No "Meson," No Job

Your parents, godfather or aunt know someone who is friends with or related to someone in a position of power. Greece is a really small country, so this case wouldn't be that unusual. Do you use your "meson" (or connection) to get a job or do you kiss certainty goodbye?

There are three potential answers to this question, from three different types of people. There are those who would use any means possible, in a heartbeat to get a job - no feelings of shame included. Then, you've got those who would deny the use of their "meson," because they're too proud and they want to show their real worth and make it on their own. Last but not least, you've got those who say they would never accept it, and criticize those who do with every chance, but they're only against it because they know they don't have any meson... if they did, they would accept his/her help no questions asked.

The average Greek belongs to the first category, while the rest probably belong to the last one. Now when I speak of "meson" I am talking about any person in a position of power that can help you get a job in any department and any position. This person may be a supermarket manager or a well-known politician. It doesn't matter. Most people nowadays will get anything they can. If you want to work in a small business, for example, it would help to know the owner, the manager or even someone that works there (although I realize this isn't necessarily a position of power), because owners or managers tend to trust people they know or people their most outstanding employees know. I have heard of several people that have gotten jobs in supermarkets and clothing retail stores, because they knew the manager or because one of their friends that already works there recommended them. If you think about it, it's pathetic that we can't count on our potential employers to be objective even when we apply for positions such as "cashier" or "salesperson."

Things get worse when applying for a job in the public sector or a company in which the government has shares. Until a few years ago, anyone who had a friend or relative working as the head of any department in the public sector (of course this includes politicians) could easily get a job in the public without evaluation of credentials. Nowadays, there is... (read more about networking and connections at www.allthegreeks.com)