Jobless Need Not Apply

[aieeegrunt]

I avoided this problem by using a part-time position as a line worker in a bottling plant and then later a part-time retail position as stepping stones (Oddly enough, I was paid more and had higher job satisfaction as a factory worker).

Ha, the same thing happened to me. I did the math and realized that my temporary factory job paid almost as well as working as an engineer, had better benefits, and the job itself was far more satisfying and less stresful. So I said adios mother fucker to engineering. My only regret is the 4 years I wasted in school.

[Nephtys]

I avoided this problem by using a part-time position as a line worker in a bottling plant and then later a part-time retail position as stepping stones (Oddly enough, I was paid more and had higher job satisfaction as a factory worker).

Ha, the same thing happened to me. I did the math and realized that my temporary factory job paid almost as well as working as an engineer, had better benefits, and the job itself was far more satisfying and less stresful. So I said adios mother fucker to engineering. My only regret is the 4 years I wasted in school.

...what kind of 'bottling plant' pays $35+ an hour?

[Cecelia5578]

Several of my friends have been in this situation. The solution seems to be to lie through your teeth and fake references, which from what I've seen works pretty well (most companies apparently cut the budget for reference checks along with everything else). The only jobs you'd be foolish to try that on would be anything that needs a security clearance. Obviously it sucks that this is necessary, but I certainly wouldn't blame someone for this kind of dishonesty when the (potential) employer is being so overwhelmingly stupid, selfish and generally shitty.

I think that may actually be criminal in the United States - dunno about the UK. It's absolutely a firing offense in the US.

I'm pretty sure its not illegal in the United States. Yeah, you can get fired if people find out, but that's not even remotely an issue of criminal law. I assume if you lie about being qualified about something and you aren't, then yeah, that can backfire, but in case you haven't been reading the thread, there are plenty of qualified people who can't get work solely on the basis of being unemployed (at all it seems, not just for a length of time).

[The Kernel]

... except in the town I live in there's such a glut of young and unemployed college students that have far more retail experience (anything better than retail/restaurant service aren't looking for part-time help) than I do that it's unlikely they'd ever hire me.

This is part of the reason I moved back to San Francisco after college, thinking that the Bay Area offered plenty of job opportunities across multiple fields.

Needless to say, things didn't go according to plan.

The Bay Area has explosive job growth right now in many areas but unfortunately you need to have the right kinds of experience. Google alone plans to hire thousands this year and there are more startups around then I've seen in a while.

[JME2]

The Bay Area has explosive job growth right now in many areas but unfortunately you need to have the right kinds of experience. Google alone plans to hire thousands this year and there are more startups around then I've seen in a while.

Yeah, I've shot off about a dozen applications to Google for entry level positions. We'll see if anything comes of it.

But the start up companies are my current focus, as are smaller outfits.

I left the Bay Area for college, but I grew up here. Most of my family is here. I would prefer to build a life and career here, but if I have to relocate to survive, so be it.

[The Kernel]

The Bay Area has explosive job growth right now in many areas but unfortunately you need to have the right kinds of experience. Google alone plans to hire thousands this year and there are more startups around then I've seen in a while.

Yeah, I've shot off about a dozen applications to Google for entry level positions. We'll see if anything comes of it.

But the start up companies are my current focus, as are smaller outfits.

I left the Bay Area for college, but I grew up here. Most of my family is here. I would prefer to build a life and career here, but if I have to relocate to survive, so be it.

Yeah entry level jobs are really tough. If it gives you any comfort, once you have the experience you will have to start telling recruiters to stop bothering you instead of the other way around.

Only advice I can give is find a good inside connection. That is the key factor in getting an entry level job.

[Xon]

Only advice I can give is find a good inside connection. That is the key factor in getting an entry level job.

This is the sad truth. Getting past the HR department from filing your application in the bin before it even gets to the department who is actually hiring is easily the most challenging part of finding a job these days.

[Elessar]

Only advice I can give is find a good inside connection. That is the key factor in getting an entry level job.

This is the sad truth. Getting past the HR department from filing your application in the bin before it even gets to the department who is actually hiring is easily the most challenging part of finding a job these days.

Very true. Best to just skip the HR screening. Most companies will hire entry-level based on referrals from existing employees. It's just easier than going through the public inbox, and usually better quality too. Good people tend to bring in other good people.

You don't even need to know a manager or anything. Most tech companies these days have active referral programs that even new hires can take advantage of. Just having friends in the industry will work wonders.

[aieeegrunt]

...what kind of 'bottling plant' pays $35+ an hour?

I work in a non-unionized Canadian auto plant, we make ride control products (shocks, struts) for the big three. A non-unionized blue collar job in a country with an actual safety net really is a perfect storm of employment. Our company benefits pretty much fill what Canada's don't. The fact that I'm pretty minimalistic in my lifestyle is probably the biggest factor; I've had the same car for 10 years, my 40" LCD I bought from a friend several years ago and I won't replace that till it breaks, I don't eat out etc. etc.