Rant post about my inability to work here
After more than a year of sitting on my butt, I really want to start earning money and contribute to household expenses.
It's not so much about the money as it is about filling time with productive activities. But to some extent, it's also about the money, because I can volunteer all day long but petrol costs money. So technically, I'm paying to volunteer. Which doesn't seem fair.
It's illegal for me to work here, just so you know. But I've been trying my luck anyway. In the past few hours, I created a profile on a freelance work website hoping to get some petty cash.
Not only did I seriously underestimate the number of people who are also broke and desperate for work, I also didn't account for how rigid employers can be. It's funny how I never run out of friends who need free help with editing and proofreading, but when it comes to paying jobs, people demand cover letters and proposals and bids and qualifications. It really doesn't help that I have no previous work experience, and no one writes letters of recommendation for helping out a friend in need.
Being a freelancer is tougher than it seems. Imagine having to write a cover letter for every single job that comes along, and submitting your resume along with relevant portfolio items customized to every different job offer. I'd totally prefer being interviewed one time and having a job set for at least the next year or so. Now I see why people lie on their resumes - I'm not condoning it, but where on earth would you get all the relevant experience for the requirements of every different job? Unless you've studied like every possible major under the sun, can speak 4 languages and are a computer whiz to boot, you're probably going to fall short on some requirement at some point if you're totally honest.
Forgive me, I'm just letting off some steam.
I know I probably have an entitlement complex, but this wasn't where I expected to be, ever. My life plan was always "go to school, graduate with flying colours, and let the employers fight over me". Which, to be fair, did happen, until I chose to give up my job and come here.
Sigh.
It's not so much about the money as it is about filling time with productive activities. But to some extent, it's also about the money, because I can volunteer all day long but petrol costs money. So technically, I'm paying to volunteer. Which doesn't seem fair.
It's illegal for me to work here, just so you know. But I've been trying my luck anyway. In the past few hours, I created a profile on a freelance work website hoping to get some petty cash.
Not only did I seriously underestimate the number of people who are also broke and desperate for work, I also didn't account for how rigid employers can be. It's funny how I never run out of friends who need free help with editing and proofreading, but when it comes to paying jobs, people demand cover letters and proposals and bids and qualifications. It really doesn't help that I have no previous work experience, and no one writes letters of recommendation for helping out a friend in need.
Being a freelancer is tougher than it seems. Imagine having to write a cover letter for every single job that comes along, and submitting your resume along with relevant portfolio items customized to every different job offer. I'd totally prefer being interviewed one time and having a job set for at least the next year or so. Now I see why people lie on their resumes - I'm not condoning it, but where on earth would you get all the relevant experience for the requirements of every different job? Unless you've studied like every possible major under the sun, can speak 4 languages and are a computer whiz to boot, you're probably going to fall short on some requirement at some point if you're totally honest.
Forgive me, I'm just letting off some steam.
I know I probably have an entitlement complex, but this wasn't where I expected to be, ever. My life plan was always "go to school, graduate with flying colours, and let the employers fight over me". Which, to be fair, did happen, until I chose to give up my job and come here.
Sigh.
Hahahaha, I feel you. That was my frustration a couple of months ago, and it will be again in the next year when I graduate from my masters. Graduating with flying colors isn't even enough to cut it these days. How sad is that? That said, there are some markets that are easier to tap into if you don't have a work permit: personal services. People in the U.S. seem to spend waaaay too much time at their rigid jobs that they'd pay anyone to do their chores/errands for them. And if you operate on cash only, you can make a reasonable amount. It might not be very fulfilling over time, but hey, no cover letters or resumes needed!
ReplyDeleteThe only obstacle is getting over your pride of knowing you're worth so much more.