Where to look for work

Dear Bob …

I’m 27, divorced, no kids, two years of college. I was laid off last December from an office job when my employer asked me to cut my hours and become a part-time employee and I refused (I need full-time work and benefits). I’m now working toward a degree in education.

No surprise, it’s a tough economy for whatever is out there in office work. I was one of three women interviewed for a receptionist position with a small company. It only paid $15 an hour, but it has medical benefits. I have good office skills, am reasonably attractive, I’m told I have a pleasant phone voice, and I have a lot of experience working with business types.

The company didn’t want to hire someone with a college degree since they needed some stability in the office rather than someone who might leave in 6 months. I guess my point is that in a small company, you just might want someone that you can count on to get the message from the phone to the secretary to the boss, look pleasing to clients, and provide atmosphere as well as talent. That might be all it takes for the moment.

– Looking for a different strategy

Dear Strategizer …

As someone once said, the plural of anecdote isn’t data. Just because one small company turned you down doesn’t mean the next one will. My guess is that you’ll find small companies to be your best bet, because:

• You’re versatile,
• You aren’t too proud to do whatever work needs to get done,
• Being pretty with a pleasant voice never hurts, either.

Small companies value versatility and a willingness to do whatever needs to get done far more than large enterprises do.

And, whether it’s appropriate or not, small companies are more likely to let appearance influence hiring decisions than large enterprises, where managers all receive formal training to make sure they know they aren’t allowed to take appearance into account unless it’s directly relevant to the position (yes, companies that hire fashion models are allowed to make beauty an occupational requirement).

Something that needs to be said, even though it no longer matters: My opinion is that you’d have been better off accepting the part-time work with your former employer, to have at least minimal income while searching for your next full-time position. Unemployment insurance doesn’t last all that long, after all.

– Bob