OP's assertion is proved by the huge numbers of jobless who simply give up.
It is the most soul crushing activity ever.
Tell me about it. I'm almost broke. I have an interview at a department store next week. Thats the best I could do after almost two years off.
Two months of looking and I've only gotten one phone interview!
So much of it is out of your control.
And once you've applied, and your waiting to hear something back (even for just an interview), what else can you do? Follow up, certainly, but you don't want to be a nuisance either.
I feel so bad for my cousin in Kansas right now. She's been looking for months and can't find anything. Now may have to give up her apartment and move in with a friend, which she loathes to do but may not have a choice. I'm still holding out hope that something will break her way soon.
Don't give up, guys.
I hate this with a burning passion. Who here does networking? What do you do?
I'm no longer in the work force; 5-1/2 years now (am on perm disability), but when I worked I was a legal secretary, and for many years (80's, 90's, beginning of the 2000's - me, in NYC and SF), you could get a job VERY easily. Started drying up, for me, c. 2006 (also then over 50, which probably played some part); still jobs, but maybe took 1-2 months to get instead of 1-2 weeks. Temp work fell way off too (a lot of this is 'cause attys increasingly started to do/do now, their own typing.)
ANYway, I also have a theater/singing background, friends similar, and I got where I would say to people: Christ, it's getting as hard to get a DAY job as it is to get (acting) parts!
I would caution anyone 40+ and/or with a good-sized resume to blithely DROP jobs off your resume. I, back in 1996 when was 42 (yes, I'm old), nicely "sliced" 6 years off; went from 2 to 1 pages; once in a while an interviewer (agency or direct) would say something like, "well what did you do BEFORE..."; I would half-lie and say I ran a theater co. Which actually was true (although was my own money and I didn't actuall "make" any money.)
I also have a friend who was a real estate broker, and I would "use" him. I guess my advice for what it's worth would be: be creative. Make up (if accounting for years between jobs; sorry, I realize this hasn't been specifically asked in this thread) businesses, "now defunct" you ran, or worked for for others (friends, e.g.)
Try to cast a wide(r) net; think of things you've done/skills you have and how they COULD apply to a new job.
And remember: it's NOT you: it's the economy. Hang in there! Easy to say, yes, with my disability check; trust me: I would MUCH rather be working: TV gets old after a while.
that was a very helpful post r9...thanks!
Linkedin, Linkedin, Linkedin!
If I see one more of those articles offering '9 tips to set yourself apart from the crowd!', I am going to hurl.
One of the tips is always 'join Linkedin' - so you can provide potential head hunters / employers with your entire network.
[quote]Linkedin
Everyone lies on Linkedin. When feeling blue, I look up people I know so I can laugh and laugh.
Job Hunting is exactly what happens when actors audition for parts.
Wait is linked in worth my time? Should I devote some of the hours I spend watching porn and surfing jobs to it?
Job hunting makes me feel like total shit about myself and humanity.
How do or did you stay positive? And r9 I'd love to hear more from you.
Someone told me Theladders.com is a huge con and all those listings are on job boards like linkup or indeed.com
high end jobs, ladders
We were actually discussing six figure jobs re ladders as a con - but what did you hear?
Word r9
I just got rejected by a stick figure insect woman who told me I wasn't engaging enough. She also said she didn't think my appearance was professional. Worst thing is that I was overqualified for this job. Thought it was a sure thing. Fucking cunt.
I love you r9 Thank You.
Stay strong, all.
I got hired for a fixed-term job a few weeks ago but my boss went on maternity last week and they hired a fake dbag to be interim replacement he gave me shit for an hour today grrrrrrrr it will get worse and I know I am going to have to jump to his tune.
I'm job hunting too- from another state (to one I'm moving to) - adds to the mix. I hate job hunting. theres nothing worse thab filling out those long stupid profiles and questionaires online. I've had two phone interviews both actually from jobs I applied for on LinkedIn. I try to have a few recommendations per job listed. It's all so tedious - I break up the day by going to the gym, cleaning, or grabbing a meal w friends. also networking events and try to get a referral/personal contact as that's more likely to result in an interview.
Why don't you TRY? Even Britney Spears has a job and she is worthless.
I am SO sick and tired of all the shit you have to go through just to get a fucking shitty entry-level job! I keep applying to this one place in my town over and over (there aren't many employers in this dead end shitty town) and before they'll even give you an interview, you have to take a long ass exam and your score has to be within the Top 3. I just got done taking another one of these fucking exams this morning, and of course my score didn't end up in the Top 3 (even though I did well), which means I don't get an interview and did all that shit for nothing.
Fuck ALL of these asshole sadistic places!
Totally agree, R24. It's bullshit. Good luck to you.
So this guy I went to school with applied for a job with my company, he called me, asked for the low-down and strategy for getting a interview. I helped him with is resume, lots of emails and phone calls. He got an interview and I helped prep him for the interview and gave him information on the search committee etc. Well, he made it pretty far in the process and was a finalist but they offered the job to someone else. 6 months later I'm looking to move and ask him if he wouldn't mind discussing potentially opportunities at his company, strategies, introductions, etc. he tells me he isn't comfortable doing that sort of thing.
R25 Thanks, I'll need it!
R26 Wow, what a fucking asshole. Just goes to show what assholes people really are.
R24
Jan. Feb., March is always the worst time. Absolute doldrums. Spring will bring openings in retail, restaurant, entertainment, landscaping... Hang in there.
Bump...
[quote]Why don't you TRY? Even Britney Spears has a job and she is worthless.
That's because she's a lucky cunt who had a stage mom that did all she could to get her foot in the door.
The soul is a myth. There is no little tiny person inside you directing everything. Remember that and it will all turn out better.
When I'm about to die, I'd be so happy that I don't have to work anymore or to look for work.
Who bees huntin fo a job whens da macdonal's bees taken da EBTs?
Where will the Cleveland sex slave girls work now? They have no skills! The last time they were in the work force, Windows 6 was the coolest thing.
R34. I gots a place fo em
C.%20Ramsey
The the world today, Job Hunting is more like applying to be a slave.
