Don't Give Up Searching for a Job in SMF's Advice & Self Help Column

Generation Xers and Generation XYers learned that if they attended college and completed degrees that they would easily get a job when searching for one.

What my generation did not know was that if you are a Generation Xer or XYer, it would be difficult for you to get a job later if you waited. No one predicted that there would be a huge economical decline just as I was trying to finish my graduate degree.

Several years ago, it was very difficult for existing college graduates and newly college graduates to get a job. Most business freaked out; they were quite selective in who they were going to hire in their establishment.

It is not to say that I had not been working all this time. I did work; however, the type of work I did was contact work and seasonal work. It was not consistent employment, and I suffered for it and from it to where I did not have money, sometimes, half the year or one fourth of the year.

When I turned thirty, I started to make an effort to actively look for a full time job. I became tired of not having any steady income and no health insurance. I decided to scrape every ounce of gusto I had and look for a full time job.

I came to the painful realization that all that I had planned since I was a kid...was not going to happen exactly the way I had planned it. That I had to forge a path and accept that sometimes what we plan for is not what we receive.

Once I did that, I utilized what had in my pockets.

When I did that, I got a full time job. How did I do this? How can I help encourage you to do the same?

This self-help essay target folks who have certificates and degrees along with experience...who are unable to find full time job yet. My advice comes from experience in how I got a full time job by utilizing what I already had in my pocket.

But first, here is what you have to do to get yourself mentally prepared to search for a full time position:

First: Learn to Accept that the Myth You Were Told Is Just That...a MYTH

Growing up, I was told by educators, relatives, and other people who had my best interest, when you attend college and finish your degree, you will get a high paying job. If you get advanced degrees like Master's and PhDs, you will get even more pay. You want to be a teacher? Wow, there will always be a job for you. In fact, within the ten year timeline (at the time I attended high school) , there will be many open teachers' positions...and you will easily snag one. You were meant to be a teacher. Look at you now. You are a natural. You should not have any problems getting your foot in the door for being an educator.

All of this is only true if I would have went ahead and decided on specific choices geared towards being an instructor.

I got a BA in English because I wanted to make sure I knew my content level that I was teaching to high schoolers. I decided to pursue a MA in English because I really wanted to know my content in depth. I also thought that I could take the alternative route in getting an education degree by having the MA in English...and getting my foot into the door with what I had...and getting an actual education degree later on while teaching.

I wanted a Master's in English because of my experience with education majors. Many of them I have encounter do not know their content well as they should nor the techniques for writing and analyzing Literature.

I did learn those techniques from studying a MA in English further. However, it costs me a lot of time as well. I did not know that I would meet my boyfriend while I was doing this degree. I did not know it would take me eight years to find a full time job with benefits, either. Events happen in our lives that makes us realize that the choices we make...we do make them in the moment of making them.

By the time I wanted a full time job, the economy collapsed into a recession. It was harder than hell to find a job where I am at. Yet, when I accepted that what I wanted and what I planned will not happen in the form I want it to, that's when I decided I need a new plan and really examine what I had in my pocket.

Second: Once You Admit You May Not Get the Type of Job Your Education Has Prepared You For, You Can Focus On What You Do Have To Get You A Job

When I seriously decided to look for full time employment, I had to thoroughly examine my resume. I also had to get another pair of eyes to look at my resume.

I realized what was wrong with my resume. For starters, Rupert pointed out I was not using enough professional language with the work experience I was giving. He jazzed that up for me.

I also took out I was getting a MA degree as well. I think that Rupert took out other experiences, and we tried to lessen the length of the resume (before, it was three pages).

I do not know if this helped me to get a job, but I will say this:

Your resume really needs to be ONE PAGE long. If you can't keep it at one page, try to keep it at two pages.

Attempt to only include experiences that curtails to the jobs you are applying for.

Also, if the position ask for a cover letter, make sure:

Your cover letter only curtails to the experience you have on your resume and how that experience relates to the position you are applying for.

Try to keep your cover letter's language precise, focused on the position you are applying for, and your statements should reflect the experience you have that relates to the job position you are applying for.

Third: Apply for Jobs at a Solid, Reputable Business or Institution

Most jobs I've applied for...I tried to apply for positions that were at reputable businesses or institutions. Collegiate institutions are your BEST businesses to apply for job positions. The majority of collegiate institutions will have solid positions which includes solid to good health insurance and other incentives. These environments are typically not as stressful as some other jobs. Plus, the huge incentive, besides benefits, is you CAN MOVE WITHIN these institutions.

So apply for EVERYTHING. Apply for the part time positions, the temporary positions, the full time positions, etc. Sooner or later, you will get a hit. Even if you get a part time or temporary position, you will eventually get a full time position if you so desire. You have to get your FOOT INTO THE DOOR FIRST.

Now, part time positions and temporary positions usually don't offer good benefits, but since the ObamaCare, I think many university and college positions offer benefits. The objective is to get into the system so you can move within like I did. It took me four and half years, but I am here, aren't I? And I praise every day that I am.

And praise you that you don't give up and keep fighting. Don't be picky but at the same time don't take any old position offer unless there are huge incentives down the road.

AGAIN:

Curtail your goals if your original goals weren't working.

Apply to companies, businesses, and institutions that have a great reputation.

Curtail your resume and cover letter.

If I can do it, you know your ass can do it!

Regards, SMF