The author's original premise was to illustrate the evils of a common white collar experience. A qualified individual applies for a job, and while accepted, is told (the Switch) that the position applied for is unavailable, but they'd be perfect for this slightly less valuable position over here (part-time vs full time work, high premium health care vs full coverage, and other demeaning offers.) What to do? Take the lesser job and HAVE a job, or wait and hope for another better offer in an increasingly competitive market?
Instead of landing a switched job, Barbara learns that landing ANY job is becoming a long, and often frustrating, helpless, anxious, and increasingly hopeless search. This leads to her new book premise - an even worse "Switch" which profoundly affects the middle class. The reference here is to the growing illusion of available jobs. Current market statistics state a search time of 3 months on average when looking for a job. That search time is based on a reasonably qualified individual, with current and appropriate background and experience.
She wasn't intending to write about long-term unemployment, but it is a valid topic, and well worth attention. So, this book, ironically, is a bait and switch, but one I was glad to see.
Several reviewers have questioned the author's political bias, her religious views, and even her failure to get a job. They cite these factors as reasons why her topic is flawed. I beg pardon, but one's religion and political affiliation are NOT valid or LEGAL employment screenings, and as a journalist and skilled writer, I find it hard to believe her resume and cover letter skills were lacking. I also find it hard to believe that with years of journalistic experience, she would be lacking in people skills necessary to at least gain a toehold in the job counselling market. Lastly, that market is currently one which is posting the most gain in the labour field - it isn't like she's limiting herself to an obscure position.
With all that in her favor, and 5,000 dollars to cushion her search, she is in actually better position than many searchers today. Who, when suddenly laid off, has a cover letter ready, and thousands of dollars earmarked just for a job search? Not many, in today's culture.
Her failure to find a job, despite qualifications, reveals a chronic disorder affecting millions today. The middle class job market no longer values the human element. Their increasing reliance on pseudo-scientific "personality studies" and "aptitude questionaires" are often revealed to be a front for a very specific search. I know, I was a middle manager, and I handed those surveys out for nearly a year. I knew they were worthless, my manager knew they were worthless, but we were looking for people who would take a 9 page survey without question, and nod in agreement when told what their personality was going to be. We wanted sheep, and we selected for it. I didn't like it, but I also didn't want to be on the other end of that interview. I had a job, thank you, and I didn't need the anguish I saw in my interviewees faces. Months later, the stress did cause me to leave, and I then spent 4 months where my full time job was job-hunting.
Barbara very clearly illustrates the damage wrought by these, and other spurious "networking" or "job-counseling" practices, but her story stops short of really penetrating the corporate culture to explain the WHY of these practices. It would be an interesting revelation, but one she was sadly unqualified to make. Understandably - she was unable, like many of us, to get a job.
Perhaps, if she just gives herself enough time, she'll finally make it in. Just like the rest of us don't.
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