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| | Anyone else unable to find a job?Page 2 of 3 (1, 2, 3) | There are plenty of successful people who have gotten degrees in fields that are considered "useless", but who end up running rings around those who narrowed their studies to widgets in and value -added widgets out
You could be right if the OP can convince employers to contract his services for useless make-work projects that produces nothing.
I remember working at a large company many years ago and some former social worker- turned-business owner cleverly talked the company into contracting her services as an "employee coach". You know ... when they come in to host group-hug powwow sessions on how to be team players and resolve conflict situations. The thing is ... many of the technical people in the company thought of her services as useless, time consuming while accomplishing questionable results ... except to give her a wage, of course. The only "positives" we got out of it were extended coffee breaks for these so-called teaming building sessions ... and maybe a snooze during the workday. 
I had a Dilbert cartoon on my cubicle wall mocking her "services" .... and everyone thought it was pretty funny ... even my team lead at the time.
If I was the owner of a business, I would tell people like her to get lost when they walk in the door to offer employee "coaching".  | |
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| Anyone else unable to find a job?
Posted: 11/11/2011 9:51:49 AM |
Most liberal arts degrees are useless. A way for schools to "educate" i.e. take money from kids too slow to study something useful like engineering Sociology degree are as useless and a time waster as my psychology (undrgrad) degree These two statements are pretty much the truth. What exactly is a sociology degree anyway ... and do you expect to be paid for studying people and social relations?? I once knew someone who spent 4 years on a history degree ... only to end up working retail. I would never go back to school ... unless it was specifically the path to a better paying job ... or higher pay at an existing job. That means a program in hard techologies only. Not one of these ridiculous wimpy degrees that'll get you nowhere.
It dpends entirely on what you want to do. I got my BS because, in the end, it was required for my job. I also took all the courses necessary to be a substance abuse counselor but refused the certification, because I knew it would burn me out much too fast. The last job I applied for in my field, I was not hired because I lacked two - just two classes in social work. My prospective employer cried when she told me, because she really wanted someone with exactly the experience I had, but was freshly constrained by state law to hire only those with at least a specific number of courses in social work. Instead of me, she was stuck with a gaggle of brand new grads who were clueless in all but the desire to 'do goood.'
As for the less ordinary degrees, I know of at least one successful writer who has advanced degrees in medieval literature and history. She writes fiction, btw. There are others who have switched from teaching at colleges and universities to full time writing - it pays better, and they are much happier. They run the gamut from library science to the hard sciences to computer sciences. | |
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| Anyone else unable to find a job?
Posted: 11/11/2011 12:16:58 PM | Padawan61...
You could be right if the OP can convince employers to contract his services for useless make-work projects that produces nothing.
I remember working at a large company many years ago and some former social worker- turned-business owner cleverly talked the company into contracting her services as an "employee coach". You know ... when they come in to host group-hug powwow sessions on how to be team players and resolve conflict situations. The thing is ... many of the technical people in the company thought of her services as useless, time consuming while accomplishing questionable results ... except to give her a wage, of course. The only "positives" we got out of it were extended coffee breaks for these so-called teaming building sessions ... and maybe a snooze during the workday.
I had a Dilbert cartoon on my cubicle wall mocking her "services" .... and everyone thought it was pretty funny ... even my team lead at the time.
If I was the owner of a business, I would tell people like her to get lost when they walk in the door to offer employee "coaching".
How about thinking outside the cubicle? No offense, but I would not expect you to grasp what I'm talking about if you are comfortable with cruising in your cubicle.
The OP does not have to use his degree to schnuker somebody. He can see an opening or a need and fill it. Whether his degree applies at that moment or not is beside the point. The study of people can be learned on the fly or it can be learned formally.
Many are told to go to college because that is supposed to be the only way to get what you want in the material world. Then they are told to take loans to go to college, because of inflated costs. Why they are inflated is another subject.
Two college drop-outs I can think of that did okay: Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. We all can't be the next Mega-nerd, but those guys saw a need and filled it. I'm paraphrasing from a documentary on Jobs. In 1995, he was interviewed and said that he looked around at all the buildings and all the equipment and things that were built by people that were no smarter than him, and he realized that you can accomplish great goals if you put your mind to it.
Some people are content to cubiclize -- nothing wrong with it. But I'll lay you odds that if you and that lady "coach" were to be going after the same job, all things being equal, she would slam you down. She knows how to survive.
And...you were not the owner of that business because ownership has risks outside the cubicle, no matter what Dilbert says. | |
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| Anyone else unable to find a job?
Posted: 11/11/2011 12:37:21 PM | One of the advantages of hiring a college grad, that used to be touted, was that they had proved that they could start a task and were more likely to finish it, as a result of having to do that during the time they spent in college. I am not so sure that applies today, as it seems that type of discipline is rarely instilled in grads today.
It is very uncommon for a person to be working in the specific field that they received their degree in. The four, or more commonly five years spent in college do give the person time to mature, and develop friends that may be able to help them later in life. There is a lot more to college than book learnin'...............
Paul K | |
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| Anyone else unable to find a job?
Posted: 11/11/2011 1:06:32 PM | It really pisses me off when people claim that liberal arts degrees are "useless." They are not. However, your degree alone isn't enough to get you a job; you need to learn how to market the skills that you obtained getting your degree to employers.
Have you gone to your Alma Mater's career center? They alone won't find you a job, but they can help craft your resumes and cover letters, plus provide you with insight on how to interview and complete job applications. You may not find something in your field, but you can always find something where you can use the skills you learned in college. You would be surprised how many powerful people in the world have liberal arts degrees.
And no, not everyone is meant to be an engineer, scientist or a doctor. Don't let anyone tell you that you are dumb or not worth anything because you didn't do those disciplines. Every successful engineer I have met chose their field because they both had an aptitude for it and a strong love for it. Never go into something for just the money; you wouldn't feel to comfortable if your anesthesiologist told you that he was motivated by money, right before he puts your under. Learn how to market what you have, and you will succeed.
Sorry if I take this personally, but liberal arts naysayers really piss me off. | |
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| Anyone else unable to find a job?
Posted: 11/11/2011 1:24:44 PM | Hey Plato,
With all due respect from what I can see you're still laying pipe right here and now. IMO you might want to reconsider the realities of that shadow on the wall of the cave. Just an opinion.
My sister got a sociology degree 35 or so years ago. She's made six figures or more for a heck of a long time as a human resources professional. She had to relocate for awhile, but she's been where she wants to be for most of her life.
"Attitude is everything." Great luck to all! | |
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| Anyone else unable to find a job?
Posted: 11/11/2011 1:28:52 PM | | I got my undergrad degree in a "useless" social science field that I loved and still love. My only option was to get a graduate degree and do research and teach at university level which I couldn't bear to do. Waste my time teaching something I loved to bored undergrads so I got my BA and then went on to do something else. I don't regret it at all. I studied something I loved. I went to school to get an education not higher level vocational training. I have much more education both university and other and have always been able to find a job. Do what you love and you'll always find work. You'll have to start at the bottom and work your way up but that's reality. As an aside, my mother got her degree in Sociology and worked as a social worker until she changed careers. I'm thinking of doing a career change and working with the elderly. I've always liked older people. | |
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| Anyone else unable to find a job?
Posted: 11/11/2011 2:21:20 PM | Padawan61...
How about thinking outside the cubicle? No offense, but I would not expect you to grasp what I'm talking about if you are comfortable with cruising in your cubicle.
Oh ... I see your "profession" is marketing. Fancy title for someone who is good at flapping their gums  to earn a living ... rather than performing real work. "Thinking outside the cubicle" ... eh?? I bet you're that person who's full of catchy phrases such as "empowerment, personal potential, enlightenment, positive thinking, affirmations, mind powers". ... plus other obscure and pointless concepts
It's not hard to grasp your simple-minded ideas considering how elementary they are.
I've encountered people like you who are great at convincing similar minded individuals (such as HR personnel) to buy into your fast talking. However, I see things very differently. If you don't have hard skills to offer, you're not in the same league as those who do ... such as the engineers and doctors of the world.
I've also noticed that those same fast talker's jaws will drop if they were called upon to do actual work. They'll make some lame excuse on their ability to delegate ... a code-phrase for ... "don't ask me because I know nothing and have nothing to contribute ... so I'll delegate to those who can".
The OP does not have to use his degree to schnuker somebody. He can see an opening or a need and fill it
That's not what the OP sees. He wants an employer to recognize his 3.77 GPA in sociology and pay him money for it. 
Recently, my boss asked me to make the judgment call on a new hire. You can bet your marketing "degree" that I chose someone who had those hard skills ... not someone with the gift of gab.
But I'll lay you odds that if you and that lady "coach" were to be going after the same job, all things being equal, she would slam you down. She knows how to survive
I highly doubt it ... as any job that I would go after requires technical skills ... not "fancy marketing skills". This "coach" lady would be out of her league and her head would spin from high-tech overload.
And after (over) 30 years of survival ... I'm pretty good at it too.
And...you were not the owner of that business because ownership has risks outside the cubicle, no matter what Dilbert says
Dilbert satirizes all the corporate BS that goes on because of people like you.  | |
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| Anyone else unable to find a job?
Posted: 11/11/2011 4:51:54 PM | Padawan61...
Oh ... I see your "profession" is marketing. Fancy title for someone who is good at flapping their gums to earn a living ... rather than performing real work. "Thinking outside the cubicle" ... eh?? I bet you're that person who's full of catchy phrases such as "empowerment, personal potential, enlightenment, positive thinking, affirmations, mind powers". ... plus other obscure and pointless concepts
It's not hard to grasp your simple-minded ideas considering how elementary they are.
I've encountered people like you who are great at convincing similar minded individuals (such as HR personnel) to buy into your fast talking. However, I see things very differently. If you don't have hard skills to offer, you're not in the same league as those who do ... such as the engineers and doctors of the world.
I've also noticed that those same fast talker's jaws will drop if they were called upon to do actual work. They'll make some lame excuse on their ability to delegate ... a code-phrase for ... "don't ask me because I know nothing and have nothing to contribute ... so I'll delegate to those who can".
The OP does not have to use his degree to schnuker somebody. He can see an opening or a need and fill it
That's not what the OP sees. He wants an employer to recognize his 3.77 GPA in sociology and pay him money for it.
Recently, my boss asked me to make the judgment call on a new hire. You can bet your marketing "degree" that I chose someone who had those hard skills ... not someone with the gift of gab.
But I'll lay you odds that if you and that lady "coach" were to be going after the same job, all things being equal, she would slam you down. She knows how to survive
I highly doubt it ... as any job that I would go after requires technical skills ... not "fancy marketing skills". This "coach" lady would be out of her league and her head would spin from high-tech overload.
And after (over) 30 years of survival ... I'm pretty good at it too.
And...you were not the owner of that business because ownership has risks outside the cubicle, no matter what Dilbert says
Dilbert satirizes all the corporate BS that goes on because of people like you.
Dear Pada,
Thanks for checking out my profile. Do you think anything will come of this? I haven't even gotten an email from you. Don't worry, I'll put you in my "favorites".
It sounds like you might be spinning from "high tech" overload. Or just a load somewhere, anyway. Take some prune juice and that load will shoot right out.
I wonder how you know I might have the "gift of gab"? Have we met? Chatted? Did I drop by a cubicle? Share a snarky Dilbert joke about those dopes with no hard skills. Was I doing some of that evil "fast talking"?
I'm so glad your boss "let" you do something big and important, like adding your call to a new hire, which the boss had already decided on anyway. Hey, the boss was just practicing some "inclusion" to make you feel part of the "team". Don't kid yourself on the value of your input.
BTW, I do not work for a corporation. Haven't for almost 30 years. I walk through plenty of offices though, with people trapped in their Dilbert cells, and I feel sorry for them. They bow their heads and pretend to be busy at those hard skills until the clock tells them to go home. As far as all those phrases you alluded to: don't use em. That is corporate BS, if you must know. Keeps the engineers and consulting doctors happy. Maybe those who occupy cubicles, too.
So, leave the OP alone with the Sociology Degree. One day he might be your boss. | |
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| Anyone else unable to find a job?
Posted: 11/11/2011 8:16:00 PM | ^^^^^I don't email 53 y.o. men looking to date whose "profession" is marketing. 
t sounds like you might be spinning from "high tech" overload. Or just a load somewhere, anyway. Take some prune juice and that load will shoot right out
Is this suppose to mean something or is it your gift of marketing gab at work?? Sound as if someone is envious because they're a techno-tard. 
I wonder how you know I might have the "gift of gab"? Have we met? Chatted?
As a dear friend said ... marketing people apply 5 dollar words to things everyone can figure out through the application of common sense. So I don't have to have met you to know you're one of those fast talkers.
I'm so glad your boss "let" you do something big and important, like adding your call to a new hire, which the boss had already decided on anyway. Hey, the boss was just practicing some "inclusion" to make you feel part of the "team". Don't kid yourself on the value of your input
This assumption shows just how much a know-nothing person likes to speculate.
The boss didn't just "let" me add my call to a new hiring decision he had already made. I interviewed the candidate ... twice ... without much input from the boss. The second interview is where the candidate had to show me his proficiency at using an oscilloscope (you do know what that is ... don't you??) to display waveform components of (one of) the company's products. That's a job requirement ... using test instruments. His ability to do so allowed me to make the final hiring decision. The boss was nowhere around during this test of the candidate ... and only drew up the employment offer after I told him who I wanted to hire.
Does that explain things ... "brighteyes"??
I walk through plenty of offices though, with people trapped in their Dilbert cells, and I feel sorry for them. They bow their heads and pretend to be busy at those hard skills until the clock tells them to go home
Of course all you can do is walk past those "trapped" in their cubicles because you don't have the mental wherewithal to do their job. I love how you say they "pretend" to be busy when those cubicle workers have hardware equipment setups (and projects) that'll make your eyes bleed. 
So, leave the OP alone with the Sociology Degree. One day he might be your boss
I highly doubt that too. Companies where I work have no use for people with sociology degrees.  | |
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| Anyone else unable to find a job?
Posted: 11/13/2011 5:31:31 PM | Oh ... I see your "profession" is marketing. Fancy title for someone who is good at flapping their gums to earn a living ... rather than performing real work
So; you obviously have no clue what marketing is.
Lemma guess; a "real job" is that, like ditch digging that works the sh*t out of you; and that you can complain about every night when you come home to the wife and kids?
empowerment, personal potential, enlightenment, positive thinking, affirmations, mind powers". ... plus other obscure and pointless concepts
Yikes; you really dont like those terms?
You also opposed to things such as: happiness, peace, achievement, self realization, love, and freedom?
You basically come off as the 20000/yr manager type, who hates everything and everyone; and who expects your workers to give more, accept less; and quit their whining.
Recently, my boss asked me to make the judgment call on a new hire. You can bet your marketing "degree" that I chose someone who had those hard skills ... not someone with the gift of gab.
Shoulda grabbed the fell awith those hard skills, some contacts, AND a gift for the gab. Of course; that may make you a bit nervous about your own spot there...right? BTW  GOOD FOR YOU....YER IMPORTANT!!
Dilbert satirizes all the corporate BS that goes on
Dilbert's AWESOME
I'm so glad your boss "let" you do something big and important, like adding your call to a new hire, which the boss had already decided on anyway
Makes all those years of bootlicking and getting the rage out in the closet when noones looking worth it hu!? | |
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| Anyone else unable to find a job?
Posted: 11/13/2011 6:55:39 PM | I graduated from massage school last summer.
I got a job from connections by the end of the season, and a second job at a retail store a few weeks back.
I don't make loads of money, but I'm extrememly happy. :D
I love art, but I did pick a profession that was a bit more reliable in income.
I wish you the best of luck, OP.
Times be tough.
Don't be too proud. Your education does not make you better then anyone else, including that person flipping burgers behind the counter. | |
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| Anyone else unable to find a job?
Posted: 11/13/2011 7:00:21 PM | Hey Giraffe
You are in the situation many across the country are facing with other degrees and experience to back it. When applying for jobs, not only are you competing with fellow recent grads but also with seasoned people.
You can try sending resumes out across the country, rather then one area.
You can also look in to becoming your own boss and utilize your degree indirectly.
I'm in Chiropractor school right now and already started creating an income while in school rather then waiting until I graduate with a loan the amount of a mortgage. If that is something you want to talk about offline, feel free to let me know. Otherwise, keep your chin up. Something will come up eventually, sometimes it takes thinking outside the box a bit to get where you want to be. | |
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| Anyone else unable to find a job?
Posted: 11/13/2011 7:04:59 PM | My advise would be to volunteer for Ameri-corp and get some experience under your belt or apply for an internship. Your chances of being hired may improve once you have some 'real' experience and letters of recommendation. A lot of employers do not want to hire people fresh out of college with degrees with little or no experience 'working' in the real world.
My daughter will be 21 when she graduates from UC Merced and has held a PT job working at a consignment shop - the plus is she can balance the books, understands profit margins, actively solicits new accounts, has customer service experience and runs the shop when the owner needs a break. Not too bad for a 19 year old.
She understands that when she graduates she will have to take a low paying grunt job... and work her way up, and it may take years to get where she wants to be financially but she is young and time is on her side! She is also think about starting her own consignment shop business as another alternative.
OR go talk to a recruiter and enlist in the Military... my younger brother graduated with a BA and is now 1st LT. and an Army Ranger and BANKS a lot more money than he did as a teacher!
OR go to work in the Oil Fields in Williston ND & Fairview MT. I POF friend of mine left everything behind in CA and found work in Williston ND with no experience. There is hardly any 'unemployment' compared to most areas.
Good luck. | |
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| Anyone else unable to find a job?
Posted: 11/13/2011 7:11:53 PM | Oh ... I see your "profession" is marketing. Fancy title for someone who is good at flapping their gums to earn a living ... rather than performing real work So; you obviously have no clue what marketing is
If you think Dilbert is awesome and made such a lame statement in the same breath ... then you obviously can't comprehend Scott Adam's mockery of "marketing".
Lemma guess; a "real job" is that, like ditch digging that works the sh*t out of you; and that you can complain about every night when you come home to the wife and kids?
Real work is where you have to move a few brain cells. Something you haven't done in a while, eh?? 
You also opposed to things such as: happiness, peace, achievement, self realization, love, and freedom?
That one ... yes!! 
You basically come off as the 20000/yr manager type, who hates everything and everyone; and who expects your workers to give more, accept less; and quit their whining
Multiple that figure a few times and you might be in the ball park.  They're not my workers and I don't control how much they're paid. They are expected to complete their assignments in a reasonable amount of time ... something you might wanna aspire to.
Recently, my boss asked me to make the judgment call on a new hire. You can bet your marketing "degree" that I chose someone who had those hard skills ... not someone with the gift of gab Shoulda grabbed the fell awith those hard skills, some contacts, AND a gift for the gab. Of course; that may make you a bit nervous about your own spot there...right? BTW GOOD FOR YOU....YER IMPORTANT!!
Another ranter with a streak of envy, I see.  Everyone at the company can advance in whatever capacity they chose. I'm secure in my own worth that I see no threat from my co-workers. I just have to keep ahead by learning new things and becoming more valuable. However, I have encountered people who are quite nervous of any sort of competition ... being evasive with information. They try to hide that fear by making the same pointless rants you seem to be making.
I'm so glad your boss "let" you do something big and important, like adding your call to a new hire, which the boss had already decided on anyway Makes all those years of bootlicking and getting the rage out in the closet when noones looking worth it hu!?
Considering that I haven't been at the company for very long ... what years are you referring to?? Ah ... another know-nothing person making assumptions, I see. Ya know ... you might actually be able to make a coherent post if you quit with that dull sense of "merriment" you seem to be carrying across the forums.
don't email 53 y.o. men looking to date whose "profession" is marketing Hmmm.... I see. The little smiley clown that you put after this sentence in your post makes me think that perhaps your inclination ranges to much, much younger?
Well ... not many would want a wrinkly 53 y.o. But wait ... Jerry Sandusky might be looking for ya!!! He had a change of preferences in recent days ... until the heat wears off. 
So... back to the righteous companies and their position against people with sociology degrees. Have you done a cubicle survey to know this
Of course.
I'm secure in my own worth Dat a boy
Thanks!!
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv | |
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| Anyone else unable to find a job?
Posted: 11/13/2011 7:22:56 PM | Pada....
don't email 53 y.o. men looking to date whose "profession" is marketing.
Hmmm.... I see. The little smiley clown that you put after this sentence in your post makes me think that perhaps your inclination ranges to much, much younger? I mean, that's how that sentence with the creepy killer clown reads. Just might want to think before you emoticon.
Speaking of marketing.... this post would make a wonderful addition to the POF Anger Management forum. I think I'll cut and paste it there, if you don't mind. I'll remove the clown for your own protection.
So... back to the righteous companies and their position against people with sociology degrees. Have you done a cubicle survey to know this, or did Dilbert whisper in your ear? | |
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| Anyone else unable to find a job?
Posted: 11/15/2011 4:21:41 PM |
Anyone else in this predicament??
According to statistics, there are a whole lot of young people graduating from college that can't find work.
I've worked with many people over the years who work in fields not related to their degrees. Years ago, a friend worked for a national bank and was told she could not be promoted beyond a certain point without a BA. They didn't care what the field of study was, just that the degree was required.
I suggest you look for ANY work you can find. Continue looking for opportunities after you get employed. It helps alot to do some networking. Friends can help friends and acquaintances with employment opportunities.
Why did you set your education level on your profile to High School? | |
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| Anyone else unable to find a job?
Posted: 11/15/2011 4:53:59 PM |
PT job working at a consignment shop - the plus is she can balance the books, understands profit margins, actively solicits new accounts, has customer service experience and runs the shop when the owner needs a break. Not too bad for a 19 year old.
Look at all those TRUE skills and responsibilities that were pulled from A CONSIGNMENT JOB..for a resume.
She understands that when she graduates she will have to take a low paying grunt job
*cough*
Or not.....
Not everyone even recognizs what is entailed in their position, and how it relates to what the clients want......even after being in their position for 15 years. Good bosses will notice this skill/job component recognition skill. That matters when your job becomes multi-dimensional, with a multi-tasking and each skill done on a mass scale. Heck; she may be able to scout talent that a lock step; just do it type would not.
That skill she, ok you, showed off is what I was referring to above; and is THE reason I received several positions and interviews which I otherwise would not.
P.s. Best of luck to your daughter! | |
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| Anyone else unable to find a job?
Posted: 11/19/2011 8:44:30 AM | I graduated with a degree in Sociology this past June with a freaking 3.77 and have to live with my parents right now. It really really sucks. I have applied everywhere and won't even get a call back. I've spent hundreds of hours looking the Net and can't find a thing.
Anyone else in this predicament??
Absolutely! I lost my job this year due to my boss closing his office for health reasons and I've been looking ever since. He's 87 and finally had to retire via doctor's orders but I sure do miss working for the old goat as I was with him for over 5 years. I've e-mailed and faxed hundreds of resumes and my Suncoast workforce counselor informed me the serious job-seeker is having to spend in essence of 30 hours a week searching for a job. She told me if a counselor's position opens up on an external basis I'll be the first one she calls. They always try to hire from within when a job counselor position comes open and if no one applies for it then they search their outside database for a qualified candidate.
File for unemployment and any other social assistance you may qualify for. I know living with your parents isn't your first choice and I may have to do the same here if I don't find a job in the next few months.
Please don't give up looking though. Having a college degree nowadays doesn't seem to mean much to employers in this economy. A friend of mine graduated in May with a degree in Information Systems and after looking for a job since May and not finding anyone that would hire her she had to move back up to New York and live with her parents. Just know you're not alone but again, don't give up!
Hope this helps!
Seakytten | |
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| Anyone else unable to find a job?
Posted: 11/19/2011 11:28:06 AM | Yep, totally unable to find a job. I graduated in 2006 with a bachelor of education and a bachelor of arts. In my province, and most of Canada, there's a teacher surplus right now. Class sizes are getting smaller due to declining enrolment and the universities are graduating more teachers than there are jobs. I apply for every posting in Manitoba as well as I got my license in Alberta and I've been applying there as well.. with no luck.
Now I've hit that wonderful catch-22 where they see my resume and go "Ok it's been 5 years, why HAVEN'T you had a job yet?"
I did 2 years of educational assistant work, but the teacher's union doesn't want me doing that anymore because they say it looks bad on me to continue like that. They say that once an employer sees my resume they'll think that I'm not capable of handling a classroom which is why I've been doing work beneath my education level. Also add to that that these days I'm unable to do that sort of work physically.. and that's no longer an option.
So, as much as teaching is my passion, and the only thing in this world I know I'm good at, I've been applying for non teaching jobs for over a year. Problem I'm stuck with now is people see my 2 university degrees and won't hire me or consider me for an interview because I'm either overqualified, or they're afraid that I won't stick around.
Add to that I'm currently disabled on crutches, unable to walk... and that kills a lot of potential jobs I could do. I can't work retail or in a restaurant because I can't be on my feet all day. So I've been applying for receptionist/admin assistant type jobs. I've had many interviews but none have gone anywhere.
I spoke to some people through the government about what I could do to market myself better and they said I'm doing all the right things. I'm applying for jobs I'm qualified for, have experience doing and that meet my physical needs at the moment. I'm just stuck because of the bad economy they say.
So in the meantime, for approx a year and a half I've had no income outside of the few things I've been able to sell on kijiji. I don't qualify for unemployment and I don't qualify for disability. I thank god every day my father is willing to support me. Granted, I do do things around the house. He has cancer so I take care of him. I do the cooking, and the cleaning that I'm physically able to do. I run the errands that I can (outside of large grocery trips.. can't push a shopping cart).
Being 28, living at home, with no job really SUCKS. Try as I might, I can't find anything within my field, or outside of it. I watch everybody I know go and buy their own houses, go to work every day and have money to spend and it really bums me out that I'm missing out on all of that. Not to mention that because I'm not working I'm not able to put aside any money for retirement or important things like that, so the not working isn't just impacting my current life, it's impacting my future as well. I've had to go on anti depressants because of all this because the fact that I feel like a massive failure, and a disappointment to my parents, was having a negative impact on my life.
It's a crappy economy which really makes it hard to find work. But you're not alone, there's millions who are in the same boat.. and I think anybody who judges someone for being unemployed without trying to understand their situation really needs to open their eyes to what's really going on in the world. For most of us, it's not being lazy, it's just the way the system is. | |
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| Anyone else unable to find a job?
Posted: 11/19/2011 2:14:02 PM | Unfortunately OP you and alot of other young people are finding there are fewer jobs out there and you are also completing with older more experienced potential candidates because they have lost their jobs aswell and some are working 2-3 part-time positions to makes end meet.
My advice is stop sending out generic resumes, customize your resume to the job and only include education that qualifies for the position requirements or you can be seen as overqualified, put down as many skills as you can that make you stand out, be professional, make sure there is proper spelling and grammar and don't make it long, short and to the point is better. Use the resources available by your school, I got my first job out of University listings and they can teach you how to do up a proper resume and coverletter. Go to the local job bank and online to job search engines, be open to opportunities that might not be in your field but might interst you, if you can, be willing to re-locate for a job. My last job, I phoned to see if they had any position openings, it turned out they had 2 people leaving, I've been here for almost 8 years now, try in person aswell, some places get swamped with resumes,sometimes it is just luck, internships are good too. Good luck with the search. | |
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| Anyone else unable to find a job?
Posted: 11/19/2011 3:16:09 PM | I just watched this news report on the big frackin oil boom up in North Dakota. They have a lot of jobs to fill and a lot of them are just grunt labor--perfect for someone your age. It's not what you had in mind when you went to college I'd guess, but they're paying solid wages and you could get out from under your student loan debt in a couple of years, by which time hopefully the job situation will be better. At worst, you could look at it as a character building experience.
You should probably pack a sweater. | |
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