How can I possibly get a job?
By theonerm5
@theonerm5 (365)
United States
March 19, 2009 1:49pm CST
I just moved from Kentucky to California because I met my girlfriend online. I've been here about three months and I still can't find a job. I have no job experience and all the job listings I've seen so far in the sunday paper or online require either some experience or some kind of college degree! I tried going to college here already but I can't because they said I need to be living in California for at least 1 year and 1 day before I can get financial aid. All I have is a high school diploma. I also can't work at any of the fastfood places either because my girlfriend wants me to keep my facial hair and they make you shave it off. I did applications for walmart, bestbuy, and target online but I haven't heard from them yet and it's been a long time.
What is left for me? I can make a little bit of money online every now and then but it's not enough. We recycle cans and stuff and get money for that sometimes but it still isn't enough. I've never had a job before but I never thought it would be hard to find one! It is really hard for me to find a job! My Girlfriend has already asked all of her working friends and family if they can get me a job where they work but they all said that the place is not hiring. My Girlfriend's mom is paying the rent on the house even though she doesn't live there and I don't feel great about that. Her mom used to live here but has moved out to take care of the grandma. I at least wish I could help pay for something and I'd like to have a little bit of money to enjoy myself.
How can I get a job? is it always this hard to get your first job!? I wish I could just work at a fast food place because I think it would be easy to get hired but I can't work there. What's left for me? Where can I go now?
4 people like this
19 responses
@ktosea (2026)
• China
20 Mar 09
Hi Theonerm,just let you know that it's always hard to find your first job especially in the recession period,it not just hard for you,it's really rough for many people out there.don't be upsetting and keep seeking,you could also sell something on line and make some money
@busyB4 (874)
• United States
20 Mar 09
Have you tried the state employment service? Sometimes they can help you find things that are not listed in the paper and such.
Also if there are things you can do like cut grass, or things that are a service, you might could make some money till you can find a job. If you do well at your service, you might then could use those referrals to get a job at a business who does something in that field. Just a thought! Good luck!!
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
19 Mar 09
Well my dear you and your girlfriend has to decide is it that you are going to shave that bush of yours and work in a fastfood or go hungry and broke until you are able to reach the financial help which is one year and one day for you. In life one has to be conscious and make decisions that can move you forward. My advice is to do what you know best.
@cieldz (709)
• Indonesia
20 Mar 09
yes i agree with kerriannc that u must shave ur facial hair...
remember that u'r hard to find a job, but u can easily grow ur facial hair....
and u can grow ur facial hair anytime u want....
remember that find a job is ur first priority than growing ur facial hair....
but thats up to ur decision which more important, growing ur facial hair or find a job...
=)
@Bluepatch (2476)
• Trinidad And Tobago
20 Mar 09
Try selling something.
A friend of mine once told me the best way to make money is to sell something.
You can do this on behalf of someone for a part of the income or find something small and very cheap and the more you sell the more you buy and then sell more.
In Trinidad guys make money selling peanuts, fruit, pens, just about anything actually.
Best of luck ! Just keep trying !
@chulce (1537)
• United States
20 Mar 09
The fast food industry doesn't seem to be slowing down much, to be honest, that is what I have resorted to on a number of occasions. Yes, the pay isn't the greatest but it is a pay check and it does bring in enough to pay for a few things.
To be honest when it comes to the facial hair issue, what's more important, food on the table or the hair. She really needs to take a hard look at that as well.
It is a difficult world right now, you really need to take what you can get and if it means to make a small change like facial hair, honestly, do it. You will be better for it in the end.
Once you have been established for a while, you could then look into applying for financial aid once more and then hopefully get a degree.
@wuwenlong3032012 (16)
• China
20 Mar 09
Hi,As a Rookie,you want to get that job,you must shave your hair off !!
lelelelelelelelle....
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
20 Mar 09
I'm sorry to be blunt, but you should have thought about that before leaving everything to be with your girlfriend. I mean, a move is move, you can't move expecting things would be dandy easy right? You should have at least saved up for the months you'd find difficulty to find work.
Anyhow, since that's the past, here's what I can think of. Shave your face. It'll grow back. Just shave it for now so that you'd find work at fastfood or restaurants while looking for other jobs that would allow facial hair. Get my point? Now if you sacrificed your comfort to transfer to that place for your girlfriend, I'm pretty sure she'd understand and would be willing to sacrifice your facial hair for some dough.
Another, what do you know? Do you know how to do plumbing and stuff? Why not do odd jobs (jobs that people don't like doing) like cleaning garages, fixing roofs, mowing lawn, carwash and stuff like those so to have some funds.
Good luck!
By the way, don't depend on mylot alone for income. This wouldn't solve your financial problems.
@victory999 (758)
• China
20 Mar 09
Nowadays,finding a job is very diffcult all over the world.Although China has less impact from international finanical crisis,but finding a suitable job for the most gratuated students who don't have experience is drastic.
@mariposaman (2959)
• Canada
20 Mar 09
There are millions of people that have a high school diploma and no work experience. Like the other poster said, shave off that beard and look presentable. You obviously are not hungry enough to swallow your pride and work in a fast food joint. Welcome to the real world.
@jazzsue58 (2666)
•
20 Mar 09
I'd say, ditch the girlriend or ditch the beard - has she got a job? If she has, would she let you dictate e.g. what shoes to wear to work? Get a fastfood job but lay it down in your own mind that it is definitely temporary, and a way of getting a CV.
Then GET a CV. There are loads of online agencies that will help you put something professional together. If you can afford it, a small job on getafreelancer will help - just make sure it's professionally done.
ANY work you do adds to your CV, even if you're not getting paid for it. By coming here on a regular basis you are already WAY above fast food work. You're a white collar admin worker. So look at your skills and forget equating it to wage slips. How about those logo tasks? Did you do it? Understanding the ins-and-outs of a computer isn't a pushover, and being multiskilled (going from graphics resizing to copywriting etc) means you are a professional, be it in admin or IT.
You telecommute - that is the first thing. You don't do work-from-home, you telecommute. Or you're a virtual admin assistant. Or you're a professional transcriptionist. All these are 'working world' terms for what we're doing now.
Let's see ... tasks ... hmm. We've researched websites; done reviews; written a few paragraphs on product usage ... bit of a wide range there, so -
- you're a self-employed IT consultant, right?
Only now you've moved away from your contacts, you need regular work till you can get the business rolling again.
That's the truth, not a lie.
Now get that CV written.
Shorten the beard, tidy yourself up, get a suit from a charity store and visit a few agencies who offer the kind of work you dream of doing. You'll be surprised. They want you as much as you need them.
@chameleon7 (295)
• China
20 Mar 09
I am in China and I am on the same boat now. I have been out of a real job for almost a year since the last company I worked for collapsed. I tried to run a little store myself but it failed and I lost most of my hard-earned money. and I have been sending out a lot of job applications over the internet but I just had got one interview offer. seems like looking for jobs over the internet doesn't work for me. now I am just taking a day at a time. I could just see no future. in my opinion, our governments really are to blame. It's their responsibility to at least give opportunity to those who are desperate for a job. they can't just let the 'jungle' run it's rule. otherwise, human society is no different than animal's. I cross my fingers for you, for myself and for all others on the same boat.
@Jenny8520 (78)
• China
20 Mar 09
It's not easy to find a job in such winter period.
When i graduated form university, it was hard to find a job, yes, each company need employee with experience,if i never have a job, how can i have experience?It's always conflict.
About your situation, maybe you can find some part time job first,one side you can accumulate some experience, and earn some money.
Good luck to you.
@yushen1008 (357)
• Philippines
20 Mar 09
you bet, it is really hard to get a job for first timers. come to think of it, most of the jobs requires that you should have an experience on other jobs, but how can you get an experience if no one will hire you.
@myskina (182)
• China
20 Mar 09
well . man . i think you should learn sth from the internet . like some tutorial or something skill you know . such as graphic design or make some website . and you will get some . and you can do some online survey to get some repay .
well . i think you should have a website . you own you know . that can make something easy and quickly get money .
@ds6413 (2070)
• United States
19 Mar 09
Hi, my oldest nephew started at a camp area cleaning the rooms and went on to washing dishes for a resturant, He worked there for about 6 months and now he got hired at staples. He is in college working for a car and extra spending money. If you want a job you will do what ever it takes to get and keep one.
My b/f has really long hair but he is growing it for donations for real human hair wigs for cancer patients.He started with the latest job with short hair and my hair stylist convinced him to grow his hair. He keeps it clean and styled. Many of his customers know why he has long hair and probably won't be able to recognize him once he cuts off his hair. His employer knows and encourage his long hair because they know it won't be forever. And his customer service skills make more of an impact then his long hair.
@zaihezhinan (327)
• China
20 Mar 09
I didn't find job, it is so hard find job in china, i am a graduate student.
@snowneo (116)
• Canada
19 Mar 09
What is sad now that even Fast Food Restaurants are wanting degrees in chef school these days. It usually is not hard to get your first job although with the recession it is almost impossible. I am reduced to begging on the streets just to pay rent because our paychecks were cut almost in half. I also know some people with degrees in psychology and cannot find a job. I wish you the best of luck to you and your girlfriend, and also the best way now is just going into places, as applying online is now almost useless.
