Part of the desperation of the current employment market involves all manner of taking personal and professional stock. Going back to school (which strikes me like getting a home equity loan to improve your credit), changing demeanour (to be even more compliant), and even trying to lose or gain weight, hair, or changing clothes (because, statistically, some looks do better than others). At some point, doesn’t it have to end?
One of the great things about contracting vs. traditional employment is that, typically, the client just wants the work, and is less concerned about controlling all the little pecadillos and superficialities surrounding the professional. Your goatee? It’s your business. A little on the frail, salad side as a man? If you deliver value, they don’t care. Health is great, but not for them – for us, on our terms.
Is it really fitting that people are asked to literally re-shape their lives like models on a crash diet or boxers trying to fit a particular weight class, all to satisfy a concept of employment that will NOT pay off with lifetime security, and for bosses that will move up, on, or out by the time you finish anyway? It just isn’t worth it, folks. Traditional employment is NOT worth your whole life, who you are, or mortgaging all your down time to be suitable and acceptable.
