I feel lost

Anonymous

March 11,2024 at 5:04PM UTC

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I feel lost

I graduated college about a year ago, and I have been searching for employment in my career field ever since (clerical work/duties). I have only had a couple of jobs for very short periods of time that related to my career post-college; both did not last long (one let me go after a single, simple mistake in the first days and the other I quit after finding out the building had issues with rodents/mold they did not care about).

Right now I'm working part-time at a job unrelated to my field. I feel like I have done everything I can to get into interviews and get employed. I'm at a breaking point. I do get interviews and good reviews but I get ghosted constantly or rejected for lack of experience (I've also looked into interning and there are no opportunities for that).

I want to keep going for what I went to college for, but I feel like I just can't go on and keep getting rejected.

I'm lost on how to keep going from here. I don't think I'll ever want to give up fully on job searching but I also feel like I'm trying to walk through a brick wall in applying to places - these last few months hardly anyone is hiring. I've been seriously thinking of pursuing my hobbies and see where they lead me. I don't know what to do now.

Advice is welcomed.

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AnonymousMarch 11,2024 at 5:40PM UTC
It's pretty tough out there right now, even for those with experience, so know you are definitely not alone. Have you checked for resources at the college you attended or applied for jobs there? Colleges often seriously consider their alumni for open roles or internships.
Also, networking is really important when it comes to job searching. Often, that's how people find great roles and get interviews.
LinkedIn is a great resource for connecting with like-minded people and finding networking events. It has helped me tremendously.
I think it's really smart on your part to pursue your passions as well and ask how you can connect those to your professional life.
Please hang in there and know that there is an opportunity out there for you! It's just a matter of time.
AnonymousMarch 11,2024 at 5:47PM UTC
Thank you for your comment. I have tried all of that and more, and I have even been ghosted from interviews stemming from personal connections. I’ve been in the college career center enough that they recognize me!
AnonymousMarch 11,2024 at 6:42PM UTC
What's your degree in?
Have you thought about taking a bridge job? Bridge jobs are not your perfect job but it's a job where you can build skills, gain references, make a living and using it as "bridge" to get you to where you're going. So, say if your degree is in business management, you could look at a bridge job as office manager, administrative support, virtual assistant, customer experience, etc.
Since you're still in your early years of your career, then you're still eligible for fellowships or apprenticeship work. You might have to move for it (if you're open to that sort of thing) but right now, the USAjobs.gov is hiring for a lot of roles across the gov't (this is just one example). Another site to look into is Idealist.org -- this site tends to have a lot of non-profit/social impact opportunities as jobs or fellowships.
What sort of networks are you part of? Think about how you can stay or get connected into your industry, so this might come in forms of volunteering as member, attending virtual or in-person meet ups and maybe even finding a mentor that can give you guidance.
Also, look into virtual or in-person career fairs, Fairygodboss tends to have resume drops periodically throughout the years. However, a lot of conferences and events are happening soon, so if you can, try to go to these sort of things (in-person or online) to meet recruiters to see what they're looking for. Check out the companies you're looking into to see if they have any upcoming events for early career professionals that you can sign up and be part of.
Have you looked at temp agencies? It may not be in the realm of work your into but it is at least a paycheck to start and it will at least help you gain some admin skills that can be universally applied to any job you take on.
When I first graduated college, the market was in a recession and I couldn't land a full-time job anywhere. I moved back home and ended up working at a temp agency, I picked up a part-time job at Macy's during holiday season to make extra cash. On my "free days" I freelanced in mass media work (this is what my actual degree was in) and I started my own blog. Eventually, I landed a full-time, paid internship with a non-profit for a year, left the temp gig because that same non-profit brought me on full time after year. I still worked at Macy's a few holiday seasons, but eventually stopped because things were changing with my full-time gig.
My point is, I hope this encourages you a bit! All is not lost, keep going and keep growing. You'll get there.
AnonymousMarch 11,2024 at 8:27PM UTC
Hi, thank you for the suggestions. Sadly, I'm not in any situation to move and none of those sites presents any opportunities in my area (even though I would love to work at a local non-profit). I have actually done volunteer work on and off, gone to job fairs both virtual and not. I'm gone through temp agencies and career centers. I really feel like I have done it all!
AnonymousMarch 11,2024 at 6:49PM UTC
In the same boat! I would definitely recommend looking in other fields adjacent to yours for skill building. That's what I'm currently doing since I couldn't find employment in my field of study either. Both full-time positions I've held since college are far from what I envision as a lifelong career, but I've used them solely to build skills (and to pay the bills of course).
I will say, it can be super frustrating, time-consuming, and overall very exhausting. We're at a point where if you don't have direct connections you have to exhaust all of your options 10x over. Just look at it as everything you are doing now is setting you up positively for the future-you'll have to in order to keep your sanity.
Be proud of yourself for how far you've gotten and know the job will come eventually.
Wishing you the best!
AnonymousMarch 11,2024 at 8:34PM UTC
Thank you for the support! The job I'm in is certainly not one I'd ever imagined myself doing (and if I could, i'd quit today), but I do understand I have to start somewhere. Only problem is, I start here and employers think there's a reason I'm underemployed (yes, I've been interviewed and asked why I've been underemployed so long after graduation!)
AnonymousMarch 11,2024 at 7:38PM UTC
Re-engage with your university and find out if there are networking opportunities there in your department. Reach out yo professors and staff for referrals. Join related professional organizations and associations. Many will waive their fees or have rosters of members who will sponsor your membership. These are great networking opportunities of professionals in the field of your degree and focus.
AnonymousMarch 11,2024 at 8:38PM UTC
I often check my college employment board for positions I can apply to. Very rarely do I get to see something I can actually fit in. Even if I go in person to talk to someone about it, they just redirect me to apply online then I never get any sort of answer. Very frustrating!
But I have used some fellow teachers/co-workers (as I did a lot of work at the college) as referrals and they actually give me good reviews, which is how I got my first two jobs. And sadly, I've asked about one organization I was interested in joining and they don't waive fees, and it's too high for me to afford.
AnonymousMarch 11,2024 at 8:19PM UTC
Thank you! I have actually looked at our local Chamber of Commerce before and groups like such - no luck. There are very few internships in my area and most of them are for fields I have absolutely no desire or no education to pursue (medical, mechanical, etc.).
I will keep this in mind!
DanielleMarch 12,2024 at 2:26AM UTC
Literally right there with you. I am a concierge but have a BA in business with a focus on marketing/advertising. All my area has are sales/retail jobs, warehouse, and nursing. I also have no money to relocate. I live around the Scranton PA area.
At this point I am working on some free certifications that may help, like Google Analytics.
Have you looked for any online certifications to help boost your resume? The other big question is: do you want a job that you went to school for just because you went to school for it? Would you enjoy making a hobby into a career?
Tammy HagerMarch 12,2024 at 2:29AM UTC
Don't give up! Network as much as possible create if you don't have one a LinkedIn profile. Sign up for indeed to see what jobs they have and also set up something on LinkedIn that will notify you when jobs are available in your field
AnonymousMarch 12,2024 at 2:28PM UTC
Talk to the career office of your university.
AnonymousMarch 12,2024 at 2:32PM UTC
I don’t know your field, But AT&T and Enterprise are hiring lady graduates for some of the programs they have.
AnonymousMarch 12,2024 at 6:25PM UTC
lady graduates?
AnonymousMarch 12,2024 at 6:47PM UTC
You may need a grad degree or certification in that field. (I did)
The job market is tighter than the "Help Wanted" signs imply! The jobs that are in demand where I live are health care, factory work, CDL, and retail. I am unemployed and looking for a job in my field, which used to be worth $50k but apparently now isn't worth anything.
Moving may also be necessary.