Trying to look for work, but...

CatStarESP4 · #1 05-11-2003, 04:17 AM

I have not looked for work in 2 and a half years because I chose to go back to school and eventually back to grad school. I have a BA in Sociology (no, it's not Social Work). However, I spent a little over two years almost in vain trying to find work after dropping out of grad school. All what I get was a job that was let go after two weeks and several temp assignments (one lasted about a year) as a receptionist and assistant (neither of which I was really good at). Now circumstances have forced me to look for work and try to balance it with school and my writing. I don't have much experience beside those jobs and temping). Also, I am scared of going through this whole thing again, I don't think I could deal with this once more.

How do I explain the gaps of my employment? Is anyone out there that is going through something similar to my predicament?

SilverTurtle · #2 05-11-2003, 01:16 PM

I'm not in the same boat, but I recently found a template for a functional resume, the kind you use when you have big gaps in your work history or varied work history or both. It emphasizes your skills , regardless of when they were used. If you want to PM me I can email it to you.

Good luck!

merexo · #3 05-12-2003, 12:02 PM

I know exactly how you feel. I graduated with a BS in Counseling in December and I have just been able to substitute teach b/c that's all I can find. So my sympathies are with you.

aephi alum · #4 05-12-2003, 07:20 PM

Oh yes.

I'm in the tech sector, which is not exactly a fun place to be right now. Suffice it to say I was laid off a year ago and pickings since then have been slim.

The functional resume is a good idea, but you run the risk of people wondering why you're not using the "usual" chronological format.

I explain my gap in employment by pointing out that the economy is in the crapper. Nobody can argue with that! I'm also going for some certifications, which distinguish me in my field and indicate that I did something with my down-time besides sitting around on my butt collecting unemployment. (I'm not implying that you are - but a gap in employment can look that way.)

You can also fill the gap with any volunteer work you might have done.

Good luck

CatStarESP4 · #5 05-20-2003, 07:52 PM

This is to update my situation/predicament. I have considered one option: to go into massage therapy part time while I attend graduate school in the near future and my writing. However, I need training and certification to accompish this goal. I found massage therapy program at a school close to where I live, but my parents think it is too expensive. They think even with the financial aid, I will be "in hock with debt". They think that I should consider computer science or work for the local government. Also, I was given a number for a human resources office by a woman who I opened my checking account with a local bank. I still don't know what to do about this! My parents think that I don't want to work, but it is not true!!! Any suggestions would be fully appreciated!!!!! http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/sad/cry.gif http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/sad/cry.gif http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/screams.gif

AOX81 · #6 05-21-2003, 08:47 AM

I also have a degree in Sociology. I am getting ready to move and have had no luck finding a new job. In my current job I do research and I do NOT want to do that anymore. I think people think that I'm am just making excuses so I don't have to work but once we move I HAVE to find a job.

Good luck CatStarESP4, let us know what you decide!

ZTAngel · #7 05-21-2003, 04:15 PM

I had an interview on monday for an administrative assistant. It was at a great company here in Orlando. I figured I would take the job as an admin in hopes of getting my foot in the door so that after a year I could move up to more professional positions. Well, this guy I interviewed with was a jerk. First, he said I would have to remain his admin for at least two years and that since he's an executive, he wouldn't recommend me for promotion into a new position for 2 years.

Then, he says to me, "Part of your job duties will be getting my coffee, filling my car with gas, and picking up my dry cleaning." I didn't go to college to become someone's servant. The worst part is that I know that if I was a man and I walked into his office for this admin position, he would never have said those things to me. So, I politely told him this job was not for me and walked out of his office.

Sigh...... I'm started to think that there's no hope for a job and that I'll just have to be content being a sales associate with a college degree.

CatStarESP4 · #8 05-21-2003, 06:28 PM

ZTAngel, I am sorry to hear about that terrible interview. I am glad to hear that you turned him down. Nobody deserves to be treated like a servant. Like, hello, this is 2003 not 1903 or 1953 in that mannner. Even most managers and bosses, regardless of their gender, get their own coffee and dry cleaning. I agree with you that we didn't earn our degrees to be servants. I hope you get a job at a place that you will be treated with the respect you deserve and that will open doors for promotion. Good luck!

DeltAlum · #9 05-22-2003, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ZTAngel
First, he said I would have to remain his admin for at least two years and that since he's an executive, he wouldn't recommend me for promotion into a new position for 2 years.

Anyone who is dumb enough to make this kind of comment out loud is going to find him/herself in court sooner or later.

ZTAngel · #10 05-22-2003, 12:47 PM

Ya know, I wondered if his comments were legal or not.

Eirene_DGP · #11 06-02-2003, 11:03 AM

I am definately in the same boat as Catstar. I was in this big rush to graduate in exactly 4 years, but now that I am done, I wish that I had of stayed in school a little longer to make some kind of definate plan. Hopefully, I can get a job soon and just go back to school full-time.

AOX81 · #12 06-04-2003, 02:54 PM

Try checking out www.socialservice.com

They didn't have anything in Ohio for me but you might be able to find something.

CatStarESP4 · #13 06-21-2003, 04:44 AM

This past Thursday, I went to the recruiting/human resource office of the bank that I recently opened my account with. I had to fill out an applicated by computer. I was there for about 3 hours, because at the beginning, I had to figure out what to do. I have to call to schedule an interview, though which I will do this coming Monday. I'll keep you posted!

CatStarESP4 · #14 07-01-2003, 01:52 PM

I called the woman handling the recruitment of the position I applied to. I thought we would schedule an interview for the near future. I was out of town for a week, but I checked to see if I had any calls at home. There were none! Was I eliminated from further consideration for the job or she was taking her sweet time looking for qualified applicants? Your input is appreciated!

aephi alum · #15 07-01-2003, 06:04 PM

A good HR director will come out and tell you if you're no longer being considered for the position. That said, I've come across very few good HR directors in my various job hunts. Usually you never hear from them again.

It hasn't been that long, though - sometimes companies can really drag their feet. It can be weeks or months between the time a decision is made to hire someone and that person's first day - usually because there is a lot of red tape. It's also a holiday week and it's summer, so there may be a key decision-maker or two who are out on vacation. They may also have been waiting for the new quarter to start. So I wouldn't worry too much just yet.

Good luck.