Cosmic Bus
pristine morning snow
Stalfos said:
Three different browsers (current and older versions of each), two different laptops, turned pop-up blockers and Adblock off, even forwarded the email to a friend and had him check the link. No dice.
anyone else unemployed?
- Thread starter MPW
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Three different browsers (current and older versions of each), two different laptops, turned pop-up blockers and Adblock off, even forwarded the email to a friend and had him check the link. No dice.
Graduating from college in two weeks, no real job lined up. I'm going to be applying for graduate school for next year, so I don't really have to find a long time job... just something to make a little bit of money.
Going to shoot for substitute teaching. My mom works in the school system and knows the person in charge of hiring subs.
Going to shoot for substitute teaching. My mom works in the school system and knows the person in charge of hiring subs.
I am graduating in ~3 weeks and managed to get no fucking offers anywhere, lol.
-The pathetic theme was that I had to much "non-relevant," but professional experience since I started working very very young and had some great success before I left.
So I am just starting my own company, have financing and contracts lined up already and senioritis has kicked in big time, since technically I am considered the best student in my major at my school but it did jack-shit for me.
-The pathetic theme was that I had to much "non-relevant," but professional experience since I started working very very young and had some great success before I left.
So I am just starting my own company, have financing and contracts lined up already and senioritis has kicked in big time, since technically I am considered the best student in my major at my school but it did jack-shit for me.
Unemployed since dec 31 2009 (awesome Christmas present from my previous employer) Suicide-y everyday, but thanks to my loving girlfriend whom I live with, I deal with it. No job leads, dead end interviews, and about a 1:120 call back ratio to all the applications I send out. Temp agencies are NO HELP; registered with 5 of them, have yet to receive a single phone call for a job. Awesome. I mean, not one Customer Service rep or Admin Asst or General office position that is right for me at all? Really?!
I feel like a fucking bum. Everyday I force myself to wake up with my gf so I can feel productive by making her breakfast and lunch for work, hit the gym for about 2 hours for no reason because I still look like shit, then job search for a few hours while fighting back rage because there is nothing new on the dozens of place I look.
This goes on Mon-Fri.
I'm totally lost about what else to do...College degree amounted to nothing but debt I cannot pay back, depression doesn't go away, I literally have no friends, no outlet for anything...i do play video games, but I feel like a bum while I do because I should be working instead.
Fuck this, I'm moving to Canada.
I feel like a fucking bum. Everyday I force myself to wake up with my gf so I can feel productive by making her breakfast and lunch for work, hit the gym for about 2 hours for no reason because I still look like shit, then job search for a few hours while fighting back rage because there is nothing new on the dozens of place I look.
This goes on Mon-Fri.
I'm totally lost about what else to do...College degree amounted to nothing but debt I cannot pay back, depression doesn't go away, I literally have no friends, no outlet for anything...i do play video games, but I feel like a bum while I do because I should be working instead.
Fuck this, I'm moving to Canada.
Dizzle24 said:
I'm in a somewhat similar situation, I graduated with a Master's degree last May in Mechanical Engineering and have yet to find a job. I think a lot of it has to do with the area I moved to, it has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, but I'm here since my wife is in med school here. I've had some call backs and a few interviews but nothing has worked out so far. It gets really depressing and makes me feel like my Master's education was a waste of time and money. I don't qualify for unemployment since I wasn't laid off from anywhere before this so we are just living off her student loans.
I feel like there are lots of things that I could have been doing during this time like taking some fun community college classes or even volunteering. However, I've been afraid of committing to other activities since I'm always hoping that I'll be working soon and I've also been looking for work in some other cities so there is always the chance I'll have to move away to work.
While I do have my wife with me it gets quite lonely since I don't have any friends in this area. I'm always just hanging around the apartment since I don't want to spend money driving around to do other things.
TOM f'N CRUISE
Member
yeah, going to go and apply at FedEx tomorrow. heard they need alot of help for the twilight hours
LordAzrael
Banned
Unemployment as a whole seems somewhat bizarre to me. I know I am a good worker, I have a degree, I know how to interact with people, but, barring the possibility I live in a shitty area, I am unable to find a job.
Whoo, capitalism...
Whoo, capitalism...
MWS Natural
Member
Keep your heads up guys. Make sure you go over your resume and make sure it looks really good and professional. I have had good luck getting jobs through Craiglist in the past. Wish you all the best.
coldvein said:
Lower Westchester County, New York.
I search in the Bronx, White Plains, etc, but nothing for me apparently.
I've been on my laptop already for over 2 hours today and only found 1 decent job to apply to...
Good luck to everyone else having trouble. I hope it gets better for us soon.
The Interrobanger
Member
I'm willing to refer anyone who has experience with design, development, project management or marketing/advertising consulting experience for a job in Toronto. My interactive agency is hiring.
We have some pretty massive accounts and are growing like crazy. We also have offices in several countries (Canada, US, a bunch in Europe, India, Australia).
We have some pretty massive accounts and are growing like crazy. We also have offices in several countries (Canada, US, a bunch in Europe, India, Australia).
Kuro Madoushi
Unconfirmed Member
Wow ay some stories here. I still partly blame HR 'professionals' and their prejudices against people who aren't already working.
There was one thread that really pissed me off reading about some of their practices.
People laid off were the worst employees. People who didn't have jobs now were lazy.
HR focused more on interviewing people already working.
Those really desperate can always go teach english overseas. Again, I spent two years in korea and saved up around 18k.
There was one thread that really pissed me off reading about some of their practices.
People laid off were the worst employees. People who didn't have jobs now were lazy.
HR focused more on interviewing people already working.
Those really desperate can always go teach english overseas. Again, I spent two years in korea and saved up around 18k.
Suburban_Nooblet
Banned
Uchip said:
Explain please?
boomerisgod
Member
Dizzle24 said:
Do you speak spanish by any chance? I know some places in the Bronx that are hiring.
captmcblack
Member
If people on GAF make hiring decisions or know people that do, we should network and help each other out.
Just saying...
Just saying...
Manmademan
Member
Mr. E. Yis said:
funny you should say this, since it's been proven that women find men who are already with someone MORE desirable than single men, all things being equal.
The same reasoning with employers also applies. If you don't have a job/girlfriend the first thought is "why not? what's wrong with him" rather than "what does this person have that that other girl/other company obviously likes."
not entirely rational, but there it is. Blame women.
Kuro Madoushi
Unconfirmed Member
oh laughy icon how I miss thee...Manmademan said:
I also want to recommend having a professional at your college/uni or a hiring centre have a good once over with your resumes. I recall one Gaffer posting how it was a little embarassing being talked up so much, but it worked!
Unemployed here!
Was fun at first, it was the first long vacation I had in over 10 years, but when the savings run out, it is a real bitch.
Those of you that have family that help you out, be thankful. My mother suggested that I apply for McDs. I won't be speaking to her any time soon for that insult.
Don't let people blame you for being unemployed because that's all they'll do. They will come up with any reason/excuse for why you aren't working yet. They try to give you all this advice, not knowing what the fuck they're talking about. Defend yourself from these people. You lost your job, not your brains, and you have no control over the fake job listings posted up by companies that have to appear alive and well.
Try a recruitment service. Most are bad, but there are some good ones. I just found one, and I think I will be employed soon. If not, at least it's summer and the sidewalks are getting warm.
This is from someone who a year ago, was making well over a 6 figure salary. Now according to employers, I am not worthy of entry level.
It'll make you stronger, it also makes you a better decision maker. and more sustainable in the long run.
Last, fight the depression. It will show in your attitude, and in your demeanor, and it will not help you in an interview. It might be likely that you prevent yourself from landing a job that you were completely qualified for. Like I said a good recruiter will help you and point out your flaws without begrudging you. They understand the situation, and can give you perspective that you can't possibly have after what you've been through.
Was fun at first, it was the first long vacation I had in over 10 years, but when the savings run out, it is a real bitch.
Those of you that have family that help you out, be thankful. My mother suggested that I apply for McDs. I won't be speaking to her any time soon for that insult.
Don't let people blame you for being unemployed because that's all they'll do. They will come up with any reason/excuse for why you aren't working yet. They try to give you all this advice, not knowing what the fuck they're talking about. Defend yourself from these people. You lost your job, not your brains, and you have no control over the fake job listings posted up by companies that have to appear alive and well.
Try a recruitment service. Most are bad, but there are some good ones. I just found one, and I think I will be employed soon. If not, at least it's summer and the sidewalks are getting warm.
This is from someone who a year ago, was making well over a 6 figure salary. Now according to employers, I am not worthy of entry level.
It'll make you stronger, it also makes you a better decision maker. and more sustainable in the long run.
Last, fight the depression. It will show in your attitude, and in your demeanor, and it will not help you in an interview. It might be likely that you prevent yourself from landing a job that you were completely qualified for. Like I said a good recruiter will help you and point out your flaws without begrudging you. They understand the situation, and can give you perspective that you can't possibly have after what you've been through.
Kuro Madoushi said:
This a problem for many people, and I'm sure Gaffers. There is NO place for modesty on a resume. If you were designing a sheet to sell a product, would you be modest about it's benefits? If you were advertising a new album or game, would you call it just OK?
Everyone has a skill, identify yours and explain why you're good at it. Did you increase sales 400% at your last job? Did you root out inefficiencies on an assembly line and save your company money? Did you work on something that won an award? Do you make the best dammed latte designs out there? Are you so friendly that you make customer want to come back to your store?
If I'm in business, i'm in business to make money. Company's buy assets in order to create cashflow and make money. People are assets. Therefore when I look to hire people, I look for people who are going to MAKE ME MONEY. How are you going to make me money? Notice that the skills I mentioned all somehow translate into cash generation for the company. That is how you get hired, and your resume in this respect is EXTREMELY important.
captmcblack
Member
thespot84 said:
How do you quantify those things you do?
Like let's say I worked as a collections guy or something. I want to say that through some tool I created to speed up collections time quickly and accurately, I was able to lower the company's bad debt to 4% outstanding. How can I prove that, though? You figure a recruiter/HR guy will ask about that...
captmcblack said:
Is it true? if it is write it down you'v got nothing to worry about, though I would prepare an answer to a "tell me more about X..." type question.
The employer can call your previous place of work to confirm things you say (that's about it though, anything else will land you in hot water, since no one wants to get sued for defamation).
Most of what you said is pretty good resume fodder:
-Designed and implemented tool to speed up and verify collections, reducing bad debt by XX%
(the only reason I say this is you probably don't want to list sensitive company info on your resume, so instead talk in relatives, not absolutes, it's still impressive)
I will be unemployed from 1st of May. Had a contract for 6 months, worked well, had no problems whatsoever with coworkers.
But some stupid ideas from management brought company into red numbers and I had to go, due to contract for certain time period - so management did not extend it.
It sucks, but i will manage somehow.
But some stupid ideas from management brought company into red numbers and I had to go, due to contract for certain time period - so management did not extend it.
It sucks, but i will manage somehow.
One situation where you may be modest is when you are applying for a job that is lower than your qualifications, and that might intimidate some. Example, you've been a manager, applying for a lower entry level, the manager may not want to hire you. I have had to revise (delete) some stuff of my resume for that exact reason... suggested by my recruiter.thespot84 said:
J-Roderton
Member
I've been rejected after applying at Lowes. How the fuck does that happen?
J-Roderton
Member
thespot84 said:
Yes. It was one of those online assessments where you answer many questions about situations and you answer with disagree, slightly agree, etc. Manager told me I failed the assessment and couldn't be hired. I thought interview went fine previously though. I've never had a job in the past that even remotely made decisions based on the assessments. Oh well. Guess those things are more important than I thought.
And I'd say I have enough "retail" experience to help load peoples cars for them, with stuff they bought from the garden outdoor section of Lowes.
captmcblack
Member
thespot84 said:
Yeah, I figured so much.
I avoid putting things outside of the specific things I did at a job on my resume, like:
- produced analytical reports for senior and C-level management
- maintained global database of sales and finance data for over 6,000 clients
Or similar things to that. If I made some sort of documentation/best practices tool that I can actually physically show and prove with, I show it in the interview instead as necessary.
I know some of the stuff I've made for places I've worked at increased our profit and cut back on bad/outstanding debt, but since I could never quantify exactly how much, I've always avoided referencing things like that on my resume.
So here's another question - how much lying is too much lying on a resume?
I mean, there's things like stretching dates out - like if you started a job on 2/27/2006 and ended on 5/28/2008, you could say the job was from 2/2006 - 6/2008. There's also lying about credentials or jobs you held. It's obviously stupid to mention positions you never actually had (even at places you legitimately worked at), and stupid to say you have a degree in astrophysics when you never even got a GED...but could you get away with saying you were a graduate of a school you were currently enrolled in, as long as you didn't need a transcript for the job application? Precisely how much info comes out when they check you out?
Nizz
Member
Dizzle24 said:
Similar situation here basically with me, except no girlfriend right now. Me and my brother are living at home. But my brother's working. I've been out of work at least two and a half years. I know exactly how you feel about feeling like a bum. I also have literally no friends here where I moved to in Florida.
All my friends are back in Jersey. I have some family down here but they live at least two hours away. I try to go out when absolutely necessary. Like the supermarket or stores if I need something. And without work you can't pay to go to the movies or restaurants like I would like to.
It gets discouraging when you send out resumes with no call backs, no response besides the automated "thank you for showing interest in the position..." type e-mails.
I'm in my late 30's too and seeing how people I know around my age have a steady job, wife, kids. I start thinking to myself what the hell am I doing with my life? We have to hold tight though, one day things will change for the better.
captmcblack said:
I suppose it comes down to a personal tolerance for it. If you ask me ANY lying is too much lying, however some things I wouldn't consider lying.
For instance, saying you graduated when you didn't IS lying, I wouldn't do that. Say "pursuing X degree" or something.
On the other hand writing down "2/2006-6/2008" isn't lying, that's formatting in my book.
You put yourself at a lot of risk when you mess with specifics like where you worked, positions you held, degrees you have/don't have etc. The only place where there's wiggle room to be "poetic" is when you describe what you did at your job. It is truly an art to make each task or responsibility you had on your resume sound more important than it is without mis-stating facts....
J-Roderton
Member
And I'm not working only based on the fact that my job is mostly seasonal. I teach snowboarding and can't do that during spring and summer of course so annually I'm trying to grab a job. Such a pain. So now I'm basically just cutting grass at a small graveyard for $80 a pop 3 times a month. That's not going to pay for gas and Bonnaroo or rent for that matter.
When I used to interview people, I could spot lies, and I didn't like it. I don't want to work with someone I don't trust. I think it's better to show confidence in what you can do, and admit the things you could be better at/ the things you wish you had done/things you want to learn at this job.
When you're sitting across the table eye to eye, with your resume in the center, telling them about yourself, what happens when you get to the fake lines in your resume? It's easy to see through people when they get to the spots they aren't confident talking about, and it sends red flags.
When you're sitting across the table eye to eye, with your resume in the center, telling them about yourself, what happens when you get to the fake lines in your resume? It's easy to see through people when they get to the spots they aren't confident talking about, and it sends red flags.
J-Roderton
Member
Not a huge resort or anything. It's in WV.
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