There are No Jobs
Posted 10th July 2014 at 06:11 AM by imarkedy
Tags career, career change, careers, jobs, working at home
OK, there are no jobs, at least none which provide a lifestyle worth living so now what? In this article, we want to encourage the hearts of those who’ve been searching for employment but have yet to land that dream job. What is a dream job anyway? As a serial entrepreneur, I say with the utmost authority there is no better career than the one which allows freedom from the corporate tyranny of others.
Each day, hundreds of thousands search for a better job; whatever that means. Once employed, they quickly discover although it may pay more than their last gig, it is the ‘same old same old’. Co-workers who gossip, back stab and create a work environment so hostile it resembles more of a ‘gladiator’ coliseum than an organized work place.
As corporate America is concerned – I’ve learned those who create the most chaos, demonstrate extreme incompetence as well as kiss up to the boss are often rewarded for their efforts. With jobs more scarce than at any other time in the last 100 years (save the Great Depression), corporate culture has become toxic. Before proceeding, those whose heart’s desire is to remain marginal and knocking on corporate doors begging for crumbs, you may want to stop reading! I’m going to write things which, although true, will hurt the feelings of any determined to remain mediocre.
There are few who haven’t dreamed of starting their own business and freeing themselves from the corporate grind. However, fear of failure is so overwhelming that millions remain stuck in some cubicle or office. I remember my last job. It was with a non-profit, faith based organization and upon securing employment so many years ago, I thought; “Finally, I can take it easy and work among those who believe in the same things I do”. Unfortunately, faith based organizations are among the most hostile work environments because leadership follows the same unethical behavior’s as others professing no faith at all. What makes these especially dangerous is their use of God to sow all manner of wickedness!
After working at the company for many years, the Human Resources Director and Vice President showed up in my office wanting to discuss something with me. I knew this was my last day in this den of hell because normally, my supervisor would simply walk into my office, take a seat and start talking.
On this occasion, I invited him in but he insisted on waiting for the HR representative. The HR employee finally arrived and to this day, I am still unsure why my employment was terminated. In lieu of a severance package, they gave me a ‘legal settlement’ which totaled about $35K. If I’d done something wrong, why not just terminate my employment and give me severance? The answer is simple; they just wanted me gone and had no grounds to do so. Sure, they read a list of unfounded accusations but had no proof any of it was true and when I challenged the absurdity, I was ‘kicking against the pricks’.
What has this to do with your job search and frustration at lack of suitable employment? You may have had a similar experience, been laid off or are currently under-employed and seeking direction. My advice is to launch your own business now! Lack of capital, with the advent of e-commerce, is no longer an excuse. If you can pinch together $100 for a custom domain name, hosting and search (using Google) the term ‘drop shipping’, you could be in business tomorrow and cranking out serious profits not long hence.
I know this is a scary time but President Franklin D. Roosevelt, upon winning the election of 1932, put it best; “We have nothing to fear except fear itself”. Jobs are going to continue a downward slide and for those a bit older, corporations are intentional with hiring much younger and less expensive employees even though they lack experience to add immediate value. Additionally, it is much easier to corrupt the young versus someone a bit older, mature and more experienced.
Like so many others, I am not going to paint a picture with statistical evidence on just how truly depressing the job market is right now. What’s the point when the search term used to find this article demonstrates you understand the reality? I will say something very hard (but loving) to hear; if you don’t, at this moment, take charge of your future through entrepreneurship, the problem isn’t the job market but you!
I understand your dilemma, I truly do. Having no college degree when I lost that $80K (fully loaded) per year non-profit job, I knew there was little chance of simply going out and recovering such a large amount of lost income quickly. Further and in the few years leading up to my fateful meeting with HR, I was building my own company and unashamedly, using company time when and where necessary.
Here are a few tips to assist with your transition;
1. If under-employed, learn everything you can from your current employer. You will find no educational opportunity is useless when trying to launch your own company
2. If unemployed, file for unemployment and get as many extensions as possible beyond the initial 26 weeks. Sure, you’ll have to submit applications to companies and be available for work but constantly, build your business using these resources
3. If miserable on your current job, begin building your contact list for post-employment purposes! There may be people, vendors or other contacts which will become important for your own business. Take advantage of any employer related education, conferences or other benefits which further individual business goals
Methodically plan your imminent departure!
You may believe you are a valued employ and have worked at an organization for years but trust me, no such thing is true. When the moment is right, your employer will get rid of you. For those working at 501(c) 3 organizations, it really is less about the social cause and more about money so get used to it. Prepare yourself for the harsh revelation few non-profit leadership teams really believe in the cause they profess to fight for. It’s just a job to them.
It is time to take responsibility for your life friend. You can continue to blame others or start your own business. The choice is yours.
Brian D. Dale
Small Business Development Center
Each day, hundreds of thousands search for a better job; whatever that means. Once employed, they quickly discover although it may pay more than their last gig, it is the ‘same old same old’. Co-workers who gossip, back stab and create a work environment so hostile it resembles more of a ‘gladiator’ coliseum than an organized work place.
As corporate America is concerned – I’ve learned those who create the most chaos, demonstrate extreme incompetence as well as kiss up to the boss are often rewarded for their efforts. With jobs more scarce than at any other time in the last 100 years (save the Great Depression), corporate culture has become toxic. Before proceeding, those whose heart’s desire is to remain marginal and knocking on corporate doors begging for crumbs, you may want to stop reading! I’m going to write things which, although true, will hurt the feelings of any determined to remain mediocre.
There are few who haven’t dreamed of starting their own business and freeing themselves from the corporate grind. However, fear of failure is so overwhelming that millions remain stuck in some cubicle or office. I remember my last job. It was with a non-profit, faith based organization and upon securing employment so many years ago, I thought; “Finally, I can take it easy and work among those who believe in the same things I do”. Unfortunately, faith based organizations are among the most hostile work environments because leadership follows the same unethical behavior’s as others professing no faith at all. What makes these especially dangerous is their use of God to sow all manner of wickedness!
After working at the company for many years, the Human Resources Director and Vice President showed up in my office wanting to discuss something with me. I knew this was my last day in this den of hell because normally, my supervisor would simply walk into my office, take a seat and start talking.
On this occasion, I invited him in but he insisted on waiting for the HR representative. The HR employee finally arrived and to this day, I am still unsure why my employment was terminated. In lieu of a severance package, they gave me a ‘legal settlement’ which totaled about $35K. If I’d done something wrong, why not just terminate my employment and give me severance? The answer is simple; they just wanted me gone and had no grounds to do so. Sure, they read a list of unfounded accusations but had no proof any of it was true and when I challenged the absurdity, I was ‘kicking against the pricks’.
What has this to do with your job search and frustration at lack of suitable employment? You may have had a similar experience, been laid off or are currently under-employed and seeking direction. My advice is to launch your own business now! Lack of capital, with the advent of e-commerce, is no longer an excuse. If you can pinch together $100 for a custom domain name, hosting and search (using Google) the term ‘drop shipping’, you could be in business tomorrow and cranking out serious profits not long hence.
I know this is a scary time but President Franklin D. Roosevelt, upon winning the election of 1932, put it best; “We have nothing to fear except fear itself”. Jobs are going to continue a downward slide and for those a bit older, corporations are intentional with hiring much younger and less expensive employees even though they lack experience to add immediate value. Additionally, it is much easier to corrupt the young versus someone a bit older, mature and more experienced.
Like so many others, I am not going to paint a picture with statistical evidence on just how truly depressing the job market is right now. What’s the point when the search term used to find this article demonstrates you understand the reality? I will say something very hard (but loving) to hear; if you don’t, at this moment, take charge of your future through entrepreneurship, the problem isn’t the job market but you!
I understand your dilemma, I truly do. Having no college degree when I lost that $80K (fully loaded) per year non-profit job, I knew there was little chance of simply going out and recovering such a large amount of lost income quickly. Further and in the few years leading up to my fateful meeting with HR, I was building my own company and unashamedly, using company time when and where necessary.
Here are a few tips to assist with your transition;
1. If under-employed, learn everything you can from your current employer. You will find no educational opportunity is useless when trying to launch your own company
2. If unemployed, file for unemployment and get as many extensions as possible beyond the initial 26 weeks. Sure, you’ll have to submit applications to companies and be available for work but constantly, build your business using these resources
3. If miserable on your current job, begin building your contact list for post-employment purposes! There may be people, vendors or other contacts which will become important for your own business. Take advantage of any employer related education, conferences or other benefits which further individual business goals
Methodically plan your imminent departure!
You may believe you are a valued employ and have worked at an organization for years but trust me, no such thing is true. When the moment is right, your employer will get rid of you. For those working at 501(c) 3 organizations, it really is less about the social cause and more about money so get used to it. Prepare yourself for the harsh revelation few non-profit leadership teams really believe in the cause they profess to fight for. It’s just a job to them.
It is time to take responsibility for your life friend. You can continue to blame others or start your own business. The choice is yours.
Brian D. Dale
Small Business Development Center
