First, I wanted to state how much I appreciate this forum on Monster, as frustrated as I become, reading the posts on this site gives me the feeling that I am not alone in this endeavor.

I have been searching for a position for 15 months, which coincidentally is how long (15 years) I dedicated my experience and passion to my prior company.  I truly enjoyed my job, I would even venture to say that at one point, I loved it.  Then came Mr. Micromanager, which ended my long-standing succesful career.   He was let go after only 2 years with the company, because it was only a "springboard" for him.  I was a lifer and would still be there if I had never encountered him.  I've moved on, accepted that fate intervenes and that everything happens for  a reason.

I have interviewed with many companies over the past year and have been in every situation imaginable.  From being offered a job and then being told "oh, it wasn't really an offer, we were merely feeling you out", to "you are the top candidate" and never hearing back from H.R./Recruiter/Hiring manager.  I've made it to second round interviews on at least 5 occassions and have been told that I lacked this or that skill, only to find the job re-posted on Monster the following week. I even went to a temporary agency (Kelly), went through the two hour computer, typing and interview process, only to be told by the 23 year old interviewer that I was overqualified, but not until after being demeanded through the 2 hour process.   I am an executive level marketing manager, so I sort of figured I was overqualifed going into it, however, I am also a single mom who needs to support my family.

I am at my wits end.  I spend day after day searching the job boards, submitting resumes, making follow-up calls, sending follow-up interview letters, and networking to the point I feel people are fed up with hearing from me, but feel bad about telling me so.  It's now beyond embarassing.  I've never been out of work in my life before this, I've worked hard my whole life, I even went back to night school to get my degree and graduated with a B.S. while I was 8 months pregnant.   I went through a couple of lay-offs, however I always found another  position within a couple of months.  I am good at what I do, and yes I'm sure I'm biased about myself, however, former co-workers, peers and direct reports have always had positive things to say about me personally and my work ethic.  I always received above average reviews, up until the Micromanager that is.  How do I stay motivated.  At my wits end.

I wish I could say something that would boost your morale, but can only say to keep punching.

For what it's worth, you are not alone.  As a former systems analyst, I am in the same position.  After several years of searching, I only got a part time job out of my field and that may end as public transit here is cut, leaving me stranded.

Welcome to the club. I have a BS and an MBA degree and it took me almost two years to get into a job that was not necessarily my dream job BUT the salary was too good to pass up.

I hit bottom with a car repossession, this close to foreclosure on my home, three garnishments on my paychecks that only allowed me $100 for food and expenses and near bankruptcy. Imagine, your nieces and nephews earning tremendously more than yourself and they have these nice cars, take vacations and so forth. How does that affect your morale?

I became depressed. I applied for jobs here on Monster and met whatever requirements they were looking for and yet, I still lacked experience? Excuse me? Even in my own industry, I was not getting interviews. I wasn't even getting past first base. I had my resume redone three times. The last being professionally prepared at $300 and it only garnered five call backs and NO job!

Keep banging the pavement and soon that cloud of doom will depart and you will be offered a position. It happened to me when I least expected it. I got a call from my current employer, they flew me out to Las Vegas and now I love what I do!

Ytt,

If there is such as thing as a job search focus group in your area, you may want to attend meetings. They usually are held wherever it is convenient, like a community hall or a local church and they do just what their name says. They have resources and contacts which might prove useful.

It might help you to meet other highly qualified people who are seeking employment. You are not alone and in many areas of the country, mass numbers of excellent candidates are unemployed.

Sometimes it just helps not to feel alone and up against it. If you can share your stories with others, you can get a sense that this is not forever and that you will be successful.

Best of luck to you.

I would like to know who in government or other company that do the employment/unemployment count the media gives out for every month or every quarter of the year!  " They" keep stating more people were hired for jobs!  Where are "they" looking! and they never say what type of jobs!  The way this country has been run the past seven years has really got rid of over 3,500 people overseas, not to mention the number of jobs that have left the states.  I can understand why some people become hateful on the Immigration situation.  I bet the filled jobs that the" media" announces are jobs that are minimum wage or below....a person either barely or can't pay what an average person needs to survive!

GP,

The official numbers on employment are competely bogus. We have had this discussion a number of times on the old boards. Your are quite right and some "news" sources are interested in making the economy look far better than it is.

Look for genuine, hard facts instead of paying any attention the misinformation you see. 

My feeling on this and other issues is the old saying, "Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear." It works most of the time.

AMEN! buddy.... A-MEN!