That’s what the latest national unemployment rate is. Looking for a job sucks. Wait. Let me correct that: spending time looking for a job isn’t so bad. Spending time filing out on-line applications for various government agencies, despite filling out all of the same information on usajobs sucks. Then updating your cover letter and resume to fit the job description sucks. But what really sucks is not getting a gum dumping call back.
I’m not “really” looking for a job. Right now I’ve got my hands full with school, baby and dog. And a husband is thrown in there every once in a while, sort of like croutons on a salad: you don’t eat them every time. That’s horrible to say, but he’s busy with school and looking on the internet for stuff we can’t afford right now. He decided that he wanted to take Japanese and that we should move there after we’re both finished with school. It’s a very glamorous idea. So I am putting myself out there to test the whole “applying for jobs” water. Let me tell you, the water is not warm. In fact, it’s frigged and my toes are turning blue.
So what is it? Is it because I have absolutely no engineering experience? For the jobs with the FAA and Army Corps of Engineers, who specifically request years of experience, I’d have to say yes. But when I email my snazz to intern positions and entry level positions without getting a call back, I’m starting to question what is going on. I mean… come on SCAG… an UNPAID intern position and the best I get is, “Thank you for your application. It’s now on file.”
The key is, though, that obviously whatever I sent them didn’t impress. I confirmed this with the lack of response I got from another company I sent my information to at the same time. The only thing I can do is go back and adjust the resume and send it to other companies with entry level positions.
When I came back from Iraq in 2004, I had a friend who had been unemployed for almost a year. I didn’t get it. She was sending her resume out, getting calls and interviews but not getting hired. Two years ago another friend moved out to North Carolina and was unemployed for a year. He was sending his resume out, getting calls and interview, but not getting hired. My point is, that as much as it might have sucked for them, at least they were getting calls for interviews! By the way, they both eventually found work.
But as my usual thought process goes: What about ME?!?! How am I so painfully unimpressive that I can’t even get a call for an interview? The best I get is “you’re on file.”
I’m really glad I’m not doing this for real.
