The other day after leaving the park, I noticed an extremely long line of people stretching nearly 3 city blocks. At first I thought it was a visitor’s convention and a bunch of out of towners but after further examination, I determined it was something else. I pulled over and asked one of the people in line what was going on, she said it was the line for a job fair. Here’s an image from Main Street.

Humbling

Humbling because that was a line full of people looking for entry level positions. There were no big time corporate jobs, these were hotel industry, mostly service positions. Nothing that you would consider doing because let’s face it, you’re too good for that sort of thing right?

The harsh reality, is this line of potential employees was like looking at your credit score or your weight; it’s something you don’t necessarily want to do. You’d rather not see so many people competing for so few openings. Remember when job fairs used to be fairly opened; you could walk in and walk out, talk with the companies and get a little face time. Well no more of that.

That line was the reality or IRL to what millions of us do virtually every day; look for new jobs, opportunities or clients. We identify perspective clients and source for a chance to make a better living.  That’s why we blog, speak, write, present, promote and contribute; it’s why you go in everyday, and put up with your co-workers’ mess.

Maybe all of them aren’t all that skilled or very talented. It is said that extremely gifted, well sought after talent doesn’t need a resume or to stand in lines, they are sourced, tracked and located. If that’s happened for you, well LA-DI-DA but that ain’t going down on main street.

On Main Street they stand in lines, they fill out applications, they send resumes, they swallow their pride and they do what they have to do because they know that above all other benefits, compensation is king.