So so many people slave away in shitty work situations every day, metaphorically getting fucked up the ass by their 1% bosses, and feeling there's nothing they can do about it as they're scared of ending up homeless or feel they need experience for their resume. Most perniciously of all, their bosses refuse to pay to properly train then, then when they make a small mistake, they get crucified for it. Bosses will say “You are stupid and incompetent and useless and no other company would want you, be grateful you have a job here” same as abusive partners will tell their girlfriends they are stupid and ugly and no other guy would want them. Hell, Sharon Van Etten's failed musician of an ex even smashing up her guitar to try to sabotage her music career. Lauren Mayberry from Chvrches I think also had a partner who belittled her and tried to stop her singing. But with respect to giving people the training they need to do a great job, I totally have the same opinions as my boss in at TUV NEL in East Kilbride. “Other managers say “what if you train them and they leave?” I say “What if you don't train them, and they stay?”
So let's assume you have someone in a lousy situation where they are being oppressed or abused in one way or another, how do you support your friend?
1) Their deepest fear is that they are going to be made homeless, so tell them if the worst came to the worst they could sleep on a sleeping back in your house/apartment/flat for a couple of weeks until they were sorted out. Obviously only do this for friend's who aren't going to steal and sell your shit for a drug habit or something, I am talking about a strong character friend you are helping here.
2) If you don't have it already, get a big supply of paper, envelopes, stamps and printer ink for the upcoming direct mail campaign.
3) Workshop with your friend exactly what kind of job they actually want and think they could thrive in . Let's say they want to work part time in a museum shop so they have plenty of time for going to the gym or pursuing their writing interests. Get on Fivver.com and fork over a very small amount of coin to get someone to write a cracking resume/CV and standard cover letter. Be sure when you tweak it for their use, there's nothing negative in the letter. Have it say “I am very happy working at my current employer x, but feel I have much more to give, and want to work somewhere where there is a real sense of team and I get opportunities to prove myself and take on more responsibilities blah blah blah #bullshitbingo #phrasethatpays”. If the person is indeed worthy, offer to be a personal character reference on their CV. Be aware that bosses hang out together, and I don't just mean in the Freemason's, so one of their pals might get a letter and phone up your boss and say “You might be interested in what just came across my desk from your employee …” Forewarned is forearmed, that's why the system is rigged to stop the working classes getting ahea.
4) Get a chamber of commerce directory and mailshot any and every potentially suitable employer as fast as you can. If a few interviews come as a result, get your friend to fake having Covid to take a few days off work for the interviews. I believe Google shows how to make a negative lateral flow test give a positive result. Mailshots are old hat but they really worked for M.K., an accountant friend of mine, back in the 90's. I had a laptop and printer which I bought with credit cards when I stayed in a square job just long enough to get some funds on credit. Then I left, sending fax messages to my former colleagues with articles like “QUIT YOUR JOB! WORK IS A SHAM!. Of course, I got a cease and desist letter from the lawyers for A.I. for my little stunt, but I made my point. Anyway, I made a letter and CV for my buddy M.K., send it off to maybe 300 companies, and he got a new job lickety-split. Easy peasy, right?
5) Last step is for them to read the many great careers articles at www.martynemko.net to prepare for the interview and be fully aware of their value. Be sure they know you are talking to other companies too. As a friend of writer Marianne Power always said “It's not cool to care”.
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Speaking Truth To Power Since 1995