omit all un-neccessary or irrelevant information from your resume. You MUST do that or employers are going to toss your resume.
There are days where I think the same things as you, which does unsettle me, holding a strong humanist view myself. My advice is if your current course of action isn't working, then you need to change tact. Look at your resume and a position you want to apply for and tailor it to be specific. Ask around and talk to people in the field you're interested in. Having contacts and those who can speak for your character and interest are very good to have. Also read up on companies and their practices, employers like those who are knowledgeable of their goals.
: terutt March 22, 2011, 01:34:46 -06:00
Words can't express my hatred. I'll tell you what you need. A kick in the ass. You think there's money waiting for anyone else? You piddle around for three years and get your fucking payout? You're about to get more money than people your age in this city will ever see at one time, and you're complaining. You make me sick.
[gmod]Warning #1: Constructive criticism, fine. Disagreement, fine. Personal attacks, not welcome here.[/gmod]
There must be a way to actually use the clause, otherwise it wouldn't exist. If you can't find it, go to legal aid and have a lawyer find it for you. That's what they're there for. Even if your financial institution insists that you're lying, there HAS to be a way to prove your case.
as for job hunting, if your resume is getting tossed, see an employment councellor. That's their job, fixing your resume. Have you tried EI? from what you've written, your situation isn't as dire as you're making it out to be. Frustrating as all hell, but not nearly as dire.
I'm going to try to say this as politely as I can.
With a 250K trust fund coming to you in a few years, and being frustrated at not finding work in only three months of searching, do not be surprised if people are a little puzzled/unsympathetic/enraged at your post.
However I understand how certain problems seem much worse to people from certain backgrounds than others. I am personally withholding my judgement and I wish you good luck.
This is an observation coming from someone who has had to literally eat from, and wear clothes out of the garbage at one point in my life.
Here, let me play the worlds saddest song on the worlds smallest violin for you *rubs fingers together* *sheds a single tear* :'(
You know how much 250k is to me? that's about the amount of money I expect to come into my life over the course of the next 15-20 years kthx.
with 250k I would be set for life, I could go into real estate like my father, who I imagine would be able to help me become a successful landlord, I wouldn't have to worry about my future ever again.
You know what its like to lose 4 years of your life to depression? it means being 19 years old and under qualified to work at a mcdonalds.
You know how much time I've spent employed in the last 6 years? about 4 months, perhaps less.
If I could get a job paying 9$ an hour for washing dishes, I would be thrilled.
So sorry if I have no sympathy for your resume being too long, and your 250k not being released for 3 years.
edit: Did I mention I have trouble maintaining consciousness in job interviews? or that when confronted by anyone in a place of power for any reason I start to cry? do you know how hard it is to get a job when it takes all your mental focus just to keep your body upright, and your eyes forward and tearless? almost every job interview for me I have spent the entire thing in a daze.
Oh wow, it's become a "my horse is bigger than your horse" thread. Why am i not surprised.
Oh, right. because human compassion is dead. Come on, he reached out to us in his personal hour of distress. Yes, people have it worse, people will ALWAYS have it worse. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't envious of his position, which seems far better than my own right now, but it's still not a fun position to be in, it doesn't make it any less stressful or any easier for him to deal with.
So, Sevrin, do you know what its like to not have even relatively clean water to drink? No? How about how to deal with being pregnant from a rape at the wonderful age of 15? How about suffering from any number of mental illnesses, from bipolar disorder, or borderline personality disorder (aka borderline psychotic!), or schizophrenic, and having to keep yourself under control 24 hours a day 7 days a week? Have you ever had a child taken out of your custody and put into some shitty foster home because some one decided it would be fun to tell the ministry that you're crazy? And then after fighting for over a year to have said child returned, after proving that you're not crazy, and having the ministry's entire case fall to pieces because it simply wasn't true, have them come up with some other bullshit excuse to keep him? Have you ever been in a foster home, kept away from your parents against your will, even after telling your social worker you want to go home? Have you witnessed the multiple shooting of your family dog by police officers raiding your dad's medical marijuana grow op? Have you ever sold your body to pay the rent? Ever lost a family member to human trafficking? Cancer?
I'm sorry, but trivializing some one else's hardship just because your own sucks? Really? Come on now. Grow up. See a therapist and an employment councellor. go back to school, get qualified for jobs you want to do.
Wanna switch positions? I'd be much happier in your position right now than my own. :( Actually I lied, I'd be excited.
: EmoFox March 22, 2011, 04:34:56 -06:00
Oh wow, it's become a "my horse is bigger than your horse" thread. Why am i not surprised.
Oh, right. because human compassion is dead. Come on, he reached out to us in his personal hour of distress. Yes, people have it worse, people will ALWAYS have it worse. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't envious of his position, which seems far better than my own right now, but it's still not a fun position to be in, it doesn't make it any less stressful or any easier for him to deal with.
So, Sevrin, do you know what its like to not have even relatively clean water to drink? No? How about how to deal with being pregnant from a rape at the wonderful age of 15? How about suffering from any number of mental illnesses, from bipolar disorder, or borderline personality disorder (aka borderline psychotic!), or schizophrenic, and having to keep yourself under control 24 hours a day 7 days a week? Have you ever had a child taken out of your custody and put into some shitty foster home because some one decided it would be fun to tell the ministry that you're crazy? And then after fighting for over a year to have said child returned, after proving that you're not crazy, and having the ministry's entire case fall to pieces because it simply wasn't true, have them come up with some other bullshit excuse to keep him? Have you ever been in a foster home, kept away from your parents against your will, even after telling your social worker you want to go home? Have you witnessed the multiple shooting of your family dog by police officers raiding your dad's medical marijuana grow op? Have you ever sold your body to pay the rent? Ever lost a family member to human trafficking? Cancer?
I'm sorry, but trivializing some one else's hardship just because your own sucks? Really? Come on now. Grow up. See a therapist and an employment councellor. go back to school, get qualified for jobs you want to do.
He is complaining about a large sum of money hes gonna get -large enough to change most peoples lives forever btw- and his superior education/experience, not to mention I feel this comment:
: Selkit March 22, 2011, 12:01:40 -06:00
Why is it the most useless, unintelligent individuals somehow manage to stay perpetually employed, while anyone with even a modicum of intelligence or capability is turned aside
is kind of offensive, for one I feel like its insulting me, and two he assumes that people with less education and experience than him don't have trouble finding work as well, so I find it hard to stir up any sympathy for his situation, and if that makes me immature then so be it.
I can't really contribute to this "My woes are greater than yours thread" in all seriousness, but I'll try!
You guys don't know how hard it is to be brought up in a stable, loving upper-middle class family. ;n;
Seriously guys, give the man a break. I may not agree with everything he says (I'll most likely end up working a corporate environment, quite happily and of my own choosing), but for many it's something to despise. And there are a lot of dumb fucks who somehow seem to hold on to their jobs, many in positions of power. A cut-throat industry is soul crushing for many. Jobs are hard to get, blah blah blah. Dunno where I'm really going with this. I agree with lying on your resume if you might be taken as overqualified.
: Sevrin March 22, 2011, 03:29:42 -06:00
Here, let me play the worlds saddest song on the worlds smallest violin for you *rubs fingers together* *sheds a single tear* :'(
You know how much 250k is to me? that's about the amount of money I expect to come into my life over the course of the next 15-20 years kthx.
with 250k I would be set for life, I could go into real estate like my father, who I imagine would be able to help me become a successful landlord, I wouldn't have to worry about my future ever again.
You know what its like to lose 4 years of your life to depression? it means being 19 years old and under qualified to work at a mcdonalds.
You know how much time I've spent employed in the last 6 years? about 4 months, perhaps less.
If I could get a job paying 9$ an hour for washing dishes, I would be thrilled.
So sorry if I have no sympathy for your resume being too long, and your 250k not being released for 3 years.
edit: Did I mention I have trouble maintaining consciousness in job interviews? or that when confronted by anyone in a place of power for any reason I start to cry? do you know how hard it is to get a job when it takes all your mental focus just to keep your body upright, and your eyes forward and tearless? almost every job interview for me I have spent the entire thing in a daze.
: EmoFox March 22, 2011, 04:34:56 -06:00
Oh wow, it's become a "my horse is bigger than your horse" thread. Why am i not surprised.
Oh, right. because human compassion is dead. Come on, he reached out to us in his personal hour of distress. Yes, people have it worse, people will ALWAYS have it worse. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't envious of his position, which seems far better than my own right now, but it's still not a fun position to be in, it doesn't make it any less stressful or any easier for him to deal with.
So, Sevrin, do you know what its like to not have even relatively clean water to drink? No? How about how to deal with being pregnant from a rape at the wonderful age of 15? How about suffering from any number of mental illnesses, from bipolar disorder, or borderline personality disorder (aka borderline psychotic!), or schizophrenic, and having to keep yourself under control 24 hours a day 7 days a week? Have you ever had a child taken out of your custody and put into some shitty foster home because some one decided it would be fun to tell the ministry that you're crazy? And then after fighting for over a year to have said child returned, after proving that you're not crazy, and having the ministry's entire case fall to pieces because it simply wasn't true, have them come up with some other bullshit excuse to keep him? Have you ever been in a foster home, kept away from your parents against your will, even after telling your social worker you want to go home? Have you witnessed the multiple shooting of your family dog by police officers raiding your dad's medical marijuana grow op? Have you ever sold your body to pay the rent? Ever lost a family member to human trafficking? Cancer?
I'm sorry, but trivializing some one else's hardship just because your own sucks? Really? Come on now. Grow up. See a therapist and an employment councellor. go back to school, get qualified for jobs you want to do.
Guys, can't we be a little more civil about this? It isn't about who had the worst life in the past, this isn't a competition. I really hate to see this stuff get said on the forums, because it just adds to the drama that already stands out.
Selkit, I'm sorry you're going through this right now, and I feel the same for you. I've been passing out my resume countless times and haven't received a single call from any of them, despite the fact that they told me that they
were hiring at the time. Which now leads me to believe that if I don't change something about myself, that one little thing will stop me from going anywhere in life. We all suffer our own little problems in life that keep us from getting anywhere, but by doing something, just one little thing, we can sure get somewhere at least. Even if it's asking friends for help, because in any time of need, it's always good to know you've got friends who have your back.
Sevrin, I'm in the exact same boat as you, and I know how it feels to be depressed for copious amounts of time. Elementary/half of my high school years is where most of my depression comes from, the rest of it comes from what I have to live with. Though to skip all the drama, I won't say what I'm going through. Yes, like I said above, we all have these little things in our life that we suffer with, but with a little help, there's a way to get through it. If I could reach through this computer and give you a big hug, I would.. except for that's not physically possible.. TwT
EmoFox, hearing all that makes me want to come up to you and give you a big hug as well. I'm really sorry to hear that you went through all that before.. nobody should have to go through something like that, and yet it still happens.. and the best we can do is keep our chins up and move on. There's still more to come in the future, so let's make the best of it right now. It isn't the end of the world, and it doesn't have to be. Working together as a team helps out more than fighting the battle alone. You've got Jester and Rain supporting you all the way, they are there with you when you need them. And that's the best thing about having a sibling, is having someone there to help you up when you fall. I personally don't have any siblings of my own, but I've always got my friends to go to when I need them the most.
I hope this post makes a little difference to what happened in the thread, though I think not possible, I hope so, even in the slightest way. We all have our own hardships that everyone else see's differently in their own eyes, and all we can do is just get through everything one step at a time. We can't give up now without a fight.
Everybody has hardships of some kind in their lives, some different than others. Everyone deals with those hardships in a different way, and everyone has a different support structure to help them.
Always remember, that no matter who you are, noone will ever see the world the way you do. Experiences, education, beliefs, all of these things colour how we see the world and the people around us. That includes the experiences of the people around us. Do not judge them for things they cannot change about themselves.
I grew up in a middle-class family. Both my parents held stable, well-paying jobs through my entire youth. I went to a good school, and went to an excellent post-secondary institution.
I have also spent more time in hospital in my 29 years than most people will in their entire lives. As of May this year four of my joints will have metal in them, two of those made of metal.
These and other experiences will always affect how I perceive the world, and how I choose to respond when provoked.
Being compassionate may be hard, especially when you see someone much better off than you, but some of you remember what it's like to feel no compassion. When noone is there to help you up it only makes things worse. If you can choose to not judge someone for the things they cannot change and be the compassionate person they need in what, to them, seems like a bottomless pit, you can make everyone a little bit better off.
You know, perhaps I was a tad hostile, like I said I felt insulted by his comment so I got somewhat defensive, I went for a run and now I feel a bit better, I don't want to come off as an arse, and I really do care for others, so I'll try this again:
Selkit, finding a job is hard, its something everyone is struggling with right now, 3 months may have been a long time to search for a job several years ago, but its fairly standard now, just because its tough doesn't mean you should get frustrated or give up, sooner or later you will find a job, just keep at it! good things come to those who wait.
focusing on all the negatives will only make you feel negative yourself, you live in one of the best places on the planet, and you are surrounded by people who care for you, focus on that, give yourself reason to be happy, if you are happy good things will happen to you, this is coming from a lifelong skeptic, positive thoughts and actions beget positive consequences, in the words of a wise and famous man "don't worry, be happy"
You're a nice guy Selkit, I'm sure you didn't mean to be insulting and I'm sorry I got hostile with you.
Selkit, when you find a job you even remotely want, GET ON THEIR ASSES. I've gotten my last three jobs by calling, checking up on my position with the hiring manager, and bugging the shit out of the managers until they hire me. Seriously.
Right now, I'm applying at Build-A-Bear, and every time they tell me "oh, our manager will be looking at resumes within a week," I note down the day the manager's supposed to get to my resume. If that date passes, I only leave it two days at MOST before I call and ask about the status of my application.
This has gotten me more interviews than I can count - and trust me, I'm just a nerdy little college kid with a resume full of customer service jobs.
Keeping a job, on the other hand, is another matter <.< god i love my health.
</sarcasm>
: MurphyErasmus March 22, 2011, 06:38:47 -06:00
god i love my health.
</sarcasm>
Grand-mal seizures in professional kitchens are great for job security. You should see how impressed they are with my performance when I regain consciousness. :D
I've found that learning to take myself a little less seriously made my life a lot simpler. I still have a lot of the same concerns I've had since I was a teenager, but I don't let them affect my day-to-day life nearly as much as I used to.
Similarly, in my own job hunt I'm worried about my health and the problems that it can cause in a kitchen, but I choose to let it be a problem when it becomes one, and not before. There's no need to give away a potential career-maker because I'm afraid of something that might never happen.
Took me six months without a single interview before I landed my job. I was lucky that a seamstress job opened up an d the owner of the shop didn't judge people based on appearance. He hired me on the spot to work a few shifts to try me out. I've been there a little more than 5 years now. I was definitely qualified. I learned to sew 21 years ago. XD
: Carthage March 22, 2011, 07:03:14 -06:00
Grand-mal seizures in professional kitchens are great for job security. You should see how impressed they are with my performance when I regain consciousness. :D
I've found that learning to take myself a little less seriously made my life a lot simpler. I still have a lot of the same concerns I've had since I was a teenager, but I don't let them affect my day-to-day life nearly as much as I used to.
Similarly, in my own job hunt I'm worried about my health and the problems that it can cause in a kitchen, but I choose to let it be a problem when it becomes one, and not before. There's no need to give away a potential career-maker because I'm afraid of something that might never happen.
Sounds really fun! D:
Are they at least sympathetic about your condition once you're hired? It's not like your seizing on purpose to get out of washing dishes or anything.
I've found a LOT of employers aren't sympathetic when it comes to my hallucinations. Every so often I'll have auditory hallucinations at work, or become absolutely convinced I'm living in a shadow world, and it usually gets me fired almost immediately. Whoop!
Fuck the lot of you. I lose an entire maternal half of my family, I'm hated for having a trust consisting of what's willed from the death of my mother, my grandmother and others, I come asking for any perspective at all, and after having lost my marriage to the situation, all I get is spat on. I'm really getting some perspective on why people think this community has gone to hell. So go ahead. Kick at me a bit more while I'm down. Trivialize the time spent looking; Look for any excuse to get your daily dose of schadenfreude or martyr act in, in a pointless fit of one-upmanship. Thanks.
I'm sorry Selkit, I just can't think of what to write. I don't feel that way about you. :-\ I don't know what to say, I spent 4 weeks 'seriously' looking for a job, and I was offered one right away.
I don't have a college education - I mean I failed my last highschool class the first time. I don't know what to tell you.
Don't give up. Brown nosing is the way to do it of course, even if it feels demeaning.
edit: Out of curiousity, what's your specialty? What income level are you hoping for?
: Selkit March 22, 2011, 08:13:27 -06:00
Fuck the lot of you. I lose an entire maternal half of my family, I'm hated for having a trust consisting of what's willed from the death of my mother, my grandmother and others, I come asking for any perspective at all, and after having lost my marriage to the situation, all I get is spat on. I'm really getting some perspective on why people think this community has gone to hell. So go ahead. Kick at me a bit more while I'm down. Trivialize the time spent looking; Look for any excuse to get your daily dose of schadenfreude or martyr act in, in a pointless fit of one-upmanship. Thanks.
I'm sorry Selkit, I hope this had nothing to do with my post.. I was only trying to lighten up the situation, I wasn't trying to push you down or anything.. I'm really sorry...... :-[
: Selkit March 22, 2011, 08:13:27 -06:00
Fuck the lot of you. I lose an entire maternal half of my family, I'm hated for having a trust consisting of what's willed from the death of my mother, my grandmother and others, I come asking for any perspective at all, and after having lost my marriage to the situation, all I get is spat on. I'm really getting some perspective on why people think this community has gone to hell. So go ahead. Kick at me a bit more while I'm down. Trivialize the time spent looking; Look for any excuse to get your daily dose of schadenfreude or martyr act in, in a pointless fit of one-upmanship. Thanks.
Here's the problem as I see it; a lot of what you are saying is scattered. How is the money related to your job woes? If you want to talk about your job problems, do so - but some people may see bringing up the money as an attempt at bragging...or even entitlement.
This is not just one person noticing this in what you've put down, but several people. If you'd like sympathy or perspective maybe pare your post down to just the basics.
: Selkit March 22, 2011, 08:13:27 -06:00
Fuck the lot of you. I lose an entire maternal half of my family, I'm hated for having a trust consisting of what's willed from the death of my mother, my grandmother and others, I come asking for any perspective at all, and after having lost my marriage to the situation, all I get is spat on. I'm really getting some perspective on why people think this community has gone to hell. So go ahead. Kick at me a bit more while I'm down. Trivialize the time spent looking; Look for any excuse to get your daily dose of schadenfreude or martyr act in, in a pointless fit of one-upmanship. Thanks.
Look, Selkit, you've been through some shit, its terrible whats happened to you, but that's not what you made this thread about, all people can see is that you have lots of money and you're complaining about it, and you're saying you're better than people, and you're saying you want the world to burn, its not that nobody cares, its that you chose your words poorly, and that's probably not what you wanted to hear but I think its important that you know.
you're a furry, that makes you family to me, and sometimes family doesn't always get along, but I really do care, and again I'm sorry.
Here's some 100% honest advice on your situation.
1. From now on, don't talk to ANYONE about your money. This includes mates/GFs/wives. Telling people about windfalls NEVER works out. From now on it doesn't exist!
2. Craft a specific resume for each job you are applying for. The shotgun approach does not work with job applications. It may take more time but an obviously copypasted resume gets thrown in the trash right away by the hiring supervisor/interviewer.
3. When it comes, don't expect to use your inheritance to pay bills, support you, etc. Call your bank and get a financial advisor, or get a private one. Invest the money, save the money, buy property, just don't fritter it away. If I ever have kids and they used my inheritance unwisely I'd come back from the dead and beat sense into them.
Selkit, some people have been a bit snappy, but others have offered solutions, myself included.
I know it's hard to see past the negative. I, too, am one of those "lucky" people with a trust fund thanks to the death of a family member, and I really understand how that feels. I'd rather have my father back anyday.
Anyway, please remember that there are people here who want to help you.
Let me clarify, Uni; The release can happen at 25, on discretion weighing heavily in favor of hardship relief, educational planning or child-rearing. I'll be hitting 28 in a few months. That's one crucial fact which was inadvertently omitted, which would have clarified why it was even mentioned. If it wasn't for the mismanagement of an inheritance I lost two family members for, I'd be in university, right now, investing in a better future for myself, with the balance sitting in a GIA or equivalent account for retirement. That's the sole reason it was even mentioned, is that these issues could end with the stroke of a pen. Still, it should not have been mentioned. As far as job applications run (Save for the spray and pray mall-chaff; Yes, even the fast food joints have a copy of my generic resume sitting around, for what it's worth) has been tailored based on research into the target company, with a non-form cover letter affixed. I can't pare my resume down any further without putting a five year deep, curiously empty timespan onto it. Point three? Please don't assume I'm going to stupidly fritter away what's left. It's a disturbingly common assumption, that casts subconsciously suggestive aspersions that the recipient is a wastrel or spendthrift until proven otherwise.
That said, given the caliber of attitude shown through the community today, my own included, I believe I need to back out of any further BCF events or communications. I apologize for the tone of my original posting. Those of you who know where to contact me outside the forums, feel free to do so.
: H u nn Y March 22, 2011, 05:47:17 -06:00
EmoFox, hearing all that makes me want to come up to you and give you a big hug as well. I'm really sorry to hear that you went through all that before.. nobody should have to go through something like that, and yet it still happens.. and the best we can do is keep our chins up and move on. There's still more to come in the future, so let's make the best of it right now. It isn't the end of the world, and it doesn't have to be. Working together as a team helps out more than fighting the battle alone. You've got Jester and Rain supporting you all the way, they are there with you when you need them. And that's the best thing about having a sibling, is having someone there to help you up when you fall. I personally don't have any siblings of my own, but I've always got my friends to go to when I need them the most.
Sorry, I really should have clarified, I didn't go through all of that. But I have friends who have, family who have, etc. I was just pointing out that some one will always have it worse. My current situation does suck, I'm not going to share it here because I'm not comfortable with that sort of thing, but it's not as bad as some of the ones I've listed. And while my financial situation may be worse than Selkit's in my eyes, I can certainly appreciate the stress and frustration he is feeling.
Selkit, I hope it works out for you. try an employment councellor, really, they'll help you with your resume problems. Clearly i don't know all the details surrounding the trust, but I'm sure there's a way to force the institution's hand, whether they think you're lying or not. Also apply for EI if you haven't already; the longer you take to apply the more hoops they make you jump through, and it'll help keep you fed and sheltered.
no, selkit, don't let a little forum drama chase you away
people are different online, also due to the fact that theres no body language or voice tone, people tend to use their own emotions in place of the ones you had meant to convey
this isnt a reason to leave
Some of us had to save up for school all on our own, but then again, your problem right now is a lack of job to earn those funds.
If you're one of those people stuck in the middle, where you are broke but your parents make enough to disqualify you for a student loan, then I apologize. If not, why not apply?
The way tuition is increasing you'd actually save money by going now and paying it all back 2 years down the road...
: Unition March 22, 2011, 10:31:05 -06:00
Some of us had to save up for school all on our own, but then again, your problem right now is a lack of job to earn those funds.
If you're one of those people stuck in the middle, where you are broke but your parents make enough to disqualify you for a student loan, then I apologize. If not, why not apply?
The way tuition is increasing you'd actually save money by going now and paying it all back 2 years down the road...
Can't get a student loan. Combination of my father's income and absolutely trashed personal credit (Six month dead-end project + defaulting employer + 3 months joblessness). You've said it yourself why I'm extremely frustrated I can't hit university now, Unition. It's only going to get worse, and the time being frittered away now is far more precious than any sum of coin. I'm not getting any younger, and at best, I'll be 34 when I get out of the degree I'm eying.
: EmoFox March 22, 2011, 10:27:33 -06:00
Also apply for EI if you haven't already; the longer you take to apply the more hoops they make you jump through, and it'll help keep you fed and sheltered.
Can't get EI. No formal employer, contractual employment on an infrequent basis. Tried that avenue already. Best I can generally hope for at the moment is disability, which I find the idea of distressing; I am not disabled, I am not suffering from severe psychiatric issues, I am autistic and clinically depressed. The funding would be better spent on someone who genuinely needs disability. I have likewise tried employment counseling services. They chiefly provide access to things I already have (Telephone, fax, internet, and the same GC job-list accessible by web), and when asked for tailored help, have either been unable to provide or they have pushed me in the general direction of a social assistance office for various forms of disability support. I want a meaningful job or degree, and a measure of progress, not a tax burdening stipend from a system already groaning under its own weight.
And Sevrin, the people in question are individuals I'm likely to encounter at an event. Individuals who ostensibly are here because of a common local connection. A "little drama" does not excuse ignorant, bludgeoning attacks over an error in communication about a fund I lost family members for. Given the choice, I'd forsake every dime of it to have my mother back. Money will never buy family, and it will never replace lost time.
: Selkit March 22, 2011, 10:45:17 -06:00
Can't get EI. No formal employer, contractual employment on an infrequent basis. Tried that avenue already. Best I can generally hope for at the moment is disability, which I find the idea of distressing; I am not disabled, I am not suffering from severe psychiatric issues, I am autistic and clinically depressed. The funding would be better spent on someone who genuinely needs disability. I have likewise tried employment counseling services. They chiefly provide access to things I already have (Telephone, fax, internet, and the same GC job-list accessible by web), and when asked for tailored help, have either been unable to provide or they have pushed me in the general direction of a social assistance office for various forms of disability support. I want a meaningful job or degree, and a measure of progress, not a tax burdening stipend from a system already groaning under its own weight.
go ahead and get disability, if you have a diagnosis it should be pretty easy, you don't have to stay on it forever, a lot of the time its just to help you along till you are capable of supporting yourself, once you have your degree and the job you want you will pay back everything you were given, and society will be the better for it.
Fair enough, employment councellors tend to have the mentality of getting you out rather than actually helping. But I find if you go in and tell them in no uncertain terms what you want and expect of them, they're more helpful.
Don't let yourself get swallowed by the cracks in society. The system CAN work, but you have to be willing to manipulate it. (this is where a woman's natural manipulation talents really come in handy, :p har har) You have to stand up and say "No, you're doing it wrong, this is what I want, now do your effing job." Otherwise they all take the easy way out. Not just employment councellors either, I find this to be true with all sorts of people, especially government mandated employees.
: Sevrin March 22, 2011, 10:53:54 -06:00
go ahead and get disability, if you have a diagnosis it should be pretty easy, you don't have to stay on it forever, a lot of the time its just to help you along till you are capable of supporting yourself, once you have your degree and the job you want you will pay back everything you were given, and society will be the better for it.
I agree with this.
Find out if your tuition is subsidized if you're on disability. If it's enough you can work while you go to school and not have to depend on loans.
I blame the British.
Useless and unintellegent people arn't afraid to do grunt work. They like getting dirty. If they gotta sit in line for two hours just to earn 6/hr, they'll do it. There's no shame in having to walk through a foot of chicken shit if it's putting food on the table. I'm just assuming by "useless and unintellegent" you mean the lower class, low income population. As for the people that are making six figures, yet can't even figure out how a door stop works...that just perplexes me.
There's never been any point. People just get caught up in career choices and employment ladders. Working for a company for almost half your life, I'm sure you'd be making more then you'd ever made before, and if your money's with the company, a retirement fund on the way.
As for the last twenty years Old People Pulling Pranks (Benidorm Bastards) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iJN9Tiht-k#) do what ever the fuck you like, you're old, and most people are to to afraid to do anything about it.
I dont think that video was needed.
The other thing that hasn't been mentioned, is that the labor market is overly saturated with qualified people, thanks to Canada hemorrhaging jobs to slave labor countries like China, India and Bangladesh, to name but a few. This gives potential employers here, the ability to pick the "cream of the crop" in terms of selecting new hires. In other words, you now have to compete with possibly THOUSANDS of people competing for the same position you are.
You've probably already done this, but have you looked at your interests and skills, to see if they could be applied elsewhere? It's not a guarantee, but worth a shot none the less.
Selkit, I know I'm young, and albeit have little work experience, but I listen. And I have learned, from friends and faily, when you want a job, do not stop calling. Phone them once every two weeks, so as to not come across as desperate, but that you're serious about the job. Another thing to keep in mind is that most people are LUCKY to make that much money in TEN YEARS, so I wouldn't be bitching about three. If my words are not heeded, I won't be surprised, but I'll offer what advice I can. Don't give up on looking for a job. Even if it's merely a minimum wage temp job. Seasonal work is easy to find, and volunteer work is everywhere. I don't know where you live, but I know at least three places in Maple Ridge that are hiring.
Everyone else in this thread; Selkit wants advice. He doesn't want you to try and out-whine him. It's unnecessary, and childish.
Wait, you're 28, how does your father's income affect you? Your father's income only had bearing on your student loan until you reached the age of 23. After that, you can claim independence from your family and your family's income no longer counts against your qualifications for a student loan.
Job hunting will take time. Usually in a normal economy it can take up to four months. In one as bad as our's, it can take double, if not triple. This is usually why financial advisors tend to suggest having on handat least four months of living expenses in case of hard times. Depending on the industry you might try a headhunting agency and see what they can wrangle up for you.
This is why Capitalism A Love Story was made. A company's prioritys are to the industry, but not to employees. if you have not seen that Michael Moore film it can help shed some light on the issue, Canada is just as bad as the states when it comes to industry, even if its hidden well, like most new homes being built for high income citizens not low income people like are everywhere. all that just pushes the little guy down.
I'm not a pro job-searcher unfortunately so I can't nessesarily help in that regard, though I would offer some perspective. Whatever the particular circumstances of the people posting here they all have it pretty all right at least, you live in the first world, and a pretty nice corner of it at that which contributes to your ability to make this post to begin with, if you're feeling like it should all burn then consider getting outside and getting some fresh air and hopefully a reminder that in the big picture things are mostly all right. Maybe this is part of why I read non-fiction, hard to ever really feel sorry for yourself after reading 'Shake hands with the Devil'.
: Fargo March 23, 2011, 04:25:29 -06:00
The other thing that hasn't been mentioned, is that the labor market is overly saturated with qualified people, thanks to Canada hemorrhaging jobs to slave labor countries like China, India and Bangladesh, to name but a few. This gives potential employers here, the ability to pick the "cream of the crop" in terms of selecting new hires. In other words, you now have to compete with possibly THOUSANDS of people competing for the same position you are.
But what about
"all the good jobs that have gone to all the 'chugs, niggers, chinks and raghead vermin that should be erradicated'."
Not my words, either. >:( I am by no means racist, so don't get me wrong, but I've had this come back to me numerous times, said by the same person, and it makes me livid to no end. Seriously, that does come out of some individuals' mouths when they can't get off their asses and actually go hit the pavement hard for a job.
Do you have anyone in a decent position, Selkit, that they could give you a good reference? I know that in this day and age you need a ticket to land a lot of jobs, but I'm still seeing quite a few people land jobs just by getting a good word put in by someone they know. Who you know still does play a fairly big part getting some jobs out there.