Blue collar Vs White collar

Lata Jain The economic slowdown is surely a matter of concern and is just not a mere conversational statistic. As per a recent survey, it is confirmed that head hunters and consultants have noticed a slowdown in hiring also. With recession abroad and policy paralysis in the country, the nightmare for job seekers looks unlikely to recede. An Assocham survey indicates loss of jobs is prominent in IT, financial sector, telecom and retail. But what are the options for these educated youngsters. On an occasion I ran into old colleagues from my early career days while I was on shift at a grocery. Their reactions ranged from mild embarrassment to disdain. Sometimes there's an awkward backpedaling on their part: 'Well�it's a tough economy out there', or 'Hey, whatever pays the bills, right?' before they shoulder their reusable Chico Bags and beat a hasty retreat. However, the term blue collar job typically refers to a job that involves manual labour and receives an hourly rate of pay rather than an annual salary. The term stems from the uniforms worn by many industrial workers that were typically made of heavy duty, blue fabric and consisted of blue shirts and pants or blue coveralls. The automotive manufacturing and repair industries, as well as the construction industry, have been referred to as blue collar for decades. Though this type of job was once thought to be reserved for people with no education or skills who were only qualified to perform manual labor, the defining qualities of a blue collar job no longer fit in some industries. For example, many computer and high tech jobs pay by the hour, and some construction industry positions pay an annual salary. "In modern times, a higher education may also be required for a number of positions, which are categorized as skilled trades," says Prasad of Ditya Communications. The gap is not between a blue collar and white collar, but it's the need for someone who can do the job and has basic literacy to express what they do. It will help them send their candidature for hiring hire. But do these blue collar jobs lead to fulfillment? It is certainly an argument I'm sympathetic to. We are told to do what we love; the money will assuredly follow. Your average kindergartener doesn't dream of growing up to become a master plumber. But you can also make the counter-argument that there is a personal satisfaction that comes with being financially solvent. There's also something to be said for a job you can clock in and out of, leaving work safely behind, as opposed to one finger-swipe away. It creates more time for family, friends, and other enriching pursuits (or a second job), questions Sardhak, a B Tech (Mechanical) graduate from Jharkhand, who has come hunting for a job in Hyderabad. (The author is HR Consultant and freelance writer)