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Posted by: Ryan Sep 11 2009, 10:40 PM

I need some hints, tips, or anything...
I have been out of a job for about a year now... First 6-9 months doing the self-employment/under the table jobs.. After that things died down.. Been looking for any kind of job lately, but I have had no luck. Can't even get an interview out of the TONS of apps I put in. It's really rough, only being 20. Slim to moderate experience with misc. things....
Anybody got any ideas, or can offer some advice to me for find a job?

Posted by: UncleSkillet Sep 11 2009, 10:55 PM

Things are definitely tuff for anyone looking for a job here in the states. I'm not sure what type of work your looking for but here is a thought. You may have to take a job in the service area like waiting tables in a restaurant or working in a retail store for now. Might not be your dream job but at least you can make some money while your trying to find another. It's easier to find another job when you already have one.

Posted by: Ryan Sep 11 2009, 10:56 PM

Ahh, see Ive been told that before. And it is very much true. See though, Ive tried to get jobs like walmart.. Papa Murphy's pizza. People just hate me or something. Anything would be awesome as of right now.

Posted by: UncleSkillet Sep 11 2009, 11:02 PM

I seriously doubt everyone hates you bro!

You just need to be more confident in yourself maybe, look them in the eyes and tell them your a hard worker and will do a great job.

Posted by: TwistedSun Sep 11 2009, 11:24 PM

Perhaps your resume ain't up to snuff. Maybe you should rewrite it or get an expert to do it.

Posted by: UncleSkillet Sep 12 2009, 12:21 AM

He is only 20. There probably isn't much to put on a resume, which is part of the problem. But it can't hurt to try and tidy it up some. Good thought!

Posted by: Ryan Sep 12 2009, 12:22 AM

There there isn't really much to put on there... Plus most places were I live do not require a resume, and just do online applications and such...

Posted by: JVM Sep 12 2009, 12:23 AM

I'm 19 and I'm in the saaame situation. Been looking for a job since before summer. I have a decent car, so I've especially been trying to get a delivery job, that's where its at. But no luck.

Posted by: lcsdds Sep 12 2009, 12:49 AM

The economy is TOUGH right now. People who thought they could retire by now or are retired already are having to work or go back to work because they watched their retirement accounts evaporate over the last year or so. People are losing their jobs left and right and all this adds up to a high demand for jobs and a low supply of jobs. Unfortunately it seems that your age group is going to feel the brunt of this economic fiasco for a long time. Good luck though.....I hope you find something.....

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Sep 12 2009, 02:32 AM

If you know your music production try http://www.minimumnoise.com/ Music marketplace. It may not be a long term solution, but it could work, why not trying it.

Posted by: kahall Sep 12 2009, 02:49 AM

Applying online hardly ever works. I do know someone who was hired that way but it is rare. Prom season is coming up, maybe get a part time job helping out a florist or some place that rents tuxedos. I mean if there are high schools nearby. That is the business I am in and we just hired a young man today for proms.

Posted by: enforcer Sep 12 2009, 04:33 AM

Man, we had that problem for all times here in Turkey, but it seems that its getting a lot harder to live in USA too over time... I hope it wont be 1928 all over again... Hope everything gets well, I hate when people are deprived of even trying to make a living!

Posted by: superize Sep 12 2009, 09:14 AM

I know what you mean i have been without a job since graduating from school..... I have only worked as a substitute a week here and a week there......

But you hang in there

Posted by: VinceG Sep 12 2009, 10:30 AM

Something that my family strived on for years. Apply for big Hospitals or Nursing homes. They are always hiring, and you get to make decent bucks. Hell if you study for a 4 month class about Phlebotomy, you can get a job full time in the hospital, and all you do is draw blood from patients. There are a lot of jobs in the Medicine profession, but the only thing you really need are manners, people skills, and A LOT OF PATIENCE.

Posted by: Canis Sep 12 2009, 11:47 AM

I feel you.. You've been looking a lot longer then me, though

I've been running around looking for jobs too. That's the reason I'm not as active as usual these days. I've applied to everything from every supermart in the area, to music stores and gas stations. So far I've only been called into four job interviews, three of which I got declined the job, and I'm still waiting for the last place to call.

Apparently not easy times, but hang in there! I will ^^

Posted by: tonymiro Sep 12 2009, 11:54 AM

FWIW I've spent quite a few years shortlisting and interviewing people for jobs.

For those with no paid work experience: it can really help if you do voluntary work as this helps demonstrate
a clear work ethic, commitment and social responsibility. Plus it may provide you with demonstrable skills.

Posted by: Ryan Sep 16 2009, 04:47 AM

See, I have heard that too. But see since this is a small city/large town. There isn't much to go around. I actually got some really good advice the other day from my dad. He said the best, and easiest way to get a job. Is it just know people. I thought about it, and I realized. Every job I have gotten. Was because I knew somebody. He told me to go out and mingle more. I have a little bit at the town fair.
I now may have a roofing job coming here shortly that can bring a little cash in, and I actually may be able to take a cooking position at a bar. My sister is dating the head chef. He is a complete metal head! He is awesome, so it seems to me. It really pays off to know somebody. So that's the advice I wanted to give out to other jobless people like me. Get to know somebody... It really helps!


I really appreciate the comments, advice, and the help you guys are giving me. Thank you!

Posted by: Sensible Jones Sep 16 2009, 11:13 AM

Vince, as a Phlebotomist I'm presuming he'd need a lot of PATIENTS TOO!!!!




Seriously though, it's not just in the States that this is happening. In England we've just hit the highest number of Unemployed in 14 years!
From a news report on the subject:-
The recession's impact on young people was also underlined by jobless totals among 16-24-year-olds reaching 947,000 - the highest level since ONS records began in 1992.

Hope something turns up for you soon! I know how you're feeling, as a Self-employed person I've had a ridiculously small amount of work this year and have been struggling to find work for myself!!!

Posted by: purple hayes Sep 16 2009, 04:00 PM

How's you haircut?

I grew up in rural KS, too (albeit 20 years earlier) and I know I got turned down for a job or two for having a sweet 80's mullet.

Posted by: JVM Sep 16 2009, 04:29 PM

Been continuing to apply to places, but no one's getting back to me. However, there is an internship open at a local record label, unpaid but it might be an interesting opportunity. However they're doing interviews this friday and the guy hasn't gotten back to me yet about when he would like me to come in. Also it's a 30 minute or so drive but they say the scheduling is very flexible, so maybe I can work more hours less often to compensate.

Posted by: johnvg Sep 16 2009, 04:36 PM

Hey Ryan, I can feel where you are coming from. I graduated from college over four months ago and I have still not found a job. Sometimes it gets me down, but when that happens I regroup and try and think positive again.

Posted by: Kizaze44 Sep 16 2009, 04:52 PM

In my industry, if you offer to work for free for say, a month (if you can afford it), as an intern or whatever, this can get you "in the door". Then show people how hard you work and how cool you are. I own a business and have hired a few people this way. They've turned into my most valued employees.

-Kiz

Posted by: JVM Sep 16 2009, 05:19 PM

The people running the intern program say most of their full time employees started out as interns, so maybe there is hope for an awesome job If they get back to me. Most are also in bands, so it would be a good way to meet new musicians!

Posted by: Ryan Sep 16 2009, 05:30 PM

Thats awesome... You should call them, or do something that shows them you really want it. It may help getting a call back.
I don't know if I can intern anywhere here. Never actually heard of anybody ever doing it either.

Purple hays:
Well, I don't have a sweet mullet. I can only dream
I actually have semi-short hair. Bangs are only like 3 inchs in length for now.

Posted by: JVM Sep 16 2009, 05:31 PM

Don't underestimate craigslist jobs

Posted by: Ryan Sep 16 2009, 05:46 PM

Funny story on that...
I heard about it. I checked it out, and there isn't any specific listings for Hutchinson cause were a small city, but I did find a job at the papa murphy's pizza I could apply for. Well I told my mom, and she started yellin at me saying "hell no". Saying stuff like Ryan your not gonna be a porn star. lol She thought I was talkin about that other pornographic site lol

Posted by: purple hayes Sep 16 2009, 05:57 PM

The Atlanta area Craigslist job listings took a huge drop when they went from free to $25 / posting. There used to be 100+ postings per day and now there's just a handful.

Posted by: JVM Sep 16 2009, 06:06 PM

Free to $25 seems like quite a jump! That's too bad.

Posted by: purple hayes Sep 16 2009, 06:18 PM

I think the $25 is just to filter out the scammers. The job postings seem more legit now.

Posted by: JVM Sep 18 2009, 06:20 PM

Off to my interview at 3, wish me luck guys

Posted by: JVM Sep 19 2009, 06:05 PM

I got the internship

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Sep 20 2009, 12:17 AM

Wow congrats man! Those are really good news!

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Sep 20 2009, 12:37 AM

Congratulations JVM!
I hope you will get hired full time after internship finishes