Job Searching Advice (kind of long).

JK10910

I'm having a super hard time with finding a job, as most of you know.  It seems like I have just a little too much education and experience for entry level type jobs (as one place told me flat out they didn't want to pay me what my experience and education required them to pay me on their pay scale, even though I'd take the bottom of the range, I guess it's not an option), and not enough for jobs a little higher on the ladder.  I'm stuck in this in-between place, and even volunteer opportunities in the field that would help me get more experience/contacts/etc are hard to come by and competitive (I've been shot down for the only two that have been available).

I've exhausted my contacts and they're out of ideas as well.  Any advice?  Anything I should be doing?  I went to my University's career center and met with someone who helped me shape up my resume a little and offered me cover letter tips.  I follow up my applications/resumes.  I sent thank you notes the two times I had interviews.  I'm at a loss, and I'm getting to the place beyond frustration.

laurenclaire1386

What field are you in?

JK10910

That would be helpful, huh?  Corrections/human services/mental health.

vallyhoo

Advice? Move to FL. Doesn't help, does it?

I don't think there is anything else you can do right now. It sucks, plain and simple. I'm not a hugger but I offer you a virtual ::hug:: because I've seen how exhausting it is after watching my BFF search for jobs for almost a year. Um... happy ending is that she finally sound something. I think the same will be true for you.

Wish I had something more concrete to offer. Oh that's right, moving to FL

laurenclaire1386

I asked mainly becuase I was curious.  I don't really have any advice either.  It sucks to be out of work though and I'm sure you're beyond frustrated.  Hope you can find something soon.

JK10910

Vally, I'm going to go search for a job in Florida now.  I can stay with you, right?

ETA:  There are a bunch of open PO positions in the Tampa and Sarasota areas.  I'll be on the next plane after the blizzard stops.

JK10910

Thanks Lauren.

vallyhoo

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_job-searching-advice-kind-of-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:b01a6792-c619-4379-9b53-e3e714b4eb84Post:65f4e78a-0998-4f90-9764-c113680f139b">Re: Job Searching Advice (kind of long).</a>:
[QUOTE]Vally, I'm going to go search for a job in Florida now.  I can stay with you, right? 
Posted by JK10910[/QUOTE]

Absofreakinlutely. The new place has 2 rooms for which we have ZERO furniture. So bring your own stuff and we can work something out.

angiebear11

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_job-searching-advice-kind-of-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:b01a6792-c619-4379-9b53-e3e714b4eb84Post:df645983-46cc-4430-b746-40bfb976bea0">Re: Job Searching Advice (kind of long).</a>:
[QUOTE]I've seen how exhausting it is after watching my BFF search for jobs for almost a year. Um... happy ending is that she finally sound something. I think the same will be true for you.
Posted by vallyhoo[/QUOTE]

This. I know this might be exactly what you want to hear, but if you really want a career/job in that field then you did to just keep doing what you're doing. After I graduated college (in May 08) I didn't find a job until Jan 09. And I was out of a job a year before I graduating college as well. So all together a total of 1 year and 8 months. I just kept at it and eventually I got a job.

ggmae

It really does seem as though you have tried and done everything that you can do right now. You are doing a great job - keep it up. It took me 5 months of active searching to find my job.

Would you ever consider relocating to another area/state? Have you applied for out-of-state jobs just to see what happens?

lpstl

Start applying for remote positions, consider commuting, and consider relocation.

Start calling every recruiter in and out of town to help.

I'm not sure specifically the type of work you're looking for, but the insurance industry is doing really really well, you could look around for mental health positions in that industry.

JK10910

I can't relocate.  I mean, I could, but FI can't right now.  And we don't NEED my income (though it would be nice) so that's not something I'm really willing to do at the moment. 

ac_in_dc

I can't think of anything specific to add for your situation, but (and I always recommend this) I'd totally suggest buying the most recent "what color is your parachute?" ...it has really good advice on everything from narrowing down career goals to actual job searching.

JK10910

Oh, and I'll definitely commute.  I'm applying for jobs up to an hour and a half away.  Hopefully in May we could at least move somewhere halfway between here and wherever I might get a job if I'm commuting.

Interesting, lpstl.  I'll definitely look into that.  Thanks!

[Deleted User]

I would contact a recruiter. Have you thought about temp work in a somewhat related field? Yes, temp works sucks, but a good amount of the time, it turns into something permanent. Are you in any professional networks? Are you a member of linked in? Do you have any contacts in your field that you could reach out to?

georgia_bride09

I second the move to Florida. But that's just me. 4 hours beats 24 hours everytime.

All I can really say is keep your eyes open for when positions open in your field. Can you look at related fields? Maybe schools or something?  

JK10910

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_job-searching-advice-kind-of-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:b01a6792-c619-4379-9b53-e3e714b4eb84Post:679be2f1-78d6-4a6b-b5b5-04c66463ebc9">Re: Job Searching Advice (kind of long).</a>:
[QUOTE]I would contact a recruiter. Have you thought about temp work in a somewhat related field? Yes, temp works sucks, but a good amount of the time, it turns into something permanent. Are you in any professional networks? Are you a member of linked in? Do you have any contacts in your field that you could reach out to?
Posted by cew515[/QUOTE]

Even the temp work around here is incredibly limited--mostly factory work at the moment.  I don't even know what linked in is.  Please do enlighten me!  I have contacts, and they have nothing either. 

Georgia, I've looked in every field.  I scour job postings day after day and apply to pretty much anything I'm remotely qualified for.  I can't even get a job at Target.  Seriously, that's a blow to your self-esteem. 

ggmae

J&K - I applied to jobs that were quite a distance away too, except I was only willing to commute an hour each way. Right now, my commute is about 40 minutes each way and I spend $150 a month on gas. It sucks, but it is worth the commute for sure.

georgia_bride09

That would definitely be a blow!!

For the entry level stuff, could you make a resume specifically for that sort of thing without your full education? Is that even legal? It just seems like your over-qualification is kicking you out of the running without any further consideration.

JK10910

I think I could probably leave my year of grad school off, since I didn't graduate?  But they'd probably find it anyway.  A lot of the types of jobs I'm applying for require background checks, would that be on a background check?  (And cue the jokes about that being the reason I can't get a job!)

NuggetBrain

Big hugs hun, I'm sorry this is taking so long.  I don't really have any advice, other than to say keep on keepin' on.  I haven't started looking yet, I'm still working on getting my resume together and cover letter polished, and I went to a few job search classes offered as part of the severence package at my old job.  You have to remember the time of year as well - lots of people looking for second jobs for the holidays, lots of folks who got let go to purge the company's books for next year's budget, college kids who just graduated in the summer and are still looking - it's a very, very tight market.  I read in the paper yesterday that there were 6.3 applicants for every job opening in America in October.

JK10910

However, I hate to do that even, because then I think "what if it's a job that is willing to pay a little more or COULD pay me the bottom of the scale, and someone beats me out because they think they have more education than me?" 

ARGGGHHH! 

JK10910

Thanks Nugget.  That's really great perspective. 

beatlesgirl25

I'm so sorry to hear you're having a hard time with this. I totally understand... I'm in a limbo state myself in a similar field. The over/underqualification thing sucks.

One of the things that I often forget about the places I apply to is that the agency and I might not be a good fit. I know that doesn't help you feel better about not getting the position, but it probably means that it wouldn't have been the best place for you and your goals. 

I don't know what kinds of positions you've already looked into, but what about something like a residential counselor? These positions usually require at least a BA and some experience in your area of expertise, and are a good way to get your foot in the door for other positions at a mental health facility. Plus, inpatient/residential experience is invaluable on a resume. Or you could try part-time contract work through an agency like an overnight urgent care provider at a hospital. There's a position like this here that is overnight on Sundays, which I totally wouldn't want to do, but I will if I don't find something soon. It would be a good way to get into the system, network, and catch other job opportunities and training that would open up. 

I hope you find something soon. And try not to take the entry-level job rejections too personally. I went through the same thing a couple years ago while in my second year of grad school... I couldn't get a seasonal job at Hallmark or any retail, which is all I wanted. But it doesn't mean I wasn't good enough for it, they just went with someone else. Good luck with everything and please email me if you want to talk!

jajph1974

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_job-searching-advice-kind-of-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:b01a6792-c619-4379-9b53-e3e714b4eb84Post:679be2f1-78d6-4a6b-b5b5-04c66463ebc9">Re: Job Searching Advice (kind of long).</a>:
[QUOTE]I would contact a recruiter. Have you thought about temp work in a somewhat related field? Yes, temp works sucks, but a good amount of the time, it turns into something permanent. Are you in any professional networks? Are you a member of linked in? Do you have any contacts in your field that you could reach out to?
Posted by cew515[/QUOTE]

I was going to suggest temp work too. Even if it doesn't turn into something permanent, at least you add more experience to your resume.

smokeybailey

linkedin.com.  it's a networking site.  If you register, come back and let us know.  Those of us who are on there will link with you so you can look for contacts.

If I lost my job today, I would have an application in at a local restaurant to wait tables tomorrow.  Also, I find it bizarre that Target won't give you a job.  JC Penney is hiring a shitload of people for holiday work.  These don't help your career but give you extra cash.
GL

JK10910

Aw, thanks Beatles!  You're so sweet.  I had a residential counselor position I applied for, had two interviews for, and was basically all but told I had the position (they told me when training started and gave me itineraries for training, dress code info, etc) and then I never heard from them again for the final decision.  2 emails and several phone calls from me when unanswered.  Obviously, it's probably a good thing I didn't get the job because they apparently suck at life. 

Frankly, the biggest problem lately seems to be that in the past month or so, I've only found 3 jobs that I'm even remotely qualified for to apply to.  So that's kind of exacerbated things.  There's just nothing out there anymore.  And I had two jobs that I was really, really hopeful for, and I just got my rejection emails (one after the other) today.  So I'm just down, pretty much.  I was trying to avoid just whining about it by trying to get some actual advice, but there doesn't seem to be a whole lot more I can do at this point but just keep at it. 

JK10910

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_job-searching-advice-kind-of-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:b01a6792-c619-4379-9b53-e3e714b4eb84Post:0e73e251-3f1f-4ba6-91fa-5922a2c57c57">Re: Job Searching Advice (kind of long).</a>:
[QUOTE]linkedin.com.  it's a networking site.  If you register, come back and let us know.  Those of us who are on there will link with you so you can look for contacts. If I lost my job today, I would have an application in at a local restaurant to wait tables tomorrow.  Also, I find it bizarre that Target won't give you a job.  JC Penney is hiring a shitload of people for holiday work.  These don't help your career but give you extra cash. GL
Posted by smokeybailey[/QUOTE]

Ok, I will definitely get on Linked In then.  Thanks!

I've applied at pretty much every retail place in town and while I have retail experience, I have no cash register experience.  That's killed me for at least one job that I know of.  I've also applied at restaurants, hotels, banks, etc.  There just isn't much around here, and there are so many people out of work.  One job I applied for had over 2,000 applicants from all over the country (says my contact). 

beatlesgirl25

Ugh, that place that never got back to you obviously sucks. Sounds like a chaotic system you wouldn't want to be a part of anyway. It's such a shame that the mental health field has gotten hit so hard by the economy... especially when people are more depressed and stressed now more than ever. Usually the job postings these days are for psychiatrists or LICSWs, but thankfully Massachusetts has the Children's Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI), so the state has been pouring money into agencies to create a higher demand for child therapists and home-based therapists. You should move here then!

Since we're throwing out websites, have you checked indeed.com? I've found it really helpful for up-to-the-minute job postings based on your keywords.

JK10910

I love Indeed.  They email me every day

I can't wait until FI is done with his contract so we can move.  Luckily, he's very open to moving since he can get a job anywhere (he's a pharmacist) and I obviously can't.

I know what you mean about the MH field getting hit.  I saw a posting for a job in the Twin Cities that wanted an Masters or higher (Doctorate preferred) and at least 5 years experience, and they were paying 28k a year.  I found that to be ludicrous, especially for the area.   What made me really sad is I know there are several people out there that meet those criteria and need a job so badly they'll settle for that.

smokeybailey

JK-don't forget that lots of people post for their ideal candidate so if you meet some of the requirements you should still apply.