Dear Auntie.
I am a 27-year-old girl. I completed my MBA from reputable university and am now desperately looking for a job because I am the eldest of my siblings and my family badly needs financial support from me. But even though I have an excellent academic record I am unable to get a job. I have given so many interviews that I don’t even remember how many interviews I have gone through. This is one of the reasons for my depression.

Secondly, I am in love with a guy who was my classmate. He cares a lot for me and even encourages me in my search for job. But the problem is that our families will not accept our relationship in future. Currently many of my friends are getting married and I am extremely depressed because for the last three years I have been looking for a job without any success. Also there is no hope of getting married. I don’t know what to do. Kindly help me out.  
Despondent

Dear Girl,
If you have been looking at job ads and are applying through those, I would recommend you to change your strategy. If you are not doing anything right now, look for and take on a voluntary activity. Not only will you be contributing to the community, you will also have something to explain the gaps in your CV.

‘My parents will not approve of the guy I want to marry’

Next, activate your network. Contact everyone you know — even people you think are unlikely to have any leads — and spread the word about your job search. When Auntie says “everyone,” she means everyone! You never know where an opportunity can come from. Also make a shortlist of the most influential people you know and figure out how you could appear on their radar. Do the needful but make sure you don’t end up bugging them.

Another way to seek opportunity is to get in touch with your old college-mates. People who have been to the same educational institutions tend to help each other out and you should definitely cultivate your college alumni. Also go out as often as you can to social events, especially seminars where you can connect with professionals.

As for your marriage, Auntie doesn’t know the reason your parents are against this match. Have they paired you up with someone in your family already? Do they want someone more settled? Whatever the reason, you can usually get married if you take a stand (provided your family does not issue life threats). Auntie finds that to be one of the most common reasons love matches don’t end in marriage — a lot of people don’t have the courage to stand up to their parents and fear the consequences. If you want to marry your boyfriend, you both have to be on the same page and take a stand come what may.

A lot of people don’t have the courage to stand up to their parents and fear consequences. If you want to marry your boyfriend, you both have to be on the same page and take a stand come what may.

In the meantime, while you wait for your job and marriage, go out and get involved in the community. Stay active. Sitting at home and thinking about your problems and how nothing is working out is not helping your cause and is only making you more depressed.

Auntie will not reply privately to any query. Please send concise queries to: auntieagni@gmail.com

Published in Dawn, EOS, May 28th, 2017