From economics, I know that unemployment is the situation a person is available and seeking work, but is without work. Therefore, I am a part of that oh-so-exclusive club, of which 8.5% of the nation belonged in March (from the Bureau of Labor Statistics). From what I can tell, based on the various job fairs that I have been to, the market is like this:
Unfortunately for me, there are numerous postings for accountants and auditors, of which I am not interested. They go a little like this:
The ABC Company is seeking a Staff Accountant for its Finance Department. This position will provide assistance with financial and operational analyses related to operations. The Staff Accountant will prepare, examine, and analyze accounting records, financial statements, and other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards. Preparation and monitoring of budgetary information, generating P & L statements, and handling all accounting functions related to restricted funds are additional expectations for this position.
Candidates qualified for this position should have a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and a minimum of two years related experience. Individuals interested in this position should also demonstrate strong attention to detail and highly developed organizational skills. The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills to ensure positive interactions with other departments within the organization. Proficiency with Excel, Word, and accounting software are required.
I, however, have not come across a position that was not seeking developed organizational skills, interpersonal skills, communication skills, and strong attention to detail. I'd like to imagine the company who hired incompetent, incoherent slobs.
This particular job posting for an accountant did catch my eye:
The position requires the ability to lift, load and carry 5 pounds, to remain in a seated position for extended periods, operate computer and other office equipment ...
Being an accountant actually required the ability to carry 30 pounds because those 5 inch binders, when stacked, are quite heavy. The ability to remain seated for extended periods approximate time frames that average 14 hours per day (hence many of my co-workers were out of shape). "Other" office equipment includes dirty keyboards, testy photocopiers, and ancient fax machines.
I, like many people I know, wish I was laid off instead. In Philadelphia, I would actually be entitled to free health services and
college classes.
