The Tough Choice We Face

This past weekend I was lucky enough to sit on a panel at a Job Readiness Workshop organized by the Junior League of Oakland-East Bay. The experience lead to reflection on what it takes to get hired in today’s market (and how much the whole process kind of stinks.) We (those doing the hiring) encourage putting your “best” foot forward, and presenting the “best” possible version of you. I guess that is easy enough to do throughout the brief interview process. Then what? You receive an offer, accept a job, and then you have to keep it. Does that mean that for the rest of your career, Monday through Friday, from 9AM to 6PM you have to consistently present only the best version of yourself? Is this realistic or sustainable? I don’t think it is. I think it is exhausting to even think about it, and an insurmountable challenge from which many people shrink. Or they try and then become miserable in the process, often times failing despite their best efforts. What I see, more often than I am comfortable with, are people making the choice between being employed, or being comfortable, happy, and fulfilled.

I work in Human Resources as a recruiter, but I have learned a lot of HR practices over the years. Concerns around culture and workplace happiness are relevant to recruiting. How could someone hire people into a company they don’t believe has an environment worth joining? Personally, I want to know I am representing an organization that will be accepting, appreciative, respectful, understanding, and most importantly safe for new hires. I have to believe that my company knows people are not perfect, that they make mistakes, and that they should not be afraid or insecure. But this is not always the case. To hear of a woman being judged because she allowed herself to become emotional in the workplace saddens me. To know the expectation is that the personal turmoil an employee is suffering will be shoved down and pushed aside when they enter the office frustrates me. To hear that speaking to a manager is accompanied by fear irritates me. But this is the way it is, I am told, time and time again. I am a huge fan of any organization that allots “personal” or “mental health” days. To acknowledge needing time to deal with something like the anniversary of a loved one’s passing, or the end of a relationship, distinct from being sick or on vacation, is to acknowledge and accept the humanity of your workforce.

Employers, please try to do better. Job seekers, and job holders, hang in there. Be courageous, and don’t be afraid to show the many different parts of you. Have faith that there is the right role at the right company, one that will allow you to grow both personally and professionally. Own your flaws. Everyone has them, and a good, healthy workplace will recognize this truth. That is where your talents are deserved, so wait for it. One day you will be treated as a human first, and an employee second.