Frustrated

WHAT THEN HELL DOES IT TAKE? HONESTLY!! I am just an 18 year old College student who just wants to work, I have tried every place in my area, everywhere, have had countless interviews, every advice, And here I am unemployed, while everybody else I know has a job! I am down on my luck and I don't know what to fricking do, WHAT DOES IT TAKE?

Hi seirraman, welcome to the forum.

You are not alone, it's happening everywhere. Don't give up hope. My daughter is having the same problem. She is 16 and wants to work. It would be her first job. She has applied everywhere locally but nothing yet. I know how frustrating it is but Keep trying and don't give up!!

welcome

It's just so frustrating! What's worse is companies never give feedback of why they didn't pick me, i mean Come On!

I am currently disappointed at companies for not choosing to hire me.
It's not like I am applying for a CEO position. I am just applying for average minimum wage jobs.

Good luck!

Welcome to the world we live in. One where college grads can't pay back their loans and are back in their parents basement. One where the iver 50 crowd is not even considered. One where folks are homeless after losing their job to China and other places.
At least you have time on your hands and you haven't worked your whole life only to lose everything.
I don't mean to be so glum but it's the harsh reality if the current conditions we live in.

[quote="Sierraman"]It's just so frustrating! What's worse is companies never give feedback of why they didn't pick me, i mean Come On!

I am currently disappointed at companies for not choosing to hire me.
It's not like I am applying for a CEO position. I am just applying for average minimum wage jobs.[/quote

My heart goes out to you...we feel your pain and frustrations...we all are going thru it. I've been out of work for 3 years, after being employed all of my life...hundreds of resumes have been sent out, maybe 10 interviews, and never hearing back from 95% of the places I've sent resumes off too, and not even hearing from some of the places I've had interviews with (and they expect professionalism from us???) ...I just went on an interview last week, and they informed me that there was 24 other people they had to interview before they could make their decision...if all those 24 people are younger than me, I'm pretty sure I won't be called. Of course they aren't going to tell you why they didn't choose you...they really don't have an excuse other than, someone else was more "qualifed" than you. Of course, we don't believe them either...but that is all they can say. It could be "no experience, age discrimation, your degree makes you over qualified???, or simply, they just didn't like you. And I agree...if you knew the reason, it would help on future interviews...but they are not held by any standards like they want us to be. That is the fact of life right now, and the way employers now do business. However, the more we get our struggles out to the media, the better the public will know of our situations, instead of thinking we just want a hand out.
The one good thing about this forum, is that you can vent, vent, and vent...and we will listen!

Another problem I have! When i am interviewing I am always friendly and cheerful and I have had a few experience in the bad and i still never get the position, They never tell why i am not picked other then we went into a different direction! Really? is it that hard tell me why you guys didn't pick me! Honestly, I have no criminal history, no drug use, 2 years of job experience. always show up professional! always follow up! WHAT MORE DO YOU GUYS WANT?

They're not going to tell you, because they don't want to be sued. So, unfortunately you have to live with the fact that you will never know. Just don't give up... You are young, and they will hire you over those who are in their 50's.

I also know that many times they already have someone they want to hire for the job. This has happened to me twice in the past. They said they have to list the job and interview for it. This way no one can say they didn't give them a chance. I was told that it's to cover their butts legally. I felt sorry for the people who wasted their resources to come in for the interview. Those people probably wondered why they didn't get the job when the interview went well, they had all the qualifications, and they did everything right... much like you.

I didn't think it was right then, and I don't think it's right now to give people false hope. But when I've done everything right and have all the right qualifications for a job and still don't get it, I know it's probably one of two reasons. It was either because I looked to them as being too old, or they already had someone for the position.

IS THERE ANYONE ON HERE WILLING TO HELP ME???

Sierraman wrote:IS THERE ANYONE ON HERE WILLING TO HELP ME???

What do you want help in? Certainly we can't get a job for you, since we can't even get one for ourselves. The administratives for this site can probably direct to you links that may help....I have no idea...but we can help by being here for you, as we are for everyone else that's been on here. We are here to let you know that you are not alone in your problems. I am thankful that when I need it.

My main concern is getting interviews! How do i get interviews since i know filling out an online application won't get me anywhere. Also, how to get the job after the interview.

It's extremely frustrating, unfortunately none of us has quite mastered getting them to pay attention to resumes and how to prevent them from falling into the Internet abyss. I have heard that they look for keywords in someone resume to weed through them but it's hard to know what they are.

Just keep at it, send several resumes a day to several different positions if possible. Constantly try to improve your resume. Network! Most people I know as of late got a job through someone they know. Finding a job IS a full time job in itself. We all relate. Also, when it's possible to do so, give the company a call after a few days and ask if they have had a chance to review your application or resume. I think a phone call goes a long way. Although many don't give the option to call. Look for an email address and contact them that way.

Don't give up! It will take time. In the mean time keep coming back. We are here for you. Look on the forums home page. There are links to resume help. Every little bit helps.

Sierraman wrote:My main concern is getting interviews! How do i get interviews since i know filling out an online application won't get me anywhere. Also, how to get the job after the interview.

I can only suggest what I have done...
1. Go to your local unemployment center, and let them critique your resume if needed. Sometimes we put too much on a resume or not enough...they will show you what is needed. Also, they will show you how to do a cover letter. Sometimes we get to wordy and a potential employer doesn't want to read that much.
2. Try to concentrate on sending resumes for jobs that are in the paper first, rather than on-line. Often the ones in the paper have e-mail addresses, or mailing addresses, so you would be sending your info directly to them, rather than a job search site.
3. Then after looking in papers go to the on-line searches that are popular, even your unemployment office should have a website that lists jobs...those you can rely on.
4. If you send one in the mail direct to an employer, follow up with another letter in the mail, stating that you had already sent a resume, but wanted them to know how interested you would be in working there.
5. If you get interviewed, send a thank you with a day or two, and reconfirm in the letter that you are very well qualifed for the job.
6. As far as how to act on an interview...HA! It is really difficult to know what an interviewer likes...but I have found that not being too overly friendly, is best, and not too shy...act very professional, reserved...because that's what they are looking for, not someone that is overly agressive.
Once you've done all that, all you can do is hope (and pray if you're into praying). But don't get down on yourself if you don't get a call...they probably interviewed 50 other people for that job.

Great advice Marilyn. In addition, if you are registered with the online searches, delete your existing profile and create a new one. I was constantly updating the old one and once I did this, I started getting notified again and I re-registered with all the State and County workforce agencies. I think since it's been so long for all of us, we are just at the bottom. Recreating the profiles etc took some time, but I am having more success with what's available.

Also, I have started mailing my resumes to the places that contact me as well, you just never know.

I have just given up! There are a thousand people sending applications for jobs i am never gonna get one! whats the point? My dreams are crushed...

America...

Don't give up Sierraman. Keep applying. Each application increases your chance of getting a call. Looking for a job is now your full time job. Good luck! I hope you get a pleasant surprise soon.

Sierraman wrote:I have just given up! There are a thousand people sending applications for jobs i am never gonna get one! whats the point? My dreams are crushed...

America...

Sierraman...you know you haven't given up...because you can't...you just feel like it, like the rest of us do. But we have to survive, so we keep plugging away. And without insulting you, I might add that your generation expects things to be given to you immediately...in my generation, we knew we weren't going to achieve or get things that fast without working at it. You talk about dreams???? How about those of us who are over 50, and are now draining our life savings because we can't find a job ...all the dreams that we thought we'd have in a few years from now, after saving all our life time for, has dissappeared in an instant. Retiring and traveling the world??? HA! we're lucky that we can go as far as our local swimming pond, or even have a roof over our head.

You need to brush off that self absorbed sympathy for yourself, stand tall, and not give up, and be happy for what you do have...you have a roof over your head, and food to eat. Some of the unemployed are living on the streets or in shelters.

You will get a job alot faster than we will, because you are much younger than we are. But it might take some time...just keep plugging away. But if you approach a potential employer with an arrogant or an angry disposition, you won't get the job, anyway...so you need to lighten up, and trust that the right job will come along in due time.

MarilynL, without being rude or disrespectful, to respond to your point about our generation, well, I don't expect things to be given to me right away. I have been looking right now for almost TWO years (not counting a brief seasonal gig I had) it's just so frustrating i apply to every place i think of, follow up as often as i can and i get an interview at least once a month (and I am never angry or arrogant in any way to any potential employer) I am just frustrated i have looked that long and that i haven't gotten ONE job offer yer!

It most certainly can be frustrating...some of us have been looking for jobs for 3 years, and in 3 years I've only had one job offer that I forfeited because of the traveling expenses that would've made me lose money in the long run. So you are not alone. But the "crush dreams" that you talk about, is far from over...you still have a whole life time ahead of you to seek that dream, unlike many others. Again, be thankful for things you do have, that some people don't, and just keep plugging away. A job will come...keep being hopeful...do you look into jobs that you would necessarily not look for...do you speak to as many people as you can..sometimes word of mouth will get you a job...walk into a retail store and ask to speak to a manager, and let them know that you want a job there... walk into every place you can with a resume in your hands

I'm not so sure that the young have a lifetime ahead of them to seek any dreams if we continue on this path. MarilynL does have some good points on how to get a job, but even with all that effort, what kind of job are you going to get? A low-paying job that could disappear overnight. A low-paying job that forces you to decide between shelter and food. A job so low-paying that you earn just enough to get to work tomorrow. Certainly nothing can we can build a dream on. The new dream is hoping we can survive from day-to-day and we are being conditioned to accept that. If you visit the website: dailyjobcuts.com, you will see the lay-offs , closings and bankruptcies that are running rampant. The corporate-owned media, and the police who we support with our taxes, are silencing our voices. An election is coming up – Gloria Steinem describes it best: we have a choice between a wolf in wolf’s clothing, or a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Which one has the plan to put America back to work?

Plan Now: keep shoveling money at wall street. Plan Different: lay off more government workers so that we will have even more competition for a low-paying job and keep shoveling money at wall street.

CORRECTION: I wrote Gloria Steinman, the the correct name is Jill Stein. Habit is hard to break.

I forgot to explain my dream part, my dream has been to work in the film industry and invisiblecitizen, with all due respect, I do not wish for this thread to become political. I really could care less about politics.

I feel the worst thing is for employers to have spend your time and money to interview with them, only to hear nothing from them afterwards or hear back weeks later. I have come to expect that. Yet you are considered rude it you do not thank them either electronically or via snail mail in a day or two.


Even when they do respond back it is not in a timely manner. The window is usually 45 days for you to wait for any response.

Recently, I had to interview for a department store's other location. I had everything, was known already by the company with a good work ethic and training. When I went in for the interview, I had experience in the very department that the guy was manager for who was interviewing me. I had seen him walk by me a couple of times while I was in the waiting area until he then told me he was interviewing because there was no one else to do it. After the interview, He told me that he would email me the next day. Nope. I went to the store to follow-up but they told me I had to wait for an email response. I didn't hear until weeks later stating that my requested hours did not align with the job and to please apply again. Unfortunately, this response came after the position was closed. So, I had no opportunity to re-apply. So I lost a job that I was already shown suited to.