| Nowadays, is it possible to find work if you don't | | | | card through two different debit machines. She |
| know how to use a computer, or is computer | | | | went through the whole process once, twice, |
| literacy essential to getting a job? This is a | | | | three times - nothing worked. Finally, with her |
| question I've heard several mature jobseekers | | | | face all red from embarrassment and frustration, |
| raise lately, and after doing a little investigating, I'd | | | | and with a long line forming behind me, she called |
| like to share my observations. | | | | over another worker, a boy who looked 16. He |
| Certain jobs clearly require computer knowledge. | | | | calmly hit a few buttons, swiped the card, then |
| Rocket scientist or mechanical engineer, for | | | | said, "There you go!" and sauntered off, leaving |
| example. But increasingly, most ordinary jobs | | | | her looking exhausted. That's when I reconsidered |
| require some computer-savvy. Anyone who | | | | my earlier idea that restaurant jobs are |
| works in an office, for example, must have some | | | | computer-free. |
| familiarity with the computer, including the | | | | From the coffee shop, I stopped off at a corner |
| receptionist, who at the very least will have to | | | | store to rent a movie. The teenager serving me |
| know how to send and open an e-mail, browse | | | | said that that day a new video-rental system was |
| the Internet, and perhaps do a simple letter in a | | | | taking effect. She had to re-enter all my |
| word-processing program. | | | | membership information in their system, including |
| Certainly there are still a few jobs today that | | | | my driver's license number, phone number and |
| require little or no computer knowledge. | | | | address, and then had me set up a PIN number |
| Hairdresser is one that comes to mind: | | | | using a special keypad. Then I paid by debit. |
| construction worker, sanitation worker and | | | | Between the PIN keypad, the debit machine and |
| groundskeeper are others. The problem is that | | | | the computerized touch-screen register, her |
| these jobs tend to be physically demanding and | | | | fingers were flying, completing the complicated |
| not that suitable for the older workers who are | | | | process in about 3 minutes. I was very impressed. |
| most likely to lack computer skills. Even among | | | | But again, I was shocked at my earlier |
| these jobs, the number requiring no computer | | | | assumption that retail clerks don't have to know |
| knowledge whatsoever is dwindling. Many of the | | | | anything about computers. |
| trades, such as electrician, mechanic, plumber or | | | | Bottom line? There are very few jobs left today |
| TV repairman, increasingly require information | | | | that require absolutely no computer knowledge. |
| from manuals and tables that are only available | | | | My guess is that a few years from now, there |
| online, and require the use of computerized | | | | will be even fewer than there are now. So for |
| equipment. | | | | anyone planning on re-entering the job market |
| When I first considered writing this article, my | | | | right now, my advice would be to learn at least |
| thought was that certainly retail and restaurant | | | | some basic computer skills. |
| server jobs were reliably computer-free. I | | | | The very minimum I would suggest would be to |
| reconsidered this view later that very day, when | | | | learn how to open and send an e-mail, and how to |
| I went out to do some errands, and stopped at a | | | | access the Internet, and find and navigate a |
| busy coffee shop. The lady behind the counter, | | | | website. Use a friend's computer, go to an |
| with a Trainee badge pinned to her uniform, was | | | | Internet cafe, hang out with a grandchild... |
| probably in her early 50's, and seemed slightly | | | | So can you still get a job without computer |
| flustered as she slowly and deliberately entered | | | | knowledge? Yes, but it's getting more difficult. |
| my order into the computerized register. I saw | | | | Why not face your fear and meet the challenge? |
| mild panic in her eyes as I told her I wanted to | | | | Learn a little computer. You may be surprised at |
| pay for my coffee with a special swipe-able | | | | how quickly you gain knowledge and confidence, |
| coffee card. This entailed her hitting various | | | | and maybe even more surprised at how much |
| buttons on the register, then pressing several | | | | fun it can be! |
| more on a little separate keypad, then swiping the | | | | |