What am I doing wrong?(Can't land a Job)?

Question

I don't know what to do. I have a Bachelor's degree in Comm. from a great university but I've been trying to find a job in Atlanta since july now with no success. I have sent out thousands of emails, i have gone on at least 10 interviews but so far I have not been hired. I think I've done well in interviews and I am not just stuck looking in the Comm field I've applied for many different types of jobs from retail to office jobs to even blockbuster and still no luck. I am really worried because soon I'll have to start paying on my student loans and I dont have any money. I'm just so discouraged.any tips?

Answer 1

I don't know how tight Atlanta's job market is, but where I live, it's pretty bad (massive layoffs at the major employer, so people are scrambling for jobs). If you're not getting hired for positions that are "beneath you" as a college graduate, like retail and even Blockbuster, you may be doing something wrong in the application and interview process.

Email is not the best way to apply for most jobs, or even to inquire about vacancies. It's easy for you to ignore or blow off email, right? It is for employers, too.

However, when a young man in business attire, with a good-looking resume in a folder, fills out his application complete with phone numbers and references, in neat penmanship with a good pen, it's pretty hard for anybody in HR to just ignore him and expect him to go away.

Practice with someone on answering interview questions. Look online for questions you're likely to be asked, and remember what you were asked on the interviews you got. Have them be frank about what's wrong (and right) about the way you answer each question.

I did this with our son, who'd never had a job until last summer. The one he got wasn't great, but it was a job. He said having a spiel for open-ended questions ("Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?") and having done a bit of research on each place he applied helped him not be nervous.

Answer 2

Comm major. Ouch.

Your college has done for you a major disservice; like every other college in the US. Nobody really explains to students when they are freshmen the significance of their choice in majors. Especially their likelihood of finding a job after college with a given major. I feel that if they were to do that, no students would enter into about 75% of the academic disciplines offered in colleges. And those areas would disappear. After all, who would spend all that money on a degree that was ultimately unmarketable?

Forget about that now; it's in the past. What are you doing wrong today? Probably nothing. Understand, however, that there are A LOT of people who graduated with a degree in comm. It is simply ridiculous. Not to mention that a mere Bachelor's degree in anything is not enough to differentiate yourself from the pack these days; as it would maybe two generations ago.

My suggestion; you need a new strategy.

-Be willing to relocate to a "backwoods" place for a few years; in order to build some experience. You may wind up having to take a job that is less than desirable; for not the greatest salary.

-Consider becoming a teacher.

-Consider post graduate possibilities. Do not get another degree in Comm or Soc or anything like that. Change to something that is clearly marketable.

Law School, Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Med School etc. There is probably a way to defer your undergraduate loans until you graduate from there.

-Consider your international opportunities.

-Ask your parents for help.

Times are tough. But never lose faith.
I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 3

Did you notice the first thing Mitch McConnell did, when the stimulus plan went to Senate, was to make sure the "Buy American" clause was removed from the bill? The very first thing. We're not an independent nation anymore. We're part of the global community. And so is our news media. Our industrial base has been trickled the hell out of here. Now we import oil and everything else. Now our corporations, including the networks, are international entities. This is the kind of crap that happens when you practice trickle down economics on a global scale. Tax cuts don't help you if you don't have a job. But, don't tell that to the average republican. Merely spending when you live entirely on imports, won't help our economy. But, don't tell that to the average democrat. Forget the housing bubble burst and the bad bank loans. Our problem is our industries are gone. They've been trickled down to wherever, in the world, the labor is cheapest. But, don't expect the corporate owned globalist media to tell you that. Just go shopping and look for the made in the USA labels.

Answer 4

Not only you experienced such kind of dilemma with respect to finding a job. Sometimes there is a feeling of giving up but it doesn't solve the problem. Youf will experience also, some of your classmates who are not good in academic was able to get a good package and enjoying a good jod. Don't get disappointed because sometimes it is a matter of patience and luck,
Just keep on trying and be practical in selecting a job. There are so many companies seeking for employment and maybe you haven't send to those who are really in need.
First, you should know what are the best company you want to work with, make your resume presentable and interesting to the employer.
If someone will call for an interview, answer in an eye to eye with the interviewer and be yourself when answering the question.
Your time will come, just have faith in yourself.
In middle east, there are so many job opening especially in Qatar and Dubai. Why don't you try your luck here?
Goodluck !!!!!!!

Answer 5

Keep looking. I know it seems like forever, but job searches these days can take a long time.

You might not be getting hired at retail places and blockbuster because they figure you'll find a better job soon and not stay long, so they don't want to take the time to train you.

Have someone look over your resume and see if they have any changes to suggest. Someone at your college placement office might be able to do that. Also see if the placement office has any leads.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Just keep trying!!!! The more interviews, the better your chances. Try Craig's List (believe it or not) there are a lot of jobs listed there, even for your education. Or Job search via the internet using Monster job search. You can do it!!! My brother had the same obstacle but he spent 8 hours a day looking and did not rely on just ONE interview, he did not wait for response, he just kept going- good luck!!!

Answer 7

It's a tough job market. Keep plugging away. You may also try a temp agency. Some companies use these to find permanent employees by trying them out for a few days and then offering them a job. It's a good screening process to see how well a person works.

Answer 8

do they have employment agencies there? put in an
application there. did you try seeing if there where any
openings at the university. check with your professors and
see if they can help you get your foot in the door somewhere.

Answer 9

Ask a working friend for an in.