by Monica A.
The American job market is a scary place. Especially for teens and young adults who are just starting out. Now, I can only speak for the American job market, but I am sure there are some generalizations in this that can apply to job markets around the globe. With jobs and careers being such a massive part of life, I feel it is necessary to delve into the ins and outs of the job market and how you can best navigate your way through an often bias system.
As someone who has worked multiple jobs in multiple fields, I can tell you, job hunting is not nearly as scary as it seems. With the advancements in technology, even the most introverted people can start their job hunt with little to no human interaction from the comfort of your own home. Places like Indeed, Snagajob, and ZipRecruiter all have online sites and apps which employers post jobs through. This means no more going into a place of employment and awkwardly asking cashiers and secretaries for applications. My last job was actually acquired through means of a public job board like these. However the downside to this automated system is that some employers will never even see your application. Sites like these have very picky algorithms, which siphon through a candidates profile and application, and automatically disqualify them based on very minute issues.
Another issue many employers face (although not AS MUCH recently) is the pay gap. Despite some individuals trying to pretend this does not exist, statistics show that women are paid substantially less for the same job as men, with the same qualifications. This even leads to bias hiring practices because if a company thinks it can save money by hiring women, it will. Cutting job margins for men in many fields. Vise versa for women as well. Job and gender representation in fields is often skewed leaving many biases and stereotypes for certain fields.
DON’T EVEN get me started on retail. Retail workers are constantly shat on because their work is seen as “less important” or “menial”. To the people who would say that I would respond, “Well when my Prada store isn’t open for you on Saturdays to buy your new bag, maybe you’ll think more of my menial retail job next time, Karen.” Food service and shopping retail workers pull the short straw when being rained on over and over about how the customer is always right and society takes advantage of this. Screaming and cursing at cashiers for things out off their control is a very regular occurrence. I am of the firm belief that as a prerequisite for any job, one must first work one full year in some type of retail/customer service position. It teaches great people skills and often humbles the more difficult customers and giving them perspective on their attitudes.
The American job market is a constantly changing environment that often can’t even keep up with itself. Many fields are left under appreciated and neglected, being pawned off as less important work. All work is important. So if you are just starting your job search or if you’re thinking about switching fields, do not be afraid to look into fields you’ve never considered before, because you may surprise yourself with just how successful you could be.
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