The vent of the decade!
PL might be able to shed some light on legal searching.
I can tell you that a friend from my paralegal school days just took a postion as a Correctional Office in the Parole System. She has a BA in Criminal Justice, her paralegal cert and over 2 years as a paralegal assistance in one of Atlanta's top law firms. It look her six months to get the position (and a pay cut but it's what she wants to do). And once offered the job there was an almost month wait until the start date. Within six months she has already changed positions and for the record does not like her job - even though she told us this is what she really wants to do. (She will probably go for a phd in pysch....)
I know this doesn't help your situation, but it does let you know it takes longer than we think to get those types of positions.
My only practical suggestion would be to review your KSA document very carefully and tailor each doc to each gov positon applied for. I would also find the local school for certificates and get on their mailing list for open position. Kennesaw College here in Atlanta sends out emails for intern, temp and perm positions for lawyers and local da etc. Go offer your services volunteering (I know it won't pay the bills, but it will get your face and work known.) at your local court house or pro bono legal aid association.
You're not cursed!
Thank you!! my problem is the whole volunteer thing. I dont want to get my vehicle repoed that would be the worst. I know that is the best possible route. I just thought it might be a easier way....
You are not a loser, just hitting a rough spot. You are in a good place. You can bi$%h as much as you want here, and no one will fault you for it.
If anything you have my respect for the very reason that you defend American soil so every one of us can be free from oppression (other than the self imposed kind). I know that my compliments are not much consolation, because you still do not have a job.
I think you have impressive qualifications. Again, I truly apologize for sounding like an a$$, but you do! Maybe the market is saturated where you are. Is relocation an option for you?-Not necessarily across the country, but maybe a few towns over? Is there someone you could crash with while you get resettled, or could you borrow some money from anyone you know so you can move?-Just a thought...
Do you mind taking a side step on the path to what you want to do? Maybe try to get something related, just to keep a check coming in, even if it's for a little while (or a long one)? What about the FAA or FBI?
You already have experience as an MP, would working for the local PD, sheriff's office, or some similar municipality be an option for now?
At least you are in school and are showing that you have a goal that you are seeing to completion. Psychology is a broad title-I wonder if potential employers are looking for either a specialty, or experience, or both? Who knows? I have yet to understand the logic behind certain executive descisions that get made, and I am supposedly one of them.
Hang in there. Please.
Peace,
TG
The CIA is hiring. I'm not joking. I looked but my degree didn't match their requirements. You could try the FBI also.
Hi Lotus360,
Why are you applying for dispatcher positions, you are grossly overqualified? Although, the CHP dispatchers are paid more than any other division of law enforcement dispatch. Have you decided you don't want to be in law enforcement? Diehard made an excellent suggestion, FBI, CIA, you should check out the LAPD also. You should also check with the Forest Dept., or Wayside. Frankly, I would stay away from large cities, if you can commute or even move to a smaller area within the state, that might help. Don't do that without securing a position however.
On the other hand, if you check into Security positions, do so in the more elite areas of LA county.
I'm sure you have this information, but incase you don't.
http://www.dol.gov/dol.audience/aud-veterans.htm
You will find something, you have incredible skills, hang in there!
tb:)
Let's take these things one at a time.
1. Human Resources/ Buisiness Marketing/Probation and parole/Corrections field That's problem number 1. You can't possibly have a resume that is appropriate for Human Resources/ Buisiness Marketing/Probation and parole/Corrections field because this is at least 3 if not 4 different fields. You need different resumes for each of these areas.
2. Human Resources. You've got no experience in this field if I read your post correctly. You don't have a BA yet. I won't say it is impossible, but it is going to be incredibly difficult to get a job in HR. HR is VERY tight and you're going to have to start out VERY entry-level such as Admin Assistant in the HR department or as a recruiter for a temp firm. Even with some experience and an advanced degree, many people have a lot of trouble getting their feet into this door.
3. Buisiness Marketing. You've not only got no experience in Business or Marketing, you haven't even studied it in school. How can you possibly think you're qualified for that? Again, Marketing is another VERY competative field, even people with majors in it and lots of internship experience under their belts have a hard time getting started there. If you're interested in that field, you've gone down the wrong road altogether with your Psych major. You need a bunch of business and marketing courses to even be considered for this.
4. Probation and parole/Corrections field. Here's something that you're in the running for. You've got MP experience, you've got the AA in Criminal Justice and the Psych background won't hurt here. Plus, these kinds of jobs are full of former military, that's a "type" that fits naturally. You should clean up your resume, focus it on this area and then actively search out every position you can find that might be appropriate and apply.
I also recommend that you go back to your VA office for more career counseling. Ask them to do some testing on you to help you figure out where your skills, abilities and interests lie. Then they should be able to show you lists of careers and related fields that line up. There may be a number of skills you have from your time in the service that you're not considering and there may be fields out there beyond the obvious.
Finally, be sure to post to government jobs (city, county, state and federal) as these will give preference for your veteran status. Many other larger companies do this as well. Look at Corporate Security jobs. If you're determined to get into HR, then look at non-profits too. They need HR people both for paid and volunteer staff and are more willing to overlook lack of experience or other issues. That's a great way to build your experience and you can then transfer that to a company down the road. Specifically look at Red Cross too. As you might imagine, they hire a lot of former military as well.
All the best!
Tess
And I just read further down and saw that you're in the Bay Area. Here are some specific suggestions. A few of these may be a stretch, but look for things like this and apply for these anyway.
Make a list of all the companies in the Bay Area that might have a spot. Look at BofA, Wells Fargo, Chevron, Clorox, Genentech, Gap, Levi Strauss, Google, Yahoo, EBay, Safeway, DelMonte, Gymboree, Pixar, Lucas Films, Charles Schwab, Williams Sonoma... You've got corporate headquarters for so many in the Bay Area, not to mention all the high tech firms, you should be able to find a solid corporate security position.
Tess
It was so decent of you to take the time to post all those job opportunities!
tb:)