| Having to Compete for a Job in the Real World |
I often hear people saying that all the homeless need to do is get a job. Sometimes
people will yell out of their car window at me "Get a job!", as I'm walking to or from
work. This makes me wonder if the those talking have ever held a real job.
people will yell out of their car window at me "Get a job!", as I'm walking to or from
work. This makes me wonder if the those talking have ever held a real job.
I realize that many people go through life without ever having to compete for a job. Some
people have no clue what it's like to apply for a job opening, with dozens of other applicants
for that single opening, and then impress the employer that they are the best possible
choice. Do they realize that if a person does get offered the job that it's necessary to be on
time and perform well enough to keep the job, and also impress the employer enough to
advance toward a wage they can actually live on?
people have no clue what it's like to apply for a job opening, with dozens of other applicants
for that single opening, and then impress the employer that they are the best possible
choice. Do they realize that if a person does get offered the job that it's necessary to be on
time and perform well enough to keep the job, and also impress the employer enough to
advance toward a wage they can actually live on?
Even in day-labor jobs (which are some of the worst) it's necessary to compete with those
who are more physically capable or are willing to do the dirtiest work. If the boss thinks he
can get someone else who will work harder for minimum wage, you won't be coming back
again. If you aren't willing to take the worst job assignments they often will not consider you
for anything, even if you are highly qualified for skilled work.
One job I've done is cleaning dog cages in an animal shelter. I could only get the job once in
a while when a regular worker missed a day. Dirty minimum wage work, and it's hard to get.
who are more physically capable or are willing to do the dirtiest work. If the boss thinks he
can get someone else who will work harder for minimum wage, you won't be coming back
again. If you aren't willing to take the worst job assignments they often will not consider you
for anything, even if you are highly qualified for skilled work.
One job I've done is cleaning dog cages in an animal shelter. I could only get the job once in
a while when a regular worker missed a day. Dirty minimum wage work, and it's hard to get.
It's true that in some jobs, such as with some unions, it isn't necessary to impress anyone
with productivity once you're established as a regular employee. On some jobs just being on
time and doing barely adequate work is all that's required. I've actually had people laugh at
me for working hard to advance in pay since they always got away with not having to impress
anyone.
with productivity once you're established as a regular employee. On some jobs just being on
time and doing barely adequate work is all that's required. I've actually had people laugh at
me for working hard to advance in pay since they always got away with not having to impress
anyone.
Employment requirements keep changing with the times. For most jobs today it's necessary
to have at least basic computer skills. For many jobs it's necessary to respond to the
employment ad by e-mail. If you can't, they aren't interested in hearing from you.
to have at least basic computer skills. For many jobs it's necessary to respond to the
employment ad by e-mail. If you can't, they aren't interested in hearing from you.
When a person has just completed a course of education that's suitable for the job market,
and has housing and living expenses provided, it's an ideal time to find employment. After
having been out of school for several years it's much more difficult to pass tests which were
no problem while in school. Having experience and the real-world ability to get the job done
doesn't impress some employers as much as scoring well on a test. While it's illegal to
discriminate on the grounds of age, it's still done all the time. Being over 50 does make it
more difficult, no matter how capable you are.
and has housing and living expenses provided, it's an ideal time to find employment. After
having been out of school for several years it's much more difficult to pass tests which were
no problem while in school. Having experience and the real-world ability to get the job done
doesn't impress some employers as much as scoring well on a test. While it's illegal to
discriminate on the grounds of age, it's still done all the time. Being over 50 does make it
more difficult, no matter how capable you are.
Several years ago, after applying for a maintenance job, I was called in for an interview.
They told me that there were over 100 applications and I was one of 10 given an interview. I
lost to someone with experience closer to what they needed. Months later there was an
opening again, I interviewed, but it was the same story. I've had plenty of similar
experiences. Sometimes it's necessary to interview repeatedly over a period of weeks for
one opening. Some people think it's strange to go through such a process, since they've
never had to, but that is today's job market. If you can't compete, you don't work.
They told me that there were over 100 applications and I was one of 10 given an interview. I
lost to someone with experience closer to what they needed. Months later there was an
opening again, I interviewed, but it was the same story. I've had plenty of similar
experiences. Sometimes it's necessary to interview repeatedly over a period of weeks for
one opening. Some people think it's strange to go through such a process, since they've
never had to, but that is today's job market. If you can't compete, you don't work.
After having impressed an employer enough to have been offered a job it becomes
necessary to get there on time and perform up to expectations. Without resources such as
a place to sleep and shower, clean clothes, and a means of transportation, it may not be
possible to do so. I frequently get e-mail from agencies that have job openings which I could
very likely fill, except that I don't have the resources needed to follow through. I have to tell
them "I'm not available at present", hoping that things will change somehow and I'll get back
in touch with them.
I've been offered work many times which would require me to be at the job by 7AM, which is
typical for production jobs, but had to turn them down since it was impossible to get there
using public transportation. When the very first bus in the morning doesn't pass the job until
sometime after seven (if it ever passes anywhere near the job), you just can't take the job.
necessary to get there on time and perform up to expectations. Without resources such as
a place to sleep and shower, clean clothes, and a means of transportation, it may not be
possible to do so. I frequently get e-mail from agencies that have job openings which I could
very likely fill, except that I don't have the resources needed to follow through. I have to tell
them "I'm not available at present", hoping that things will change somehow and I'll get back
in touch with them.
I've been offered work many times which would require me to be at the job by 7AM, which is
typical for production jobs, but had to turn them down since it was impossible to get there
using public transportation. When the very first bus in the morning doesn't pass the job until
sometime after seven (if it ever passes anywhere near the job), you just can't take the job.
While it's more difficult to get a job today that pays a living wage, there are jobs. In order to
get and keep a job it's still necessary to have the basic essentials associated with having a
place to live and adequate transportation. A stack of college degrees doesn't help if you
can't even get to the job on time and presentable.
get and keep a job it's still necessary to have the basic essentials associated with having a
place to live and adequate transportation. A stack of college degrees doesn't help if you
can't even get to the job on time and presentable.
There is always the problem of trying to get a job with a business owner, or manager, that
really doesn't know what they are doing. When it comes to low wage work, many of the
employers may not even speak coherent American english. Plenty of times I've had
managers that were clearly incompetent and ridiculed their employees who were far more
educated. Usually these people fail in business, and over a hundred small businesses close
every day. But, if you need work it's necessary to tolerate them until you can get a real job.
really doesn't know what they are doing. When it comes to low wage work, many of the
employers may not even speak coherent American english. Plenty of times I've had
managers that were clearly incompetent and ridiculed their employees who were far more
educated. Usually these people fail in business, and over a hundred small businesses close
every day. But, if you need work it's necessary to tolerate them until you can get a real job.
Even for some of the dirtiest, back-breaking, labor
jobs there is competition. In the area where I live it's
typical for dozens of people to show up at a
day-labor office (and there are many offices) at 5AM
every morning in hope of even just one day's work
work for minimum wage. Many of these people are
homeless.
jobs there is competition. In the area where I live it's
typical for dozens of people to show up at a
day-labor office (and there are many offices) at 5AM
every morning in hope of even just one day's work
work for minimum wage. Many of these people are
homeless.
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Want a job as a janitor at minimum wage? You'll
have to wait in line for an opening like all the others
seeking the job, and convince the employer that
you're better at it than any of the other applicants.
You will probably also need to prove that you have
your own car.
have to wait in line for an opening like all the others
seeking the job, and convince the employer that
you're better at it than any of the other applicants.
You will probably also need to prove that you have
your own car.
Comments? You can email me at:
clyde@homelessamerican.com.
clyde@homelessamerican.com.
| homelessamerican.com |
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