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[ceramic]

So I have a bit of a dilemma at the minute.

In the few months after graduation I started looking for work; in that time I got nowhere, not even interviews except for one MLM scam dressed up as a legitimate placement.

I took a three month break to unwind for a bit after university. But now i'm looking for work again and i'm faced with the same problem I had before.

My degree doesn't qualify me to do anything. Just about everything I apply for asks for part-professionally qualified people at least, plus experience in a previous role.

Another problem is that my degree gears me up for management and I don't feel like management material. This means that working for free to get the experience to work for a job that doesn't pay well anyway a very unattractive option.

I think my biggest problem was going to university when I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I actually wanted to do computer engineering and related degrees for most of the time I was thinking about what I was going to do. Long story short I made some poor choices.

And here I am now, feeling unemployable and without direction.

I think one of the reasons I was so unsuccessful at getting to interview stage before is that my covering letters made me come across as too ambitious, in that I mentioned plans to continue education and improve my life prospects. I'm stripping it out so that it's no longer an issue but it's still demoralising that I'm even being turned down for sub £15,000 pa jobs.

 

[Kuro Madoushi]

So I have a bit of a dilemma at the minute.

In the few months after graduation I started looking for work; in that time I got nowhere, not even interviews except for one MLM scam dressed up as a legitimate placement.

I took a three month break to unwind for a bit after university. But now i'm looking for work again and i'm faced with the same problem I had before.

My degree doesn't qualify me to do anything. Just about everything I apply for asks for part-professionally qualified people at least, plus experience in a previous role.

Another problem is that my degree gears me up for management and I don't feel like management material. This means that working for free to get the experience to work for a job that doesn't pay well anyway a very unattractive option.

I think my biggest problem was going to university when I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I actually wanted to do computer engineering and related degrees for most of the time I was thinking about what I was going to do. Long story short I made some poor choices.

And here I am now, feeling unemployable and without direction.

I think one of the reasons I was so unsuccessful at getting to interview stage before is that my covering letters made me come across as too ambitious, in that I mentioned plans to continue education and improve my life prospects. I'm stripping it out so that it's no longer an issue but it's still demoralising that I'm even being turned down for sub £15,000 pa jobs.

Teach English in East Asia? Bang hot Asian girls? Profit? Pay off some of that debt? Time to think about what you want to do?

Management degree could go a long way there. You could do business English or just English for management, which again, could potentially go a long way.

I'm not sure how it is in the rest of the world, but I believe in Toronto, the rush for new hires has past and they're going to do seasonal for the next bit and then...it's another long wait

Anyway, good luck to all you guys! It took me 14 months! Just keep at it!

 

[Mohonky]

Chalk me up for the unemployed, have been for the past week. Though I did take 2 weeks off as I'm starting a new job next week

 

[Mr Nightman]

Was up until thursday, got a job at discovery research group :-/ Pretty much sucks a lot, work tues, wed, thurs, from 3 to 10 and sat from 9 to 5. I hate it :lol

 

[zero margin]

from inside phone sales to flatbed truck driving. A bigger contrast out there I'd like to see.

 

[MercuryLS]

from inside phone sales to flatbed truck driving. A bigger contrast out there I'd like to see.

I went from a avionic technician (installer) to a sales and marketing coordinator. :lol

 

[element]

I start my new job tomorrow!

 

[Iron_Scimitar]

Im unemployed...again. Just got off a 5 month contract w/ a IT firm. Quite possibly the worst experience w/ upper management in a LONG time. It was a small IT company and the problem was that the contract I was on kept changing hands between 2 guys. So there was a ton of miscommunication going on. I was the man in the field, I was the face of the company so I was the one that got to look like a fool in the faces of the clients. I stuck with them because at 23/hr, it was my highest paying job EVER. No taxes taken out of my checks either. I made a serious dent on my credit card debt when I was working with them.

Back to the want ads for me. =\

 

[Iron_Scimitar]

from inside phone sales to flatbed truck driving. A bigger contrast out there I'd like to see.

Ive gone from power washing garbage trucks on the side, to working at the Government Accountability Office on the same floor as the US Comptroller for 4 years.

BEATEN.

 

[siddx]

I get a stipend of $1000 a month for a work study thing that puts me in a classroom helping a elementary school teaching once a week (5 days a week after feb.) but it's not nearly enough. I miss having a full time job, but I don't have the free time to work full time while working on this masters program. Especially since it's a compacted one year program where they shove two years of information and work in one.

 

[dskillzhtown]

Finally back in the ranks of the employed! I got laid off in November of last year. It took me until the end of March to get a temp/contracting job making half of what I was making at my other job. I worked hard, did some good work, but the group I was working for flat out told me they have no interest in hiring me.

Thankfully another group was impressed with my work and brought me on for 25k more than I was making at my original job! I know there are alot of people hurting still out there. Sometimes grinding it out for 8 months for less money does work out.

 

[CrankyJay]

Finally back in the ranks of the employed! I got laid off in November of last year. It took me until the end of March to get a temp/contracting job making half of what I was making at my other job. I worked hard, did some good work, but the group I was working for flat out told me they have no interest in hiring me.

Thankfully another group was impressed with my work and brought me on for 25k more than I was making at my original job! I know there are alot of people hurting still out there. Sometimes grinding it out for 8 months for less money does work out.

Congrats man. I was unemployed for a month, got hired on a contract basis, and they liked me so they hired me on. I officially start on Monday. I'm also making more money than I was in my last job.

 

[Fallout-NL]

I'll probably be one of many in this situation, but yeah I'll share nonetheless. I've recently gotten my Master's degree in Media and Culture at the University of Amsterdam. I have a job on the side (just 2 days a week), but my contract hasn't been renewed so december will be my last month with a job.

I actually finished up back in august, graduation was in october, and I've started looking for a job around that time as well. Like Ceramic I took a month or two to relax after having written my thesis. It was a good move I guess, because looking for a job with a academic degree is kind of depressing and it's making me wonder what the hell I went through the trouble for. I've proven to be kind of intelligent in attaining the degree: I can make sense of all kinds of highly complex theories (philosophical ones at least) and can organize them for my own arguments. But I haven't really learned anything else. And all any employers are looking for is people with experience. I can't blame em. But my education was obviously of questionable worth. All it does is prepare you for promotion (a Dr.'s degree), but there are no spots available for that anyway. Right now I'm volunteering at the filmacademy here in Amsterdam, doing research for a graduation project. I hope that'll bolster my CV somewhat. Admittedly, I've only been at it for two months, but a pattern seems to be emerging. And it's looking grim.

Anywy, good luck everyone. I'll chime back in every now and then to report on my progress .

 

[ceramic]

Teach English in East Asia? Bang hot Asian girls? Profit? Pay off some of that debt? Time to think about what you want to do?

Management degree could go a long way there. You could do business English or just English for management, which again, could potentially go a long way.

How would I go about doing this?

I have performed well studying English language and literature in the past and helped Chinese students with their English when studying my degree, with one saying I sould do something like that. It wouldn't be a completely alien thing to do. Pretty radical decision to make though, and don't know if what I can offer them will cut the mustard in the eyes of those allocating positions. Seems like an unrealistic option.

 

[bistromathics]

Is there some...er..."room for error" when giving a potential employer your GPA? Do they check? If so, how? By contacting the school? Does the company have to pay for that information?

 

[Patryn]

Is there some...er..."room for error" when giving a potential employer your GPA? Do they check? If so, how? By contacting the school? Does the company have to pay for that information?

I believe the only way they could check is to gain access to your transcripts, which you would have to authorize. I think schools can only confirm to third parties when and if you attended, and any degrees you were awarded.

So I suppose you could exaggerate, but you'd be screwed the second any company would ask for transcripts (and if a company really cares about your GPA, they WILL ask for them).

 

[Ravidrath]

Is there some...er..."room for error" when giving a potential employer your GPA? Do they check? If so, how? By contacting the school? Does the company have to pay for that information?

Was it specifically asked for? Because otherwise I don't think it's really relevant.

 

[Patryn]

Was it specifically asked for? Because otherwise I don't think it's really relevant.

In the comp sci world at least, it's expected that recent graduates list their GPA on their resumes.

 

[LosDaddie]

Had 3 great, could-not-have-gone-any-better phone interviews recently, but no correspondence back yet.

Really irritating. I'd prefer to at least know I didn't get the position, rather than no response back.

Is there some...er..."room for error" when giving a potential employer your GPA? Do they check? If so, how? By contacting the school? Does the company have to pay for that information?

I've worked for 2 engineering firms (3 if you count the offer I decline a few years back) and haven't had my transcripts requested. So, I wouldn't worry. But if you're going to exaggerate, don't over overdo it to the point where they may want to see how you earned Magna Cum Laude.

Has anybody had their transcripts requested by a potential employer?

 

[Deadly Cyclone]

With the GPA thing, I started college as an Engineer and had some issues with a professor and just couldn't get into the classes like I'd hoped so that screwed with my GPA a bit,switched to Marketing and ended with a 2.8.

At Iowa State they have a GPA for your core studies as well though, so on my resume I use my core Marketing GPA (3.11) and my core Management GPA (my minor, 3.33) instead, unless a company specifically asks for my overall GPA.

I wouldn't change your GPA at all, but using your core GPA may work too.

--

On the job topic, I am 4 months out after having my position cut with the software company I worked for (my first real career out of college) and am having a hell of a time even landing an interview. Gets very frustrating at times, especially when applying to jobs that you don't even need a college education for and never hearing back.

 

[Cloudy]

I don't think schools typically release your GPA even with a transcript request. You'd have to give them separate permission for that. Don't lie about your GPA though. Just leave that option blank on the application if you don't want to disclose it. I don't think anyone really cares about it if you've been out of school for a bit and/or have decent job experience

 

[Patryn]

Had 3 great, could-not-have-gone-any-better phone interviews recently, but no correspondence back yet.

Really irritating. I'd prefer to at least know I didn't get the position, rather than no response back.





I've worked for 2 engineering firms (3 if you count the offer I decline a few years back) and haven't had my transcripts requested. So, I wouldn't worry. But if you're going to exaggerate, don't over overdo it to the point where they may want to see how you earned Magna Cum Laude.

Has anybody had their transcripts requested by a potential employer?

Multiple times in my recent job search.

I don't think schools typically release your GPA even with a transcript request. You'd have to give them separate permission for that. Don't lie about your GPA though. Just leave that option blank on the application if you don't want to disclose it. I don't think anyone really cares about it if you've been out of school for a bit and/or have decent job experience

If they have your transcripts, they have your grades. I know mine at least listed my GPA right up at the top.

 

[loosus]

I have never had a job ask for my GPA. However, I have had jobs ask for transcripts. Presumably, that's just to prove that I actually did get the degrees I listed on my resume, but on my transcripts, the fucking GPA is right there in bold letters at the top. :lol So even if HR doesn't really want to know, there it is!

Take this piece of advice from someone who has fudged applications: don't. I once fudged an application a little bit, got the job, did well in the job, and it was never really an issue. However, I can't tell you the amount of times my stomach turned when I got called to a supervisor's office with the thought in my head, "Damn, the fucking finally found out." :lol So, if you have a paranoia issue, don't do it.

 

[Cloudy]

Multiple times in my recent job search.



If they have your transcripts, they have your grades. I know mine at least listed my GPA right up at the top.

Are you in the US? I don't think it works that way here

 

[Kuro Madoushi]

How would I go about doing this?

I have performed well studying English language and literature in the past and helped Chinese students with their English when studying my degree, with one saying I sould do something like that. It wouldn't be a completely alien thing to do. Pretty radical decision to make though, and don't know if what I can offer them will cut the mustard in the eyes of those allocating positions. Seems like an unrealistic option.

Whoops...pm me or industrian or look for the teaching in east asia thread

 

[Patryn]

Are you in the US? I don't think it works that way here

Yep. I'm in the US.

 

[Cloudy]

Yep. I'm in the US.

You know, I looked it up and I was confusing degree verification (which is all most employers do) with transcript requests which do show your GPA. So we're both right

ps: I thought you were in England cos of your flag icon :lol

 

[bistromathics]

thx for the replies...my GPA was really a 2.8, but I had a few 0's in classes i never went to and never dropped (senioritis is a bitch). I don't put my GPA on by default but recruiters keep asking, and i say 3.1 :X

 

[Stalfos]

thx for the replies...my GPA was really a 2.8, but I had a few 0's in classes i never went to and never dropped (senioritis is a bitch). I don't put my GPA on by default but recruiters keep asking, and i say 3.1 :X

Figure out what your major GPA was and use that.

 

[LosDaddie]

Multiple times in my recent job search.

Really? What industry are you in? Are you a recent grad?

I've just never had my transcripts requested

 

[quaere]

Just because you didn't sign a transcript authorization form, doesn't mean you didn't authorize the release of your transcripts.

Companies can hide it in their background check paperwork. So if you signed on that line without reading all the fine print the company could have a perpetual right to get your transcript.

 

[MrToughPants]

from inside phone sales to flatbed truck driving. A bigger contrast out there I'd like to see.

Refinery worker at a mine > part-time substitute teacher

 

[Bit-Bit]

Life sucks. Especially when you're unemployed.

 

[GatorBait]

I'm in the most frustrating position ever right now.

Had a few in-person interviews with what I would characterize as pretty close to my ideal position at the ideal company. They like my resume, interviews went great and it feels like they do really want me for the job, but they seem concerned that I may be slightly overqualified for the position and that I'll bolt from their company the first chance that a more attractive/higher salary offer presents itself. They really need someone who is committed to stay in the position with their department for at least ~2-3 years.

Their perception couldn't be further from the truth. I'm happy with the salary range they quoted me for the position, I think the position is perfect for my education/experience, I think I would really enjoy the work, and I see both the company and their department as places where I could have a very long-term career. I have told them all of this multiple times, and I even had an interview with upper management that basically centered around alleviating their concern with this "issue". I put "issue" in quotes because it is only an issue in their mind since their perception does not coincide with the reality of my career aspirations.

I talk to HR on Monday, it basically sounds like I have the job and she is going to check into scheduling me for a drug test. I call on Tuesday afternoon to follow-up and see if they would still like to schedule for a drug test, and I get a reply that they are going to hold off for now, that "it's not a no" for my being considered for the position, but that the managers are back to being worried about my long-term commitment to the position.

I have no idea what to do right. I basically feel like begging on my hands and knees for the job, or slapping them in the face and telling them to stop being stupid and passing up what they think is an excellent candidate for an issue that exists only in their minds. What else can I do to get it in their head that THIS IS THE JOB I WANT AT THE COMPANY I WANT?

 

[Guts Of Thor]

I graduated from college in May and have not found a job since. I have applied everywhere! Fast food joints, retail, warehouse work and nothing. I'm considering going into the National Guard or maybe even the Marines(although I think I'm too old). I'm at a breaking point right now.

 

[Rubenov]

Gatorbait don't beg, slap them on the face (figuratively of course) for being stupid!

 

[HiResDes]

I graduated from college in May and have not found a job since. I have applied everywhere! Fast food joints, retail, warehouse work and nothing. I'm considering going into the National Guard or maybe even the Marines(although I think I'm too old). I'm at a breaking point right now.

OMG! I'm in the same situation. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Xavier, and now I'm pretty much one step away from being homeless. I'm currently trying my hand in stand up comedy because I don't have any other options really :lol

 

[Slavik81]

I'm in the most frustrating position ever right now.

Had a few in-person interviews with what I would characterize as pretty close to my ideal position at the ideal company. They like my resume, interviews went great and it feels like they do really want me for the job, but they seem concerned that I may be slightly overqualified for the position and that I'll bolt from their company the first chance that a more attractive/higher salary offer presents itself. They really need someone who is committed to stay in the position with their department for at least ~2-3 years.

Their perception couldn't be further from the truth. I'm happy with the salary range they quoted me for the position, I think the position is perfect for my education/experience, I think I would really enjoy the work, and I see both the company and their department as places where I could have a very long-term career. I have told them all of this multiple times, and I even had an interview with upper management that basically centered around alleviating their concern with this "issue". I put "issue" in quotes because it is only an issue in their mind since their perception does not coincide with the reality of my career aspirations.

I talk to HR on Monday, it basically sounds like I have the job and she is going to check into scheduling me for a drug test. I call on Tuesday afternoon to follow-up and see if they would still like to schedule for a drug test, and I get a reply that they are going to hold off for now, that "it's not a no" for my being considered for the position, but that the managers are back to being worried about my long-term commitment to the position.

I have no idea what to do right. I basically feel like begging on my hands and knees for the job, or slapping them in the face and telling them to stop being stupid and passing up what they think is an excellent candidate for an issue that exists only in their minds. What else can I do to get it in their head that THIS IS THE JOB I WANT AT THE COMPANY I WANT?

That sounds like internal politics. If I had to guess, somebody wants to hire you, and somebody doesn't. Pray.

 

[Kritz]

I've been unemployed for almost a week now.

FUCKIN LOVING IT oh god no responsibilities I wish I could live like this forever.

Come march... back into the grind.

 

[B.K.]

I graduated from college in May and have not found a job since.

I graduated last August and I haven't had a single interview. I'm about to just give up hope.

 

[Archaix]

Just got fired today. Job was changing, and was given a single day's notice that my position and schedule would be different. I wasn't thrilled about this and did a poor job hiding it. So, merry fucking christmas.

 

[CrankyJay]

Just got fired today. Job was changing, and was given a single day's notice that my position and schedule would be different. I wasn't thrilled about this and did a poor job hiding it. So, merry fucking christmas.

Did you knock over a magazine rack?

 

[MPW]

contract ended for my seasonal retail job

unemployed once again ...

 

[CFMOORE!]

OMG! I'm in the same situation. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Xavier, and now I'm pretty much one step away from being homeless. I'm currently trying my hand in stand up comedy because I don't have any other options really :lol

at least you guys are willing to try anything. i'm still currently employed (thankfully) but when my ex and I were together, she was so adamant about not wanting to do certain jobs. a girl with no education, no experience and she just figured she could find something she'd like right off the bat. delusional idiot.

Good luck to you guys!

 

[Ivan A Nguyen]

It's a new year and temp jobs should be over in the retail industry, I'm looking for a new count of the Unemployed or Success stories of finding employment.

Shout out to all the 99 week people who totally exhausted their government checks.

 

[Scrow]

i've been unemployed since mid-May 2010. but i was back packing in europe for 5 months. when i got back at the end of the year i was unemployed leading up to christmas, but then started a new job at the start of 2011. that job ends on thursday (5 days from now).... so i will be unemployed again soon. not looking forward to it, but that's what centerlink is for

 

[Meier]

I had a really nice job that paid fairly well and was stable but my girlfriend was unemployed and miserable in Chicago so we decided to move and start over. She was still able to receive unemployment but since I voluntarily left my job I was not.

I started looking for work around mid December without much luck. Was brought to a hiring seminar by the Apple store and made it to the next stage but no luck unfortunately. I'd like to think it was due to the fact I've never worked in a retail environment.

Kept applying to local/state agencies mostly including UT. Didn't have luck but applied to be a UTemp which is a temp service for UT and the interview went well and I ended up getting placed that day (yesterday) for 3-4 week assignment. Actually started after lunch yesterday even.

The job I had in Chicago was for 3+ years after getting placed there by a staffing agency. I would definitely recommend temping to anyone.

My girlfriend is still unemployed although she has been searching diligently since July. She is interviewing this morning to be in the UTemp pool as well so hopefully she has the same luck.

 

[Ivan A Nguyen]

The current job I have is from being placed by a Temp firm I had been trying to get a job out of for 2 years. They handle the contract for the Game stop corporate call center. Each year when they ramped up for Christmas, I would apply online. I got the run around both times and I was days away from calling my contact up and burning that bridge via an angry tirade when I was offered the job I currently have.

I was still working at a different place at the time (see: warehouse of death) so I was not destitute, but the pay was higher and the interview was on my day off so I took a chance. I couldn't be happier with my new job as a corporate henchmen at my new job (not Game Stop). I went from temp to perm just in time to get holiday pay for Christmas and New Years.

Edit: Tl;Dr
Temp agencies are a great help to job placement.

 

[Shotgun Kiss]

I was unemployed for about six months until a couple of weeks ago. I got a part-time job working at a DVD rental store. It's minimum wage, and the hours are absolute shit, but I guess it's something while I look for full-time work elsewhere.

I'd be ecstatic if I could find a job in an office, like as an office junior or something. I just want to save up enough money to get rid of my debt (just a student loan for a single semester; I'd be able to - and prefer to - pay it off really quickly with a full-time job), get out of my parents place, and preferably find work abroad on placement or something. Like working on a farm or in hospitality or something.

I went to an agency recently, and I was told that due to the recession, they no longer take you on if you have no experience in office work already, as businesses are using agencies less, so they can't justify promoting inexperienced people. What makes this even worse is seeing how well a friend has done for himself after using that same agency. He went to them about a year and a half ago with no office experience, almost instantly landed an office junior role at an office for a car manufacturer, and he's already been promoted and has done really well for himself. I'd kill to have a job like that.

The thought of spending too much of my life in retail puts me into a serious depression. I'm praying for a lucky break, because right now I'm just depressed pretty much all the time, and sometimes find myself wondering if everything is even worth it.

Shit, I remember posting this like it was yesterday. I've been working for a few months now, but only as a regular sales assistant in a games store (a job I used to have in the past). However, on Monday, I start working at a games developer as a Player Support Representative for an MMORPG (I don't want to name either, as that might cause problems. Maybe not, but I don't want to chance it). I'll basically be a moderator/Game Master/whatever you want to call it. I have to look into reports of inappropriate behaviour, hand out bans, investigate hacked accounts, provide general assistance to players, etc. I seriously lucked out, as it currently looks like it could be the best thing to ever happen to me.

I apologise if it seems like I'm bragging, but that's not my intention. I'm posting this to point out that if you hang in there, you never know when life might throw you a bone. Although I definitely wouldn't go so far as to say I was actually considering doing it, little more than half a year ago, the subject crossed my mind more than once. Yet I managed to get really lucky and land a really sweet job.

Keep at it, and don't be afraid to apply for jobs that you think are out of your league. An extremely well-written cover letter and resume/CV can do you absolute wonders, sometimes moreso than actual experience.

 

[dskillzhtown]

The current job I have is from being placed by a Temp firm I had been trying to get a job out of for 2 years. They handle the contract for the Game stop corporate call center. Each year when they ramped up for Christmas, I would apply online. I got the run around both times and I was days away from calling my contact up and burning that bridge via an angry tirade when I was offered the job I currently have.

I was still working at a different place at the time (see: warehouse of death) so I was not destitute, but the pay was higher and the interview was on my day off so I took a chance. I couldn't be happier with my new job as a corporate henchmen at my new job (not Game Stop). I went from temp to perm just in time to get holiday pay for Christmas and New Years.

Edit: Tl;Dr
Temp agencies are a great help to job placement.

Alot of people don't consider temp agencies, but the past 3 jobs I got, I started as a temp. It is a good way to get into a company and show what you can do. Your work as a temp speaks louder than any resume ever could.