I didn't take breaks during my education journey until I got my PhD two years ago. Few months after I finished (actually in less than two months), I found a position. I just finished it last month. I have been searching for a job for the last 5 months with no luck. I'm not sad that I cannot find a job because I'm tight on money, but suddenly I have this feeling that I'm not competent, and probably lack the necessary skills. My last position was on academic research. I'm searching for a job in the academia as well as the industry, but no one seems interested. In the academia probably because I didn't produce enough publications in my last position, and in the industry probably because I don't have practical experience.

As I said it's not about money in the sense I'm looking to be rich. Money has little value to me. I just need enough to survive. But this shatters my self esteem. That I'm not hard working and lazy and keep finding excuses. That employers look at me with a bunch of red flags and how they dismiss my resumé as a trash. I've tried my best in the hard times I had and still have. I'm not sociable and so I have no connections or referrals to guide me. I think I have many potentials, but at the same time I'm unable to fulfill them. I cannot focus on my work/study, and I have low threshold for frustration. I'm also a perfectionist. I like things either be perfect, or not be at all. I know students who where less smart, but they doing better than me. They are married, have children and seem happy in life. This bothers me a lot, not because they are relatively successful and happy, but because I'm not.

Now I'm not even sure how to go from here and where. I'm lost.

If a month out of work is making you doubt your abilities then I think it's really important to do something (anything) that will help you with that.

I think keeping busy and purposeful is very important in keeping our self belief healthy, that was my experience anyway. Are there any unpaid opportunities you could take up connected to your chosen field in order to gain the experience you lack? Have you researched volunteering opportunities that may give your resume a boost and make you stand out from the crowd? It could be something connected or generic with skills (for example organisation or leadership) that you could transfer gained skills from.

Idk if this is any help at all to you, but I wish you good luck. I don't think someone with your study/work history would raise red flags at all but I do think it is a highly competitive job market out there, anything you can do that will make you stand out from the crowd will be all to the good - least of all you may enjoy the experience/personal development to be gained.

It's not just about one month out of work. I have been searching for a job for over 5 months, and I always receive "Unfortunately, .. ". The red flags thing is because I want to switch from academia to the industry. I'm in another forum, and some employers there told me they don't trust academics in the industry, and they are reluctant to hire them. At the same time, I don't have much opportunity in the academia because the funding is very limited, and my experience and resumé are not remarkable compared to others to have an offer. I was lucky in my first position.

Yes, I need to find a way to gain some experience but most companies have internship programs for new graduates only. I'm trying to connect with some groups on meetup, but then I have the social barrier with others. See, there is always "but". Anyway, I don't know why I wrote this here yesterday. I guess I was just upset. I usually discuss my career issues on another more specialized forums. But the message I get is the same. I need to get a job to have experience, but no one hires without experience. It's a Catch 22, and I face it for the first time in my life. At my age and with my background, things are even more complicated.

[MstinyC]

Originally Posted by Mr. Stranger

It's not just about one month out of work. I have been searching for a job for over 5 months, and I always receive "Unfortunately, .. ". The red flags thing is because I want to switch from academia to the industry. I'm in another forum, and some employers there told me they don't trust academics in the industry, and they are reluctant to hire them. At the same time, I don't have much opportunity in the academia because the funding is very limited, and my experience and resumé are not remarkable compared to others to have an offer. I was lucky in my first position.

Yes, I need to find a way to gain some experience but most companies have internship programs for new graduates only. I'm trying to connect with some groups on meetup, but then I have the social barrier with others. See, there is always "but". Anyway, I don't know why I wrote this here yesterday. I guess I was just upset. I usually discuss my career issues on another more specialized forums. But the message I get is the same. I need to get a job to have experience, but no one hires without experience. It's a Catch 22, and I face it for the first time in my life. At my age and with my background, things are even more complicated.

Hi! There isn't much advice that I can give. All I can say is I am going through the same dilemma. I lost my job a couple months ago and have been applying to jobs, both now and when I was employed and it's the same, too much job history, not enough specific experience. I've applied to jobs that I am under qualified for and I still hear nothing back. And not only that, my emotions are slowly getting the best of me. I was fine because I figured that I good drive for Uber for a little bit for the money. But then I realized that it isn't worth it and I can't do it forever. I'm really depressed at the moment but it's only because I just feel really inadequate and worthless. I apparently also have no applicable skills because if I did I would be able to find a job really quick. It seems like a never ending cycle of "nope you're not good enough" after being to interview after interview. I am now considering a serious resume revamp before I lose it but in the end I just wanted to let you know that this made me feel a little better about my situation and I hope this kind of motivated you. Your story has motivated me so...

[Hawkru]

I having trouble too. Trying to find job after divorce. Not easy wether young or old.

[yogiK]

What sort of industry are you trying to get in? I would suggest visiting the Chamber or Rotary club, and trying to put yourself out there. It's important to get out and network, otherwise it is so easy to feel alone. I too am a perfectionist- be perfect or nothing. This is not good thinking though and life will be too many ups and downs. Try and keep your head up and know that you are worthy... Just the fact you have your PHD is freaking incredible and not many can accomplish that. I hope you find something soon!

[Amion]

If it helps, I feel like I took the mirror-image of the road you described. I'm 34, married for 14 years and I have 3 children, from 18 to 9. However, instead of going into Army Intelligence as a Signal Intercept at 18, I decided to drop out of high-school halfway through my senior year, and although I have since gotten my HS diploma through a Job Corps program, I have never been to a college. It's odd because, had I not done some very impulsive and ill-advised things in my life, I would not have the family that I now cannot live without.

I would say to check out a song, per-se, titled "The Class of 99, Wear Sunscreen." It's something I keep tucked in my back pocket for occasions of self-doubt and nagging uncertainty.