Job Search Frustrations

[krispi]

Technically, I have a good job; it''s just not the right one for me. I basically fell into it a couple of years ago and have never really enjoyed it. I do retail pricing for a homebuilder, and I''m so not a numbers person. I don''t feel like this job showcases any of my talents, I feel like it actually highlights my weaknesses, and furthermore I really don''t enjoy it. Now that the homebuilding market is doing so poorly, we have layoffs every few months, and I feel like it''s just a matter of time until my name is called.

I''ve been applying for various jobs for what seems like ages, but I have yet to get even one call for an interview. I''ve tried changing my focus to corporate training (an area where I have 6 years of experience) and have had my resume reviewed by my college''s alumni association (they only had minor tweaks and said it was very good overall). It''s getting really frustrating that I can''t seem to find anything. The longer I stay here and the more people I see let go, I just feel more and more like I''m in a desperate situation.

I''ve seen several posts lately by people who''ve gotten new jobs, and while I have to admit that I''m pretty jealous, I also thought maybe you all would have some advice. I know that most jobs are gotten by knowing people, but I''ve been at my company so long (10 years) that everyone I know is in homebuilding, and no builders are hiring right now. I''ve been relying on internet postings, both on job boards and companies'' actual web sites, but that''s not working.

So, does anyone have any suggestions? I swear, I''m this close to walking into my local Banana Republic and asking if they have any openings, just to get away from this place!!

 

[robbie3982]

Awe, I feel for you. I was really starting to feel the same way before I got my job offer last week. I applied to over 20 jobs and got called on only 3. They were all from postings I found online. I tried networking, but I never even got called from anyone who my resume was passed on to (it''s a good resume, I swear!)

I think what finally got me the interview for the job I wanted was the combination of a great cover letter and following up. The cover letter was good because I really wanted the job and I poured that into writing it. About a week after applying I called the HR rep (had to do some digging to find who to call) to verify that they''d received my resume and to set up a phone interview. She didn''t call back for a week, but I''m sure that that phone call is what got my foot in the door. The funny part is that I never would''ve made the call if I hadn''t noticed that I misspelled "specialist" in the subject line of my application email! I knew I had to do something to make them overlook that. I don''t know if she noticed my typo, but when she called back we set up an on-site interview.

 

[ChargerGrrl]

I can totally sympathize. I've been unfulfilled with my job for about a year. I've been with this company for a bit over 7 years and it's time for a change.

I just got an offer today on a job I REALLY wanted. It was a move from pseudo-sales to marketing, but I sold myself as the ideal candidate. I was dilligent in my follow-up and researching the company.

Have you tried going on linkedin.com? it's a networking site where you can create a profile and invite contacts to join your network. You'd be surprised at some of the people your contacts know- you're "connected" and can then network with them. I ended up finding my new boss over on linkedin (this was well into the interviewing process) and I invited her to be part of my network. she was then able to check out my profile, which I consider my virtual resume. i had recommendations on there from clients and affiliates, and she was able to gain some more insight into my qualifications.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[krispi]

Thanks for the suggestions! I really appreciate hearing what has worked for others.

The follow-up seems to be really difficult, tracking down the right person to talk to and actually get in touch with them. But I''m going to start keeping track of my applications better so that I can at least try to follow-up on each one.

I''ve heard a lot about linkedin.com in the last few days. My alumni association even has a presentation on it coming up in the next few weeks. I think I''ll take a look at it over the weekend and see what it can do. It sounds like it might be promising.

My alumni association is also helping to sponsor a big career fair toward the end of the month. My BF has participated in a lot of career fairs right around the end of his MBA, so he had some really good advice for that. I''m going to try and do some research for that this weekend as well.

All the suggestions and plans for action do help me to stay hopeful and positive about looking for a new job. It''s hard not to feel stuck or rejected sometimes, but I have to push myself to do something about it, and then I usually feel better (even if for a little while...)

 

[ChargerGrrl]

one more thing about linkedin (can you tell that i''m a fan??):

they do have a job section, where members post job openings. it then tells you if you''re connected to the job poster (usually an HR person). I currently have well over a hundred contacts/connections- thru their contacts and then their contacts, i''m linked to something like 600k people!

you can also do a search for people by company, and you might hit pay dirt and find out the name of the hiring manager for a job you have your eye on (that''s not on linkedin)

 

[Miranda]

I hope you find something you love. I second using linkedin. DH uses it. It''s a great way to stay connected with people both inside and outside your industry.