So sorry for replying to all of you so late. It hasn't been a good time for me.
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Originally Posted by key tones
Hey, don’t give up! Do more follow up with the recruiters. Don’t let it drop off—they will think you lost interest! Target them and tell them why you have passion for their mission. Write follow up emails or notes with why you want to work for them.
Have a strong, confident answer for why they should hire you.
Talk about only the positive aspects of your work experience. That was really great experience!
Hang in there.
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Thanks a lot! It was hard for me to come up with positive experiences since that externship was so awful. The clients weren't bad but the staff was and the center wasn't organized at all. So it took me a while to find positives in that experience but I did. I've followed up with a few recruiters, especially one site that is my dream place to work...but I either never hear from them again or they say they'll keep me up to date but they don't. =/ I'll try my best to hang in there.
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Originally Posted by Turtle_Rider
Job searching is tough. Don't give up. It took me a while to get a job after graduating. I got more luck from searching job online rather than the job fair. Maybe you can try it. Taking temporary freelance job is good too for small cash.
It just my opinion. When they say your externship isn't experience, I think it just their tactic. Your job field is a tough one. Some interviewers use this tactic to see your reaction. If you down, they would think you're not suitable for the job. Be confident and tell them why the externship should be count as experience.
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I've been using job apps way more than going to job fairs. Indeed has been my go to and the best app I've used. It's just so tough and you're right. The mental health field is very difficult. It sucks because you want to help people but no one wants to give you a chance to do that. And I agree with what you said about them using tactics. That's underhanded but I believe they do that. =/
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Originally Posted by reb569
Have you looked over on the Pro section? I wonder if there may be some advice for you over there? Is there a professional organization that relates to your degree that may have some resources on getting started. How about the university that you graduated from? They should provide assistance in getting jobs. I'm sure you've thought of all these, so I am just throwing them out there.
Good luck, I hope something comes up for you soon.
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Thanks a lot for the suggestion! I actually went back to my school to talk to a career adviser and they helped me with my resume and stuff but they also were confused as to why I didn't have a job yet. They gave me a few jobs to look at but it didn't work out.
I found an organization for counselors where I live so I'm going to look on their site because they give you a list of supervisors you can contact. I'll definitely look over on the Pro section. I actually didn't know there was a pro section on here so thanks a lot for telling me about it!
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Originally Posted by scorpiosis37
Have you specifically searched on the job boards for psychologist jobs with "trainee" in the title? Most of the psychologists I know started out as a trainee, so they were paid a bit of a lower wage while earning the hours and supervision they needed to earn their license. Those jobs are specifically looking for someone like you who has your degree but does not yet have a license.
Hang in there. The job market is rough. I have a PhD and just quit my job and moved across the country to take care of my ill parents... so now I'm on the job market again too. It's HARD even with a PhD and 8 years of experience!
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Yea, I've been using the word "entry-level" in my job search and all of the jobs I applied to said counselors who were looking to get their hours and supervision should apply. Never heard from them either.
I'll try using the word "trainee" and see if that makes a difference. Thank you and best of luck to you in your job search as well! It's too hard out here.
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Originally Posted by seesaw
I have been looking for a new job since July, and it is definitely tough out there.
Not to be a downer, but people who have gone straight through high school through grad school DO have a tougher time because they don't have as much direct experience. As a hiring manager myself I see people coming in, in my field, who want manager or high level positions who have no experience managing a team or raising the kind of gifts (I work in philanthropy) required for the position. So really pushing the point across of how your externship was REAL experience and that you do have a track record of working with clients, etc. is probably the most important thing you can do in an interview. In your cover letters, you should be playing up all the experience you gained at your externship and how that parallels the job description that you are applying for.
I agree with the other poster that you might have success looking for a trainee position. I will tell you that I came out of grad school at 25, same as you, no break in school, although I did work while I was in school, and I had to start at an entry level position. But the plus side is that I was able to move up quickly because I put the skills learned in grad school to use. I found that the grad degree didn't help me get my first job, but it did help me get a manager's position and director level positions later on in my career.
It's okay to take a break for a week or so from the job hunt... I know I've had to do that to stay fresh...but don't let it last too long and be intentional about it. You've been searching very hard for a job, take your break, then get back to it.
Are you contacting the interviewers afterwards to ask for feedback on why you weren't the final choice? That could help you figure out how to hone your interview skills so that in the next interview you can make sure you address those concerns.
Good luck!
Seesaw
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You're not being a downer at all! You're right. It's very hard because it puts you in this weird limbo state. And I'm definitely not looking for a high level, high paying job. I know I have to work up to that. I've also been applying to positions where I'm underqualified in terms of degree and seeing if I would have luck with those. But they STILL tell me I have no experience, even when I tell them of the duties I had at my externship. These are jobs who want someone with a high school diploma or a BA. So I don't know what to do.
I'll take your advice and contact them to see specifically why I wasnt chosen because "underqualified because of lack of work experience" isn't really cutting it for me anymore.
Thanks a lot for your help everyone! I appreciate it. 💕