Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Job Search

A friend of mine received a termination notice last month. A disaster for him because he's got all sorts of financial problems. For the last 3 weeks, we (several other friends and me) have been frantically trying to help him find another position. So I've been spending all my time online, working on his CV and cover letters, registering him on all sorts of websites etc.....We've all been running around calling everyone we know, trying to pull strings to get him employed asap.

It's been draining and frustrating because after all this, all we managed to get is one lousy offer in Al-Ain which wouldn't be enough to help him survive i.e.(eat and pay rent) - let alone keep up with his loans and credit cards etc...

Tomorrow is his last day at the old job. As of next Sunday he is officially unemployed. And I am tired. We're all tired of waiting and hoping everyday that someone will call him or answer even one of the hundreds of emails we sent on his behalf. And if we're tired, imagine how he must feel.

Funny how hard it is to find a job when you have so little time. It's not like the guy is a bum. He's a civil engineer. True, he's young and doesn't have a lot of experience but how are you supposed to get experience if no one will give you a job? It's crazy how everyone only wants to employ people with 10 years of experience or something. Is it the field he's in? I don't know. I don't remember things ever being that tough in IT.

I am so sad for him. He's just a kid. And he has so many family responsibilities. And what is he supposed to do? I mean, it's not like he lost his job because he did anything wrong. He lost it because the project he was working on finished and the company doesn't currently have positions in any other project for someone 'with his experience'. And they admit that he did a great job. So great that the work finished well ahead of schedule which ironically, resulted in his being let go before he had time to find another position. So he got fired for getting the job done and getting it done well.

It's driving me crazy. I know I'm getting too involved but I can't help it. None of us can. He's the youngest in the group which makes us all kind of protective of him. And it always made me sad that he has so much to deal with at such a young age. I mean, the kid is turning 25 on the 31st of this month. That's like total babyhood in my book. His father is dead and he has a mother and 4 younger siblings back home who are 100% dependant on him to survive. He hasn't told them yet that he's out of work.

Last night he broke down and cried infront of me and D. Of course it made us both cry too. The kid reminds me of my little brother and I can't bear to see him so scared.

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14 Comments:

Blogger Sam said...

that is so sad! and it so nice of you guys to help him look for a job. inshallah he will get a good offer soon.

3/28/2007 06:19:00 PM  
Blogger Alina said...

it is indeed sad. But it's great that he has you guys to help him and comfort him. I wish him the best and may God help him find a job soon!

3/28/2007 07:04:00 PM  
Blogger roora said...

oh that is really hard. Rabena m3ah
my cousin went to Dubai and he managed to find a jb after 2 months search with the help of his brother in law as well. I will email and ask hi as he is fresh graduate engineer. I hope that i can do something ISA

3/28/2007 09:55:00 PM  
Blogger 2B || ! 2B ® said...

friends like you will make a difference even though you didn't manage to get him a job.

he is lucky in this area, and hope that he is going to be in his job hunting soon, all in its time isA

3/28/2007 10:45:00 PM  
Blogger maxxedout said...

I second 2b.
He's lucky to have you!

3/28/2007 11:39:00 PM  
Blogger Puppy said...

I really hope that he will find smth soon. And you guys dont give up. Its good to have such friends like you guys, who will support and help in your down times. He is a lucky guy, hope he will be lucky with finding job, inshallah.

Inshallah with God help.

3/29/2007 07:24:00 PM  
Blogger Herlock Sholmes said...

let's extend the search... send me his cv

kahuna.mattata@gmail.com

3/29/2007 08:41:00 PM  
Blogger Little Penguin said...

I wish you and your friend the best of luck.. you're a commodity these days.

Thank you for being who you are.

Good luck.

Regards,

3/30/2007 03:32:00 AM  
Blogger Me ® said...

Please check your email, hope I can be of any help ...

3/30/2007 10:24:00 PM  
Blogger Carmen said...

It's people like you that make changes in the world. Your kindness towards people is something for you to be proud of. And is infectious!

Sometimes when customer service or secretaries are nasty to me, I remember your encounter with an idiot secretary and how you didn't report her because you didn't want to take away her source of money. I decide to be nice and not report them just because of your story!

So continue caring because it's a great inspiration!

4/01/2007 05:02:00 PM  
Blogger Perkunas said...

I don't suppose there are any job agencies in town that can assist him -- they can be very helpful for finding temporary or permanent work, assuming they exist in your area.

4/02/2007 09:37:00 PM  
Blogger Highlander said...

You did great Loulou , inshallah he will find a job soon , meanwhile does he have a place to stay etc.. ?
Did not know the job market in UAE is so saturated.

4/02/2007 09:55:00 PM  
Blogger GC said...

Being in your friend's situation can be a very stressful experience. I know, I've been there before! I hope you managed to do something about it.

4/04/2007 03:27:00 PM  
Blogger Me said...

I think what you guys did for him is great begad... mashAllah...hope he's managed to find a job by now

Btw there's a hadith that goes something like

"و لأن يمشي أحدكم في حاجة أخيه خيرا من اعتكاف في المسجد"

:-)

4/22/2007 03:30:00 PM  

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