For the record Job Hunting Sucks

Just for the record, Job Hunting really sucks, especially when it comes to having to network which I'm really bad at (I'm a massive introvert).

I've only been really actively looking since mid Sept. and already I'm going out of my mind. My stress and anxiety levels are through the roof.

--splitimage

Hi Splitimage, if you have not already, you may want to set up an account on Linkedin. This sort of a professionals facebook, you can often find old collegues and make contact with professionals in your line of work that can help you find opportunites not published or advertised.

Thanks TimGT5,

I am on Linked In. Have been for a few years now. It is very usefull. I also belong to a couple of local networking groups that have regular meetings, it's just that I find it incredibly painful.

But it was through one of my networking groups that I found the job that I got the interview for next Tues. so I know it does work.

--splitimage

I know the feeling. I just found out that the technical school i'm attending does not have a job placement program like they said they did when I enrolled back in July, great huh? When I asked them why, they said the economy was the reason, wow, what else is new? I'm on Linkedin but i'm not sure how to use it really. They were supposed to have an externship program for what i'm taking, now they did away with it all, now i'm more hopeless in finding a job than before.My certification is going to cost me $105, insane, right? Without that, which I cannot afford, I can't see me finding a job.

hey SI. sorry this has to be so challenging.
1. monster.com and jobs.com are 2 sites you can post your resume in your location. you already may be familar with these sites. idk.
2. talking with employees may help too. sometimes they know of openings.
3. the more sphagetti you throw against the wall helps too...meaning swamp your area with resumes. include a cover letter.
4. even if you obtain a part time placement it can lead to full time employment.
5. forget your areas of expertise but if memory serves me well u have a couple of directions you can go so have multiple resumes depending on job description to emphasize the area they are looking for.
6. always follow up with a thank you letter or email to the hiring person. it may put you in front of others just by your name being once again in front of them.
7. being currently employed in any field helps one obtain another job. employees like to see an employed person more than non-employed. go figure.
8. if a resume is not gaining u interviews you need to "switch around" your resume to see if the changes bring better results.
9. temp agencies..may eventually get you a job offer from whomever you're doing temp work for.
my background helps me offer you these suggestion, fyi.
hope some of this helps. idk.

Thanks for the suggestions Madisgram.

I have a pretty solid profile on LinkedIn.
I belong to 2 good networking groups, both of which are a source of job leads
I've posted my resume on Torontojobs.com and Workopolis. Haven't done monster yet.
I'm applying to everything I'm qualified for on Linkedin, and through my accounting society's job site.
Now I'm gettting registered with the specialty finance / accounting recruiters. Had a meeting with a recruiter this morning that went well, and have another one tomorrow.

The recruiter this morning told me that the market is slower than it normally is at this time of year, which isn't promising news but it kind of mirrors what I see in terms of postings.

If I haven't landed a permanent job by Feb., then I'll start looking at contracts.

Applied to a bunch of jobs over the weekend.

--splitimage

Keep on trying SI! I'm a jack of all trades; master of none, and haven't really been looking. However, I'd sure like to do something that would earn a few bucks and get me out of the house too.

You sound like you know what you are doing even though the networking is really hard for you, you are DOING it. Way to go.

Try looking on indeed.com. They pull jobs from all the major job boards. Also remember not to post your resume on a site or anywhere where you can't retreive it. I am looking to and it really sucks.