[feelingmislead]

I have been looking for a job since March, I have had four in person interviews which I am told is good? I get nervous in the interviews but I feel more than qualified for these jobs which I would categorize as entry level jobs. I finished my masters degree, have both job and internship experience and great references. I did not get any of these jobs, the first employer at least called me to inform me that he chose someone else, when I asked for some feedback as to what I could improve he gave me a generic answer like(we found a better fit). None of the other jobs contacted me at all. So now not only do i need a job but I have zero feedback as to why I am not getting these jobs. My most recent interview I could tell I was visibly nervous and wasn't able to put my best foot forward. I feel like every time I don't get the job my confidence shrinks and I have no idea how to improve for the next interview

I need money so I am debating taking a minimum wage job just to pass the time but how is this furthering my career. I feel I have taken steps forward education wise and now I am taking five steps backwards. Being unemployed is miserable, everyone talks down to you and I feel like an outcast.

Please help

[IceCreamKid]

I don't know how it is in Canada, but here in the States there are just a lot of people looking for too-few jobs. It's been common for the last many years to not reply to people applying for work; it isn't right, but it is common.

One thing I use as a technique when I interview is I go to the interview with the expectation that I will enjoy meeting the person; I will find the chance to look around the place interesting, and I am going to see if I would like to work there (rather than focusing on whether they will hire me). You might try that.

I also have realized more and more that people tend to hire others they feel a kinship to--they either meet a physical type, or they share some sort of hobby or outlook that appeals to the person hiring, or they are recommended by someone the hiring person likes/admires/owes a favor to, etc.

Is this fair? Heck no. And in some cases it is illegal (not hiring someone due to their race, for example). But I say use this knowledge to your advantage.

If you know who you are going to interview with: Google the person to see if you can find anything that will strike a chord if you can work it into the interview. He/she likes cocker spaniels? What a coincidence! Your favorite aunt had a cocker spaniel and boy was he a wonderful dog! Of course you don't let them know you googled them.

You'll have to work by what you see in the office and what you can casually bring up. If the company has a website -- read all of it. I knew someone who hired another person because the hiring person and the interviewee were both left-handed. Use those biases to your own advantage! If I were looking to hire on at a bank that has its employees wear a particular shade of blue, I'd wear a shirt similar under my suit.

I wouldn't be above dropping off homemade cookies the next day as a thank you for the interview if I thought it would get me hired. Good luck. You'll find a you-shaped spot in the workforce.

[Perna]

I know when I was looking at entry jobs when I had experience that I was over qualified and one person explained it to me in detail; most in my position would get bored and leave, wouldn't get along with the others in the kind of position (my education and background being different), etc.

If there are entry level jobs in your field, there are probably others more akin to your level? Have you applied to them or are you just "low balling" to "make sure" you get "a" job?

Have you looked at jobs at your school/university? They often have jobs as they are always a going concern, even some larger cities and municipalities have jobs. Check back with your old employer and its bigger, more successful competition? Keep in contact with people you know (advisers, professors, friends, neighbors) they might have ideas and have a friend of a friend that knows of a job that might work for you.

There are over 9 people working for each 1 that is unemployed, those 9 people move, quit, change jobs, die, etc. like normal, and jobs become available that aren't "new".

[feelingmislead]

I have applied for a number of jobs that require 5 to 10 years experience, I just apply hoping to get an interview so that I can practice my interview skills. The interviews I have gotten were all entry level positions. I went to school in the US and now live in Canada so I can't really use any of the resources from where I went to school.

I do a lot of research on the companies and people who interview me as I have more than enough time to do so. I also send out follow up emails after any interviews thanking them for the time and restating my desire for the job.

IceCreamKid I like your suggestion about just seeing if its a good fit for you as opposed to feeling like they are interviewing you. I just don't want to seem like I am shopping around.

I guess I just have to accept that the job market is rough. Just sucks when you want to contribute to society and no one will give you a chance.

I have heard stories about people who will just show up at a place they want to work and just say hey I'm so and so and you need to hire me because of xyz. That's bold but if that's what it takes I may try it out

Thanks for the responses

[Perna]

Originally Posted by feelingmislead

I have heard stories about people who will just show up at a place they want to work and just say hey I'm so and so and you need to hire me because of xyz. That's bold but if that's what it takes I may try it out.

My husband had an employee who did that (and he hired him). Of course, he was the second employee hired for the company; the story they tell of "So, who all works here?/Well, there's me, Dan, and now, you."

[gma45]

I have been looking for a job myself. I have have a few in person interviews and I was wondering the same thing. What am I doing wrong? They seem to go very well then I never hear a word back. Guess it is just the way things are right now. I hope you have better luck then what I have been having.

[AmberRose]

I lost my job with a company that I was with for over 10 years. Since then I have worked several temporary position jobs for over two years now. It's been difficult to find permanent work. When working for these temp positions I was not treated as part of the team. It was even difficult to make friends, because people knew I was only there short term. This has added to my feelings of displacement, low self esteem and lack of confidence. I'm currently again unemployed looking for work and feel like a failure for not being able to keep a job. Kinda of lost my confidence in this area, for it's been a struggle for me. It's really tough out there. Gosh I really wish you all the very best.

[Oxidopamine]

I'm also in Canada, pursuing my 2nd degree, so I need to help fund my tuition and although I found a job, it wasn't easy. I sent well over 120 applications and resumes. I had personal, academic and work references as well, all of whom apparently gave very positive feedback. Out of them, I had 16 interviews, some of which were for positions I didn't care for and only wanted for the pay (despite being low), whereas others I didn't think I would've gotten. When I was refused, I calmly asked where I can improve so I can succeed in the future but the answer I got, either in-person, on the phone or by e-mail was the same generic, "you had an outstanding resume, CV and were an ideal candidate, however, we found someone who was a better fit/had better qualifications".

Eventually, I went to employment centers to see if someone could review my resume and CV to check if I'm doing something wrong. The comment that kept coming up was my resume and CV are polar opposites; my resume has summer jobs with temporary jobs in a variety of low-level fields, whereas my CV shows the research, all of my academic and extra-curricular awards. Altogether, they paint me as a smart young guy who seeks positions lower than expected.

Eventually though, I landed a job and it's been swell, so the only advice I have is keep handing out applications. When you go in for an interview, dress as you would if you worked there, that is, if it's a job in a hospital lab, don't wear jeans and a shirt. Similarly, if it's a landscaping job where you're going to dig with a shovel, don't wear a full expensive suit. Know enough of the company so that if you're asked whether you know what they do, you can explain it to the interviewer as though they were an interested intelligent layperson. Be happy, willing to engage and try to talk as though it's to someone you know, are comfortable with but respect greatly. In one of the interviews, the person had a photo of their German shepherd and husky puppy, so one of the first things I mentioned was my two husky crosses. I told him the names of my dogs, how great dogs are, the happiness they bring, especially when studying in university and was able to make a soft landing into discussing my resume, CV and application.

[feelingmislead]

Originally Posted by Oxidopamine

I'm also in Canada, pursuing my 2nd degree, so I need to help fund my tuition and although I found a job, it wasn't easy. I sent well over 120 applications and resumes. I had personal, academic and work references as well, all of whom apparently gave very positive feedback. Out of them, I had 16 interviews, some of which were for positions I didn't care for and only wanted for the pay (despite being low)

Over what period of time did this all take place?

[Skully]

I know how you feel...I just took a job in a cosmetics factory and I am highly educated too. There just aren't enough jobs out there and when you find one there are so many people going for it you hardly stand a chance. Maybe revamp your resume and come up with something that would make you stand out against the crowd.

[feelingmislead]

still no luck. this is bad, my confidence is taking a hit and I am no closer to a decent job. Can anyone recommend alternative careers that don't require extensive education, seems like there are no openings in the career I hoped for.