Getting sick and tired of job searching with no results-

[Bradman]

Employers don't even have the courtesy to reply back and say they aren't interested. I'd like to tell them all to kiss my ___!

[rawxstasy]

That's because there's 100 applicants for each job opening. It's only going ot get worse.

[aelle]

How long has it been? There are still an unusual number of applicants per position these days, so it takes a while to process. Also, it's summer, companies work with reduced staff as people take vacations. Give them a little break and a couple of kind reminders.

[Johnny Metal]

Oh, man. You are feeling frustrated because you're seeing the events from the perspective "Got a job - good. Did not get a job - bad". And this is one valid way of viewing the events, but it's one of many. Maybe there are some other perspectives that are more empowering, that will dissipate the feeling of powerlessness and help you find the job faster, let's find them out:


Well, you did not find the job, but you've managed to find the worst employers in your area. Maybe even in the state. Hell, probably even in the whole country! High five! If there was a reality show about finding the worst boss in the universe, you would be the star.



And here's another empowering perspective:

After writing a reply, I've realized that I can turn it into an article and post it on my website, read the rest of my reply in my article: "Sick and tired of job searching?"





.

[Laurenaus]

ive actually responded to craigslist ads with yelling and much profanity. Mostly the ones that have a laundry list of requirements and when u scroll down to the bottom it'll say like 8$ an hour..i just think..up yours.

[Johnny Metal]

^ So, not only you were still jobless, but you were also wasting your time writing emails to employers who you do not want to work with? Good ****ing job.

[Medusa locked]

Job search, to me is the most un-inspiring thing.

I'd be interested in ways to make the process more enjoyable.

[elucidate]

This is what has been stopping me from finding more stimulating work while I get my own thing going.

Job hunting is NOT fun! How to make it fun?

It's like I have a real block there. I'm just not looking forward to it at all, but I can't stay in the job I have anymore either or my brain will die.

[James Fletcher]

I've already expressed my opinion on the standard method of job searching. Basically, you'd have better luck spending the day at the tracks than adding to the slush piles on monster and such.

My suggestions?

Research a growing industry that is currently in demand of committed people, something that hasn't really caught on in the mainstream employment market, and hence no waves of slush slopping against their doors.

Network with people in that particular industry. Let them know you exist and that you're very interested and knowledgeable in that industry.

You've probably heard something along these lines many times before and it probably sounds a bit oversimplified. But I think it's a lot more productive.

[Johnny Metal]

“But job hunting is NOT fun! How to make it fun?”


Last time I’ve checked, job hunting looked like “drafting a page of text” (curriculum), “sending an email”, “walking from here to there”, “opening your mouth and talking”. I bet at some point of your life you’ve managed to make these activities fun, in fact right now I am amusing myself to no end while drafting this page of text. With the right mindset/heartset you make any activity entertaining, even hysterically funny, even (specially) when applied to job searching, here’s how:



Include very subtle easter eggs, funny sounding company names where you’ve previously worked, and “accidental” sexual innuendos in your curriculum for shits and giggles, see if the employer can spot them. Cry from laughter each time you attach this curriculum to an email and press “Send”.



Make a list of companies/positions you want to apply to, sort it by alphabetical order, then start applying, see how far in the alphabet you can get before getting hired.


Assume you aren't going to get a job, decide that you will at least have some fun, start messing with an interviewer.


I've decided to just go ahead and expand my original article, so read the rest of this reply at the section how to make job hunting process fun

[reidchj]

Have you tried Linkedin?

I get contacted by head hunters there all the time.

[NAL]

Originally Posted by rawxstasy

That's because there's 100 applicants for each job opening. It's only going ot get worse.

Is that really true?? Here in Massachusetts on the radio and in the newspaper they just talk about all these jobs that are going 'unfilled' because no one has the 'right skills' or how anyone long term unemployed is so either because they are 1) Damaged Goods 2) Have Drug Problems 3) Aren't "really" looking.

Even short term temp jobs job require a full interview process & background/credit check with the client company. I interviewed for a 3 month temp job with a bank in Boston and was told by the recruiter the next day that they --- hired someone right out of school. I said that sounded like a contrived reason because the description asked for someone with 3-5 years of experience.

I would love to retrain or take classes in programming or something IT related by then I have the problem of being too 'old' & having to explain still my previous employment history.

[Economica]

Bradman and other job-seekers, I cannot recommend the blog Ask a Manager highly enough! The job market does suck, but if there is anything you could be doing better - which just might put you ahead of the pack in the future - you will find out from reading Alison's blog (and/or her book: How to Get a Job: Secrets of a Hiring Manager).

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Ask a Manager. I'm just a longtime fan.

[NAL]

Originally Posted by Economica

Bradman and other job-seekers, I cannot recommend the blog Ask a Manager highly enough! The job market does suck, but if there is anything you could be doing better - which just might put you ahead of the pack in the future - you will find out from reading Alison's blog (and/or her book: How to Get a Job: Secrets of a Hiring Manager).

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Ask a Manager. I'm just a longtime fan.

You cannot erase a poor work history however.. I find that having a poor work history, poor interview skills & being miles behind others my age prevents me from getting employed anywhere. I have a degree & advanced degree and passed several parts of the CPA and looking at $10-$15 an hour temporary accounting jobs now.

[elucidate]

I like these suggestions. It was fun just reading them. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Johnny Metal

“But job hunting is NOT fun! How to make it fun?”


Last time I’ve checked, job hunting looked like “drafting a page of text” (curriculum), “sending an email”, “walking from here to there”, “opening your mouth and talking”. I bet at some point of your life you’ve managed to make these activities fun, in fact right now I am amusing myself to no end while drafting this page of text. With the right mindset/heartset you make any activity entertaining, even hysterically funny, even (specially) when applied to job searching, here’s how:



Include very subtle easter eggs, funny sounding company names where you’ve previously worked, and “accidental” sexual innuendos in your curriculum for shits and giggles, see if the employer can spot them. Cry from laughter each time you attach this curriculum to an email and press “Send”.



Make a list of companies/positions you want to apply to, sort it by alphabetical order, then start applying, see how far in the alphabet you can get before getting hired.


Assume you aren't going to get a job, decide that you will at least have some fun, start messing with an interviewer.


I've decided to just go ahead and expand my original article, so read the rest of this reply at the section how to make job hunting process fun

[Merr]

1) Decide what job you want to do.

2) Decide what you need to do to get qualified for that job: volunteering, working in another position, working in a similar job.

3) Google the job and see what you come up with. Get a feel for what you want and what they are looking for. Get a more specific idea of what you want from your chosen job role.

4) Work on writing a good CV, how to fill in an application form (lots of people fall down here).

5) Apply for jobs that really appeal to you on a gut level that you believe you are qualified for. If you do not believe you are qualified, you are likely to self-sabotage.

6) If you get an interview, excellent. Regardless of whether you get the job, learn from the experience and apply it during the next job interview.

7) If you don't get an interview, phone/e-mail and ask politely for feedback on how to improve your application form and express your intention to apply during the next round of applications.

If you follow these steps... you'll get a job. It might be tomorrow, next week, next month or in a year's time, but you will get hired.

[stanigator]

Originally Posted by Johnny Metal

“But job hunting is NOT fun! How to make it fun?”


Last time I’ve checked, job hunting looked like “drafting a page of text” (curriculum), “sending an email”, “walking from here to there”, “opening your mouth and talking”. I bet at some point of your life you’ve managed to make these activities fun, in fact right now I am amusing myself to no end while drafting this page of text. With the right mindset/heartset you make any activity entertaining, even hysterically funny, even (specially) when applied to job searching, here’s how:



Include very subtle easter eggs, funny sounding company names where you’ve previously worked, and “accidental” sexual innuendos in your curriculum for shits and giggles, see if the employer can spot them. Cry from laughter each time you attach this curriculum to an email and press “Send”.



Make a list of companies/positions you want to apply to, sort it by alphabetical order, then start applying, see how far in the alphabet you can get before getting hired.


Assume you aren't going to get a job, decide that you will at least have some fun, start messing with an interviewer.


I've decided to just go ahead and expand my original article, so read the rest of this reply at the section how to make job hunting process fun

I find your article quite funny. It's effective in making job seekers feel better about themselves and regain confidence.

[stanigator]

Originally Posted by NAL

You cannot erase a poor work history however.. I find that having a poor work history, poor interview skills & being miles behind others my age prevents me from getting employed anywhere. I have a degree & advanced degree and passed several parts of the CPA and looking at $10-$15 an hour temporary accounting jobs now.

As someone who is out of school not too long ago, here are my 2 cents:
- Poor work history: Target mainly at entry level jobs (if they require experience, they aren't really "entry-level" openings) or work in a part-time job while honing the skills and experience required for a decent paying skilled gig
- Poor interview skills: this is something that must be practiced on a regular basis. Delivery skills are not only practiced. You also need to prepare how you're going to respond to potential questions. This is so that you ensure that you prove your character while not giving as little signs of being filtered out by employer's secret criteria as possible
- Being miles behind others your age: there's nothing much you can do about it if you follow what others did; all I can suggest is try thinking outside the box and attempt what few of others did

[Merrick1]

Originally Posted by Bradman

Employers don't even have the courtesy to reply back and say they aren't interested. I'd like to tell them all to kiss my ___!

Same in this country. Fortunately I'm self-employed which has its disadvantages, like nearly no free weekends and holidays, but I'm doing what I enjoy most, so it gets more than compensated.

I have the following to ponder:

I used to do some of the work, which I'm doing now, in Johannesburg, South Africa, many years ago - running spiritual self-development courses. And I'm considering doing this work + other work which I've since added to it, internationally. They say that it is good if others discover one's good qualities themselves but anyway, I'm a certified meditation teacher, systemic constellations facilitator and Reiki teacher. My girlfriend is an excellent psychic and medium, Reiki teacher and the list could continue. We both are highly successful karmic healers.

I don't know whether you can relate to any of the above but we would like to find people who would rezonate with us and with the work we do to help us organize courses, seminars and sessions in other countries, including the US for a commission which would be negotiated.

Merrick

[Aminka Ozmun]

Don't be upset, Bradman!

Would you really want a million "thank-you-but..." letters? Likely form letters at that!

You shouldn't pin your hopes on any one company. As an aspiring author, I know about rejection! Believe me, it doesn't matter whether they type you a letter, e-mail you, telephone you, or knock on your door if the bottom line is "no go."

Look on the bright side; look for the silver lining: at least your time hasn't been further wasted. And truth is, it's never really a waste.

I am comfortably employed now, but two years ago I was rejected for what seemed like a dream opportunity with a Fortune 1000 company. My current position offers no glory and just enough pay, but it's really interesting and I can often set my own pace here. I couldn't have dreamed up this job in my wildest fantasies!

Remember that when they reject you, they're doing you a favor!