What can a person in their early 30's do to get a job with a poor work history?

Question

You know, a university educated person that had alot of jobs but stayed at one no longer than 2.5 years. Not many employers want to take the risk. And I completely understand why. But a man's gotta eat too. They really sholdn't be condemned to working fast food the rest of their life. It's not like they are a felon. And I am not ripping on felons because I believe they too deserve second chances after they have been rehabliltated. Anyways, do you have any constructive tips or helpful hints? Besides going into the military. Haha.

And also I am not ripping on folks who work fast food. It is a hard and thankless job. I did it for 2 years as a teenager.

Answer 1

Go to a community college take some classes and start looking for work. the more history and knowledge you can produce the better

Answer 2

depending on what your background is with your previous jobs, try something in mortgages. most companies nowadays don't require mortgage experience so long as you have some sort or customer service/sales exp. many of them, by them I mean brokers, will train you their way as opposed to you coming in already knowing stuff from other companies. they have certain ways and methods to teach you and some actually prefer you to have no exp at all. it's a commission job so not sure if you're comfortable with that, but payoffs are great if you can muster the couple of months of starving and eeking by. what I would be weary of are people who really don't care about your past work exp at all. generally when that situation occurs, your heading into a meat grinder environment where you could be king of the world one week but fired the next. I would say take inventory of what your job skills are. what have you done in the past and narrow the parameters of your search and see what you come up with. have some direction first before you strike out on finding work.

Answer 3

Put your talents to work. If you have worked on cars for years but have no degree to prove your skills, find other ways to prove it. Go to a mom and pop shop and ask them to test you on your ability. You may here no, but keep looking and you will here a yes. There are many businesses that are looking for hands on experience and confidence. I personally am a natural at interior design. With out college experience though, I thought I had little chance of getting someone to find confidence in my work. I started offering advice to people and let them tour my own home to see my talent. I got my first job remodeling a kitchen. When people saw their kitchen and was told that it was done by a interior designer, they wanted me too. Word of mouth, what a blessing. Anyway point is, even though schooling is helpful, it's not your only option. You can do it ,now prove it others.

Answer 4

In some industries, e.g., computer, its not uncommon to stay only a short time at each company. We used to be told that, if you've worked 5 years for one company, then its a sign you are NG. So, I believe the answer would depend on why the short time at each of your companies. Was it an addiction problem? If so, there are programs available to help you find suitable employment although you may have to start low to prove yourself. Beyond that, I'd need to know the why.

Answer 5

You have to look at it from an employer's perspective. Would you hire someone to do banking if they went to jail for fraud or money laundering? Would you hire someone that went to jail for sexual assault and 90% of your employees are female? These are just examples.
Now what about this one.... Would you hire someone in their early 30s and all they've done since when they're 18 is job hop from McDonalds to Burger King to Walmart to Home Depot, and they're applying for a manager's position at a bank? No experience relating to banking, and no degree in business management, nothing.

It all comes down to what you have to offer the company, and what credentals do you have to back up your claims.

In my case, I was a job hopper and I never went to college. But most of my jobs were technical IT jobs so when I landed my career at age 25, I had 7 years of experience in computers and customer service to back up my claims to the hiring manager that was I was the right person for the company.

Answer 6

I am not sure what your degree is in. My husband is 29 and never ever stayed at a job over 2 years. He had three jobs last year! He always keeps his resume' posted on Monster.com and is always getting called for jobs. Me and my husband both work in the I.T. field. We both make good money. He job hops, where I don't. He makes more than I do and I have honestly found that by me only having 2 jobs my entire career is a hindrance. Good Luck to you!

Answer 7

try factory jobs they pay well and will hire about anyone
my father works in a factory and has for 20 yrs. he now makes 24.00 an hour and works 36 hours a week

Answer 8

just tell employers how many years of experience you have, my money management teacher told me the average person will have 12 jobs in their life so your situation seems average

Answer 9

There is some good info here.