I've been at my current place of employment for a while now- I really like what I do but unfortunately, the pay is.... well, let's just say it can't hurt to look at other options.

So I've been getting out there, applying for a few things, and I can't believe how difficult it is! Granted I'm not that old, but things just seem to change so suddenly- I'm not sure if I'm not getting calls back because my area of expertise is very specialized or if I'm doing something wrong or what. And when I mean wrong, I don't me I'm not able to do the job I'm applying for, I mean I don't know if I'm even getting my resume into the hands of a living person. Nearly all jobs require applying online, and EVERY website is different- and they all want you to retype your resume in their format. It's so frustrating! That, and some of these sites seem to require every detail for the past 10+ years. Seriously, you want to know if the job or school stuff I was doing 10 years ago is relevant to the job I'm applying for NOW? I guess if I could say something like "Austronaut, on the moon 10 years ago" that could be relevant but... seriously.....!

I bet I could at least get an interview for some of these jobs if they'd just look at my resume and talk to my references (I've got good references in my field). It's so frustrating, a computer judges me and doesn't even let me get to the live person! AUGH!

Is this happening to anyone else? I just need confirmation that it's not me suffering through this! (Apologies if this is in the wrong forum, it seemed like the best place to put it, but I could be wrong- if there's a better spot, feel free to move it!)

i feel this on a very deep level, haha! it was so impossible for me to find a job all of last semester. and the one that was in my field that i DID manage to get an interview for, they offered it to a freshman. simply bc they had better hours than me. i was so furious. it was a job working with the campus graphic designers. i have 6+ yrs of graphic design (self-taught and professional, with clientele references), and the freshman only had about a year. and that year was only bc he took classes for it in high school. i was really insulted! i only found out about this bc a mutual friend of mine knew the kid that got the job. as a junior in uni whose struggling with money for rent and stuff, this was so insulting. i guess the whole hours thing makes sense though.

the whole thing kind of culminated into my frustration with being unable to get hired anywhere else (living in a college town is ass. everyone is looking simultaneously), so out of frustration i sat down and rage-designed myself a new resume lmao

i feel you on a deep level about how far back jobs want to know! i never know what to list. i just try to list stuff that's even fairly relevant. but if i try hard enough, i could technically relate anything to the application so lmao. i hate applying for larger corporation jobs bc of the issue you're facing! it's so ridiculous.

i'm currently employed for the summer, but it's just at a pizza place and i don't get paid very well either. :/ texas is an ass and refuses to raise its minimum wage. i hope you can get some calls back for your applications!

It took me SO long to find the job I have now. I hate the online application thing. I suggest you keep calling the places you've applied at and keep bugging them. Maybe even take a copy of your application/resume in and say something like 'I wasn't sure my application got through online, so I brought a hard copy as well just to make sure, because I'm really interested in the job.' Good luck finding a good job!!

I may have a potential job at this one very prestigious place but I haven't heard a word back from them and my current employer is paying me $80 American a paycheck. It's pathetic and infuriating.

I've also gotten "Go look for another job!" because I'm due to get kicked off my parents' insurance in September and it's like... right, let me just get right on that with part time openings everywhere.

That's super frustrating! I feel like there's ALWAYS someone who's either better than me, has perfect availability, or knows someone etc- it sometimes just feels like the world is working against me or something (even though I know it isn't- clearly others are experiencing troubles too). I have a masters degree and 5 years of specialized experience in my field. I've been applying for many things- stuff I'm overqualified for, under qualified for, a perfect fit for (at least I would think I'd be a perfect fit). But nothing comes back. It took a while for me to find this job when I first got out of grad school (I worked retail to make ends meet), but at some point I'm just like "What does it take to get hired?!"

I've tried that. There have even been websites that specifically ask you NOT to contact them, and say things like "remember if you're contacting us and we told you not to, you're technically not following directions and we look down on that". I'm guessing it's due to the number of applications they get for each job, but it's kinda a downer. "No really, we don't want you to follow up and show us you're actually a perfect candidate for this job, just remain nameless and let the computers sort all this out".

I certainly hope you hear back from them soon! I know a lot of people that had to do many part time jobs, some people just think that it's the good ol' days where there are more jobs than workers. I bet those people still think most companies give out pensions too (I'm sure some still do... I just don't know any of them).

Ohhh, maybe in a perfect world.

- Applying for jobs is one of the most frustrating things ever. I'm the type of person that likes face-to-face interaction, so having computes judge me pisses me off. What does a computer know about me? Nothing.

My biggest complaint: personality tests. A computer determines who you are in a bunch of dumb questions and uses that to determine whether you fit or not. But, EVERY place that has these tests wants the same type of person: obedient, outgoing, friendly, honest, and hard-working. And, how easy is it to lie and answer the questions they want you to hear? Very. While I am most of the things listed above, I don't respect authority simply because they're above me in terms of position. But, I know if I say the truth, I would automatically get disqualified. I hate lying, but it's a necessity to get a job.

Also, it's all about who you know. The 3 jobs I've had are because someone from the inside knew me. It's such an unfair advantage to people who are lucky to have the right connections.

Why do so many jobs want experience, even if they're entry level positions? That's total bullshit. How are you supposed to get experience if you can't get a job because of lack of experience?

Things like this are why I refuse to get a Bachelor's or higher. It seems like degrees don't mean much anymore. I'm doing an A.S. degree theater tech and looking into being a chef as another option. It seems like the best way to get a good career is in technical training, as you get experience while in school and develop good connections.

I had a roommate that had a PhD in Neuroscience. Yes, she needed a roommate. She was able to get a job as an adjunct professor at a community college. But, she was struggling to make ends meet. This shouldn't happen to someone who has worked their ass off in school to get a PhD.

There needs to be some sort of mass overhaul in the job market, so young people (and older people that were laid off) can actually make a living.

Speaking from experience, online applications are terrible for so many different reasons, don't even get me started. This last year I applied to and was essentially willing to take just about any job that came my way, and I didn't find one until waaaay later than what I needed. I don't know if my resume didn't look right, or they thought I smelled funny from my application or something, but it was basically impossible unless I dropped off a resume in person. The more face-time you can get, I say, the better.

I understand this way too much. Everywhere I have applied has required an online application. Some of the positions had been listed for over a month, and even then they don't want to hire people. The one interview I managed to get was great, except they only hire if both managers like you. The other manager never called to set up an interview, and the managers were only ever there one day a week each on separate days. No one could tell me when she would be in. So infuriating.

"No really, we don't want you to follow up and show us you're actually a perfect candidate for this job, just remain nameless and let the computers sort all this out".

That is pretty much the best quote ever on this topic. I'd really be laughing if it weren't so true. Ugh. Still, good luck to you. I hope you find something perfect soon!!

hey hey! I board related to my experience for the past month and ongoing!!! This is my 3rd time job hunting. And by God job hunting has got to be one of the worst things I have ever had to do in my life. I HATE IT.

- You are totally not alone with what you are experiencing. It's absolutely ridiculous with the online forums. I guess there are so many people out there applying for jobs they are taking the "easy" route of having computers do the work for them, it's really messed up. I am having a really hard time, this time around especially. No one is hiring. Companies are not even posting their names half the time. It's all confidential, or "don't call us", or no contact person listed. I see the same jobs up for MONTHS.

I have NEVER got replies back, saying thanks but no thanks. I have gone to easily over 10 interviews in my life and arranged pre-screening phone interviews. I send my thank you notes, checked in on them weeks later. I have NEVER got answers back from any place I interviewed at even then (unless I got hired). Like they seriously called me in for an interview, were all friendly, everything was great, and they just drop you. Everyone I know has the same experiences and tell me to suck it up "That's what they do today". NO, it is wrong wrong wrong. I have a growing blacklist.

- hello fellow graphic designer!! waves I'm near a college town myself - Providence. I feel like there is this little tight inner circle groupie groupie over there and prestigious RISD, that I don't have a chance. But RI is not a hopping job market anyways. I am hoping I can move north closer to Boston in the future.

I don't know if you have some of the same issues over in Texas. There are more and more part-time jobs and contract jobs. There are recruiters with only contract jobs viciously calling me repeatedly. I know people who have taken those contracts at those exact places and they just chew you up for 6 months and then spit you out. Sure it's "good experience" like the recruiters say but it's not a way to make a living or make a lasting impact on your career. I also got the "no employment is permanent" shoved into my face also. Why would I take a job knowing I would have to go back on unemployment in a few months and go through this all over again. I don't think you can claim unemployment after a contract...

I actually shouldn't take a contract job if I have a spine. A week after I got laid off my former employer was looking for an intern and a contractor (who would be paid $5 less an hour then what I got paid), for doing what I and another person who left did. You might be in a better boat because you have more experience. But I got booted out of my former job and lost out of a job opening because there are cheaper options out there for employers with hiring contract and interns (= employer doesn't have to pay health insurance or benefits) or a new college grad (lower pay).

Anyways, sorry for ranting. Being laid off and stabbed doesn't make things better. :( I have a fear that I will be unemployed for months, leaving a gap on my resume, and then being screwed. There does need to be an overhaul with the job market. And how employers treat their employees and prospective employees.

I completely feel your pain. My problem is that I look rubbish on paper but am confident, friendly and passionate in person. I have had three paid jobs so far and I got all of them because I was able to meet someone face-to-face, the computer was no help whatsoever. I wish you luck in your job hunt!