archetypal fool

That's a good point, and if you aren't taking advantage of places like Craigslist, SnagAJob, Monster and CarrerBuilder (just to name a few), then you're missing some viable opportunities*... but the problem is that every other unemployed person out there on the internet is also stalking those resources, and chances are they're just as determined or desperate for employment as any of us.

Here's what I mean: At any given time I have a Firefox window open with every job category from Craigslist open in its own tab. I'll refresh them all every few minutes and inspect any new ads, replying immediately for anything I'm qualified for. I do this for hours a day.

The day after I made my previous post, I managed to score two interviews for entry-level jobs using the above method, taking the earliest times available (9:30 and 10:30). Here's what I observed in both places: When I arrived there were already at least ten people in front of me in the line; I could hear the receptionist making interview appointments for days ahead; there was a constant flow of people coming in to join the queue; the place was more crowded when I left than when I arrived, with people standing outside because there was no room left in the building; and the hiring manager had received close to 100 replies before he removed the ad, just a few hours after posting it.



I'd say I have a snowball's chance in hell, given my admittedly sparse employment history and the sheer volume of people stepping through the door.

QFFT.

That very interesting advice that goes contrary to reason... and yet somehow makes sense. Showing that you have the dedication, drive and ability to push yourself through four years of academia, which in many respects is far more difficult than any entry-level job, really should mean something to the hiring managers, but I guess if all they want is fleshy robots then so be it.

*Personally, these latter three websites have never yielded so much as an interview, but it doesn't hurt to use a diverse approach. And if you start looking through Craiglist, use a new email and be very careful about sending out your resume and what information is on it, because this place has become a cesspool of scammers, spammers and people who will steal your information. My email has been added to dozens of spam mailing lists because these piles of shit will post ads that look legitimate, though their only function is to collect personal information or emails.

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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