Unemployed for 1 year or longer: Part 2

Ignore last post I started a new thread...i'm wide awake at 2 am and couldn't figure out how to start a discussion...sorry

Hi Cristin,

If you haven't already done so, start listing out any & all accomplishments - Big or small, any tools, equipment used, training or training received while at this company.

As you begin re-reviewing your job or career there, you begin to establish some key terms, tools, phrases & most importantly, "accomplishments" that you can demonstrate on your résumé.

In addition, techniques, such as FAVs -Facts ~ Achievements ~ Value or SOAR - Situation ~ Obstacles ~ Action ~ Results (also known as STAR) are good tools to use to strengthen your résumé & interviewing skills.

I wouldn't reminisce to much about your termination, other than to use that towards your advantage to get re-employed & hopefully a better job.

Part I

I don't think there is discrimination persay against people with advanced degrees when it comes to fast food or other minimum wage jobs, from my personal experience working minimum wage they don't want you to have "power". Knowledge is power, and once you get power you begin to question inequalities. If they know you have potentially other options the less "crap" you are going to be willing to scope up.

Case in point, when I applied to work at Wal-Mart many moons ago (some college--no degree--was a veteran), I did not pass their little "exam" and HR called me in to go over the questions. I basically said I would not always do whatever a manager told me because if it is unethical..."I ain't doing it"!

A common practice of Wal-mart at that time was to hire someone as "temporary" and work you more hours...even if you only signed up for part-time and even for full-time folks. They would do this for 90 days. They could work you full time hours if they wanted but not have to pay you benefits because you were classified as "temporary".

Also, with scheduling my heart went out to parents, especially single parents. They would ALWAYS cut your hours (depending on who you were) after January. I remember seeing a single mother of two crying who was hired as full-time. I asked her what was wrong, and she told me that she only had been scheduled for 20 hours and that was not enough to put food on the table. I saw that I had more hours than that, and I asked her if she wanted to trade schedules. She was excited. I went to HR, and they said "we have never allowed that"...so being my little trouble maker self I happened to see the Store Manager as I left the office and asked him/her. The Store Manager agreed and HR changed the schedule.
(to be cont)

Part II

We used to always have these "Grass Roots" computer employee surveys we filled out, then a manager would talk to us about the results. EVERY year, salary was an issue of concern. So me being my big mouth self would bring it up and ask why the salary was so low even though they brought in a lot of money. Basically, the Assistant Store manager said they did a survey in the community to determine the salary. So I would ask why fast food started people out higher in the same community. After awhile I was told by that Asst. Store Manager that "well you all know the salary and conditions before you came here, so you don't have to work here". And I basically said, well that is not the point lol

I love to talk (as if you can't tell) and I was speaking with the staff who handled all the money coming into wal-mart in the back hidden office.....I mean they handle literally hundreds of thousands of dollars on a weekly basis. Guess what they got paid? About 50 cents more than minimum wage.

There were people who had worked at Wal-Mart for 10 plus years making $8 bucks an hour, because every time minimum wage went up...their salaries remained the same since they were over minimum wage. I asked management about this too....that is not fair.

Also, I did a little checking around at other Wal-Mart stores, and the Store Manager is the one who decides those salaries. And when costs are down....they get bonuses!

Could go on.....but alas, I know this is not a board for novels lol

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Next question, when I secure a schedule for a job interview what are the possible question/s they might ask?
Of course they will ask, what did you do for the last two years?
Honesty is a strict rule on any job interview

honestly I didn't do any significant move to enhance my skill, no temporary nor volunteer work. I decided to stay at home and to do household choires and currently in a little business.
Will they buy this explanation?
Thanks!

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Plenty of websites offer interview questions and suggested answers. Run a google and you'll find these sites.

You'll find plenty of help from books on interviewing. An excellent book is "Landing The Job You Want: How to Have the Best Job Interview of Your Life," by Byham and Pickett. This book discusses the behavioral interview, or "S-T-A-R," technique which is very much in vogue. A timeless book on general interview psychology is "Sweaty Palms: The Neglected Art of Being Interviewed," by H. Anthony Medley. A third, excellent book is "Knock 'Em Dead," by Martin Yate. This book is a compendium of interviewing advice. Included are typical questions and suggested answers. These books are available online.

I agree build up your little business and I would not refer to it as little or big. I would make it as grand as possible. If they ask why you are walking away from it just say you need benefits.

You have to come up with a better answer than you've set forth for your activities during the past two years. You should add meat to your little business answer so you don't come off as having done nothing during that period.

I agree but would not refer to your company as little or large but would try to make it as grand as possible. I would focus on it during your interviews. If they want to know why you are walking away just say you need benefits.

Well, I finally received a verbal offer after 14 months of unemployment.

To everyone unemployed, keep your head-up. Keep fighting. There is a light at the end of tunnel.

Kujo
Toronto, ON

I went back to school.

I was a legal assistant many years. Being harassed by Dara - who was adamant I would not be a paralegal position. So I took the two-year course (which took me three terms because of all my other credits and background). When Dara found out I was in the program, she worked quicker to get me fired. And she called every legal temp agency in the area to make sure I didn't get a job.

Took me a year to get a job. lasted two years.
I got another job - from hell. Lasted two years.
So I took alternative teacher certification. Certified in Florida. But I haven't got a job.

I am now back to court reporting. I am looking for work. I am retaking the RPR in August (225/200/180). If I don't pass I will take it again in November.

losthope in Indiana said: I am so sick of people saying "Go back to school" as if no one else in this entire world has thought about that idea already. I wish people would say something NEW and stop bringing up all these ideas that people already know about. Give something NEW. I don't want to hear:

Start your own business
Go in to the medical field
Go back to school
Revamp your resume
Network

Blah blah blah....those are not ideas that people don't know about. The whole free world knows those.

I agree with you losthope. Good point. I certainly don't want to start my own business. I have to have a guaranteed salary; no ifs, ands, or buts about it. I hardly do any networking. I've already stated that I don't want to go into the medical field. And what else would I go back to school for? Besides the medical field, there's high tech, criminal justice, and education.

I'd rather stick to what I'm good at doing and just keep on emailing my resume out. Everybody has their own method of applying for jobs. If they want to go back to school or network, that's up to them; not up to me.

Nanlisa in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania said: I agree with you losthope. Good point. I certainly don't want to start my own business. I have to have a guaranteed salary; no ifs, ands, or buts about it. I hardly do any networking. I've already stated that I don't want to go into the medical field. And what else would I go back to school for? Besides the medical field, there's high tech, criminal justice, and education.

I'd rather stick to what I'm good at doing and just keep on emailing my resume out. Everybody has their own method of applying for jobs. If they want to go back to school or network, that's up to them; not up to me.

True....and everyone has their own system...but I can say that personallly speaking...networking is pretty effective, especially in certain professional groups.

Since some jobs are not even "real jobs", through networks....I have had people tell me when a position is open (before it has even posted), OR they have told me the job isn't real but just a required posting.

Networking may not be applicable of course in all situations. But sometimes who you know, helps that foot get in the door. Some organizations get so many resumes, they don't even read them all.

Some people are more apt to interview someone who they have heard positive things about from other employees, especially if that position requires working in a team/group setting. This is how I actually was able to even get to interview for a couple of positions.

This is sad, but to sad to say, it is who you know and who you know, gets you to show what you know. In today's economy....even more so where jobs are so competitive.

casey45 in Georgia said: ......
(5)Why do many employers want degrees, but only want to pay barely above minimum wage?

(5) corprate greed.= make all the money possible in the next week, and a who cares about next month attitude.

Losthope, your last 2 comments are so true. People tell me often I should freelance without thinking about what is all involved in running a business.

My husband was injured at work in Nov. and then in April had a minor setback because of that injury. They have him on light duty, but because he is a truck driver and had a seizure, the law says he can't drive truck for 2 years. So, people tell him to start his own business doing autobody, which is his hobby. Ok, who's got extra money laying around to help him start a business? Then his brother was telling him to go to school for something. With what money? Plus, he doesn't have time to wait to finish school when he needs a paycheck now. He really isn't interested in school anyway.

Sometimes I just want to slap people. There are times when you just want someone to listen to you and keep the unwanted advice to themselves.

socialwkr in Missouri said: True....and everyone has their own system...but I can say that personallly speaking...networking is pretty effective, especially in certain professional groups.

Networking takes doesn't always work. I've tried it a lot. I mention to lots of people that I'm looking for work and what I do. My husband, who is a social butterfly, talks to lots of people about my job hunting and what I do. He even hands out the cool looking business cards I designed him. Still hasn't gotten me much of anywhere.

I'm not saying people shouldn't do it, but you can't always count on it to work for you. It's hit or miss.

Just because I haven't had good luck with networking doesn't stop me from talking about what I do. Eventually if I talk to 5000 people, someone has to know someone, right? Very frustrating!

designer bee in Waukesha, Wisconsin said: Losthope, your last 2 comments are so true. People tell me often I should freelance without thinking about what is all involved in running a business.

My husband was injured at work in Nov. and then in April had a minor setback because of that injury. They have him on light duty, but because he is a truck driver and had a seizure, the law says he can't drive truck for 2 years. So, people tell him to start his own business doing autobody, which is his hobby. Ok, who's got extra money laying around to help him start a business? Then his brother was telling him to go to school for something. With what money? Plus, he doesn't have time to wait to finish school when he needs a paycheck now. He really isn't interested in school anyway.

Sometimes I just want to slap people. There are times when you just want someone to listen to you and keep the unwanted advice to themselves.

I'm sorry to hear about your husband, Designer Bee. And besides, don't let anybody judge you; especially when it comes to starting a business.

You're right about one thing: it costs money to start a business. You have to get financing; as well as money to buy equipment, pay employees, taxes, insurance, and so forth. Plus there's borough, township, and local ordinances as well.

I'm just like your husband when it comes to going to school and work. I waited until I had a job first before I signed up for any courses. Having a paycheck comes first.

And besides, Designer Bee, I'm still paying back a $2500 loan that I took out back in 1985 when I went to a now-defunct business (office skills) school. There are other people in this country who are up to their eyeballs in student loan debt, and they'll probably spend the rest of their lives paying it off. My loan was only for $2500. But there are others who are hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loan debt.

If you go to www.ripoffreport.com, and click on Adult and Continuing Education, you'll see the horror stories of these people who signed up to go to these trade schools; only to swallowed up with student loan debt and a worthless certificate.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: The current Time Magazine issue, with FBI Director Mueller on the cover, has a great article about for-profit "schools." Read it. You'll like it.

Thanks Displaced. I think I'll check it out.

Someone mentioned a point about why do employers want degrees but do not pay. A Bachelors Degree has become the equivalent of what a highschool diploma used to mean. A Masters Degree in some fields has become the "minimum" requirement.

If one wants to be a Pharmacist or a Physical Therapist now, when you go to college you have to get a Doctorate. So now the PhD for some future college grads will be the "minimum" requirement.

As someone told me....a PhD "ain't" so special anymore if everyone in your field has one. Back in the day, you were something if you have a BA degree.....and something special if you had a Masters degree.........and oh boy...a PhD? Wow you were great. Now?

Now in 2011? A BA degree is standard.....no one cares anymore. It is expected....no extra pay. I thought I was something lol......man!

Supply and demand. This allows employers to not pay more for your degree.....because if everyone has to have a Masters degree, there is nothing special about it.

I had to get my Masters degree because the Masters degree in my field has become the must have for some fields, and to obtain a professional clinical license...you must have a Masters. AND they do not pay you more, because it is expected of everyone.

There will be far bigger implications for the younger generations....because imagine going to college for 8 years to get your PhD in Physical Therapy, for example....getting out of school with $200,000 of college loans. And your PhD is considered a "minimum" requirement since all schools require it now.

Employers will not pay the PhD Physical Therapist more money coming out of school anymore for professions where that is now the minimum requirement, because it is required of everyone.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: The current Time Magazine issue, with FBI Director Mueller on the cover, has a great article about for-profit "schools." Read it. You'll like it.

I too went to a trade school in 89. It was originally 14,000.00. The school went out of business and I never got a job repairing computers which is what the school taught. For years I paid on it but they ended up wanting 300.00 a month to pay for it which I could not afford so I stopped. Now they want 23,000.00. Now I work cash jobs so they can't take my paycheck. They threaten to take my Social Security when it becomes available in 10 years but I figure by that time I'll be dead. If I'm still alive then I'll deal with it then.

Yeah... I so need to vent... my family and friends are sick of hearing of it and think I need anti-depressants... I'm not depressed. I'm broke. How would you feel if you went bankrupt? You try to have fun without money... hey at least I like to go fishing and walk around a park otherwise, my Friday night would concist of watching Monk on basic cable by candle light, eating instant rice.

Then, to add insult to injury, I get my hours cut back and people wonder why I want to decend into the cave where they found Osama...

It is just exsausting to me... i want to run away drop out of socity. If anyone wants to revolt and start an orginizaition for displaced intellignace I am your woman letz rock!!!!!!!!!!!!

candice in Prospect, Connecticut said: What's even sadder is that MyCon's employed and sitting at this forum EVERY SINGLE DAY!! Poor excuse for a social life.

Hey Dafi,
Yup, LT - FT temp position since the end of January... nice company - stinky commute - a perm opportunity made itself available for me there but really wasn't a good fit - and i knew it so didn't express an interest... don't think I could maintain 2+hrs of commuting/day 'til retirement. Still looking for the 'right' fit and am confident that one will eventually surface ... so for now I'm very content to keep my skills updated through temp work. I'm fortunate that my financial situation allows me this liberty... and I well realize this!
Semester's over - enjoy, the hopefully slower pace, of summer =)

Hey Candice: Good to hear from you!!! Believe it or not, in 2 days will mark my 6 months that I have been working. I can't believe it. It went by so fast and there is still so much of a learning curve. The job has a lot to be done. No wonder why people inside didn't want it. After the end of March things have been slightly better, but i still have to do so much work. It doesn't end. I hear that things are getting a little better???? Like I said over and over again, it's a matter of fate in my opinion, what we'll happen will happen for the right reasons. Just like relationships. Weather in Boston is terrible this week: Rain Rain and rain. I am glad that summer is approaching, hopefully it will be less crazy for me. Is Nick from Medford MA still here?
Keep in touch,

To Mary in Tampa- I just got let go from a job from hell experience myself. Through experience I find that it is mainly the small firms that turn out to provide the worst experience.

This time I am only applying and cold sending my resume directly to firms. I am not going through any temp agencies because through experience I think they are a waste of time.

Already I have had more interviews than when I've gone through agencies.

bornfree in Arizona said: Regarding going back to school: It does not guarantee anything. All it does is help fill in the gap. But where are the funds going to come from for people to go back to school? You have to pay back school loans. But without a job how will that be possible? The last time I checked going back to school was not free. This entire country has become a joke.

Bornfree, I had always planned to go back to school. I just wanted to take some time to work in my field, gain experience and try to get a doctorate (bypassing a masters-- it's not needed in my field). I graduated in '09. I never found a job; my friends had the same luck and decided to go back to school. They recently graduated, and they still don't have jobs. I think that's why I'm lacking motivation to go back right now... I want to know that my hard work is going to pay off, even if I don't have the best pay or the best job...

Now my friends are walking around with massive debt from undergrad, debt from grad school, 2+ degrees, no job and no prospects. I'm still living at home, and my mother recently told me to just go back to school and get into the massive debt, just so that I can "be busy." I told her I'm not going into that kind of debt to be busy/fill up time, and that I didn't think that was a good idea.

I just want a job...but I'm looking at schools that might provide me funding. I'm frustrated with everything, but you can probably see that.

Easy with the spam, buddy.

I looked at it out of curiosity.You have to pay them a fee to "get started." IT'S SOOOO NOT FREE.Unemployed people paying a fee? With whose money?

I just want to take these spammers and and throw them head first into a solid wall. I want to do that to them, HR drones, temp agencies and the recruiters. Please just put me into a fighting ring with them. I will take on both males and females.I've had it with ALL OF THEM. Or, send them to Japan so they can live out the rest of their lives breathing in nuclear fumes, cleaning up, doing social services work for the population and BASICALLY BEING KARMA'S BEITCH.I say pimp out the vultures to a "better cause."

So, does anybody press the "Report Abuse" link like I do? Indeed just might get a clue if enough of us reported the spammers.....

I actually reported the same post on at least two different threads. I also wonder why it is still up....

I HATE not working! Every day I wake up feeling like a failure (maybe because I am). I am a disappointment to those around me. I retreat from society because I don't know how to answer the question: "So, what do you do?" How do you respond to that? I say "I'm enjoying life." What a joke! I have never lied so much in my life. LOL!
Graduated in '09 with BA in Bus. Admin. - not job to think of... didn't see the benefits of grad school and looking at some of these posts, there may be none...I feel like whatever skills I had are wilting away.
So I need some tips:
Where can I find entry level positions in business administration, marketing?
How could I stay current in those fields?
Functional resume? or combo chrono/func. resume?

I think my biggest problem is not knowing what I want to do. What can I do to find that answer?
Thanks for letting me rant and ask questions. I'd appreciate some advice.

Need to Rant:

Not sure if this is your area of interest...long term care communities? You may want to check out employment in marketing or admissions with retirement communities, to include assisted living, residential care and nursing homes. I am not from Illinois and am not familiar with all of the corporations there for long term care.
I know HCR Manor is a nursing home corporation that has several marketing and admissions jobs open. They have a website, where you can apply online. www.nursing-rehab-jobs.com/

If long-term care communities are of interest, you may want to check out marketing and admissions positions.