233 Days... (long post)
... Since I've been employed. I graduated in May 2006, with a Communication degree. I got out of school, panicked that I still hadn't decided what to do, but eager to get a job, any job. I clicked on one of the multitude of "ENTRY LEVEL!!!" postings for a business located one town over. The initial interview was short, no longer than 5 minutes, and I was invited back. In retrospect, I'm not sure why no warning signals went off in my head. I think I was just pleased to have another 2nd interview. The 2nd interview was an all day "preview" of the job, which, in short, was being a door to door salesman. I was offered a job, took the job, although it was an commission only position (another red flag missed). Although I don't consider myself to have the gift of gab, I do enjoy talking to people. Except for when they don't want anything to do with me. My sales were not enough to balance out my astronomical spending on gas and fast food, which is what every door to door salesman needs to power them through the day. I quit, and immediately took a job at an outbound call center. The job was better, but only by degrees. I'd wake up every morning, dreading the 50 minute commute, another day of renewing subscriptions. I had a coworker that had the same degree as me, and one day, they presented him with a "Happy 3 Years" certificate to congratulate him on his service. This wouldn't have been alarming, except the same coworker had, around the same time, been surprised that I was making more than him. The commute, not getting along with my coworkers, the pay, the lack of positions to advance to, the fact that it wasn't what I wanted to do with my life, I quit. Again. Now I feel like I am a job hopper. I am a job hopper. But I'm not. I held the same job for my entire college career. I recognize the importance of finding the right fit for me before getting into the job, but I fear it is too late. Should I even bother to list those two jobs (a scant 3 months each) on my resume? I know it's wrong to lie on a resume... but I entertain the thought. I don't even want to give myself qualifications that I don't have. I just want a clean slate. A fresh start. The fact that I'm trying to justify it to myself makes me know it's wrong, but still. Gotta grasp onto something. "The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Perfect Resume" has succeeded only in making me feel like a perfectly complete idiot. All I have to do is slide the graduation date to May 2007... For those that had long gaps of unemployment, short employment stints, or perhaps... both: What did you do to get through it? How were you able to convince yourself, in addition to employers, that you still had potential, and to view you in a positive light? Am I completely screwed?
Hi alvare, Please do not slide anything! I understand the temptation, but the consequencesare not worth it. The wondering if you might get caught alone can raise yourblood pressure! What if you're the top candidate for a great job, and theemployer asks for a copy of your degree? What if you land a job that you love,and down the line a copy of your degree is needed or there's some other type ofbackground check? You can lose your job if a lie is discovered - even months oryears later.
Thanks for your reply! I do realize the consequences of lying on a resume, and ethically it's something I couldn't do. But man, would it make things a lot easier if I could do it, get away with it, and not feel bad about it! But, as I work on my resume, I'll put the education first, then the work experience. I still am unsure about what to do about the two jobs I did hold? Do I still put them? Does it look bad to have job dates of 6/06 to 8/06, then 8/06 to 11/06, then a long gap afterwards? I understand your situation. Mine was similiar... Years ago when I graduated from college, I was nervous and scared and jumped into the first job. After three months, I left. It wasn't a good fit for me and wasn't what I wanted to do. Although I wasn't out of work for long, because I started temp working. It was hard at times. For the resume, I wouldn't stretch it. I might leave the months in this case since your starting out, but I might change it too... in the format of your resume.... job 1. 2006 - 2006 job 2. 2006 - 2006 When you fill out the application either online or in person.... you will need to put the months and the dates. I don't know what your resume looks like, but using a functional resume to focus on your talents and education to light... and minimizes the job to a certain aspect. I have some other suggestions to help you in the meantime, but I need to get ready for an appointment. I will post more later this afternoon/evening. If you see this before I post again, please feel free to post any comments or questions.
Laura going forward.... continuation from my previous post. Since you are unemployed, have you thought of taking on some volunteer work? It is one way to help with the gap. Plus, you may be able to find something doing some communications work. It may also be a great chance to network....and of course to get involved with the community. It's usually a win-win situation. Most jobs these days are found via networking. The success rate for finding a job via the internet or blasting out resumes is less than 5%. One website for volunteers to find opportunities. http://www.volunteermatch.org/volunteers/ Join a professional organization in your field. Here a just a few I have been recommended because of my communications experience.
While these organizations are an investment, you may be able to see if since your a recent graduate if you could have the student rate (which less expensive). If these are out of your range, check with the local churches and see if one has an employment ministry. They may be able to help in this time of transistion, with resume help, interviewing skills, networking.....etc... If you haven't read this book, it's a must read. You may either check it out of the library or purchase the book: What Color is Your Parachute? by Dick Bolles. Hope this helps!
Thanks for your advice. I sincerely appreciate it. This job hunt has been so hard on me, I've hardly known which way was up, much less the way out. I do own "Parachute", but had put it aside. I want to return to it, with a greater focus on completely all the exercises, and putting in an honest effort. Just getting myself to try has been tough, but that's where I'll start. This was one of the most incredibly funny things i have read in a long time....i can certainly relate to your experiences. i've been an RN for 24 years and am trying to get my resume written up. it makes me so depressed i keep losing what i've written and just keep giving up.
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