I can’t get work because my resume is spotty due to being laid off and let go due to restructuring. Therefore I can’t get work. Therefore I can’t improve my resume.
This makes me so angry…at myself, mostly and pointlessly. It starts a cycle of self-esteem issues that I thought I’d beaten too. That, combined with some recent relationship stresses…ARRGH! :mad:
I’m not a violent man. Nor self-destructive (unless you count my love for crumb-covered donuts). This just…makes me hate with my groin, which is, according to a very odd fellow I know, the purest of all hates. I hate the fact that this has happened. The fact that my job search has stalled to such a degree. Whatever factors has stopped me from continuing my career in any fashion.
Perhaps this is the wrong section for this; if I could Pit myself I would (Can I?). I just needed to get this off my chest and see if I’m overreacting or being too emotional.
Sorry you’re having so much trouble. I was laid off for six months a couple of years ago at the same time as my husband, so I know how hard the search period is.
How have you been searching mainly? Is there some way you could restructure your resume so that the gaps don’t stand out? A good cover letter where you address the question pre-emptively might be helpful, too.
I’ve been mainly using sites like Monster and Careerbuilder, under the assumption that they would reach more people. I also look in the newspaper, however. I’ve sent the resume off to a graphics designer friend to “spice it up”. Addressing the question in my cover letter isn’t a bad idea, though. Thanks!
Try getting a temp gig. They mostly don’t care, and then you can fill in some of the gaps. More importantly, it will show that you’ve worked recently. If you can’t get a temp job, then work somewhere in your field as an unpaid volunteer, if possible. At least do something to show that you’re motivated.
I’ll second ShibbOleth’s suggestion - it’s much easier to get work if you are already employed, even if it’s only temp work.
The other thing you might try (since you didn’t indicate that you wanted to shift fields by re-training or more school) is to change your search strategy. If you are trying for lots of postings now, maybe reduce the number of applications you put in and try to focus them more to the actual position; maybe try to target each resume and cover letter specifically to the company and job description. Or, if all of your applications go in via a specific route (large web posting boards), try someting different like want-ads, trade publications, the phone book, job fairs, etc. Not sure what industry you’re in, but that can make a big difference, as I’m sure you’re aware, as far as which strategies tend to be most successful.
You’ve probably heard that it’s a numbers game - with a certain probability that any one application will result in a job offer, you need to get so many out there to yield success. This problem can be attacked from both sides: either increase the numbers or improve the odds of each application.
Anyway, best of luck and hope it turns out alright.
Keep in mind that looking for a job, is a job in and of itself. You have some tough times ahead, but eventually (hopefully a lot sooner then that too), you’ll find something. Hopefully you’ll end up in a better situation then you were at your last job. Keep your head, you’ll be fine.
Sympathy vote, man. My job is in the process of being outsourced to India (I got a lot of warning 'cause I’m contracted for another month) and have serious, absolutely no kidding doubt that I’m going to be able to find another job that pays enough to cover rent.
I used to be pissed at the world for this sort of thing, but frankly, that takes too much energy. “You have to have it to get it” and other catch-22s are everywhere. The best you can do is keep trying random different things in an attempt to find an chink in the system. Eventually, something’s likely to garner a result. (I’m hoping.)
This is sound advice. Everey HR person I deal with has told me that the resumes and cover letters which are targeted to the position they are advertising are the ones which stand out and get phone calls.
Temp jobs and volunteering are good ways to keep your skills current, make contacts, earn a reference and keep your spirits up and yourself busy.
Taking a class within your industry, if it is affordable, will allow you to say that you have spent your down time keeping current in your industry and sharpening your skills/learning new ones.
Go to career fairs. HR folks also tell me that they are much more likely to look beyond a spotty resume if they have met, and formed a favorable impression of, the person behind the resume.
Jobs are where people are. Get out where the people in your industry go—conferences, networking groups, career fairs. If you went to school, contact the school’s career services center. They should have services for alums. I don’t know where you live, but perhaps there is a career center near you.
Good luck. It is pretty tough out there—but not impossible.
I want to thank everyone for their excellent suggestions. I’m currently taking a test for an employment agency (typing speed and stuff). Also, my degree is in writing (English), which I’m told is a toughy to get into (also, I graduated in 2000). Maybe I’m having a midlife crisis, even though I haven’t actually done anything yet? Anyway, I want to at any rate apologize for the whiny, semi-hysterical sound of my first post. I know others have it worse than me, it’s just the combination of lack of work + other factors that are really depressing me right now.
Look in publishing. I was an editorial assistant and I loved it. And I don’t even have a degree. It paid well too. Worked there 18 months through a temp agency.
Good for you for going to an employment agency. It’s very common for large corporations to have deals with staffing agencies to do all of their hiring. If the one you applied through does nothing for you (sometimes, you’re just not a fit for their hiring needs), apply through others.
No joke: my (now current) company put up a billboard for hiring employees. I called, sent resumes, etc. and got absolutely no response. A few weeks later I went to a staffing firm. They offered me a job on the spot with the same company. It was even a better, higher-paying position! It was temp-to-hire, which is always a gamble, but if you are truly a good employee, it’s a great way to get your foot in the door. I had done one other long term temporary assignment (90 days turned into over 6 months) and, despite fighting to, weren’t allowed to keep me by the university, but they were a great reference.
My degree’s in history, and I now work in customer service, but I make more money than I thought I would after only a few years in the field, as I was promoted to management.
Even professional, managerial, and technical jobs are recruiting through headhunters and staffing agencies now. The director of our site actually got the job because he used to be our headhunter! (Sadly, not a particularly good one, and not a particularly good director, but he’s still bringing in the big bucks.)
:mad: :mad: