Job hunting: soul destroying futility

[Eskay]

So.... anyone else in this boat?

I've been job hunting for about a month now, barely hearing back from any applications and rejection where I do. As a graduate from a top uni I honestly never expected it to be this way, having grown up after the 90's recession and been constantly told that great jobs would be available with a few good qualifications. I'm moving into a new flat in a few weeks and can only cover a few months rent, if something doesn't come up soon there will be problems.

Instead there is nothing. Its hard to descrbe the kind of frustration it gives you. It strikes me as ludicrous that someone keen to work and willing to do pretty much any job is so largely ignored, yet its happening all across the world. The worst part is feeling ignored though. Most people won't get back to your application, practically no one will give feed back to help you improve applications leaving a horrid sense of futility.

Anyone else want to vent?
...or help plan the revolution?

UPDATE

Fate makes hypocrites of us all...

The day after making this post I received an interview offer and phone interview, I'm still waiting to hear back from them.

But.... I've also got a job! Went into a temp agency, sat through a couple of hours of assessment, and was offered a position to start in September! Its a nice position thats career relevant as well.

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their support on this one, and to anyone still hoping DON'T GIVE UP. I only found mine after many weeks of applications and hearing nothing in return, not even rejections most of the time. I'm off to celebrate that being over!

 

[headshotcatcher]

Go work at a convenience store, backstab the manager and assume his identity. Worked for me (In [Prototype])

OT: Well I'm 15 so stuff like this doesn't really apply to me

 

[ScientificDJ]

if there's one thing i've learned from games, it's that adventuring, looting old ruins, and killing various evil creatures is a good way to make money.

 

[Daedalus1942]

So.... anyone else in this boat?

I've been job hunting for about a month now, barely hearing back from any applications and rejection where I do. As a graduate from a top uni I honestly never expected it to be this way, having grown up after the 90's recession and been constantly told that great jobs would be available with a few good qualifications. I'm moving into a new flat in a few weeks and can only cover a few months rent, if something doesn't come up soon there will be problems.

Instead there is nothing. Its hard to descrbe the kind of frustration it gives you. It strikes me as ludicrous that someone keen to work and willing to do pretty much any job is so largely ignored, yet its happening all across the world. The worst part is feeling ignored though. Most people won't get back to your application, practically no one will give feed back to help you improve applications leaving a horrid sense of futility.

Anyone else want to vent?
...or help plan the revolution?

Frustration? more like depression...
I have 3 jobs, but unfortunately they're very intermittent, and there's not alot of work for sound engineers at the moment.

 

[RetiarySword]

if there's one thing i've learned from games, it's that adventuring, looting old ruins, and killing various evil creatures is a good way to make money.

Agreed, I do this to keep the bank numbers in the black.

Also Scientific, welcome to the Escapist. Don't make a new thread without searching for it first or people will jump down your throat

 

[Proteus214]

I'd say keep your nose to the grindstone and don't give up.

But don't listen to me. People bend over backwards to give me jobs, so I've become a lazy fuck.

 

[LongAndShort]

I've been hunting for a job since the end of the HSC last year. It fucking sucks. I've got an interview on thursday week for a Teller job though, so hopefully my status as an unemployed Uni student shall change soon.

 

[IridRadiant]

Unreasonable optimism is really the only advice to give, besides persistence and patience. And beware the "Skipper Dan" trap, too. Lowering your expectations just for the income won't help you in the long run, unless your stop-gap job is related to where you want to be. This coming from someone still working on her degree in education, a low paying field with "critical demand". Call the companies to follow up your submissions, make nice with personnel, and cross your fingers that you get noticed enough for an interview.

 

[ScientificDJ]

sure, i spend a lot of time on rooster teeth and it's pretty much the same there.

and revolution? where do i sign up? george orwell eat your heart out.

 

[tehweave]

I've been there, my friend. Probably since last may. (Not may 2009, may 2008.) I've had/kept two jobs off and on, but they're nowhere near what I want to do. Not only that, most of the places I've applied at (at least 100) have ignored my application as well. It's very frustrating and I feel your pain. Good luck, though.

One thing you have to say to yourself... It's easier to find a job when you have one, and don't feel too proud to take the shit-end jobs like fast food or retail or waitering or a custodial position (as for me, retail for a good 20 months. SUCKED BALLS). As long as it pays the bills. Right now, most people probably hate/dislike their jobs and I am no different. You just need to hang in there. Good luck.

 

[Rascarin]

I've been unemployed since December 07. Now, admittedly, I've not been trying hard, but there are STILL no jobs.

It's really gonna hit the fan when I move out in September, though.

 

[The King And His Fool]

Unreasonable optimism is really the only advice to give, besides persistence and patience. And beware the "Skipper Dan" trap, too. Lowering your expectations just for the income won't help you in the long run, unless your stop-gap job is related to where you want to be. This coming from someone still working on her degree in education, a low paying field with "critical demand". Call the companies to follow up your submissions, make nice with personnel, and cross your fingers that you get noticed enough for an interview.

This would probably be the best advise anyone can give you.
You didn't study all those years just to take up waitering. It's selling yourself short no matter how you look at it. Sure, you get payed, but it won't improve your chances of finding better. Quite frankly, your future employer just doesn't care that you have been waitering.
Consider broadening your knowledge in your current field of expertise, or branch out. It'll look nice on your curriculum and it'll be a nice topic of conversation in interviews. Or start a project yourself for reference if that is applicable to waht you do or want to do.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't keep an eye out for job that don't necessarily fall in line with your studies though. I think very few people actually do the work they studied for. It's not necessarily a bad thing. Just keep in mind your own capabilities.

It took me over a year, with a 3 month intermediate job and a course in between to keep busy before opportinity knocked on my door. I consider myself lucky. So don't give up. You'll find your job.

 

[Eskay]

Thanks for the support guys, strangely cathartic to hear about others frustrations.

I've been there, my friend. Probably since last may. (Not may 2009, may 2008.) I've had/kept two jobs off and on, but they're nowhere near what I want to do. Not only that, most of the places I've applied at (at least 100) have ignored my application as well. It's very frustrating and I feel your pain. Good luck, though.

One thing you have to say to yourself... It's easier to find a job when you have one, and don't feel too proud to take the shit-end jobs like fast food or retail or waitering or a custodial position (as for me, retail for a good 20 months. SUCKED BALLS). As long as it pays the bills. Right now, most people probably hate/dislike their jobs and I am no different. You just need to hang in there. Good luck.

This is largely my tactic, started off applying for the good jobs and training schemes, now its anything really, just has to be enough to fend off the rent monkeys. Hoped never to get back into retail, 3 years trying to sell golf equipment to chavs made me scared of peoples stupidity.

 

[trombone2007]

I was without a job for about 2 1/2 months this summer before I heard anything back. The trick is to keep calling back on a weekly basis to those places that hacen't said no yet.

 

[Eskay]

Unreasonable optimism is really the only advice to give, besides persistence and patience. And beware the "Skipper Dan" trap, too. Lowering your expectations just for the income won't help you in the long run, unless your stop-gap job is related to where you want to be. This coming from someone still working on her degree in education, a low paying field with "critical demand". Call the companies to follow up your submissions, make nice with personnel, and cross your fingers that you get noticed enough for an interview.

This would probably be the best advise anyone can give you.
You didn't study all those years just to take up waitering. It's selling yourself short no matter how you look at it. Sure, you get payed, but it won't improve your chances of finding better. Quite frankly, your future employer just doesn't care that you have been waitering.
Consider broadening your knowledge in your current field of expertise, or branch out. It'll look nice on your curriculum and it'll be a nice topic of conversation in interviews. Or start a project yourself for reference if that is applicable to waht you do or want to do.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't keep an eye out for job that don't necessarily fall in line with your studies though. I think very few people actually do the work they studied for. It's not necessarily a bad thing. Just keep in mind your own capabilities.

True, and trust me i'd rather not work a shitty job, but all in all right now, I'll have to take any position. It is only temporary and unfortunately money concerns play a big role. Besides once i'm in work I'll have the resources to continue the job hunt for better things.

 

[BarkBark]

From what I seen it is where you live that determines job avalibilty.
I live next to a big city, so job offerings are plentiful.

 

[Sigel]

Get a server job just to float the bills. Servers make good money so you can keep paying rent. Servers work flexible schedules so you can keep job hunting and going to interviews. Server jobs are easy and can be very fun. I work 20-25 hours week and make roughly $300 on a slow week and up to $500 or more on a busy week.

Edit-Also stay positive and keep looking. Something in your field will turn up.

 

[Macgyvercas]

I've been looking for a job since June, and still have had little to no luck. I'm personally getting fed up with the economy.

 

[Captain Pancake]

Go to job centre. i know it seems banal, but it beats working at mcdonalds...

you know how people say 30 is the new 20? you could say the same for employers. they're reluctant to hire younger workers in a trying time, but it can be frustrating for potentially better qualified though less experienced young university graduates.

 

[Akai Shizuku]

That's capitalism for you...

I'm trying to get a job at a post office. -sigh-
Not a lot to put on my resume, but whatever. If I get the job I get the job.