Economical Problems Hit Close to Home

 "Hello," I say politely, "I'm calling to follow up on an application I submitted a few weeks ago."

    They ask me my name, thank me for calling, and give me a vague answer, something to the effect that the manager (who is never able to come to the phone) is reviewing applications and I should hear back shortly. Of course, out of the 20+ applications I've submitted, I've only managed to snag three interviews, all of which I believed went without a hitch. Only two of those employers ever got back to me, one by letter, and one by phone, to inform me that I was not going to be hired. They will, however, hold my application for 60 days.

    Remember back in high school when the guidance counselors/principals/teachers/other authority figures would say, "Stay in school! Employers at entry-level positions are looking for at least a high school diploma! Don't drop out, and go on to college! Be successful!"? I didn't really pay attention. Of course, I was planning on graduating and going to college anyways, but I never thought it really mattered. It'll be easy to find a job, I told myself, especially once I got my diploma and turned eighteen and showed the potential employers that I do, in fact, own a suit. I had everything going for me.

    Of course, I was very wrong. I've been unemployed since June, and there doesn't appear to be an end in sight. 

    When the phone rang today, and caller ID showed the number of one of the businesses where I'd placed an application, I was very excited. A manager had called me a few weeks ago to say that they didn't have a position available for me right now, due to my availability changing, but they'd get back to me if something were to become available. I excitedly reached for the phone thinking that this might be it, I might finally get a job (or at the very least, an interview). But it was only the same manager, reviewing my application again, asking me the same questions, telling me the exact same thing as before. Obviously, the guy was pretty stressed, and failed to recognize that he had spoken to me before, but I didn't say anything and gave him a cheery thanks. 

    So on the list of what I have going for me: I'm 18 years old (not a minor, less hassle); I write "n/a" in every space that doesn't apply to me (every employer I've talked to has been very impressed by that, not exactly sure why though, since it's the proper way to go about filling out an application); my handwriting is nice and I use purple pen (everyone loves the purple; again, not sure why); and, I know how to dress professionally.

    But that doesn't matter. The positives are easily eclipsed by one major negative. I've only ever held one job. I held it for a full two years, but that doesn't seem to matter. My area of experience is very restricted. I've never even operated a cash register.

   It's pretty obvious that I grossly underestimated how much competition there is in the job market. I mean, I knew the economy was going down the drain, but I didn't think it would effect me. The little things I thought would set me aside from the pack (calling to follow up on applications; writing nice thank-you notes after the interviews) were really nothing more than gravy to the employers. But it's just gravy. Without the meat and potatoes, gravy isn't much use.

    So my story doesn't really have a happy ending, at least not yet. I'm still looking for a job. But, and it took me so long to realize this, I should have listened to those guidance counselors/principals/teachers/other authority figures when they said how hard the real world was going to be after high school. They were right, of course. Furthermore? I should have realized that even though this area seems untouched by the economy crisis, it really is a problem that affects all of us. Even me.

    Luckily enough, my parents are able to help me out, but I know I need to grow up and stop relying on them. The sad part is that I'll probably have to rely on them for a long time, or at least until the economy perks up and I am able to get the necessary experience to find a job I can support myself with. Until then, I'm going to do whatever it takes to help my parents save money and be as little of a financial burden as it is possible to be.