I'm at about my wits end here.

[Wolf Hurricane]

Haven't been able to find a steady job in... ever. Everywhere I go - these are entry positions I'm applying for, mind you - say that I need more experience. As a result, I can't get the job, meaning I can't get the experience, and so goes the circle of disappointment.

Today, added another blow; my mom got laid off, which makes the amount of employed people in our house zero. If something doesn't break soon, I just might...

[Orange]

I've never understood how companies expect you to gain experience but won't give you a first job so you can gain experience. It's very WTF-worthy, but I hope that things work out for you and soon, man. Hang in there.

[Red Impact]

Sometimes, if you can do some volunteer work or shadow someone, they might take that as experience in lieu of working a job. And that could give you something to do to get you out of the house and feeling like you're doing something productive.

[Sparkybob]

Sept 25, 2013 17:25:07 GMT -5 Orange said:

I've never understood how companies expect you to gain experience but won't give you a first job so you can gain experience. It's very WTF-worthy, but I hope that things work out for you and soon, man. Hang in there.

Well to play devil's advocate, with how the job market is there are probably a good chunk of unemployed people who have experience in that specific field. So I don't really blame them to hire more experience workers even thought it sucks.

[Deleted]

I feel ya homey. Even with 5 years of experience under my belt I was pretty left out for jobs.

I've had the best luck with contract/temp services. Sure they take a cut, but they'll also find you a job if you live in a moderate-to-large sized city.

I temped for nine months at my old job before getting hired on full time for 4 years until the whole office shut down.

I'm temping again now at a similar job that will last til the end of the year.

Keep da faith brother/Boondock Saints

["Gentleman" AJ Powell]

Hey, you know what job they can't fire you from? Prostitution.

I'm just saying man, people will pay for ANYTHING these days.

[Malcolm]

You too?

[Chip]

Sept 25, 2013 17:31:06 GMT -5 Red Impact said:

Sometimes, if you can do some volunteer work or shadow someone, they might take that as experience in lieu of working a job. And that could give you something to do to get you out of the house and feeling like you're doing something productive.

I was going to recommend this. Volunteered at a charity shop for a month, was actually kind of enjoyable by the end of it, got to learn about the business side of things too, it's something to put on the CV at least. Though it was kind of awkward when I had to explain why putting the donated Benoit figure in the toy section probably wasn't in their best interests. That and the story I was told about someone donating 100 dildos always put's a smile on my face.

[Brood Lone Wolf Funker]

Temp agency's are your best bet, some of them don't take a cut try Randstad if you have one in your area

[Toxik916]

I highly recommend a temp agency. I was unemployed for about a year after working for 7 years and I finally found work through a temp agency. I was only a temp for about four months and now I'm a full time employee.

[Yami Daimao]

Job-wise, I feel you, bro.

[mizerable]

I really feel for you guys, in more ways than one.

I live in an area that have plentiful jobs, yet the specific place I work for, we can't keep people long enough.

It's not exactly an amazing job, but if you work your hours and do what you're supposed to do, you're guaranteed a 60 cent raise every 6 months.

Yet while so many people elsewhere would leap at this opportunity, we get the laziest f***ers in the world who try to get fired so they can collect unemployment. It pisses me off.

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Quit your bitching, I got all the experience and qualifications and can't move down a step to get benefits.

[Mochi Lone Wolf]

Your temp agencies and shadow positions like everyone says. That will help get you on your feet. Getting the experience that way will go a long way. I shadowed for someone for almost a year and half before actually getting my first entry level job where I currently work.

It can be a long and tedious process but I don't see why it won't work out if you go that route.

Best of luck, Wolf. If you need an ear to bend, I'm here to help as much as I can.

[Young Game]

Sept 25, 2013 17:48:32 GMT -5 Chip said:

That and the story I was told about someone donating 100 dildos always put's a smile on my face.

.....100?

[Chip]

Sept 26, 2013 0:12:52 GMT -5 Young Game said:

Sept 25, 2013 17:48:32 GMT -5 Chip said:

That and the story I was told about someone donating 100 dildos always put's a smile on my face.

.....100?

That's what they told me, I didn't believe it at first but after discovering how goddamn strict they were about stock numbers I quickly learned not to dispute it. The person that had to count those must have had a fun day. It's weird though, there wasn't a sex shop in the area for miles and there never has been, so I really have no idea why anybody would have had a box of 100 of them. Then again, weird shit was being donated almost daily near the end of my time there so the box of dildos didn't seem so weird by the end.

[Young Game]

Sept 26, 2013 1:32:22 GMT -5 Chip said:

That's what they told me, I didn't believe it at first but after discovering how goddamn strict they were about stock numbers I quickly learned not to dispute it. The person that had to count those must have had a fun day. It's weird though, there wasn't a sex shop in the area for miles and there never has been, so I really have no idea why anybody would have had a box of 100 of them. Then again, weird shit was being donated almost daily near the end of my time there so the box of dildos didn't seem so weird by the end.

That definitely wins.
The weirdest thing I've ever donated was a 3rd generation VHS copy of the NIN Broken video in a Best Of SNL cover.

[Dr. T is an alien]

I had a short period of absolute unemployment (2 months), which really stung since I had a wife and 3 kids to feed, clothe, and house. After I got another job I tried to make sure that I was rock solid on the job market, which led to me going back to school. I got a BS and a MA since then and now have two jobs. If the other options don't work, returning to school might be the answer.

[Wolf Hurricane]

^ Funny you mention that, since I'm still in school - headed back this winter. Also, tried the Ranstad suggestion, but it seems every position without a degree is looking for someone with, you guessed it, experience. Prolly try (and retry) some other temp agencies.

Thanks for the suggestions and kind words though. Yesterday was just a real bad day for me, but I'm recovering. If nothing else, I try to pride myself as an optimist.