There’s a common misconception that people who are long-time unemployed are either idle couch potatoes.
But they never realize the hidden meaning behind non—interest in ‘work’.
When you apply for a job it’s like an open invitation to get the crap knocked out of you, and not everyone has the stomach for rejection.
What people don’t know getting rejected for a job is like a bad date you don’t want to repeat the experience.
But the irony is you have to kiss a few frogs before you get your prince.
The same applies to getting that dream job you can get many nos ,but the day you get that yes the rest is history.
Why I’m saying that is when a woman who eventually became a close friend of mine came to ask me for assistance for a job.
She was early 30s and a single mum, and said she lost her job , and was getting nos from the retail sector, and was relying solely on benefits, so she could be able to pay her rent, and the upkeep of her and her children.
She said she was at a crossroads with her life, and wanted to know if there was any assistance I could give to her, as she couldn’t bare another rejection.
The thing is when your in a position to help, and you refuse too.
That is one of the worst injustices you can do to a fellow human-being.
What made me sad was she was in tears while talking to me and felt embarrassed which I was angry with her for that ,as I believe anyone can be dealt a bad hand,no need for shame.
When I encouraged her to have hope.
I worked on the case and got a past colleague to help with a referral for a job placement, and she got the job.
She said something that stuck with me ‘’you’re the first person to talk to me as a human being’’ those words echoed in my ears till this day.
Because it was as if I was looking in the mirror going back years ago, when I too had my first job search after school.
I remember I had a cup of Starbucks glued to my mouth, when I was applying for jobs with my mum motivating me at the background.
I remember the time I got a callback for a job in PR in the heart of London.
I was with 4 black applicants and 6 caucasians.
That already disheartened me, and the other black applicants I believe were made to feel like contestants in a version of ‘’blacks get me out of here’’.
It was one of the most awful experiences I would never wish to relive.
Despite the idea that London is a diverse city. I never knew I could be in a city building where me and the black applicants were the only foreigners.
And they didn’t make us feel welcome.
They made us literally jump through hoops by asking only the black applicants to partake in a written test, which we weren’t prepared for, and the other caucasian applicants just had a face-to-face interview in the next interview room, and we the ebony people heard giggling coming from the next room.
It was like they were having a party, while we the ethnics were going through a virtual pressure test.
And during the ‘’test’’ my computer froze.
I stood up and got one of the workers to aid me.
I was calling for help it took a couple of minutes for someone in the same room to help, and the person sighed.
Before I could say thank you they already walked away.
After the test something in me made me get the other 4 black applicants’ contact details.
Then a couple of weeks later.
I received the unemotional email ‘’we had so many applicants this time your application was unsuccessful’’.
I admit it I did cry into my faithful friend ‘’Ben and Jerry ice cream lol ’’ ,but after a couple of hours.
I moved on and reached out to the other bame applicants they said that, as I were rehearsing the same lines.
That was the same response they received.
And again, they said they weren’t surprised.
And it was food for thought, as my mum agreed especially being a black person you should access the situation and not get your hopes up , when the odds are stacked up against you.
Don’t get me wrong I can admit, when I’m not good enough, but I knew I put my heart into that test and dressed the part.
I felt as if I was just used as part of a quota for government records of the BAME applications for that job role.
Body language speaks volumes more than actual words, and the other black applicants said they wouldn’t have felt comfortable in that snooty work environment.
And true most mental health breakdown starts in the workplace.
If your not happy where you work for the sake of your mental health it’s good to look elsewhere.
What’s the point of money if your not in the right frame of mind to enjoy it?
So maybe it was a blessing in disguise not getting that job.
After the pep talk from my mum, the rest is history. I became successful through other reputable industries, then became a politician.
What people should know the fear of rejection is a number 1 hindrance from getting employment.
Shyness can make people fade into the background resulting in others taking center stage.
Life is very fast-paced if you end up being slow with your life choices. You will regret it and be in a permanent slump.
But I think more help should be given in assistance to vulnerable people when applying for jobs during the unprecedented times of Covid.
Were made to believe that there are jobs out there up for grabs, but they’re not honest there’s bureaucracy in the job market.
It’s a common fact ‘’it’s who you know’’.
And why is it that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer?
At times it’s not even the rejection it’s the way the rejection is done, so I think more companies in Britain should invest in sensitivity training, especially when dealing with BAME.
Who are one of the most vulnerable communities in the job market?
What I would like to say I’m happy the woman I helped is back in the workplace, but what I urge is people don’t get discouraged from applying for jobs and training till your fingers are sore. One day when your least expecting you will get lucky.
