Since I was offered a temporary job on Friday and I had until this morning at 8:30 to make my decision, I thought about working a lot over the weekend. While doing so, I found that I went through a whole range of emotions.
My first emotion could only be classified as excitement. I haven’t had such great luck looking for a job here in Germany, so when they asked me if I was interested I nodded “yes” with excitement. They were actually interested in me!
As they described the job (working at a call center and entering caller information in a database), my enthusiasm began to wane. As a librarian I have tons of experience working with all sorts of databases, so it was something I knew I could do with no problem. Unfortunately, they seemed to think I needed a demonstration that lasted an hour to figure out how to run an Access-based database! It was at this point I began to feel that they were not taking my education and/or experience seriously, let alone my intelligence! In addition to this, I am not now, nor have I ever been, comfortable with the telephone. Even though I would be speaking English, I soon comprehended that my aversion to the telephone might seriously hinder my interest in the job that I was to perform.
It was then that I was dealt the ultimate insult, though I didn’t fully comprehend it until later in the weekend: too much work for too little pay. Granted the job was “part-time” (30 hours a week), but in order to get there I would have to add an hour each way in public transportation time. Quickly I understood that I would be away from home for the equivalent of a full-time job. For this, they “generously” offered me 800 euros a month! If that would have been my take home pay, I would have been offended, but might have considered it. However, once A. and I did the calculations and I realized that I would be pocketing only a little over 500 euros a month, I was insulted! I could go into a lengthy discussion about taxation here in Germany, but it would be pointless as I still don’t know too much. Suffice it to say I am “encouraged to stay home” because my husband has a good job. (Side Note: If I was the one with the good job, he would be the one encouraged to stay home.)
On top of all that, if I were to take this job that I would have laughed at if I would have been offered it in the US, I would have lost my private health insurance during the time I was working and been forced to have public health insurance. While German public health insurance is better than having none at all, I have been spoiled by the gold treatment I get with my private insurance.
So, with all of these thoughts stewing in my mind, I realized that though I wouldn’t mind working again, I can’t just take any job that is tossed in my direction that overtly insults my education, experience, and intelligence… I just couldn’t live with myself.
Neil says:
Ren�e, I know exactly what you mean and have heard many similar tales. I took a break from work here to look after my father and sister who were both seriously ill. Since I’ve come back, I’ve looked at various jobs with the “I’m prepared to do anything” attitude that paid my way through uni. It can’t be done. I work for myself, anywhere between zero and 120 hours per week (more 0s than 120s though). I have a Ph.D. in molecular genetics, speak German, aren’t that stupid and yet if I took any of the jobs I’ve been offered so far I would have to be insane. When I tell people back home that I haven’t taken a job because it literally “wasn’t worth it” it sounds horrendously arrogant and lazy. That said, I don’t cost the German state anything (in fact they get enough tax from me to start off with), I’d just like a “normal”, steady job.
Keep working at it kid.
16 November 2004 at 15:41