Job search...I''m STUCK!

[ChloeTheGreat]

I''ve gotten all sorts of advice from people on the job search but now I''m stuck!

I just graduated in December. I''ve been applying to jobs since October and have come to a stand still.

I''ve applied to everything I can think of. Even jobs I''m over/under qualified for. I haven''t heard ANYTHING from ANYONE!

So I''m not sure where to go from here. Do I just wait to hear from the positions I''ve already applied to? How long do I wait? It''s only been a few months and I already feel I''ve exhausted my options.

Any suggestions?

 

[yssie]

Sorry. It''s a terrible economy and those of us without years of experience are feeling it most, I think!



If it''s been months since you applied, I would try calling those companies again - sometimes things change internally and positions open up and aren''t advertised for a while, you may get a leg in by taking the initiative.



In the meantime can you take up some volunteer position in something related to your field? I didn''t have a job for four months post-graduation, but I did some consulting work online and for friends and friends of friends.. something to keep you relevant and updating your skills, and to show you''ve been keeping busy. Also helped pay the bills/health insurance!

 

[ChloeTheGreat]

Glad to hear you were able to find something.

My field is finance, so I''m not sure what volunteer/unpaid stuff I would be able to find. Also, I am working the same ol'' restaurant job I''ve had since high school, but I need it to pay the bills...so it''s not that I''m doing NOTHING with my time and I do a bit of (unrelated) volunteer work with an animal shelter. Too bad no one cares about company loyalty since it''s not in my field. Even jobs listed as entry level seem to require years of experience! Sheesh.

Thanks for the words of wisdom!

 

[VRBeauty]

I'm sorry to hear that you're having such a difficult time finding a position in your field. It is a terrible economy, and I'm sure you know that you're not alone in your dilema.

I'd second Yssie's suggestion that you try to find a way to volunteer in a way that allows you to use your skills. It will give you something relevant to list on your resume, keep you up to date, and help keep your spirits up. I'm not sure what you mean by being "in finance," but do you have skills that a non-profit agency could use? Could you help them with bookkeeping perhaps, or could you volunteer to help seniors with their finances? If I were in your shoes, in my city, I'd check with the local United Way to explore opportunities. Of course the UW has a fund-raising function that might be able to use your skills. My local UW also maintains a volunteer board that lists community organization needs. They're also very aware of the local agencies that are affiliated with the UW since they audit each organization periodically, so talking to the right person in UW might help you identify organizations you could approach even if they aren't actively seeking help.

Is re-locating an option for you? The unemployment rate is just higher in some areas -- like mine, for example

-- than others.

 

[poptart]

Sorry to hear that you are having such trouble. I will echo what everyone else has said, which is that the job market right now is very difficult.

However, I would suggest taking another look at your resume. I currently work in Human Resources and on average, any HR department spends about 30 - 45 seconds on a resume. Past working experience is very important, and company loyalty (staying with the same business you have been with since high school) can add some points, too. I obviously don''t know what you''re specialty is in finance, but there are some basic re-working you can do to your resume.

Have a section on your resume that specifically lists your technical/computer skills... proficiency in word, specific accounting software (if applicable), etc. As you are listing the jobs, keep each job accomplishment/skill down to one line so that it is easy and quick to read. Keep it to one page if at all possible.

Also, job descriptions should tell you what their specific skill requirements are. If you have the skill they are asking for, highlight this at the very beginning. Reworking your resume a little bit to highlight the most relevant information can be a big help, since your real goal is to just get them to pick up the phone and invite you for an interview.

Is there any way that you can make your volunteer experience relevant? Do they need any help in their finance department that you can do?

I hope at least one of these things was helpful... just keep trying! You''ll definitely find something!