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Old 03-14-2010, 11:20 PM   #17 (permalink)
archetypal fool
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Location: Florida
I'm in a similar boat.

--Rant--

Even as a bilingual college graduate, I've indiscriminately applied for no less than 200 jobs since I graduated in December - I'm talking every kind of job I saw open: fast food (ALL of them, BK, McD's, Checkers, Sonic's, Wendy's, etc.), janitorial, delivery driving, sales, security, administrative, labor, construction, etc. (all the things that a trained monkey could do), as well as jobs I've actually trained for and am qualified in (lab work, biology, chemistry, etc.) - and yet I've been invited to two interviews in this time, neither of which lead to anything; and the funny thing is, both of those were offered because the employers were looking for females, and my name resembles a popular girl's name. As soon as they saw me/heard my voice, I was out.

I currently apply to at least four jobs a day and have nothing to show for it. I'd apply for more, if only 90% of ads didn't require years of experience for some mundane position that can be learned in less than a week. My resume and cover letter has been reviewed by career advisers who gave me the thumbs up, so I'm fairly sure these aren't the culprits.

It's more frustrating than anything else. Even the jobs I have substantial experience in have lead to nothing. It especially doesn't help that pretty much every single ad is looking for people with years and years of experience... Fucking damn it, it doesn't take years to learn any entry level job, I don't care what it is!

If I can't land a job, any damn job, in the next few months, then I'm out of savings and homeless (parents are out of the picture), so I think I can relate to your situation.

At this point I've wasted 4 years of my life and tens of thousands of dollars for a piece of paper that apparently means jack shit, since I'm in the same place I'd be if I started working out of high school.

--/Rant--

As for solutions, one thing you should consider is getting certified in some popular/useful field (e.g., auto repair), perhaps through a community college/vocational school/independent program. For example, I'm considering getting certified as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), the training for which costs $300 (though I've seen programs for less). There are many openings for CNAs all over the place if you don't mind taking medical care of the elderly/enfeebled... but, as usual, most ask for people with 2+ years of experience, which is ridiculous (how are you supposed to get experience if no-one wants to hire someone who's inexperienced!?).

As for the final resort, a backup plan if you ultimately can't find a job and are on the verge of being evicted, there's always WWOOFing; it costs $20 to get registered, then you can work on any participating organic farm in the US (over 1,000). They'll provide you food and shelter for a few months, and you work 6-8 hours a day 5-6 days a week in return. I imagine you get a lot of experience in a wide array of skills, and a good reference/recommendation from your sponsor... though obviously you'll be unable to pay your debts since you won't be making any money, so I don't know how viable an option that is for some people.

I never considered going overseas, but that seems like another good alternative that deserves research.
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I have my own particular sorrows, loves, delights; and you have yours. But sorrow, gladness, yearning, hope, love, belong to all of us, in all times and in all places. Music is the only means whereby we feel these emotions in their universality. ~H.A. Overstreet

Last edited by archetypal fool; 03-15-2010 at 12:00 AM..
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