So depressed ...18 months and still no job

[disprincessatheart]

My story probably won't help the op much, but I'm only 34 and I've been out of work almost as long with a bs and an MBA. It took me almost a year to get the first interview, and now I've had four total, no explanations as to why I didn't get any of them. I'm very lucky for the unemployment extensions since I have toddler and a dh with wildly unpredictable hours, so a job that pays even $10 would basically cost me money. I have an interview this week and I will be reviewing this thread right before to remind myself of all the things I shouldn't mention....

 

[crisi]

May be different elsewhere, but I double-majored in English in the early 90s and had no problem finding a job b/c nobody wanted to be teachers. It's life--you make changes based on the job you can get where-ever it is that you want to live. As I said, "Major in what you love (English)--minor in what is hiring (education)."

I'm coming from the perspective of having first-generation college grads as parents who lifted themselves from what a lot of people would consider poverty through getting an education. They pounded into my head that the way to change your life was through a college education. It was more like "Which college will you attend?" instead of "Are you going to college?"

My main point was that this may be a changing view. Wasn't there a point in which fairly sharp kids were expected to go to college and that a college degree in hand DID pretty much give you a good shot at SOME good job?

Around here, you need a degree in education to teach. Not in English. And not a minor in education. And generally a masters if you want to teach English, few positions, lots of teachers - even ten or fifteen years ago. Science - you can do that with a B.S. or a B.A.

And I don't think so. Of course, I graduated 20 years ago into a recession, so I may be a little jaded - since it took my husband seven years to find a full time professional job post graduation.

 

[chimilady]

Social networking is everything. Both my children were recruited immediately out of college doing this. LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/ is one of the best for networking.

Get a Facebook or Google+ account and reach out to all your friends to be on the lookout for a job for your skills.

That is how I found my job. I work in higher ed, and I love working in higher ed, because even though it doesn't pay corporate wages, you do get flexibility and great bennies, which is key when a mom. When I found a job I wanted at a college that I had no relationship with, I searched on facebook and it turns out that one of my former colleagues 8 years ago was an alum and currently working there in development/fundraising. Made a call to her, we talked for a bit, I forwarded her my resume via email, and the next day I got a call. The day after that I had an interview, and the day after that I had an offer. and this was MONTHS of looking at higher ed jobs, and thankfully I live in the land of many many colleges. I know if I just applied I would have gotten looked at but probably not called, but finding someone who could give me a connection was KEY in me getting hired. And I have to say, I'm so thankful. Not only are they paying in the range I wanted, I have lots of vacation time and flexibility for when my girls are sick or their daycare closes.....

Also, after talking to my pals that work in HR, no one sends thank you letters anymore, so you really will make an impression by sending one. Even with phone interviews. I am told they should be sent via email, and I did that, but I always followed up with a hand-written note as well. Not that I got many interviews during that time...

And I know so many people on Linked In, I hear it works wonders, though I do not like it because of privacy issues.

 

[yoopermom]

If you're really interested in a CNA course, call your local tech college (I work for mine and love it ). It's not a very long course, so even if you had to stay with friends/relatives close to the school (and find temp help for at home) it might be well worth it.

Also, do you know anybody who runs their own business and could use relief help? With your experience taking care of your own family members, is there any possibility of doing home health care or elder respite? How about pet sitting? How about sick child care/snow day childcare?

I live in a rural area, too, and have to really put myself out there and try and find a need to fill....

Terri

 

[Lisa_M]

I saw this article and thought of this thread. Maybe it will have some tips to help you. Good luck! I know it took my mom two years to find a job with a 50% paycut in 2001 at age 43. My dad is now approaching having to find a new job in his 50's after having worked for the same company for 30 years. Luckily, he still has his job, but layoffs are just a matter of time.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/16/living/job-after-fifty-cb/index.html?hpt=hp_bn8

 

[blondietink]

Linked in - been doing that since I lost my job
Facebook - I'm on it every day asking, looking

I really, really cannot get into being a caregiver for other people. I can't even get Respite for myself. Emotionally and physically I cannot care for other people when I have 2 very demanding young adults to take care of at home. I already burned out of one job 8 years ago in the area of developmental disabilities. I worked it and lived it at home. It was just too much. Working in another field was a lifesaver as far as my sanity. Gave me a break every day to get my mind off of it. I could still go back and work it as there are job openings, but I wouldn't last only a month or two.

 

[Arielle22]

I work in HR. There may be some states with laws against asking for DOB and SSN before hire, but there is no federal law which forbids it. Some companies won't bother to consider a candidate who doesn't give all requested information. The thinking is that if the candidate can't follow instructions on an application why would it get better if they are hired.

Many things mentioned in this thread aren't done by companies to prevent the appearance of discrimination but aren't illegal. For instance, you can ask candidates about children or plans for childcare but if you do, you should ask every candidate (regardless of gender, age etc) the exact same question. Also you should have a good reason for the question and treat everyone who answers a certain way the same.

For those advocating leaving jobs off a resume, make sure it doesn't give the appearance of hiding something. For instance, you leave off a job you had during college that was part time, no HR person will care. If you leave off a job that you got termed from and then lie to cover the gap in your resume, that will get you fired or not hired if it is discovered.

 

[klacey1]

I will correct my earlier post: I didn't mean a Master's is required, I just mean that, as another poster said, its a saturated market and people with higher education have a prima facie competitive edge for the jobs that will actually earn you a decent living. I'm sure I could have gotten A job with my English degree, but it would likely have been minimum wage. I now have about $55,000 in student loans from my second degree, but I also have a job that allows me to have a nice home, maintain a comfortable lifestyle, AND make above the minimum payment for student loan.

I guess my view is having a master's may be a competitive edge for certain fields, but it also may not be. I work at a publishing house with lots of young people/relatively recent grads-- no one in my department (editorial) has a master's. My contacts and friends at other houses-- I can name two with masters. (One was a teacher and the other got hers in her 30's after she was already employed.)
In my field-- real experience (internships and any office/admin/assistant jobs) is what gives an edge.