Work References Not Great..What do I do now??

Anyone else here been looking for steady work but are plagued by past inadequacies?

I have a less than stellar list of work references that is not very solid. It keeps coming up as an issue in several job interviews and background checks. I remember years ago I used to get hired quickly and not much fuss.. so why now all this nit-picking? It's causing me to be passed up for good jobs to those who played the corporate game steadily and have no holes in their history

Based on my other posts in this forum regarding relationships... do to feelings of winter depression triggered by extreme loneliness and feelings of emptiness for not having a serious girlfriend, I encountered focusing problems at most all of my jobs and quit them after a few months or a year.

It is very distracting to try to do your job when you have to think about coming home to an empty house, waking up to an empty bed, and not having anyone to share dinner with every day It affects your ability to be a team-player. Coincidentally, as a shy kid growing up that also affected my ability to be a team-player in the workplace.

ANY ADVICE???

Am I correct to understand that you have been fired because your work was inadequate because you were daydreaming about a made up girl?

No, being single does not affect your ability to be a team player. My work quality was just as good after I divorced as it was when I was married.

Are you having problems focusing on other things besides the made up girl you mentioned? I am wondering if you might have ADHD. Perhaps you could take some of the quizzes here at PC and talk to a doctor. Take notes w/ you about your concerns.

What type of job do you enjoy? What are your hobbies? Are you interested in continuing your education?

what industry are you applying in, what kind of jobs? Buisiniesses are using the economy to be picky and choosy about job applicants because they have a high number of applications rolling in. I learned this when I lost my job back in May, it was not a fun expierence landing a new job. I know one company had more than 200 applicants for one position. Its competetive out there...

So how does one overcome not having solid references?

No I was never fired I always Quit every job after a while. Either I was totally miserable, the boss got into a fight with me, I felt utterly bored, or I honestly could not get up in the morning and felt sick every day. Some were all of the above.

It's like I would start something new with a bang.. but then later it just goes downhill. I get written up for sick days, being late, get talked to because I am not a team-player or something.. etc.

I honestly don't know what direction to go. CAN ANYONE HELP ME?

Its like a catch 22.. I'm lonely and depressed about not having a GF so that is affecting career focus, but without a solid career its really difficult to keep a GF interested. I feel so trapped in this misery

Further, I feel all the entry level jobs are being snatched up by recent grads.. every year 100s new grads come into the workplace.

The upper and mid level jobs are going to those already Inside the organization usually, or someone from outside that has VERY good references and a stable track record in THAT industry.

So where does someone like me fit in.. since I finished school years ago but also have a mish-mash of many different industries and job titles that didnt work out.

What degree did you get in college?

unfortunately I made the mistake of going into liberal arts.. it was the 90s and "everyone is doing it". No one really cared about whether it makes you employable because jobs were in abundance as was financial aid.

Much like buying a house it was the cool thing for everyone and their mother to go off to college.

However a decade later I feel like I don't have "specific" skillset like engineer, scientist, doctor, lawyer, etc. but I simply learned to be a good writer in college. I have a hard time in business roles because I dont have the analytical background required. My first job required me to use Excel and I was like what is excel?? haha

If I could go back I would much rather go for something specific.. even if its an electrician. Its so much easier to market yourself when you're an expert rather than a jack of all trade, I've noticed.

I can relate to much of what you said. I don't know if employers are ever going to "wake up" and realize that **** happens. And if it hasn't happened to THEM, I hope it will. It's inhumane not to hire unemployed people, to act like it's their fault.

It's not a perfect world, not everyone gets along with the boss or has perfect references/work history. It has a "ripple" effect, refusing to hire the unemployed....Hello? Idiot employers.

I heard a suggestion to look in the "non-traditional" job market, like for example, a housesitter or personal assistant to someone. Of course, it would take more than one job like this to make ends meet. But, in those kinds of jobs, you aren't so stigmatized for not having a stable work history or expected to know a second language as well as have a Master's degree---all for just a whopping $9 an hour and no benefits. AND no guarantee that you'll have a job even next week. (Been there!)

I'd suggest going to your local community college and enrolling in a 2-year program that interests you. Many state unemployment agencies will help with the cost, as long as it's a program in a field that desperately needs trained workers. Your resume will look better because when you graduate, you'll have had the last 1.5 - 2 yrs filled with studying for the field you're applying in. Also, instructors in programs like that get calls on a regular basis from employers looking for trained fresh graduates.

I'd also suggest going to a local social service outfit to see if you can get no or low-cost therapy and/or career counseling. From what you said, it kinda sounds like you might have some self-esteem or motivation issues that would benefit from therapeutic support. Having a girlfriend won't solve your problems - would probably complicate things right now because of the emotional ups and downs that romantic relationships bring with them initially. However, getting in a 2-yr college program would certainly get you in a social situation that might lead to building relationships of all kinds.

I know the medical field has tons of areas in desperate need for trained workers. It's going to take some effort on your part, though. With all the competition out there created by high unemployment, opportunities are not going to just fall in your lap.

If your references aren't very strong and your college diploma isn't helpful, then there's only two solutions I see to this. First, get various low-paying jobs where the employers simply care if you can read and write in English. Second, take several courses at a community college, college or university. You could even consider earning a second diploma, certificate or degree. The latter would be more helpful in the long run. You may consider looking into co-op programs where you can get some work experience while studying, so your resume becomes stronger and you'll get more solid references.

If you choose the university route, you may be able to get references from a few instructors (the higher their position the better it is for you) if you do well in their course and are on good terms with them. I was able to get several instructors to give references for various jobs I applied to. All but one were full professors, and one of the professors is the director of research in the particular area, another is the editor (or co-editor, not sure which one) of a few scientific journals, and another teaches at the Masters level as well as works alongside hospitals.

You can get similar if not better references by getting a degree or diploma in a certain area that you like. Along the way, you can also win certain academic awards or even scholarships and that looks amazing on the resume because it shows you're one smart cookie.