Discouraged

[Noelegy]

As you may be aware, I'm actively seeking other employment in hopes of having another job lined up before I find myself getting escorted out of the building. The atmosphere at my current job isn't the best. But it's not until you start looking for a job that you realize just how little you know how to do. I'm very frustrated because in seven years at this company, I have yet to make any serious advances in my "career."

I majored in English and am a crackerjack proofreader. I have excellent written communication skills. I have experience in web design and graphic design. All of which means exactly bupkus at my current position.

I've been looking at jobs online this morning--because let's face it, I'm almost to the point here where I just don't care anymore--and anything that I'd actually want to get into requires years of prior experience. Otherwise, I'm not qualified to do anything other than what I'm doing right now. I interviewed at one of our major competitors a few months ago, a company which had snapped up several of our former employees, including people who'd been fired, and I didn't even get a callback.

So I guess I'm fishing for some advice and encouragement. I know Excel, and I'd learn Access if I thought it'd do me any good (I have a book on it). I'm pretty comfortable with all other aspects of MS Office. I have extensive experience in third-party insurance billing, experience with Medicare claims, extensive familiarity with medical terminology, and I'm qualified to do ICD-9 coding.

Any suggestions? I haven't been terribly happy with Monster.com. I'd really like to go to a staffing agency and just say, "Find me a job," but I know it's not that simple.

[Witch of Endor]

I would totally go to a temp agency. Sign up with several reputable agencies in your area, so that you have a higher likelihood of being matched up with something.

Your skills are by no means insignificant, but you're belittling them by saying you have no qualifications. If you're having trouble feeling good about your skills and marketing yourself to employers, a temp agency will also help you there. Sometimes all you have to do is have one interview with the agency and get your skills on file, and then the employers can choose sight-unseen based on nothing but an objective list of your skills.

[Der Cute]

You can also goto www.brainbench.com and sign up/ create an account, and get free certs/ tests on your skills there.

Any tests and certs look good on a resume. Some big companies use Brainbench for their testing, some don't.

Another thought: look internally. Any openings somewhere else in the company? Is the company totally crap or is it the department you're in is crap? might do better w/ a proven track record transferring sideways.

Check craigslist.org. Check monster.com. Check dice.com if you're really technical.

Call your current HR dept and ask if you can get certified in MOUS (microsoft office). If they'll pay for it. then walk.

Cutenoob

[Noelegy]

Another thought: look internally. Any openings somewhere else in the company? Is the company totally crap or is it the department you're in is crap? might do better w/ a proven track record transferring sideways.

Thanks for the suggestions, first of all. I'll check those out.

Part of why it's bad to have a write-up is that you can't transfer internally for a year. I've heard that if a manager really wants you that there are ways around it, but I'm afraid I won't even get a chance if they see I have that write-up. As for the crap factor, I think it's definitely with the department. My husband and sister-in-law are both employed by this company, and they're both pretty happy with their jobs and with their managers.

[Andara Bledin]

If you go the agency route, sign up for all of them in your area.

And don't be surprised if you do get snapped up. Nekojin showed up, nearly got dismissed because his resume was rather sad-looking, then got immediately placed once they got his typing speed marked. He's nearing the end of his 3 months, and we're keeping our fingers crossed that they buy out his contract.

^-.-^

[Kiwi]

I heard in one of my job hunts that only a very small percentage of jobs are publically posted, so your chances of catching a cool job from a website or newspaper are very small.

The best way to get a good job is networking (temping, telling EVERYONE that your on the look out for a job, cold calling, going to the companies own website and using government agencies). My best friend hates her office job and took a retail job sat/sun to make sure she could make rent while she looks for another job and she spend mon-fri working at short term temp jobs while she scouts for a good employeer and the exact job she wants.
She was a physcolgy major and now wants nothing to do with that field but wants the 9-5 instead. Its been tough for her not having a day off in a while but she has been offered 4 jobs in the last 6 months.

[TNT]

Nekojin showed up, nearly got dismissed because his resume was rather sad-looking, then got immediately placed once they got his typing speed marked.

^-.-^

Once upon a long time ago, I had an Introduction to Management professor who gave more worthy advice in a three month class than the rest of my professors combined. For instance, one piece of advice that's never failed me: "If, during a job interview, you speak in complete sentences, you'll most likely be hired. If you speak in paragraphs, the job is yours."

He said something else that's also never failed me: "Learn how to type. You'll never be unemployed."

[Andara Bledin]

He said something else that's also never failed me: "Learn how to type. You'll never be unemployed."

I have been able to type 70+ wpm since high school.

I couldn't bribe companies to hire me, and I'm well spoken, articulate, friendly, and competent. I got this job because I knew somebody, and they were still hesitant.

^-.-^

[BookstoreEscapee]

I also majored in English, and I love to proofread. I would love to do that full time. I tend to underestimate my abilities, too. My boss gets the Publishers Marketplace email newsletter every day and forwards it to the rest of us, and they post jobs at the bottom. I look at them once in a while just to see what's out there. (Unfortunately I don't want to go to New York City or I'd probably be doing something I really want to do.) We were talking about them once and I mentioned that I hadn't seen anything I was qualified for, and he looked at me like I was crazy and said he'd seen plenty that I could apply for.

Is there a mentor-type who could give you a more realistic assessment of your strengths and weaknesses? I think most people tend to discount a lot of things that other people think are great attributes, or don't see how the skills you already have can translate to other things...You could also look into career counseling services to help you pinpoint what it is you really want to/can do...is there a college near you? They might have some reasonably priced services even for non-students...

[cinema guy]

A few years ago, I was involved in the recruitment and interviewing of candidates. I wouldn't look at experience and technical knowledge (because lets face it not many people know about the technical aspects of window manufacture), instead I would look at qualifications and general level of intellegence. Anyone with college education or the ability to use various computer programs would be a good bet to bring in for an interview.

The ability to learn can be more useful then what you already know to some employers.

[wagegoth]

Don't forget Yahoo! Hotjobs. Some companies use it instead of Monster; some use both.

I believe you would definitely be an asset to a medical office or clinic in the billing department. Some groups can be very nice to work for.

I think the old saying about typing is out of date. My mom told me that same thing over 30 years ago. It does help, and did help me when I first started jumping hunting so many years ago, but with computers it's not as valuable.

Speaking in complete sentences is good. Practice so that when people ask you questions you don't say, "Um," or "Uh." Pausing to think for a moment before answering a question is acceptable, if it's a question that should require thought.

Speaking in paragraphs can be good or bad. If you answer a question, make your answer clear, but don't drag it out. Talking too much will get you marked down. I answer with two or three sentences. If the interviewer wants more they'll ask you. If you can toss in a quick example, then do so. This gives the interviewer a better idea of your experience and ability to apply your knowledge.

Don't get discouraged. Don't stress. Seriously, if you approach each application and interview with the attitude, "They'd be lucky to have me," you'll feel a lot better and the confidence will show through. Also, when you're interviewing, view it as an interview on your side. Gauge the reaction of the interviewer to what you're saying. How is the interviewer reacting? How forthcoming is the interviewer when you ask questions?

You'll be great!

[TNT]

I think the old saying about typing is out of date. My mom told me that same thing over 30 years ago. It does help, and did help me when I first started jumping hunting so many years ago, but with computers it's not as valuable.

Speaking in complete sentences is good. Practice so that when people ask you questions you don't say, "Um," or "Uh." Pausing to think for a moment before answering a question is acceptable, if it's a question that should require thought.

Speaking in paragraphs can be good or bad. If you answer a question, make your answer clear, but don't drag it out. Talking too much will get you marked down. I answer with two or three sentences. If the interviewer wants more they'll ask you. If you can toss in a quick example, then do so. This gives the interviewer a better idea of your experience and ability to apply your knowledge.

If anything, I would think computers would make typing skills even more valuable now than in years past. If I were doing my current job twenty years ago, I'd have given my correspondence to someone else to type up. Now, I'm expected to write my own emails. So are a lot of other people who would have never gotten close to IBM Selectric in the old days. (Twenty years ago, would a Vice-President of a cable company have a typewriter on his desk? Probably not. But our VP has a computer... and answers his email.)

You take on speaking in paragraphs is perfect... if you answer a question in a complete sentence, it's very good. If you answer a question in three complete sentences that relate to each other... wow. If, however, you speak in essays... the interviewer is going to try to jump out the window.

[wagegoth]

Since people are now starting to use computers while still small children, many people learn to type fairly neatly and quickly (35 wpm or so) with just two to four fingers, which is fast enough for email.

I can do over 80 wpm net, and it does come in very handy, but the days of production typing--typing pools--are over.

[Estil]

After spending nearly the past ten years of my life in nothing but food service (and now grocery) making no more than $7.40 an hour, I too am eager to acquire a real 9 to 5 sort of job (or management) that actually pays something resembling a college educated appopriate salary/hourly rate (I have two BA's from the University of Kentucky). I have applied to a few places and (with my wife's help; she used to do resumes/proofreading stuff as a job) even where I meet ALL the qualifications to the tee, I don't even get so much as an interview. Sometimes I wonder if my degrees are actually scaring places of employment away from interviewing me (thinking I'm overqualified). My wife says I'm just "making excuses" but there are simply NO college level jobs where I live. It's all food service/retail/factory/truck driving around here. It's times like this I wish I never left Lexington. OTOH, my wife also says that I shouldn't be too discouraged if I haven't found my "nitch" career wise at my age (27).

[Boozy]

I know what your saying, Estil. Jobs, like real estate, are all about location location location. Your skills would be more valuable in certain areas of the country.

If I were really motivated to have a career in my field, I'd likely need to move. But that's out of the question, because my husband's job is here. Its a great job, and will easily support the two of us and any kids we may have in the future. And more importantly, he loves what he does. So that's worth staying for.

Downside is that I end up working some boring, unfulfilling jobs. I've been keeping busy with volunteer work lately....which isn't a bad idea for those of you looking to improve their resumes. I picked up most of my office skills by volunteering with the literacy council, and I also have event coordination experience by organizing a few fundraisers for other organizations. Looks great on a resume.