Having trouble getting a job?

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   sandra rinckposted 14 years ago

   Just curious because I used to get a job just by walking in but these days I don't even get a return call.

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      optimus grimlockposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Im in the same boat and have been for awhile. The worst thing is the family pressure, I feel like I'm letting my fiance down.

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      (Q)posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Could be a number of reasons, usually it's such when the market for jobs changes and the employer has many choices. It could also mean your skillsets have become redundant.

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         sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         What would you suggest, another trade school, more college?  Or just enhancing my resume?

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            Jeramiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            think out side the box.  What does the market need that there is a shortage of that you could enjoy fulfilling.  If ya caint find a job create one with you in mind to fill it.

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               sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Like selling homemade soy candles at the Farmers Market?

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                  Jeramiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  If that is what melts your butter?  SURE

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                  Mishaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Like finally getting serious about making money online

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                     Old Mizerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     I hear ya on that one.  Why should I sit around waiting for one of those many applications to give me a call.  The answer is right in front of you.  Online/Affiliate Marketing is the future and is taking off now.  You just have to find the right place to learn the skills.  I finally did.   

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            (Q)posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            More education would only be necessary if you plan on targeting something specific or long term.
            
            Yes, try enhancing your resume, first. Do a bit of research and find out what the organizations are asking for in skillsets and "carve" out a resume to suit the ask.
            
            Resumes aren't about lying or stretching the truth of your abilities, they are about selling yourself, and often the resume has to be "carved" for each and every individual ask.

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            Shannon38posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I think all the above -- no one will hire me even with the some on the computer and customer service work that I have done -- I'm in need of call back. I even called jobs back and still nothing -- but when you find out the secret please share.

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            GloryB52posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I am $13,000 in the hole by going back to school to learn a new trade. I  loved every minute of it but I can not get a full time job because I do not have any experience.  But I found someone that wants me to do it parttime and they are willing to train me.  I also am a seamstress....and kicking that up about 10 notches and hopedfully will be able to pay the bills between them.  Oh yea, I just started selling Avon also.   Were there is a will there is a way.    I wish you luck because I use to be able to walk into a company and walk out with a job.    Three jobs in a row I did that between 1988 and 1995

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      ddavis24posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Me too Sandra! I spent two months job searching and the only place I found work is at a daycare.

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   Cagsilposted 14 years ago

   Hey Sandra,
   
   How are you today?
   
   Yes, I realize your post, but thought I would ask anyways.
   
   As for your post, I'm not looking for a job. However, I do agree with you about how simple it used to be to get a job, where all you had to do was walk in the door.
   
   On a different side of the equation-- business' have no reason to bend to the will of the workforce anymore. A business can know everything about you and your entire life history, just from an application and/or resume.
   
   The business' now have complete control over the workforce and can decide who works and who doesn't.
   
   Just a thought.

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      sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Scary one Ray.  I know they do credit checks and stuff like that nowadays too.  That part really pisses me off.  Seems so assbackwards you know?

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         Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Personally, I see it as an invasion. However, business likes politicians, corruption soon follows and last time I checked, "slavery" was outlawed?
         
         But, maybe I am reading too much into it. I doubt it, but maybe.

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      Shannon38posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I feel the same way some people that are able and willing to work don't have a chance but I will keep looking until I find something anything for right now. I just really need to work -- and they wonder why so many people are losing their homes and a lot of unemployment -- they need to let people work and stop being so up tight -- let loose because they might be losing good people to work for them.

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   Ohmaposted 14 years ago

   Took me forever to find the one I have. took me about 2 days to realize that I do not want it! but these days a paycheck is a paycheck and I am happy to have it I guess

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   ralwusposted 14 years ago

   are you still in Hawaii Sandra?

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   sandra rinckposted 14 years ago

   Haha Omah, you made me laugh.  I am still in Hawaii ralwus.

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      ralwusposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Well a pretty thing like you should be able to make a living in a grass skirt there at luaus then, at least until something better comes along.

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   Anesidoraposted 14 years ago

   Is it still bad out there, Sandra? I've been too afraid to look lately.

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      sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Seems so, I know about three other people in the same boat.

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   Jeramiposted 14 years ago

   The last time I looked for employment I had trouble so I went to the hardware store and bought a paint brush and called myself a house painter.
   
      That was about 30 years ago; I like the work and the customers but my boss is a real jerk.

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      Precious Williamsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks this made me smile.  It's 3.30 in the morning here and I can't sleep

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         Jeramiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         The problem today is that the hardware stores are running out of paint brushes cause everybody is doin it.

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      sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I wonder if that would work for me.

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      Anesidoraposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Hah! Jerami, I doubt that. I heard he's a sweetie!

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      PegCole17posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      This on made me laugh out loud! Really.
      
      I heard someone say once, "What if you had to work for yourself?"
      
      Answer: "I'd quit before I'd do that!"

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   Mishaposted 14 years ago

   Why do you need one, Your Majesty? Does not really look reasonable in your knocked up situation

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      sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      eh?

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         Mishaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Weren't you saying not long ago you are pregnant, or my memory fails me again?

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            sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Oh no!  I am definitely not pregnant but my girlfriend was talking a lot of baby talk so I was talking about babies a bit for a little while. lol

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               Mishaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               LOL That probably is, and I jumped to conclusion

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   wychicposted 14 years ago

   I'm not currently having any trouble getting a job, but I know the situation in my area is really, really bad...slowly getting a bit better, but still. The main reason is that in a town of about 9,000 and a couple of small outlying towns, the largest employer -- which employed about 2,000 people -- went under. Most of the people were working in very skilled and industry-specific positions, and so there was a huge run on other jobs that utilized those specific skills...until people realized there just weren't jobs there, and the run went to anything that delivered any kind of paycheck.
   
   My stepdad went almost a year trying to find a job...he worked in welding and fabrication (for 22 years), one of the top-paying jobs in this area, and ended up cleaning the YMCA on the overnight shift. Even that job at the Y had over 50 applicants. My mom also lost her job as a sign language interpreter (after 13 years) and ended up substitute teaching and working at a convenience store. For myself, about a year ago I considered getting an outside job so I would have a little steadier paycheck than freelancing, put in about a dozen applications (three to places I worked previously and had excellent evaluations) and not a word from any of them...and then freelancing picked up, so I didn't try any more. And yes, in all my previous job-seeking endeavors I've either had a job offered to me out of the blue, or submitted a single application and gotten the job. Never before had a business looked at my application and not hired me.

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      jaxjohnnyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      find a skill!
      
      take less money if you have too
      
      some money is better than less money. even if you are being underpaid for your skill set

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         Beth100posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         It's not always about skill or experience.  I use to get phone calls  with offers to leave my present employer; had all kinds of things dangled in front of me to leave.  It's no longer like that.  I have also noticed that there are no return phones -- 3 interviews and final screening but no call back or email back.  It's not right to not acknowledge candidates once they have  made the short list and made it to all the interviews.
         
         Sandra, up here, employers can even request a criminal check on top of the credit check.  In the government, you have to be security cleared, or they won't even look at your resume.  We also are tested for verbal, written and reading in the other official language -- French if English is primary language and English if French is your primary language.    Many people cannot find work because of this. 
         
         It's a very different attitude then it use to be a few years ago.  I'm just grateful that I have my contracts on a steady basis. 

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            sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I have seen that about the criminal background checks.  Also, out here (Hawaii) a lot of employers want you to speak Japanese.

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    bojanglesk8posted 14 years ago

    Yeah, I can't find a job too...
    
    If only I could fully support myself with HubPages...

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    eternaltreasuresposted 14 years ago

    hi everyone,
    
    lay offs, lost jobs, terminations, short hours, etc... these are now common today and the worst recession of 2008-2009 has lasting effects worldwide.

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    Tom Tposted 14 years ago

    It is a different world out there these days.  Companies want everything for very little cost.  There are some very talented people looking for work and you are competing against them.  I see this every day in my job as a recruiter. 
    
    The best advice I can give is to have a plan.  Work the plan and keep working the plan.  If you are lacking job search skills such as interviewing, get them.  You can get help with Govt. programs, churches and other civic organizations.  There are online career portals. 
    
    Your plan needs to be like a rifle shot not a shotgun blast.  That means to the best of your ability target specific companies.  Learn to network with people who know people or may know people.  It is still true that over 50% of the jobs never make it to an ad online or otherwise.  Hope that helps.  Remember it is a different world today and I'm afraid it will be this way for a while.  Good Luck.

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    Precious Williamsposted 14 years ago

    Sandra it's difficult to know whether you need to brush up your resume because we haven't seen it.  You need to make yourself stand out for the rest.  What does the company want - where are they going?  You need to research this thoroughly before you apply.  Then you need to not just talk about what you have done, but what was the impact eg. increase sales by 10%, brought in 10 new customers for the company ... whatever.  You really need to look at your 'unique selling point'.  Make sure that your statements are not just full of how clever you are but what you can bring to the company.  Apologies if I sound patronising, because I don't mean to - but often people think they are doing these things and yet they're not or they're not doing them well enough.  Also have you tried asking for feedback - it can be tough but you might learn something about yourself.  Most importantly - do you want the jobs you are applying for.  If you don't then you are sabotaging them before you start.

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    jossecarrposted 14 years ago

    With all the recession happening around, companies needs to cut down operation cost. It's best if you understanding the job market. Besides, there are other ways in order to earn money, you can start a home based and service based business that would really on your skills and creativity.

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    Julian Hooksposted 14 years ago

    Most of my friends graduated college this spring, and my best friend sits on his computer and applies for jobs all day long. He is a biology major... now he works at a car dealership detailing cars.
    
    We were talking the other day it really isn't what you know. It is who you know... Unless you know how to make your own money and don't relay on others to decide how much your services are worth.

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    torimariposted 14 years ago

    It took me 7 months to get a job that wasn't temporary work after I graduated college. Right now, it's part-time work, but it has some relevance to my degree and I can occasionally telecommute. It's nice for a start.
    
    Many of my friends from college are A.) out of work, B.) stuck in a temp job for months that take them for granted, and C.) in a job they dislike, but it is a paycheck.
    
    I think the economy is on its way to getting better, but yes, getting any form of employment has posed a challenge for me. :] We all know we aren't alone at this point, but reality of it does suck.

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    wordsscriberposted 14 years ago

    With the economic situation, we must expand our employment expectations.  Also, we must  set up a job search plan and follow it.

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    out of timeposted 14 years ago

    does anyone know a good job "online" THey all seem to be scams to me.

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    Sheila Maeposted 14 years ago

    i got a friend who has a really great credentials on her resume but it takes her 6 to 8 months finding a work....nah!

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    Sunny_Sposted 14 years ago

    Go to the job centre. I know someone who got a job in record time. I think it was about 5 seconds.

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    LeanManposted 14 years ago

    Finding a job can be a nightmare in the best of economic situations... I have just started looking for a new job, have applied for everything that is available online and contacted every head-hunter and job agency that I can find as well as networking on linked-in..
    Only be trying one week, I think I have something that is viable, but that has come through a friend rather than from the applications.
    
    A good idea that I have seen work is to offer to work free for a trial period... choose a company you really want and make sure that you do a good job and you get hired!!!

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    lahoriamplifierposted 14 years ago

    if you really have some skills you can take projects from freelancer websites

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