Any real advice on finding a living wage job? I'm educated, have 20 years of experience, am pretty tech savvy, have had my CV professionally edited and apply for jobs I am highly qualified to do. Not a single word back. There has to be some secret to it. Do we just give up? Thanks.

6 Comments

1. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 11,2024 at 3:22AM UTC

   So having your resume "professionally edited" may not give you the results you were hoping for.

   I can't tell you how many times I've had this conversation with a candidate:

   Me: I really like your background and experience but we have to fix this resume.

   Candidate: But I just paid to have it professionally redone.

   How long have you been looking? What have you done so far? Where do you have your resume posted? How often are you updating those profiles? Is your LinkedIn profile up to snuff? Where are you applying? Are there specialty job boards you could be utilizing? Have you explored contract, consulting or temp opportunities?

   If you're applying and getting no response, my first thought is the resume. Put yourself in the recruiter or hiring manager's seat. I'm hiring to ease my pain points. Does your resume clearly show me where you have the experience i'm looking for? Are your successes/results clearly laid out?

2. AnonymousJuly 11,2024 at 5:09PM UTC

   Hi Joan, I've been looking solidly for about a year. Off and on for another 3 years. I only had the resume professionally done because my own version, FlexJobs version, LinkedIn version and AI generated version were not working. I update it for every job I apply to in order to highlight experience that is relevant to that job. My LinkedIn profile is up to date and I include a link as well on my resume. I also have 4 people that have put amazing references (more than I ever could have dreamed of- especially since I didn't ask for them) on my profile within the past 4 months. I've been to 9 FlexJobs seminars for tips and tricks. I'm applying for jobs tailored to me by creating job updates on LinkedIn, Indeed and FlexJobs as well as several temp companies that are specific to my industry. I also have my standard resume posted to all of them. I have been working the same temp job for 3 years and another for 3 years before that. Always told up I'm doing great and get outstanding reviews. Never hired. Plenty of jobs out there I'm qualified for. I'm just at a loss. I used to have an extremely positive attitude and upbeat personality and this is wearing me out to the point where I'm losing who I even am. Any further thoughts are welcomed and appreciated.

3. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 11,2024 at 6:22PM UTC

   Please send me a message to connect.

4. Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachJuly 14,2024 at 7:43PM UTC

   It sounds like you are doing most of the right things. In my experience, building relationships with people who are at companies you'd like to work for is key. It can get you considered for jobs before they are even posted, and help you land interviews. What are your networking + follow up efforts like?

5. HeatherJuly 15,2024 at 7:09PM UTC

   Hi Maegan. I really do try to do the right things. In every aspect of life. I wish it was useful. I try to build relationships but it still seems no one is really invested in anyone else. I get referrals for jobs from people every couple of weeks. Don't get responses for those either. Also follow up with the temp companies constantly including the one I've been working for at this position for 3 years. Even they don't bother. I'm pretty introverted so I admit to not blindly contacting people on LinkedIn but in general I know a lot of people in my industry and they do send along things. It's incredibly disheartening. In fact, a friend of mine on here is how I even got here- I know she sees me starting to give up and is trying to help with resources as well. I just wish I knew why a hardworking, reliable person is not employable. For anyone, not just me. I know people that miss 20 or more sick days a year, are late every day, I end up having to do their work or train them because they don't understand their job- and they have the job, but I'm not good enough. What is the secret to being good enough in this world?

6. OLIVIA JOHNSONJuly 30,2024 at 4:39PM UTC

   Hi there. So sorry to hear that you haven't been having much luck in your job search. They always say that finding a job is a job in itself and in today's market even much more so. There are quite a few questions that would need to be answered in regards to your question, i.e. what kind of roles you are looking for, where you are looking for them, how many applications are submitting, how are you applying and if you are doing any networking, etc.

   High level:

   • I would say to assess these areas above and then take a look at your resume and the roles you are applying to and make sure that they align.
   • Then assess your submission activity...are you submitting enough applications.
   • Lean on your existing network and connections look at the companies they work for and open opportunities there before you reach out to ask for assistance so that you have a specific role(s) in mind.

   Again, tough to answer without being able to assess your specific situation but I hope this was helpful in giving some thought on a direction to go.

   Coach Olivia