While reading through our participant writing archives we found a submission from 1995 explaining the fight to get a job after years on the street. Initially we considered the time saved not having to wait in a 40 minute line for an interview. Next we considered the limitations of online job searching when you’re leveraging your personality. Overall we admired the persistence of this participant in 1995 and the persistence we see today as young people pursue jobs through formal education, job training programs, and temporary and permanent employment Which era of job searching did you prefer?
| “I arrive at the restaurant with my resume in hand. When I get inside, there are a dozen or so people waiting to be interviewed before me. My heart sank to my toes. I’m applying for a waitressing job, and I don’t have any experience in this field. I’m sure the other applicants do. It’s going to be a 40 minute wait. I need a job, so I wait. Later that afternoon, I went to apply at a new REVY store that’s opening soon. It’s an hour wait to be interviewed. The competition for employment in the 90’s is tough. My skills aren’t as extensive as many other people’s. The only thing I have to convince an employer to hire me, is my personality. It’s not nearly enough to get me a decent, well-paying job. In order to stay off the streets, I need money. Honestly come by money. I have no desire to be a street kid again. SO, every day I gather my resumes together. I put a smile on my face, and I face employers with the hope that they’ll take a chance and hire me. Several years on the street made me a fighter. I’m going to use my fighting skills to help myself.” |
