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Unemployment ugly.........

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by ntekkie

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Upon entering the technology arena in the late eighties, life seemed interesting and new for my career choice. By completing several technical courses, achieved a B.S. equivalent in Computer Science, while also acquiring technical certifications. No one could have told me that I would be unemployable by the age of 30. This was discovered after lost of a job at the age of 34 and several 'temp to perm' plus a two year permanent, which resulted in the owners getting rich off the sale of a company while dumping most of the workforce, and another 'temp to perm' hire later.

Now, I go to interviews and get told I am over or under qualified for positions after having my personal space violated with background and credit checks. When these possible employers are faced with a request for an honest answer as to why they come to this decision, the only response is to keep searching and good luck.

Every employer spoken with, both past and present, have stated that the current
'certifications do not matter.' However, the theme of the interview becomes a textbook oral exam and multiple times questioned on why I don't have the current certifications to qualify performing simple technical tasks such as telling a person on the phone to reboot their Microsoft OS to truly refresh the memory buffer, after experiencing the fustration of a cpu lockup. The textbook oral exam is just an extension on the written exam with multiple choice questions based on the same A+ Certification program.

After months of going through this recurring nightmare, finally, I am truly unemployable due to lack of income from anywhere and all the capital in my account being spent to keep a roof over my head and look for another 'j' 'o' 'b', my credit is very bad, no one gives references anymore and without current certifications forget about employment.

Warning to all currently working with the newest of certifications: keep the certifications current or you will be joining myself and others with degrees and certifications in technology in the unknown unemployment statistic because of none qualification for unemployment after the funds run short and you can no longer apply.

5 replies

by oz_media

It is really quite unfortunate that you have found yourself in this predicament, as a Canadian resident I cannot really comment on the employment opportunities in the USA as I am not facing the same market here.

I do have to ask though, how would running out of money stop you from seeking employment?

I understand that it does take a minimal amount of money to get to a job interview or dress appropriately but the latter I will dismiss as you have been applying for work up to now, I'm sure not in your Birthday suit.

This comment bothered me a little as it is the bigest argument made by those applying for welfare. "it takes money to make money" . It just takes a clean pair of pants and a decent shirt, bus fare and your on your way. When I was younger and in a similar "I'm too broke to work" frame of mind, I borrowed my friends dress pants and a polo shirt then started knocking doors.

Money aside, when you do apply for a job you openly permit that company to preform the neccessary checks to confirm your credibility, therefore I don't see this as "having my personal space violated", I really don't see why any company would require a credit check to gain emplyment, in Canada for an employer o request a credit check would be irrelevant and unlawful (I'm sure there are some industries in which this would be warranted but not IT).

References? One of the first things you are SUPPOSED to do when either THINKING of leaving your current job or at the time of your leaving is request a WRITTEN referral. I have left companies that went out of business over te next year or two, this is why I always ask for a reference. I found another good time to ask for a letter of reference is at the timeof your annual review. If asked properly, this is never an issue if you explain that the reviewer may not be there if you require a reference and therefore written comments regarding your performance MAY be beneficial to you one day.

The thing I have to ask lastly is, if you haven't been able to find suitable emplyment in the IT industry (which could very well be due to the market in your area, as I've mentioned before I cannot comment on your opportunities)why haven't you started to look for ANY employment? I would pump gas, take a security job, work in a restaurant or anything I could find as opposed to being unemployed. At least it helps to pay the bills while you seek more suitable employment. I find employment is like a girlfriend in that metter, when you are seeing someone, everyone wants to date you. When you're single, nobody will call. When I'm working opportunities are coming from all directions, when unemployed it's nearly impossible to get that needy phone call from a potential employer.

In closing, I am sorry that you have now see yourself as so discouraged or for lack of a better word unemplyable.

By keeping your spirits up, putting on your game face, finding SOME form of emplyment and staying on track with your goals, I'm sure you will find the tides turn as they eventually always do.

Go get a job, ANY job, you'll start to feel more positive and that's where it will all begin again for you.

I wish you all the luck with your future endeavors, you live in a land of opporunity not repression and yes the tides WILL turn in your favour. Hang in there!

OM

by ntekkie

Dear OzMentalCase,

I am still actively searching for employment. The message was to warn others who are seeking a quick fix to their financial problems by becoming certified technical professionals that they must continue to stay current on these certifications or suffer the consequences of unemployment.

Like you, I do not know what the business common policies are in Canada but here is a prime example of what I go through each time a company in the US decides to have a mass production lay-off:
1. Most employers will not give a written reference to release themselves of any possibly of law suit liability.

2. Some samples of a standard 'Release of Liability' clause within each application form for employment:

a. "I understand and agree that an investigative consumer report may be made concerning my character, reputation, personal characteristics and mode of living."

b. "I consent and authorize (company name) to make a full and complete investigation of my personal or employment history and authorize any former employer, person, firm, corporation, school, credit agency, government agency or other entity to provide (company name) with any information of any sort (including fact or opinion) they may have regarding me. In consideration of (company name) review of this application, I release the (company name) and all providers of any information any liability as a result of furnishing and receiving this information."

c. "I authorize (company name) to make an investigation of my personal, educational, financial or employment history and I authorize any former employer and any other person, firm, corporation, institution or government agency to provide (company name) any information they may have about me. In consideration of (company name) review of my application for employment, I release (company name) and all providers of information from any liability as a result of furnishing or receiving this information."

To answer your question, yes, I am seeking any kind of employment available. Unfortunately, due to the above clauses allowing a possible employer full access to any information they seek about me, when it comes to salary and general credit check, I am immediately disqualified for taking a position at McDonald's.

Most of the companies I have applied for employment simply do not respond to the application or send only an email stating they have the information on file with no further contact. Therefore, making it very difficult to even get an interview or negotiate for a job.

In the US, staying with family or friends is only good for 3-6 months for some of us and financially, I am keeping in touch with each of my creditors, but it does not pay the bills.

As you say, America is the land of opportunity and something will eventually shape. America is also cutthroat business practice and employers get hit with at least 1,000 or more applications a day for the various positions available. One of the reasons most will look for anything wrong with your background to alleviate the burden placed on the HR department.

I wrote my comments as someone about to experience being homeless due to my ignorance in managing my personal and professional status as a warning to those, who still have a career or job. Thank you for your words of encouragement and Canada sounds like a nice place to work.

by hal 9000

What you have to imange is that you are the person conducting the interview/screening possible workers workers.

Would you even consider anyone with better qualifications than you have for a job under you?

Then there are budegtry constraints eg what do we need 1 highly qualified = highly paid person who will stay here or 3 no skill pesonal for the same money who we can teach to work our way and will live and breath for the Company?

If you think you've got it tough try getting any job when you have 3 PHD's as there is not one person who ever treats you serriously as you are way too qualified for any form of employment other than Government work and that isn;t all that secure now days either.

I can remember 1 interview that I went to as an assembler for circuit board and they tested me by getting me to solder up some joints on a board well they just left me there with 20 circuit boards that needed soldering and went away when the Senior guy came back 20 minutes latter and I was just sitting there he said too much for you and when I told him that I had jun out of work to do and was waiting for something else he came over an dhad a look, his only coment to his boss was "Shit that's better than mine! two gueses if I got that job. You wouldn't need 1, because I was a threat to the Senior Tech there so he sure as hell didn't want me around.

Anyway the best thing to do is something like what I ended up doing and that was working for myself I started by doing some consultancy work on as cash basis and worked up from there to designing, building, installing and maintaining computer networks for small to medium business who either can't afford an IT department or doesn't have a highly qualified "Computer" person in the place.

If you have only kept half way current you will soon find you're self employing others like you and then you're problems really start.

Col

by don_c

Im forty and studying for my MCSE. When I finish I will find a job in the IT feild or I will stay in my current job. Which by the way is none IT related job and as far as making money to pay bills well you sound like you mite be able to work on computers. Let someone know what you can do there are things call side jobs for cash they mite not be much but they beat a blank. When it comes to puting food on the table a man has to do what a man has to do. when it comes to staying current on certs. I cut a tree down in a womens yard for the money to buy my books cause I couldnt aford them. So they dont cost much and the test are not that expensive

I dont mean to afend you but i just cant stand self pitty

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