Unemployment Sucks

I realize I'm beating a dead horse by writing about the difficulty of finding a job right out of college in this economy, but, given my lack of productivity, I figure I might as well use some of my unwanted free time to state the obvious in my own unique way. Therefore, the following will consist of documentations of my experience trying to move to the city and find work as a recent graduate, and the frustrations thereof.

Part 1: Everything's Online

Back in the day, when one was seeking employment, they either looked in the newspaper, or, even more old-fashioned, walked down main street looking for "help wanted" signs. In this process one simply stepped in the door, talked to the manager, and, if they presented themselves well, were given the job. Not so anymore. In fact, nowadays one gets reprimanded for going about applying this way. Whilst I waited in vain for the myriad of my online applications to libraries/offices/firms to be responded to, I figured in the meantime I would waitress or work in a grocery store, so as to have some income. First, I walked in to a "Not Your Average Joe's" restaurant that said they were looking for a hostess. Upon speaking with the man at the desk (whose English was not quite up to par), I was irately told that the application was available "ON-LINE." I said that I had seen the ad online, but was hoping to meet face to face with the manager and fill out a solid form there. He said that was not possible, and if I wanted to apply I would have to go "ON-LINE! ON-LINE!!!" while pointing me towards the door. By now about half the tables in the restaurant as well as the waitstaff were looking at me as if I had  threatened this man or he was kicking me out of the restaurant for being unruly. Awkwardly, I thanked him and, defeated, ducked out the door.
Next I went to a local Whole Foods, which I had applied for online about three weeks ago. I walked in and asked the information desk if they were still looking for a cashier, and once again (although this time more gracefully and in un-broken English) was told that all the open jobs were posted online. I explained to him that I had applied online three weeks ago and hadn't heard anything back, and if I could possibly meet with the manager or fill out a hard copy of the application to leave there. I was told to call the manager the following day, as she had already left. Upon calling the next day, she still was not in. The woman I spoke to said she would have her call me back, but this never happened. After that I gave up on Whole Foods. I really wasn't that determined to be a cashier.

Part 2: Hurry Up and Wait

It is amazing how few places will send you the compliment of a rejection letter. I'd say since I started the application process in March, I have applied to about 50-something jobs. I have received four rejection letters. I suppose this day and age when everything's online and all of your credentials have to be judged by a single Word document rather than your skills and personality, it's easier to just ignore people and assume they'll "get it" that they didn't get it (the job, I mean). Which to me is incredibly insulting. Not the rejection itself, but the disregard for all the time I spent applying for the job. The least I could get for my troubles is a "no thank you."Since then I've wizened up and have not applied to anyplace that forces me to get an account with some third-party resume processing company that takes 40 minutes to sign up for. On top of that, they send your phone number out to telemarketers who call multiple times a day asking if you want to complete your B.A. online, despite the fact that the application explicitly says you've already graduated from college. If you're not going to hire me, fine, but don't send your harpy third-party associates after me. That's just adding insult to injury.
Luckily, in the past couple weeks I have been accepted by two staffing agencies to work as a temp. This means if someone at a company goes on vacation or maternity leave, etc., I fill in for them and get paid through the agency. It's better than nothing, and it's a little more professional feeling than Whole Foods. Plus I don't have to worry about working weekends, most likely. However in the week and a half I've been on their payroll, I have yet to get an assignment. I know it hasn't been that long, but I just threw down first, last, and deposit for my apartment, so it would be nice to have some spending money again. Despite the reassurance that something will eventually come my way, for the time being I'm still in limbo.

Part 3: Lethargy

Not only is unemployment bad financially, but I've found it to be detrimental to my physical and mental health. Getting out of bed in the morning seems like more of an effort than ever, and unless I have a  doctor's appointment or an interview, I just don't. The other day I slept until 3pm. And I didn't even feel bad about it. I constantly wake up in the morning stressed because I can't remember what day of the week it is and fear that I might have slept through an interview. Simple things like showering and food shopping seem like strenuous efforts. Needless to say I haven't been cooking much, and frozen food every night hasn't been the most nutritious meal plan.
However I'm lucky that I have friends here in the city with me, and our occasional outings give me something positive to look forward to, despite the back of my head scolding me for having fun without an income.

Altogether, I've found the modern job application process to be slow, unresponsive, and most of all disrespectful towards people who are trying to make an honest living. By forcing everyone to apply electronically and never meeting the applicant face to face, it makes it easier for employers to not only reject but completely ignore the individual, and on top of that force them to make an account with a third party who will use their information to harass and try to make money off THEM, even though they are most likely unemployed.

However thanks to the staffing agencies, I am technically no longer "unemployed," and I hope I never will be again. Things at least seem to be looking up for now.