Can't Get A Job!!

I'm a recent college grad and i'm trying to get a job and support myself so my parents can afford to put my two brothers through college but no one will hire without experience. But how am I supposed to GET the experience if no one will give me a chance!!! Gah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Things were tough for new college grads before but at this point, with the economy like this I don't know why I even bothered getting my bachelor's. Can't get a job with it and I don't have the money to get a masters.

This just sucks. And it's SUPER depressing. sigh.

you may be able to find a decent position that doesn't really have anything to do with your major with a company that you like... just to get your foot in the door.  then, once they see how valuable you are, you could apply for the position you want.  you also might try doing an unpaid internship for a few months.  that will give you some experience for other companies, and it might make the company doing the internship want to hire you on full time... that's what i had to do with my degree.

thats exactly where I'm at too!  I'm working temporarily @ Old Navy (money was getting way too tight!) right now which is horrible since i have a degree! I have an interview tomorrow so I'm hoping it turns out okay.  It doesn't pay that great but its better than old navy thats for sure.  I think 1st jobs in the real working world are hard since they are looking for more experienced people and they generally are lower paying because of that.

I agree, it is very depressing.  I hate asking my parents for money since I'm supposed to be making it on my own now.  It does suck but hopefully it turns around for the best.  Just keep searching! Something will surely come eventually.

You can always teach English abroad....

I would love to do that except i'd have to speak some language other than english wouldn't i? I had a friend in college who studied abroad in Paris and that's what her job was. She got paid to explain to French highschoolers what "drop it like it's hot" means! hahaha.

I have a c ouple of friends who are teaching English in Taiwan and they didn't know any Mandarin before they got there.

jets, i'd suggest an employment agency or a recruiter. they are paid to fill positions by companies and all you have to do is show up, take a few computer tests and they will try to place you somewhere.

i started at my job as a temp, moved up from an admin to my current position. i'm literally now making TWICE what i started at 4 years ago.

the job has nothing to do with my major, which is kind of a bummer, but it's pays the bills and is going to allow me to pursue my real dream while i'm not at work.

Original Post by jetswings:

I would love to do that except i'd have to speak some language other than english wouldn't i? I had a friend in college who studied abroad in Paris and that's what her job was. She got paid to explain to French highschoolers what "drop it like it's hot" means! hahaha.

Nope. In Europe it's really hard to get a job teaching ESL because of visa regulations with the EU (they hire out of the UK and Ireland because it's easier/cheaper for them) but if you want to teach in Asia it's incredibly easy. I know a girl who taught in Thailand with no degree (she just got her TOEFL or CELTA license when she got there). I teach in S.Korea. The pay is highest (along with Japan) of any country for ESL teachers and in Korea they pay housing as well (in Japan they don't). It was a pretty easy transition coming to Korea. This is my second year here so if you have any questions, feel free to PM me. I can set you up with a recruiter who will help you find a job. You could be here in as little as 6-8 weeks with a job. haha

You might want to look into what your former college offers as far as resume and interview skills training. A lot of colleges offer small programs that will help you bring your resume and coverletter skills up to par, even for grads. You'd be surprised how important those things are.... if you're not up to the industry standards or your resume is not the way they (HR managers) like it you get thrown at the bottom of the pile.

Go to a temp agency like Kelly, Manpower (they do office work too), or others.  Look in the phone book under employment agencies.  They can set you up with a temporary or a temp-to-hire job.  It's a great way to get your foot in the door.  Once you're working somewhere, you'll have greater access to the jobs they have open that aren't posted to the outside world.

I also started through a temp agency.  It sucked, but it was worth it.  It got me the job I wanted in only six months.

I know exactly how you feel because I was in your shoes once too. I actually got my first full-time job by temping there first. I hated the job but i stayed there for a year and a half just to build up my resume and go elsewhere.. i would meet with recruiters for "temp to perm" opportunites to get you in the door.

Good luck! everythign will work itself out!

I am another one who got my foot in the door through a temp agency.  A lot of places where I live use temps.  If they work out they hire them.