I want a job, and need a job too.
I've graduated in May, and have yet to find a suitble job. I've spoke to my career counselor. I've spoke to my networks, had several people assist me with my resume, including HR people. Honestly, I'm beginning to take this personally. I've applied anywhere from McDonalds to the entry level jobs I'm interested in, and qualify for. I do not discriminate. I managed to have a few interviews. One was a flaky scam, the other was at Dairy queen which I was told I'm overqualified.
I'm feeling bad because I graduated in excellent standing. I am more than qualified for at least an entry level position. I've talk to my alumni friends who've managed to score. Great jobs,, but all they do is brush me off.
I'm quite envious of the fact that 90% of the alumni at my school has a suitable job, and I don't. Why are THEY special, and I'm not???
They all live on their own, buy what they want. I've had to live in my bad home, and not earn any money.
Why does everyone else get to be happy, and not me?????????
I got so envious of them, I flamed them on facebook.
You didn't tell Dairy Queen that you have a college degree, did you? I'm wondering why they found you overqualified.
Have you tried networking? Ask your previous professors about jobs, get an account on linkedin and connect with professors, classmates, and any previous co-workers or supervisors. Try to add people who work in the industry you want to work in. Also, if you don't know many people to network with, you can try to get into vocational rehabilitation (if you are in the U.S.) or other programs that help people with disabilities find jobs. As they meet with you and test you, they will get to know you well enough to suggest jobs for you and refer you to employers.
I did, unfortunately, tell them I have a degree. OVR sounds a good idea. I have LinkedIn, but I think I've either burned bridges or people brush me off.
Esoteric, I'm not in CT, but I'm applying for a job there. If you have job leads, id appreciate them.
My degree is in Sociology. I've got an extensive autism research background, as well as administrative experience in an insurance office. I've also had experience workingwith children on the spectrum. I've got teaching experience too.
Wow, I didn't know you could be turned down from a job for being OVERqualified. I heard about a lot of people getting jobs they were overqualified for during the recession...maybe DQ is too low?
The problem I've noticed is that for a lot of good jobs after college, you really do need to network your way into them. The phrase "It's who you know, not what you know" comes to mind. It's unfortunate that you flamed your successful friends on facebook, because they could have helped you get your foot in the door somewhere.
Have you tried staffing or temp agencies yet? You could try going to one of those, and then they might place you in a temp-to-hire position. During and after college, I had a little bit of success with those. But I'm not really sure that they could get you into a job that would utilize your degree and experience with children...they would be mostly administrative jobs.
It's not at all unusual.
One thing that contributes to that is knowing that as soon as you get a better deal, you are leaving. They'd rather train someone who is going to be around a while than someone who is going to be there a month or two.
I've been told that people with doctorates often keeps two resumes on hand -- one that lists the doctorate and one that does not. There are many jobs even in their own field where someone with a doctorate will be passed over in favor of someone with a bachelor's degree.
I don't know if you know better and just made a mistake, but you need to tailor your resumé to each specific job you apply for. For low-level jobs or jobs that don't require a degree, leave your degree off the resumé and just list your high school diploma in the education section of the resumé. Also, if possible, omit your high-skill level jobs (the research and office work) and add in low-skill level jobs you've had (retail, food service, baby-sitting, etc.). If you don't have any low-skill level jobs, you have to change the way you present your work history. For example, if you tidied up the office, made coffee, and greeted customers in your office job, emphasize those kinds of simple duties instead of more complex things like computer work, which is a useless skill to businesses like DQ. Also, make the job sound simpler. For example, if the job title was Office Administrator, refer to it as Secretary on your resumé.
For more information about these things, see if your local employment agency has resumé and job search classes. They also may have a one-on-one job coach, informational sheets, or a helpful website if you don't like classes.
Hey man, I feel like I'll be there too. Getting a BA in Political Science would have you think that it could get you work, but like sociology, people apparently have little regard for credentials that could help other people.
Have you considered looking in to autism advocacy groups? I was thinking to become a lobbyist or something myself to promote the cause, but I'm sure that someone with a sociology degree could find good work with autism speaks or something like that. I could definitely use some statistics for ramming down the minds of congressmen, so research by all means would help. What I've found is that there are few statistics regarding the well-being of autistic people from the last generation compared to this one in regards to early childhood therapy, or the likelihood of one of us finding work after going through the same educational system as normative people.
Of course, you could make an ironic turn and try to help autistic people find suitable work, which some of these advocacy groups do. If you do, let me know!
Why does everyone else get to be happy, and not me?????????
I'm quite envious of the fact that 90% of the alumni at my school has a suitable job, and I don't. Why are THEY special, and I'm not???
The short answer your getting played, many of them are in the same boat your in or worse. I know so many of them make it seem like they have it all together and everything is perfect, its not, its all a bunch of BS (Bull Shitt) to make themselves look good. I know you got jealous and pissed off about this, if that makes you try harder maybe its a good thing. You get successful, they get good at generating BS.
Don't let this stuff get you down, don't hold grudges, and don't expect this kind of stuff to change.
As you may be aware jobs are hard to come by. As far as jobs go we are still in recession and it may not improve anytime soon. That means try harder - you cant just give up!
It seems like everyone else in your class is getting great jobs and making good money - of coarse except you. I am going to tell you 100% there is a fair amount of BS in that.
There is no way your whole calls is all doing good. A fair number of them are fibbing about there imaginary successes. This type of stuff is quite common among NT girls.
You cant let this BS get you down.
Are you currently working anywhere? If you show you are working now, then it looks way better. I found getting an IT job much easier when I was working a steady 8-5 job versus night-time cleaning. The 8-5 job was for tax software support then I moved to the QA department, which was kind of an IT job in itself and took a lot of computer knowledge to be able to break the software. It was low paying but I feel gave me the "experience" to get my job which actually is an IT job, even though I didn't work on computers for a living before it technically. Maybe start with admin assistant entry level jobs, and work the $10/hr job for now, then move up in the pay scale. Shoot for the stars but since it's your first job don't expect the stars. You'll find a job that will be the stars a job or two later probably.
Also, how you do your resume is huge. A hiring person is going to do only one thing and one thing instantly when they read your resume: scan it fast and see if you even look like a possibility. Then when you get to the interview, they will sum you up in two seconds based on posture and body language and how you are groomed. Keep that in mind.
There is some good news I should have mentioned.
The good news is default and bankruptcy.
Across America people had an impossible debt load to service. Whats been happening the last few years is there has been an accumulation of people who have foreclosed, gave up paying down debts and filed bankruptcy. They are no longer sitting around doing nothing but paying debts they should have never took on in the first place. They are out shopping, buying new cars, getting there teeth fixed. All this enjoying themselves and having a good time means hiring for jobs of all sorts.
There are opportunities out there the, best ones are not obvious.
The way I did it,
I kept a number of job sites on hand. I kept a number of career counsellors in the loop. I patrolled the job sites every day and applied to everything I saw. Things, I think you are probably doing, but you never know! Get people to recommend jobsites. There are more than monster and the other biggies. The best thing is any job clinic you might have in your town. They coached me in my town on interview skills, i.e. eye contact, hand shake, etc. And dramatically helped my resume's structure.
Volunteer now, so that people can see you are involved. I know that it does not bring cash now, but that got me at least one job!
And yes, I also did get turned down due to overqualification too. But the interview practice helps!
And just keep going.
Courage,
Tina
Oh yes,
and get interview feedback! The few times that people did agree to schedule a time to give me feedback over the phone, they really gave advice that helped! If people are willing to do that for you, then take them up on it.
Also after your interview, don't forget to send a nice email with a message of thanks and a link to some digital stuff you did/were involved in. That too can make the difference (it did with me!)
Tina