Go to college, they said. That's how you get a job nowadays, they said.

So I graduated college nearly a year ago with a double-major, great grades, I had lots of extra-curriculars an internship and two part-time jobs the whole time I was there; and I can't seem to get a job to save my life. I am at a complete loss at this point with what to do. I apply regularly to postings and I usually get called back for my resume and cover letter, but then I'm consistently rejected. Usually the reason I get is that I was either too over-qualified or a more qualified candidate applied. I feel like such a loser. I can't get a job doing what I really love and want to do because I'm not 'qualified enough' and even McDonald's won't hire me because I'm 'over-qualified'.

Is this normal? Do other people go through this? It just sucks so much... I need an income and I'd take nearly anything at this point, just to be making some money. I see most of my college friends all have jobs, or internships, or are in Masters programs, and I can't even get a job flipping burgers. I feel myself getting more and more depressed with each rejection; today was one of the worst because I was passed over for a job that I wanted very badly and was very well qualified for (librarian stuff, I was a librarian at my college).

I feel like I'm stagnating. At almost one year out I should have a job, but nothing ever seems to work out no matter how much of my heart and soul I pour into applying. I know some rejection is normal, but this feels crazy abnormal to me. I never get any really negative comments either, it's always the same generic, 'We're going to pass this time, but you're awesome keep trying!' I have no idea where to go from here. :(

What was your major? My husband graduated two years ago with bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. He had internships, was the top of his class, no jobs. He works at target now and is going back for his masters...

Jobs want experienced people only. Most jobs want at least 10 years experience. How are you supposed to get experience when no one will hire you?!

It sucks. I went to school for fine arts and now work at the SPCA taking care of the animals for minimum wage, it's a lot better than the job I got right out of college though... working in a deli in a small white trash grocery store for minimum wage, and I'm a vegetarian.

have you considered applying to internships in your field? I know it may seem counterintuitive as a graduate, but another internship at least means an income and gaining more experience while you continue to search for a full time job. And if you do a good job, it's quite possible that they'll want to retain you as an actual employee. It's actually what I did when I was still trying to decide whether I was going to go for a masters or not. (Honestly, if they ask you why you're applying to an internship instead of a full time position, you could technically say you're considering to go back for a masters but also want to gain some industry experience while you decide - they won't question it much). My manager was more than happy to hire me to do a senior engineer's job on an intern's pay lol, especially since the engineering job market is horrible at the moment due to low oil prices.

I'm really sorry to hear about your situation. Is it possible for you to move to a city or state where your major is more in demand?

Ohmygod, I totally feel for you. I graduated college with a BA in graphic design. I'm excellent at what I do. But I had the audacity to graduate in 2008 when the economy fell flat on its face. There were/are so many people out of work who already have the experience, why would someone take a chance on a newbie? Answer: they won't. I finally found a job I like well enough, just two months ago. I worked other jobs before then, after I graduated, including my longest one which was 6 years as a photo tech at a newspaper, but that was only suuuper part-time, and therefore not enough to pay the bills. I finally moved with my parents back to my hometown, where there are more jobs, and found this job I have now within a month and a half. I really hope your situation gets better. Just know that you're definitely not the only one in it!

I second the suggestion to try another internship (even unpaid) for the experience. Saying you're considering going back for a master's is a good idea if they're more used to hiring current students as interns.

I worked part-time for minimum wage in retail for 3 years after I got my BA and started my master's. No one questioned me being overqualified, I think maybe because it was in such a college town area and it seemed like ALL of my fellow min wage coworkers had a bachelor's at least (many had a master's and we had a recurring seasonal phd candidate who just did the job because he thought it was fun and everyone loved him). My point being I think in a college town they were used to "overqualified" new grads so it was no big deal.

Maybe you could also spin looking for an unrelated job in a slightly different area and saying you need something even if you're overqualified because you're new to the area? I've also been blunt in explaining to the retail HR that the job market in my field (librarianship) is terrible and I was willing to do whatever work I could find.

And for what it's worth, most library jobs tend to have a TON of competition because the job market is terrible. For a roughly $10/hr full time job posted recently at my library that only required a HS diploma, we had at least 4 internal candidates with master's degrees apply trying to get away from part-time. Realistically no one else stood a chance even if they met the qualifications of the ad. So I'm sure it must have sucked to get passed over for that one, but there may have been lots of other people who did, too.

At any rate, good luck to you! Unemployment is such a crappy place to be :/

I'm sorry about your situation. I'm still in college but I'm terrified of not being able to find a job once I graduate. Have you looked in the local newspaper for ads? You can also try Craigslist -- sometimes there are ads for one-time manual labor jobs but at least you'll be able to earn some money. Can any of your friends talk to their manager about you and maybe give their manager your resume? Also, remember to be checking back with the businesses after you apply. You can even write them a letter expressing how much you'd like to work for them. My former manager once hired a guy just because he came back several times dressed in a suit.

Sorry for the late responses, on top of everything else I've been moving into a new place. @

I have a double major in Psychology and English. And I know what you mean, I even have a little bit of experience, but it's never enough. Dx

I hadn't thought of it before, but I'm beginning to consider it. The biggest obstacle is that it seems like psychology internships only want to take on specific people and you have to apply nearly a year in advance (at least from what I've seen so far). It stinks too, I was actually asked to stay on for a full time job with the place I interned at during college, but because it was going to be way too far away from where I live I had to decline. ; w; I'll look into more internship stuff though, I hadn't considered it, but it would at least be something!

I wish I could. D; I know I could have better opportunities if I left (living in Connecticut is awfuuuuul, no offense to people who like CT n_n;; ), but my fiance is in the Army and he's stationed where we are now for the next three years and he has an awesome job as a helicopter mechanic.

Thank you. <3

It's odd, because I never thought 'overqualified' would be a problem, 'cause I don't mind doing any type of work. I live kinda close to a handful of colleges, but I've seriously been rejected from part-time retail jobs and that's the reason I keep getting. Dx Meanwhile I have some local friends who didn't finish high school and they have no problem getting the same jobs (once or twice the exact same one). I found out yesterday that over 300 people applied for the library position, so I feel at least a little better that I was in the top 20 for a bit; and that the field isn't so great right now. n__n;; I'm going to look into internships and see if I can find anything. :)

I might try Craigslist again, the local newspaper mostly only posts marina based ads and I have no marine-based skills, I did a while ago and when I got callbacks they were all so skeevy I just dropped them. I thought they were legitimate and they all ended up being really sketchy. And the suit thing! xD At the library I worked at the same thing happened, except it was a girl who just kept coming back dressed nicely even after we told her there were no positions open.

Thank you everyone for the support. <3 I'm feeling a lot better about everything knowing I'm not alone. It's been rough because whenever I try to talk to my family I get the feeling that they don't believe me because when they were looking for jobs at my age it wasn't this tough, or you could just walk into a place a lot of times until you got hired, and they don't understand what I'm going through.