Catch-22 leading to Viscous Cycle?

Question

How do you get into a certian field, when you have not previously been employed in that field?
How do you regain reference for a job, when you lost them and none can be found?
How do you get a job in another state, without residing in that state?
How do you go from unemployed to employed, when you have been unemployed for so long?

That's me. I have a degree. I was employed, but left on good pretenses, or so I would like to think so. I took a couple of years off to try to get into another field, so now it seems pretty much impossible to go back to doing what I was once doing. I am stuck in a never-ending cycle of Catch-22's and it keeps getting worse.

It's hard to even try, for fear I will keep hearing the same old same old. There seems to be no way out.

"Lost your references?? Oh, c'mon, now. There has to be a way to track down your refs. Call your old jobs and start from there. Sounds like you've got plenty of time on your hands to do this, right now."

This is exactly what I mean. The company disbanded and so did the employees. I never thought that would be an issue. I thought the knowledge of the skill is what mattered. How little did I know.

"Thing is, the best predictor of future success is past performance and sustained achievements."

That is why I have such a hard time anymore and the feeling I get every time I try. I failed once. That means I am pretty much destined to fail again. I am not perfect by any means. I just want to work doing what I like.

Spotless record. No criminal convictions or points on driving record. I was severly depressed when I could not find work soley based on references. In short, I was giving up, instead of getting upset, which I feel is much worse.

Answer 1

Rebuild you resume...

BE HONEST, but don't include all the warts...we all have them.

Just because you can't supply *personal* business references should not hinder you, since the prospective employer can simply call the former company's HR department for a generalised reference.

Update your education - take relavent courses and include that information in the resume.

If you're within a reasonable commute from the workplace, there should be no problem. If you are implying you live halfway across country from the job, apply anyway, and include a note in the cover letter that you can interview at their conveninece, as you plan to be in the area during the week of such-and-such.

As for the hole in your resume, be honest...when it comes up in the interview...and it will...tell them. Whether it was caring for a sick relative, you were on mat/paternal leave, etc. If it was because you were in jail...well, you can't leave the state without permission from the parole board/bureau of prisons/department of justice/whatever anyway...

Additionally, find someone you know with experience and practice your sales pitch, er, interview responses. (Keep in mind, that I have heard of job interviews lasting up to eight HOURS or more!!!)

If you can afford it, hire a job coach to help you polish the skills you'll need. If you can't see if there is a local outreach program that can help you.

Also, network...join a church, go to industry shows and ask relevant questions - stick-out without being obnoxious (ie: be memorable), join up and religeously read industry related blogs and web sites/on-line bulletin boards.

Finally, lower your expectations...you won't be able to go back to a similar salary level, so if you made $50k at it ten years ago, and the guy doing the same job you used to is now making $80k, ask for $60k, or even lower with an entry level position. Once your foot is in the door...and you show the initiative to keep upgrading your education...apply for any in-house openings that could lead to that position you're looking for!

Who knows, you could find-out that you like one of the new positions between entering the company and where you planned to make it to.

Always assume the company will hire you, and be able to answer a simple question - "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" If you give an answer they like, they may be willing to overlook some blemishes that would otherwise make them overlook you.

Oh, like an earlier poster said...get a job, even if it's making McBurgers. Helps build confidence and pride.

Answer 2

Life sucks like that. People will be afraid to give you a chance because they suspect your history will reflect on your future performance. Thing is, the best predictor of future success is past performance and sustained achievements.

What have you been doing over the past few years (in this other field)? What is the new field you are trying to get back into? Pretty much any profession where there are reputations or turf wars, people will not be interested in giving you a chance if you "have given up loyalty"to the profession once before." That doesn't mean you can't get back in or that you won't/aren't great at it. Just means that you hae to take a different approach than the 20-year old college grads or 20-year old whipper snapper street-smart salespersons.

Take an evening adolt eduction course relevant to your career. Keep focused on achieving victories and following through on commitments. Celebrate the small stuff and build up to bigger and bigger wins.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Sounds like you built that catch-22 yourself, sorry to say. If you really want to change careers and are having no luck, try for something lower on the totem pole in the field of your choice and work your way up. In other words, if you are trying to get into broadcasting, apply for an assistant editor part instead of a producer job, which might be tougher to get without any experience.


As far as out of state jobs go, you have to have a pretty strong resume for someone to pluck you out of another state. So I would stick to your area and gain some experience there, until you have a stronger resume to apply out of state.

Lost your references?? Oh, c'mon, now. There has to be a way to track down your refs. Call your old jobs and start from there. Sounds like you've got plenty of time on your hands to do this, right now.

And last but not least, if you are unemployed after all this time. GET A JOB!! Any job. Don't just be waiting for the job of your dreams to fall in your lap. Get out there and scrub toilets if you have to. But nothing looks worse on a job application than 2 years of "Finding Yourself."

Good luck.


UPDATE TO YOUR UPDATE - That is a bummer. Then I would just explain that, and find personal references, instead.

Everyone wants a job that they will like. But the reality is, sometimes you have to do things you don't like to work. GET A JOB!! Regardless of whether or not it is in your field of interest until you find something you really want to do. It will give you an income and SELF WORTH, if nothing else. As a former HR Manager, I can tell you, when people had major gaps in their employment, that sent up red flags for me. I assumed this person was not willing to do whatever it takes and would only do what they wanted, by sitting on their laurels, waiting for the perfect job to come along. I always hired the person who took whatever job they could while searching for their career. It shows a heck of a lot more integrity. And I'm afraid that is how most people hiring you are going to look at it. GET A JOB!! You are doing more harm than good while holding out. And my guess is, you spend a heck of a lot of time watching television and playing on the internet. Not real productive. Your whole attitude will change once you are getting a paycheck.

Answer 4

Keep trying. Work on your resume. Get new education in your field of study. Stay positive or employers might feel a lack of confidence in you.

Get up to date in your field. Join a Professional organization in yoru field. Be ready to possible settle for less.

Do informational interviews. Join a networking group.

Start you own business.

Have a good explaination for why you took two years off to try something new. Many people do this.

Refresh your references - call them if you did not keep up.

Get new references. Volenteeer somewhere - network with people there about jobs etc.

Most jobs go to someone that knows someone that knows someone.
Good luck

Answer 5

find the place that you absolutely want to work at and be persistent. be so persistent that when you walk in (yes always follow up on a job in person, do not call) that they know you by name when you walk in. be friendly, be positive and be persistent. it may take some time so do this same thing at 3 different places. research the companies and get to know about them. memorize the boss's name, the receptionist or whoever you see when you walk in. make them remember you. it works trust me. i promise. just dont ever call to follow up. dress nice and professional. you can never be over dressed. wear a shirt and tie or a suit. never ever ever wear jeans. park your car in the employee area when you go. be confident. jokingly ask what day you should start before they hire you. every job i have ever had i did it this way. and the plus side of this is that in going there so often you may just find that some of the places you go you might not want to work there anyway. good luck!!!

Answer 6

You are right...it is a catch 22 and I found myself in the same situation. You have to befriend someone in your industry of choice and get a job via your friend..even if it's menial at first. Then you can show yourself off and get to where you belong.