Monday, May 6, 2013

How important is our profession?

I have just joined LinkedIn and I must say I am having fun with it! What I love seeing is how positive everyone is about themselves and the differing lines of work people have chosen. I am no fool, of course everyone is positive, this is an online CV and professional networking site after all! But it lulls one into a false sense of security, as you notch up all the 'wonderful' things you are capable of, the amazing experience you have gained, the great characteristics and skills you have to offer, you are forced into being really complimentary about yourself :)

But, like any external gratification, it is often not a true reflection of how you really feel about yourself...which is sad I think. Unless you have manipulated the truth somewhat, most of the things we put in CV's are true. Why then, is it so very hard to give ourselves a big pat on the back?

As I am launched into the crazy, demoralising world of job seeking (yet again), I feel less and less positive about myself. Each rejection letter cuts a blow with the words 'thank you for your recent application but unfortunately....'. The worst part is when they tell you you do not have enough experience! Of course I don't, I have spent 6 years studying and heaps of volunteer work to become a professional! Rant over. I have started to reflect on this stressful time I am gong through and it has made me think about the idea of 'meaning and purpose' and how much we rely on our status, our profession, our income etc in order to determine how we feel about ourselves and others.

When you meet someone for the first time, give it 10 minutes and you are asked or do the asking 'so, what is it you do?' This can give chills down the spine of the unemployed! It can also give people a really good starting point for conversation, a peep hole into the world of the other and an idea as to what type of people they are (dare I say it). This brings me to the point of this topic of 'how important is our profession?' We seem to define success with what we do rather than who we are. When trying to sell yourself to potential employers we mask the uncertainty and attempt to appear self assured, driven, ambitious, reliable etc etc, the list goes on. When we get the sack, rejected in some way, told off, pressured, criticised and put down in the work place, it very seldom feels like 'water off a duck's back', we take it personally. I have read many articles on bullying in the workplace and how many people are so reliant on their jobs due to the precarious market, that they persevere, bite tongues and push forward. The result: illness. So many people are having breakdowns, suffering from stress, back ache, low self esteem and depression and on the extreme, heart problems and high blood pressure. 

Feminists have been fighting for house wives to be given the same respect as professionals. Why are people still ashamed of staying at home and looking after their children, the house and other non-career orientated things? Why do we feel so shaken when we are unable to find work (and I don't mean on a purely financial level)? What are these aspects of professional life that make certain people better than others, men better than women?

All I know is that we all need to feel needed and purposeful. On my side I would add that I need to feel independent and self sufficient. I want people to know that I have worked hard and the status of 'unemployed' does not seem to reflect me correctly. Something is skewed in this perspective, I know that much. There are so many areas of life at which to excel and make a difference. That older person you had a chat to while walking the dog, perhaps you made their day. The compliment you paid to a friend, perhaps you got them out of a really miserable mood. The lesson you taught your child, perhaps it will define something really huge in their lives one day. You just never know and one thing I do know, we all have our successes!

 Perhaps next time you are putting together your CV or writing a cover letter or talking yourself up in an interview, give yourself a pat on the back. You are more than job experience and fancy titles, you are a well rounded person with many complex aspects that make up who you are. You have been influential to many people, even some you don't know. You have more than your profession to offer and although we all need money to survive, it is important to make the most out of our unique gifts. Be pro-active and take the bull by the horns, your biggest advocate is you!

Best of luck
Paula XXXX

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