The Impossible Job Market

By Charles Peck on June 4, 2012

It was a last minute decision for me to stay in Tallahassee this summer. I figured that if I stayed here and took some classes, I’d perhaps find a few new friends, get ahead in classes, and raise my GPA. Aside from the unrelenting heat, and a city that is nearly dead in the summer, this summer hasn’t been too bad. To occupy my time, however, I’ve realized that I need a job.

I anticipated this before summer began. In the time between the end of March and today, I have officially applied for 73 jobs in Tallahassee. These positions have ranged from cashier to store clerk; from receptionist to busboy; from waiter to financial consultant; I even applied to be an assembly worker at a light bulb factory. The best part about this adventure is that I have not received word from any of these businesses.

Photo by Waponi via Flickr.com

Despite calling and inquiring, sending emails reiterating my interest, appearing in person displaying my curiosity, I have yet to receive even a phone call regarding an interview. I have work experience, experience that includes customer service, working with children, working for the government, supervising staff, etc. It’s not like my resume is pathetic; I have at least some credentials. Needless to say, I’m beginning to give up hope and resign my summer to living off of student loans and broiling in the sun.

I called my brother yesterday, telling him of my jobless struggles, explaining all that I had done in the interest of becoming employed. His response: “Welcome to Tallahassee.” This is the first summer I’ve spent in Tallahassee, and I’m now realizing that finding a job in this town is very, very difficult. I had no clue that Florida’s capital was such an arduous place to get hired.

Of course, I’ve heard stories from friends who are in the same situation. Even more frustrating is hearing stories from other friends who have been offered multiple jobs within a single week. I guess Tallahassee has an impossible job market, a market that requires a great deal of luck to have even a chance. But that’s all part of being a Seminole: remaining unconquered.

Follow Uloop

Apply to Write for Uloop News

Join the Uloop News Team

Discuss This Article

Back to Top

Log In

Contact Us

Upload An Image

Please select an image to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format
OR
Provide URL where image can be downloaded
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format

By clicking this button,
you agree to the terms of use

By clicking "Create Alert" I agree to the Uloop Terms of Use.

Image not available.

Add a Photo

Please select a photo to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format