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bayareamike

(602 posts)
Wed Oct 23, 2013, 05:38 PM Oct 2013

Can't find a damn job, need some support

Hi all,

I'm a mid-twenties, college educated professional working in the legal field and I was let go about 4 months ago. I have been looking nonstop, 5 or 6 hours a day and just cannot for the life of me find a damn job. I live in Northern California. Granted, I've been applying to professional jobs but I am likely overqualified (multiple college degrees) for anything less. I've even been denied retail work due to lack of retail experience, despite the fact that I went to a top tier university and hold a graduate degree. I say that not to brag whatsoever, but only to showcase how frustrated I am.

I am currently on California EDD UI but it isn't really enough to get by. I have some savings but it is starting to get tight. I guess the only reason I'm posting this is to seek support and take solace in the fact that it is still difficult for many others like me.

15 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Can't find a damn job, need some support (Original Post) bayareamike Oct 2013 OP
Volunteer. Go to the office the politician of your choice and volunteer to do anything. Get in. AnotherMcIntosh Oct 2013 #1
this ^^^ is exactly what I'm planning to do magical thyme Aug 2015 #8
would you like me to look at your resume? hollysmom Oct 2013 #2
Depending on how desperate you get davidpdx Feb 2014 #3
yes it is tough PeaceMonger12345 Jul 2014 #4
Message auto-removed Name removed Dec 2014 #5
Being a teacher in the DOD can be a wonderful career. mahina Jul 2015 #6
I applied 6 times......... mrmpa Aug 2015 #7
Rats. Hope you are ok. mahina Dec 2019 #14
my 20s were awful...the Nixon, Ford recessions magical thyme Aug 2015 #9
Help please? andiemia Oct 2015 #10
hope this helps dyllander Oct 2015 #11
Try your university alumni network or career center nt Fresh_Start May 2016 #12
Yes, others are also going through this!! EllaJones Aug 2016 #13
How have the last 7 years been for you? Generic Brad Dec 2020 #15
 

AnotherMcIntosh

(11,064 posts)
1. Volunteer. Go to the office the politician of your choice and volunteer to do anything. Get in.
Wed Oct 23, 2013, 05:46 PM
Oct 2013

Then let it be known that you need work. Politicians know people, and people know them. Be cheerful in their presence, but after you've established a friendship or two, let them know that you want to work. Somebody will help you find a job.

 

magical thyme

(14,881 posts)
8. this ^^^ is exactly what I'm planning to do
Mon Aug 31, 2015, 04:47 PM
Aug 2015

Giving myself a few days to get some critical work around the home done, and then I'll be ready to get out and volunteer for my candidate.

hollysmom

(5,946 posts)
2. would you like me to look at your resume?
Wed Oct 23, 2013, 05:53 PM
Oct 2013

I am not a great writer but when I help people they get a job usually, might be luck, but I think all the years looking though resumes tends to let things jump out at me. After year of work, I put together a 10 page resume and edited down to 2 pages depending on the job, but when you are starting out you need to stress volunteer jobs as well as real job and any non-degree training as well, like CPR.

Just PM me.

2 months ago helped a kid out of high school and he finally got a job after having looked months, I think a good looking resume might have helped.

davidpdx

(22,000 posts)
3. Depending on how desperate you get
Mon Feb 10, 2014, 05:58 AM
Feb 2014

you can come over here to Korea and teach as long as you have a bachelor's degree. I guess it depends on how easy it would be to pick up and move for a year.

I found myself in a similar predicament 10 years ago and like living here.

PeaceMonger12345

(11 posts)
4. yes it is tough
Thu Jul 17, 2014, 10:23 AM
Jul 2014

I have a bachelor degree in Environmental Science and work in two part time jobs in Oklahoma: Administrative Assistant and Inventory Counter in RGIS (global inventory network)

My suggestion is to establish a network of people who have the same degree. It is likely that someone has the same situation.

Some useful websites:

I am using this website to apply for Climate Corps Training Program:
www.internmatch.com

www.usajobs.gov

Look for corporate websites in your field. Find a volunteer positions such as

www.sierraclub.com


Call the corporate offices in your field.
Also, Paul Krugman fro recent graduates as a fellow Democrat:



Good luck.
Keep the nose tight!

Response to bayareamike (Original post)

mahina

(18,938 posts)
6. Being a teacher in the DOD can be a wonderful career.
Sun Jul 26, 2015, 06:58 PM
Jul 2015

Kids from our military families need excellent teachers. A good friend's mother and father did this and lived in Germany, Italy, Japan, and of course Hawaii. The DOD pays more for every additional year of education that you have had.

You've probably already got usajobs.gov on your frequently checked database lists.

Can do, brah! Good luck!

mrmpa

(4,033 posts)
7. I applied 6 times.........
Mon Aug 31, 2015, 04:38 PM
Aug 2015

for DOD education jobs. Am a certified teacher with a Masters Degree. Couldn't even get a nibble. I finally said "fuck it."

I am currently "near" unemployed, have 60 resumes out in the past month. Can't even get a nibble. Life certainly is good, in this great economy we have.

 

magical thyme

(14,881 posts)
9. my 20s were awful...the Nixon, Ford recessions
Mon Aug 31, 2015, 04:49 PM
Aug 2015

if I had to do it all over again, especially with your advanced education, I'd do as suggested elsewhere here, and look into teaching in another country. You're only young once, and it strikes me that could be a real adventure. Other cultures are so much better than ours...richer, warmer, friendlier.

dyllander

(1 post)
11. hope this helps
Sat Oct 17, 2015, 01:12 PM
Oct 2015

Research is free and quite helpful so try and go to job banks or sites such as jobsaloon.com

 

EllaJones

(20 posts)
13. Yes, others are also going through this!!
Thu Aug 11, 2016, 03:51 AM
Aug 2016

Its difficult to get a job as per your requirement. we cant get a job because "we have less experience" and we cant get a job because "we are overqualified" .. Just don't know that where is the right fit.

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