Awesome.

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So, as I'm sure some folks know, I'm an engineer that's been unemployed since I graduated in 2007. Some have said that I should be able to get a job if I really wanted one, that if I just tried I'd get one. In reality, I've applied to at least 1,500 jobs, and very few have ever resulted in phone or in-person interviews (around 50 total, with about 15 on site interviews), none have resulted in a job offer (with the exception of one very poor paying, very unstable, temporary job). Hell, in the past year, I've only had three on-site interviews: one in February, one in March, and one late in May (this one was for about three people interviewed, the interviewer looked me in the eye and said he'd e-mail me either way, but never did even when I requested the information several times). After the May one, I think I've only had one phone interview, and a couple of e-mail contacts. (I'm currently hoping like all hell that the NRC decides to interview me for their General Engineer position)

And now? Companies have started telling me flat-out that they won't so much as give me a 30 minute on-campus interview because it's been so long since I graduated. Fantastic.

Needless to say, I'm a bit frustrated that I'm being forced to go back into grad school. Yeah, I was going to eventually do it anyways, but I wanted to work for a bit to help my sister get started with college, and try to have somewhat of a social life that I have to ignore while in school. There was also a program for getting a PhD in Biomedical Engineering and your MD at the same time I was looking into, but that requires applicants to have a minimum of 5 years experience working in the engineering field.

End annoyed rant.

Edit: Admittedly, I'm a bit happy I didn't get some of the jobs for which I interviewed. Spending the rest of my life making sure toilet paper's the right amount of "angel" soft doesn't sound too appealing.

Been there, have the T-shirt.

A lot of it, for me, is the economy in general.

I have a job interview next week. As usual, I put in for a job that would be worth changing over for (more money, benefits, etc.), but I typically assumed I'd hear nothing back or get a rejection letter.

One would think this could be good news....at least they want to interview me, but I figure the odds of getting the job isn't very high to start with, and frankly, I'm not sure if the job offers enough to give up what I have now (a "boss" who tolerates me well and a job that doesn't' overwhelm me...even if it is lower pay and no benefits).

Don't know what I'd actually do if the position was offered to me.

Well, a fairly immediate update:

The first e-mail I got this morning was from the NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission), informing me that I didn't get the job (damn). Though I can't really blame them, why pay for me to fly from Oregon to interview when they probably have plenty of engineers around their D.C. base looking for work.

As much as this sucks, I have some very good news. I had a meeting with a professor about going back to school next term, I thought I was going to be a lab lacky for his labs (getting paid minimum wage to scrub labware). Turns out he's going to be hiring me on as the Lab Manager for his polymers labs. One project I'm excited for in there is working on methods of recycling Styrofoam as housing insulation. So I'm going from thinking I'll be a lab lacky to being the Lab Manager (free tuition plus salary).

What kind of engineering degree do you have?

Also, look into an internship option... you could be going back into school in the fall for a masters degree but looking into the future, may decide not to persue that around August of 2009 because you're fitting in at the place you're interning at.

I known a few people I gone to school with (civil engineers) that done this and did land a job.

I might be able to get some leads for you to persue...
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looked at your profile after posting this...

Right off the top of my head...
If you are interested in relocating, check out the oil industry in Texas, there is a need for chemical engineers in the petroleum market there. I seen several job postings for chemical engineers in Hoston, Corpus Christi and Brownsville area.

Worth checking out, at least look for an internship to get into the door.... See it as a temperary contract work with an option to be hired in.