Spring Break
OP-ED: Desperately seeking work
by Crystal Truelove
Op-Ed | 5/20/08
Posted online at 6:32 AM EST on 5/20/08
A year after my Brandeis graduation, I finally believe things just might work out after all.
I graduated last May and remained unemployed for a while. At first I felt little anxiety about that-I felt there was a lot to celebrate. I had completed all my coursework, finished my thesis and made it through a couple of graduation speeches. I said good-bye to my new friends and headed back home to the West Coast with soaring optimism.
I had two new degrees, after all. I assumed that would make me immediately employable. I polished up my résumé, adding those degrees with pride to the top of the "education" section.
Next, I became very familiar with online job advertising and application Web sites. I found that employers rarely give out a street address or phone number. They do not want to meet you, gauge your gregariousness, test your handshake or hear your voice. Employers frequently have a fill-in-the-blank sort of application form online. The Web sites actually state, "Do not attempt to contact us." When you are ready, click the "send" button.
For a couple of months, these Web sites are sort of fun. Filling in the blanks was like completing those Facebook mini-surveys. I surfed for hours-I had plenty of time on my hands-to discover new job sites I could join.
By the end of August I was worried. I had applied to over 40 jobs and had received two callbacks. That's right, just two.
I had been frequenting the likes of Monster, Craigslist, JobDango, USAJobs and CareerBuilder. I had my login names and passwords memorized. I signed up for a dozen automatic mailing lists, the ones that jet out an e-mail whenever anything promising pops up complete with a handy link that takes me directly to that friendly "send" button.
It turns out that while the Internet allows for more applicants to apply more easily, it also makes it easier for employers to blow applicants off. Weeks and weeks of completing applications provided only the minimal satisfaction of hearing a tiny "click" when I hit the "send" button. I rarely saw the reassurance of messages such as "Your application was received" or "Thank you for your interest in our company."
I graduated last May and remained unemployed for a while. At first I felt little anxiety about that-I felt there was a lot to celebrate. I had completed all my coursework, finished my thesis and made it through a couple of graduation speeches. I said good-bye to my new friends and headed back home to the West Coast with soaring optimism.
I had two new degrees, after all. I assumed that would make me immediately employable. I polished up my résumé, adding those degrees with pride to the top of the "education" section.
Next, I became very familiar with online job advertising and application Web sites. I found that employers rarely give out a street address or phone number. They do not want to meet you, gauge your gregariousness, test your handshake or hear your voice. Employers frequently have a fill-in-the-blank sort of application form online. The Web sites actually state, "Do not attempt to contact us." When you are ready, click the "send" button.
For a couple of months, these Web sites are sort of fun. Filling in the blanks was like completing those Facebook mini-surveys. I surfed for hours-I had plenty of time on my hands-to discover new job sites I could join.
By the end of August I was worried. I had applied to over 40 jobs and had received two callbacks. That's right, just two.
I had been frequenting the likes of Monster, Craigslist, JobDango, USAJobs and CareerBuilder. I had my login names and passwords memorized. I signed up for a dozen automatic mailing lists, the ones that jet out an e-mail whenever anything promising pops up complete with a handy link that takes me directly to that friendly "send" button.
It turns out that while the Internet allows for more applicants to apply more easily, it also makes it easier for employers to blow applicants off. Weeks and weeks of completing applications provided only the minimal satisfaction of hearing a tiny "click" when I hit the "send" button. I rarely saw the reassurance of messages such as "Your application was received" or "Thank you for your interest in our company."
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