Blogs: Jack's job log: 4

Jack has now finished his degree and is finding the hunt for a job a less than uplifting experience. 

The only thing more depressing than being on the job hunt is making people aware of it, so pardon my short period of stagnation and just pretend I've been frozen for two months, OK?

OK.

So here we are. The weather is crisper, the days are longer, people are generally more miserable, and I still have no occupation.

People ask politely 'Have you found anything yet?' to which the reply is usually a grunt or murmur. If I am in a mediocre mood, I shall muster up a 'Still trying,' for which I generally receive a glance of disapproval, but hey, I’m used to it.

The tedious boredom of life does not start to become a bother until you realise the highlight of your day is anything that breaks the repetition of it all.

Something as simple as Countdown is now a high point but it's also the same point where I usually question my life and the importance of it. The result has made me more eager to leave these four walls.

I’ve astounded myself with the volume of applications I’ve sent out. I’ve applied for jobs that are just plain jobs for the purpose of generating income - a cashier position with a bookmaker and admin roles that pay as basic as it comes.

 

I’ve also applied for 'real' jobs - careers, graduate schemes, etc. Unfortunately, due to the overwhelming response (which, ironically enough, is also how most of my rejection letters start), they can set the bar so ridiculously high and skim off the cream of applicants and due to my 'below par' 2:2 degree.

Regardless of the experience, the trips I’ve taken, and the examples of initiative I’ve proved in other areas, they don't care. Why? Because they don't have to.

The older generation doesn't seem to understand. 'You have experience and a degree, how can you not get a job, you dosser?' is how my father now says ‘hello,’ but it is true.

Employers are reluctant to take on someone with any form of accomplishments for basic roles, but I am also not academically equipped in the eyes of employers to take on a prestigious graduate scheme.

I'm an eccentric. Is there no place for these in this modern world?