Job search rant...

[thegiraffe]

I've been out of work for three months. Three freaking months!!! I know the economy sucks. I get it. However, I have experience. I have an education. I'm professional, not offensive, and am willing to work out-of-field or in jobs that pay me less than I'd like.

I'm so sick of getting the dreaded rejection emails, or worse...no response at all! I went to a job fair today. The place was a freaking ZOO (ok, so that can be expected). Half of the "booths" were colleges looking only to recruit students, not offer employment. It makes sense - a lot of people are looking to further their education right now. But then, everyone I talked to was barely interested...they just told me to go online. What's the point of the career fair then? I have an excellent face-to-face reputation. For some reason, I'm really good at winning people over in person. A lot of the people there didn't seem to be taking it seriously either. It said "dress professionally" - there were numerous people in baggy jeans, wacky get-ups (and we're not talking about a "unique" fashion sense" here), and revealing outfits. That makes me even more frustrated that I can't get a job. I'm young, but I'm professional. I know what I'm doing, and I'm a quick learner. I have a degree and experience. I feel like this afternoon was a total waste of time today. Probably wasn't, but it feels like it was.

[Talon]

Welcome to the club.

I'm in 3rd year of my bachelor program and I have a couple years experience in call centers. I've also been job-hunting for the last 3 months. In that time I've had about 10 interviews, all fruitless. Hell even one volunteer position wouldn't hire me.

What's particularly troubling is I had this same damn problem last summer, and I swore this summer would be different. I also needed to get an IT job as a placement for my program, without that I can't graduate.

I'm trying to keep up the whole "positive attitude" nonsense. But after this many doors slammed in my face, I don't know. Co-op is a bust, there are no longer enough hours in the summer. I just want something part-time I can keep after fall. But it would seem I must proceed without hope.

[Broomjockey]

But then, everyone I talked to was barely interested...they just told me to go online. What's the point of the career fair then?

You're right. I fail to see the point of manning a booth, spending time and resources just to say "Go online." The same purpose could have been served by sending someone with a box of brochures, and dropping them on a table.

I wish you luck in your search!

[1756GR2]

We're in the same queues, Giraffe. I'm sick of the "overqualified" line. I have experience, I'm very good at what I do, I have impeccable references, and I will work for you forever. At 56, I've got a good 20 years of work left in me (and most of those companies won't be around that long). I'm quite frankly tired of losing out to those inexperienced cutesy girls whose major form of communication is The Giggle (not a condemnation of an age group, just those girls). If I'm willing to do your job for what you're offering, what's your problem with getting more than you're paying for?

And my big peeve -- Yes, there are 200 people applying for each job. But is it so hard to run a quick mailmerged form letter to let applicants know that they didn't make the cut? It would cut down on followup phone calls and keep your receptionist from getting bitchy about it. And we can move on instead of making those phone calls and getting Attitude.

/rant

[Giggle Goose]

I'm quite frankly tired of losing out to those inexperienced cutesy girls whose major form of communication is The Giggle (not a condemnation of an age group, just those girls).

Hey, I take offense to that! (Jk)

I really do hope things get better for you, Giraffe! I graduated from college last year and went to a few of those job fairs just like the ones you mentioned. I was SO angry that all they would say is "go online" and didn't even want to talk with me. It seemed like most of the people were just there to snag all the free pens and notepads and other crap with the company logos.

Another thing that burns me up as someone who IS employed is the attititude of some of the people I work with. There are so many lazy incompetent people that complain constantly! There are so many people like you guys here that could do a WAY better job and increase productivity. I do work in the public sector, so you can pretty much guess how the attitude of some people is. (Not ALL, but a few).

I actually got my current job through an ad posted from my college's career center, and I'm extremely grateful for it. Those job fairs were garbage. But do what you gotta do and keep on searching! I wish you the best of luck.

[Emrld]

Let's see mid October 2008 company had no more income - so basically no job.
Since then I have had two jobs where I got hired on everything going well - then ooops they need to make cut backs on spending - last one in the door first one back out . . .
So I am at about 8 months of un-employment.
I am burned out of trying for jobs and being either over or under qualified. I can't even land a part time job - they are afraid I will leave as soon as I get full time.
As for job fairs - forget about it around here . . .they expect maybe 600 to show - over 1,000 show.
And yes, I wish they would refuse entrance to those not dressed for a job fair. (sorry just a pet peeve of mine)

I have to agree though . . .the way to get a job has become frustrating. Unless you know the right person you won't even get an interview. Too many applications for them to get through all that come in. And, unless you have the specific key words they want in your resume - they won't look at it either.

I don't want to be Debbie Downer here - just not an up day for me.

[thegiraffe]

I fail to see the point of manning a booth, spending time and resources just to say "Go online."

Agreed. One of the major reasons to go to a job fair is to network...but that's impossible to do when everyone there just tells you to "go online". It's annoying to say the least...

I'm quite frankly tired of losing out to those inexperienced cutesy girls whose major form of communication is The Giggle (not a condemnation of an age group, just those girls). /rant

(This isn't directed at you at ALL, so please don't take it that way) As part of that "age group", I'm sick of being automatically put in that category. Yes, I'm young. I'm almost 24, but I look maybe 20 when I'm in full professional dress. However, I'm more professional than a lot of people I encounter who are twice my age. I'm smart, willing to do whatever, take initiative, and follow through. It's also annoying when something says "5 years of experience doing xyz", but I'm sure I could do the job. Just because I'm young doesn't mean I'm not a capable worker.

Another thing that burns me up as someone who IS employed is the attitude of some of the people I work with. There are so many lazy incompetent people that complain constantly!

Amen! When I'm shopping somewhere or whatever and someone is whining, I almost feel like smacking them upside the head and saying "you don't want the job? Fine...can I have it?" I swear that so many people have no idea how lucky they are to have jobs right now. It's rough out there.

And yes, I wish they would refuse entrance to those not dressed for a job fair. (sorry just a pet peeve of mine)

I wish they would too! I was probably in the top 5% of "best dressed" there (and that's not an exaggeration)...and I didn't even have my nicest stuff on! I was wearing a cute cream-colored blouse that tied in the back and a black pinstriped flowy knee-length skirt with some black low-heeled shoes. I'm no fashionista by any means, but I know how to look professional.

[ditchdj]

I've been out of work for three months. Three freaking months!!! I know the economy sucks. I get it. However, I have experience. I have an education. I'm professional, not offensive, and am willing to work out-of-field or in jobs that pay me less than I'd like.

So am I!

And you're a hell of a lot prettier than I am!

Seriously, I wonder how the economy is (supposedly) getting better when the unemployment rate continues to climb. Kinda makes you wonder when the first wave of laid-off workers have their unemployment run out at the end of September.

[Stormraven]

I'm with you Giraffe. I've been out for a year now, with nothing to show for it except more cynicism than I usually show.

[Dreamstalker]

I'm smart, willing to do whatever, take initiative, and follow through. It's also annoying when something says "5 years of experience doing xyz", but I'm sure I could do the job. Just because I'm young doesn't mean I'm not a capable worker.

Exactly. I've found job postings where I lack maybe 2 of 8 qualifications, but I'm a very fast learner and tend to pick things up best by actually doing them (on the job training). In a lot of cases the qualifications that I'm lacking can be made up for with knowledge in related areas.

What's fun is when there's an "entry-level" position advertised and one of the requirements is experience in some software where the best (sometimes only) way to get experience in it is to work there.

I've been out for a year; I never actually qualified for unemployment partly due to some shenanigans on the part of my last boss. I'm now moving back in with my mom to save money until I actually have steady income again.

[FuzzyKitten99]

If it makes anyone here feel any better about their situation, my boyfriend was just laid off in December after 12 years with the company he was with. He has a Masters in Business Admin, and was bringing in over 6 figures a year. The company decided to cut its budget for his area from 35 million to 8 million... so out the door he went with his whole department and 3/4 of the people he worked with and for. He STILL hasnt found a job, however he is finding leads through 'Linked In", to help with networking. So far nothing yet but with as many people as he is adding daily, something will eventually give.

So with his 12+ years experience in various areas of his profession, great track record for his profession, an MBA, and still no job after 6 months, things must be pretty bleak. He's even willing to take a paycut of up to half if it means going back to work.

In the mean time, I will be getting my associate degree in culinary arts, and when I graduate (Nov 2010), we will be giving the US the double fisted middle-finger salute and heading to the caribbean to start my restaurant.

[HorrorFrogPrincess]

I've been out of work for only 3 weeks, but I'm scared because this is exactly where I was one year ago. Except with and additional 6 months experience.

I have lots of Administrative experience, but most places won't even look at me because of my degree. Meanwhile I don't have experience in accounting or finance, so those jobs aren't open to me, either.

And I can't even get Unemployment. I didn't make enough in the last quarter or whatever to qualify.

In the mean time, I will be getting my associate degree in culinary arts, and when I graduate (Nov 2010), we will be giving the US the double fisted middle-finger salute and heading to the caribbean to start my restaurant.

I took Entrepreneurship for my Capstone. Need a finance person?

[JLRodgers]

One thing I hate is my company hasn't been able to pay me for 3 years (I own it, so yeah, it pays to keep itself up, but that's it).

So I go looking for a job. Not even online are there positions in my area! Oh, there's the occasional "7-12 year experience" required for a position that only requires a high school degree.... or positions in such high management - you know the people at the company are probably the ones hired (or if not, there will be a LOT of resentment -- unless the person retired, and the job sucks so no one wanted it). Or Navy/Nurses/CDL positions (where the CDL requires you have the license now, no training/etc involved - and you have to have your own truck).


Anyway.... I applied at a job that my degree is in -- it was underpaid, talking BA required, (higher preferred with experience) -- pay min wage. They hired someone else - and they already quit due to the stress/pay!

I applied to this week (over e-mail as requested, they lost it in spam filter [and told me] sent one in again, and told them I'd bring in a hard copy just in case if I didn' t hear anything - and did) Interviews end today -- guess who wasn't called? Know what the position is that had a few hundred interviews for? part-time secretary in the fine arts department of a college.
My experience (other than dealing with people/phones/paperwork/etc since 1995, and having computer experience back to the 1980s [paid experience]) -- I only needed a few more classes to be considered a "fine arts" major at that college - I know 75% of the people in the department, about 60% at the college ---- and I had enough hours at the college for an AA, AS, AAS (and had about 1/3 of the hours in the theatre department, would've had half but I maxed out credits and did stuff just to help out). I'm listed as a donor to the department, and I'm in the process of doing something for them now (probably for free, or just mention in the programs). Let's just say, I know the dept and how things work - so limited training needed if any.

And do I get called? Nope. I am hoping, however, that since I also made sure they know I would like to be a part-time adjunct instructor (told I'm more than qualified for it - one person said they wished I had a MA because I would've been hired as a full-time), that they just didn't call me because they can't have me doing 2 jobs at once there and they want me for the other..... one can hope....

[ditchdj]

That's really sad to see all our professionals like that being tossed into the trash can. I see them not as workers or "liabilities" as companies do, but as assets that can help build this country and make it the great nation it is.

[JLRodgers]

Well here's something interesting.... I called a company and they "rudely" (i.e. got to many calls so the person was sounding like "why can't the idiot bosses put a message that says "no we have no jobs" so I can put the f'ing phone down for a few seconds - I don't find rude, but others would probably) said they had no positions, and when I commented they didn't have a website anymore she said: "they took it down, too many people e-mailing about jobs" (so now they just get too many phone calls because there's nothing online saying "we have no openings".