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Been job searching for a year and no luck. What to I do now? (lemm.ee)

submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by moonlitsky@lemm.ee to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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I have been trying to find an entry-level position for a year with no success. I have tried everything that I can think of:

-Use job boards such as LinkedIn, Indeed, SimpleyHired, WeWorkRemotely, FlexJobs, and other job boards.

-Reach out to my network on LinkedIn asking for assistance.

-Reached out to my career center at my university (they seemed more interested in working with current students).

-Worked with recruiting agencies (had some success, was able to get some interviews, but haven't contacted me about any recent openings).

-Tried reaching out to my local community and see if they are hiring or looking for part-time workers (they either told me to apply online or they didn't have anything at this time).

-Taken some online courses to beef up my resume

I have a BA in English and I knew it was already going to be difficult to find something, but I never thought it was going to take this long. I don't know what to do at this point. I feel I tried everything and I have gotten nowhere. If anyone can provide me some advice, that would be greatly appreciated!

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[–] anarchoilluminati@hexbear.net 4 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Just want to say that your degree is not toilet paper nor do you lack real world skills.

You have real skills and your degree reflects that. What is the issue is the system under which we exist not valuing certain skills and certain people. As this system, especially in the US, crumbles further everyone will struggle more and more to find work that pays decently, including those with the currently 'valuable' degrees.

I don't have much advice for you other than what you've already done, except maybe lean on your family if you have one or can, but I hope you find a job soon, Comrade.

[–] moonlitsky@lemm.ee 2 points 1 day ago

Thank you!! I have a degree in English and yeah, even though it's a hard degree to market in this job environment (especially this one that is collapsing), I am proud of it. It improved my writing and editing, research, and critical thinking skills. It's sad how these are skills that employers say they are looking for yet have zero respect for the liberal arts.

[–] Andrzej3K@hexbear.net 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I second this. I can only assume that our esteemed comrade doesn't know what a BA is but saw the word 'Arts' and decided to have a snipe. As if having a BSc is somehow a guarantee of employment lol.

If you're looking to make ends meet while you look for something better, have you tried employment agencies. I know you mentioned recruitment agencies, but I graduated just after the 2008 crash, and bottom level admin work though agencies was all that was really open to me. Then I fled the country and became a TEFL teacher 🤷

[–] moonlitsky@lemm.ee 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I can take a look at employment agencies and see what they can offer. I was looking into a TEFL certificate as that can allow you to work abroad and make some money, but wasn't sure about that path. I can certainly look at it again. What would you list as the pros/cons of being a TEFL teacher?

[–] Andrzej3K@hexbear.net 2 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

Pros:

it's the opposite of alienating
living abroad is an adventure
the money is good if you're used to minimum wage

Cons:

the money isn't that good
there isn't really any sort of career progression
like everything else, it's getting ruined by corporate consolidation and stupid tech products

[–] moonlitsky@lemm.ee 1 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

Thank you for the feedback! At least it will give me a whole new career option and environment to work in. Where's the best place to get your certification? I see a lot of sites advertising and with various price points, so I know many of them are definitely trying to scam you or won't provide the best support.

[–] Andrzej3K@hexbear.net 1 points 8 hours ago

It kind of depends on where you want to go tbh. Maybe there are forums or subreddits you can ask wrt the specifics? I did a CELTA in the UK, and then moved to Spain, but different places demand different qualifications. If you just want to get some money together and don't mind living in hell for a while, look at places like Saudi Arabia.