Not really talking about the current job situation, but do you ever notice how there are no postings for really obscure positions that definitely exist but are never posted anywhere? I feel like David Graeber would have a lot to say
A lot of jobs are locked away behind networking unfortunately. Every so often I'd see stuff that I'd be genuinely excited for (e.g. working on differential equation solvers at a nuclear power plant), but yeah usually the fun stuff like that which definitely exists just never makes it to public postings. I have a few engineering friends who will tell me the opportunity of being just the differential equations guy on an engineering team exists, and I believe them but I'd really appreciate if they let me know when their company is hiring. Right now it's more "oh yeah I know this boomer physics guy who is living your dream"
It wouldn't be so annoying if people didn't cling so hard to the meritocracy delusion. I remember being told as a kid that if I worked hard, it would pay off.
What I wasn't told was that my work would have to be seen by someone in a position of power.
I didn't even think about that. If jobs are scarce in a capitalist system, they'd be hoarded and commodified too.
Why hire a random person when you can hire a relative or a buddy and get something in exchange? It would be leaving benefits on the table just to give the job to a qualified person who doesn't owe you anything.
Typically those jobs go to qualified and competent people as well. It's not a "fair" distribution system by any means, but it mostly works out because, tbqh, work generally isn't so prohibatively difficult to require rigorous hiring processes.
I didn't mean that the connected person who was hired is less qualified. I just meant that given self-interest in a capitalist society, people in charge of hiring would prioritize giving jobs to people they know or personally benefit from.
I mean that's just intrinsic bias, but it just sucks how pervasive it is on top of racism, sexism, classism, ableism, etc.
That on top of all those things keeping someone from fulfilling work, a hiring manager might hire their buddy or someone from a fraternity or one of their relatives.
And good point about the nature of work qualifications. Most jobs don't require intensive skill, education, or training that can't be taught on the job. I mean people wouldn't be able to get away with lying on their resumes otherwise.
Opportunity cost isn't really a thing that most hiring managers give a shit about. They also usually don't really benefit in many ways from the "best" candidate being chosen rather than a mediocre one that they have some other relationship to.
Sounds kinda like affirmative action but for your social circle
Extreme example, but I believe that’s maybe what @Magician@hexbear.net was getting at? Like you could have all of the qualifications, but you’re passed up by default because of who you are
In aviation new pilots are hired almost exclusively via networking (unless you want to work menial, underpaid and dangerous jobs). It literally is a commodity, specifically jet flight time.
I just found out a few days ago from colleagues that there is apparently a company that will let you pay them for your labor just for those sweet sweet hours.