Job hunting in the 21st Century

I could not agree more. Over 26 interviews and counting. I have met with sexism and ageism time and time again. I also think ironically because I am good looking I am percieved as "less intelligent/managerial" I was told on one interview that I could score a good husband, another I should ratchet down the coffee and red bull I drink because I talk to fast and am intense, I was asked about my personal life time and time again in veiled manners, my politics and basically lied to. My favorite moment was when I asked what they were seeking in a candidate the interviewer pointed to the girl they were replacing and said "just like her" I said well as I am not a 25 year old asian girl that might be a problem and I left. Employers have NO idea how to hire/train or retain employees. They want cheap labor who doesn't ask questions, offer advice or actually assist in making the companies viable. They fear losing their own jobs so managers want to avoid hiring someone for as long as they can to make themselves seem irreplaceable. The job market is in the hands of largely poorly educated untrained individuals who resist people who are not like them as its really all about being liked and not getting the job done. I have had very poor interviews and not because I was ill prepared or a poor interview but because the employer was.

Michelle (the daughter), ACT 33, SAT 1470, liberal arts degree from a top school in the country, but can't do a job search. She has interests in several areas. We live just outside Chicago. Can you all confirm that one way to job search is to make a list of all the possible businesses in the particular field, search them online or by phone to get a name of a target inside, then mail a great cover letter and resume. Daughter won't listen to mom, she just looks for openings posted in a very limited field.

job hunting sucks! i am a skilled administratvie asistant who was employed with the same company for the past 13 years,unfortuanately there was downsizing but that isn't satisfactory because they always want more.i filled out an application and was told one job on my history wasnt enough. that is my job history.

Job hurting sucks.if you think it doesnt just look at the comments above and you will know.let us try something else(be creative).

Back on the "hunt"

As of last week my employer terminated my position due to "lack of work" ...........booo, hooo!!

To start, I have just a question; what is the abbreviation "CV", as used in this blog. Gary

Barbie Anderson, thanks for sharing your experiences that made me laugh - that's good because I needed a break from the job hunt. All that you wrote is true - from being asked to clone yourself to managers who don't hire creative and/or intelligent people because they sense "threat" right up their spines. Good luck on your search - I'd hire you!

Job-searching is the most irritating, mind-numbing pain in the ass ever!!!.... >:-( No wonder so many people are turning to crime to support themselves. It's damn near impossible to finding any legitimate work anywhere...lol/jk... :-D All jokes aside, I'm starting to feel like I'll never find a damn job. I feel like going to college and grad school was a big waste of time, effort, and money (in the form of student loans) that has gotten me nothing but two worthless pieces of paper (my degrees). I agree with the pet peeves that Chloe listed on her post. With the way these companies' hr departments conduct their business, you would think that they didn't need (or want) anybody to work for them. And those staffing agencies are even worse!!! They don't do a damn thing.. no calls, no e-mails, NOTHING!!!.. They always seem to give you the brush-off whenever you contact them about finding you a job.

And don't even get me started on JOB FAIRS!!! Uuurrggghh!!!.. Those are the biggest waste of time EVER!!! You get all dressed up; print all these damn copies of your resume and cover letter; waste gas to drive there; and when you get there... All you get is is a bunch of goofy interns at each kiosk who take your rseume (without even looking at it) and tell you to go to the companies' websites to see all their job openings... >:-(.. I could've done that at home!!! >:-(

It's obvious that there is a lot of hard work, relentless amount of hours and a positive attitude (even when we feel like we have nothing left to give)to be rejected, turned down or ignored when it comes to seeking employment. (WOW! Sounds like being a parent doesn't it). I could list all my tales of woah but what good will it do when I will have same stories as some that posted before me. I would however like to clarify something regarding HR. Seems like many have taken a strong disliking to the HR Profession, but there's a little something your not aware of. Say that you submitted your resume, your top notch in your field and HR is reviewing your qualifications. Here's the kicker, they don't just sit an a office and review 1200 resumes and forward none - I promise you that! When they do forward your top notch resume to the "Hiring Manager" and point out the candidates quals, the manager will usually respond with any negatives possible. The people that do bypass HR and get to the Executive of the Dept. and make it through without HR's assistance, get the job and are all happy about the position and feel they have bypassed the so called red tape of HR, are employed for a short time and here's another kicker, find themselves in the HR office because the position they thought they got is not a good match at all, the new hire is failing and about to be fired and RUN to the HR Department for help. So here's my question to all of the HR nay sayers, is it really HR or maybe the culture of the company your frustrated with. Ok, by now, you may have realized that I'm in the HR Field and yet find myself in the same position as yourselves. Just got a job that takes me back to the status of when I was 18 and feeling like I just shot away the last 20 years of my life working to get to where I was. I guess I'm trying to see it as an opportunity to get somewhere and move up as soon as I possibly can! Don't give up, try to use humor to get you through or the anger and rage can be an enemy of even the most qualified job seeker. Think about it to, if you finally get that interview and you walk in dreading to interview with HR because you've grown a strong dislike for them, do you think it might be reflecting in that interview? Just food for thought. I'm still looking for the job I do deserve and am very qualified for in the meantime before my new job starts, why - because I need to have hope! Good luck to all job seekers and hopefully we will all find something that will make us happy and also keep a roof over our heads and food on the table!

Job fairs, I agree are a waste of time, and were even before the advent of websites. What has been annoying me more, is that after I have posted a resume on one of the 'big career boards', almost all the 'hits' I get back are from the same board, telling me if I PAY a fee, my resume will go out to even more companies. And depending on how much I am willing to pay, I will have access to that many more companies. Does this mean some of the job boards have secret rooms where the pricier jobs hang out?

Keeping an open mind, and a sense of humor and remembering that I have been doing something to pay the bills all these years.

I agree with everything above. I have been looking for a job since September of last year ... and that given my recent masters degree from an Ivy League?!! I had several offers in the city where I graduated, but had to move. I have been actively looking in this new place, big city, to no avail. I realize I don't have much experience, but I do have some & can't believe that I can't find anything in my field. Even getting an interview is a big deal. None of my family, friends, etc. can believe this is happening as well. Getting this degree was like a dream come true, especially given that I'm a first generation American. However, now I feel like this whole job hunting process makes a mockery of the education system here. That's why people pay premium to get there, it's an ultimate dream, people try since childhood everything to get accepted there in hopes that it will count for something and it does provide a solid educational background. And now this?? Also, after reading those posts I realize that even people with a lot of experience have troubles as well. SO, WHAT THE EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR???????? It would be nice to hear what everyone else thinks about this. PS: And I do know for a fact that though some positions are posted online as available, they actually already have a match from within who will get it after they satisfy the requirement of posting it externally. Also, local schools have mafia-like connections with employers which is no good again. And it seems like HR doesn't even look at some resumes/not trained very well. Again, I agree that I remember the companies with negative and unprofessional experience and sooner or later they will face public consequences. I wonder how the executive team would feel about it?

It seems I have spent the last half of my life engaged in one job search after another. I resigned from my last job when the ever-increasing responsibilities kept me at the office far longer than I was willing to continue providing. Now I am in a job that virtually has nothing for me to do (180 degree shift) and my days are agonizingly long. But a big issue for me is being able to get to interviews when they come up. Because I get in to the office by 7:30 and don't leave before 5:30 or later, it is virtually impossible to make time to interview. I have Friday afternoons off but that never seems to be convenient for prospective employers. Another issue that has been mentioned here is agencies that post positions and sit back collecting resumes. I have been to so many agency interviews, had to test on every software imaginable and then never heard back. When I call I can never actually speak to my "counselor" who is always otherwise engaged or out of the office and she/he never calls back. If I do get through it is only to be told, "Nothing at this time that matches your skills." One place that is used frequently to look for the lesser-skilled jobs is Craigslist. It seems that a very high percentage of the postings though are placed by the agencies although they often take great pains to disguise that fact. I want to know if I am responding to an actual company or just another feedlot roundup of resumes. A hint to those being victimized by ageism, look at engineering companies, they are much less concerned with your age and your appearance as long as you have the requisite skills.

What ever happened to promoyions thru SEX, I go sraight to my H.R Dept. when theres an opening and request they fill the position with a large breasted, Big Booty Ho!!!

I am a "nurse boomer" no longer to physically handle the 12 hr shifts and physical wear and tear of nursing. Now I am looking for a home-based position in which I can use my nursing knowledge and be productive. I finally found some sites that call for nurse reviewers, but they are not home-based. Does anyone have any ideas of where to look? Thanks, Barbara

Hell by the sounds of things people should not apply for jobs and let the company's go without if they are that rude...a person should not have to kiss A-- to get a job

Now I am very depressed, reading this.

I am about to step back out into the work force after caring for four children as a full time mom.

Jobs are getting harder to come by so it seems. I was recently told I was over qualified because I passed their tests 100%. How does that make sense?