Why can't I find a job, any suggestions????

[cjs32805]

I have been actively searching for a job for about 2 months now. I've done dozens of online applications and I have not received a single call back. I posted my resume to some job search sites and the only emails I've gotten back are from bull**** jobs about working online for eighty dollars an our...(yeah, sure.) I know that I have some aspects of my work history that may seem undesireable, but how do you overcome them???

I have been unemployed since July of 2010. I held my previous job for almost 4 1/2 years and was promoted several times internally and was very well respected by my colleagues and supervisors. I was eventually terminated though, due to frequent tardiness. I was pregnant at the time so I could no longer take my sleeping medicine, so I was up half the night and my alarm clock simply doesn't wake me up when I'm not ready to wake up! I know, it's a lousy excuse, but it is what it is.

So I know that I have my termination and the fact that I've been unemployed for a year and a half working against me.......how do I overcome that and get hired. I feel like I am applying for jobs that I am a perfect candidate for and I just can't comprehend why anyone wouldn't want me. I am so good at what I do and have an amazing work ethic. I am very competitive so I always work really hard to the best at anything I do.

What do I need to do to get a job? Any suggestions? I need to be employed ASAP. My husband is in Mexico and I need to support our kids, it's kind of hard to do on NO income!

Thanks.

-Jamie

[christytorres]

Have you looked on the Craig's list. Yes time are hard right now. Where do you live?? Good luck..

[IMinCA]

I would also look at your resume. It's amazing on how much your resume cam say about you. The verbiage can play a big factor.

[MannysWife]

I have advised others on here, that when desperate for a job, please don't overlook the restaurant industry. I have been a server and bartender for almost twenty years now. And I find I make just as much as some people with bachelor's degrees. Plus, restaurants hire daily, sometimes even right on the spot. If you are really in need of a job, and willing to work, that is an industry you can ALWAYS get hired in.

[cjs32805]

I have looked on craigslist. I'm in the Saint Louis, MO area. I have thought about the restaurant industry, I have considered calling my husbands old manager and seeing about getting a server job, I just don't have any experience in it......

I will post some of my resume for you all to read and see if there are any red flags. Unfortunately I don't have it saved on here so I will just type it on here so don't pay attention to the format or any typos....I assure you my actual resume is typo free....

Objective:Seeking a new career that will allow me to utilize my excellent communication and problem solving skills in a fast paced environment allowing for advancement within the company
Experience/Employment History::
EMPLOYER A March 2006-July 2010
Positions Held:
Customer Service Representative - Provided excellent customer service to clients via an inbound automatic call distribution (ACD) system in a high volume call center. Verified customer information in order to comply with HIPPA regulations. Placed customer orders and resolved customer complaints and order discrepancies. Researched account histories to solve problems with customer issues in a timely manner. Completed necessary documentation of each action completed on the account to ensure there is a clear record of the account history. Made outbound follow up calls to customers to ensure quality service. Offered 3rd pary products and services to customers.
Assist Queue Representative - Assisted customer service and sales agents within the company. Provided technical support to representatives with an SAP database. Supported customer service representatives with the handling of customer concerns and gave de-escalation advice to representatives handling irate callers. Handled escalated calls from disgruntled and irate callers who requested a supervisor or who could not otherwise be satisfied by the customer service agent. Completed a daily log of escalated calls to be distributed to the department supervisors and operations manager.
Quality Assurance Representative - Monitored recorded calls of customer service representatives to ensure quality service was provided to customers within company policy. Completed back-end audits of representatives to ensure that all orders and account activity is beign logged and executed correctly. Scored monitors and audits according to a point based scale, entered results for each representative into an Access database for management to use when processing monthly incentive bonuses and emloyee reviews. Provided reports of monitors and audits to each representative and gave coaching as needed.
Field Support Representative - Handled calls from field representatives and hospital personnel. Placed orders for company supplies. Provided simple software support. Advised field representatives on how to handle customer concerns. Communicated with and assisted Field District Managers and Regional directors with special orders and cirucumstances. Completed follow up work and special research projects for district managers as needed.

That's the jest of it, is there anything that jumps out and says, "Hey DONT hire me!!"

[expatrissa]

Try a website called Indeed.com
They even do daily job postings to your email.
It will happen when it is meant to happen, just remain positive, St. Louis is a pretty decent sized city.

[Coventrated]

What did you put down for before and afterwards?

[Emi]

Do you only have 1 job listed on your resume? If that's the case and you were let go for excessive tardiness, that would explain why you aren't getting calls back. If they are calling the only reference you've provided and not getting a good response, they'll move to the next application in the stack.

I also think there is something to be said about actually going into places to apply as opposed to just relying on online applications but that's just MHO. We have a system online for applicants at my work but they are never hired. Think about it, when a position opens up and dozens (or hundreds) of people apply, it's likely that those who have actually been seen in person have a jump start at the chances of being hired over a faceless name on the internet. Again, I'm just speaking from my experience.

If you have been trying for a year and a half to find work in a specific field to no avail, it's time to look elsewhere. I second the idea of looking into the restaurant industry. It can be lucrative and a lot of times they are more willing to hire someone who doesn't have experience.

[ristenk]

I agree that you should try "old-fashioned" mailing your resume in to company's that you really want a position with. Also I was thinking maybe you can try to customize your objective to be very specific to whatever job/ company you are applying for. Also if you can it would help to have a "Skills" as well as "Education" category. If you think you are lacking in these areas maybe you can do some volunteer work in the field or industry you are trying to get into and have a "Volunteer Work" section Wishing you the best of luck!

[bago]

Maybe you can also include any work experience you had even if it's been part-time or
during your High School and College years. You really need to add to your work experience in
order for them to take an interest.

Good Luck!!