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Applying for jobs is exhausting and soul-crushing

L.O.R.D

Member
is there a way or a chance for syrian guy to apply in a job in Canada/Australia or even USA?
i don't want to go as refugee,i want to go to work,many many companies are refusing me once they found that i am a syrian.
i live in saudi arabia all my life and have legit visa there,i am really in a tight situation and i feel like shit and i am a burden on my family.
i really want a chance in life.
 
is there a way or a chance for syrian guy to apply in a job in Canada/Australia or even USA?
i don't want to go as refugee,i want to go to work,many many companies are refusing me once they found that i am a syrian.
i live in saudi arabia all my life and have legit visa there,i am really in a tight situation and i feel like shit and i am a burden on my family.
i really want a chance in life.
I imagine it would be easier if you had some very specialized expertise or skills, but otherwise, it can be pretty hard to get a job in North America as a foreigner unless you're already there or have something that sets you apart. (No one wants to pay for sponsoring someone's visa if they can avoid doing so.)

Have you tried looking for jobs in places like Dubai?
 

L.O.R.D

Member
I imagine it would be easier if you had some very specialized expertise or skills, but otherwise, it can be pretty hard to get a job in North America as a foreigner unless you're already there or have something that sets you apart. (No one wants to pay for sponsoring someone's visa if they can avoid doing so.)

Have you tried looking for jobs in places like Dubai?
i am computer engineer,but never worked at that field in my previous jobs,all i done is light fixing PCs and some maintenance and help support.

for dubai,i tried,all gulf countries refused to get it inside,i laughed when an indian man interviewed me in telephone and everything was look good,but when he asked me about my nationality and told him i am syrian he immediately stopped, then told me he is sorry but i have to search somewhere else,asked him why?
then he told me that the policies in UAE and Kuwait to never hire someone with syrian nationality (there is another branch for that company in Kuwait too).

it's really funny,they fear that syrian people will take over the country while most of the UAE people are indian (no offense to any Indian here and other place).
same thing with Saudi arabia,they accept many egyptian to work,but no no on syrian.

i am thinking to get an indian nationality or malysian or thai or brazillian one,because i am really sick of the bad treatment we get in every country in the world,the only reason i am still in saudi arabia because i was born here and lived here all my life (my family also pay huge amount of money to illegal office to extends our visa)
 
i am computer engineer,but never worked at that field in my previous jobs,all i done is light fixing PCs and some maintenance and help support.

for dubai,i tried,all gulf countries refused to get it inside,i laughed when an indian man interviewed me in telephone and everything was look good,but when he asked me about my nationality and told him i am syrian he immediately stopped, then told me he is sorry but i have to search somewhere else,asked him why?
then he told me that the policies in UAE and Kuwait to never hire someone with syrian nationality (there is another branch for that company in Kuwait too).

it's really funny,they fear that syrian people will take over the country while most of the UAE people are indian (no offense to any Indian here and other place).
same thing with Saudi arabia,they accept many egyptian to work,but no no on syrian.

i am thinking to get an indian nationality or malysian or thai or brazillian one,because i am really sick of the bad treatment we get in every country in the world,the only reason i am still in saudi arabia because i was born here and lived here all my life (my family also pay huge amount of money to illegal office to extends our visa)
That really sucks, because it's not like there aren't Syrians in Dubai/Abu Dhabi. I think UAE has softened their stance on Syrians recently in terms of visas, so it's up to the companies to not be assholes. I guess all I can say is keep trying (in different countries) and not give up. :( It's all luck.

That's what's frustrating about being born in a GCC country if your parents aren't nationals of that country; zero benefits to it.
 

L.O.R.D

Member
That really sucks, because it's not like there aren't Syrians in Dubai/Abu Dhabi. I think UAE has softened their stance on Syrians recently in terms of visas, so it's up to the companies to not be assholes. I guess all I can say is keep trying (in different countries) and not give up. :( It's all luck.

That's what's frustrating about being born in a GCC country if your parents aren't nationals of that country; zero benefits to it.

in term of visa it's ok to enter,but not to work.
 

A Human Becoming

More than a Member
I've been out of the work force for three years and I don't seem to fit any of the criteria or would be any good at 99% of the jobs I've seen. For health reasons I did not utilize my time in college well and it's the reason why I haven't worked in so long.

Seems like the best I can do is janitorial work. Feeling completely incompetent and hopeless.
 
I've been out of the work force for three years and I don't seem to fit any of the criteria or would be any good at 99% of the jobs I've seen. For health reasons I did not utilize my time in college well and it's the reason why I haven't worked in so long.

Seems like the best I can do is janitorial work. Feeling completely incompetent and hopeless.

What are you looking for and what does your resume look like?
 

Makai

Member
I've been out of the work force for three years and I don't seem to fit any of the criteria or would be any good at 99% of the jobs I've seen. For health reasons I did not utilize my time in college well and it's the reason why I haven't worked in so long.

Seems like the best I can do is janitorial work. Feeling completely incompetent and hopeless.
Gotta get your degree in sanitation engineering first.
 

redlegs87

Member
I have currently been working at a call center for a phone carrier for near 6 months. The job itself is fine nothing really to complain about. However I would like to look elsewhere but am afraid they'd get a call then let me go from those checking my applications. How long should I stay at this job before applying to like retail places or other call centers?
 
I have currently been working at a call center for a phone carrier for near 6 months. The job itself is fine nothing really to complain about. However I would like to look elsewhere but am afraid they'd get a call then let me go from those checking my applications. How long should I stay at this job before applying to like retail places or other call centers?

I might be wrong, but I thought that calling an applicant's previous employer only happens after signing the offer and during the background check process.
 

nampad

Member
What is the best site to inform yourself about possible employers? I am based in Germany so something which has many results for it would be preferably.

Have used glassdoor and kununu so far. The registration bullshit gets a bit annoying. Is there anything better?

Getting hit up be recruiters but I am not sure about those positions.
 

A Human Becoming

More than a Member
What are you looking for and what does your resume look like?
I'd like it to be something tangentially related to my degree (Psychology). I found a state job today that I seem applicable for but the downside is it deals with a depressing subject (child abuse) and is known for high turnover. Well, on the positive side I want to help children and that's about the most direct way to.

Writing the Cover Letter is a challenge. I've never written one before.
 

B-Dubs

No Scrubs
I'd like it to be something tangentially related to my degree (Psychology). I found a state job today that I seem applicable for but the downside is it deals with a depressing subject (child abuse) and is known for high turnover. Well, on the positive side I want to help children and that's about the most direct way to.

Writing the Cover Letter is a challenge. I've never written one before.

Just open with your basic experience, along side an introduction, then use paragraph 2 to show how it applies to the job at hand.
 

Slo

Member
I'd like it to be something tangentially related to my degree (Psychology). I found a state job today that I seem applicable for but the downside is it deals with a depressing subject (child abuse) and is known for high turnover. Well, on the positive side I want to help children and that's about the most direct way to.

Writing the Cover Letter is a challenge. I've never written one before.

Try searching for Social Worker/Case Manager jobs.
 

Calderc

Member
Is anyone able to give me some help on my CV? I just don't feel like I put my skills/experience forward enough. I'm UK based so not sure how American CV's would differ but any help would be appreciated!
 
So I didn't get the job from the local place. Fuck fuck FUCK...

I feel like I'm going to have a breakdown. I've been without a job for over a year now...
 
So I didn't get the job from the local place. Fuck fuck FUCK...

I feel like I'm going to have a breakdown. I've been without a job for over a year now...

Sorry to hear that :(

I went through a couple years of unemployment and went through some hard times getting passed up on jobs I had my heart set on. Something will come along eventually for you if you keep trying, but it's hard to get past disappointment like that.
 

Ogodei

Member
I've been in this situation so many times before, but this time the wait to hear back is staggering. They said 3-4 weeks and it's only midway through the second week (Friday will be 2 weeks from interview day).

Fortunately the pace is picking up at work, but it's just a question of feeling like you're perpetually on the precipice.
 
Sorry to hear that :(

I went through a couple years of unemployment and went through some hard times getting passed up on jobs I had my heart set on. Something will come along eventually for you if you keep trying, but it's hard to get past disappointment like that.

What's worse, after I had the phone interview, I found out that there were a few people I've known for many years that have worked there or are still working there... so I fucked all my references then...
 

nampad

Member
Tomorrow, I will sit on the other side of the table interviewing a potential intern. Now I know why every interviewer is so badly prepared...
 

nampad

Member
Yeah, I kind of broke down crying. I really felt like breaking something so bad and lashing out at how angry I am at myself.

I have been unemployed for 1 1/2 years after graduating (with a internship in between after 1 year). Now I work for one of the biggest professional firms.
Things can get better. I know it never seems like it when you get pushed back with every job application but there is no other alternative to keep trying.
 

Gurthang

Banned
I have been unemployed for 1 1/2 years after graduating (with a internship in between after 1 year). Now I work for one of the biggest professional firms.
Things can get better. I know it never seems like it when you get pushed back with every job application but there is no other alternative to keep trying.

Is it possible to get an intern after you graduate?

I am not graduating this year because my university requires 600 hours of internship work. But I could not find any. I am so worried.
 
Is anyone able to give me some help on my CV? I just don't feel like I put my skills/experience forward enough. I'm UK based so not sure how American CV's would differ but any help would be appreciated!

Happy to take a look. What roles are you interested in? You might get some specialised feedback.
 

Makonero

Member
Just had a shitty experience yesterday. I had an interview set up where it would be video chat (I've been applying all over the US) and I was ready and on time. The interviewer was twenty minutes late, didn't give me the link to the Google Hangout and then ten minutes later asked to reschedule for four hours later. I said sure.

Four hours later, I get completely stood up. The interviewer doesn't respond to my emails. Then this morning, I get an email asking if I want to reschedule. I say, sure. I give him the times I'm available.

Haven't heard back yet.

This is a job I am more than qualified for, would be a good fit, and would pay the salary I desire, plus I get to move someplace new and unique. I have been unemployed for four months now and I'm fed up with how shitty applying for jobs is.

I just needed to vent. Ugh.
 
Just had a shitty experience yesterday. I had an interview set up where it would be video chat (I've been applying all over the US) and I was ready and on time. The interviewer was twenty minutes late, didn't give me the link to the Google Hangout and then ten minutes later asked to reschedule for four hours later. I said sure.

Four hours later, I get completely stood up. The interviewer doesn't respond to my emails. Then this morning, I get an email asking if I want to reschedule. I say, sure. I give him the times I'm available.

Haven't heard back yet.

This is a job I am more than qualified for, would be a good fit, and would pay the salary I desire, plus I get to move someplace new and unique. I have been unemployed for four months now and I'm fed up with how shitty applying for jobs is.

I just needed to vent. Ugh.

That's probably not a good place to work anyway if they can't get their shit together. An interview works both ways.
 
My friend called me yesterday drunk and in tears. He didn't do an internship in college, recently graduated, and it took him like 6 years to do so with a 2.8 GPA. I told him he isn't the only one to do so and that plenty have been in his situation that pushed forward.

I think he's going through regrets of time wasted in college. I tried to cheer him up with my stories of searching through jobs, but it proves little help with the way I had two internships in college.

I hope he gets over this funk and finds work.
 
You know what sucks about looking for an oilfield engineering job right now?

There are no jobs out there for someone with 3 years of experience. They either want college grads or 5+.

Yay.

But bright side, I got paid for 8 months this year when I only worked 3.
 

Calderc

Member
Happy to take a look. What roles are you interested in? You might get some specialised feedback.

Thanks man, can I PM you for an email address? I'm mostly looking to make my CV more all encompassing for admin related roles, every recruiter just seems to pounce on my call centre experience and put me forward for those and I badly want out of that.
 
Thanks man, can I PM you for an email address? I'm mostly looking to make my CV more all encompassing for admin related roles, every recruiter just seems to pounce on my call centre experience and put me forward for those and I badly want out of that.

Why did you put the call center experience if you don't want jobs in that field? For your resume only focus on including relevant experience.
 

Calderc

Member
Why did you put the call center experience if you don't want jobs in that field? For your resume only focus on including relevant experience.

The call centre job I had also had a lot of general admin involved as well so it makes sense to include it.

Also I have the dates of when I worked on my CV so it would just look like an employment gap.
 
Thanks man, can I PM you for an email address? I'm mostly looking to make my CV more all encompassing for admin related roles, every recruiter just seems to pounce on my call centre experience and put me forward for those and I badly want out of that.

PM away. Admin isn't my field, but I'll certainly provide some feedback where I can.
 
Don't be angry with yourself. The system is rough. What is it you do? What kind of skills you got?

IT work. Mainly help desk, deskside and some networking stuff.

I got a job interview though for Monday. An in person one instead of over the phone. It's for the company that works directly with making K'NEX. I grew up playing with K'NEX. Love their products. It's called a "PC Network Support Technician", so I'm fucking excited and nervous.
 

The Lamp

Member
Tomorrow, I will sit on the other side of the table interviewing a potential intern. Now I know why every interviewer is so badly prepared...

I recruited at the largest university engineering career fair in the nation yesterday.

The amount of entitled kids that come up to you as a recruiter with zero professional skills is astounding. It's really not hard to stand out as an engineering applicant if you are just humble and have social/professional skills.
 

nampad

Member
Is it possible to get an intern after you graduate?

I am not graduating this year because my university requires 600 hours of internship work. But I could not find any. I am so worried.

Inmy experience, not really. Here in Germany most of the big companies only take students as interns. I was lucky to be able to go abroad and intern there, also getting some foreign experience.
 

B-Dubs

No Scrubs
Inmy experience, not really. Here in Germany most of the big companies only take students as interns. I was lucky to be able to go abroad and intern there, also getting some foreign experience.

In the US graduates can be interns, but they don't like you to be too far removed from school. Like 2 or 3 years is the limit.
 
I recruited at the largest university engineering career fair in the nation yesterday.

The amount of entitled kids that come up to you as a recruiter with zero professional skills is astounding. It's really not hard to stand out as an engineering applicant if you are just humble and have social/professional skills.

define social/ professional skill.
 

entremet

Member
Yeah, I kind of broke down crying. I really felt like breaking something so bad and lashing out at how angry I am at myself.

Chipper up, fellow.

I've been where you are at. It's one of the reasons I participate in this thread even though I'm not looking for anything.

I went through a long spell as well many moons ago and it was most the difficult thing obstacle I've overcome since.

The key is not to define your self worth by your job. It's a hard mental shift. But society places a lot of performance anxiety on our livings. You have value, experiences, and talents that can make a strong contribution to this world. Everyone has.

Continue to apply for jobs, but look for ways to volunteer, help others (soup kitchen/visiting the elderly/sick), do some creative endeavors--game design, programming, music, drawing, etc.

Practice gratitude. You're not dead and you seem healthy. It may sound corny, but making list of things I was grateful for helped me immensely.

Also don't neglect your social and emotional needs. I know it can be tough if money is tight, but make time to spend time with loved ones. Their company will help you.

See if you can get some easy part time jobs. This is critical for your self esteem and will help you become a more attractive candidate.

One of my favorite quotes is, "Failure is not durable". Francis Ford Coppola said that.

It's tough, man. But life will seem very easy after you've cleared this hurdle. Think of the reservoir of strength you will be developing. Work stuff will seem easy in comparison. You will have more mental toughness than most of your work peers.

Press on, bud.
 
Chipper up, fellow.

I've been where you are at. It's one of the reasons I participate in this thread even though I'm not looking for anything.

I went through a long spell as well many moons ago and it was most the difficult thing obstacle I've overcome since.

The key is not to define your self worth by your job. It's a hard mental shift. But society places a lot of performance anxiety on our livings. You have value, experiences, and talents that can make a strong contribution to this world. Everyone has.

Continue to apply for jobs, but look for ways to volunteer, help others (soup kitchen/visiting the elderly/sick), do some creative endeavors--game design, programming, music, drawing, etc.

Practice gratitude. You're not dead and you seem healthy. It may sound corny, but making list of things I was grateful for helped me immensely.

Also don't neglect your social and emotional needs. I know it can be tough if money is tight, but make time to spend time with loved ones. Their company will help you.

See if you can get some easy part time jobs. This is critical for your self esteem and will help you become a more attractive candidate.

One of my favorite quotes is, "Failure is not durable". Francis Ford Coppola said that.

It's tough, man. But life will seem very easy after you've cleared this hurdle. Think of the reservoir of strength you will be developing. Work stuff will seem easy in comparison. You will have more mental toughness than most of your work peers.

Press on, bud.

Thanks man. That means a lot and definitely helps. I'm trying to keep my spirits up, especially for the jobs I really do want and be a part of (especially when it's working directly with a company, not a contract job).

But yeah, in my previous post, I mentioned I got another interview coming up and I'm excited. What's funny is, it says PC Network Support Technician for the job, but it's barely networking. Honestly, it sounds like everything I've done before and if they can pay me for what I'm asking in salary (at least $50K), then I'll be a super happy guy. I need a job. I need to look good as well to wherever else I go with the experience and also the fact that I'm working.

I know this sounds stupid, but if I did get this, I may only work there for a year because I'd be moving in with my girlfriend wherever she gets her paid internship being a school psych. But I know employers like it when you're currently working.
 

Nyx

Member
Sigh.... I'm getting depressed atm.
Rejections or no replies at all, that's what I'm mostly seeing in the past weeks.

Starting to feel useless now, also I can't really understand why it seems no company is interested in somebody with 17 years of professional experience.

What do you guys do if you're feeling down from this shitty jobsearching? Just continue ? Take a break?

It's getting harder and harder to spend my weekdays alone (as all my friends do have a job) and I start to lose having fun doing things I like.
When I just lost my last job I could happily spend an entire day in the city center or playing games at home f.e. But when I do that now I start thinking of jobs, my future etc. and I can't enjoy things anymore.
It's like there is this big sword above my head, waiting to fall down and chopping off my head. I have money on my savings account to last another 6-8 months from now, but if I don't have a job by then I will have to sell my house and move back in with my father who lives 2 hours from where I live now.... Just thinking of that future makes me SO depressed, I'm 38 years old and don't want to have to start all over...
 
Doing a phone interview tomorrow for a auto claims adjuster position. After 7 years in finance Im ready to do something alittle more hands on. Anyone have any tips for the interview or the job itself?
 

MC Safety

Member
Doing a phone interview tomorrow for a auto claims adjuster position. After 7 years in finance Im ready to do something alittle more hands on. Anyone have any tips for the interview or the job itself?

I always type/write out a list of questions I'm likely to be asked and my responses to them. It's also good to list anecdotes/things you want to highlight during the interview.

The idea is not to have a script you read verbatim, but rather notes you can refer to. And I keep this list open on my computer right next to a copy of my resume.

Good luck.
 
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