[SpazKatt]

I graduated from college in May with a double major of travel and tourism and Community Development. I have been applying for jobs since June! At first it wasn't a big deal because I had a paid internship, well my internship ended in November and I am STILL looking for a job. I've applied to at least 22 places, I have lost count really. I've also had 6 interviews, but nothing. I just got my 14th & 15th rejection letter this week. To make matters worse, I'm even having troubles finding a part time job. I feel like SUCH a failure, I don't feel like I have the energy to keep going on. My mom thinks I'll end up homeless on the street or *gasp* living with my fiance. Both are just as bad in her eyes. Any support, direction, comments really would be helpful. Thanks!

[jmo531]

Hi Spaz,

Looking for a job is always a stressfull event. I wanted to first commend you on your schooling. What an awesome accomplishment on your part. You should be very, very proud so try not to lose sight of that.

Have you tried posting your resume on line with monster, or career builder? Also, submitting your resume to your states employment commision can also generate some hits on jobs. Temp agencies also is a good way to get yourself out there. With temp agencies, you can be placed pretty quickly. Those are just a few suggestions. If I can think of anything else, I will post more.
Just keep it up, you can do it.

Jen

[SpazKatt]

I have my resume posted at monster.com, this week I'm going to post it on the professional association I belong to for my career and at my school's career center. Thanks for your suggestions!

[EJ711]

Spaz,

Don't give up!!!!

Rest -- but don't ever give up!

EJ

[January]

Hi Spaz,

Congratulations on earning your degrees. What a wonderful accomplishment!

It sounds like you're really on track with posting your resumes with your professional contacts and with Monster.com.

Please don't be dishearted. Sometimes it takes several months to find a job in a particular field after graduation. You'll get there. Don't give up hope.

Hugs,

Jan

[bipolar_bear]

Don't lose hope Spazkatt. It takes a while to find a job in a particular field. It sounds like you are coming up with some good ideas with monster.com and field related organizations. Are you willing to relocate? Sometimes that can be a big issue. Good luck. Congrats on the schooling and internship. What an accomplishment.

[Wants2Fly]

Hi there! I empathize profoundly with what you're going through.

Job hunting is the most hateful activity I've ever had to do in my life. Here are some things I do.

Continue to read employment hunt and resume books. Go to the library to get them if I can't afford them.

Have a different resume for different positions.

Go to every job fair you can. I got hired by University of Phoenix Online after going to a job fair by accident, simply because it was ongoing in the unemployment office the day I went there.

State unemployment offices sometimes have people who can give you input into how you can fine-tune cover letters and resumes. They also may have free services, such as fax machines.

Use resources at your alma mater. The community college where I work offers faculty and students alike an opportunity for a mock interview. I used one recently, and the staff -- since I know them pretty well -- were kind enough to set it up like a committee interview, the kind I have. Three of them took more than an hour out of their jobs to do this for me! Then they offered suggestions about how to fine-tune my answers. They also will give feedback on resumes and cover letters.

Ask anyone you know in a professional or management job -- even unrelated to your field -- to give you feedback on your resume, cover letter, and interviewing skills.

Call a job back and ask for feedback on how you might improve your presentation. They will be wary, in this litigious world, of saying too much, but you may learn something. Ask if they have any job leads for you to follow up.

Always write a thank-you note after an interview. It makes you memorable. Summarize your qualifications for the job. Handwriting is best. If it's a tech job, it's okay to use email.

If you really liked a firm or wanted a job, stay in touch with the hirer. Send an occasional email that includes industry news, something that might interest that person. Be sure and send a holiday greeting at year-end. Always a good time to let them know you are around.

Hide any tattoos and remove piercings, except for ears. You may not like to hide this part of yourself, if you have them. Wear conservative clothing -- no belly shirts and low-cut blouses, sandals or glitter. Unless, of course, you are applying for work in a creative or fashion industry.

Join a job search support group. If you can't find one of those, find a positive thinking group of people you can meet with regularly, such as a Master Mind group.

I liked a lot of my temp jobs and was fairly often offered permanent work. It was always office routine, not what I wanted, but it was reassuring to know that somebody wanted me. These are good way to pick up some pay while waiting for what you want and to make contacts.

I have suffered prolonged periods of unemployment, even though I have 19 years experience as a newspaper writer and editor, 15years as a university professor, and three degrees, including a Ph.D.

I always feel like I'm a failure, but especially when I don't have a job. From 2004 when I lost a good job, my mother had to send me money every month. I am 9 years from retirement, and I expect to be helping her out by this time!

So you are not doing so badly, SpazKatt. Don't beat yourself up.

[EJ711]

Spaz,

Have you tried CareerBuilder.com?

After enjoying an amazing career at a Fortune 500 Company for 17 years, "my position was eliminated". Coincidentally, I was in my 50's at the time, and they put a 30-something woman in my position shortly thereafter.

Anway I have had a tough time since then, despite having an MBA. It took me 11 months to find something appropriate at one point.

Hugs,

EJ

[Fuzzybear]

((((((((((((( Katt )))))))))))))

[SpazKatt]

I have plenty of books on getting hired, interviews and good resumes, I also have applied to several positions in different states. I also read the employment section of the paper EVERY sunday. Thanks for all your support

[(JD)]

Don't give up! I'm sure you will succeed.

Let's look at what I think you said: you've been looking for a job for 9 months, and you've applied to 22 places. Is that right?

What I would advise ppl who are unemployed was that seeking employment was NOW their full time job. That means 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. How many applications can you fill out and how many interviews could you do if you spent that much effort in finding a job?

I understand that this is a specialty. What other areas of employment could you begin in, similar or using your skills, that you could work while looking for the perfect position? What does the employment service say in their efforts to help you?

It's good to see you back, spazkat! Hope you find a job soon.

Congratulations on earning your degree. It's something to be proud of for the rest of your life!

I hope you find a job very soon, and I'm sure you will. A lot of times with jobs, it's just a matter of timing and the timing might just be 'off' right now.

It sounds very frustrating...you worked hard to get through school and you're raring to get out there and work in your field. The perseverence, determination, and effort you show now are wonderful assets you'll take to your employer, whoever that lucky person is. A mystery waiting to be revealed!

Best of luck in your search!

[lenjan]

I lost my last job due to physical illness (and costing the company 300K in insurance bills). I physically couldn't work for a long time, but the docs cleared me in early June and I didn't get a job till October. My experience (both from posting and from working for people who got resumes from posters) with Monster.com is that nobody reads those. Every time I've posted on Monster, I've been inundated with work-at-home scams and sales jobs, but nothing even remotely related to my field.

However, when I posted on sites related to my field, I got immediate results. If I were you, I'd try to be as specific and narrow in my search as possible. Surely there are professional associations, etc in your field.

Looking for a job takes a lot of work, but it also takes some serendipity and luck and career counselors now (sorry, Sky) are moving away from saying "approach it as a fulltime job." It helps to have as much of a life as you can, too.

Good luck and you are NOT a failure.

CB

[LMo]

Spaz, I sent you a PM. I am on the board of an organization that might be right up your alley, since we also focus on tourism and community development. Let me know if I can facilitate an introduction. And (belated) congratulations on finishing school!

[SpazKatt]

Again, I want to thank all of you for your support, I happen to belong to 3 different professional organizations in my fields. I have attended conferences and meetings. Not that I'm ungrateful, I just want to demonstrate how committed I am to the job searching and my efforts so far. I realize I didn't have much time to discuss every option I've looked at so far. I still appreciate more comments and suggestions ANYTHING helps!!!