Cant get hired and know whyHello everyone. I have had a very difficult time finding permanent employment and I'm basically at the end of my rope. Sadly, I think I know two of the reasons why I can't get an interview, but I can't do anything about them. One reason is because I don't have a college degree. I have two years of college education, but left school because of personal reasons that made it impossible to concentrate on college. The issue has since been resolved and is no longer an issue. However, I screwed up so badly that it's going to be difficult for me to return to school because of debt. I definitely want to go back to school, but I need the money to do so. I have a plan, but not having a job is holding me back from actually being able to return to school. The other issue is a sketchy work history. My resume has very little focus and doesn't follow much of a career path. I have 8 years of experience in purely entry level jobs that require no college degree. My pay has increased with each job, but I haven't really been in a position with more 'official' responsibilities. The only common thread with all of my jobs is that they have been in customer service. Also, I have two periods of time where I have been unemployed for around year each. Both times were because I had to relocated to a new city and couldn't find any sort of job. With both gaps, I took the first job offered to me after searching forever. One of the jobs lasted only 5 months, because it was a seasonal position. Also, during one of the gaps, I did go to school for a semester, but that's hard to really explain on a resume. I look very flaky and unfocused on my resume, what with the gaps in work history and the fact that there are a couple of jobs where I was there less than a year. I think these two issues are really hurting me in my job search, but they aren't things that I can really hide. I am very discouraged about the job search and have been doing it for too long now. I don't have a particular field that I am wanting to get into, so I'm basically looking for an admin type job where I could have an opportunity to advance within the company once I get my degree. I am planning on getting my degree in either general business or computers (or a combination). Anyway, am I correct in my assessment that these two things are really hurting me? Any suggestions about what I can do to help my job search? Yes, those things are hurting you but they' re not the end of the world either. Start with going back to the career center at your previous school. Odds are good that they' ll see you even though you' re not currently enrolled. If not, try any community college or your phone book for "career counseling". They can do a lot with you to help you figure out what you want to do, then lay out the path to get there, as well as help you with your resume. They can also let you know if it is possible for you to get into school, money issues aside (it might be). Thanks for the response. I can't go back to my old college for career advice because they are in a different city. However, I did enroll in a local community college, but have yet to see anyone because I have absolutely no money for classes. Loans are out of the question, so I will be paying for my associates degree on my own. I would like to have a job lined up before I see anyone at the college because I would like to be able to enroll in classes. And I'm not sure if they would see me for career counseling because I have yet to actually take any classes there. Have you tried financial aid or federal aid such as pell grants or fafsa? The community college you have enrolled at should have these forms. And, generally speaking, the less money you actually are earning, the higher the aid. In the meantime, since you have to have some money coming in to survive, you may need to bite a bullet and take another lowpaying entry level job to put food on the table until you can complete your degree. In your cover letter you should explain that you are currently enrolled at whatever school to complete your degree. Once you are in the interview, if the interviewer asks, you can explain that you aren't actively taking classes because of financial reasons, but you are pursuing different methods of financial aid so you can start up again shortly. When writing your resume, tailor it to specifically draw out the skills and experience for the position that you are applying to at that time. For example: If you are applying for secretary or receptionist then list your experiences with those positions and the skills involved; typing, computers, phones, but stay away from any sales experience or technical experience you may have. Then again, if you are applying for phone sales, then focus in on your sales experience. That's where it gets tricky. I will not get any sort of financial aid for school because I have two defaulted student loans. I realize that's bad, but it was unavoidable at the time. It's a long story, but I had tried for several months to get a financial hardship deferrement for them and it didn't work out, so I had no choice but to let them be in default. After getting some serious misinformation, I finally found out last year that I could actually pay them back, even after they were in default. However, the money just hasn't been there. I am currently working, but it's on a contract basis, so it's not steady pay and I don't feel comfortable working out a deal with the student loan people when I have such a sporadic income. Believe me, as soon as I have steady money coming in, they are one of the first people I am calling. I am hesitating to take another low level job because of how my resume already looks. And the jobs that I'm trying to get aren't extremely high paying as it is. I've been applying for secretary/receptionist jobs and haven't had any interviews. My experience has been varied, but mostly in the hospitality industry, but not serving. I can type, use PCs and Macs, multi-line phone systems, and other office office equipment. I've worked in restaurants, hotels, offices, retail, and I currently telecommute. So I feel like I have the skills and that I've highlighted them on my resume, but I think that all people see is 'customer service' and dismiss me. You do have a great point about stating in my cover letter my intentions to return to school. I hadn't been doing that in the past. You' d be smart to call the student loan people now and work something out. I understand your hesitation but if you ignore them, they' re going to garnish your wages and if you think getting hired now is tough, that' s not going to help. Explain the situation to them and ask what you can do. Let them know you want to work something out. Talk to a supervisor if you have to, they' re really very flexible. And take your butt to the career center at this other college whether you' re enrolled or not. Try applying to a financial institution. Though with your credit background, you may only get entry level positions. You mentioned that' s not something you' re looking for but the thing about financial institutions is that they help pay for your education one way or another. Once you' ve earned your degree, you can apply for higher positions at the institution. I currently work for a bank part time and go to school. I' m suggesting this to you because you seem to want options as you haven' t really decided what you want to do. Think of all the different departments in a typical financial institute (IT, Real Estate, Securities, Operations, Advertising, PR, HR...etc) And I get the impression you see your numerous customer service positions negatively. You need to view it as a strength. That you can talk to customers no matter the product or industry. If you don' t believe that, no way the interviewer would. Even if the world of finance isn' t for you, you still have to show interviewers you are dynamic. Dynamic as in always improving through work or school. Sorry if it seems a bit long and preachy but your situation sounded like mine a couple of years ago. Good luck you on your search and may you absolutely kill on the interviews. | |
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