Today is November 9, 2011

BLS.gov (Bureau of Labor Statistics) shows unemployment at 13.9 million, and the current unemployment rate at 9% with unpromising stagnancy since April 2011. My town, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 has a current unemployment rate of 12.4% with job growth of -5.81%! As you read further down the document, it’s mixed-to-negative news at best with signs comparable to the last couple of years; you only need add in our recently lowered US Credit Rating, the current influx of websites relating to Occupy Wall Street and the masses vocalizing their very unfortunate stories, our reliance on a global market that is difficult to ignore, our jobs gradually being pushed overseas, companies hiring us as cheap labor even when we have proven skills (and we being the rats whom have to ‘settle’ for that since it’s a job) while offering false promises after ‘tenure’ or ‘proving yourself’ only to be used for your skills until you break, as well as the noticeable changes in the way we shop and the trends that are marketed in advertising (lay-a-way is back, flexible payments, updated rules to accommodate trending times for your credit score) to see that our ‘new world’ is not getting any better for the individual – The signs are there, we need to adapt to change and hope it adapts to our needs as well.

Yes, it’s America: it’s expected to have competition and changing trends we all have to accustom ourselves to and move forward to succeed or get left behind – or is it?

My Personal Bouts With This ‘Use-Them-and-Lose-Them’ Trend

I’ve always worked extremely hard and intelligently until the project was complete: did it pay off? Absolutely not! I had consistently given everything only to end up with nothing; realizing that my hard work to try and chase that ‘carrot stick’ reward after a year (this happened twice in my life!) only resulted in my giving up holidays to work when I could have been with family; disrupting and damaging my relationship of over six years (mostly due to my feeling it necessary to provide long, productive hours and consistent attention to work needs); more headaches than I can imagine should be appropriate for an athletic 34 year old; falling deeper into debt with credit and student loans (I was even told by an employer during a salary review that I should put all those into bankruptcy – who are they to inform me how to handle my finances when I’d love nothing more than to fulfill my obligation to them – especially since I gave so much to the company so that I could prove myself for the increase: besides, it’s rare for student loans to be discharged); as well as giving up years of social life to try to build myself up in the corporate world – no friends, it’s not worth it. And, sad to say, I’m not the only one who has/is going through this, and though my situation feels tough, I know there are those worse off unfortunately.

So, Why is this Happening

Not an inclusive one, but one of the main flaws I see today – and it’s a big one that should be monitored more closely by the U.S. Department of Labor as they have punishable standards against abusing this – is that most businesses believe they can hire someone for a cheap ‘test period’, give them the impression that they are potentially going to earn more, but have to prove themselves. Well, the harsh trending truth is that lots of businesses want cheap labor for a job they believe to either be ‘temporary’ or ‘easily passed on to the next willful candidate whom will fall for it’. They use you for your skills on a period of limited months with no pay or low pay: during that time, your skills are used to the max (mainly because they pressure and you want to impress); then, when review time comes, they find a flaw with something (came late a day or two, website is not what they had in mind, etc.), and let you go – bye-bye! They post new ads on Monster.com, Craigslist.org, or CareerBuilder.com (to name a few) and proceed to state the huge opportunity they have for someone with your skills to continue this abusive cycle.

I have been to an interview in Phoenix, AZ where a company had a crappy website -no traffic, horrible aesthetics and not prepared for optimization – they posted an ad for a ‘website developer: only skilled need apply’ with great opportunity after the initial three-month trial. I applied, bookmarked it and proceeded on my job-hunt.

I didn’t land the job, but three months later, the same ad was online (very odd, I assumed): I checked out the website and it was a HUGE improvement. I landed the interview at that time. I got the bull-shit lecture from them during my review: informing me of long hours, abiding by standards, expert proficiency required, ya-da-ya-da. With all their requirements, to my surprise, they informed me the starting salary was $10/hr (WTF!) – interesting how they would need all the specific demands with such a low wage – but informed me that after the ‘test period’, I’d get a bonus and a large salary. They asked if I had questions.

I sure the heck did! I asked why the developer before me was let go when he obviously did a tremendous job on the website from what it was three months prior: they refused to answer that question. I was upset by that unsatisfactory answer (mostly I was sad for the developer who put in a LOT of hard work on this website for pennies and false promises, but also for anyone later who would fall for it). I let them know what happened in my eyes: I informed them the developer put up with the apparently strong demands for three months in the optimistic light they’d surely get that bonus and raise because they are that good and devoted (believe me, that developer’s work was awesome), but that when he asked for his review, they never intended to keep him – they let him go after he got just enough done to get the next developer in the office for the same cheap rate while they are profiting from his/her work! I informed them that I wasn’t interested in working for a company that didn’t applaud and reward (appropriately with compensation and their word) their developers and that they can shove the interview down something else!

Yes, I was upset, but that interview; coupled with my earlier job-loss of a similar magnitude (though my job lasted over two years before getting the boot after a dozen successful websites) and the continuing decline of salary in my field really took a toll on me that day. I was very proud that I stood up for web-developers that day and myself. This kind of behaviour and tactic is still prevalent today, so remember to 1 – always get agreements in writing: especially when going through a ‘trial’, 2 – obtain a list from the employer of the standards required to guarantee the potential reward/salary no matter how nice they seem: business is business and should be asked of without shame or hesitation, and 3 – review the ‘Internship Programs Under the ‘Fair Labor Standards Act’ to ensure your potential employer is operating legally!

I’ve Never Liked the Phrase ‘At Least You Have A Job’: It Must Have Been Created as A Tactic to Keep the Working-Man ‘Quiet’

I hate that phrase: no, I DESPISE it! Whomever thought-up that stupid phrase up is a total douche-bag! First off, we are all told to capture the American Dream by the horns and ride it to success: apparently, it’s complicated for the vast majority of citizens in this day & age, and statistics show it will only get worse for the younger generation unless something dramatic changes. I’ve kept my financial obligations in-check up until I was having to settle for ‘low income jobs’ with the skills I have – and barely make ends meet at times. NO, just having a job shouldn’t be enough: total bull-shit! You’re now having to pick and choose just whom you will pay, what you will pay and what is going to be left behind! This is not good for your health (though the medical, and most likely pharmaceutical fields would profit from that ailment), nor for your future (you’re having to sacrifice an undisclosed amount of time to this low-wage job with no raise in sight and current salaries not cooperating with inflation – for sure, you’re stressed with how to fulfill your financial obligations, save for retirement, or get back on track: and some of America just likes to say ‘you’re one of the lazy fuck-heads!’ – which is FAR from the truth for the majority)! I personally understand sacrifices and hard-times, but when they are more consistent and the situation getting more dire with the amount of people going through them, this isn’t a ‘tough six months’ of unemployment or low-wage job – the duration could be longer and make or break you!

Should You Have to Rely on ‘Potential’ Employers for Your Future?

My answer: possibly not. I believe YOU have the power and the tools to make a brand for yourself, work for yourself and bring back to America what has been missing – a personal touch of business without the bull-shit. After all, you only have one life to live, right? KEEP THAT IN MIND! I know that phrase all too well with this fucking mess of a year just biting me every chance it could – and on every level! Do you need a pension (which can easily be severed), retirement, 401K, etc? I’m not saying ‘no’, but I do believe you can create your own business with your own set of rules through your own version of ‘retirement’ that can work for you if you start now: Google AdSense, your own website about what you do, your business and your skills, etc., a couple of Social Media sites that are used to provide you expertise to the masses to get you known as a ‘Master of your field’ – whether you’re a lawyer or a janitor – the potential is endless and you have your future in your hands!

On a personal note: ‘Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I’m going into my ‘third round’ and I’m not going to allow myself to get fooled again: there is way too much at stake and life is too short to be around shadiness when you love what you do passionately and should be valued by those worthy enough to utilize those skills you’ve attained (and vice-versa). Sure, if the perfect job comes along, I’d take it; and I haven’t stopped looking, but currently, as a professional web developer and web designer, I’m extremely focused on website development and website design through Dynamico Designs doing what I love for people I know will love it as well.

So if you take anything at all, ensure you find out what YOU have to offer to the world; something that could provide you with freedom of life while doing what you love without having to sacrifice who you are or be trapped upon years of petty lies that seems to be happening all around. You have what it takes!

Interested in finding out more about how you can leverage the power of your website, your personal skill or business idea, and Social Media to work in your favor and build a future for yourself (or part-time business/hobby/etc.) from there? Contact web developer and web designer Roger Sanchez today to see just what he can do for you!