Oppo - Need an Ear

"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna) 09/05/2014 at 13:34 • Filed to: None

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I'm a mid 20s optimist and I look for the good side but I'm losing that and myself. Since just before summer things in my life have been spiralling and I haven't caught a single break. I'm a natural leader, I'm expected to be the strong one and successful one with my family, work and everything else and well I need someone to listen and well any advice is welcome so I come to you Oppo.

I've been trying to get closer to where my GF lives but haven't received a single call back or interview at all. I sent out my 41st resume/cover letter (each one tailored for the job) the other day. It's been 5 months!!! 5 months, it's literally driving me up the wall batpoop insane. WHY? UGH, this would be the biggest break for me! This is the one thing I want in my life, the first real goal I'd set for my self and I failed to get a job within the time limit and I failed. I just want this to go right@!OI_(!@UR)(T

Work. I can't say much due to NDA's etc but basically I'm management level but I've taken on the duties of COO and have more on my plate than I could ever handle. My CEO is out of the office doing god knows what all the time and otherwise focusing solely on sales staff. Talking with him hasn't done anything. I'm out of my league and barely pulling through (I'm decades behind the experience required) but it's taking it's toll on me. Throw in the fact I'm working for half my market salary... just UGHR!@#

Apartment... my lease is up at the end of this month and I haven't found a single place that doesn't get taken before I see it that evening. Right now I'm looking at overpaying to live in a hotel. I've tried finding roommates but only run into psychos like a male prostitute trying to get me to pay more, a cat/leather fetish man, etc. It's looking like I'm going to be homeless.

Those are the big three that are bugging me right now, not sure what else to say. I guess I'm just losing it and need a someone to listen to me.

Thanks for listening Oppo, have a picture of my favorite car, a 2007 BMW 650CI

TLDR; nothing going right > working my ass off > still nothing going right > need to catch a break > thanks for listening

Penthesilea > Moves-Like-Senna 09/05/2014 at 14:06

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Stay strong, things will get better eventually

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Moves-Like-Senna 09/05/2014 at 14:08

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It took me over a year of searching to get the job I am starting in two weeks. It takes time if you have strict geographical limits.

Textured Soy Protein > Moves-Like-Senna 09/05/2014 at 14:13

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I'm a career services director at a tech college and did a lot of work in staffing before this.

41 resumes with no responses is discouraging, but it doesn't necessarily mean there's something wrong with you.

Companies are terrible at hiring people. They never respond to all the resumes they get, their hiring process almost universally suck, there are always too many people involved in the process who get delayed which holds the whole process up—it's a mess.

That said, it could be that the type of jobs you're applying for, aren't as good of a fit for your experience as you may think. In which case, even brute force of sending out 41 resumes isn't getting a good response rate.

Moves-Like-Senna > Textured Soy Protein 09/05/2014 at 14:30

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Thanks AtlasM! I really appreciate your feedback and advice.

I agree, there are some issues with hiring people, I think I'm going to follow up on the last one I sent in since it's the first one I was able to send to a person instead of a generic application system. I'll try and keep my head up and remember that it's probably not me.

I thought that for a while that perhaps it was the types of jobs but I've confirmed that I do meet the requirements bang on, at times experience might be a year behind but the tasks etc still align well enough for at least a follow up. I'm starting to think perhaps it's because of the industry. I work on the business ends of things but right now I work at a tech startup, I've been applying for positions that are the same roll but in other industries instead since there isn't any out where I'm looking.

Moves-Like-Senna > Penthesilea 09/05/2014 at 14:30

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Thank you hahaha, that made me laugh.

Moves-Like-Senna > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 09/05/2014 at 14:31

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Wow! That's a long time :/ My last job hunt was 3 months and I was even turned down from retail clothing, technology, cars and worst of all... McDonalds..

Textured Soy Protein > Moves-Like-Senna 09/05/2014 at 14:47

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I wouldn't get your hopes up about getting a response to a follow-up on a resume submission. Companies generally have a "don't call us, we'll call you" attitude when it comes to applications.

Without seeing your resume and the job postings you're applying to, it's hard for me to say what any issues might be.

Cover letters should be short & sweet, just say something like how you found the job, why you think you're a fit, why you like the company, and "I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you about my skills and experience in more detail." 4 paragraphs tops.

Resumes should go into a fair amount of detail to show exactly how you've used a particular skill/experience at each job. If a posting says, for example, "5 years experience managing software development teams," make sure that someone would be able to go through each of your jobs and count up exactly where you have at least those 5 years of experience.

Skip an objective section. Start with a skills or summary that outlines the key things you have experience with that are applicable to the jobs you're applying to, but again, your job descriptions have to back that up.

Don't use overly formal language. If you have anything resembling the phrase, "managed cross functional teams," you know you're using too much corporatespeak. Use plain language.

Here's the summary section from my resume, just as an example:

• Seasoned recruiter and recruiting manager with proven track record of successful placement and revenue growth.

• 8 years experience with full life-cycle recruitment process from initial interview through job placement.

• 5 years recruiting management experience.

• Strong knowledge & understanding of HR laws including OFCCP, FLSA, EEOC, and immigration/work visas.

• Excellent communication and computer skills including several applicant tracking systems such as iCIMS & cBiz.

Moves-Like-Senna > Textured Soy Protein 09/05/2014 at 15:18

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Yea, quite frankly I've sort of just gone to assume I won't hear back after sending in an application. I thought I'd follow up next Tuesday (sent yesterday Morning) since it's not going to hurt to try something different.

Thank you for all of the tips! I generally try to keep my letters short (a few short paragraphs), confident and highlighting why I think I'd be a good fit and help them. My resume is a bit formal but I've avoided that corporate speak hahaha. I'm going to take a look at it again when I get home and compare it a bit to what you have in yours!

Thank you so much again for your tips :) I really appreciate them!!

Lekker > Moves-Like-Senna 09/05/2014 at 16:55

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My friend, pain and suffering only forge us to be stronger. Like a good sword, it needs many beatings, sudden changes. I've recently gone through a lot, and now that the fog is slightly gone and I can see more clearly I am ever so glad I didn't give up. Never give up. Ever. Nothing holds you back other than yourself. If it helps, I was jobless for 6 months, then got recruited by a company I had no idea existed, and opened a whole new opportunity for a career. That meant I had to move from AZ where my house and wife at the time where. Well, Destiny thought it would be a good time to forge a little more of that sword, so I ended up getting divorced bc my wife couldn't take the distance anymore (I've been a year up here). So, remember, whatever you do, it's for you, and nothing or no one can stop you other than you.

This song often helps me calm down:

Moves-Like-Senna > Lekker 09/05/2014 at 18:21

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Thank you for sharing, the motivation and the song. I don't know what else to say but I hope things get better for you too. I know this isn't much of a response but the metaphor means a lot to me and put a smile and some fight back in my eyes. Thank you.

Lekker > Moves-Like-Senna 09/05/2014 at 21:59

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I'm glad it meant something to you as well. Keep your chin up man. There's no such thing as a perpetual storm, it always gets better. And if you think about it... we wouldn't really appreciate the good things when they come if we don't have the shitty ones to remember. Fight on brother. If you ever need to send someone an email to vent or something, I'd be happy to listen. hoonigan34@gmail.com.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Moves-Like-Senna 09/05/2014 at 22:51

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I know the feeling man. I've been trying to find a full time job in my field for months now, no luck as of yet. Just have to keep trying, it's tough out there and you're not the only one going through something like this. I know that maybe doesn't make it any easier to live with, but eventually statistics will catch up with you and something will work out.

Moves-Like-Senna > Lekker 09/10/2014 at 10:01

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Thank you a lot Lekker :) I agree, I try to stick to the mentality that things will always be better and you can't enjoy the good without the bad. I've sent you an email and feel free to vent to me too! Keep on rolling man.

Moves-Like-Senna > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment 09/10/2014 at 10:24

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I'm sorry you're going through it too. Good luck man and thanks for the words. I really appreciate it and you're right eventually the statistics will catch up. I'm hoping that break is today. I have 9 moving violations on bicycles or walking (never had a ticket driving)... I received number 10 a month ago, called in and the ticket isn't in the system. They think it may be lost and I'd be off the hook.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Moves-Like-Senna 09/10/2014 at 18:03

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Hey, could be the start, you never know :)

Moves-Like-Senna > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment 09/10/2014 at 20:27

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Seems like I'm catching a break, that it really is some good coming my way. I got calls back for two apartments to share (one a single girl, the other two girls) which is great. Just personal preference to live with women rather than guys even though I am one haha

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Moves-Like-Senna 09/10/2014 at 21:17

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They're sometimes cleaner, that's always a plus haha