Dear Sugar
I'm in my early 30s and I am having a hard time finding satisfying work. I have two Bachelor of Arts degrees but have never had a job that requires the specific skills learned from each of these subjects. Every time I see an ad in the newspaper for a job that requires someone with my college qualifications, I write a letter and send a resume to the companies.
I have never been invited for an interview despite the number of times I have applied for jobs. Because of this, I've been working in low-paying office jobs doing administrative work for the past seven years. Most recently I was a receptionist for a year and I'm now unemployed because it was a maternity cover.
Even though I pride myself on doing a good job no matter what it is that I am doing, my self-esteem and confidence have greatly been affected by these subservient jobs. I feel like a failure. I've spoken to work counselors and taken career tests, but they have both indicated I should go into Art work in museums, galleries or theatre, which I am not interested in at all. I have had my resume looked at by two professionals who both say it is perfectly fine.
I have no idea what I want to do with my life and I feel like it's eating away at me. I still live with my parents because of the situation that I'm in, I don't have the job security or the finances to live on my own. My mother thinks I should be happy working in offices, but I loathe it. My dad doesn't know what to say about it anymore.
I started a freelance translation business last year. I widely advertised it and made courtesy calls, but I didn't get a single job out of it even though I kept writing letters and making calls for over a year. How can I figure out what I want to do and be successful? I'm hesitant about going back to school because I already have two degrees. Can't Catch A Break Cady
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Dear Can't Catch A Break Cady
Wow. You sure are persistent and you have a terrific work ethic. I sincerely hope those characteristics are on your resume. I would normally tell you to keep doing what you are doing, and something will turn up, but that doesn't seem to be working for you. You need to do something drastic other than the three "in the box" strategies of job hunting which are: resumes, ads, and agencies. Here are a few more ideas to help facilitate your job hunt.
- Only apply to jobs that are open and that are actively seeking employers. This way you don't waste your time and efforts on positions that may not be hiring.
- Using the Internet to answer job-postings for which your resume qualifies your experience. For example, you can't be a chef if it's not on your resume, even if you are a great cook. Qualifying experience is defined by something that you were payed to do.
- Have you thought about using a search firm to help match you with open jobs in their network? This can be very beneficial for you. Not only will they interview you and asses your skills and personality, but they set up your interviews and negotiate salaries and special needs that you may have. Also, they are a free service for you. The company that hires you will pay them a search fee.
- You could also try visiting your state employment office. They will have a local listing of current job leads.
- Network. Ask family, friends and neighbors about any interesting job openings. Also ask them if they can set up an interview for you.
Do not give up. You are smart, talented and one day you will catch a break. Someone with your education and tenacity would be an asset to a company. Hey, by chance, do you live in the San Francisco area? If so, check out our Sugar Publishing job openings here!
Boots
Fornarina
James Darby
NETWORK! this is the single best way to find a job. you don't have to know the CEO of a company to get a job. i'm an admin assistant and i still know of jobs that are out there (or at least people that can help you out).
the point is to put yourself out there. don't be afraid to ask people for help. try and get an internship in the area you're interested in and if it's unpaid, get a night job waitressing or working retail for awhile. trust me, internships pay off big time no matter your age.
private message me if you wanna talk more. i have had lots of experience being out there looking for a job as it took me over a year to find one and i learned a lot in that time (as well as obsessively reading work-related websites).
1work sucks it gets u no where and then u die. or thats how i see it. good luck. dont think like me.
2There's only two things you can count on in this world, birth and death. What you do in between doesn't matter cause you're just ganna die anyways. It's your destiny.
3umm yea I was hoping to be the only negative nelly...
4Uh, BOO! Can I get a job with PopSugar and NOT live in San Fran?
5First just because you have 2 degrees in no way makes you automatically qualified for anything. You sound a lot like someone that feels they are entitled to the best job ever just because you went to college. Second, calling your jobs subservient is just plain obnoxious. You need to rememner that to someone that is a dream job. I am sure you have learned something whether you want to believe it or not! I would suggest the following: have a qualified individual look at your cover letter that could be a huge reason why you don't even get a phone call, join a networking organization in the field that you are interested in most people attending the events are looking for potential employee's or know someone that is, find a headhunter that specializes in your field, and lastly, volunteer you never know what might land in your lap. I have worked my butt off in positions that I haven't necessarily liked but I eventually got exactly where I wanted to be!
6BTW your Dad is probably sick of listening to you and that is a huge reason he says nothing. He may be your Dad but he is still a guy and after a while they tune out the complaining!
7I have just completed my Bach. degree, and am now in the Master's program...I in no way feel I "deserve" the better aspects of a job...I have to start from the beginning to learn what I am doing...granted I did just accept a job from Homeland Security, but it is not a 100k job a year, it is enough to get me where I am going...what do I want to do??? I want to teach, talk about a job that is undermined, but I do not care, I want to share what I have learned...I salute the teachers out there and cannot wait to join their ranks!
8To think just because you have a college education makes you better than most...well, I would say you education has not served you well...we are all equal, no matter what!!!!!
JMO!
Good for you PPP! Teachers don't seem to get the respect they deserve in the States anyways. Here they are very very well paid.
9Bark! Bruno was here.
10why bruno?
11yeah why Bruno?
12Hmmm...I am curious too? Did we say something wrong??? I felt this was a good converstation....Share?
13I'm sorry but there was nothing offensive written here that I see.
14All you get is a bark
15Gracey its just a warning bc cuba's comments could stir the pot in the future more then likely.
16bruno might be programmed to pick up certain words, but he doesnt know the context they're in. hmm just a thought?
17Yeah I know Toxx, but was cuba that offensive? I didn't think so. Bruno is an actual person from what I understand. I will refrain from stating my feelings on this watch dog thing.
18Oh crap Toxie...I saw Cuba and thought you meant me!!! As in P-Cubed....I was reading and re-reading what I typed!!! Arrrrgggg!!!!
19Gracey...private blogs are the bomb my lady, trust me, you can vent and vent!!
20First impressions are everything. A prospective employer decides if he wants to interview you by looking at your name and reading the first few sentences of your cover letter. Just because you have college doesn't mean anything. Someone may have gone straight out of high school into the work force and got on the job training. More than likely an employer wants you to have experience in the field you are wanting to work in. Sooo, why don't you look into some type of internship or something to provide you with some actual practical knowledge...Or take on some other "subservient" position in the company you want to work for and work your way up the ladder. Good luck
21No one usually lands their dream job at their first few attempts..unless you are on The Hills and MTV is buying the access to the dream job for you. Get a foot in the door at a company you are interested in and then work like a madman to go up the ladder.
Sugar is right if you have the education and the desire use a headhunter to peddle you..sometimes they lend credibility. Also buy a book on resumes..streamline it. Make your mission statement powerful and confident, but not arrogent. Make sure you don't dupilcate descriptive words.. you may be suprised what kind of results you might see from just a few small changes.
If you send an application to a perpective employer.. follow it up a day or two latter with a phone call or email to HR or their recuiters to verify that they received it and to express your interest in the position and your admiration for the company. If you get an interview always dress as if you already have a higher ranking position in the company or as if you are going to audit the place (conservative).. even if you know the actual job is casual business dress.
Most of all don't give up. Keep applying.. keep looking for a way in. You can't fail if you never give up.
22The pot needs to be stirred,
23Sounds like you will be getting a good job soon
24lol P3 lol nah not u babes!
25Cuba the pot may need be stirring to get this person motivated, BUT given recent events..... we just have to have someone on the look out. Bruno is a good thing.
BC i agree with everything u said. My brother in law spent so many years in school wasted alot of money and is way to old to be doing the crap he is doing but its no ones fault but his own. Just bc u go to school for something doesnt mean thats its destined to be ur career
26Networking and Headhunters are the way to go, at your age. Employers are expecting you to have some actual on the job experience. Looking for a job really sucks, I know, but the headhunter services do help. Believe it or not, alot of these services look on Monster.com, so be sure you have a good, well written resume on there.
27Good luck!
I want a new job.... I think Id take mcdonalds at this point over this crap
28If you are not even getting calls back, I would seriously reevaluate what you are sending in. I used to vet the incoming resumes at my office and would toss a ton just based on how the cover letter and resume were written, regardless of qualifications. There are a lot of resources out there for help in this area.
29Instead of opening your own freelance translation business, why not get hired into one? Maybe not the BEST one, but one that pays you and you meet people and make connections. I think that a big part of the job market isn't necessarily what's on your resume, but who hands your resume to your potential employer. If you're just out of school, you don't know anyone, and from the sound of it haven't made any connections or references with people that are well established in their careers. Starting small isn't demeaning, it's getting your foot in the door and MEETING people that can recommend you for a promotion or a 'better' job.
30you say you have no idea what you want to do with your life and that might be showing when you "go after" these jobs. try looking at your job as a means to an end: a paycheck that allows you more freedom. most people have no idea where they're going, they just sort of coast along with the easiest traffic flow, so you needn't feel like you're alone in this.
you need to make a choice, even if it means writing jobs on pieces of paper and randomly selecting one from a bowl. then go after that with all your heart, take classes to stay current in your field, network, be friendly at work and take on projects that will offer you visibility.
one more thing, "perfectly fine" is not a resume that gets attention. add something with a little zing in it, maybe under "personal". when you apply to different firms try and find out who does the hiring and add something in there for that person. a hobby or sport activity is good, but it needs to be true. so you could say "training for my first marathon" if it's true, but not "marathoner" if it isn't.
31what's so bad about wanting to change your job if you're not happy with it? i'm of the "be satisfied with what you're doing for 8 hours a day" philosophy; mainly because it takes up such a large part of your life!
granted, not everyday is perfect no matter what your job, but why are you guys doggin on this girl for not knowing her direction in life? i'm looking to change jobs too (but i'm not the original poster) so i can really relate to what she's saying. why stick with something you're miserable in when you can be proactive and do something about it?
i'm guessing she said that whole "2 degrees" thing she said is because in college, it's pounded into you that the education you're paying thousands of dollars for will eventually pay off with an excellent job (at least at my school they said that). so i don't really see it as her being snobby, just a different life experience from some people. that's all i'm sayin...
32That has to be tough, I just turned 30 and left my job on the day of my birthday. Atleast I know I love my career, this is a whole new ball game.
33NIca, I understand the poster too, although I love my career and want to stick with it. I was unhappy with the ethics at the ad agency I was at in Madrid... so I quit. I hate being home cuz I'm not used to it but atleast Im happy knowing that all these great places still want me.
34I would personally hand my resume to the person in charge of hiring. Set up a meeting first. When people actually see you and talk to you, then you get hired. It has worked for me every time. If, I just sent a cover letter and resume, I rarely got any return calls. It sucks but looks are important let the person hiring you or owner, see you! Trust me and try it.
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