January 7, 2004

Working

Well, I'm working again...

It's not very glamorous, nor is it well paid, but it IS a job. And it is just that; a job not a career.

It still amazes me that someone with my experience both in technology and management can struggle to find a real job. I know I'm not the only one either. A number of people I used to work with are struggling to find anything that remotely resembles a real job with career prospects and a decent salary.

I just cannot understand how it can be that I was made redundant from the crappy-company-who-shall-not-be-named and that with all my knowledge and experience I have not found a real job. It seems absolutely crazy to me. I have been agressively chasing pretty much any job that I have seen advertised that I could possibly do since August with virtually no replies.

The fact that I see the same jobs come up over and over again on the job boards just shows that they either just can't recruit for the position because they're being waaaay too picky or that they're just "Honey Pot" positions put up there by recruiters who just want to get as many CV's on their books as possible.

Anyway, after much soul-searching and discussion, Carla and myself have come to a momentous decision. If I have not managed to get a real job using the skills that I have (i.e., a technical or management position of some description) by the end of March (this will mark the 6month+1 unemployment timeframe) then we will begin proceedings to leave this country which we both feel has let us down tremendously.

As Carla is Canadian anyway we will emigrate back to Canada where small business is actively encouraged and I will have a much better prospect of setting up a small IT consultancy and actually doing well for myself.

Canada has it's employment issues and I completely understand that but at least we'd be in a country where small business is encouraged and the lifestyle is so much better. After all, Canada topped the UN HDR list for 6 years and only recently dropped to number 8! The PDF of the 2003 list (not the full report) is available here.

Posted by Garry at January 7, 2004 11:57 AM
Comments

although I'm still employed at the moment, I'm thinking along the same lines as you re emigrating. we're planning to move to the states soon.

Posted by: Andy at January 7, 2004 5:29 PM

There's no doubt the standard of living is better in Canada. Also Canada is the country with the highest broadband penetration which means that those with Pebkac (http://www.joe-ks.com/archives_aug_2001/PEBKAC.gif) will need lots of help from guys like you Garry.

Posted by: Kodger at January 8, 2004 1:49 AM

Good luck in your future of either getting a job there, or here... and if you come, I only stand to gain as meeting you and Carla becomes more a possibility!

Posted by: Desiree at January 12, 2004 5:13 AM