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The Art of Job Hunting: A Dramedy in Verse
THE ART OF JOB HUNTING is Anastasia Helena Fenald's second poetry collection, a classic one-two punch of humorous satire and blunt truth. While taking inspiration from job applications, skill assessments, and interview questions, each poem delivers wit and sarcasm sprinkled with plenty of uncomfortable ( honest) vulnerability. THE ART OF JOB HUNTING is for anyone living paycheck to paycheck, plotting to cannibalize the rich, and still hopeful enough to think they have a chance against nepo babies.
106 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2023
1 person is currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Anastasia Helena Fenald
5 books11 followersAnastasia Helena Fenald (b. 1992) is a second-generation Ukrainian-Hispanic-American poet from California’s windy High Desert. She has a B.A. in Global Studies from the University of Riverside, California (2014) and an M.A. in Globalization and Development from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom (2015). Known for her energetic attitude and poignant poems, she spends most of her free time devouring fanfiction, performing at open mics, and forgetting to drink water until bedtime.
Her first poetry collection, HELP ME, I'M HERE: POEMS TO MYSELF, was published by the World Stage Press. She has also been published in Sheila-Na-Gig Online Journal, Acid Verse Literary Journal, The Sims Library of Poetry’s anthology Poems in Praise of Libraries, innateDIVINITY books’ anthology A Case for the Personhood of Trees, A Thousand Flowers Anthology, Lit Stack, and more.
THE ART of JOB HUNTING is her second poetry collection.
Go to her website https:/www.lospoetry.com/ for updates about Anastasia
Helena Fenald and discover new poets in her poetry directory.
If you are a poet, writer, or artist, please apply to the directory! Everyone is welcomed and this resource is completely free!
Her first poetry collection, HELP ME, I'M HERE: POEMS TO MYSELF, was published by the World Stage Press. She has also been published in Sheila-Na-Gig Online Journal, Acid Verse Literary Journal, The Sims Library of Poetry’s anthology Poems in Praise of Libraries, innateDIVINITY books’ anthology A Case for the Personhood of Trees, A Thousand Flowers Anthology, Lit Stack, and more.
THE ART of JOB HUNTING is her second poetry collection.
Go to her website https:/www.lospoetry.com/ for updates about Anastasia
Helena Fenald and discover new poets in her poetry directory.
If you are a poet, writer, or artist, please apply to the directory! Everyone is welcomed and this resource is completely free!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 11, 2023
This was an interesting and decent collection. I didn't feel moved or connected to any of the poems in the collection just because I've never been in any of these situations. I was also really uncomfortable reading some of the poems because of the overly sexual content of them. I don't think that it's a bad collection, I just wish I had been a bit more informed about some of the contents. If you've ever had to apply to jobs and such of nature, then I would recommend this to you. I believe this is a very niche type of poetry.
November 21, 2023
"I’ll remember how this was never for me, I don’t have a seat at your table, I’m not invited to join you, no matter that your posting says vacancy."
I don't normally read poetry, but the subject matter in this collection is too important to pass up.
As a millennial, I've witnessed so many changes within the job market. Job hunting has become vastly different from when I graduated college to the present. With the rise of AI and applicant algorithms, applying for jobs has become a time consuming and emotional toll. It often feels like you're sending out your thoughts and prayers out into an abyss only to be potentially ghosted by a company recruiter, or ignored altogether.
Anastasia has managed to bring to life the modern day struggle for seeking employment in our late stage capitalist society.
"You learn how well the capitalist machine has both failed you and programmed you."
She also touches on racial prejudice towards potential candidates.
"Is my name able to cross borders? Does it have a passport that isn’t banned from travel?"
"What are citizenship and personhood to a nation of invaders who paved the way for Indigenous slaughter?"
Also discussed in this collection is the recruitment and utilization of young adults into the military.
"A moment of silence for all the little boys who believe America needs saving; that our nation is helpless. They think America a damsel with wobbly knees and fainting couch off screen. That America needs knights in camouflage to save Her from global monstrosity when it’s only Her face blood red in the mirror."
"A moment of silence for all the fallen baby boys, for all the lost little girls, for all life taken away from our little world, for our baby boys who lost their souls to fulfill a dream they couldn’t comprehend when only 18."
This collection is a must read!
Thank you Voracious Readers Only and Anastasia Helena Fenald for sending me this ARC in exchange for my review.
I don't normally read poetry, but the subject matter in this collection is too important to pass up.
As a millennial, I've witnessed so many changes within the job market. Job hunting has become vastly different from when I graduated college to the present. With the rise of AI and applicant algorithms, applying for jobs has become a time consuming and emotional toll. It often feels like you're sending out your thoughts and prayers out into an abyss only to be potentially ghosted by a company recruiter, or ignored altogether.
Anastasia has managed to bring to life the modern day struggle for seeking employment in our late stage capitalist society.
"You learn how well the capitalist machine has both failed you and programmed you."
She also touches on racial prejudice towards potential candidates.
"Is my name able to cross borders? Does it have a passport that isn’t banned from travel?"
"What are citizenship and personhood to a nation of invaders who paved the way for Indigenous slaughter?"
Also discussed in this collection is the recruitment and utilization of young adults into the military.
"A moment of silence for all the little boys who believe America needs saving; that our nation is helpless. They think America a damsel with wobbly knees and fainting couch off screen. That America needs knights in camouflage to save Her from global monstrosity when it’s only Her face blood red in the mirror."
"A moment of silence for all the fallen baby boys, for all the lost little girls, for all life taken away from our little world, for our baby boys who lost their souls to fulfill a dream they couldn’t comprehend when only 18."
This collection is a must read!
Thank you Voracious Readers Only and Anastasia Helena Fenald for sending me this ARC in exchange for my review.
December 18, 2023
Job hunting isn't easy. A lot of stuff keeps running in the mind of the interviewer and the interviewee. Well, I feel Anastasia has done a pretty good amount of research in getting deep into the minds of the aspirant who's hunting for a job.
This book consists of several poems that are in the form of question and answer.
I liked the way the mind of a person who's hunting for a job runs. The various emotions like anxiety, frustration, nervousness, and everything else combined together were running through my mind as I was going through the poems.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy for this book. I thank Anastasia for reaching out to me. Overall, it was one step ahead of being a decent read. If you're looking for a different kind of poetry read, then this is for you.
This book consists of several poems that are in the form of question and answer.
I liked the way the mind of a person who's hunting for a job runs. The various emotions like anxiety, frustration, nervousness, and everything else combined together were running through my mind as I was going through the poems.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy for this book. I thank Anastasia for reaching out to me. Overall, it was one step ahead of being a decent read. If you're looking for a different kind of poetry read, then this is for you.
November 12, 2023
Thoughts:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a social commentary/satire that speaks to me. I have to be honest, when I came to read this it was after requesting and I had forgotten what it was about so reading the title I was mentally preparing myself to cope with a self-help book that made me feel like shit for being unable to work (as like in my favourite quote below some see me as less than for not being physically able to work) but I was pleasantly surprised. Many of these sections spoke to me and made me feel in different ways such as the one on a boyfriend and the on on serving/served personnel. This is the second collection by Anastasia Helena Fenald I have read and I am coming to really like and appreciate her style.
Favourite Quote:
"as if our integrity in society is only worth questioning when we produce nothing - as if our unemployment means nothing
we are nothing."
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a social commentary/satire that speaks to me. I have to be honest, when I came to read this it was after requesting and I had forgotten what it was about so reading the title I was mentally preparing myself to cope with a self-help book that made me feel like shit for being unable to work (as like in my favourite quote below some see me as less than for not being physically able to work) but I was pleasantly surprised. Many of these sections spoke to me and made me feel in different ways such as the one on a boyfriend and the on on serving/served personnel. This is the second collection by Anastasia Helena Fenald I have read and I am coming to really like and appreciate her style.
Favourite Quote:
"as if our integrity in society is only worth questioning when we produce nothing - as if our unemployment means nothing
we are nothing."
November 30, 2023
The Art of Job Hunting is a collection of poetry by Anastasia Helena Fielding.
I enjoyed this collection of poems about job hunting and how hard it can be. I found myself agreeing with Anastasia's poems and found them relatable.
Anastasia's writing is beautiful and flawless and flows along easily. A beautiful collection that I highly recommend. I can't wait to read more by her.
❤️ Thank you to the author, Anastasia Helena Fenald for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this collection of poems about job hunting and how hard it can be. I found myself agreeing with Anastasia's poems and found them relatable.
Anastasia's writing is beautiful and flawless and flows along easily. A beautiful collection that I highly recommend. I can't wait to read more by her.
❤️ Thank you to the author, Anastasia Helena Fenald for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
August 23, 2024
Overall an interesting collection.
There are a lot of strong sections in here, and the Q&A job application format works really wonderfully. Fenald has a recognisable voice, and the rhythm and cadance of her work is varied but consistent enough to feel cohesive.
The poems on nationality and foreign-ness are particularly good and fitted well with the story-telling style used in many of the poems.
There is also very clearly a lot of experimentation going into these poems. There is a huge range in the style and the poems that really stood out were the ones which didn't quite blend in with the rest of the collection.
The couple of poems that leant into the absurdism/tried to approach the topic from an unexpected place really broke up the literalism that most of the collection stayed close to.
It's also worth mentioning that the author clearly had a message to put across, and although the focus wasn't exclusively on one topic, the central ideas were portrayed clearly and without spoon-feeding the reader.
It isn't a perfect collection, however.
The core frustration and bitterness of unemployment is not particularly a subtle theme, and at times the "show don't tell" rule may have been ignored a little. There are sections where the message of frustration becomes frustrating in itself - the collection feels cathartic in places but such a barrage of hopelessness does become a little hard to get through in places.
The poems also felt very tonally American, and while this isn't a problem in and of itself, paired with the current-affairs heavy content started to feel a little like it was designed for social media.
The more heavily structured poems also fed into this too, OK Google, Define Job and Résumé Poem are two that felt very much intended to be seen outside of the collection, although this could also just be my personal taste coming through.
The collection does pick up by the end, though, and I think a lot of my frustrations are with the earlier poems which seem to be trying to set a tone, but do so in such a blatant way it can feel as though you are just being told what to think and feel about the topic, rather than being allowed to feel what the authour does through her writing.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
There are a lot of strong sections in here, and the Q&A job application format works really wonderfully. Fenald has a recognisable voice, and the rhythm and cadance of her work is varied but consistent enough to feel cohesive.
The poems on nationality and foreign-ness are particularly good and fitted well with the story-telling style used in many of the poems.
There is also very clearly a lot of experimentation going into these poems. There is a huge range in the style and the poems that really stood out were the ones which didn't quite blend in with the rest of the collection.
The couple of poems that leant into the absurdism/tried to approach the topic from an unexpected place really broke up the literalism that most of the collection stayed close to.
It's also worth mentioning that the author clearly had a message to put across, and although the focus wasn't exclusively on one topic, the central ideas were portrayed clearly and without spoon-feeding the reader.
It isn't a perfect collection, however.
The core frustration and bitterness of unemployment is not particularly a subtle theme, and at times the "show don't tell" rule may have been ignored a little. There are sections where the message of frustration becomes frustrating in itself - the collection feels cathartic in places but such a barrage of hopelessness does become a little hard to get through in places.
The poems also felt very tonally American, and while this isn't a problem in and of itself, paired with the current-affairs heavy content started to feel a little like it was designed for social media.
The more heavily structured poems also fed into this too, OK Google, Define Job and Résumé Poem are two that felt very much intended to be seen outside of the collection, although this could also just be my personal taste coming through.
The collection does pick up by the end, though, and I think a lot of my frustrations are with the earlier poems which seem to be trying to set a tone, but do so in such a blatant way it can feel as though you are just being told what to think and feel about the topic, rather than being allowed to feel what the authour does through her writing.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 21, 2024
Thank you, Anastasia Helena Fenald, for giving me a copy of the book in exchange for a fair review!
The Art of Job Hunting is probably the most cathartic poetry collection I've ever read. It took me back to my days of trying to get a job in publishing houses. Some postings went up, but they already had someone in mind, the job filled before it even opened. Or me filling out a resume to only answer my resume in repetitive questions. To being told that my years of internships don't count as experience. To—to this very day—never hearing back from employers. To seeing pay ranges being so discouragingly low. Around then, I also had a lot of bosses that didn't treat me as well as they could've. So, to read it all and more in Anastasia's words was quite an experience.
More than once, I wanted to share a poem with one of my friends who had recently lost his job and is now going through the same job-hunting process all over again. It's quite a relatable poetry collection that I hope will become irrelevant in the fact that I want the job market to be better, but I can also see this collection being relevant for decades to come.
This book became an instant classic with me.
The main thing that stood out to me though was how the poems toward the front of the book are *strong*, but some of the poems in the second half didn't have as much vigor and power.
Overall, I highly recommend this poetry collection.
The Art of Job Hunting is probably the most cathartic poetry collection I've ever read. It took me back to my days of trying to get a job in publishing houses. Some postings went up, but they already had someone in mind, the job filled before it even opened. Or me filling out a resume to only answer my resume in repetitive questions. To being told that my years of internships don't count as experience. To—to this very day—never hearing back from employers. To seeing pay ranges being so discouragingly low. Around then, I also had a lot of bosses that didn't treat me as well as they could've. So, to read it all and more in Anastasia's words was quite an experience.
More than once, I wanted to share a poem with one of my friends who had recently lost his job and is now going through the same job-hunting process all over again. It's quite a relatable poetry collection that I hope will become irrelevant in the fact that I want the job market to be better, but I can also see this collection being relevant for decades to come.
This book became an instant classic with me.
The main thing that stood out to me though was how the poems toward the front of the book are *strong*, but some of the poems in the second half didn't have as much vigor and power.
Overall, I highly recommend this poetry collection.
December 29, 2023
Can be compared to: The boss by Victoria Chang, Human Resources by Ryann Stevenson, Dilbert by Scott Adams, The Devil Wears Prada, and Office Space.
"There is an art to job hunting and sometimes i wish i was fluent in the same way the brushstrokes stain the canvas."
Stout observations. Blunt as 24k Ballpoint pen. Feld takes you through each excruciating step in the process, the tortorous cycle of unpaid effort that is the job application and interview business. Sense the frustration, the anger, the guilt and shame of paying for groceries with EBT, the way recruiters make your college degree appear as useless as a McDonald's wrapper.
Whether you just graduated, are currently unemployed, or are in between jobs, you will read this cover to cover and feel the angst of the art of job hunting.
"There is an art to job hunting and sometimes i wish i was fluent in the same way the brushstrokes stain the canvas."
Stout observations. Blunt as 24k Ballpoint pen. Feld takes you through each excruciating step in the process, the tortorous cycle of unpaid effort that is the job application and interview business. Sense the frustration, the anger, the guilt and shame of paying for groceries with EBT, the way recruiters make your college degree appear as useless as a McDonald's wrapper.
Whether you just graduated, are currently unemployed, or are in between jobs, you will read this cover to cover and feel the angst of the art of job hunting.
January 10, 2024
I’ve read this collection no less than 3 times. Had the wonderful opportunity to Beta read for Anastasia and it’s been an amazing journey since then. As someone who’s had a hard time finding a job since finishing my tour in the military, I feel SEEN. I laughed, I sighed, I cursed- all of the feels were felt with this collection. You absolutely won’t regret reading it. Thank you, Anastasia, for being patient with me. I wish you the best and I can’t wait for what’s next!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 6, 2024
The book expresses frustration about struggling to find employment only to still struggle to afford life. The book makes fun of the process of finding and applying to jobs and receiving rejection emails through the use of sarcasm. The book needn't be read in order as each chapter contains prose and poems.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 19, 2024
I recieved a free copy to review.
I really enjoyed this collection. It felt very genuine and I really connected with many of the poems describing the hell that is job searching. I found myself genuinely chuckling at the breaking down of tick box recruitment and interview questions.
The writer has quite a distinctive voice and delves into more complex subjects within this collection that felt very relatable.
I really enjoyed this collection. It felt very genuine and I really connected with many of the poems describing the hell that is job searching. I found myself genuinely chuckling at the breaking down of tick box recruitment and interview questions.
The writer has quite a distinctive voice and delves into more complex subjects within this collection that felt very relatable.
November 27, 2023
After job hunting is over, you befriend someone, a co-worker, who hangs out with you to debrief from everything work. Then you get sexually assaulted, only for you to quit because no one from HR believes you. Nor do the police do their good job. Then, you hunt for a job again. That's one message I received from this poetry collection.
February 23, 2024
As someone that is currently job hunting, I THOROUGHLY enjoyed this book. This book provided both the validation I was craving for the unemployed rut I am in and a sense of comfort in that I am not alone. I found it so relatable and laugh out loud funny. Highly recommend to anyone that is battling this journey!
June 17, 2024
I must admit this is the first time I have attempted reading an entire book of poetry by one author but I soon found myself reading one after the other, thinking to myself, oh this happened to me, how right is that having to go through the motions of interviews only to know deep down the job was someone else's from the get go.
Very pleasant, witty, satirical read.
Very pleasant, witty, satirical read.
April 26, 2024
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only within your review.
A jam packed selection of poems about job hunting, very realistic and made me laugh a few times. Pleasure to read.
A jam packed selection of poems about job hunting, very realistic and made me laugh a few times. Pleasure to read.
May 6, 2025
As someone who has experienced problems looking for and getting work, some of the poems were relatable. I could feel the poet's frustration through their words. However, some of the other poems felt a little vulgar. For me, this cheapened the message behind them.
April 3, 2024
A wonderful collection of poems which will have you wanting more. It will help you by giving you ideas for finding the job you want
April 6, 2024
Nice depiction of how one feels job hunting. It is rough and agonizing trying to stand out in a crowd of thousands in order to get a dream job or even a job you can be content with.
May 12, 2025
Not my usual genre but thought I'd give it a try. A lot of truth and valid points in it. However I was expecting more humor.
May 26, 2025
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this so much! It speaks on a lot of really important topics and global concerns, aside from just the job hunting side of things. A great little collection of works!
December 21, 2023
A satire which unfortunately is no laughing matter.
I think the book deserves 4 stars out of 5 because although it is not a favorite book of mine, I enjoyed reading it and I would like to compliment the author who really knows what working life and job hunting is like.
What follows are very personal impressions from me, a German, who worked for more than 30 years in the hamster wheel of large international corporations:
My first impression was that what was written could be a collection of ideas for a comedian's stage act, which the comedian then uses to make the audience laugh with the exaggerated examples from the world of work, although at the same time the audience understands that the damn reality is actually no laughing matter.
In short, the book feels like a satire to me, which unfortunately is no laughing matter because reality is so cruel.
I actually wanted to laugh at some points in the book, but then the laughter got stuck in my throat. For example, in the chapters: "Please explain the gap in your CV." or: "Where do you see yourself in the next five years?"
Everyone knows these recurring questions from interviewers, but it becomes clear that you can never give the perfect answer or that you should never tell the truth about what you really think.
The exaggerated descriptions of situations from the real world of work unfortunately do not help you to understand reality in such a way that you can develop some advantages from this understanding.
What remains is the realization that you are basically at the mercy of the cruel selection process of HR departments and have less chance of finding a job than the son of the company owner, no matter how well you prepare for the job interview.
So did the book help me? As a textbook: No. As a satirical read: Yes.
I wouldn't advise a reader who is looking for a job to read the book, as it could turn an optimist into a pessimist.
Readers who have a good job are welcome to read the book and be happy that they have the job they have.
For employees in HR departments, department heads and supervisors, it is a must read.
Note:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I think the book deserves 4 stars out of 5 because although it is not a favorite book of mine, I enjoyed reading it and I would like to compliment the author who really knows what working life and job hunting is like.
What follows are very personal impressions from me, a German, who worked for more than 30 years in the hamster wheel of large international corporations:
My first impression was that what was written could be a collection of ideas for a comedian's stage act, which the comedian then uses to make the audience laugh with the exaggerated examples from the world of work, although at the same time the audience understands that the damn reality is actually no laughing matter.
In short, the book feels like a satire to me, which unfortunately is no laughing matter because reality is so cruel.
I actually wanted to laugh at some points in the book, but then the laughter got stuck in my throat. For example, in the chapters: "Please explain the gap in your CV." or: "Where do you see yourself in the next five years?"
Everyone knows these recurring questions from interviewers, but it becomes clear that you can never give the perfect answer or that you should never tell the truth about what you really think.
The exaggerated descriptions of situations from the real world of work unfortunately do not help you to understand reality in such a way that you can develop some advantages from this understanding.
What remains is the realization that you are basically at the mercy of the cruel selection process of HR departments and have less chance of finding a job than the son of the company owner, no matter how well you prepare for the job interview.
So did the book help me? As a textbook: No. As a satirical read: Yes.
I wouldn't advise a reader who is looking for a job to read the book, as it could turn an optimist into a pessimist.
Readers who have a good job are welcome to read the book and be happy that they have the job they have.
For employees in HR departments, department heads and supervisors, it is a must read.
Note:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 10, 2023
The Art of Job Hunting is not a squeaky-clean collection of poetry with positive "We can do it!" vibes. This is Fenald's protest against the promises made by privileged capitalists that she mocks while armed with a college degree and an airhorn of bitter rage. I'm a fan of that.
Unfortunately, we have an audience for this book. Multiple generations of people. If you've been hustling with no hires, if you're using every scrap of your income just to pay rent and bills, or if you're loathing your current job due to shoddy treatment or paying pennies, this is the cathartic book you may want to read when someone tells you, "Just get a [better] job."
Fenald gets you. And there's so many of us too. About the only topics that she doesn't explore are being a single parent or living with disabilities as she's mainly sharing from her own life experiences.
What prevents this book from feeling like a lengthy social media rant is Fenald's sleek metaphors and similes. Yes, what she writes may sound dark and sometimes petty. Yet she explores her topics with an eye for fascinating imagery, soulful wordplay, and brutal honesty. Loved how Fenald's reflective voice is distinct throughout. More cynical and bold than her first hopeful and almost dreamlike book Help Me, I'm Here: Poems to Myself . Refreshing reading contrast to experience.
The Art of Job Hunting is a book of poetry that shouts from the page. May sound repetitive on its subject matter. I would argue that it's repetitive for a reason. A good one which I desire to someday become a quaint snapshot of modern history rather than our ongoing future. I hope it strikes an activist chord in other readers too.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Unfortunately, we have an audience for this book. Multiple generations of people. If you've been hustling with no hires, if you're using every scrap of your income just to pay rent and bills, or if you're loathing your current job due to shoddy treatment or paying pennies, this is the cathartic book you may want to read when someone tells you, "Just get a [better] job."
Fenald gets you. And there's so many of us too. About the only topics that she doesn't explore are being a single parent or living with disabilities as she's mainly sharing from her own life experiences.
What prevents this book from feeling like a lengthy social media rant is Fenald's sleek metaphors and similes. Yes, what she writes may sound dark and sometimes petty. Yet she explores her topics with an eye for fascinating imagery, soulful wordplay, and brutal honesty. Loved how Fenald's reflective voice is distinct throughout. More cynical and bold than her first hopeful and almost dreamlike book Help Me, I'm Here: Poems to Myself . Refreshing reading contrast to experience.
The Art of Job Hunting is a book of poetry that shouts from the page. May sound repetitive on its subject matter. I would argue that it's repetitive for a reason. A good one which I desire to someday become a quaint snapshot of modern history rather than our ongoing future. I hope it strikes an activist chord in other readers too.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 6, 2024
The free verse poetry is something becoming love for me.The poems on nationality and foreign-ness are particularly good and fitted well. The couple of poems that leant into the absurdism/tried to approach the topic from an unexpected place really broke up the literalism. There are a lot of strong sections in here, and the Q&A job application format works really wonderfully. Author has a recognisable voice, and the rhythm and cadence of her work is varied but consistent enough to feel cohesive.
The author clearly had a message to put across, although the focus wasn't exclusively on one topic, the core frustration and bitterness of unemployment is not particularly a subtle theme. There are sections where the message of frustration becomes frustrating in itself.
The poems also felt American, paired with the current-affairs heavy content started to feel a little like it was designed for social media. Define Job and Résumé Poem are two that felt very much intended to be seen outside of the collection, although this could also just be my personal taste coming through.
The collection does pick up by the end, though, and I think a lot of my frustrations are with the earlier poems which seem to be trying to set a tone, but do so in such a blatant way it can feel as though you are just being told what to think and feel about the topic, rather than being allowed to feel what the authour does through her writing
The author clearly had a message to put across, although the focus wasn't exclusively on one topic, the core frustration and bitterness of unemployment is not particularly a subtle theme. There are sections where the message of frustration becomes frustrating in itself.
The poems also felt American, paired with the current-affairs heavy content started to feel a little like it was designed for social media. Define Job and Résumé Poem are two that felt very much intended to be seen outside of the collection, although this could also just be my personal taste coming through.
The collection does pick up by the end, though, and I think a lot of my frustrations are with the earlier poems which seem to be trying to set a tone, but do so in such a blatant way it can feel as though you are just being told what to think and feel about the topic, rather than being allowed to feel what the authour does through her writing
January 17, 2026
“My voice cannot speak for everyone you’re afraid to hear.”
I was thoroughly impressed by this tight collection, weaving in some wonderfully poetic prose while holding its darkly comedic satire to plunge the reader into an exploration of the multifaceted exploitation perpetuated by the capitalistic framework of the American job market. It’s a book that continuously unfolds in nuance and emotional resonance, the deeper one delves into the pages, lending itself to not only ironic truths, but also some emotionally haunting and lingering spaces of personal reflection and universal realities. It has a great structure, which blends versatility in form with connectivity in its overall tissue of how capitalism attacks and ultimately feels like a systematic erasure of all facets of one’s personal identity, conveying how the system creates a culture and mindset of racial superiority and belittlement of minorities and the underprivileged. It tackles so much with focus, humor, and confessions of deep vulnerability in the author’s voice in themes such as the conversion of language from one’s native tongue, colonization, U.S citzenship, the immigrant/migrant working experience, gender, homelessness in the veteran community, sexual assault in the workplace, etc. Highly recommend, it was refreshingly unique read.
I was thoroughly impressed by this tight collection, weaving in some wonderfully poetic prose while holding its darkly comedic satire to plunge the reader into an exploration of the multifaceted exploitation perpetuated by the capitalistic framework of the American job market. It’s a book that continuously unfolds in nuance and emotional resonance, the deeper one delves into the pages, lending itself to not only ironic truths, but also some emotionally haunting and lingering spaces of personal reflection and universal realities. It has a great structure, which blends versatility in form with connectivity in its overall tissue of how capitalism attacks and ultimately feels like a systematic erasure of all facets of one’s personal identity, conveying how the system creates a culture and mindset of racial superiority and belittlement of minorities and the underprivileged. It tackles so much with focus, humor, and confessions of deep vulnerability in the author’s voice in themes such as the conversion of language from one’s native tongue, colonization, U.S citzenship, the immigrant/migrant working experience, gender, homelessness in the veteran community, sexual assault in the workplace, etc. Highly recommend, it was refreshingly unique read.
February 29, 2024
I received an Advance Reader's copy, and I'm leaving a review since I can't say enough positive things about it!
This book was amazing; it stunned me with its raw, unflinchingly honest look at the workforce, job hunting, the skills needed that aren't taught, working for a company - whether it be customer service/retail or a corporate office, meeting all the personalities that work for that company that everyone knows that no one's supposed to call out on their behavior...instead, you get called out for trying to do the best you can in making it through each shift/day. It gripped me from the first page and would not let go.
I saw a younger version of myself on these pages as I started my first job, tried to learn new skills, and was constantly told by toxic managers that I wasn't "friendly enough" and to "smile more" while being harassed. I've struggled with the unwritten rules my entire life to do more, be more, "but not *that way*" (now I'm having flashbacks of America Ferrera's speech in Barbie and getting emotional).
I haven't read/heard spoken word in a while; how this book flowed made me realize how much I missed it. I'm going to reread this often - it's already a favorite.
This book was amazing; it stunned me with its raw, unflinchingly honest look at the workforce, job hunting, the skills needed that aren't taught, working for a company - whether it be customer service/retail or a corporate office, meeting all the personalities that work for that company that everyone knows that no one's supposed to call out on their behavior...instead, you get called out for trying to do the best you can in making it through each shift/day. It gripped me from the first page and would not let go.
I saw a younger version of myself on these pages as I started my first job, tried to learn new skills, and was constantly told by toxic managers that I wasn't "friendly enough" and to "smile more" while being harassed. I've struggled with the unwritten rules my entire life to do more, be more, "but not *that way*" (now I'm having flashbacks of America Ferrera's speech in Barbie and getting emotional).
I haven't read/heard spoken word in a while; how this book flowed made me realize how much I missed it. I'm going to reread this often - it's already a favorite.
June 18, 2025
This literary collection of whimsical poetry gives a befitting ode to the employment seeker pursuing a permanent placement in the highly competitive job market. The writer shrewdly displays her skill in constructing witty rhymes filled with humor and hilarity. Her amusing insights and discernments are quite on point! Newly minted graduates or professionals looking for better work opportunities will find the message of the verses relatable and sympathetic to their experience/situation. The technique and science of job hunting is indeed suffused with the elements of drama and comedy as applicants go about the daily grind building their resume and establishing their career.
February 7, 2024
Received a free copy; honest review.
"This is not a job help book. This is a burn capitalism to the ground book." <- love it. This is what you're getting into with this short read. It's ramblings, mostly in prose, of a subject matter most of us can unfortunately relate to far too much: Job hunting.
Gross, right?
A relatable read aside, it does get it bit overly (American) political and cathartic in places, but everyone's different at the end of the day.
"This is not a job help book. This is a burn capitalism to the ground book." <- love it. This is what you're getting into with this short read. It's ramblings, mostly in prose, of a subject matter most of us can unfortunately relate to far too much: Job hunting.
Gross, right?
A relatable read aside, it does get it bit overly (American) political and cathartic in places, but everyone's different at the end of the day.
November 12, 2023
So excited to be reviewing this poetry collection! It is fabulously relevant, brutally honest, fierce and beautiful. I was not prepared for all of the feels that came up from this work. If you’re a millennial or Gen Z, bonus if you’re bipoc or have immigrant heritage, you’ll find you may have a special understanding of these poems.
January 11, 2024
This is so much more than poetry. I found myself smiling and nodding along with every page. Answering all of those questions that are in front of us and within us during the often unrelenting job hunt and interview wheel. The funny, the heartbreaking, the impossible to answer honestly. It’s all here. Great read!
April 2, 2024
This book was so satisfying to read. I felt a lot of camradery with the author in her bitterness and angst toward the cold and stark reality of the job market. The book is passionately and artfully written.
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