Can somebody please tell me how to get a real job?

[ScottyB]

I need a job. And I need one fast. I have applied to maybe 50 jobs over the past couple weeks and only heard from one that told me I wasn't qualified. I have probably applied to a few hundred over the past couple years and got one interview. That interview was the only response I received besides this last one.

I have two degrees: English and Telecommunications. I am at grad school now, but I hate it and want out.

I will have 9 grad credits after this semester with a good GPA.

I have two years of substitute teaching experience.

The problem is that I only made about $7,500 in the last two years. My bill payments are no longer sustainable.

I rather not work fast food, but I will if I can't get anything else. The problem is, I am overqualified for these types of jobs and in Michigan they are stacked full of cheap labor and aren't hiring.

What do I need to do to start getting some responses from real jobs? I can't offer any experience, because I don't have any related experience. I just have some teaching time and a butt-load of education.

I also will not work with children again. I know that is where I have most of my experience, but it nearly destroyed me over the last couple years. And I cannot do it again, ever.

 

[KLin]

Maybe look for jobs in different areas besides Michigan?

 

[ScottyB]

Originally posted by: KLin
Maybe look for jobs in different areas besides Michigan?

I have been.

 

[CKent]

1 reply from hundreds of applications? Your resume full of doodspeak or something?

Experience: I wuz l33t @ CS n UT2k4 LOLOLZ!!111

edit: I can totally see an ATer making this faux pas too...

 

[Capt Caveman]

Talk to a temp agency about getting a temp job at a company that you might be interested in. You get some experience, people get to know you and if a full-time job opens up, you'll have leg up on others b/c you've been working at the company.

 

[Tiamat]

Its a tough time. Many companies are passing on the so-called "entry-level" people for those with 6-10 years of experience. I've been having quite a tough time, had a couple interviews, but nothing much has come of them.

 

[chipy]

Originally posted by: CKent
1 reply from hundreds of applications? Your resume full of doodspeak or something?

Experience: I wuz l33t @ CS n UT2k4 LOLOLZ!!111

edit: I can totally see an ATer making this faux pas too...

LOL!

 

[Cattlegod]

yeah dude, post your resume. it likely sucks hardcore.

 

[ScottyB]

OBJECTIVE
_____ position at _____.

EDUCATION
Central Michigan University Aug. 2008 - Present
-M.A. in English Language and Literature - Creative Writing (expected 2010)

Michigan State University Aug. 2002 - May 2006
-B.A. in English
-B.A. in Telecommunications, Information Studies and Media

MEDIA EXPERIENCE
Media Production
-Directed complex television and video assignments.
-Aided in the production of student film projects.
-Organized individuals of specialized talents.
-Completed coursework in website design.
-Lighted, edited, produced, wrote, and storyboarded various productions.
-Solidified ability to work both as a team member and team leader.
-Acquainted self with computer software used for video editing and media manipulation.

Writing
-Composed many short stories and film scripts.
-Evaluated various writing techniques and styles from both traditional and experimental authors.
-Contributed in constructive criticism during several writing workshops.
-Learned to work with a partner on writing projects.
-Developed a greater understanding of literature as a creator and as a consumer.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
**************** Nov. 2006 - June 2008
**************** Sept. 2006 - Nov. 2008
Substitute Teacher
-Taught a diverse assortment of classroom topics and lesson plans.
-Educated students from kindergarten through high school seniors.
-Conformed to various expectations of teachers for all grades.
-Formed new lesson plans when current plans were insufficient or missing.
-Used creative methods to manage large groups of inattentive people.

COMPUTER SKILLS
Extensive computer knowledge including Microsoft Office, Adobe Premiere, Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, and Final Draft using both the Mac and PC platforms.

PUBLICATIONS
Work published in The Offbeat printed by Michigan State University Press and Arkham Tales by Cold Fusion Media (available at www.arkhamtales.com).

 

[ScottyB]

I'm mostly trying to get media-related jobs. Either media production or publishing jobs.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: Tiamat
Its a tough time. Many companies are passing on the so-called "entry-level" people for those with 6-10 years of experience. I've been having quite a tough time, had a couple interviews, but nothing much has come of them.

that's what I'm hearing as well from my bro-in-law who's applied to numerous temp agencies... only 1 interview so far... lots looking for tons of experience, otherwise no bite.

 

[Cattlegod]

Originally posted by: ScottyB
OBJECTIVE
_____ position at _____.

EDUCATION
Central Michigan University Aug. 2008 - Present
-M.A. in English Language and Literature - Creative Writing (expected 2010)

Michigan State University Aug. 2002 - May 2006
-B.A. in English
-B.A. in Telecommunications, Information Studies and Media

MEDIA EXPERIENCE
Media Production
-Directed complex television and video assignments.
-Aided in the production of student film projects.
-Organized individuals of specialized talents.
-Completed coursework in website design.
-Lighted, edited, produced, wrote, and storyboarded various productions.
-Solidified ability to work both as a team member and team leader.
-Acquainted self with computer software used for video editing and media manipulation.

Writing
-Composed many short stories and film scripts.
-Evaluated various writing techniques and styles from both traditional and experimental authors.
-Contributed in constructive criticism during several writing workshops.
-Learned to work with a partner on writing projects.
-Developed a greater understanding of literature as a creator and as a consumer.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
**************** Nov. 2006 - June 2008
**************** Sept. 2006 - Nov. 2008
Substitute Teacher
-Taught a diverse assortment of classroom topics and lesson plans.
-Educated students from kindergarten through high school seniors.
-Conformed to various expectations of teachers for all grades.
-Formed new lesson plans when current plans were insufficient or missing.
-Used creative methods to manage large groups of inattentive people.

COMPUTER SKILLS
Extensive computer knowledge including Microsoft Office, Adobe Premiere, Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, and Final Draft using both the Mac and PC platforms.

PUBLICATIONS
Work published in The Offbeat printed by Michigan State University Press and Arkham Tales by Cold Fusion Media (available at www.arkhamtales.com).

You need some more meat on your bullet points. Get them in an Action Context Result format (Action verb that states what you did. The context (why you had to do what you did), and the result of what you did).

check out my resume at www.garynye.com to get some ideas on how I wrote my bullet points.

 

[ScottMac]

www.att.com

They're hiring all over their footprint, including programming and U-Verse jobs in Michigan. You'd probably start as a contractor then be converted, that seems to be the pattern these days.

Open up your standards and get a job that'll get you in the door and move laterally once you're in. It's somewhat rare to get your "dream Job" on the hire.

Good Luck

 

[olds]

I thought there were teacher shortages everywhere?

 

[venkman]

When desperate, the Knee Pad route might work for you.

 

[SoulAssassin]

network...make contacts. Anyone you went to school w land a good job? Call them and see if they are hiring.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Here you go - a job and a chance to travel

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Here you go - a job and a chance to travel

Fixed.

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
network...make contacts. Anyone you went to school w land a good job? Call them and see if they are hiring.

Networking is the key.
It isn't what you know, it is who you know.
Start hanging out online in forums that are visual arts related.
Best one is http://forums.cgsociety.org/
Also take a look here:
http://www.gamasutra.com/jobs/board.php

I assume you have a portfolio or demo reel to show your work ?

Don't just post web links in a resume, send copies of your work with it. Most employers are not going to take the time to visit web sites or research anything you tell them, just what they can glance over.

 

[finite automaton]

Don't exclude internships

 

[SludgeFactory]

Originally posted by: ScottyB
I also will not work with children again. I know that is where I have most of my experience, but it nearly destroyed me over the last couple years. And I cannot do it again, ever.

Was the girl from the Exorcist in your class?

 

[Gibson486]

if you have little experience, you will have a really big uphill battle. Companies are looking at the bottom line now. That means they need effecient workers. Entry level grads, even with internship experience, usually carry too much overhead.

The only thing I can tell you is to keep your head up, keep you ears an eyes open, and keep applying. Also, be creative. just because you got a communications degree does not mean you have to take a job irecty related to your degree.

Do not be embarressed to work minmum wage jobs. It's better than working no job. I had to do it. Ofcourse, I had to lie to get the job. I told them i was a high school drop out.

 

[XZeroII]

Originally posted by: ScottyB
OBJECTIVE
_____ position at _____.

EDUCATION
Central Michigan University Aug. 2008 - Present
-M.A. in English Language and Literature - Creative Writing (expected 2010)

Michigan State University Aug. 2002 - May 2006
-B.A. in English
-B.A. in Telecommunications, Information Studies and Media

MEDIA EXPERIENCE
Media Production
-Directed complex television and video assignments.
-Aided in the production of student film projects.
-Organized individuals of specialized talents.
-Completed coursework in website design.
-Lighted, edited, produced, wrote, and storyboarded various productions.
-Solidified ability to work both as a team member and team leader.
-Acquainted self with computer software used for video editing and media manipulation.

Writing
-Composed many short stories and film scripts.
-Evaluated various writing techniques and styles from both traditional and experimental authors.
-Contributed in constructive criticism during several writing workshops.
-Learned to work with a partner on writing projects.
-Developed a greater understanding of literature as a creator and as a consumer.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
**************** Nov. 2006 - June 2008
**************** Sept. 2006 - Nov. 2008
Substitute Teacher
-Taught a diverse assortment of classroom topics and lesson plans.
-Educated students from kindergarten through high school seniors.
-Conformed to various expectations of teachers for all grades.
-Formed new lesson plans when current plans were insufficient or missing.
-Used creative methods to manage large groups of inattentive people.

COMPUTER SKILLS
Extensive computer knowledge including Microsoft Office, Adobe Premiere, Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, and Final Draft using both the Mac and PC platforms.

PUBLICATIONS
Work published in The Offbeat printed by Michigan State University Press and Arkham Tales by Cold Fusion Media (available at www.arkhamtales.com).

How do you Lighted something? I went home and lighted my room with light.

<hillbilly>I lighted the fuse, now what?</hillbilly>

Sorry, but you need to fix that. You need to focus on what you'll actually bring to the company that you're intersted in working for. If you sent out 100 copies of this exact resume to 100 different companies then it's no surprise that you're getting only 1 response. You need to customize your resume for each position so that you are focusing on exactly what you'll be bringing to the table. Cut out anything that is not relevant. The resume should be enough to shock them into interviewing you. All of that makes you look unfocused. Once you have the interview, then start bringing up everything else to make yourself look more well-rounded.

 

[Muse]

When I really needed work (gotta pay rent, put some food on the table, the very basics) I lit out on the street and literally knocked on doors in the industrial part of town. I got a few that way. I even got two in a week. The first one said come back on Monday and the 2nd took me on then and there. I took the 2nd because it was union and paid well.

For 10 years I worked temporary jobs. Look up the temporaries in your phone book and call them. They will almost certainly have you come in and fill out an application. I had to call them daily and ask them if they had any positions to fill. Some were only a day (even 1/2 a day), others longer, up to several months. You can even land a full time job that starts out as a temporary job. Just about the whole time I worked temporaries I wanted a full time job, but it paid the rent/etc.

It seems like temporaries may be tougher in Michigan right now than what I experienced, but I think it's definitely worth a try. It was actually tougher here than most places. It was hard to save money, even though I was very frugal.

Since you're educated, you can angle toward the temps that need educated people. Those jobs are better and pay more. I got some of those, but I took bottom of the barrel jobs too. Even those aren't so bad, usually. I almost never refused a temp job. The only one I remember was when they asked me to be Santa at a department store. I just told them "it's not my number."

The fact that you are only there for a short time makes them easier. The worst day on a temp job is almost always the first, when you are trying to figure out what's going on and are usually confused. Sometimes the last day is bad too, especially when you wish like hell you could stay. That happened a lot to me. You do get exposed to a lot of different work environments and meet a lot of different kinds of people, something that most people don't get.

I see from your resume that you have media experience. You can increase your chances of landing a job in the media by gaining more experience, things you can put on your resume and by networking. Do volunteer work if necessary. That can always lead to paid work, you never know when or how. I work volunteer at a college radio station. Many of the people I volunteer with there have paid jobs in the media.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: Gibson486
Do not be embarressed to work minmum wage jobs. It's better than working no job. I had to do it. Ofcourse, I had to lie to get the job. I told them i was a high school drop out.

Is that legal? I know people normally misrepresent their qualifications by overstating them, but can you get into trouble by lying and understating your qualifications?

 

[venkman]

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: Gibson486
Do not be embarressed to work minmum wage jobs. It's better than working no job. I had to do it. Ofcourse, I had to lie to get the job. I told them i was a high school drop out.

Is that legal? I know people normally misrepresent their qualifications by overstating them, but can you get into trouble by lying and understating your qualifications?

you won't get arrested, but you might get fired for lying.