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09 Sep 03 - 11:11 PM (#1015977) Subject: BS: Finding a new job--advice? From: Ely I've finally decided that I've had pretty much all I can stand of my unappreciative and increasingly unstable boss. My problem is that my job history is very short, unfocused, and completely undistinguished. My current job is a low-paying, limited-opportunity, hourly-wage position (I'm a veterinary technician). The one before that was a summer job. The one before THAT was a campus job I had while in college. My degree is in history (but I'd rather shoot myself than teach). I'm tired of working 55-hour weeks, not having my health insurance paid, not making enough to move out of my parents' house, and not having any social life at all because I come home exhausted, footsore, and smelling like a kennel. I'm 26--I'm too old to be this poor. I'm afraid that if my current boss finds out I'm looking, he'll fire me and, as miserable as it is, it took me six months to find this job and I can't afford for it to take me that long to find another one. I'm a good worker, polite, honest, conscientious, on-time, literate, and smart, but everyone says that about themselves when they want to get hired. Does anyone out there have any advice that they found useful when job-hunting? |
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09 Sep 03 - 11:21 PM (#1015987) Subject: RE: BS: Finding a new job--advice? From: GUEST Do whatever it takes:
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09 Sep 03 - 11:27 PM (#1015994) Subject: RE: BS: Finding a new job--advice? From: Amergin go to the employment office's site for your local agency....or go to monster.com there too.... I know about the the spotty employment history as I had/have on...the longest i have ever done was 2 and a half years...and I lost that in June...my stretches of unemployment tended to be 8- 10 months...and usually because of health reasons...then when i felt better i would take the shit jobs ...anything...and then just look around WHILE employed (as you are more employable when youre already employed than otherwise) for something better.... |
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09 Sep 03 - 11:35 PM (#1016005) Subject: RE: BS: Finding a new job--advice? From: Rustic Rebel I can't tell you about job hunting but I can tell you what I look for in people when I am hiring, A person who is at ease and comfortable with themselves. Someone who is assertive, confident and relaxed. If you fidget a lot I might think your BSing me. A person with experience is a big plus, and if you don't have any, an honest willingness to learn. Being clean and dressed right for the job, another. I look for energy in people and I like to look them in the eyes. You should look them in the eyes also, when talking. Hey, if all else fails, go for a job with the government! Good luck Ely, hope you find a job that makes you happy. Peace, Rustic |
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09 Sep 03 - 11:36 PM (#1016007) Subject: RE: BS: Finding a new job--advice? From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull just watch it gargoyle, we know who are, and whwere you live, justr bear it in mind eh? |
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09 Sep 03 - 11:54 PM (#1016018) Subject: RE: BS: Finding a new job--advice? From: NicoleC From an interviewer's perspective: -Dress one step above the job you want. -Don't dis your old boss or old job; they'll assume you'll disrespect them, too. Find a simple phrase like "I feel the need to move on to better opportunities" and stick with it. Don't let them drag you into discussions about what's wring with your job. From a practical perspective: -Don't ever job hunt at work. Don't show up in interview clothes when you've asked for a long lunch for a "doctor's appointment." Beg or borrow a friend's fax machine to handle the resumes. -No matter how tired you are, job hunt every free day. Pound the pavement. Talk to everyone you know (that doesn't know your boss or coworkers) and have a clean resume copy in your car at ALL times. Hit the online sites in the evenings after work and respond right away. -Get a hair cut, permed, colored or whatever makes you feel great about it and buy a new interview outfit that you really, really like and feel smashing in. Given your work history, you are most likely to find a better vet assistant position or in a entry-level career path like sales where they want eager and energetic and will train you. Not everyone is suited to those jobs though, and beware of "manager trainee" ads. Do vet offices have office managers -- it might be a step up for you. If you have a chance, I'd get your teaching credentials anyway. If you do lose your job, teachers are almost always in short supply and even some substitute days would be better than no income. BTW -- whereabouts? If you can type halfway decent, we may have a entry level office position opening up in So Cal. |
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10 Sep 03 - 01:21 AM (#1016048) Subject: RE: BS: Finding a new job--advice? From: Barry Finn It might help a little to know you're in great company & being joined by better & better people every day by thousands. Barry |
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10 Sep 03 - 01:25 AM (#1016049) Subject: RE: BS: Finding a new job--advice? From: katlaughing The employment office here is now called the Work Force Center. They do a lot of counselling on making career choices based on your needs, experience, desires, etc. PLUS they offer many free courses, esp. computer courses, so that one may qualify for more types of jobs. So, maybe your local employment office would be helpful in that way, too. The other thing to consider is subscribing to the Caretaker Gazette and see what's in there. They are not all just caretaker positions. They are listings mostly in the US, but also from other countries and some sound pretty darned interesting....might be just the thing to get you out of your parents, learn some other type of skills, etc. We don't have any recent copies, but I could PM you some examples of one from about a year ago when our subscription lasped, if you'd like. Just let me know. Good luck, kat |
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10 Sep 03 - 05:51 PM (#1016513) Subject: RE: BS: Finding a new job--advice? From: Rapparee Have a GREAT resume, but don't expect it to get you the job. Get yourself some cards, business cards, but with your name, address, phone, cell phone if any, email address -- all your contact info -- on them. If necessary, get a webmail address, but not hotmail or yahoo sorts -- there are lots of other webmail providers out there, including Eudoramail (www.eudoramail.com). You can usually check your email at the local public library. Get to any interview 15 minutes early, and do a practice run the day before you know where you're going. If you don't know, don't bluff. Say you'll find out. At ALL times, absolute intergrity!! And no excuses. All too recently I've gone through the unemployed thing.... |
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10 Sep 03 - 10:38 PM (#1016638) Subject: RE: BS: Finding a new job--advice? From: Ely Thanks, all of you. I am looking at other vet clinics, although I would much rather not continue in the business (the opportunities are much too limited--it's a nice field if you have a husband with a good job). A coworker of mine has had good luck with the websites so I'm going to give those another try, apart from practically going door-to-door on my few days off. |
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10 Sep 03 - 10:51 PM (#1016641) Subject: RE: BS: Finding a new job--advice? From: harpgirl ...Well, I'm not about to give you job seeking advice, Ely. I told Peg she would make a great high school English teacher! She was already an itinerant college professor, a published mystical and lyric poet: (sort of a female, Boston gothic Frank Stanford type), who is so virtuaous a witch she doesn't even own an automobile! gargoyle's advice makes more sense than I did! |
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10 Sep 03 - 10:54 PM (#1016646) Subject: RE: BS: Finding a new job--advice? From: harpgirl Not to mention a highly regarded balladeer. So Ely, surely your imagination about yourself is better than mine, someone who has never laid eyes on you! |
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10 Sep 03 - 10:56 PM (#1016647) Subject: RE: BS: Finding a new job--advice? From: harpgirl oh wait, you could: Blow up your TV Move to the country Eat a lot of peaches Try to find Buddha On your own! Signed dear abby |
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10 Sep 03 - 10:57 PM (#1016648) Subject: RE: BS: Finding a new job--advice? From: Bobert Yo, Ely, if you can get a "teaching certificate", teach fir now and keep your future open... Hey, in spite of my terrible typin', spellin' an' all, I did *it* fir two years: 5th and 6th combination... while carvin' out my next step... Bobert |
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11 Sep 03 - 10:38 AM (#1016948) Subject: RE: BS: Finding a new job--advice? From: GUEST,leeneia Ely, you sell yourself short. You didn't mention in your assessment of yourself that you can type, you are computer-literate, and you can write good prose. Not everyone can do that. Good advice I heard at a seminar: Get your hair styled. Get your teeth cleaned so you will smile more. Smile at the interview. If you do, the interviewer will picture you smiling on the job and will like the idea. (These tips came from a person who had been an interviewer for quite a few years.) |
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11 Sep 03 - 12:35 PM (#1017021) Subject: RE: BS: Finding a new job--advice? From: M.Ted A lot of good advice above, I'd print it out and keep it in my job search folder if I were you-- Here are a couple more things to think about: Remember that there is a difference between a job and a career--you are stuck with a job you don't like because you haven't planned for a career--Why go after another job you'll end up not liking? Start thinking about what career you want, what you will need to pursue it. Put everything on the table, including more education, training for special skills, relocating, the whole nine yards-- Keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities, and think about ways that you, with your interests, abilities, and skills, might fit in, and, as I said above, be open to the idea of moving, special training, etc-- Think very carefully about what happened in all the work situations you were in--not just the skills you used, but the working relationships that you had--this will help you more than anything else in figuring out what to look for and what to avoid in the future-- Also, remember, there are always people around who will help a person who has a positive attitude and knows what they're after, even when the resume is a little thin--and remember to keep in touch with folks who have shown a positive interest in you, even when they haven't given you a job--time passes quickly, and you never know what possibilities the future will offer-- |
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11 Sep 03 - 12:47 PM (#1017026) Subject: RE: BS: Finding a new job--advice? From: Deckman Here's a tip that has helped me a time or two over the years. Bear in mind that I have been in construction most of my life, so you'll need to fit this tip to yourself: Offer to work, FOR FREE, for a half a day. Arrange at the end of that FREE half day, to sit down with your boss and say,"O.K., do I have a job or not?" If not, then walk away with your head high. At least you had a chance to show what you can do and he/she will remember you." I hope this helps. By the way, what city are you in. CHEERS, Bob |
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11 Sep 03 - 10:54 PM (#1017307) Subject: RE: BS: Finding a new job--advice? From: Maryrrf Here's an idea, with a degree in history, and I assume you love animals if you work as a vet assistant, there are positions in the national park service that might be right up your ally. My friend has a job as a park guide and he loves it - for some of the positions they require a degree in history. The pay is modest but the benefits are great. |