Finding a job and a place to stay in this economy... - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Ironfoot · 03-13-2010, 07:48 PM

Hi there, long time lurker of TFP here. I never really found a good reason to start any threads or make posts, probably because I'm reluctant on seeking help from anyone. Well, this is definitely one of those times I could use it.

A little bit of background: I'm a 24 year old still living with his parents (yeah, I know). I've been unemployed since Feb. 2009 when I was laid off by my company. Since then, I've been searching for jobs every week. Throughout the past year I've had several job interviews, but none of them led to a real job. I'm not sure if its because I'm doing something wrong at these interviews or if the economy truly is in the gutter. It's probably a bit of both. But the fact is, my unemployment runs out next month. After that, I'm pretty much on my own with no income coming in. It's pretty scary. I have about $8,000 of credit card debt that will be sitting there as well. I have a plan for that, at least (debt settlement).

But, here's the thing. I pay rent for the room I live in now. My parents have hinted at kicking me out of the house in the past, and have today as well. I got a free month's rent for my birthday (which was 2 days ago). But once that rent is gone, I know I'll be out at most by around May.

So, what do I do?

Do I continue looking for jobs, hoping I'll score one until my unemployment runs out? College is a bit of a no go, as my parents are already helping to finance my sister's tuition and consider me to be independent enough to support myself (crock of shit). I'm sure getting out on my own will be best thing to happen to me in a while, but the question is, how can I do that without going homeless in this economy?

I hope this thread can help others who are facing similar situations right now as well. The economy is in a depression, with too many workers looking for too few jobs.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

im2smrt4u · 03-13-2010, 08:41 PM

Have you tried to get student loans? They could get you "on your own" though you'd be getting more in debt. However, getting a job with a degree right now is very, very hard and I can't imagine it is any easier without one.

I'm in the same boat, sort of. Graduated college and looking for work, but currently working an okay job and kind of on my own (sharing an apartment with a roommate). Hopefully a real job will allow me to get my own place with my soon to be wife.

Good luck to us both!

genuinegirly · 03-14-2010, 06:33 AM

What a mess. No savings and $8,000 credit card debt? I don't envy your options.

A few ideas:

1: Sell whatever you have. Get rid of your car, cell phone, any other regular expenses. Research the cheapest parts of the world to live, preferably with a good public transit system. Get there, preferably in the spring/summer so if you end up on the street you won't be freezing to death. Find roomates. Apply for any and every job possible - nothing is below you, especially when you're in a new area. Find volunteer opportunities that match up with your usual job interests.

2: You didn't mention whether or not you have a college degree. I'm going to assume you do, otherwise it would be incredibly unfair for your parents to pay for your sister's schooling while charging you rent. Check out graduate school programs. They're a lot of work, but many programs offer living stipends in exchange for teaching.

3. Design a detailed report highlighting why your parents should continue supporting you. Make a list of every job you have applied for, a budget including every expense you face, make another list with everything you think you might be able to survive without. Include a detailed list of your options. Ask them if they have any additional suggestions.

4. Sell everything you have. Amass a collection of seeds and a bus/plane ticket to someplace with good weather. Choose an abandoned piece of land. Start farming. Hope no one takes it back.

5. Speak with a military recruiter.

You are an adult. It sucks that your parents are holding you to rent when you have no job and the economy is down. But you are old enough to deal. Even if that means living in a hovel.

cj2112 · 03-14-2010, 08:57 AM

Ok. I'll be the fly in the ointment. Go get a job. I know I'm assuming a lot here, but at this point, ANY job is better than NO job. If I were in your parents position, I'd want to see the effort, I'd want to see you doing whatever it takes to earn some form of income. If that means flipping burgers, washing dishes, delivering pizzas, bagging groceries, sweeping floors or some other form of entry level position, then that's what it takes.

Yes, the economy is tough, decent jobs are far and few between, but you're being faced with homelessness due to your lack of a job. That means you need to be spending at least 40 hours/week actively searching for employment of some sort.

When you do get that job, then be determined to be the best employee the company has. That means not only perform your duties better than anybody else, but attitude, and attendance need to be excellent as well.

Good Luck!

Xerxys · 03-14-2010, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cj2112

Ok. I'll be the fly in the ointment. Go get a job. I know I'm assuming a lot here, but at this point, ANY job is better than NO job. If I were in your parents position, I'd want to see the effort, I'd want to see you doing whatever it takes to earn some form of income. If that means flipping burgers, washing dishes, delivering pizzas, bagging groceries, sweeping floors or some other form of entry level position, then that's what it takes.

Yes, the economy is tough, decent jobs are far and few between, but you're being faced with homelessness due to your lack of a job. That means you need to be spending at least 40 hours/week actively searching for employment of some sort.

When you do get that job, then be determined to be the best employee the company has. That means not only perform your duties better than anybody else, but attitude, and attendance need to be excellent as well.

Good Luck!

What he said. BK and McD's are always hiring and $7.25/Hr is better than -$8,000.00~

Loose cell phone.
Loose car insurance (DO NOT GET RID OF THE CAR!) -----> BUS

And I cannot stress this enough, be the best employee ever, that means bending over and taking it quietly and doing only what your supposed to do then go home.

I have no idea how much science is behind this but people with jobs are better than people without jobs when it comes to getting a job. I think employers smell the desperation in your voice during interviews.

evilmatt · 03-14-2010, 11:55 AM

As any of my ex's can attest, I am not one to beat around the bush so I apologize in advance if this hurts but it's the truth and you need to hear it.

You're a loser, plain and simple.

You're 24, are unwilling to get even the shittiest of jobs and are sitting around resentful of others while you only have yourself to blame for your current situation. Like others have said above, there are always jobs you can get. You have no real expenses that can't be lost or otherwise met with a crap job. If there are seriously no shit jobs around, like not even fast food or telemarketing, then go couch surf for a while until you find a town that has them. Go work at Subway, go to a temp agency, go work at Barnes and Noble or Borders. I can't be the first person to say this to you so the fact that you aren't employed at all says one of two things:

1. You haven't told the entire truth and there's a reason why you're unemployable. Perhaps poor hygiene, bad interview skills, glaring problems with your resume or felony convictions.

2. You're lazy or otherwise feel like shit jobs are beneath you. You're lucky to have parents willing to let you rent a room at home, get a shit job and ride that as long as you can.

LordEden · 03-14-2010, 11:56 AM

Have you thought about overseas? *ALOT* of companies are hiring for their job sites in Iraq and Afghanistan. Everything from short order cook to sorting mail to leading job teams. They will train you, give you a place to stay (on base more than likely) and pay you WELL. My friend worked in a postal sorting job (basically moving packages around) and made $35k for 6 months worth of work.

Fluor EPCM Services: Engineering Procurement Construction and Maintenance Services | Design, Build and Construction

That is just one company that hiring and they are hiring for just about anything. Got a friend over there making 55k for 6 months worth of work. Just look through it. Go over there, work for 6 months or a year, make bank, come back and have time to work on getting a job.

You are single (assume: you live at home and have no job), no major ties financially (beside CC), and you need a job. Go overseas, go to places that are best for single people, they will pay you and give you real world training.

*****

Go to a restaurant, say you will wash dishes or cut things into smaller things. Tell them you are willing to start from the bottom. If they don't hire you, go to the next restaurant, Repeat. Restaurants are always hiring dishwashers/busboys/prep cooks (because of the high turnover rate). I started washing dishes when I was 18 and worked my way up to management at my last job by just being willing to work hard and learn.

Also, Never think think you are to good for a job, no matter how low end it is. You want money? Be willing to do whatever you need to do work for it.

snowy · 03-14-2010, 01:16 PM

I don't know where you guys are coming up with the "too good for a job" attitude from the OP; there's certainly no mention of any such thing. If you haven't had to job-hunt during this recession, I suggest you keep your mouth shut. Getting hired right now is a lot harder than it looks--everyone is applying for jobs. Hell, I put out an ad on Craigslist for an opening I had at my workplace, and we got over 60 applicants for a 4-hour a week job that pays minimum wage. Some of them were WAY overqualified. The fact is, those jobs at McDonalds and BK that existed in the good times don't necessarily exist right now because everyone is applying for them, and companies are able to take their pick of applicants. The competition is fierce and there simply aren't the openings there were in some places in this country, so please, get off your high horse.

That said, double and triple check your resume, OP. Any--and I mean ANY--mistake on your resume or application WILL disqualify you for a job in this economy. Practice your interview skills. Any mistaken impression or wrong answer you give in your interview will disqualify you as well.

If you haven't yet attended college, you're old enough now to be an independent, which means if your income is low enough, you may be Pell Grant eligible (free money) and eligible for subsidized student loans (not-so-free money). I suggest you file your FAFSA and look into learning a trade or skill at your local community college for starters. Look for a program you can build off of with further education, yet gives you a marketable skill at the end of your certificate/A.A./whatever.

hunnychile · 03-14-2010, 02:13 PM

When mybrother inlaw was nearly in the same boat he joined the Army. Now he's happy married and creating software training programs for them.

cj2112 · 03-14-2010, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowy

I don't know where you guys are coming up with the "too good for a job" attitude from the OP; there's certainly no mention of any such thing. If you haven't had to job-hunt during this recession, I suggest you keep your mouth shut. Getting hired right now is a lot harder than it looks--everyone is applying for jobs. Hell, I put out an ad on Craigslist for an opening I had at my workplace, and we got over 60 applicants for a 4-hour a week job that pays minimum wage. Some of them were WAY overqualified. The fact is, those jobs at McDonalds and BK that existed in the good times don't necessarily exist right now because everyone is applying for them, and companies are able to take their pick of applicants. The competition is fierce and there simply aren't the openings there were in some places in this country, so please, get off your high horse.

I think this impression may have come from the OP's statement about finding a "real" job.

I certainly hope my post didn't come off as calling the OP lazy or unmotivated. If it did, I apologize. I know how difficult the job market is. Unemployment rates in my county are around 13-14%.

I would hate to be looking for a job right now, but if my choice was homelessness or a job, you can bet I'd be out pounding the pavement from 7-5 every day. I'm not saying the OP isn't, I don't know if he is or not.

Idyllic · 03-14-2010, 03:13 PM

Man, get a job. Help out more at home, dishes, offer to cook, yard work, everything. Quit comparing to your sister..... Get A Job...... life is, was, and will always be hard, before, during, and after this recession. If all else fails, doubtful if you really want it, join the military. My husband retired after 23 years and even with all his experience and education and friends and etc.... we still struggled to find employment.

I struggled my whole life to find employment, took crap jobs, worked sales, worked dept stores, worked fast food, WORKED everyday to find and keep work. It won't get any easier until you get out and make it happen for YOURSELF or at least make yourself feel like you are contributing to your family, if you felt this way you would not be posting like this. When your serious about getting somewhere you will draw your own map and stop looking for others to hand you theirs. Good Luck and God Bless. Ain't nothing easy about living, but that's what makes LIFE so Good, if it came easy you wouldn't appreciate it, seems like up to now, things have come pretty easy.

Welcome to adulthood. Wait till the wife comes, the kids come, the hospital bills come, the mortgage comes, the life insurance, health insurance, house insurance, the college fees come. Wait until your health begins to fail and you watch you parents age..... Dude, this time may seem hard, but this is THE Best time of your life, get a hold of yourself and DO SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE. The more you do to help others the better you will feel about yourself, the harder you will work, the easier life will become, more enjoyable and more successful.

As Nike says, Just Do It!!!! Make me barf..... and all his from a pessimist, and old pessimist who wishes someone had kicked my ass til I got it right the first time. Go Man GO, Here's your Kicking, or you will be kicking yourself, forever......

p.s. My 23 yr old niece just grad from Emery riddle with a degree in Air Traffic Control, she and her husband have a three year old, a 120lb dog, 3 cats, live with her husbands parents, she JUST got a job at a card shop, making min. wage, oh, and she owe, $98,000.00 in college bills, they pay 500.00 a month for these alone. You got it good dude. Start looking around and recognize where you Could be, life could be a whole lot worse, it's all about perspective, get a little.

Ironfoot · 03-14-2010, 04:37 PM

Thank you for the replies, everyone. Even you, evilmatt.

What I meant by a "real" job is one that is at least part-time, something that isn't just a temporary position for some odd months. The part-time job may not be pleasant, it might be a janitorial position or the trash collector guy, I don't care at this point. I've been looking for a job since Feb. 2009 and have had several interviews, but they all fell through. I'm beginning to think that something is wrong in either my resume/cover letter, or perhaps my interview skills aren't up to par. Like snowy said, with the increased competition due to the recession, it's been very difficult to try to find a job. I suspect that corporations can now just cherry-pick the best candidates for any position, so unless my skills are top notch, I won't stand a chance.

I've already started to rework my cover letter. It was good, but I don't think I sold myself enough in the previous version. The bigger problem is the job interview itself though. I tend to stutter and stumble on these kinds of things and have been trying to better myself at it. Practicing is one thing, but when it comes down to it, I'm passive and not handling the ropes like I should be. Definitely some kind of psychological thing going on.

Answering some questions, no, I don't have a college degree. I went to college for a time, but after seeing my friend who went to the same college being unable to find a job with his dual degrees and forced to join the military, I decided to drop out. People here will probably hate me for that reason alone, but with the economy now, I believe it one of the best decisions I ever made. By the time I graduated, I wouldn't have been able to find a job in my field (Comp. Engineering) at all.

Yes, I've thought about the military. However, since I have asthma I automatically disqualify. But if push comes to shove, it might be possible to get a medical waiver. In any case, I'm not very enthusiastic about joining the forces.

I have a pay as you go phone and my car insurance is payed off for the next several months. Dropping it entirely is a good idea though.

Working overseas sounds like an excellent idea actually, considering the fact that all of the jobs are getting shipped overseas as it is.

That's something I'll definitely look into.

FAFSA is something I have looked into and am still thinking about if going into a trade would be better than finishing my degree. But I'm leaning on the trade option. I hear jobs are scarce on certain trades, so I'll have to do more research on that.

And thanks for the perspective, Idyllic. I usually forget how good things are because I'm staring at the crappy things in the face all too often. Despite all of the difficulty, I need to see the brighter side of things.

Well, Dish Network called on my birthday looking to set up an interview, so I'll be calling them back tomorrow. For the uncountable time, I hope I get the job. I'm going to have to put some extra effort in from now on. Again, thank you all for the excellent advice!

LordEden · 03-14-2010, 04:44 PM

In response to Snowy, I assumed. I did and I did it because of personal experience to this same question. I have a few friends on unemployment because they feel like they are to "good" to flip burgers or clean bathrooms. I am job hunting in this shitty economy and it sucks. Thing is, if I lost the crappy dead-end job I have now, I would bust my ASS to find something new. The town I live in is dying (Manufacturing town and lost all factories to overseas plants) and there is still work to be found here. I've applied for part-time work at a few places that wouldn't hire me because they wanted full time people. I run into jobs all the time because I LOOK for them.

I had one friend, he had no car and no way to get around town, yet he found work day to day by flogging his ass out on the street. He husled, he dealed, he begged, he did what he had to pay his bills. He now has a very nice job bartending, because he got out there and did ANYTHING to pay the bills.

If I assumed and I am the ass? I apologize, but he isn't willing to clean grease traps or mop bathroom floors... then it's his own problem.

*****

I assumed and if he is willing to pick up trash, then I understand and feel for him not finding a job. My Bad.

Tully Mars · 03-14-2010, 06:41 PM

I have no idea what the job market is like these days. I know two years ago I was getting recruiting from other states and counties in my line of work. I currently live in Mexico and continued to receive them regularly for some time after moving south. Those have gone from a few every couple of months to one every six months or so. My mailing address is a drop box in Houston Texas, I assume they slowed because the job market sucks. But it could be due to my location, don't know.

That said I do remember what it was like to be in the job hunt in the early 80's... it sucked. I worked fast food and restaurants (had to move to a town 20 miles from my hometown to land a fast food job) until I couldn't look at people and ask "do you want fries with that?" and not feel feel like slamming my head in a door. So I joined the Navy. Sounds like that may not be an option for you. Maybe student loans and school could by you some time until the economy swings up? If nothing else just keep at it everyday until you get a foot in somewhere. I know when I got out of the Navy in 87 I thought, based on my Navy rating (HT) I'd be hired as a welder or a fireman somewhere rather quickly. Nope. Six months of pounding the pavement and as close as I got to a job with any FD was in Salem Oregon where I score 9th overall in a year they hire one person. No one in the welding field took my Navy exp. seriously at all. Needed a degree and cert from a civilian agency to even put in an app. I'd been welding on nuclear reactor components and I couldn't even get an interview to weld cargo and horse trailers. It was frustrating, very frustrating. After two months of unemployment benefits (they considered leaving the Navy voluntarily as "quitting" but for service to the country they gave me 8 weeks) ran out I found myself unloading semi-trucks from 12-8am. That was part time and only if a driver asked you. Pretty much had to hang out at the docks and hope someone would offer you work. $40 for a nights work, hard work. That lead to a connection who got me hired as a part time sub janitor for the Salem schools. That too was part-time and only if someone called in sick. After almost a year of often working from 4pm to 8am I got an interview for a law enforcement job on the Oregon coast. that interview went something like this- "well everything looks good and I'd like to hire you but we need some one who's a resident of this county, we need them to start Monday morning" (it was Friday afternoon) I told the guy "you hire me and I'll go back to Salem through everything I own into a U-Haul and rent a place in this County this weekend and I will be a resident by 8am Monday." The guy looked at me kind of stunned and said "If you can prove to me you're county resident by Monday morning you're hired." I left that interview and stopped at a pay phone (no cells back then) called my wife and told her she needed to start packing I'd be home in a about two hours with a U-haul and we were moving to the coast. Which we did, didn't even put any thing in boxes, wrapped the TV up in some bedding and through everything else in and off we went. Rented a place Sat. afternoon and walked in on Monday, gave the supervisor my new address and started work. I never even had an interest in law enforcement, just landed in my lap by applying for every job which I met the qualification. A year after getting that job the Salem FD called and offered me an interview. always wished I'd at least interviewed, never really like LE that much. But by that time my kid was in school and I didn't want to up root her.

Bottom line- in my experience when the job market sucks pound on every door (show up in person whenever possible) and have a never take no as an answer attitude. Take two or more shit jobs while you're still looking for a 'real' job, basically never turn anything down when you're out of work. If someone tells you they can't hire because you don't meet "X" requirement explain to then how you can meet "X" in record time.

Best of luck but I really think it's more hard work and effort then luck that will get you where you need.

Idyllic · 03-14-2010, 07:31 PM

In the end Ironfoot, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. I do see you are trying to get going, don't stop..... this is just a beginning, we are all here patting you on the back and saying, GO GET'UM BOY... You can do this, you can do ANYTHING you put you mind to. Whatever happens try to stay positive and continue to help out around the house, extra. It will make you feel better and you family grateful to have you there. Good Luck My Friend, May the road raise up to meet you, may the wind be always at you back, blah blah, blah, just ignore that, that's the pessimist in me, always a quarrel, DON'T LET YOUR PESSIMIST WIN!!!!!

Leto · 03-14-2010, 08:09 PM

your parents will respond favourably to ernest effort. Speaking as a parent of a 20 year old, this is key. There's nothing that is more dispiriting than providing all the breaks for one's son, and observing an entitled approach to life. In my case, after serveral months of my son spending more time playing call of duty, than job hunting, I started a $400/month room & board charge to kick start him. Unbeknownst to him, this is going into a savings plan for him, to feed back into university next January when/if he gets accepted back into his programme. Meanwhile, I need him to realize that life is not always easy, and to feel some urgency. I want him to be self sufficient, and to take that job at Home Depot, or Starbucks if it's offered, or at least apply there.

Sometimes opportunity will come knocking, but it seems that it happens when you are busy. Like it was said ealier, I'd rather be working minimum wage and chipping away at debt, than not.

Remember, pessimism will get the better of you if you are inactive or lethargic. go out there and prove to your parents that you are engaged in your search.

archetypal fool · 03-14-2010, 11:20 PM

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.

cj2112 · 03-15-2010, 04:32 AM

One of the things I've done with some success when times were tough, is register with a few temp agencies and call them every single day as soon as the office opens so that I'm on their list as available for work. This has landed me more than one full time permanent position. It usually takes a couple of weeks, but it has always paid off in the end.

Baraka_Guru · 03-15-2010, 04:36 AM

I just wanted to float this out there: randomly sending out resumes is one of the least successful ways of landing a job.

If you have no job currently, you should consider volunteering or offering your services pro bono if you can. You should at least be pursuing what they call "informational interviews," where you interview with people who have positions or work in industries you're focused on (just don't ask for work at these).

This provides networking opportunities, which lead to far more positions than you could imagine. Most job vacancies are filled before they're even advertised. Who you are matters, yes, but sometimes who you know is the linchpin. People like to help people, but usually only when they actually know them.

Good luck.

evilmatt · 03-15-2010, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archetypal fool

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.

Just a piece of advice, take it or leave it. When applying for jobs for which you are grossly overqualified, leave the degree off. Say you took some classes at community, as someone who has been in charge of hiring in the past I can tell you the first thing that crossed my mind when seeing a college graduate applying for a retail job is that they're just looking for a paycheck and will leave for a better job in a heartbeat. No one wants that kind of employee. Even if that's exactly what kind of employee you are, don't tip them off to it. Just get your foot in the door, work there until something better comes along and jump ship.

Shauk · 03-15-2010, 08:11 AM

Something smells a bit. I mean 1st off, paying rent to live with your parents, is a concept that just BREAKS MY BRAIN.

Do you just do the bare minimum looking for work? I think if your parents see/sense this from you, they probably are kicking you out to spur you to action.
necessity is the mother of all invention, it's time for you to invent a fire under your ass.

genuinegirly · 03-15-2010, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shauk

...paying rent to live with your parents, is a concept that just BREAKS MY BRAIN...

My parents charged rent to any/all of their children starting at age 18 unless they were enrolled full-time in school.

evilmatt · 03-15-2010, 10:49 AM

Hell, I want to start charging my kids rent right now and they're 4 and 2!

Xerxys · 03-15-2010, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evilmatt

When applying for jobs for which you are grossly overqualified, leave the degree off.

YES!!

What the hell is wrong with you people?? A degree does not show your BK shift manager that you are humble! It shows over-qualification and too much of something is bad. They KNOW you are desparate if you are trying to show them your are educated.

Jeeesus I have to write a guide to this sooner rather than later.

When applying for a job, a carpet bomb strategy is OK but that just makes it harder and remember, unless you are on the company's website filling out an application (which is a CV by extension) then a resume is an advertising tool. Not an application. My resume for BK only had my experience from wal-mart, McD's and KFC. It also was choc full of my work principle and how much I do not denigrate the kind of work I am liable to get because it is a "character building" experience. I never once included there that I am currently in school. They want someone stupid that can ONLY show up on time and shake the fries off the restrainer. Nothing else.

Give them that.

Also, charging rent is douchy.

Lindy · 03-15-2010, 06:30 PM

Small places are sometimes good places to look for work. Small retail stores, boutiques, neighborhood print shops, dry cleaners, veterinarians, pet stores, used car dealers, rec or senior centers, bank or credit unions, (branch, not main bank) espresso joints, property management agencies, you get the idea.

As for parents charging rent, you may have just outworn your welcome. Especially if you're not working and your parents (both) are. They shouldn't have to take out the garbage, wash dishes, empty the catbox, dust, vacuum, shovel snow, mow the lawn, trim the bushes, etc. I know if I worked full time and came home to a bunch of housework that needed doing while there was a non-contributing adult living there, I would be pissed.

So even if you can't find a job, I'm sure you can find work --around the house. If you can show an "attitude of gratitude" instead of entitlement...
Just think of every household task or chore as a "thank you note" to the providers of your quarters.

Lindy

ASU2003 · 03-15-2010, 07:48 PM

I was in a similar situation before I got my job. I didn't do very good at applying for jobs.

Do you want to stay in MA? Have you looked elsewhere? Would you move across the country?

Have you watched the TV show Undercover Boss to see what types of low level jobs are out there? There are a lot of jobs I didn't even know exist. Have you talked to someone at a job center? Even those jobs are tough to get when 10% of the workers are out of work and the people doing those jobs now know it.

Are you a regular volunteer anywhere?

Have you looked into a government job? The Census might be hiring some people near you.

I kind of wish I would have done the English as a second language teaching overseas when I was that age, I think it would have been fun.

Have you had previous jobs, have you contacted them to see if they have any openings or know of any at other places?

What are you good at? What do you like doing?

Read books, watch movies, sleep, enjoy the time off.

yournamehere · 03-18-2010, 02:48 PM

Two things really jump out at me in this thread:

1. It's amazing how the gainfully employed are absolutely clueless as to the dreadful state of the economy and job market right now.

2. I can't imagine a family kicking a child out of their home right now. Normally, yes - but see #1.

At your age, though - there is one sure thing - the military. They're always hiring and have a pretty good pension plan. And they'll pay you to learn a marketable skill.

genuinegirly · 03-18-2010, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yournamehere

It's amazing how the gainfully employed are absolutely clueless as to the dreadful state of the economy and job market right now.

So true.
Though those who are gainfully employed who are attempting to assist others in their job search do have some idea about the cruddy state of the economy. Which leads me to another question for the OP. Since your parents have work, is there any way they can help you network? Many of the best jobs are found by word-of-mouth. If your parents happen to have a friend who owns a business and is looking for someone to hire... though your parents would have to trust your work ethic enough to put in a good word for you. Yet another way in which doing any and all house-chores could come in handy.

On a side note:
It's interesting to see how many applications my husband turns in. He'll be done with his MBA in May, and he'd like to have something lined up. I'm doubtful it'll happen, but he's applying to anything he can find.

Martian · 03-18-2010, 03:07 PM

My thoughts:

Don't turn your nose up at the temp gigs. It's money in the bank -- sure it's nice to have something permanent, but from the sounds of it you're not in a position to be picky. If temping pays the bills until something permanent comes along, then that's what you ought to do.

Familiarize yourself with online resources. There are a ton of jobs that you can apply for by email after hours.

Talk to your parents about your situation. It seems highly improbable that they'd evict you unless they really feel that you're not trying. Maybe you can do some extra chores around the house in exchange for leniency on the room and board. Or maybe you can agree to submit X resumes per week (with a an accounting of where you go and when). Whatever it takes. Work something out.

archetypal fool · 03-20-2010, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martian

Familiarize yourself with online resources. There are a ton of jobs that you can apply for by email after hours.

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by yournamehere

1. It's amazing how the gainfully employed are absolutely clueless as to the dreadful state of the economy and job market right now.

QFFT.

Quote:

Originally Posted by evilmatt

When applying for jobs for which you are grossly overqualified, leave the degree off.

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.

amonkie · 03-20-2010, 04:18 PM

When I was looking for work after just having moved to chicago in 2008, I made it a goal to have an interview every work day. It didn't matter if I actually WANTED that specific job, but being out and in the "sell yourself 1000%" mindset I was keeping my interview skills current, and also out seeing opportunities that might not have been posted online somewhere.

Martian · 03-20-2010, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archetypal fool

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.

It does say something to hiring managers. Specifically, what it says is 'this guy is going to jump ship at first opportunity and I'm going to be trying to fill this position again in six months or a year.'

It may also say 'this guy is going to come in here and think his degree in Russian Literature means he knows more than me about flipping burgers.'

...

My point regarding online resources was useful for anyone, but directed specifically to someone that's employed but looking. IE, if you were to take a temp job to pay the bills (which I strongly recommend if you have one at hand) but wanted to find something more permanent, the online resources are the best option to keep the job search going while doing the 9-5 thing. It's even better if you're living with your parents, since you can do your job searching every night and weekend without pesky things like cooking or cleaning to get in the way.

CandleInTheDark · 03-20-2010, 06:40 PM

I understand you're frustration. I left my former job when my contract expired, work was proving unsafe, and the lack of guaranteed work as supervisor meant I would keep my promise to the SO that I would leave (this is due to 10-4 nature of the job).

That was mid-December when I left the well-paying technical work of the down-and-out world of Canadian forestry. Not surprisingly I couldn't find a job for 2.5 months, ran out of savings in the first month, and racked-up $1500 on a credit card that had nearly been paid off. I applied to every online and paper advertisement for positions in, and out, of my industry. I've had a handful of interviews. I have one part-time job at Starbucks.

The other posters have given you solid advice, even if some demonstrate some ignorance to the severity of the economy on employment. Take the temp jobs; apply for everything; tailor your resume and cover letter to maximize your chances; visit recruiters; find the business directory for the industry(ies) you wish to work in and apply, Apply, APPLY!

Over come your interview problems. Join Toastmasters. Practice speech in front of the mirror. Eliminate expenses. Contribute to your household as much as possible. Paydown or eliminate credit card use anyway possible.

A footnote on online job boards: they are not any different than the newspaper classifieds. They receive the same amount traffic per position. But there is a higher volume of positions. Use the web for finding recruiters, temp agencies, and business associations.

Finally, keep a positive attitude. Not all of the blame is one you, nor will it affect everything in your life, nor will it continue forever.

genuinegirly · 03-20-2010, 08:30 PM

If you are given an interview, send a hand-written (better if handmade) thank-you card. Address it to the person who interviewed you. If it was a team who interviewed you, go ahead and address the first person you spoke with. Drop it in the mail immediately after the interview so it arrives the very next day. It sets you apart from the other applicants in a very real way. I did this for a temporary position that I applied for at a biotech company, and the day I started work I noticed the card I had made was sitting out on display on the desk of the person I sent it to.

Here's something that ended with a positive response for our friend: Try phoning companies that didn't offer you a position, and ask them if there was anything they felt you could improve upon. Our friend who did this was swiftly informed that they would consider her for another position that better met her background. Had she not made the call to human resources, she wouldn't have been in the running.

hunnychile · 03-21-2010, 12:52 PM

Temp gigs can be a great way to get your foot in the door AND more importantly, they show the agency Temp Placement Person that your are very willing to work and at almost any job.

That said, the agency person will know to call you more often. If you're too picky - any agency will drop you like a hot potato! I still have an agency person I helped often 2 years ago...esp.on Monday mornings when no one would do reception and/or admin work for her company. This lady calls me every 5 to 7 months asking me if I'm still employed (I am luckily) and she calls "because something perfect for me has become available" at her staffing place.

I currently have a job --- but yes, I DO realize that it's dreadful out there, so I'm going to be careful while looking elsewhere for a better job.

Ironfoot · 03-24-2010, 04:19 PM

Hi, sorry I haven't updated in a while, I am a lurker after all.

I've had only one interview since I made my post. I was told that I'd know by this week if I had gotten the job and that they'd call me back. Like usual, I never got a call so I followed up and found out the hiring manager was out that week and wont be be back until next week. I really hate dishonest people.

Moving on with my life, I've started to do more things around the house. I take care of the lawn every year, so I began the spring cleanup in that regard (raking away pinecones and picking up fallen branches). I take out the trash every week. My dad is finally starting to act a bit nicer towards me, so that's good news. I've been spending more time in nature recently to keep cool. The important thing is that I apply for at least 2 jobs nearly every day now.

Some good news. I got an email from a temp agency for a job. Mind you, this one is anything but easy. It's a 12 hour shift that's about 1 1/2 drive away from me. I'm still thinking about it, but I think I'll be giving them a call soon regardless as having that job, while a pain in the ass it would be, is better than not having a job at all.

Still preparing for the worst case scenario. My renewed passport should be in next month, so if all else fails, I could try to find something in Canada or overseas. I hope it doesn't come to that.

Yeah, signing up for jobs on craigslist these days is a skill. You have to look out for suspicious yahoo and gmail email addresses and other typical get rich quick ads you'd find in a newspaper. Often times, those addresses usually look something like gsdygfisgd at yahoo.com or something similar. In my early job hunting days, I would sometimes fall for those. They would send me to a fake application on a website, where they'd ask me for more personal information. I'd hear nothing from them again. A lot of the ads also forward to temp agencies, but these days that doesn't really matter. The other job sites usually don't have that type of problem.

Again, thank you all for the replies.

WinchesterAA · 03-25-2010, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironfoot

Thank you for the replies, everyone. Even you, evilmatt.

What I meant by a "real" job is one that is at least part-time, something that isn't just a temporary position for some odd months. The part-time job may not be pleasant, it might be a janitorial position or the trash collector guy, I don't care at this point. I've been looking for a job since Feb. 2009 and have had several interviews, but they all fell through. I'm beginning to think that something is wrong in either my resume/cover letter, or perhaps my interview skills aren't up to par. Like snowy said, with the increased competition due to the recession, it's been very difficult to try to find a job. I suspect that corporations can now just cherry-pick the best candidates for any position, so unless my skills are top notch, I won't stand a chance.

I've already started to rework my cover letter. It was good, but I don't think I sold myself enough in the previous version. The bigger problem is the job interview itself though. I tend to stutter and stumble on these kinds of things and have been trying to better myself at it. Practicing is one thing, but when it comes down to it, I'm passive and not handling the ropes like I should be. Definitely some kind of psychological thing going on.

Answering some questions, no, I don't have a college degree. I went to college for a time, but after seeing my friend who went to the same college being unable to find a job with his dual degrees and forced to join the military, I decided to drop out. People here will probably hate me for that reason alone, but with the economy now, I believe it one of the best decisions I ever made. By the time I graduated, I wouldn't have been able to find a job in my field (Comp. Engineering) at all.

Yes, I've thought about the military. However, since I have asthma I automatically disqualify. But if push comes to shove, it might be possible to get a medical waiver. In any case, I'm not very enthusiastic about joining the forces.

I have a pay as you go phone and my car insurance is payed off for the next several months. Dropping it entirely is a good idea though.

Working overseas sounds like an excellent idea actually, considering the fact that all of the jobs are getting shipped overseas as it is.

That's something I'll definitely look into.

FAFSA is something I have looked into and am still thinking about if going into a trade would be better than finishing my degree. But I'm leaning on the trade option. I hear jobs are scarce on certain trades, so I'll have to do more research on that.

And thanks for the perspective, Idyllic. I usually forget how good things are because I'm staring at the crappy things in the face all too often. Despite all of the difficulty, I need to see the brighter side of things.

Well, Dish Network called on my birthday looking to set up an interview, so I'll be calling them back tomorrow. For the uncountable time, I hope I get the job. I'm going to have to put some extra effort in from now on. Again, thank you all for the excellent advice!

Lol. I was in your same boat shortly before I decided to call a phone number on the back of a pickup that I read off of a sign, "Cable Techs - Will Train"

I made a shitload of money at that job, working 6 or 7 days a week, 12+ hours a day. (I didn't HAVE to work that much, I NEEDED to work that much, because I'd never seen that kind of money before.)

Seriously, I'd come home with 500-600$ in earnings each day. I started that job knowing as much about cable as I know about feminine hygiene, and 4 months later I was a professional cable technician that could get some work done.

It was fun, all I did all day long, every day, was drive around, meet people, drill holes in their walls, run cable through it, then plug in their TV, modem, or whatever.

That opportunity should still be available to you as well. DO NOT WORK FOR THE COMPANY ITSELF, THEY WILL PAY YOU JACKSHIT. Be a contractor, be paid on comission, because people love cable, and you will always have a job so long as your boss does not cheat on his wife with his supervisor, get caught, get grounded by his wife, and then retire+hire a retarded project manager that barely speaks English.)

03-13-2010, 07:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ironfoot Upright Location: Massachusetts	Finding a job and a place to stay in this economy... Hi there, long time lurker of TFP here. I never really found a good reason to start any threads or make posts, probably because I'm reluctant on seeking help from anyone. Well, this is definitely one of those times I could use it. A little bit of background: I'm a 24 year old still living with his parents (yeah, I know). I've been unemployed since Feb. 2009 when I was laid off by my company. Since then, I've been searching for jobs every week. Throughout the past year I've had several job interviews, but none of them led to a real job. I'm not sure if its because I'm doing something wrong at these interviews or if the economy truly is in the gutter. It's probably a bit of both. But the fact is, my unemployment runs out next month. After that, I'm pretty much on my own with no income coming in. It's pretty scary. I have about $8,000 of credit card debt that will be sitting there as well. I have a plan for that, at least (debt settlement). But, here's the thing. I pay rent for the room I live in now. My parents have hinted at kicking me out of the house in the past, and have today as well. I got a free month's rent for my birthday (which was 2 days ago). But once that rent is gone, I know I'll be out at most by around May. So, what do I do? Do I continue looking for jobs, hoping I'll score one until my unemployment runs out? College is a bit of a no go, as my parents are already helping to finance my sister's tuition and consider me to be independent enough to support myself (crock of shit). I'm sure getting out on my own will be best thing to happen to me in a while, but the question is, how can I do that without going homeless in this economy? I hope this thread can help others who are facing similar situations right now as well. The economy is in a depression, with too many workers looking for too few jobs. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

03-13-2010, 08:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
im2smrt4u Beer Aficionado Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA	Have you tried to get student loans? They could get you "on your own" though you'd be getting more in debt. However, getting a job with a degree right now is very, very hard and I can't imagine it is any easier without one. I'm in the same boat, sort of. Graduated college and looking for work, but currently working an okay job and kind of on my own (sharing an apartment with a roommate). Hopefully a real job will allow me to get my own place with my soon to be wife. Good luck to us both! __________________ Starkizzer Fan Club - President & Founder

03-14-2010, 06:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
genuinegirly Eat your vegetables Super Moderator Location: Arabidopsis-ville	What a mess. No savings and $8,000 credit card debt? I don't envy your options. A few ideas: 1: Sell whatever you have. Get rid of your car, cell phone, any other regular expenses. Research the cheapest parts of the world to live, preferably with a good public transit system. Get there, preferably in the spring/summer so if you end up on the street you won't be freezing to death. Find roomates. Apply for any and every job possible - nothing is below you, especially when you're in a new area. Find volunteer opportunities that match up with your usual job interests. 2: You didn't mention whether or not you have a college degree. I'm going to assume you do, otherwise it would be incredibly unfair for your parents to pay for your sister's schooling while charging you rent. Check out graduate school programs. They're a lot of work, but many programs offer living stipends in exchange for teaching. 3. Design a detailed report highlighting why your parents should continue supporting you. Make a list of every job you have applied for, a budget including every expense you face, make another list with everything you think you might be able to survive without. Include a detailed list of your options. Ask them if they have any additional suggestions. 4. Sell everything you have. Amass a collection of seeds and a bus/plane ticket to someplace with good weather. Choose an abandoned piece of land. Start farming. Hope no one takes it back. 5. Speak with a military recruiter. You are an adult. It sucks that your parents are holding you to rent when you have no job and the economy is down. But you are old enough to deal. Even if that means living in a hovel. __________________ "Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq "violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

03-14-2010, 11:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
evilmatt Upright Location: Suburbia	Ok. As any of my ex's can attest, I am not one to beat around the bush so I apologize in advance if this hurts but it's the truth and you need to hear it. You're a loser, plain and simple. You're 24, are unwilling to get even the shittiest of jobs and are sitting around resentful of others while you only have yourself to blame for your current situation. Like others have said above, there are always jobs you can get. You have no real expenses that can't be lost or otherwise met with a crap job. If there are seriously no shit jobs around, like not even fast food or telemarketing, then go couch surf for a while until you find a town that has them. Go work at Subway, go to a temp agency, go work at Barnes and Noble or Borders. I can't be the first person to say this to you so the fact that you aren't employed at all says one of two things: 1. You haven't told the entire truth and there's a reason why you're unemployable. Perhaps poor hygiene, bad interview skills, glaring problems with your resume or felony convictions. 2. You're lazy or otherwise feel like shit jobs are beneath you. You're lucky to have parents willing to let you rent a room at home, get a shit job and ride that as long as you can.

03-14-2010, 01:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	I don't know where you guys are coming up with the "too good for a job" attitude from the OP; there's certainly no mention of any such thing. If you haven't had to job-hunt during this recession, I suggest you keep your mouth shut. Getting hired right now is a lot harder than it looks--everyone is applying for jobs. Hell, I put out an ad on Craigslist for an opening I had at my workplace, and we got over 60 applicants for a 4-hour a week job that pays minimum wage. Some of them were WAY overqualified. The fact is, those jobs at McDonalds and BK that existed in the good times don't necessarily exist right now because everyone is applying for them, and companies are able to take their pick of applicants. The competition is fierce and there simply aren't the openings there were in some places in this country, so please, get off your high horse. That said, double and triple check your resume, OP. Any--and I mean ANY--mistake on your resume or application WILL disqualify you for a job in this economy. Practice your interview skills. Any mistaken impression or wrong answer you give in your interview will disqualify you as well. If you haven't yet attended college, you're old enough now to be an independent, which means if your income is low enough, you may be Pell Grant eligible (free money) and eligible for subsidized student loans (not-so-free money). I suggest you file your FAFSA and look into learning a trade or skill at your local community college for starters. Look for a program you can build off of with further education, yet gives you a marketable skill at the end of your certificate/A.A./whatever. __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

03-14-2010, 08:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
cj2112 Unbelievable Location: Grants Pass OR	Ok. I'll be the fly in the ointment. Go get a job. I know I'm assuming a lot here, but at this point, ANY job is better than NO job. If I were in your parents position, I'd want to see the effort, I'd want to see you doing whatever it takes to earn some form of income. If that means flipping burgers, washing dishes, delivering pizzas, bagging groceries, sweeping floors or some other form of entry level position, then that's what it takes. Yes, the economy is tough, decent jobs are far and few between, but you're being faced with homelessness due to your lack of a job. That means you need to be spending at least 40 hours/week actively searching for employment of some sort. When you do get that job, then be determined to be the best employee the company has. That means not only perform your duties better than anybody else, but attitude, and attendance need to be excellent as well. Good Luck!

03-14-2010, 02:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
hunnychile Alien Anthropologist Location: Between Boredom and Nirvana	When mybrother inlaw was nearly in the same boat he joined the Army. Now he's happy married and creating software training programs for them. __________________ "I need compassion, understanding and chocolate." - NJB

03-14-2010, 03:13 PM	#11 (permalink)
Idyllic Psycho Location: My House	Man, get a job. Help out more at home, dishes, offer to cook, yard work, everything. Quit comparing to your sister..... Get A Job...... life is, was, and will always be hard, before, during, and after this recession. If all else fails, doubtful if you really want it, join the military. My husband retired after 23 years and even with all his experience and education and friends and etc.... we still struggled to find employment. I struggled my whole life to find employment, took crap jobs, worked sales, worked dept stores, worked fast food, WORKED everyday to find and keep work. It won't get any easier until you get out and make it happen for YOURSELF or at least make yourself feel like you are contributing to your family, if you felt this way you would not be posting like this. When your serious about getting somewhere you will draw your own map and stop looking for others to hand you theirs. Good Luck and God Bless. Ain't nothing easy about living, but that's what makes LIFE so Good, if it came easy you wouldn't appreciate it, seems like up to now, things have come pretty easy. Welcome to adulthood. Wait till the wife comes, the kids come, the hospital bills come, the mortgage comes, the life insurance, health insurance, house insurance, the college fees come. Wait until your health begins to fail and you watch you parents age..... Dude, this time may seem hard, but this is THE Best time of your life, get a hold of yourself and DO SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE. The more you do to help others the better you will feel about yourself, the harder you will work, the easier life will become, more enjoyable and more successful. As Nike says, Just Do It!!!! Make me barf..... and all his from a pessimist, and old pessimist who wishes someone had kicked my ass til I got it right the first time. Go Man GO, Here's your Kicking, or you will be kicking yourself, forever...... p.s. My 23 yr old niece just grad from Emery riddle with a degree in Air Traffic Control, she and her husband have a three year old, a 120lb dog, 3 cats, live with her husbands parents, she JUST got a job at a card shop, making min. wage, oh, and she owe, $98,000.00 in college bills, they pay 500.00 a month for these alone. You got it good dude. Start looking around and recognize where you Could be, life could be a whole lot worse, it's all about perspective, get a little. Last edited by Idyllic; 03-14-2010 at 03:27 PM.. Reason: added more ramblings...

03-14-2010, 04:37 PM	#12 (permalink)
Ironfoot Upright Location: Massachusetts	Thank you for the replies, everyone. Even you, evilmatt. What I meant by a "real" job is one that is at least part-time, something that isn't just a temporary position for some odd months. The part-time job may not be pleasant, it might be a janitorial position or the trash collector guy, I don't care at this point. I've been looking for a job since Feb. 2009 and have had several interviews, but they all fell through. I'm beginning to think that something is wrong in either my resume/cover letter, or perhaps my interview skills aren't up to par. Like snowy said, with the increased competition due to the recession, it's been very difficult to try to find a job. I suspect that corporations can now just cherry-pick the best candidates for any position, so unless my skills are top notch, I won't stand a chance. I've already started to rework my cover letter. It was good, but I don't think I sold myself enough in the previous version. The bigger problem is the job interview itself though. I tend to stutter and stumble on these kinds of things and have been trying to better myself at it. Practicing is one thing, but when it comes down to it, I'm passive and not handling the ropes like I should be. Definitely some kind of psychological thing going on. Answering some questions, no, I don't have a college degree. I went to college for a time, but after seeing my friend who went to the same college being unable to find a job with his dual degrees and forced to join the military, I decided to drop out. People here will probably hate me for that reason alone, but with the economy now, I believe it one of the best decisions I ever made. By the time I graduated, I wouldn't have been able to find a job in my field (Comp. Engineering) at all. Yes, I've thought about the military. However, since I have asthma I automatically disqualify. But if push comes to shove, it might be possible to get a medical waiver. In any case, I'm not very enthusiastic about joining the forces. I have a pay as you go phone and my car insurance is payed off for the next several months. Dropping it entirely is a good idea though. Working overseas sounds like an excellent idea actually, considering the fact that all of the jobs are getting shipped overseas as it is. That's something I'll definitely look into. FAFSA is something I have looked into and am still thinking about if going into a trade would be better than finishing my degree. But I'm leaning on the trade option. I hear jobs are scarce on certain trades, so I'll have to do more research on that. And thanks for the perspective, Idyllic. I usually forget how good things are because I'm staring at the crappy things in the face all too often. Despite all of the difficulty, I need to see the brighter side of things. Well, Dish Network called on my birthday looking to set up an interview, so I'll be calling them back tomorrow. For the uncountable time, I hope I get the job. I'm going to have to put some extra effort in from now on. Again, thank you all for the excellent advice!

03-14-2010, 06:41 PM	#14 (permalink)
Tully Mars Living in a Warmer Insanity Super Moderator Location: Yucatan, Mexico	I have no idea what the job market is like these days. I know two years ago I was getting recruiting from other states and counties in my line of work. I currently live in Mexico and continued to receive them regularly for some time after moving south. Those have gone from a few every couple of months to one every six months or so. My mailing address is a drop box in Houston Texas, I assume they slowed because the job market sucks. But it could be due to my location, don't know. That said I do remember what it was like to be in the job hunt in the early 80's... it sucked. I worked fast food and restaurants (had to move to a town 20 miles from my hometown to land a fast food job) until I couldn't look at people and ask "do you want fries with that?" and not feel feel like slamming my head in a door. So I joined the Navy. Sounds like that may not be an option for you. Maybe student loans and school could by you some time until the economy swings up? If nothing else just keep at it everyday until you get a foot in somewhere. I know when I got out of the Navy in 87 I thought, based on my Navy rating (HT) I'd be hired as a welder or a fireman somewhere rather quickly. Nope. Six months of pounding the pavement and as close as I got to a job with any FD was in Salem Oregon where I score 9th overall in a year they hire one person. No one in the welding field took my Navy exp. seriously at all. Needed a degree and cert from a civilian agency to even put in an app. I'd been welding on nuclear reactor components and I couldn't even get an interview to weld cargo and horse trailers. It was frustrating, very frustrating. After two months of unemployment benefits (they considered leaving the Navy voluntarily as "quitting" but for service to the country they gave me 8 weeks) ran out I found myself unloading semi-trucks from 12-8am. That was part time and only if a driver asked you. Pretty much had to hang out at the docks and hope someone would offer you work. $40 for a nights work, hard work. That lead to a connection who got me hired as a part time sub janitor for the Salem schools. That too was part-time and only if someone called in sick. After almost a year of often working from 4pm to 8am I got an interview for a law enforcement job on the Oregon coast. that interview went something like this- "well everything looks good and I'd like to hire you but we need some one who's a resident of this county, we need them to start Monday morning" (it was Friday afternoon) I told the guy "you hire me and I'll go back to Salem through everything I own into a U-Haul and rent a place in this County this weekend and I will be a resident by 8am Monday." The guy looked at me kind of stunned and said "If you can prove to me you're county resident by Monday morning you're hired." I left that interview and stopped at a pay phone (no cells back then) called my wife and told her she needed to start packing I'd be home in a about two hours with a U-haul and we were moving to the coast. Which we did, didn't even put any thing in boxes, wrapped the TV up in some bedding and through everything else in and off we went. Rented a place Sat. afternoon and walked in on Monday, gave the supervisor my new address and started work. I never even had an interest in law enforcement, just landed in my lap by applying for every job which I met the qualification. A year after getting that job the Salem FD called and offered me an interview. always wished I'd at least interviewed, never really like LE that much. But by that time my kid was in school and I didn't want to up root her. Bottom line- in my experience when the job market sucks pound on every door (show up in person whenever possible) and have a never take no as an answer attitude. Take two or more shit jobs while you're still looking for a 'real' job, basically never turn anything down when you're out of work. If someone tells you they can't hire because you don't meet "X" requirement explain to then how you can meet "X" in record time. Best of luck but I really think it's more hard work and effort then luck that will get you where you need. __________________ I used to drink to drown my sorrows, but the damned things have learned how to swim- Frida Kahlo Vice President Starkizzer Fan Club Last edited by Tully Mars; 03-14-2010 at 06:43 PM..

03-14-2010, 07:31 PM	#15 (permalink)
Idyllic Psycho Location: My House	In the end Ironfoot, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. I do see you are trying to get going, don't stop..... this is just a beginning, we are all here patting you on the back and saying, GO GET'UM BOY... You can do this, you can do ANYTHING you put you mind to. Whatever happens try to stay positive and continue to help out around the house, extra. It will make you feel better and you family grateful to have you there. Good Luck My Friend, May the road raise up to meet you, may the wind be always at you back, blah blah, blah, just ignore that, that's the pessimist in me, always a quarrel, DON'T LET YOUR PESSIMIST WIN!!!!!

03-14-2010, 08:09 PM	#16 (permalink)
Leto Junkie Location: The Danforth	your parents will respond favourably to ernest effort. Speaking as a parent of a 20 year old, this is key. There's nothing that is more dispiriting than providing all the breaks for one's son, and observing an entitled approach to life. In my case, after serveral months of my son spending more time playing call of duty, than job hunting, I started a $400/month room & board charge to kick start him. Unbeknownst to him, this is going into a savings plan for him, to feed back into university next January when/if he gets accepted back into his programme. Meanwhile, I need him to realize that life is not always easy, and to feel some urgency. I want him to be self sufficient, and to take that job at Home Depot, or Starbucks if it's offered, or at least apply there. Sometimes opportunity will come knocking, but it seems that it happens when you are busy. Like it was said ealier, I'd rather be working minimum wage and chipping away at debt, than not. Remember, pessimism will get the better of you if you are inactive or lethargic. go out there and prove to your parents that you are engaged in your search. __________________ You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey And I never saw someone say that before You held my hand and we walked home the long way You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

03-14-2010, 11:20 PM	#17 (permalink)
archetypal fool Crazy 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. __________________ 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..

03-15-2010, 04:32 AM	#18 (permalink)
cj2112 Unbelievable Location: Grants Pass OR	One of the things I've done with some success when times were tough, is register with a few temp agencies and call them every single day as soon as the office opens so that I'm on their list as available for work. This has landed me more than one full time permanent position. It usually takes a couple of weeks, but it has always paid off in the end.

03-15-2010, 04:36 AM	#19 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	I just wanted to float this out there: randomly sending out resumes is one of the least successful ways of landing a job. If you have no job currently, you should consider volunteering or offering your services pro bono if you can. You should at least be pursuing what they call "informational interviews," where you interview with people who have positions or work in industries you're focused on (just don't ask for work at these). This provides networking opportunities, which lead to far more positions than you could imagine. Most job vacancies are filled before they're even advertised. Who you are matters, yes, but sometimes who you know is the linchpin. People like to help people, but usually only when they actually know them. Good luck. __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot Last edited by Baraka_Guru; 03-15-2010 at 04:38 AM..

03-15-2010, 08:11 AM	#21 (permalink)
Shauk Confused Adult Location: Spokane, WA	Something smells a bit. I mean 1st off, paying rent to live with your parents, is a concept that just BREAKS MY BRAIN. Do you just do the bare minimum looking for work? I think if your parents see/sense this from you, they probably are kicking you out to spur you to action. necessity is the mother of all invention, it's time for you to invent a fire under your ass.

03-15-2010, 10:49 AM	#23 (permalink)
evilmatt Upright Location: Suburbia	Hell, I want to start charging my kids rent right now and they're 4 and 2!

03-15-2010, 06:30 PM	#25 (permalink)
Lindy Junkie	Small places are sometimes good places to look for work. Small retail stores, boutiques, neighborhood print shops, dry cleaners, veterinarians, pet stores, used car dealers, rec or senior centers, bank or credit unions, (branch, not main bank) espresso joints, property management agencies, you get the idea. As for parents charging rent, you may have just outworn your welcome. Especially if you're not working and your parents (both) are. They shouldn't have to take out the garbage, wash dishes, empty the catbox, dust, vacuum, shovel snow, mow the lawn, trim the bushes, etc. I know if I worked full time and came home to a bunch of housework that needed doing while there was a non-contributing adult living there, I would be pissed. So even if you can't find a job, I'm sure you can find work --around the house. If you can show an "attitude of gratitude" instead of entitlement... Just think of every household task or chore as a "thank you note" to the providers of your quarters. Lindy

03-15-2010, 07:48 PM	#26 (permalink)
ASU2003 immoral minority Location: Back in Ohio	I was in a similar situation before I got my job. I didn't do very good at applying for jobs. Do you want to stay in MA? Have you looked elsewhere? Would you move across the country? Have you watched the TV show Undercover Boss to see what types of low level jobs are out there? There are a lot of jobs I didn't even know exist. Have you talked to someone at a job center? Even those jobs are tough to get when 10% of the workers are out of work and the people doing those jobs now know it. Are you a regular volunteer anywhere? Have you looked into a government job? The Census might be hiring some people near you. I kind of wish I would have done the English as a second language teaching overseas when I was that age, I think it would have been fun. Have you had previous jobs, have you contacted them to see if they have any openings or know of any at other places? What are you good at? What do you like doing? Read books, watch movies, sleep, enjoy the time off.

03-18-2010, 02:48 PM	#27 (permalink)
yournamehere Invisible Location: tentative, at best	Two things really jump out at me in this thread: 1. It's amazing how the gainfully employed are absolutely clueless as to the dreadful state of the economy and job market right now. 2. I can't imagine a family kicking a child out of their home right now. Normally, yes - but see #1. At your age, though - there is one sure thing - the military. They're always hiring and have a pretty good pension plan. And they'll pay you to learn a marketable skill. __________________ If you want to avoid 95% of internet spelling errors: "If your ridiculous pants are too loose, you're definitely going to lose them. Tell your two loser friends over there that they're going to lose theirs, too." It won't hurt your fashion sense, either.

03-18-2010, 03:07 PM	#29 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	My thoughts: Don't turn your nose up at the temp gigs. It's money in the bank -- sure it's nice to have something permanent, but from the sounds of it you're not in a position to be picky. If temping pays the bills until something permanent comes along, then that's what you ought to do. Familiarize yourself with online resources. There are a ton of jobs that you can apply for by email after hours. Talk to your parents about your situation. It seems highly improbable that they'd evict you unless they really feel that you're not trying. Maybe you can do some extra chores around the house in exchange for leniency on the room and board. Or maybe you can agree to submit X resumes per week (with a an accounting of where you go and when). Whatever it takes. Work something out. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

03-20-2010, 04:18 PM	#31 (permalink)
amonkie Drifting Administrator Location: Windy City	When I was looking for work after just having moved to chicago in 2008, I made it a goal to have an interview every work day. It didn't matter if I actually WANTED that specific job, but being out and in the "sell yourself 1000%" mindset I was keeping my interview skills current, and also out seeing opportunities that might not have been posted online somewhere. __________________ Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

03-20-2010, 06:40 PM	#33 (permalink)
CandleInTheDark Addict Location: Where the music's loudest	I understand you're frustration. I left my former job when my contract expired, work was proving unsafe, and the lack of guaranteed work as supervisor meant I would keep my promise to the SO that I would leave (this is due to 10-4 nature of the job). That was mid-December when I left the well-paying technical work of the down-and-out world of Canadian forestry. Not surprisingly I couldn't find a job for 2.5 months, ran out of savings in the first month, and racked-up $1500 on a credit card that had nearly been paid off. I applied to every online and paper advertisement for positions in, and out, of my industry. I've had a handful of interviews. I have one part-time job at Starbucks. The other posters have given you solid advice, even if some demonstrate some ignorance to the severity of the economy on employment. Take the temp jobs; apply for everything; tailor your resume and cover letter to maximize your chances; visit recruiters; find the business directory for the industry(ies) you wish to work in and apply, Apply, APPLY! Over come your interview problems. Join Toastmasters. Practice speech in front of the mirror. Eliminate expenses. Contribute to your household as much as possible. Paydown or eliminate credit card use anyway possible. A footnote on online job boards: they are not any different than the newspaper classifieds. They receive the same amount traffic per position. But there is a higher volume of positions. Use the web for finding recruiters, temp agencies, and business associations. Finally, keep a positive attitude. Not all of the blame is one you, nor will it affect everything in your life, nor will it continue forever. __________________ Where there is doubt there is freedom.

03-20-2010, 08:30 PM	#34 (permalink)
genuinegirly Eat your vegetables Super Moderator Location: Arabidopsis-ville	If you are given an interview, send a hand-written (better if handmade) thank-you card. Address it to the person who interviewed you. If it was a team who interviewed you, go ahead and address the first person you spoke with. Drop it in the mail immediately after the interview so it arrives the very next day. It sets you apart from the other applicants in a very real way. I did this for a temporary position that I applied for at a biotech company, and the day I started work I noticed the card I had made was sitting out on display on the desk of the person I sent it to. Here's something that ended with a positive response for our friend: Try phoning companies that didn't offer you a position, and ask them if there was anything they felt you could improve upon. Our friend who did this was swiftly informed that they would consider her for another position that better met her background. Had she not made the call to human resources, she wouldn't have been in the running. __________________ "Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq "violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

03-21-2010, 12:52 PM	#35 (permalink)
hunnychile Alien Anthropologist Location: Between Boredom and Nirvana	Temp gigs can be a great way to get your foot in the door AND more importantly, they show the agency Temp Placement Person that your are very willing to work and at almost any job. That said, the agency person will know to call you more often. If you're too picky - any agency will drop you like a hot potato! I still have an agency person I helped often 2 years ago...esp.on Monday mornings when no one would do reception and/or admin work for her company. This lady calls me every 5 to 7 months asking me if I'm still employed (I am luckily) and she calls "because something perfect for me has become available" at her staffing place. I currently have a job --- but yes, I DO realize that it's dreadful out there, so I'm going to be careful while looking elsewhere for a better job. __________________ "I need compassion, understanding and chocolate." - NJB

03-24-2010, 04:19 PM	#36 (permalink)
Ironfoot Upright Location: Massachusetts	Hi, sorry I haven't updated in a while, I am a lurker after all. I've had only one interview since I made my post. I was told that I'd know by this week if I had gotten the job and that they'd call me back. Like usual, I never got a call so I followed up and found out the hiring manager was out that week and wont be be back until next week. I really hate dishonest people. Moving on with my life, I've started to do more things around the house. I take care of the lawn every year, so I began the spring cleanup in that regard (raking away pinecones and picking up fallen branches). I take out the trash every week. My dad is finally starting to act a bit nicer towards me, so that's good news. I've been spending more time in nature recently to keep cool. The important thing is that I apply for at least 2 jobs nearly every day now. Some good news. I got an email from a temp agency for a job. Mind you, this one is anything but easy. It's a 12 hour shift that's about 1 1/2 drive away from me. I'm still thinking about it, but I think I'll be giving them a call soon regardless as having that job, while a pain in the ass it would be, is better than not having a job at all. Still preparing for the worst case scenario. My renewed passport should be in next month, so if all else fails, I could try to find something in Canada or overseas. I hope it doesn't come to that. Yeah, signing up for jobs on craigslist these days is a skill. You have to look out for suspicious yahoo and gmail email addresses and other typical get rich quick ads you'd find in a newspaper. Often times, those addresses usually look something like gsdygfisgd at yahoo.com or something similar. In my early job hunting days, I would sometimes fall for those. They would send me to a fake application on a website, where they'd ask me for more personal information. I'd hear nothing from them again. A lot of the ads also forward to temp agencies, but these days that doesn't really matter. The other job sites usually don't have that type of problem. Again, thank you all for the replies.