Jobs/Employment

[Tree0404]

So as I posted a while back (March or April of last year to be exact), I had gotten laid off from my job, which was an exact fit for my educational background (Urban & Regional Planning) and had an incredibly difficult time getting back in the workforce. I finally found a full-time job in late September doing absolutely nothing related to my background - but I had to get a job at that point; it was getting ridiculous. So, the job I got is working in a call center for a large Finance corporation making fairly decent money for the job tasks ($33k/year salary + benefits, etc.). However, it is still call center work - it's about my least favorite job ever. If the money wasn't better, I'd honestly rather work in a Supermarket ringing up groceries or something. I can't stand in-depth conversations that aren't face-to-face. I don't even mind working for the company or in the financial industry - its the job itself I don't like.

So, needless to say, pretty much from day 1 of this new job, I've been looking for a new job that isn't in a call center environment. I don't think I'm being too picky in that I'm looking for a Mon-Fri 8a-5p type job that pays something like mid/upper $30ks. I have a Master's Degree and I'm not computer illiterate - I'm no techie, but I can get the job done on Word/Excel/PowerPoint, etc.

I swear these types jobs no longer exist. No matter how hard I look on the web (LinkedIn, Indeed, etc.) unless you have IT experience, 8 years of managerial experience, or an MBA, you are no longer qualified for anything that pays $35K or above.

I don't mind talking on the phone to people, I just don't want it to be a continuous daily thing like it is. Its wearing on me and I don't want to be the kind of guy at age 29 who has a breakdown because he despises going to work every day.

Any ideas?

[exfasteddy]

All I can say is that you are in a boat with a lot of other people. And I say this in all seriousness, you need to check out every single possible connection you can find from parents, aunts, uncles, friends, relatives, anyone, because just about everyone I know in your age bracket has gotten their jobs via connections/relatives. Sorry to be so glum.

[DavidM]

My wife’s been looking for more than a year. She has two degrees, one a BA in economics. She's worked in Banking and has 12 plus years in Credit Insurance as a Risk Analyst. She can’t find anything even remotely close to what she was doing. She is looking now at a job as an admin assistant making about 1/3 of what she used to bring home.

[exfasteddy]

My youngest son got his Masters in Education about 5 years ago. Two years ago he "got his foot in the door" at our local HS as a teacher's aid, about $17k. Every teaching position he applies for has hundreds of experienced applicants. Has not even gotten one interview.

[Unzerdog]

Be the first one in and the last to leave and someone upstairs might find out. I bet they watch to see who the last one in and the first to leave is. While doing that, keep looking for something better, it's easier to get a job if you already have one. But switching jobs once a year is a bad thing. When I quit art school and went into the trades, my old man told me, "I don't care if you are a garbage man, just be the best garbage man out there." Cream rises quickly to the top in those scenarios. Good old fashioned work ethic sticks out. It's really hard to come by.

[Ren Butler]

All I can say is that you are in a boat with a lot of other people.

Yeah, that's the problem. With so many people still looking for work, they can give all the jobs to the lowest bidders.

[exfasteddy]

My oldest son IS the best garbage man out there.

[XXXX]

The United States Coast Guard. Seriously... http://www.uscg.mil/top/careers.asp

[jkg]

I swear these types jobs no longer exist. No matter how hard I look on the web (LinkedIn, Indeed, etc.) unless you have IT experience, 8 years of managerial experience, or an MBA, you are no longer qualified for anything that pays $35K or above.

My wife’s been looking for more than a year. She has two degrees, one a BA in economics. She's worked in Banking and has 12 plus years in Credit Insurance as a Risk Analyst. She can’t find anything even remotely close to what she was doing. She is looking now at a job as an admin assistant making about 1/3 of what she used to bring home.

My youngest son got his Masters in Education about 5 years ago. Two years ago he "got his foot in the door" at our local HS as a teacher's aid, about $17k. Every teaching position he applies for has hundreds of experienced applicants. Has not even gotten one interview.

Brutal. These are people who seemingly have done everything right, did what they were told by their elders, gone to college, gotten their degree, and are more than willing to work. I hope it turns around quickly for all of you.

The only advice I'd give is to echo fasteddy's. There is a glut of highly credentialed white collar workers out there, so it really all comes down to luck/connections because you are not going to stand out based on your credentials in today's labor market.

[FTHurley]

One thing I'll add, and it might go without saying, so I'm sorry if this is just repeating what you're already doing ...

Don't may too much attention to the qualifications listed in job postings. My wife is a programmer, and we often joke about postings that are looking for five years experience in a three year old technology. Obviously, you have to be reasonable, to a degree, but often that insane list of qualifications is there to scare off marginal candidates to reduce the number of resumes they get. So feel free to fire off resumes to jobs you're not actually quite qualified for. If they're hard requirements, then they just won't hire you, and you're no worse off. But sometimes it turns out they don't actually need those things.

Good luck. I've been there. It sucks. But it will get better.

[roach]

If push comes to shove, here's a job that lets you stay close to racing:

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

POSITION TITLE: Professional Mascot

DEPARTMENT: IMS Marketing
DURATION OF JOB: Seasonal (April-October)

SUMMARY:
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway mascots represent the brand with a distinctive identity. Our mascots enhance the traditions and emotions of our audience through exaggeration, characterization, and entertainment. They bring live, fun-filled excitement to not just our fans, but our future fans, the children. “Axel and Alley” are two current mascots that represent and inspire the IMS Kids Club. In addition, we will have a third mascot to represent the IMS as a whole.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Perform as “Axel,” “Alley,” or the new upcoming mascot at community appearances, IMS races, children’s birthday parties, and other events
Create the personality of the character
Act using exaggerated body motions and high level of emotions
Must positively interact with children
Treat the suits with the utmost care
Hired employees must be interested in cultivating business, by genuinely wanting to be involved in expanding the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Mascot Program

QUALIFICATIONS:

Active
Enthusiastic
Professional
Responsible and reliable
Friendly and personable
Spontaneous
Creative
Experience with previous Mascot Programs is a plus

HOURS:
Potential candidates ARE REQUIRED to work all four of the IMS races. Our 2014 Race Weekends are as follows:

Grand Prix of Indianapolis: May 8-10
Indianapolis 500: May 17-25
Brickyard 400: July 24-27
MotoGP: August 8-10

Seriously, good luck in your endeavors.

[Indyknut]

Same here, was out of work from end of Nov 2011 till the beginning of Nov 2012, month shy of a year.

My career field of 35 years, consumer electronics repair, was over. Being phased out nationwide. I had to start as a greenhorn in a new career at 54 years old, try selling that to potential employers.

Things were really bad in 2012, nobody was hiring due to waiting out the election and whether Obama or Romney got elected. Obama = ACA, Romney = no ACA. In all my years, I've never gotten involved in political discussions during a job interview but in the few interviews I had back then I did. Crazy.

Took my first job in fiber optic networking in Nov, 2012. I loved the work but it just wasn't full time and there were going to be down times, some times for month's, when I wouldn't work. If I was more financially independent I'd probably still be working it. I've done some side work for him since then upgrading cell towers for VZW to 4G. There's more sidework in the future.

I got my current full time job in Jan 2013. Servicing POS computers for a subcontract company servicing a large, well known convenience store chain. I love this work as well though it's not as challenging as the last. Good pay, I get paid for 40 hours whether I work it or not (most of the time I average 30 hours a week), full benefits, employee owned company, company car, smart phone, etc. I'm a remote tech, my boss is 350 miles away in Des Moines, Iowa. He's happy if he hears as little from his remote techs as possible.

Keep looking and responding. The fiber job came from networking with a friend. My current job was posted on Careerbuilder.com. It often feels like you send hundreds of resumes/cover letters into the cyber black hole never to ever hear anything from any of those companies again but eventually you'll get a bite. You're still young. Hang in there.

[skypigeon]

Be the first one in and the last to leave and someone upstairs might find out. I bet they watch to see who the last one in and the first to leave is. While doing that, keep looking for something better, it's easier to get a job if you already have one. But switching jobs once a year is a bad thing. When I quit art school and went into the trades, my old man told me, "I don't care if you are a garbage man, just be the best garbage man out there." Cream rises quickly to the top in those scenarios. Good old fashioned work ethic sticks out. It's really hard to come by.

What he said, plus one more thing: A company the size of the one where you work WILL have an internal online jobs posting site. If you've not yet learned how to find it, find it, look through it every day, and apply for any part of the company that appears to be a good match for your skills. Trust me, no one in the call center will hold it against you (no one sane, anyway), if anything if where you work is a good company it's expected of you. It shows ambition.

That said, whatever you do, don't quit before getting another position or job. $33k a year doing non-management work is outstanding money--for a call center. Well above average for that trade. Take some consolation in that.