[miharucat]

I'm a senior in university. Never had a job. Never had an internship. Really need to get experience. But I can't do it. Interviews and career fairs and talking to people terrify me and I've just decided to avoid it all completely. I've gone to practice interviews, resume critiques, mock career fairs, info sessions... all to prepare myself for the real thing, but I have been unsuccessful in actually getting myself into a real situation to get hired. I hate that it's so hard for me, but so simple for other people. Why? I don't know what I am going to do with my life when I graduate.

[fallsfall]

While you are looking for a job, find someplace to volunteer. You can try to find an unpaid internship in your field. That will give you some experience and some confidence. When you volunteer, they are so appreciative that you are giving them something for nothing - and that does great things for your self-esteem. Even if you can't find something in your field, go volunteer at your local public library. They would love to have someone with your skills.

[NicoleBriz]

I agree with Fallsfall. You really have to network anymore to get a job in this day and age and volunteering and internships will help a lot. Are there any temp agencies where you live? I've had good luck with them in the past, and I knew someone who was in a similar situation as you (senior, zero job experience, etc), and they were able to get a really good job through a temp agency. You have to be pushy with them though so your name stays on their minds and they offer you good positions. They usually do a lot of other job coaching type stuff if you need it as well.

[mcl6136]

I agree with Fallfall. You can get a leg up with volunteering. Also, stop assuming that "others" find this process simple. They don't. Many people agonize but still take baby steps and get a bit of experience here, a bit more there. Try to think in shades of grey rather than absolutes.
You can do this!

[Nimitri]

I feel the same. I just started calling companies to ask for trainee or unpaid work to get some experience but do they really work? Have any of you done it and could tell me how was your experiencie and how you survived until you got a paying job? Thank you.

[fallsfall]

I've been on both sides of volunteering. When I was on disability I started getting back into the world by volunteering. I volunteered at my local library. They were thrilled to have me and I got to do something real. After I had volunteered for a while they offered me a part time (10 hour/week) job as the children's librarian. Eventually, I went back to school to become a librarian.

Now I have volunteers who come to help me. I love them because I get stuff done that wouldn't happen any other way. I'm always careful to make sure that they know how appreciated they are. I give them meaningful things to do and make sure that they know how important it is for those tasks to get done. I am willing to teach them things because they are doing free work for me. I know I have to make it worth their time.

If your current major "job" is finding a real job, then you might as well volunteer while you are looking. Then you have something to write on your resume, and someone who will give you a reference. It is something productive that you can do while you are job hunting.

[CosmicRose]

Its not simple for other people. Most of them are just as scared. Take me for example, I've been on lots of interviews in the past 4 months and I have social anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder. I do it anyway. How? I get an email that says "Come in for an interview." and I drive there. I do it one step at a time. I get out of bed, I put one pant leg on at a time, I eat breakfast, I get in my car, I wait in their office, and I just do it. Usually they are very kind. I've even noticed some of the people interviewing me are nervous as well. It lasts a short while. I get in my car, go home and unwind. Then I forget about it, and onto the next one. Just keep trying. Say "I can" instead of "I can't".