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This post has moved to my writing/blogging site. Click on the link to read the article: 8 Similarities Between Job Search for Writers and Other Professionals.
Does job security really come with full-time jobs? Is it a myth for freelancers? Or is it a myth for everyone?
Absolute job security is a myth. I was originally going to write about freelancing and the perception of security that came with full-time but then I realized there is no absolute job security.
One story of being fired:
One of my friends is working as a sales rep. at a firm. Recently, one of her co-workers got fired. She hated the girl so she is not exactly crying about it. But here’s why the girl got fired: The managers found out that she went to job interviews during work hours. Something that should be frowned upon? Yes. Something that should get you fired? I am not so sure. Depends on whose viewpoint you are considering.
If you are the employer, you would be pissed. You’d be right to be. But then again, the work starts at 9 and doesn’t end before 6.30, and that is the earliest they can leave the firm. So if you really wanted another job, how would you be able to secure interviews after that? You couldn’t. It may look like you are betraying your boss’s trust, but then again, who doesn’t spend at least a fraction of their office time looking for distractions or other job opportunites online?
My friend freaked out because she did that too. In fact, the firm is small and the only people who haven’t been going to interviews were the managers. Job loyalty? You bet ya. They also happen to be the owners. Luckily, they didn’t take the fired girl’s word for granted and try to investigate everyone else. Maybe they really despised the girl. Hey, she had the reputation for being a difficulty bitch.
We can debate about whether she should have been warned or that they were right about letting her go. But hey, the issue here is that she wasn’t freelancing.
Another story of being fired:
Remember Christian Slater? Well, there is a chance you heard of him or saw a movie with him in it if you are slightly into movies. He has been in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, Heathers, Untamed Heart, Bed of Roses, Broken Arrow, True Romance, Windtalkers, Basil…
Well, he has quite a CV. You can always check out my Christian Slater post if you want more info on the guy. The point is, he is a fairly well-known actor with an impressive resume. But before I could check out his TV show My Own Worst Enemy, it was cancelled. Of course this didn’t stop me from seeing it. But then Christian was back in another TV show called The Forgotten. Great show, except it seems like it won’t see a 2nd season. So you might be a famous actor who is hardly ever out of work, but you still depend on the “boss”-the boss being the network executives. Surely, Christian will survive. But it doesn’t change the fact that his “job” was cancelled.
The Moral of the stories:
Life is full of surprises. Your personality or your CV doesn’t guarantee security. If they want to fire you, they will fire you. If there are monetary obligations, they will pay that and then fire you.
No, I am not trying to bring you down. But we must be realistic. We can’t blindly assume our job is at risk or totally safe. We need a back-up plan. We need to be prepared. How? Networking. By getting well with our bosses. Not pissing off the ex-boss, even if we hate them. By never isolating yourself from the industry. By never letting your job to define you. If you are writer, sure- let that define you. It is a craft. Just don’t take your bosses or your jobs for granted. But while being prepared, obviously don’t go over the board like the first girl. That might also end up in you getting sacked.
Other Posts on Job-Hunting and Career Mangement
When it comes to changing careers, your age doesn’t matter
Did you know that:
* Gerard Butler has a law degree?
* Edward Norton is a history graduate?
* Hugh Laurie studied anthropology?
* Jurassic Park author Michael Crichton studied medicine?
It is not just about artists, of course. Most of us find a university degree useful. Let’s face it, even if we don’t like our degree, a BA at least gives us a minor degree of security and gets our parents off our backs. My dad would feel more comfortable if I worked for a corporation rather than for myself. But he can’t fight with my rationalization:
“Dad, I studied Advertising and Business, I have work experience and my CV is pretty OK for a 25-year-old. There is not a better time to follow my dreams (which are about earning a full-time income as a writer ((writing whatever I want)). It is not just my dad who is surprised at my chosen path of career. Even though everybody knew I wrote all the time, they believed I would write in my free time while I got a nice office gig. Well, the idea didn’t sound half-bad until I actually went out and got an office job. I hated it and none of my friends has yet to find a job they enjoyed. They find freelancing scary and most see my educational background irrelevant. Right! Like a background in marketing would never helped a writer.
I just finished writing a series of articles for an online publication. Subject? Business tips. Stuff I learned 5 years ago. But obviously, not everyone wants to or needs to use their major. So as far as relevance go, I am not doing badly. My friends mostly have other stories though:
– I have a friend who graduated from civil engineering and is working for a record company. He also works as a DJ in his part-time. He couldn’t be happier.
– Another friend graduated from biology and although she would rather work in a lab or as an assistant teacher, she is making a decent income, has over a year of experience in sales and she just got a company car. I can’t say her biology training never comes in handy. It is just not used in the way she imagined it.
– Another friend is working as a TA but she miserable with the professor who just prevents any sort of personal or professional progress for her.
– Another civil engineer is working as one and hates his hours and would rather work 9 to 5 for a bank as a consultant for buildings. Yeah, that’s not exactly what he had in mind in college….
Frankly, I could on forever. Why we feel we need to or want to take different paths is a different issue. Maybe it is the subject for another article. But after I met an MBA student with a BA in sociology, I decided it was time to write this article.
How about you? Your friends? Is their work-related to their education? Are they happy or dissatisfied with this? What about the people you’ve recently met?
The economy is bringing you down. The level of competition is depressing and you are starting to lose confidence. You are starting to feel like you are not good enough or you will never find a job that is good enough for you. Stop right there. Yes, stop brooding and just read what I have to say. There is a chance it will give you the boot of confidence and positive energy you need.
I have been you. My friends are you. You graduated, maybe not with the perfect GPA but you have done OK. You have some work experience but you are failing to get the jobs you are applying to.
No, I am not claiming to be a guru here. I am just experienced, rebellious and challenged enough to defy the status quo. I am also a good observer. I have worked office-jobs took part-time gigs and suffered through internships. I am working as a freelance writer now. But I am getting calls from my CVs on the job search sites that I forgot about. And while I can get a full-time office job, I am simply not looking for one. Assuming that you value stability and a regular paycheck more than I do, let me entertain and “warn” you a little bit.
I want you to consider the office life- yes, before you are actually hired to get into one. Chances are you tried the office, and it didn’t go smoothly. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be on the lookout. So instead of applying to all smart-sounding ads, let me do a little test on you. A little consideration beforehand might save a lot of time and pain.
1) The Hours: Do you really want to work in an office? Seriously. Just forget about the paycheck for a second. Do you want a life of working from 9 to 5 (which is a lot longer in this day and age, as you might have noticed)?
2) The dress code: Do you want a dress code? Unless you got a job in a creative field, let’s face it, you will be expected to dress according to the wishes of the company. And if that is the case, you might need to have a complete wardrobe makeover. Before you notice, your first couple of paychecks might be spent on office wear. Oops. And you thought you could save a little…
3) Size does matter: Do you want to work for a small, medium or large-sized firm? Yes, it is not just about getting into any job. You need to consider your needs and wants. Which one do you think you are better suited for?
I worked in them all. A corporation means, you can avoid the big boss for a long time but you are still under the observation of your supervisor. A small firm means even the top guy/gal knows your name. If you like anonymity, big ones are recommended. But keep in mind that big firms also tend to be more structured and formal.
If you get fired right away, it does look worse than being unemployed. So does quitting in a rush. So yeah, you need to consider your personality traits and expectations before you apply.
4) The Paycheck: Any amount sounds lovely when you are broke, but never forget about the fact that you are not only selling your services and intellect, but your time too. You are trading all that for money and if it doesn’t compensate accordingly, you will be discouraged, demotivated and uninspired. These three make for an unproductive employee and the unproductive don’t climb the ladder fast. I am just saying.
5) The co-workers: If you have a chance to check the company culture before you get in- or better yet before the interview- please do. Find forums, ask around in your social circle. Is the environment friendly? Competitive? Social? Even if you think you can survive an unfriendly group of colleagues, the reality does end up being different.
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Do your research. If you know about all these, you will know whether applying is a good idea or not. If you know the answers, you will adjust your CV accordingly, and your resume will stand out amongst others. If you know the answers, you will know more about the company than its products and services (I am assuming you know them, otherwise what else could have motivated you to apply in the first place?). This will impress your interviewer. You will be a person knowing what she is getting into. You can’t get into battle without being fully prepared. Job-hunting is one of the hardest battles you are going to fight, but there is a high chance of survival if you know and are ready for what you are getting into…
Other Useful Articles on Career Management:
* Too Much Competition is not a good reason for quitting
* Lying on your CV (and job ads that ask for way too much)
*Inspiration to Get Back on Track
*The Power Play Between The Potential Employer and The Employee
*Bizarre Business Interview Techniques
