How long have you been job hunting?
Dear Monkeys,
4 months ago, I was fired based on not meeting work performance of the company. This was a sudden shock and totally caught me blindsided. Since then I have applied to 200 jobs that actually fit my background. I have a created an Excel spreadsheet of how many jobs I apply per day and have been doing this since looking for a job.
Last month, I paid $250 to get my resume and cover letter professionally written. Yes, I know I paid a lot but I don't care. The resume and cover letter are SO MUCH better and it has given me an advantage (I like to think so). Just this month alone, I have received 4 phone interviews. For 3 of them, I didn't even receive an on-site interview (Yesterday, I got rejected for an AM position, and today I got rejected for an energy company). I'm still waiting for the last of the 3, which I feel good about, but I don't want to get my hopes up high.
When interviewers question me with "what happened at your last position?" (the one from which I was fired from), I say I wanted a change of industry or that it wasn't what I wanted to do. (This convinces them, because my background is in quant and me working for a tech firm, just doesn't do it)
So, my question is how long have you been looking for a job? BTW, 2 years ago I graduated from college. I'm not sure what I am doing wrong with my phone interviews? I answer the questions well and give supporting explaination.
How many more jobs do I have to apply?
Feedback and comments welcomed.
Thanks fellow Monkeys!
Thanks for whoever added the pic! Looks good.
Thanks for whoever added the pic!
1 year 10 months :D
WOW, that's a long time. You're also a recent graduate?
No, I graduated in '09, but I've been out of work since Aug of 2010.
I know that feel, brother.
This is only peripheral stuff, but I find the blog useful. http://hbr.org/search/job%20search An article that I liked a lot. http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2009/02/need_to_find_a_job_stop_lookin.html
I typed out a long reply but I guess you are doing things alright if you are getting interviews at least. Anything else I say may not be applicable to your personal situation. One thing that I have consistently done is to tell people I got fired and why it wasn't such a bad thing but this advice may not be applicable to your personal situation
Interesting article in the HBR. So let me see if I got this straight...don't focus too much on getting a job. You'll find it eventually.
My take away (not exactly the point the author was trying to make) - Spend a couple of hours on online applications, but spend the bulk of your day meeting up with or speaking to people (whether it is for networking or for doing something you love).
Keep hanging in there. What city are you in?
I'm in San Francisco.
nice link junky_munky. yea, i really dislike online applications, they're such a waste of time.
I know these online applications are the only way of getting you to apply for a job. I wouldn't say they're a complete waste of time, because I look at it as risk/reward : )
Have you thought using a temp agency. Atleast it should help you out in the cash flow department.
what are your stats? school, major, grades?
Stats, econ, math. I didn't go to an Ivy, just a normal college. GPA 3.25
It's a jungle out there - I was looking for a job for a few months after graduation. In terms of keeping the money flowing in, never think that you're "above" any job. I applied to be a pizza deliveryman, a graveyard shift shelf stocker at Lowe's, and a chauffeur. Obviously, these are short term solutions while you're searching for a real job.
Don't ever get down, just keep networking and searching. I landed my job through an alumnus on LinkedIn.
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