Networking and Other Gripes
I am at the end of my rope! I am hoping others can chime in with advice and support.
i have now been unemployed 4 years, despite having a BS, MS degree, and most recently a professional certification in a hot field. Absolutely nothing.
I have rewritten my resume in every conceivable way.
I talk to everyone I come in contact with and have a paid LinkedIn account (which has yeilded nothing). several close contacts and have referred me. Still nothing.
I have noticed that a large number of networking events are "paid" events. Most are geared toward undergrad graduates in tech fields.
As I am long term unemployed, I do not have money to pay for events, pay upwards of $250 for resume writing, $350 for 2! Headshots, much less do I know what to wear - because I have zero clothes that are appropriate for work events.
Has anyone paid for networking events, resume services - including LinkedIn, headshots and felt it made all the difference?
Anonymous
01/23/20 at 2:33PM UTC
I can feel your frustration from reading your comments here and my heart goes out to you. I've been in your boat (as have many others). It's time to regroup & get a game plan. The first thing is to get rid of the excuses. Not trying to be mean, rude, or judgmental. I get it. However, you have to cut through the disappointment, despair, anger, and put your mind in the mode that you can and will solve this problem. Things like LinkedIn headshots, resumes, and clothing are not the problem here so let's get them out of the way. You don't need a professional LinkedIn headshot. My sister took mine & it looks just as good as the pros. There are tons of guides online that will help you have someone take a great LinkedIn pic for you. If you don't have work clothes then go to the Goodwill & low cost discount stores like Gabriel Bros, Ross Dress for Less, Walmart, etc. All you need is a few pieces. I've been there so I know it can be done for cheap ($50-100 tops). A resume is just a tool. It won't get you a job. Just an interview. Go to jobhero.com, themuse.com, or velvetjobs.com and look at resumes for entry level employees in the field you're trying to go to. That's all the majority of the resume writers online do to be honest. The real issue here as you've described is: 1. you lack experience in the field you're trying to enter, and 2. you may be facing age discrimination. Believe it or not #1 (lack of experience) may be the linchpin to the whole issue. Don't worry about all of the job ads asking for 5-10 years of experience. Focus on locating employers and jobs that are looking for people with 0-2 years of experience. Ditch indeed.com, LinkedIn, etc. unless you have a targeted approach meaning you have sat down and identified employers in your area that may have opportunities for entry level people. Put together a list of 10-20 employers that you know hire for your area and create a plan to connect with them and network with them. A good strategy is to find an employer that has the job you want and take another job with that employer (even if it isn't in the field you're targeting). Once you're there for a year or so start networking with the people in the department you want to move into. They say it isn't true but it is easier to get a job when you already have one, even if it is in a different field. Seek out a mentor in the field you want to go into. Ask them if there is an opportunity to volunteer or apprentice with them where they work or if they know of any colleagues who have any ideas. Get more targeted to certain employers and certain people. Cold call people. It works. I've done it and got a job that way. I called a local employer and told them what I could do and asked if I could volunteer with them to get experience. He said they didn't want me working for free but he'd keep me in mind. Two months later he offered me an entry level job where I would work part time in one area and part time in the area I wanted to be in. So, you have to get creative here and bold. Going to mass cattle call type networking events is okay but sometimes a more targeted approach is better. As you well know this is hard work. It's draining, demoralizing at times, and it feels hopeless. Don't let that stop you. Keep going and get creative. Inmail is fine but pick up the phone. Send a snail mail letter. Get your family and friends involved and find out if there may be any opportunity where they are. Leverage people you know. Tell EVERYBODY you are looking for a job and give them your business card (you can get cheap or free ones online if you don't have one). Regroup, rethink, and keep going but go a different route than you've tried. You've done it for 4 years. It's not working. Time to try something new. Best of luck to you! You can do it.
Anonymous
01/22/20 at 7:17AM UTC
I personally think staffing agencies are a scam, and that companies that use them are worse- it is one of the many ways for companies to avoid paying employees the way they should in terms of benefits and salaries. Rarely are contract employees hired on, and if they are they aren't paid fairly. The fees that companies pay staffing agencies could make employees wages better.
In principle, staffing I am against staffing agencies. The same goes for sub-contractors.
The rare exception is the small mom and pop that doesn't have a hiring team in-house, or a rapid expansion, and outside help is called in, or "headhunting" is contracted out. I'm sure there are other examples, but this is not the case for most $8-75 an hour jobs, even $150 a hour jobs.
User deleted comment on 01/17/20 at 5:07PM UTC
Anonymous
01/22/20 at 7:27AM UTC
Thank you for your reply. I have applied for internships- all want people to be enrolled in school. Interestingly, the "internships" on the site you mention are not internships at all, all the ones I looked at were just reposts of jobs on x site.
I max out my in-mails every month.
I talk to everyone I come into contact with.
As mentioned, even though my degrees and previous job titles do not match my current hopeful path; to be certified requires more than 5 years direct experience+ degree+pass the exam.
ROSALIE DAY
Policy (MPP) + upskilled data & communications
252
01/17/20 at 3:55PM UTC
Yes, me too - graduated with a 4.0 from a masters program December 2016 that was supposed the terminal degree for jobs in the field. I have gotten one interview for about 270 applications. Always money going out, resume writers, coaches, LinkedIn premium, etc.
First, are you getting interviews? So much advice assumes that you are getting interviews.
Then, if you are getting phone interviews, do you get in person or videos interviews?
Also, what industry or what is your MS in?
Details and context matter in this discussion.
Anonymous
01/22/20 at 6:59AM UTC
Thank you for your reply. Sorry to hear you are experiencing some difficulty getting into the job market.
I have unrelated undergrad and graduate degrees, and Prof. Licenses, now expired, which is why I went and got a certificate/certification in the field I want to pursue now.
I took all the unrelated work history off and left the work under each job that was related to what I am currently pursuing. I also changed the functional job titles.
I suspect that my unemployment gap (4years) and my age - graduating college 20 years ago has everything to do with why I continue to get passed over.
In 4 years, I have had one in person interview, and 2 phone screens - and hundreds if not thousands of resume iterations and applications.
Shayna McDonoughPeople & Culture leader disrupting legacy HR.
53
01/17/20 at 3:37PM UTC
I totally understand your frustration. I can relate personally and professionally to these challenges you are experiencing. A couple questions for you.
1. What is that you are looking to do?
2. What do YOU think (not what you think they think) is your biggest hurdle to getting the interviews or offers?
3. What, if any, feedback have you been given throughout the application process from the industry professionals or recruiters you have communicated with regarding why they think you are not getting the results you want i.e; interviews and/or offers?
If I understand this information I can provide you with more tailored insight that can hopefully be helpful to you. Feel free to connect with me directly so we can chat via email.
Thanks,
Shayna
Anonymous
01/22/20 at 7:04AM UTC
Interestingly, I have not gotten any feedback other than I should go (back to the field from which I came). I have zero interest in doing that. So....
Elina BeckIT Management professional in all aspects of IT.
99
01/15/20 at 2:37AM UTC
I understand completely. You are not alone! Some things to work on:
1) When you apply run your resume and the job description through jobscan.co this will rate the likelyhood of your resume getting past the automated screeners. You are playing a bit of a game with the automated systems have enough that the machine sees you, and not so much that you turn off a human reader.
2) Recognize that a resume is a sales document, make it tell your story. Skills, credentials, and examples of how you have done what you say you do. The Application is the legal document that must be accurate. The resume you can play with titles a bit to accurately reflect what you do, just make sure it reflects what you do, and supports the story you are telling with the resume.
3) Have an elevator speech (30 seconds) about why a company needs you. "I excel at saving organizations money." "I make IT departments into high performing teams that drive business forward." The goal is to make them say "huh, tell me more."
4) Look at positions that use your skills, which may not always be what you have had in experience. For instance a project manager has the same skill sets as a wedding planner (a wedding is just another project.)
5) Go to job fairs.....all that you can find. Bring a few dozen copies of your resume and talk to EVERY booth. They may have something that will use your skills even if it is not in your experience.
6) Talk to your friends about openings at their work. 90% of success is getting to the hiring manager's desk, and someone inside the company that walks your resume over to that person with a recommendation gets you 90% of the way there in one jump.
7) Follow up, even if they seem like they are ghosting you. Seriously, somehow not responding seems to be the new fad for recruiters, but be persistent. Follow up, If they give you a timeline, make a note on the calendar to follow up with them if they haven't gotten back to you.
8) Keep a spreadsheet. Note when the job was posted, if you can get it, when you applied, when they responded, when they rejected, anyone you contacted and so on. You will start to see trends about how long it takes on average for what kind of companies to follow up. Some keep them for months, some act in days. Some will say nothing, but then suddenly want to talk to you six months later. None of that is about you, it is about what is going on internally in their company.
9) If you get a phone interview, take it standing up. Your voice changes when you stand to one of more authority.
10) If you have an in person interview, dress professionally, arrive on time or early, prep by learning something about the company and why they seem like a good place to work.
11) In interviews use STAR - answer questions by stating a Situation, what was your Task, what Actions did you take and what were the Results. This is part of 'Behavioral Interviewing' which is near standard now, it asks about examples of what you have done to help make sure you are not just making it up.
12) After every interview, send a short email. Follow up on questions you may have thought over and have a better answer for now. Thank them for their time, and tell them you look forward to talking to them soon.
You got this, it is not easy, but always remember not getting a position is often more about the company you applied to than it is about you. Hang in there.
Anonymous
01/22/20 at 7:01AM UTC
Thank you for your reply.
Jackie RukaProfessionalHappyologist Thrive in your purpose.
2.72k
01/14/20 at 2:29AM UTC
I understand your frustration. And yes I have paid for those services at one point or another but you could also go to fiverr.com for help with resume changes, it less expensive or Sam Oke he is a great resume writer and guarantees his work, look him up. Nowadays you can get a friend to take a nice picture of you and shop some of the nicer consignment stores for updated tops and outfits. It is all solvable and I feel you are close to a breakthrough, Just don't give up! In the meantime, can you do some consulting?
Anonymous
01/15/20 at 12:13AM UTC
As an aside, I just did quick check of Sam Oke - who also does business as Linked Career Growth or Symphony Solutions - he (they) are based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It appears there are numerous complaints regarding his service quality and refusal to give refunds, and even harassment of customers.
Buyer Be Aware .
Always do your research prior to giving anyone your credit card.
Scammers - especially those abroad - often face zero consequences for their behavior. It is easy for them to re-open under a different name.
Jackie RukaProfessionalHappyologist Thrive in your purpose.
2.72k
01/15/20 at 12:22AM UTC
Never had a problem but not sure it’s the same person as the one I referenced. There are also several credible resume writers on Fiverr , you have to sift through. But I understand your concern. Jobscan.co is a tool to utilize if you prefer to tweak your resume with the right keywords and right amount of keywords.
Anonymous
01/14/20 at 11:03PM UTC
Thank you for your reply. I did check Fiverr - most seem rather scammy. I will check out Sam Oke. I guess my frustration is that all of it seems just unnecessary. Hoops to jump through to keep people going in circles.
Anonymous
01/23/20 at 1:52PM UTC
I would strongly recommend staying away from Fiverr for resume services. I can't speak to Sam Oke but I've tried Fiverr twice (two different sellers) and the experience was horrible. One of them turned my 2 page resume (which I wanted help with shortening) into a 4 page resume. The other one delivered a resume (after a week) with barely any changes from my original and with typos! She also added a job skill that I don't have. When I told her that skill belonged to a similar job title she got defensive and insisted people in my job role all have that skill, which we do not. She had a money back guarantee also but refused to honor it until I contacted Fiverr support. You're better off seeking the help of a job counselor at your local state employment agency.
