What do you have to do to get a job these days?

[SunnyD]

Sorry, I had to come somewhere to rant...

15 months of unemployment this week...

I've sent out several hundreds of resumes over the last 15 months, and have been lucky only like 3 times to even get a callback. I haven't even had an interview, so to speak. One phone interview, but that was through a recruiter, and it was kindof a pre-screening thing to filter the candidates down.

My question is, what am I doing wrong. I mean, seriously, *I* have to be the one not doing it right here. All my friends have managed to get by here. I have mid-level experience, a Bachelor's and an Associate's degree (Comp. Sci. and related + Math Minor). I might as well say I'm a programmer/software engineer, and have been programming for a long, long time. Professionally, for about 4 years. I should be able to find a mid-level position, shouldn't I?

But here's what seems to happen - listings, paper, online, through friends... all of them... we want a million years of experience and a skillset the size of a supercomputer, all for an entry-level position. Why? Why am I getting turned away and not looked at for positions when I am an ably qualified candidate?

Okay, so I'm told that a large portion of my workforce is displaced and in the same boat... but I know people are calling THEM back. Why am I not getting callbacks?

And callbacks... well, yeah, I've taken a much more proactive stance over the last half-year in looking for jobs. I've been quite active on the phones trying to get ahold of the powers that be. And still... nothing.

I've had job listings before me that basically was my resume in their listing, only to never hear from those companies (and trying to contact them is nearly impossible due to lack of contact information).

Recruiters? I've given up on them ever since the last one I used sent 10 people for the same job. He did that twice to me.

My best hopes have been my friends lately. And even then, I've only had some empty leads thus far. It's definitely further than I get blindly sending a resume and attempting to contact - it means I have an "in". But like I said... empty leads.

Does anybody know how I can get Security Clearance without joining the military? I know that I would have a much easier time finding a job... I have to pass over probably 200 listings daily that say "Active Security Clearance Required".

And best yet... I recently got a rejection letter for a minimum-wage job saying I was "too overqualified" for the position.

So what the heck is one supposed to do in this position? I don't even think McDonald's would hire me at this point.

Depression is setting in and taking hold... and I need something to turn things around.

-D

 

[Queasy]

I can sympathize with you because I spent three months unemployed last year...and it was almost longer.

Apply for all kinds of job, not just the ones in your field. Just try to get your foot in somewhere. Example, I was a programmer/business analyst in the telecoms industry at my last job. I applied for a QA position at my current job in the credit industry just to get my foot in the door. After I spend a year here I am going to be applying for something more in line with my career objectives.

Don't give up hope, just keep plugging away and making call backs like crazy. That is how I got my current position because I kept bugging the human resources girl to keep me in line for a position that was going to be open after I was turned down for the position I interviewed for.

Good luck.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: Queasy
Apply for all kinds of job, not just the ones in your field. Just try to get your foot in somewhere.

I've been spending the last 3 months doing just that. Pretty much anything sufficiently related... again - take a look at the minimum wage helpdesk thing I mentioned before... kindof disheartening to see something like that.

 

[Hyperblaze]

From personnal experience, I have found that contacts is the way to go.

 

[Stealth1024]

Its all in who you know, I'm college (CE major) and was looking for a job this upcoming summer and thankfully I knew someone who got me one

 

[tarheelmm]

Knowing someone is alwasy the boat. I put out a ton of resumes and the only way I have gotten my last three jobs is thru contacts. Also have a friend in the same boat, he has two degrees and a few certs, people seem to get scared away by that. Places think that you will want a ton of money.

 

[AznMaverick]

damn, my dad is in the same position as you people. he was laid off from mci worldcomm back in december. it hurts me to see him without work and not being able to get work :disgust:. sad thing is he is 60, and it's probably much harder for him to find a job, than for any of you, not to mention we live in hawaii, of all places.

 

[Turkey22]

Probably the best idea is to go out and network, find people who work at places you wanna work and have them get you in. Unfortunately most the time its not about what you know, but who you know.

 

[LeStEr]

I have come to the conclusion that you can only get a job these days if you know someone.

 

[AznMaverick]

Originally posted by: LeStEr
I have come to the conclusion that you can only get a job these days if you know someone.

yea, me too...and company loyalty is not really that essential these days.

 

[Hoober]

Originally posted by: LeStEr
I have come to the conclusion that you can only get a job these days if you know someone.

Especially in the telecom industry.

 

[zCypher]

I saw my current job posted in the halls at my college. I called, they called back, I went for an interview, I was hired, I started working... ta da.

I've gotten lots of other work through contacts though. Oh and my previous job (tech at a comp shop) I got just by submitting my resume and a cover letter. Maybe you forget to write a properly thought out cover letter? In any case, like said in this thread, contacts are the way to go. Networking does wonders for job seeking. Good luck...

 

[Stealth1024]

did you graduate from a big-name college? I'm told here at RIT that RIT alumni really help other RIT graduates get jobs in the big companies.

 

[pillage2001]

Originally posted by: Stealth1024
Its all in who you know, I'm college (CE major) and was looking for a job this upcoming summer and thankfully I knew someone who got me one

You wanna get me one??

 

[Mr N8]

#1: Hot looks
#2: Male HR
#3: Offer services

 

[Queasy]

I must be the exception to the rule. I got a job not knowing anybody. Sent my resume through Monster.com. I just put together a good resume and did my best to impress during the interview process. I almost did not get the job because the person they hired over me had a connection despite having no working experience compared to my four years. Fortunately, they had another position open up and I got that one.

The interview I got through somebody I knew ended up being a bust because they were scared of hiring someone in the IT field (it was a insurance claims position). They figured rightly that I would just stay with them a few months until I got the job I wanted

 

[apoppin]

That doesn't sound right . . . what does your resume look like?

You should be getting a (much) higher percentage of call-backs. (If you decide to "post" it here, delete the "personal" info)

 

[LaLaLand]

would YOU like fries WITH that?

 

[rh71]

Check for full-time positions at a local university / community college. They don't advertise much outside the school... so you may have better luck. Don't worry about the students there, as they're not (1) graduated with a degree and/or (2) available 40+ hours per week. My friend got in a full-time MIS/web-type of position at U of Chicago just 6 months ago with no job experience and he's been very happy there.

Aside from schools, there's not much else you seemingly haven't done. Most employers will hire a "recommendation" over a cold body off the street. This was true before the economic downturn, and it is even truer now. I got in here with no connections back in 2000 and that was at the cusp of the downturn... lucky me... I'm still shocked till this day. At any rate, good luck out there... I can imagine the frustration.

 

[lupy]

Luck plays a key part, I'd think.
I just graduated this winter with a BS in computer science, gpa a little over 3.0, two years of internship/co-op experience.
When I got out, I had 3 offers, all from big name companys.
While others I know comp sci, comp eng, ee majors, some even graduated with distinctions, that still are without jobs.
So I guess finding a good job is like hitting the jackpot, it's all about luck.
But never give up though, you never know what will happen next.

 

[SagaLore]

Hmm... you wrote a large post, and not once mentioned what it is you know and what kind of experience you have. Maybe your Resume is just as vague?

So, what do you want to do, what do you know, how long have you been in the industry, what type of schooling do you have, etc.?

 

[rudder]

I have been out of work a couple of times in the last 2 years. Luckily its usually only a couple of weeks. But when the resume mill is cranking, I usually will tailor each resume to fit the job highlighting things that the company says they need. I also try to avoid using a canned cover letter. Even when emailing a resume, I try to take the time and put out a good "cover letter" in my email.

At one position, I monitered the HR email. I was surprised out how many resumes came in with bascially blank emails. I don't know if HR departments want to be bothered with that anymore, but from experience I have not had too much trouble finding work as a system admin. And that is without having a CS degree.

 

[gotsmack]

Programming jobs are moving overseas, that is why you need a LOT of experience to get a job.

The job will normally get you clearence if they hire you. It just takes forever to get it.

If you're low on options, enlist in the armed forces. You can get a desk job doing some internet/programmming related, that is proveded that you are a US citizen and have a clean record.

check your resume for spelling mistakes.

 

[Ferocious]

Just learn how to politely say "How may I help you?"

Perhaps the upper class' wet dream is slowly coming true??

 

[neovan]

Have you taken a look at the networking thread at the top? There are some good leads there. But never give up hope. You'll run into some luck. Until that day comes, just keep sending your resume out. I think I was pretty lucky because I applied through HotJobs.com and within a week a got a callback and it was from one of the higher paying jobs too. Be optomistic. Good luck.