Job Hunting Stress

I really just need to vent/externally process my current situation.

I love my current job but it's seasonal. I'm a F/T manager for a Christmas store and I'm able to work there about 6 months out of the year. Yes, we open in June or July but we're also located in a major tourist spot that sees a lot of travelers who don't have anything like us back home.

The issue is that I'm looking for more of a permanent job. I'm getting married next summer and I'll be moving about 30 minutes east of where I am currently. Unfortunately it's also on the other side of downtown which makes rush hour an even longer commute (hour+). I also don't have my own car yet. I live with my parents and I'm sharing a car with my dad. I'm going to buy my soon-to-be father-in-law's car but I have no where to park it with my current living situation.

I get paid decently at my current job but that ends around New Years. My student loans also kick in this December so I need to start making payments. Money is already tight with the wedding and now I have those coming up with no job in sight.

I know beggars can't be choosers but I really, really don't want to do retail/food service anymore. It takes a huge toll on my mental health. I have C-PTSD and depression. The crowds and angry people really make it hard. Luckily with my current job my co-workers and boss are like my family so it's easier to handle. But I also have no qualifications to work anywhere else. So most likely I'll have to get a job working in the service industry until I can find a better one.

I know that mentally I can't handle working 2 jobs. So that means I have to wait until January to really start seriously looking. I'm starting now but most places are either hiring immediately or only looking for seasonal employees. It's too early to either put in applications or send out resumes with the exception that I'm not available to start until the new year.

But even if I were to find a job that's willing to hire me in the city I'll be moving to then I also have to figure out transportation. It's a catch 22. I don't know what to do.

Hi LittleLeah: Well, being in the Twin Cities myself, I can somewhat visualize what you're describing. I, of course, don't know anything about your educational background & prior work history. So anything I might suggest would be just a stab in the dark, as the saying goes. However, I note that you have no qualifications to work anywhere other than in the type of job you currently have.

Of course, as you're no doubt well aware, January is the worst time of year to be looking for work in retail. The holidays are over & retailers are, if anything, laying off not hiring. Since you apparently do have some good "people skills" would you have any interest in working in human services? I'm thinking, in particular about working with people who have developmental disabilities, either in a group home or in a vocational day program? Employment opportunities are often available with employers in these fields. You'd of course have to start at the bottom & the pay won't be great. But benefits are often available & it could be full time. And there would be room for growth. Minnesota has quite an extensive service system for people with developmental disabilities. (I should mention one cannot work with people who have developmental disabilities in Minnesota if one has been convicted of a felony.)

This is just one idea off the top of my head, so to speak. There are, of course, also various kinds of assembly jobs & that sort of thing. From what I've been reading in the local newspaper recently, the employment picture in Minnesota is pretty-good right now. So that's a plus for you! Are you registered with Job Service? This is something else it may be worthwhile to do between now & January.

You know, allot of jobs are gotten via what is often referred to as the "hidden job market". Job seekers get jobs that have not been listed publically via networking with friends, relatives, etc. So between now & January, begin making everyone you know aware that you're going to be looking for a new job. Prepare a resume & give them copies. Then check back periodically to see if they're aware of anything & to let them know you're still looking. There's allot of informal "spade work" you can do between now & January & the fact that you won't really be available until then means that you can do it somewhat leisurely. So, all-in-all, while I understand your concern, I'd also like to suggest that there are actually some pluses to your current situation. Good luck!

I actually may have found an opportunity today through the "hidden job market." My boss/store owner has a friend who runs a different store that stopped by today to see her. She even jokingly said she was stopping by to do some recruiting since she knows that our owner is very proud of her managers. I'll admit it's not a store I would ever apply to under normal circumstances but I'm willing to give it a shot. It's a high end fashion retailer. I have zero fashion sense, I don't have anything in my wardrobe that would be up to their standards for an employee, and I don't know how to do my hair and make up nicely. That's not to say that I show up to my current job looking like a complete mess but there is a difference between selling $10 ornaments and $100+ blouses.

While I wouldn't mind looking into the human resources route I'd be concerned with it being too triggering/stressful. I know developmental disorders are different than mental health disorders but I don't really have my s*** together enough to be able to help others with theirs. But with that being said I won't shut that down either.

As for Job Service I don't know anything about that. I'll have to look it up. I was considering taking a community ed class or two to get more familiar with MS Word and Excel. I only know enough to get by as a student but not enough for going the business route. I wouldn't mind working in an office doing admin type stuff.

Good luck!

I'm in a similar boat! I work retail and am over it as well! This will be my 4th holiday season. I enjoy the customers but the morale there is zero or less. I'm looking for work closer to home and I'm hoping it's on a public transportation route so I can nix the expensive car insurance. (I'd still have to pay off the car)

I've been looking for months now. I would work a more steady schedule of 1st or 2nd shift in retail or receptionist work. I might stay on where I'm at very part-time or fill in several times a month.

Good luck to you Leah. It's hard but keep persisting with your search. Cat