# It’s hard to get a job these days **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 31, 2024, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932 "2024-01-31T21:07:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932/21 "2024-02-01T00:54:47Z")
Moderating: > [@Jaycat.again](#): > > Try using paragraphs. I hope your resume doesn’t look like that. > [@Jaycat.again](#): > > My thoughts are offered as constructive criticism. As a prospective employer, I would want to read something more easily comprehensible. First, make sure your comments are directed to the person to whom you wish to speak. Second, there are ways of offering constructive criticism that come off far less snarky and personal. I suggest you employ them going forward. It came off as a personal attack. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932/22 "2024-02-01T01:41:16Z")
Do you have any talents or abilities that may be suited towards a job? I once met a guy who didn’t seem to have a lot going on, but he had a bit of artistic skill and made good money painting storefront windows for sales and seasonal promotions. I see these windows quite often and never gave much thought to who did that type of work, but he did it pretty much on his own, and got new jobs from word of mouth and knocking on business doors. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932/23 "2024-02-01T01:53:04Z")
I know 2 people who work for WalMart. Both happy and earning a living wage. Perfectly Cromulant Employer. ---
**Author:** ![Imuseless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbce88/32.png) [@Imuseless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imuseless)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932/24 "2024-02-01T01:59:04Z")
Not really. I’m only great at sign holder jobs, mascot jobs and snow shoveling jobs. I sometimes make unedited youtube videos talking about my life. ---
**Author:** ![Imuseless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbce88/32.png) [@Imuseless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imuseless)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932/25 "2024-02-01T01:59:38Z")
True that makes sense. I’m gonna walk and hand my resume to all walmart near my location. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932/26 "2024-02-01T02:01:37Z")
And, call back a couple times. Sometimes a repeat caller gets remembered. Don’t go make a nuscience of yourself. But a call back from you might help. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932/27 "2024-02-01T03:24:46Z")
You are not useless. Get used to the idea. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932/28 "2024-02-01T03:55:51Z")
I don’t about the rest of you guys, but I was surprised sign holders got that much hourly pay. ---
**Author:** ![Imuseless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbce88/32.png) [@Imuseless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imuseless)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932/29 "2024-02-01T04:02:01Z")
Ok I will ---
**Author:** ![Imuseless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbce88/32.png) [@Imuseless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imuseless)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932/30 "2024-02-01T04:03:47Z")
I live in Canada that’s why. When I first worked as a sign holder in 2019 I got $14 an hour and then when I worked with my current company in 2021 I started at $16 an hour and got a raise in 2023 at $18 an hour. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932/31 "2024-02-01T04:11:48Z")
Are there temp agencies where you are? It can be a good way to eventually get hired on at a place. Also a good way to get varied experience. I once got a very mediocre job through a temp agency which then led to a recommendation from another employee who’d left for a better job, and a new great job for me, too. ---
**Author:** ![Imuseless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbce88/32.png) [@Imuseless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imuseless)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932/32 "2024-02-01T04:21:27Z")
Yes there are temp agencies in my city. I will try and apply with the temp agencies. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932/33 "2024-02-01T17:27:27Z")
Can I just say I’m impressed by your attitude? So many times people post asking for advice, and immediately shoot down all suggestions, often for trivial reasons. “I don’t like to get up early.” “I can’t stand the smell of cooking food.” “I won’t wear a uniform.” Instead, you’ve thanked people and said you’ll try their suggestions. Attitude matters a lot in employees, I think you’ll find a good fit soon. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932/34 "2024-02-01T21:24:23Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > Instead, you’ve thanked people and said you’ll try their suggestions. Attitude matters a lot in employees, I think you’ll find a good fit soon. Yes. The positive attitude and strong drive matter a lot in these things. Keep up the good thoughts! ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932/35 "2024-02-01T21:33:31Z")
> [@Imuseless](#): > > Yes there are temp agencies in my city. > > I will try and apply with the temp agencies. This is a really good idea. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932/36 "2024-02-01T21:37:09Z")
A Landscape company? They’re always interested in persons willing to shovel. Could really work into a better position. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932/37 "2024-02-01T21:53:59Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I don’t about the rest of you guys, but I was surprised sign holders got that much hourly pay. As _Flight of the Conchords_ taught us, people who hold signs go on to hold many things. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2024, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932/38 "2024-02-02T04:33:00Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > You are not useless. Get used to the idea I’m wondering about your user name as well; it seems self-defeating. If you could choose a more positive name, what might it be? And then if you had a choice of two different names, one negative about yourself and one positive, which one are you presenting to potential employers? Repeating: you are not useless. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932/39 "2024-02-04T23:23:42Z")
Very well said. I was once stuck in a total shit job situation. Which in turn made me pretty depressed. Which in turn meant that I interviewed for shit. When I could muster the gumption to even try applying. That is a very self-reinforcing but also very self-defeating cycle. A smarter or more aware person would not fall into that trap. Our OP has demonstrated awareness of the importance of _not_ falling into something like that. But the username points the other way. Color me confused. And a bit worried for their sake. ---
**Author:** ![Eric1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3bc359/32.png) [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932/40 "2024-02-05T04:21:57Z")
I see what you mean LSL Maybe the original poster could benefit from seeking good people in his community in Canada. I can only write about myself but I too have personally found it a good thing to do in a similar situation. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-hard-to-get-a-job-these-days/996932.md?page=3)