Job advice

[mrrangerrick]

I don't really know what to do, I'm a college graduate (2008) with a Bachelors Degree. I've distributed more than 2000 resumes, I've gone to roughly 40 temp agencies and the only jobs I can possibly get is for minimum wage and lifting boxes. I've tried online sites and I never even get a call back. I try sending in thank you cards (to stand out) and still...nothing. I've been debating looking in other states, but I don't even know where to start...for example, how would they conduct interviews? I welcome any ideas.

[mrrangerrick]

Just to add to it, I'm not one to lie on my resume. I'm honest, ethical and hardworking. I believe in integrity and I'm a "by the book" kind of guy.

My struggle is that I try to let my work show for itself and I'm usually told that I should just "stay where I'm at" because I'm "good at what I do".

[sdenimandlace1]

Depending on what your looking for, lots of interviews are over the phone calls.  Try USA jobs search.  They are government jobs in lots of areas.

[kingozzy]

A Bachelors Degree in what?  and do you have any job experience?

[Tresbn00]

I find bachelor's degrees (unless specialized) to be, primarily, a way to garner connections. The value of the education often times, is of minimal importance. Some corporations base the value of the bachelor's degree on the school it came from. For example, more weight would be put on a bachelors degree from Notre Dame than one attained from Daytona Beach Community College. Too much emphasis on Bachelor's degrees in my opinion. My wife was insecure because she did not have a bachelors degree even though she was earning six figures. I had my Bachelor's degree from a Big 10 University and still have not caught up to her income. Sometimes it pays to take a lower job and work your way up.I was self employed for thirty years and got back into corporate by taking a temp job and getting hired by the company that I temped for. A lot of companies use temp companies to find employees that fit in, work hard, do not call in sick, are on time, do not whine, etc.

[elvisdo]

I went through a job placement agency when I was looking for work. I was sent to various companies who needed the extra help. This is a more common of seeking employment because the company looks toward to job placement agency for weeding out applicants. The company then can see if that person is a good fit or not without really having to commit right off the bat. In the case, it is your work that is evaluated rather than what is on your résume.

[linderlizzie]

If you can get started working, even at a minimum wage job, you'll be more attractive to any employer. 

Employers are usually more interested in people who are already working no matter what their degree is in.

Plus you'll be making some income while you wait for an opportunity you like.

 

[UGetPaid]

Not to state the obvious - because maybe you aren't aware of it, but did you look at the Job Search tab in the Fusion Cash PTC page? It's one of the options to get your four page views during the 2:30 timer. Might not have what you are looking for, but it's a start.

[alice44]

Many job interviews are done by phone now days.  Also, have you put yourself on Indeed, Monster.com and Zip Recruiters.  Other states would probably open you up to a lot more opportunities

[oldbuddy]

I have not looked for a job using traditional methods for over 50 years and don't ever plan to go that way again. The truth is, most jobs that are worth having are secured from talking to people socially. You may not even realize who you pass by every day that may have exactly what you are looking for (or know someone who does), so break out of the box and prove your worth it.

[sfreeman8]

In your cover letter, do you use the word "I" often? Employers used to see that as someone with an ego. You have to stress your positive points in the cover letter, what you're good at, and anything else you can think of that would be of help to get that interview for that job. Make sure each cover letter is aimed at the company you're applying to and not just a "canned" or "one size fits all" type.

Most employers want to know why you want to work for their company and you should really know the inside and out of the company you're applying to. it shows the employer that you're really interested and have done your "homework."

[teresa3200]

I wish you luck. If you have a college degree I think you would probably be able to be a teacher, its a start and you can continue looking in the summer months.

[countrygirl12]

I don't really know what to do, I'm a college graduate (2008) with a Bachelors Degree. I've distributed more than 2000 resumes, I've gone to roughly 40 temp agencies and the only jobs I can possibly get is for minimum wage and lifting boxes. I've tried online sites and I never even get a call back. I try sending in thank you cards (to stand out) and still...nothing. I've been debating looking in other states, but I don't even know where to start...for example, how would they conduct interviews? I welcome any ideas.

I have to wonder where you live that you could have possibly applied for over 2000 (TWO THOUSAND) JOBS. Honestly, I just do not believe that.  I had a guy locally say his son had applied for over 600 jobs locally.  That cannot be true.  There aren't that many places around here to even apply to.

My next thing would be to wonder what is your degree in?  People go to school and get a degree in physical education then wonder why they can't get a job.  They just say I have a college education but do not go on to say it is in a field where they couldn't get a job anyway. 

Also am curious where in the world you could live that there are over 40 temporary agencies in your surrounding area.  I wouldn't even think in New York City there would be enough places to apply for over 2000 jobs and at over 40 temporary agencies and not be able to get a job any where.  That just doesn't make sense.

As far as the "thank you" cards you will get a mix of ideas.  I sent a thank you email once and also went on to decline the pending offer.  I get an email back insulting me telling me that basically I am not smart enough to expect to get a job any better or at any higher pay than what she was offering.  And I was going to have to drive almost an hour and a half to get to this job.

But for her info I have a job now that pays double what she was offering me.

I too am currently looking for a job.  I will agree it is hard to find anything these days.  Most places accept applications/resumes for several weeks to get a huge amount of replies. By that time there are so many to choose from unless you are the top of the class or know someone you aren't going to get in.

[countrygirl12]

Just to add to it, I'm not one to lie on my resume. I'm honest, ethical and hardworking. I believe in integrity and I'm a "by the book" kind of guy.

My struggle is that I try to let my work show for itself and I'm usually told that I should just "stay where I'm at" because I'm "good at what I do".

I also agree here.  I have been told to "tailor the resume to the job you apply for".  My response is I cannot do that.  My resume is my job history.  I can't "tailor" that to the job I am applying for unless I lie.  I can also tell you if you pump sunshine up their butt telling them how hard working you are and how you don't like and you are honest and all this jive that is a turn off.  And it will get you put at the bottom of the stack.  I recently found that out. 

[countrygirl12]

Depending on what your looking for, lots of interviews are over the phone calls.  Try USA jobs search.  They are government jobs in lots of areas.

Where did you get the idea that most job interviews are over the phone?  Very very very few job interviews would be over the phone.  I had one that was for a different job at a company I already worked at and the only reason they done it over the phone is because it was 50 minutes from where I worked.  And they needed to do the interview before I came back in.

If you wanted to do a different job you had to interview like you were a new hire.  It was crazy but how they done things.