I want to work!

I've been thinking to pen down my thoughts and have been trying to come up with a fancy title to my article but then the best I can come up with is also a very honest one which is - “I want to work”.

It’s simple - I want to work and have been meaning to for a while but seemingly it’s quite challenging.

If I take a step back and analyse myself and my situation - there should be no problem at all. I am a young, energetic, smart, experienced, well educated, well-spoken and decently intelligent woman. I have really good communication skills and am very adaptable with the ability to build rapport with myriads of people and personalities across different cultures.?

I believe I cover all basis just fine, so then why can I not find a job in the UK?

After lots of reflection I’ve concluded - the problem is not me or with me. The problem apparently is “the system”. What really do I mean when I say system? Here’s a few thoughts-?

I’m often told – “You don’t have the relevant industry experience or local experience” - I’ve worked in HR most of my life and am looking to work in the same industry. I understand all industries have their own nuances and ways of operating and then there are some standard ways of working but what do you really mean “relevant experience”? You seemingly want to hire someone who was previously in an “exactly same” role or industry - but then where is equal opportunity for talent in there? You’ve rejected me just by seeing that I’ve not worked in an “exactly same or similar role” before, but how does that convince you that I cannot in the future? And what happens to creativity when you keep hiring corporate clones? Maybe if I’m given an opening, I can bring some of my own ideas having worked in another industry. Who knows I may even improvise on some of your processes –even prove to be better in some ways than other candidates you are keen on but will I be given a break??

And whilst we are at it, let’s talk Mental health - work for your mental health, we are often advised. Yes, it’s the best advice! Work gives you routine, structure, mental stimulation, a social life and financial independence – these are a few amongst the many benefits we get from a regular job and career. But what happens to your mental health when you are not happy about anything in your job - I’ve been in temporary jobs (that is a whole separate topic by the way which I’ll probably touch base on another time) which did not fit anywhere in my career or previous experience but did it to gain local UK work experience - and it affected my mental health in a very heavy and negative manner. However, even though I soldiered through, thinking it would lead to something good, I was later again told that I don’t have relevant experience. Ironically, how do you expect me to have relevant local experience when none of you are open minded enough to give me chance?

?I genuinely don’t know what else I can do but just keep applying for jobs everyday - it brings a lot of dejection and depression every time. The system is tough to break into and there is no way to understand how to get around it. There are people who want to work and do not want to stay idle. But some of us are forced to sit on our talent even though we try putting ourselves out there every day, thinking today might be the day something good will come up.?

?I think whilst this article comes across as a bit of a rant (and I won’t deny it is) all I really want to say is –

Give people a chance! They will shine! We are all relatively bright people and can add value even with or without this so called “relevant and/or local experience”.

Let no talent go to waste ever! In my opinion, that’s the saddest thing to ever happen to any society at any time!

Please, give people a chance! They will shine!

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