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[beige_knight]

I'm going to graduate in a month, but have been looking for a job since October. What makes it worse is that all my friends have already secured employment and I'm the guy they all feel sorry for.
I've probably applied to 40+ jobs at this point and have got to the final stage of recruitment for some of them, and there are cases where I can understand that I haven't been able to present a case for the employer that I was the best candidate. But there are other times where they give you the most bullshit reasons, lack of experience being the worst. I've had an employer tell me that they were looking for someone with several years experience, which is weird considering they were advertising the role on a website called gradcracker. Also situational judgement tests can get the fuck out of here.

The weird thing is the first few times I was turned down it didn't bother me at all, I was expecting it because I knew I wasn't the best candidate in the world and they were just part of job searching. But as the rejections started piling up it started to feel worse, like each of them were taking a little part of me. It so frustrating to have spent so much time in applying to a job and having nothing to show for it, to the point where it did start affecting my grades, and though I got a high 2:1 (An A- GPA I think), I could have gotten a first (an A) and that has been niggling away at me since I got my final degree result.

 

[entremet]

I'm going to graduate in a month, but have been looking for a job since October. What makes it worse is that all my friends have already secured employment and I'm the guy they all feel sorry for.
I've probably applied to 40+ jobs at this point and have got to the final stage of recruitment for some of them, and there are cases where I can understand that I haven't been able to present a case for the employer that I was the best candidate. But there are other times where they give you the most bullshit reasons, lack of experience being the worst. I've had an employer tell me that they were looking for someone with several years experience, which is weird considering they were advertising the role on a website called gradcracker. Also situational judgement tests can get the fuck out of here.

The weird thing is the first few times I was turned down it didn't bother me at all, I was expecting it because I knew I wasn't the best candidate in the world and they were just part of job searching. But as the rejections started piling up it started to feel worse, like each of them were taking a little part of me. It so frustrating to have spent so much time in applying to a job and having nothing to show for it, to the point where it did start affecting my grades, and though I got a high 2:1 (An A- GPA I think), I could have gotten a first (an A) and that has been niggling away at me since I got my final degree result.

Don't be discouraged.

Getting your first gig can be tough due to the whole chicken and egg problem of experience.

Did you have any jobs and internships during college? Those count as experience.

 

[Ollie Pooch]

Oh man. I had written off this job I'd applied for through a recruitment agency - she was being really quiet with info and not giving me anything. Haven't heard a word from her since.

Ended up by chance going out to dinner with some friends and someone there was married to the owner of this company I applied to. She was like 'I'll put in a word for you' I figured she was just being nice and thought nothing more of it, next day I got a call for my folio and an interview and got offered the job yesterday. Who you know!

 

[RedSwirl]

*sigh*

 

[Ultimadrago]

I got a new job doing fucking data entry. It's better than retail in ways, but also more boring. Like realllly boring. I already got caught dozing on the job once. I don't know how much longer I can handle this (it was a job I got from a temp agency to boot), but it pays 2 dollars more than my even more measly retail pay and consistently gives 40 hours. I have two months and a half more of this before they decide to ditch or keep me...not even sure if I want to stay. I thought I wanted a corporate job, but data entry is monotonous, dull and unrewarding in every way imaginable. It's Office Space IRL.

Fuck

All

Life

 

[JBourne]

Who you know!

Every time.

I was in NC for a wedding and a guy I met said he could get me a job in the IT department of a hospital as long as I could pass a drug test. I've been applying to 2 or 3 jobs a day here in VA for the past month and a half, and have only gotten one interview (for a position I declined). I'm stuck in VA until my grandmother passes, though. If I wasn't out there one day a week, it would all fall on my mom's shoulders. Shit's not possible right now.

 

[entremet]

I got a new job doing fucking data entry. It's better than retail in ways, but also more boring. Like realllly boring. I already got caught dozing on the job once. I don't know how much longer I can handle this (it was a job I got from a temp agency to boot), but it pays 2 dollars more than my even more measly retail pay and consistently gives 40 hours. I have two months and a half more of this before they decide to ditch or keep me...not even sure if I want to stay. I thought I wanted a corporate job, but data entry is monotonous, dull and unrewarding in every way imaginable. It's Office Space IRL.

Fuck

All

Life

That's data entry for you!

Listen to audiobooks, podcast, or music if they let you. They should.

Not all office jobs are boring, but you're data entry, so that's a given

 

[ThankYouDaletech]

Oh man. I had written off this job I'd applied for through a recruitment agency - she was being really quiet with info and not giving me anything. Haven't heard a word from her since.

Ended up by chance going out to dinner with some friends and someone there was married to the owner of this company I applied to. She was like 'I'll put in a word for you' I figured she was just being nice and thought nothing more of it, next day I got a call for my folio and an interview and got offered the job yesterday. Who you know!

Cool. Probably someone more skilled and qualified lost out because you know a person. C'est la vie.

 

[BobLoblaw]

Cool. Probably someone more skilled and qualified lost out because you know a person. C'est la vie.

I'm 100% sure I've lost out on something because of the "who you know" bullshit. I wish I knew someone.

 

[dskillzhtown]

Oh man. I had written off this job I'd applied for through a recruitment agency - she was being really quiet with info and not giving me anything. Haven't heard a word from her since.

Ended up by chance going out to dinner with some friends and someone there was married to the owner of this company I applied to. She was like 'I'll put in a word for you' I figured she was just being nice and thought nothing more of it, next day I got a call for my folio and an interview and got offered the job yesterday. Who you know!

Congrats! Referrals are great, that is why networking is so important.

 

[Relix]

Cool. Probably someone more skilled and qualified lost out because you know a person. C'est la vie.

That's networking and daring to speak out.

 

[GamerSoul]

Phone interview went pretty well, face to face time next week...here goes nothing. :3

 

[Dexthepleb]

It took me a while to get employed being unemployed, is awful and you feel awful when you do anything fun as you could be using that time to look for a job.

 

[dskillzhtown]

It took me a while to get employed being unemployed, is awful and you feel awful when you do anything fun as you could be using that time to look for a job.

Being unemployed doesn't mean you need to stop living. Part of living is having some happiness, some fun. Do it responsibly since you aren't working, but the idea that because you don't have a job you need to stop living and not have any fun is silly.

 

[GamerSoul]

Being unemployed doesn't mean you need to stop living. Part of living is having some happiness, some fun. Do it responsibly since you aren't working, but the idea that because you don't have a job you need to stop living and not have any fun is silly.

Agreed, although i honestly feel the same way sometimes, you still have to live your life and find relaxing and productive things to do with your time as well as look for jobs.

 

[Ultimadrago]

That's data entry for you!

Listen to audiobooks, podcast, or music if they let you. They should.

Not all office jobs are boring, but you're data entry, so that's a given

I've never seen people with music or anything, so I'm guessing it's nixed. Man, I gotta get out of here.

Being unemployed doesn't mean you need to stop living. Part of living is having some happiness, some fun. Do it responsibly since you aren't working, but the idea that because you don't have a job you need to stop living and not have any fun is silly.

I wish I could think this way.

 

[knicks]

I'm a marketing major and am currently a marketing specialist at my company. I graduated last June, and have been working since November. I don't do a lot and the job isn't remotely challenging. No critical thinking is involved, and I'm not developing any skills. The only benefit is I'm getting something on my resume, in addition to making money.

I've been actively pursuing another marketing gig, and I've come to the realization that any job with the word 'marketing' in it whether it be coordinator, associate, specialist etc...is kind of a joke, and requires no real skills.

Is there anybody else who majored in marketing that feels this way? I feel like the longer I stay the more I'm screwing myself. What are some other job titles that are open water without the word marketing in it for a marketing major? Project manager appears to be too generic to search for.

 

[suberzat]

I'm a marketing major and am currently a marketing specialist at my company. I graduated last June, and have been working since November. I don't do a lot and the job isn't remotely challenging. No critical thinking is involved, and I'm not developing any skills. The only benefit is I'm getting something on my resume, in addition to making money.

I've been actively pursuing another marketing gig, and I've come to the realization that any job with the word 'marketing' in it whether it be coordinator, associate, specialist etc...is kind of a joke, and requires no real skills.

Is there anybody else who majored in marketing that feels this way? I feel like the longer I stay the more I'm screwing myself. What are some other job titles that are open water without the word marketing in it for a marketing major? Project manager appears to be too generic to search for.

I'm a marketing major with a concentration in supply chain. Most of the jobs I'm looking for are in the supply chain field or just start ups in my area.

 

[?oe?oe]

Today I got offered a job! It's been almost a year since my last job.

Interview was two days ago. I had a comfortable conversation with the receptionist beforehand. I thought I did alright in the interview, though, I contradicted myself and answered one question quite poorly, I felt. Then again, i always doubt myself. Hopefully I don't screw it up!

 

[PS3GamerKyle]

So I am a recent graduate (May 2015), and do have a job. It's roughly full time, ~35/week, but at $9.00. It's in the food industry and I hate it and I want out.

I've been interviewing and applying for jobs all over. Just today, I have an offer for a bank teller position, with room for growth in business development (something I have some internship experience in.) It would be a lot less stressful than my current gig, and roughly $4.00/hour increase in pay.

Buttttt, early next week I'll know if I have a third and final round interview with QVC. This job is entry level, but decent pay and lots of room for growth. Last interview went well and I honestly walked away feeling it was the best interview experience I've had. Very natural conversation.

Should I take the bank job, with is guaranteed right now better pay and less stress than my current situation, and roll the dice with QVC? If I took the bank job, I'd be an unprofessional dick by turning around 1-3 weeks after working at the bank, to tell them I'm leaving. ORRR should I skip out the bank offer and hopefully go with QVC? I have some connections in QVC that are helping me out, but it's still not guaranteed.

I'm leaning towards giving up the bank offer and hoping QVC comes through. QVC would be an absolutely amazing opportunity.

Any advice?

 

[Roland_Gunner]

Should I take the bank job, with is guaranteed right now better pay and less stress than my current situation, and roll the dice with QVC? If I took the bank job, I'd be an unprofessional dick by turning around 1-3 weeks after working at the bank, to tell them I'm leaving. ORRR should I skip out the bank offer and hopefully go with QVC? I have some connections in QVC that are helping me out, but it's still not guaranteed.

I'm leaning towards giving up the bank offer and hoping QVC comes through. QVC would be an absolutely amazing opportunity.

Any advice?

Take the bank offer and jump if QVC comes. Bankers are grownups, you aren't going to hurt their feelings or anything. They'll just hire someone else and move right on.

 

[ISWThunder]

So I am a recent graduate (May 2015), and do have a job. It's roughly full time, ~35/week, but at $9.00. It's in the food industry and I hate it and I want out.

I've been interviewing and applying for jobs all over. Just today, I have an offer for a bank teller position, with room for growth in business development (something I have some internship experience in.) It would be a lot less stressful than my current gig, and roughly $4.00/hour increase in pay.

Buttttt, early next week I'll know if I have a third and final round interview with QVC. This job is entry level, but decent pay and lots of room for growth. Last interview went well and I honestly walked away feeling it was the best interview experience I've had. Very natural conversation.

Should I take the bank job, with is guaranteed right now better pay and less stress than my current situation, and roll the dice with QVC? If I took the bank job, I'd be an unprofessional dick by turning around 1-3 weeks after working at the bank, to tell them I'm leaving. ORRR should I skip out the bank offer and hopefully go with QVC? I have some connections in QVC that are helping me out, but it's still not guaranteed.

I'm leaning towards giving up the bank offer and hoping QVC comes through. QVC would be an absolutely amazing opportunity.

Any advice?

Do what's best for you. Take the job at the bank. If you get the QVC job, jump ship. It's not a dick move. There's no guarantee that the bank wont drop you just as quickly and it won't take them long to find your replacement.

 

[Jason's Ultimatum]

I'm about to risk it with my girlfriend and move down to Raleigh, NC. There aren't any jobs here in WV. I have my bachelors in criminal justice but I'm not picky. I think I have a good work history, I mean I've worked since I was 15.

Between her and me we have about 6 months. No employer wants to set up interviews since I don't live there, which I've been told, so I'm hoping for the best. Should be down there the start of August.

I'm sure someone else has been in this boat did it work out for you? Any tips for a new job hunter moving to a new city?

Raleigh is goddamn beautiful, and I'm sure you'll enjoy living there.

What jobs are you looking at there?

Down here in FL with my PoliSci degree, I've been applying for univeristy jobs like administrative assistants; going on Indeed and looking for paralegal/legal assistant positions; looking for city, state, and local jobs, but I cannot for the life of me get an interview. Heck, even at Raymond James Financial I can't get referred for an interview, and a lot of the jobs I've applied for asks for a degree and customer service experience.

 

[Bacon]

Raleigh is goddamn beautiful, and I'm sure you'll enjoy living there.

What jobs are you looking at there?

Down here in FL with my PoliSci degree, I've been applying for univeristy jobs like administrative assistants; going on Indeed and looking for paralegal/legal assistant positions; looking for city, state, and local jobs, but I cannot for the life of me get an interview. Heck, even at Raymond James Financial I can't get referred for an interview, and a lot of the jobs I've applied for asks for a degree and customer service experience.

I've got a polisci degree as well. I'm really beginning to regret it, wish I had some more technical skills.

 

[Eidan]

Looks like this thread is going to be my home for a while. I was just laid off a couple of weeks ago. I decided to concentrate on studying for the GRE to prepare to go to grad school in the spring. I absolutely HATE the field I have the most experience in, so I want to make a clean break from it altogether...but I'll need money during the interim time before I go back to school. Any pro-tips?

 

[Jason's Ultimatum]

I've got a polisci degree as well. I'm really beginning to regret it, wish I had some more technical skills.

I graduated in August 2011. How do you think I feel? And I'll be 33 tomorrow. All I want is to find a career, meet a woman, and have a family. I don't want to be one of those 60 years whose kids just graduated from HS.

I regret my degree, too. I would like to do something in security/IT/cyber security, but I don't think I can muster going through college for another 2 years.

I wonder if there are any certs where it'll be good enough to find a job in those fields.

Then again, I may hate that shit. =\

 

[Cudder]

So I am a recent graduate (May 2015), and do have a job. It's roughly full time, ~35/week, but at $9.00. It's in the food industry and I hate it and I want out.

I've been interviewing and applying for jobs all over. Just today, I have an offer for a bank teller position, with room for growth in business development (something I have some internship experience in.) It would be a lot less stressful than my current gig, and roughly $4.00/hour increase in pay.

Buttttt, early next week I'll know if I have a third and final round interview with QVC. This job is entry level, but decent pay and lots of room for growth. Last interview went well and I honestly walked away feeling it was the best interview experience I've had. Very natural conversation.

Should I take the bank job, with is guaranteed right now better pay and less stress than my current situation, and roll the dice with QVC? If I took the bank job, I'd be an unprofessional dick by turning around 1-3 weeks after working at the bank, to tell them I'm leaving. ORRR should I skip out the bank offer and hopefully go with QVC? I have some connections in QVC that are helping me out, but it's still not guaranteed.

I'm leaning towards giving up the bank offer and hoping QVC comes through. QVC would be an absolutely amazing opportunity.

Any advice?

You take the bank job ASAP and if QVC wants to hire you, you take that one. You never pass up one guaranteed opportunity for a "maybe"

 

[Manmademan]

You take the bank job ASAP and if QVC wants to hire you, you take that one. You never pass up one guaranteed opportunity for a "maybe"

yep. tell the bank that "you appreciate that they gave you a chance, but you need to be honest that the job isn't for you" and move on.

happens frequently, not that big of a deal.

 

[PS3GamerKyle]

Take the bank offer and jump if QVC comes. Bankers are grownups, you aren't going to hurt their feelings or anything. They'll just hire someone else and move right on.

Do what's best for you. Take the job at the bank. If you get the QVC job, jump ship. It's not a dick move. There's no guarantee that the bank wont drop you just as quickly and it won't take them long to find your replacement.

You take the bank job ASAP and if QVC wants to hire you, you take that one. You never pass up one guaranteed opportunity for a "maybe"

Thanks guys.

At first I was hesitant on doing just this, but after thinking about it for awhile, I think this is the best route to take. I just graduated last month and all of this is new to me.

I guess I'm too nice of a guy sometimes. The idea of just leaving a job (the bank) to go to another one didn't seem like a good idea to me a little while ago, but after seeing your replies and talking with some people, I think that's the best way to go. The pay is, still not great but much better than where I currently am, and there's growth for a position in business development.

Of course I really, really, REALLY want that QVC job.

 

[entremet]

I've got a polisci degree as well. I'm really beginning to regret it, wish I had some more technical skills.

You can learn many of those skills on your own, so don't lose heart.

The degree is just to get your foot in the door. We all are responsible for developing our skills these days.

Paid professional development is a rare thing nowadays.

I graduated in August 2011. How do you think I feel? And I'll be 33 tomorrow. All I want is to find a career, meet a woman, and have a family. I don't want to be one of those 60 years whose kids just graduated from HS.

I regret my degree, too. I would like to do something in security/IT/cyber security, but I don't think I can muster going through college for another 2 years.

I wonder if there are any certs where it'll be good enough to find a job in those fields.

Then again, I may hate that shit. =\

Have you tried getting a certification? You don't need college degree for it. Just get a book, study, and take the test.

GAF has a huge IT community that could recommend the best ones for a novice like yourself.

 

[richiek]

Have you tried getting a certification? You don't need college degree for it. Just get a book, study, and take the test.

GAF has a huge IT community that could recommend the best ones for a novice like yourself.

It's been a year since I received my A+ and Network+ certs and am still looking for an IT position.

I've gotten several interviews, but nothing came of them.

 

[nilbog21]

My career for the last 12-13 years has been stay up all night, make sure a machine is inputting things correctly by looking at it, then fixing the input if it's wrong.

That's it. Not really transferrable. It does take some specialized knowledge and work ethic, but it's not that transferrable.

Just make shit up man.

 

[Nastrodamous]

Some person called me about a job after "looking" at my resume. Then she sends me a description that says 6+ years of experience. I will never get out of this hell hole

 

[richiek]

Some person called me about a job after "looking" at my resume. Then she sends me a description that says 6+ years of experience. I will never get out of this hell hole

The same has happened to me. I have a feeling that alot of these recruiters don't do a good job looking through applicants' resumes.

 

[entremet]

It's been a year since I received my A+ and Network+ certs and am still looking for an IT position.

I've gotten several interviews, but nothing came of them.

Qualifications aren't a guarantee for a job sadly. Keep persisting and keep learning.

Have you gotten any interviews all? Maybe your interviewing skills need work.

I'm not in the IT field, but I get a lot of recommendations for many entry level IT type jobs based on my skill sets.

Where are you located?

 

[DavionStriker]

I just changed my resume address from Arkansas to Texas (I am moving there late August). I figure it can only help my chances of getting a job in DFW.

Thats okay to do, right?

 

[entremet]

I just changed my resume address from Arkansas to Texas (I am moving there late August). I figure it can only help my chances of getting a job in DFW.

Thats okay to do, right?

Yes.

Mailing addresses are super inconsequential anyway. We live in the internet age.

 

[DavionStriker]

Yes.

Mailing addresses are super inconsequential anyway. We live in the internet age.

Agreed. I did it to illustrate that the employer would not have to pay relocation.

 

[BreakyBoy]

I just changed my resume address from Arkansas to Texas (I am moving there late August). I figure it can only help my chances of getting a job in DFW.

Thats okay to do, right?

You could just omit the address entirely from your resume. I don't have it on mine.

 

[Nastrodamous]

You could just omit the address entirely from your resume. I don't have it on mine.

I removed mine and I got more calls. I guess having an address in a "bad area" was stopping them

 

[entremet]

I removed mine and I got more calls. I guess having an address in a "bad area" was stopping them

This is very common sadly.

 

[richiek]

Qualifications aren't a guarantee for a job sadly. Keep persisting and keep learning.

Have you gotten any interviews all? Maybe your interviewing skills need work.

I'm not in the IT field, but I get a lot of recommendations for many entry level IT type jobs based on my skill sets.

Where are you located?

NYC

 

[entremet]

NYC

Same. There are tons of every level IT jobs here.

Where are you looking?

 

[n0razi]

I guess I'm too nice of a guy sometimes.

DO NOT BE A NICE GUY when it comes to your job... there are 100 other people waiting to take your job at any given chance

 

[richiek]

Same. There are tons of every level IT jobs here.

Where are you looking?

Indeed, Craigslist, Dice, Linkedin..

 

[EloquentM]

Have an interview for a paid internship next week. I might have to get a part timer as well cause the internship is only $10 ={

 

[RedSwirl]

What's off-hours stock crew like?

 

[EloquentM]

What's off-hours stock crew like?

Depends on the products being sold but usually early morning hours, inventory counting, heavy lifting, and unpacking.

 

[entremet]

Indeed, Craigslist, Dice, Linkedin..

Try ITJobPro.

Craigslist is very good, just keeps trying. In the meantime, continue to get more certs. Also, if you have the time, you can also volunteer for non-profits to help pad your resume.

 

[Bacon]

Try ITJobPro.

Craigslist is very good, just keeps trying. In the meantime, continue to get more certs. Also, if you have the time, you can also volunteer for non-profits to help pad your resume.

You seem to be quite knowledgeable on the subject so I'll ask you. Where would I begin if I was looking into getting into the IT field with no prior experience/education?