Who else is job hunting right now?

[donald&daisy]

I really need to join this support group

I graduated from law school last year and received a passing score for the Ohio bar exam at the end of October 2008. So here it is, almost a year later, and I am employed at a grocery store as a clerk.

I am lucky enough that my parents are paying my loans right now (I will be paying them and the loans once I get a higher paying job).

I've only had one legal interview. I've interviewed at a lot of dead ends
(alot of those start up marketing/sales jobs that seem fishy).

The worst part of having a law degree is that I can only look for legal work in Ohio unless I want to take the bar in another state (2 months solid of studying 8-12 hours a day isn't really so appealing).

I've tried applying for lots of different fields, but most employers reply back and tell me that I am overqualified.

Frankly, not being able to find a job in my field is making me feel worthless and miserable.

I really hope things pick up soon.

I totally feel your pain! I just passed the Bar in early September and I am still looking. Have you tried asking your loan servicer for a deferment or forbearance? I am scheduled to start re-paying at the end of this month and I sent in a request for a deferment due to unemployment last week. It is very disheartening and I understand your frustration about not being able to find a legal job. I've been applying for all kinds of jobs, but I've only had two interviews. Good luck and be comforted with the knowledge that you certainly aren't alone!

 

[sallysmom]

Looking for lots of good vibes from you all. I passed an initial phone screening this morning and I've been told I will be hearing from HR. I think then I'll be sent along to dept. head sometime next week. Fingers crossed.
I really need and want this job. I've been out of work since January and I'm getting fat and lazy sitting at home.

 

[mrsv98]

Looking for lots of good vibes from you all. I passed an initial phone screening this morning and I've been told I will be hearing from HR. I think then I'll be sent along to dept. head sometime next week. Fingers crossed.
I really need and want this job. I've been out of work since January and I'm getting fat and lazy sitting at home.

Here is some for you and send some back for DH. He had a 2nd phone interview and it is down to 5 people (including DH). They said we should hear "next steps" by the end of the week.

 

[babytrees]

Here is some for you and send some back for DH. He had a 2nd phone interview and it is down to 5 people (including DH). They said we should hear "next steps" by the end of the week.

to everybody.

I am sitting, waiting not so patiently for the phone to ring to hear about the Maui Wowi position.

 

[MushyMushy]

Looking for lots of good vibes from you all. I passed an initial phone screening this morning and I've been told I will be hearing from HR. I think then I'll be sent along to dept. head sometime next week. Fingers crossed.
I really need and want this job. I've been out of work since January and I'm getting fat and lazy sitting at home.

to everybody.

I am sitting, waiting not so patiently for the phone to ring to hear about the Maui Wowi position.

I've got my fingers crossed for both of you! (okay, that's a thumbs up, but it'll do for now )

I had another interview today with a clinic. She was throwing so many acronyms at me, but I believe the job is called a behavioral services consultant, and also a mobile therapist. If I get the job, I can choose to do one or both of the positions and it truly is an extremely flexible job! I can do the other job that I got as well as this one and set my own hours for it as well... I can also take on as many or as few caseloads as I can handle. WOW, I really want this job.

BUT, you guys, this is bad and if I don't laugh, I'll cry! The interview with the woman in charge of the department went well. I walked out of there feeling like I was going to start next week! Then I had to go talk to the head of HR and wow, did I bomb that interview! The woman I spoke with warned me about what she'd be asking and told me not to worry about the HR woman, etc. I swear to you when I walked into that office, it was 10 degrees cooler! That lady was a combination of Judge Judy and the Robert DiNiro character in Meet the Parents!!! Her eyes shot laser beams right through me! She started firing questions at me (why do you want to work here, tell me about yourself, all the usual) and at one point I completely clammed up. I mean, I sat there with my mouth opening and closing like a FOOL. It had to be a good minute that I couldn't say a word and she said, "Is that all you have to say about yourself? Are you finished?" (imagine saying it harsh and in clipped tones)

That was the longest minute of my life, not being able to say a word like that. WOW. Also, she asked me a couple of things that I just replied so stupidly! "Have you ever worked with a child with behavioral disorders?" and I said no. DUH, yes I have!!! Why on earth would I say no to that when I have, and that's what this job is all about???

I had to go wait in the hallway while she spoke with my first interviewer, then that one came out and walked me back to another dept to take a drug test. I apologized and told her how embarrassed I was, and she said, "I told you she was.... different. There are really no words to describe her." Well, I'm glad it's not just me!

Hope you guys get a chuckle out of that anyway. I'm still shaking my head at myself!

 

[D. Crockett]

I never thought I'd see the day when college grads are finishing last. In my town, the good quality jobs are looking for 1). People skills 2). Experience/charisma 3). Are you bilingual? (not required, but definitely helps you). 4). How easily can you be trained? Job-seekers in my area are being encouraged to downplay their education in order to get on board with companies, and to avoid being considered "over-qualified".

My particular establishment was needing a Convention Manager / Coordinator back in Sep. The problem was, all our applicants had college when we were needing experience. The lady we finally brought on board (who is excellent, by the way,) had no degree , but years of experience in this particular field.

Yes, I know. Odd that college is hurting people. (??) One ad in our local paper for a night auditor read: "College Graduates need not apply".

My advice to anyone looking for work, let your resume focus on your experience. As odd & unorthodox as it may sound, you might want to consider downplaying your education. I'll probably get flamed for saying that, but am just speaking on behalf of what I've been seeing lately.

Best of luck to you all! Things will turn around soon enough for the better.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

So... you have a law degree, passed the Ohio bar, also have an undergraduate BA or BS degree... hmmm.

Do any other states have reciprocity with Ohio?
If you're not working, maybe you should consider taking the bar in another state, one that *has* reciprocity with other states or one that has a lot of work for lawyers.
Have you considered sitting for the bar in DC? I would think there's a lot of work for lawyers in DC. I've heard it's not one of the hardest to pass, but I'm not a lawyer and have never played one on TV.
Do you have a good working relationship with any of your law-school profs? Could you maybe drop by and ask their advice about how to proceed? They might know about some jobs that you haven't heard about.
I know you're overqualified, but could you *stand* working as a paralegal or legal assistant.
Could you volunteer for some legal pro-bono work, maybe at a legal clinic? At least you'd be working in your chosen field and that way when you *do* interview and the partner asks "what have you been doing since graduation?", you'll have a cool answer.

If this makes you feel any better, I know of someone that recently graduated from UVa Law School, was offered a job out of state, made all the arrangements to move and then the law firm changed their mind, put them on a stipend and said they'd be hired full-time *next* year. So this person is in a new city, had signed a lease on an apartment and is living on a way-reduced salary.

Good luck with the search,
agnes!

Thanks for all the advice. DC might be kind of hard. Right now, I have a free place to live and at least a job (even if it is low paying). If I have to move to DC, that'd be about 2 months studying for the bar, 3 more waiting for my results, and the bar can only be taken in late July and January. Then the difficulty of moving. Its definitely something to take into consideration, but I would much rather try to find something here first.

I have been doing some pro-bono work, so that is good advice.

What I've heard is that law offices don't really like hiring people with law degrees as paralegals. They actually have their own schools they go to and their own skills to learn.

I am going to look more into the reciprocity idea.

Thank you for all the kind advice

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I totally feel your pain! I just passed the Bar in early September and I am still looking. Have you tried asking your loan servicer for a deferment or forbearance? I am scheduled to start re-paying at the end of this month and I sent in a request for a deferment due to unemployment last week. It is very disheartening and I understand your frustration about not being able to find a legal job. I've been applying for all kinds of jobs, but I've only had two interviews. Good luck and be comforted with the knowledge that you certainly aren't alone!

My parents seem ok with paying mine for now, and I am ok with having to pay them back later on. I am just ashamed I can't pay my own at this time. Which state have you been applying in? I wish you good luck too.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I definitely agree that leaving off my law school degree could help me with some jobs...but I am at a loss to fill those three years on my resume. We were encouraged not to have part time jobs during my first year, I worked at a movie theater my second year and then an internship my third.

I just don't know how I would fill in those years, it sounds like I would need to start lying, and I really don't want my professional relationship with an employer to start out that way.

 

[tomthebarncat]

I had a phone interview yesterday and after speaking with the interviewer I WANT this job, Office Manager for the Corporate Office of Maui Wowi Products. It was the calmest I've been before, during and after an interview.

She had said that they hadn't wanted to place the ad on Craig's List because they didn't think they would get anybody. I said and you probably got 600 hundred applications didn't you? (it might have been more like 1000). She said they got to be picky and I should be thrilled I made it this far.....and I said I was.

The most often asked "question" is "Tell me something about yourself." How do you answer that? I always ask if they want professionally or personally and continue after their answer (which is usually whichever ). Which is how yesterday's interview started...and how I was able to connect to the interviewer as she has an 8th grader and Senior (I mentioned them only because that is where I volunteer...in their activities), and her Senior is named Cassie also.

This is when you are given a chance to reiterate what you have to bring to the table, your professional strengths and weaknessesl. They could care less about you personally. I will share a story my executive sister shared with me. She had just finished a great interview with a potential candidate for a 175,000 year job. The last question was " is there anything else you would like to tell me?" idiot interviewee responded " I love rainbows and unicorns". My sister immediately told her the interview was over and then left the room and burst out laughing. She was so surprised by this response, and then immediately wrote unsuitable candidate on all the forms. She often shares this story with folks. I use it as an example as I am a corporate trainer who specializes in business English.

 

[tomthebarncat]

I have a great job in Germany but have decided that I would like to relocate to Hong Kong, so I am currently sending out scouting emails. I hope that something comes of it, as I am ready for a change. Good luck to all of those that are unemployed. It is sad, as one of my clients has 502 open engineering positions, they are global but not in America. So if any of you engineers who can work in the energy industry abroad, pm me and I will give the name of the company. Remember it will get worse before it gets better.

 

[MushyMushy]

I definitely agree that leaving off my law school degree could help me with some jobs...but I am at a loss to fill those three years on my resume. We were encouraged not to have part time jobs during my first year, I worked at a movie theater my second year and then an internship my third.

I just don't know how I would fill in those years, it sounds like I would need to start lying, and I really don't want my professional relationship with an employer to start out that way.

You don't have to lie -- just leave it off your resume in order to get your foot in the door for an interview and let them know there. You can sell yourself as being right for the job despite the degree.

I'm horrible at writing my own resume, but I know you can find examples out there that focus on your skills rather than experience. For as old as I am (42) I have an appalling lack of job experience, but my resume is padded with my skills.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

Well, shoot, I'm starting to wonder if this was such a good idea...yesterday my DBF let me know that his bank is looking to hire new tellers. He works in the main branch, in the mortgage office, and the open jobs are in other branches, so we wouldn't really be working together. And we both thought that he could simply say I'm a friend and we've known each other for a little over a year. He took my application and resume to HR for me today, but the woman he spoke to grilled him about how he knows me! It doesn't sound like he gave it up, but in a way now, I'm hoping to NOT get an interview, in case they grill me, too...Not to mention the fact that this bank does move employees around and should I get the job, I could someday end up at his branch.

In hindsight, I should have thought it through before applying...

 

[sallysmom]

This is when you are given a chance to reiterate what you have to bring to the table, your professional strengths and weaknessesl. They could care less about you personally. I will share a story my executive sister shared with me. She had just finished a great interview with a potential candidate for a 175,000 year job. The last question was " is there anything else you would like to tell me?" idiot interviewee responded " I love rainbows and unicorns". My sister immediately told her the interview was over and then left the room and burst out laughing. She was so surprised by this response, and then immediately wrote unsuitable candidate on all the forms. She often shares this story with folks. I use it as an example as I am a corporate trainer who specializes in business English.
TomtheBarnCat-- THAT IS SO FUNNY! I will remember this story and blame you if my subconscious blurts out the same answer during an interview.

 

[RUDisney]

I definitely agree that leaving off my law school degree could help me with some jobs...but I am at a loss to fill those three years on my resume. We were encouraged not to have part time jobs during my first year, I worked at a movie theater my second year and then an internship my third.

I just don't know how I would fill in those years, it sounds like I would need to start lying, and I really don't want my professional relationship with an employer to start out that way.

Did you ever watch someone's kid(s) during that time? You could say you babysat without lying.

Yesterday, my DH and I had depositions for an accident in which I was injured 3 years ago. My DH said that he had gone to several of my dr appts with me. Not a lie. From what our atty said, the way that he phrased it would make one believe that he'd been to all of my out-of-town appts with me instead of just one or two of them. So, while he didn't lie, he gave a different impression that what was accurately fact.

Well, shoot, I'm starting to wonder if this was such a good idea...yesterday my DBF let me know that his bank is looking to hire new tellers. He works in the main branch, in the mortgage office, and the open jobs are in other branches, so we wouldn't really be working together. And we both thought that he could simply say I'm a friend and we've known each other for a little over a year. He took my application and resume to HR for me today, but the woman he spoke to grilled him about how he knows me! It doesn't sound like he gave it up, but in a way now, I'm hoping to NOT get an interview, in case they grill me, too...Not to mention the fact that this bank does move employees around and should I get the job, I could someday end up at his branch.

In hindsight, I should have thought it through before applying...

My DH and I worked in the same bank for almost 20 years. We never had the same boss but worked in the same building for most of that time. Don't worry too much about working in your DBF's branch. Just keep your nose clean for audits... don't process any of your DBF's G/L entries or cash any of his personal checks, etc. Let another teller do that.

 

[babytrees]

This is when you are given a chance to reiterate what you have to bring to the table, your professional strengths and weaknessesl. They could care less about you personally. I will share a story my executive sister shared with me. She had just finished a great interview with a potential candidate for a 175,000 year job. The last question was " is there anything else you would like to tell me?" idiot interviewee responded " I love rainbows and unicorns". My sister immediately told her the interview was over and then left the room and burst out laughing. She was so surprised by this response, and then immediately wrote unsuitable candidate on all the forms. She often shares this story with folks. I use it as an example as I am a corporate trainer who specializes in business English.

hilarious!! Thanks for the advice

I usually use the time of tell me about yourself explaining what I did during my breaks in "working"...I am an avid volunteer and find that I am able to show up some of my skills that way....if I wasn't organized I wouldn't be able to feed 100+ people every Saturday during band season. If I wasn't flexible or think on my toes, I wouldn't be able to handle the things that come up during those feedings, including tornado force winds and trying to keep 8 ez-ups from blowing away with 2 people.

To answer the question your sister posed: "I am ready to hit the ground running."

 

[babytrees]

I've got a second interview!!

 

[mrsv98]

I've got a second interview!!

 

[MushyMushy]

I've got a second interview!!

Yes!!! Congrats, that's a very good sign.

We'll all be pulling for you!

 

[apirateslifeforme]

Well, I've got an interview! Wednesday morning...it will be at the branch where I'd be working, not DBF's branch (he's going away for the week, though, so he wouldn't have been there anyway). The only thing bothering me now is that the lady who called me didn't sound too enthusiastic about my being in school and having a class on Tuesdays. The job itself is 5 days a week, anywhere from Monday through Saturday - I'd have a day off during the week, so I'd need Tuesday. She said to mention it to my interviewer...

NERVOUS!