Money help: I can’t get a Job. - Help.com

What field are you in?

Similar boat here. You’ve probably tried most or all of these ideas, but I’ll put them out there in case you missed one.

Temp Agencies - I haven’t had much luck with temp agencies, myself, but its worth a shot and it’ll tide you over if you do get something. If you’ve got a Manpower Professional office nearby, walk in with your resume.

Careerbuilder.com - I’ve had some luck with careerbuilder, I’m actually dealing with a company that found my latest resume there today

Craigslist - Pretty hit or miss, but some small companies put up scientific and technical positions.

School Contacts - Big one for me. Half of my interviews have come from people I knew at school. Particularly, talk to any professors you got along with well.

Keep pounding the pavement and keep your fridge stocked with beer, lemonade, or whatever might relax you after a frustrating day. Its not easy, I know, but I look at it this way: All those other jerks have jobs, and there not half as awesome as you and me, so it must be possible.

Two years experience is not very much. How about working in a bookstore or something while you build up more credentials in your field through coursework, research projects, writing and publishing, etc.? Having a paycheck will help you both financially and in terms of confidence-building, and it will buy you some time so that you can really work on your search.

May I ask what your field is?

Hi, My field is the Law

Thanks for the comments. So far..,

Perfect–then you really CAN build up your resume by taking pro bono cases, writing professional articles, etc., while looking for full-time work. Maybe you could even teach a course or two–say, a legal issues course at a local high school or night school? Advise pre-law students at a local college? Do a two-minute law blurb on a radio station? Wow, there are so many ways for you to keep yourself popping and your c.v. growing.

I’d still look for that bookstore job as an interim, though. Just being employed puts you in a much calmer, less-frantic frame of mind.

Good luck.

Hey!!

Thanks a lot!!

Your post has just given me fresh insight, about how to takle the problem from a different angle. Have you any tips on presenting yourself at interviews etc??

Just the obvious: cheerful demeanor, eye contact, ask good questions and listen at least as much as you talk. Also, the “hot new tip” in interviewing seems to be this: Tell them what YOU can do for the company, not what the company can do for you.

In other words, don’t go in ready to say, “The reason that this is the PERFECT JOB FOR ME is …” Instead, make your core message, “I have the following strengths to bring to your company …”

I’ve interviewed scores of people for jobs over the years, and here are THE TEN WORST things people have said to me–and all these examples are ABSOLUTELY REAL:
—————–
10) “I am an expert in preemptive marcom.” (Speak English, not jargon!)

9) “You don’t mind if I bring my home-schooled daughter to work with me every day, do you? She is eight years old, but she’s a creative genius and I am sure she would get a lot out of hanging around with intellectuals.”

8) “I bet you want to know why I want a job that I am so overqualified for.”

7) “You don’t actually need me to come into the office, do you?”

6) “This isn’t the kind of job that would put a lot of pressure on an emotionally fragile person, is it? Because the last thing I want is another nervous breakdown.”

5) (When asked how he would approach a specific problem) “There are standard ways.” (translation: “I don’t feel like answering your stupid question.”)

4) “I know YOU think the most important part of this job is editing, but I know you really want another writer.” (translation: “Hey, boss, you really don’t know what you are talking about.”)

3) “Of COURSE I am qualified for a job as a magazine writer. After all, I am a …. (fill in the blank: lawyer, TV producer, teacher, novelist, etc.–they’ve all been said to me.)”

2) “I don’t like working with people.”

1) “The job of director of editorial services would be perfect for me, but I am willing to take a lower-level job and WAIT.” (Translation: “Eventually YOU’LL die or get fired, Theresape, and I’LL be waiting in the wings. Just hurry up!”)

Thanks a lot theresape - I like it. Although I have not said the above things, it makes you think doesn’t it. They are extreme examples, but even diluted statements conveying similar meaning may be off putting. I wonder whether I am guilty of such infractions?

I will review my ‘pitch’ with these thought’s in mind.

Am I coming accross as Bored, not enthusiastic, arrogant? Maybee not to a great extent - perhaps they are picking up ‘Bad Vibes’ I don’t know…

You’re very wise to look for more subtle versions of those answers buried in your words or body language. However, in the cases above, these statements were OVERT–those are actual, direct quotes!

The guy in #8–”there are standard ways”–actually half-shut his eyes and shook his head negatively before that and other answers. He looked like he was IN PAIN even TALKING about the work we do. The thing is, he had been my FAVORITE candidate on paper. He had good experience, good writing samples, and many awards, AND he was the grandson of a grand old forefather of the institution I was working for. Hiring him would have made the institution SO happy. I was SO excited to get his resume! But there he sat, all negative and taciturn, and I could only conclude that he was BURNED OUT. He never even got a second interview. (As fate would have it, I hired this guy’s older sister a few years later as a free-lance writer, and she could not have been more appropriately enthusiastic.)

Also the person in #1–”I’m willing to take a lower-level job and wait”–COULD have expressed that same sentiment in a more positive way. For example, she could have said, “My long-range goal would be to have a position very much like the one you have now; I’d love an opportunity to get on a similar career path, and I know I could learn a lot from you.” Instead, she gave me the impression that she already HAD both the skills and experience to BE in my job, and the only thing that stood between her and her goal was the unfortunate fact that I had not moved my annoying butt out of the way fast enough.

OHHHH–wait–here’s one that SHOULD have been on the list, and close to the top. I was interviewing a BRILLIANT young talent in publications/writing/public relations one time, and I was really SOLD on her because of her rapid-fire achievements despite a young age. But when I mentioned that she had made quite a few job changes in a relatively short career, she said–and this is a DIRECT quote—”You know what they say: Two years, up or out!”

She was out in 30 seconds.

Don’t do this, GoodLife!

Hey everyone, I have taken stock of the advice on here.

I have taken the plunge and applied for some ‘non professional’ jobs, not as a career move per se, but so that

1. I will be in employment
2. I will have more £££
3. I will have somthing to do with my day, other than looking for jobs and waiting for interviews.(i.e I will get out of the house!!!)

I still intend to look for my professional job, but any job at the moment will be a bonus, I think if I go into interviews knowing I already have a job it may help me to relax a bit more as well.

Sometimes you just have to swallow your pride.

I think you’re on the right track here, my friend! Good luck!

YEAH!!!!!

I gotta job!!!! - It’s not the professional one that I wanted - but its very good money, and only four days a week, so I will be able to continue looking for a vocational job, and schedule any interviews for the week day I get off - Thanks everyone for your support!!!

:D

GOOD FOR YOU! YOu’re on your way. To succeed, you have turn over stones, not hide under them. I know that if you keep your eyes, ears, and options open, your career is going to unfold before you exactly as it ought.

I guess Im a little late I was going to say try like an agency..but seems like you have it all under control good luck to you and all of us in the United States…Thank you George Bush for helping our economy

AND wrote:
NAE LUCK IVE GOT A JOB HAHAHAHA………….HAHA……………HAHA

I’ve got a ******* boss job now you twat, go **** yourself :)

sunshinenm wrote:
It’s tough out there. Try being over 50, and in NM.
My cousin wrote a book called “Thank You for Firing Me”. Now available at Barnes & Noble.
by Kitty Martini. Maybe that can help you.

I feel for you. I am well sorted as I have sorted myself out with a great career now, but it was touch and go for a long time. I completley rethought my stratergy, got well paid ‘menial’ work and kept my patience and calm,thought outside the box, and had a complete change of career direction. It meant abandoning all my legal training and all I had worked for for many years, It meant retraining in the IT/ Communications sector, but it was the best decision I ever made. I have almost worked my way out of debt and am even saving for a new car/ future.

Its F***ing hard work, and dispiriting at times to be out of work, or in work you know you can do better than, it’s horrid seeing other people suceeding and doing well, whilst you are thinking ‘why can’t I be like that?’ It’s depressing, trust me, I had 3 - 4 years following university where I was trying to make my way in a stagnant graduate jobs market, in a stagnant ecconomy, but you just have to buckle down, keep the faith, in yourself, in your abilities, become steely and resiliant, put yourself first, and when possible opurtunities arise, take no prisoners, go for the kill!

Good luck to you.