Writer's Block

StreamOfTheSky · 8th November 2009, 06:50 PM

Hey, I'm kinda stumped at the moment. In applying for a job, they would like (not mandatory) a 500 word essay to demonstrate my writing ability, on a "topic of current importance." Now...I don't want something overtl political, or at least not a "hot-button" issue, since this is a potential employer and all. At the same time, it can't be something I know well, but almost certainly obscure to them (like...the D&D edition wars). And well, I can't seem to think of anything. 500 words isn't a lot to argue much of a point anyway. I need ot submit somthing by Monday night, so more than likely this is going to end up being a gripe thread rather than an assistance needed one.

Mark · 8th November 2009, 08:04 PM

Write about how the jobless rate is figured. Maybe that will spur them to do something about it by hiring you. Good luck!

How the Government Measures Unemployment

StreamOfTheSky · 8th November 2009, 08:18 PM

Not a bad idea, I've always thought the statistic should try at least to include those in part time jobs or in positions beneath where they want to / should be. Like...I'm making $12 an hour at a full time job right now scheduled to last all of 2 months. It's a decent wge for unskilled labor, all in all, and my workplace environment is friendly -- I actually really like it there. But...I went to school for Electrical Engineering, so I'm not exactly feeling "lucky" that I'm employed right now....

Mark · 8th November 2009, 09:11 PM

Adding in some of your personal view regarding contract jobs and how that causes fluctuations in the jobless rate could be a plus. Obviously, you don't want to dilute it too much by taking on too broad a topic in so few words, so you might have to forego discussion of healthcare insurance issues for parttime and temporary workers. That might also be, as you mention above, a bit too hot-button right now.

StreamOfTheSky · 9th November 2009, 08:02 AM

Alright, since i'm working till 8ish tomorrow night, I wanted to finish tonight. Upon closer inspection...the writing sample was part of a larger optional section with a bunch of questions like "why did you choose you major?" and "what were your favorite and least favorite classes?" as well as personality questions... I was all set to just not answer those, but the stupid application requires you fill in all of that section, or nothing! So...it claims not having that section won't hurt my chances of employment. I'll pretend for a second I'm not a pessimist and choose to believe that.

Thanks for trying to help anyway.

Mark · 11th November 2009, 09:30 PM

Fun times. I'll keep my fingers crossed (which I will use as an excuse for poor typppping).

StreamOfTheSky · 12th November 2009, 08:06 PM

Heh, I was looking forward to writing something, too. But...just like the self-identification stuff asking what skin color you have...I never like to fill out optional stuff. Especially questions which were designed to favor "bs" answers...

Thanks, Mark. I don't have high hopes, but at least this governement division didn't require me to apply through the barren wasteland that is usajobs.gov (seriously, I have NEVER gotten a reply from any application I've ever filled on that awful site).

Dannyalcatraz · 13th November 2009, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StreamOfTheSky

...this governement division didn't require me to apply through the barren wasteland that is usajobs.gov (seriously, I have NEVER gotten a reply from any application I've ever filled on that awful site).

Amen! I have the same experience!

Anyways- lots of luck!