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Subject: ARGH! I HAVE to vent...
Am I way off base here, or does the job market REALLY suck? I graduated from college this past December, and I am no closer to finding a job than I was five months ago. I am very frustrated, tired, etc. I have had some wonderful opportunities, but I lost out in the end. :'(
Fortunately I am still employed at the same place I've worked for the past five years - but I can't survive on $7.50/hr. for the rest of my life, ya know?
Are any of you going through this right now? Have any of you been laid off? Just graduated? Quit your last job? If so, have you had a hard time finding a new job? I feel so alone. It seems like everyone else I know has already found a job - yet I'm still stuck in the same place. :-[
Any words of wisdom? Anyone in the same boat?
Help!?!? :-/
Subject: Re: ARGH! I HAVE to vent...
YES!!!
Go to "ManPower Professional" They are a temp. agency for "executive and white collar" employment opportunities.
The regular "ManPower" is for what they call "blue collar" work like industry or mechanics.
Both divisions stem from the same and are good in both areas.
You basically register with them, free of charge, and they do a lot of the work for you as far as looking for the best employment options and opportunities out there.
ManPower's actually paid by companies and corporations to find people suitable for them as employees.
When ManPower matches you up with a position, the particular company will hire you on a temporary basis (and you and the job "try each other out"). If things work well, you're then placed on permanently. If not, ManPower will continue placing you until you find the perfect job (and a company finds the perfect employee in you).
This worked for me years ago. It included benefits too! I learned that you need to stay on top of them and help yourself. They have job listings on their websites. Check them out. Good luck! :)
http://www.manpowerprofessional.com/
http://www.manpower.com/
Subject: Re: ARGH! I HAVE to vent...
The job market is tight, there was a blurb in the paper a few days ago that the unemployment rate was at it's highest in several years. Both my brothers have been laid off, and my hours have been reduced.
If there is no Manpower/Manpower Professional branch in your area, sign up with whatever other temp agency/agencies are out there. Don't be afraid to take a short-term assignment, even though it's worrisome that there will be another one right behind it, they can give you the hands-on experience that will get you hired permanently somewhere.
I'd also recommend signing up with more than one agency, because each one has different businesses contracting they contract with. Don't be afraid to call in every few days looking for an assignment. Remember, "it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease"--or the job.
I got my current job through temping, and if I end up leaving here, I have plenty of contacts through my temp days that the next job search should be much easier.
Good Luck!!
Subject: Re: ARGH! I HAVE to vent...
Thanks for the response. Yes, I briefly checked out Manpower today, but I didn't have enough time to read everything about their services. They sound promising.
I'll let you guys know how it goes. Thanks for caring. :-*
Subject: Re: ARGH! I HAVE to vent...
I agree with you totaly. I seperated from the navy six months ago and have only had Lousy jobs since (pizza delievery, Vacume Cleaner Salesman, Tellamarketer, Security alarm salesman). I'm finally re enlisting this week. I hated the Navy when I was in it, but it was a much better job than any of the others I have had (also pays better). My friends that got out around the same time I did are also having trouble finding work.
Subject: Re: ARGH! I HAVE to vent...
Quoting:
TellamarketerEnd Quote
If we've ever spoken on the phone, I apologize for my language and rudeness. ;D
Subject: Re: ARGH! I HAVE to vent...
Thanks, I quite after the second day. Couldn't take it. theres easier ways to make $8.00/hr. The company I worked for had diferent charities as their clients. How much Money went to the charities? 15%
Subject: Re: ARGH! I HAVE to vent...
Nat...first let me say "Congratulations" on getting your degree. What was it in?
While it is good to have a degree under your belt it doesn't always guarantee a good-paying job. I found that out. In the past most of my earnings have gone to paying the babysitter. I finally got smart and decided to quit my low-paying job and stay at home and work. So now in addition to caring for my own kids, I'm able to make some money babysitting for some friends of me and my husband. Of course childcare isn't for everyone. Many people are happier working outside the home. But I am happy that I can be here for my kids and make some money.
The U.S. economy seems very rocky right now and that's probably while you're having trouble finding the job you want. Keep persevering and I'm sure that sooner or later it will pay off for you! ;)
Subject: Re: ARGH! I HAVE to vent...
Quoting:
Nat...first let me say "Congratulations" on getting your degree. What was it in?
End Quote
Thank you, Karen. My degree is in Mass Communication with a focus in Broadcast Journalism. Yes, yes, I want to be a News Reporter - but that is going to have to wait. I live in a "Po-dunk, Smallville" type o' town, and there aren't many possibilities for employment around here (at least none where you can make more than $15,000/yr.).
For instance, I went on an interview at a News Station in Biloxi, MS ('tis one of the best stations down here), and starting salary for a News Producer/Web Designer (the position for which I was applying) was in the lower $17s. Um, I have a heck load of school loans to pay off, not to mention a wedding to pay for next October...so, that was out of the question.
Since I know MSNBC is only a dream at the present time, I have to think practically for right now. I need to find a job close to home that pays at least $25,000/yr. So, I'm looking into Marketing/Sales/Public Relations/Advertising...you name it!
I almost had a job in Sales for a Commercial Interior Design firm down in New Orleans, but it fell through at the last minute. I spent two months trying to get this job...TWO MONTHS! Come to find out, I lost out to a guy who knew the CEO personally. I guess it isn't what you know, it's who you know. I guess it's their loss, though, 'cause I would've worked my a*s off for that job.
Whoa, this is a long post. I guess I just started rolling and couldn't stop. It's nice to vent - and to have people like you guys listen.
;)
Subject: Re: ARGH! I HAVE to vent...
Keep your chin up! I spent two years working as a secretary (after obtaining my degree) before someone took a chance on me and hired me as a junior communications/public relations professional. And let me tell you, working in a job that you despise sure makes getting the one you really want all that much sweeter! ;)
Subject: Re: ARGH! I HAVE to vent...
Quoting:
Keep your chin up! I spent two years working as a secretary (after obtaining my degree) before someone took a chance on me and hired me as a junior communications/public relations professional. And let me tell you, working in a job that you despise sure makes getting the one you really want all that much sweeter! ;)
End Quote
Now that's a job right up my alley! I guess I never looked at it like that. Honestly, though, I'd take a job I despised for a few years just to say I HAD a job, ya know? As long as the job I "despise" makes at least $25,000/yr., I'm good to go.
What do you do with your job? It sounds very interesting. What was your degree in?
Subject: Re: ARGH! I HAVE to vent...
My main responsibilities are: media relations, issues management/crisis communications, advertising, internal communications (newsletter and website), special event planning/community relations, a whole WHACK of writing and a little bit of marketing thrown in just to keep it interesting.
I've found that in this career, you can make it pretty much whatever you like. I know communications professionals who only focus on issues management or writing speeches, for example. I've opted to be a generalist because I think it makes me more marketable.
Anyway, PM me if you want a website that posts PR/communications jobs exclusively ;)
BTW, my degree is in English and Indian Studies.
Subject: Re: ARGH! I HAVE to vent...
Quoting:
I almost had a job in Sales for a Commercial Interior Design firm down in New Orleans, but it fell through at the last minute. I spent two months trying to get this job...TWO MONTHS! Come to find out, I lost out to a guy who knew the CEO personally. I guess it isn't what you know, it's who you know. I guess it's their loss, though, 'cause I would've worked my a*s off for that job.
End Quote
Isn't that always the way in a small town?!!! I saw a lot of that kind of stuff happening where I grew up. But you have the right attitude....and yes, it's their loss! ;)
Subject: Re: ARGH! I HAVE to vent...
Quoting:
Isn't that always the way in a small town?!!! I saw a lot of that kind of stuff happening where I grew up. But you have the right attitude....and yes, it's their loss! ;)
End Quote
It's a shame that I don't know more CEOs in New Orleans, I'd have a job for sure. I guess I'll have to find someone willing to hire a person because of their work ethic - not because of who they know.
I still can't believe I wasted two months of my life trying to get the job. I guess I'll chalk it up as a "learning experience" and be happy that I improved my interviewing skills. ;)
Subject: Re: ARGH! I HAVE to vent...
well congrats on your degree even if the job market is not so welcoming...I bet (HOPE!!) something will happen for you soon. It is a shame that people who have the smarts cannot get a job right now to save their lives.....
Subject: Re: ARGH! I HAVE to vent...
Quoting:
well congrats on your degree even if the job market is not so welcoming...I bet (HOPE!!) something will happen for you soon. It is a shame that people who have the smarts cannot get a job right now to save their lives.....
End Quote
Yes, it really is a shame, Cricket. I've been talking to a lot of people lately who are in the same boat as me. It's feel better now that I know I'm not alone. I keep reading about how awful the job market is now - hopefully it'll get better.
Thank you for the vote of confidence. :)