sazabirules
Unconfirmed Member
One hundred jobs doesn't seem like a lot to apply for in that span of time.
anyone else unemployed?
- Thread starter MPW
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One hundred jobs doesn't seem like a lot to apply for in that span of time.
starchild excalibur
Member
What job boards are people using? I'm trying to pursue something in film & video and despite knowing how fickle this industry is I still use job boards as a sort of "just in case." For me, I use:
For Film:
LA411
EntertainmentCareers.net
Mandy
Occasionally LinkedIn
For General:
SimplyHired
Indeed
I've only gotten one interview (for a general position) and that wasn't through any of the job boards - just through looking up a company's website directly and browsing their available positions. I'm currently waiting to hear back their decision.
For Film:
LA411
EntertainmentCareers.net
Mandy
Occasionally LinkedIn
For General:
SimplyHired
Indeed
I've only gotten one interview (for a general position) and that wasn't through any of the job boards - just through looking up a company's website directly and browsing their available positions. I'm currently waiting to hear back their decision.
Well, I may be getting back into the arena of looking for work. My situation is actually a bit different than some of you guys, here. The only type of work experience I've had so far is volunteer writing. A lot of personal matters have arisen last year that have made the intention of looking for work to be postponed, mainly due to the circumstance of me and my parents moving. It's finally come into place that within the next three weeks we will be moving to the East Stroudsburg area (currently in Brooklyn, so they area we're moving to is filled with more trees than people), and I for one am ready to get the ball rolling with work. The issue I feel I'm going to have is two fold: first, like I said already, and as I may have said before here, I lack work experience. Most of my time has been in college, and I feel I wasted four fucking years doing computer stuff whereas now I want to be more of a cognitive therapist, or a social worker, and that now has to wait until the fall due to moving being an issue with that now, too. I want to be in a position to help, but the issue I find is when it comes to looking for work that many of the jobs I see when I search online don't seem applicable to what I want to do, like at all. I can't live with myself working at some retail chain doing inventory. My mother in law lost her battle to cancer last week, and it's given me the fire to attempt to live my life on my own terms. I feel tomorrow is not promised to me, or anyone on this planet, so I wish to live today as if it were my last, and that means I want to put my labor into helping others for the sake of others, with money not being the reason. Sure, money would be nice, but right now I have no expenses to speak of, which helps. 
What I wanted to ask was, considering my situation, and considering what I wish to do, how possible is it for me to get some type of work applicable to helping people? Volunteer work is fine too, as I said I'm not in a position to need money right now. I fear that what I want to do will have some stupid barrier of _ years of experience, or some other prerequisite I currently lack, which only makes me feel sad that I'm wasting even more fucking time not doing what I want, and a fear that I'll never be able to do what I want. And if the latter is what my life will be, I quite frankly don't wish to live. It's that important to me.
What I wanted to ask was, considering my situation, and considering what I wish to do, how possible is it for me to get some type of work applicable to helping people? Volunteer work is fine too, as I said I'm not in a position to need money right now. I fear that what I want to do will have some stupid barrier of _ years of experience, or some other prerequisite I currently lack, which only makes me feel sad that I'm wasting even more fucking time not doing what I want, and a fear that I'll never be able to do what I want. And if the latter is what my life will be, I quite frankly don't wish to live. It's that important to me.
CyclopsRock
Member
I've been working in animation for about 4 or 5 years now. All of my freelance and permanent work has come through people I know or met in real life. My first "real" job was from a guy who was hiring that I met at a user group for some software. My current job was thanks to a recommendation a guy I worked with at my first place gave to the head guy here. All my freelance is from people I know through university networking. My advice would be to get out there, physically, and meet people. I don't know where you live - I'm lucky to live in London, we have a huge industry for animation and film - but see if you can find any local groups for either the art or specific software. They usually take places in halls or pubs. They're a fantastic place to meet people. Also, large events - again, I don't know where you live, but I've been to 3 or 4 large European animation festivals, and I'm going to another in America this November coming. Nothing beats meeting someone over a beer, shooting them an email when you get home, keeping in contact and sending your reel to them when you're ready.
It is indeed a fickle industry, and - in my experience - 95% of the jobs that get taken never make it online onto a jobs site or board, or even a recruiter's desk. The number of times my current boss has walked in and asked us if we know a freelancer that does X, or a supplier that provides Y. It's all about who ya know, baby.
megarockexe
Member
So basically I'll never find work, constantly fighting for the 5%. Yup, that sounds about right.
It really depends on the industry you work in. Not every industry is like that. The job I've had for over 2 years I applied for mostly as a joke not expecting to get it, and then next thing I knew I was hired and they gave me a higher position than I had applied for. Companies in my industry are devouring people left and right, even going so far as to try and steal people from each other via LinkedIn.
Just gotta be lucky, I guess.
velociraptor
Junior Member
I am not formally employed. I work part-time as a tutor but since graduating in October, I haven't managed to land a single job. I've made consistent job applications week by week. To say it's annoying is a grave understatement. Blah.
This is why I applied to medical school. Get the medical degree, and become a doctor for life. No need to ever hassle around with 'jobs' and 'schemes'. As a backup, I've applied to a number of graduate schemes, but honestly, the process seems so hopeless. I just hope I get a place this year, otherwise, not sure what the hell my future awaits.
It's unbelievable that even 'low level jobs' have rejected me despite my degree, strong academic background, extra cirricular and 'some' work experience.
This is why I applied to medical school. Get the medical degree, and become a doctor for life. No need to ever hassle around with 'jobs' and 'schemes'. As a backup, I've applied to a number of graduate schemes, but honestly, the process seems so hopeless. I just hope I get a place this year, otherwise, not sure what the hell my future awaits.
It's unbelievable that even 'low level jobs' have rejected me despite my degree, strong academic background, extra cirricular and 'some' work experience.
I had my fourth interview at Target today and its for a grocery stocking position. Why 4 interviews, I have no idea. But the lady told me she has to go through a couple other candidates and let me know by Friday with whats up. Her tone sounded like I didn't get the job. Very frustrating.
stufte
Member
4 interviews? Jeebus. That's just unnecessary for a position like that. If you can't figure out if the person you are interviewing is right for the job in the first, MAYBE second interview, you're not doing your job well.
Devil Theory
Member
Why on earth would Target need 4 interviews? That's super excessive considering the position.
I've had mid-level Management interviews with wireless carriers that never exceeded three, and that was only with many other applicants.
Stay positive though.
It is ridiculous to have 4 interviews so far and not get a answer if they are gonna hire me or not. I have 10 years experience working in a supermarktet doing the position they are hiring for. I just hate getting tugged around like this (especially its not a managerial position which I also have exp. in) but if I here nothing back by end of the week, fuck'em, seriously.
I do agree that 4 interviews for a low level, low paying position like that is fairly dumb. Whomever is doing the hiring needs to suck less.
On the bright side, at least you haven't been rejected (yet?). Getting an immediate no can be just as crappy. At least you know you were a close candidate for the position even if you don't get the job.
Yea, when she something similar like that, I kinda knew that I didn't get position. Heard that line before in other interviews before. So we'll see on Friday if I got it or not. If not, heading straight to the staffing agency.
I hope you do good man, it's hard out here.
I'm looking myself, it seems' like everything is steering me to the military.
stufte
Member
Having a job and staying motivated and productive help with depression, tbh.
I did the military for 6 years. If you join, for the love of god, get yourself an office job. Don't go into maintenance or be a ground pounder. One of the guys I was friends with at my first base did photography for the base newspaper. That was his job. It was so fucking easy. While he was out taking picture, eating at the good chow hall and living in AC, I was stuffed upside down in the back of a jet engine sweating my ass off trying to install a spray ring.
Baaaaad choice on my part.
Devil Theory
Member
I'd be wary of this line of thinking, I went through a grueling three month interview process with a company that I studied for relentlessly, and HR told me that exact thing several times to the point of me not even wanting the position anymore; only for them to call me months later and give me an offer much higher than I anticipated.
Some companies do this to see if you're really dedicated to working for them or if you follow up regularly.
Obviously, not all companies will go to this extent, but in this kind of economy it's their market, and they can take their time and afford to be picky.
Sounds more like they may have hired someone else in the meantime, and then that didn't work out.
CyclopsRock
Member
Well, become part of the 95%. In my experience, very little of it is "giving work to my buddies" - though the people that get the work may be someone's buddy. But if I'm at work, and I get asked who is good, I'm gonna recommend people that a) I personally get on with, because no one wants to work with arseholes and b) that I know are good, so my life is easier and I don't look like an idiot. So no one is born into these groups. I certainly wasn't - all the people I know, I met through going out to meetings and groups, and recommendations that went on from there. Once you get a circle and a good reputation, it just grows and grows on its own.
Devil Theory
Member
Probable, but not likely; I knew the manager directly and he kept me updated with the progress. Anecdotal, but something to keep in mind with any company.
This is what I have tried to make. The networking & referrals sub-forum is supposed to be what you're looking for; it, along with the resume & cover letter revision sub-forum, is behind a meager $2 pay-wall (not monthly--$2 for all time). Wouldn't recommend joining though since no one else has, lol--I suppose it's only as useful as the number of employed people frequenting the forum.
cryptic said:
I agree that the line sounds disheartening, but it's no death sentence--I got my current position a few weeks after hearing that same line.
Jason's Ultimatum
Member
Five years, moved up, and only makes 25k? Where do you live? Seems very little.
I think I'm going to apply for Capitol Hill Police in D.C.. I'm just worried about wasting a lot of money on flying to go through the application process if I don't get the job (I live in FL). The only part about the job I may not like is being outdoors in the winter and summer seasons.
I've also thought about Border Patrol, but the idea of living in some shithole on the southwest border depresses me. San Diego may not be bad, but areas in Texas and AZ are just worse than FL, and I HATE FL.
The Horror the horror
Banned
What's with some of these online job applications? They ask for you to upload your resume, then ask again to fill out an entire application all over again.
And those fucking personality tests that ask the same question like 5 times. Online applications are the worst.
fudgey_lumpkins
Member
They want you to fill one out so they can auto sort you. Then if you make it, someone will read the uploaded one.
Have you thought of joining the military?
JODOROWSKY51
Member
Been trying to find a job since university, which I finished in 2011!! Wow...so long ago...
Lifes tough...but the challenge is fun.
Anyway, good luck to you guys.
Lifes tough...but the challenge is fun.
Anyway, good luck to you guys.
Totally been there dude, don't lose hope or a sense of what you have now - unstructured time to yourself. It's difficult but learn to value and enjoy your time off to yourself and you will begin to introduce your own structure to practice whatever skills you have.
Now that you have the time, go out walking or read those free books from the library. Not having work can destroy your confidence because without money you have no security.
Those are awful. Thankfully, there are many sites out there that give advice on how to correctly respond to those tests.
Here's a good one. I had a Skype interview today. It's clear they want to whittle down the field. Oh, but they forgot to mention on the help wanted ad: The job isn't full-time, but rather contract work for six months.
You'd think by now after all this time I'd be very accustomed to this sort of thing, but still, when you put a ton of effort into a prospect and the job feels like such an amazingly good fit and receive a lot of seemingly genuine positive feedback during the entire process, and then you're left hanging, that really bums me out. I know I'm supposed to be proud of the effort I put in (and again, in this case I can say with pretty much near certainty I put in all the effort I could and more), but still, some nice results would be welcome for once.
Alright, I haven't gotten the exact final word I'm out, but I've been here plenty of times before to know the signs. Especially when they say they'll get back to you at some point, by the end of the week per se, and not a peep is heard. In my previous experiences, that has meant its likely that some other candidate popped up at the last minute who just happened to be Exactly what they wanted, and they got the offer first (but too late in the week for HR to respond to the others). While that might not be the case, that said, the longer it takes to hear back, the likelihood of success diminishes exponentially. I'm not sure Monday being a holiday helps.
It'd be nice to think it may still turn out. But I've been prepping myself for the usual. Not that I've stopped applying during this time, of course. But this may very well be as close as I've come this unemployment period.
Alright, I haven't gotten the exact final word I'm out, but I've been here plenty of times before to know the signs. Especially when they say they'll get back to you at some point, by the end of the week per se, and not a peep is heard. In my previous experiences, that has meant its likely that some other candidate popped up at the last minute who just happened to be Exactly what they wanted, and they got the offer first (but too late in the week for HR to respond to the others). While that might not be the case, that said, the longer it takes to hear back, the likelihood of success diminishes exponentially. I'm not sure Monday being a holiday helps.
It'd be nice to think it may still turn out. But I've been prepping myself for the usual. Not that I've stopped applying during this time, of course. But this may very well be as close as I've come this unemployment period.
VeryGooster
Banned
Has anyone part of NY-NJ GAF ever used Temporary Alternatives*? Reading pretty positive reviews on Yelp and considering speaking with them.
*I think they have offices all over the US, but this particular one is on Madison Ave.
*I think they have offices all over the US, but this particular one is on Madison Ave.
dskillzhtown
keep your strippers out of my American football
Have you contacted the recruiter or your potential manager? I have done this in the past and ended up getting the job based on my persistence.
I had heard back from the recruiter a few days ago, telling me the decision process was still ongoing but that it was down to me and another person. I had sent an e-mail to the hiring manager at the start of the week, not really asking, but talking about stuff related to the job and asking a question about the work, but never got a response. The silence I think speaks for itself (especially since they all went out of their way to encourage me to ask questions and had prior to this been pretty good about returning e-mails).
As an almost final note on it. I noticed today that the actual listing for the job itself had been removed from the place I originally found it (and it had still been up as of yesterday). Typically HR doesn't remove job postings unless they've made an offer, or they closed the position due to whatever reason. Either way, I'm pretty much finished there I think (since I sure haven't heard a peep).
After 3 years of being a part of UnemploymentGAF i FINALLY got a call i liked today.
It's only a few hours a week at first, but the boss said it'll build up to more hours over time.
I start at 5:30am tomorrow morning. At the minute my sleeping pattern is so that i am going to bed at 4:00am. It'll be a miracle if i manage this.
Thanks GAF
It's only a few hours a week at first, but the boss said it'll build up to more hours over time.
I start at 5:30am tomorrow morning. At the minute my sleeping pattern is so that i am going to bed at 4:00am. It'll be a miracle if i manage this.
Thanks GAF
Sub_Level
wants to fuck an Asian grill.
After 3 years of being a part of UnemploymentGAF i FINALLY got a call i liked today.
It's only a few hours a week at first, but the boss said it'll build up to more hours over time.
I start at 5:30am tomorrow morning. At the minute my sleeping pattern is so that i am going to bed at 4:00am. It'll be a miracle if i manage this.
Thanks GAF
God dayum 3 years. Congrats!
And yeah, you'll want to start closing up shop around 9pm now.
dskillzhtown
keep your strippers out of my American football
You could be right. Atleast at my company, the job can only be listed for so long and has to be taken down regardless if it is filled or not. The hiring manager has to go through the process of posting it again if it expires.
I am going through a similiar episode as you right now. I applied, got interviewed by 6 people for the job. The job "expired", then was posted again. I wasn't sure wtf was going on because it was made clear to me that they wanted to get the position filled ASAP. I also was told it was 3 people being seriously considered for 2 positions. Well, I emailed the manager and asked where they were in the process and it I was still being considered. Well, he indicated that I was still being considered but they had a crapload of responses and many well-qualified. Today, I waited a week and emailed him some questions about the job. Similiar to you, I haven't gotten a response, but who knows what that means, if anything. There could be an emergency at the office, they might not want to respond before they make a decision, possibly could have missed the email. Who knows.
Some companies take weeks to make a decision and get an offer prepared. Some take days. Some take hours. Try to stay positive and keep looking at other jobs. One thing I learned awhile back is to not have my heart set on one job. When looking for work, I apply at as many places as possible. When/if I get a call back, I sometimes need a refresher as to what job it is. There are usually a ton of people applying for every job these days, so it is almost luck to get hired it seems.
perfectchaos007
Member
So I'm interviewing for a bartending job tomorrow at a new bar thats opening locally soon. I have never bartended before, but I'm going to tell the interviewer that I'm planning on getting my bartenders licence very soon and Im willing to start as a bar back. My question is, do I give him a copy of my resume? That did me in last time I applied for a low wage job locally as they didn't like the fact I had a degree. I could omit the degree from my resume but then the resume void of work experience over the past 4 years becomes a tough issue to walk around and will no doubt raise some flags and I'm not about to lie about work experience on my resume. So what should I do here? I'm thinking about not giving him my resume at all unless he asks for it. If he does, then I will have to make up some bs about not being happy with my degree and the desire to work locally outside my major field.
TestMonkey
Member
Hello UnemploymentGAF. Worked at a place for 10+ years and just got downsized. Feels bad.
Hahaha, your situation is nearly identical to what I'm going through. Being told constantly through the active process how important this new position is and how they want to fill it quickly, only to be left waiting in Limbo when it comes to making a final decision. And you were right, the job posting had "expired", but they hadn't made a decision. Unfortunately I'm in the same boat where they didn't even give me a timetable or anything.
I think it's very rare for companies these days to actually get through the hiring process in good time. Nowadays, hiring managers and HR know full well that with all the people unemployed, there's a huge pool of talent that needs to be sifted through, and they're going to take their sweet time going through it so they can find the exact candidate that matches their criteria.
I wish I could say I hadn't fallen into the trap of pining all my hopes on one job, but this one was the closest I felt I came to and I put all my effort into it. Of course I didn't stop looking for other opportunities during this time, but sadly none have yet to turn into anything meaningful (ie. lots of resumes sent out, no response, as usual).
TheApatheticOne
Member
FINALLY got my first interview request in what seems like FOREVER! October to be exact : (
Want to send a "thanks for the interview request" email to confirm that the date and time is fine, just wanted to run it by GAF to see that my wording is okay and any suggestions.
---
Dear Ms. Lady thats interviewing me,
Thank you very much for replying to my application and the invitation to meet with you regarding the opening for the Rep position. I would be thrilled to join you at Job at 3:00 pm this Monday.
I look forward to discussing this exciting opportunity.
Kindest regards,
TheApatheticOne
---
Thoughts?
Want to send a "thanks for the interview request" email to confirm that the date and time is fine, just wanted to run it by GAF to see that my wording is okay and any suggestions.
---
Dear Ms. Lady thats interviewing me,
Thank you very much for replying to my application and the invitation to meet with you regarding the opening for the Rep position. I would be thrilled to join you at Job at 3:00 pm this Monday.
I look forward to discussing this exciting opportunity.
Kindest regards,
TheApatheticOne
---
Thoughts?
dskillzhtown
keep your strippers out of my American football
Vox is right. Add more detail about the jobs you had. Maybe 3 bullets for each position. As corny as they look, an objective for what you are looking for at the top of the resume helps.
\
Definitely. Send that ish. The more communication the better. Showing them your righting style, and communication style helps them form an idea about who you are.
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