Thesis Proposal — New Direction
Posted: February 20th, 2010 | Author: liesje | Filed under: Second Year, thesis | Tags: thesis | No Comments »
General Purpose:
Job seeking, especially in these economic conditions, takes a huge emotional toll. Cover letters are sent off, never to be replied to. Interviews are attended, often without follow-up. On top of all that, it’s embarrassing to talk about struggling to find a job when your friends are all happily going to work every day. The internet is filled with dull and overly practical how-to guides, job search sites, and networking tips, but there is little that makes the process of finding a job more tolerable.
My Goal: To create an online space for people who are currently looking for jobs that aims to…
-reduce stress/fear of failure
-encourage goal setting through game-like mechanisms
-provide a space for mutual support
-make looking for a job a little more enjoyable
-allow people to feel more in control (even though their success is totally arbitrary/in another person’s hands)
The site is NOT:
-a place to find a job
-a place to network to find a job
-a place to look for tips on how to find a job
Tone:
- silly/snarky
- positive, but not sugar-coated
- empowering
Inspiration:
GypsySoul22: “Well, thanks to a few things, I am unemployed (again). I find myself trying not to sink into the pit of despondency again (last time it took me 6 months to get a job).
What tips or tricks or motivation tools do you use to keep sane and upbeat when out of work/looking for a job? I think it would be helpful to share them and help each other keep positive even when STRESSED by looking for employment.
I walk my dog–A LOT!! Especially in the morning when she needs to have a nice walk and I need to focus on my day. I also try to visualize positive things–like the RIGHT job. I try to remember all the BAD points of my last job so I don’t ‘regret’ leaving. I try NOT to argue with my spouse who is home ALL day because he works nights. ”
Research:
LaidOffCamp
OurGoods
Online communities
Foursquare, Newsvine, and other incentive-based systems
Interviews with (unemployed/job-seeking/previously job-seeking) friends
Potential ways to Interact:
- set goals for the week (i.e. “I will apply to 5 jobs this week” or “I will spend 4 hours this week looking for jobs online”) and see how you measure up. applying to jobs is a numbers game–the more you apply for, the more likely it is that you will hear back.
- update your status (and earn points/badges/something) each time you check something off your to-do list.
- earn points for applying to jobs, double them if you land an interview (or some other rewards incentive)
- bitch to other people about how obnoxious the job market is (but not in a depressed way.)
…TBD.
Look for a formal proposal write-up and schedule by 2/22!
Leave a Reply