BrokenBottles

I am sure that this isn't 100% ethical, but I worked for a phone sex line for a year and a half, and I didn't want that big of a gap on my resume. My old boss had a good "cover story" about how it was a customer service job, which HA HA, I guess it was. Anyway you can do anything like that?

CupofJoe

Just as another perspective:

I'm currently hiring for my company and interviewing a lot of people. There are a ton of resumes and I don't even bother calling a lot of people because I simply don't have the time and they're not quite what I'm looking for. It's nothing personal. And there have been people I've interviewed who I've absolutely loved, but couldn't hire for one reason or another.

And some people had amazing resumes, but they just weren't a good fit for my company. It's really about finding the right match.

I had a hard time, too, the last time I was unemployed, especially as I had blown through several jobs during the end of my drinking and was incredibly unstable. A job fell in my lap and I've been there since, building back up my reliability.


As a side note, though, one way to not have your resume looked at is to write "Dear Sirs" to a company run 99% by women, hahahaha!

Good luck and keep at it.

wishinghope

Lol thank you. Posting on here has really helped pick me back up. So Monday I'm ready to get back on my computer and job search! And I enjoy relating to people they tend to understand more obviously those who haven't been through addiction can't understand it. But its therapeutic to vent and receive solutions. I couldve just sulked in misery alone but venting is healthy as long as you dont let it engulf you. Also Im not mad at the companies I understand they have tons of applications to look through and can't possibly get to every single one. The job market sucks and sometimes I forget how overwhelming it can be to have tons of applications and I can't fully understand that because I've never had to do all that. But put the shoe on the other foot and I can see how it can be a huge task. You aren't just looking for a qualified person but people who fit in the company. So I appreciate input on the other side brings a new perspective to this whole thing.

EndGameNYC

I don't know how long it's been since you were last looking for work, but the market is very competitive now, particularly for people with few obvious skills, a sparse work history, or those over thirty. Most people don't even bother to call or email you, and very few rèsumès are even seen. Creating a desirable cover letter and rèsumè is both a science and an art. You might consider getting professional help with writing them, as well as consulting with a career counselor to review your options.

Mek2

"Customer relations and new staff training."

wishinghope

I like that mek! Haha and I don't have money for professional services but I can try to see if there are any free services available and library around here only gives the basics that's how I learned how to write the resume I have now. I know nothing about writing cover letters and I guess I should really look into that. But yeah job market sucks. Now all these jobs want college degree and experience for entry level positions that a monkey could do. Its sad. But I will see what I can do. Hopefully I can get some help tomorrow. At least be lead to the right direction. Schools don't even teach this stuff which I think it should be a required class called real life 101. Learn how to handle finances, bills, job searching all that.

robgt350

i know you are looking for work. but have you thought of looking into going back to school too? there is lots of financial assistance out there from governments, companies, and private assistance, more than most people think there is. i was unemployed while ago during the big financial crisis, and i went back to school on financial aide, it completely paid for my education, which was nursing school. yea i had to take odd jobs here and there, but i made it only with that financial aide. now i have the career of my dreams.

hope the best for you wishinghope.

wishinghope

I definitely want to go to school but generally it takes years to do it even after school I want to write scripts. Although I've considered writing essays because my attention span isn't all that great thanks to add. But I already have a student loan I've defaulted on for school I didn't finish nor will I go back and am not eligible for grants because my parents make too much money I'm not 26 yet nor am I married. But I do plan on taking writing courses and I wouldn't mind working odd jobs but most are physically demanding and its not that I'm lazy but unfortunately I'm barely 100lbs and 5,7. I do want to get in shape but there are certain things I just can't do. Also I have thought about doing other jobs that aren't physically demanding but since bed bugs are an epidemic in this state my fiance wants me to refrain from doing them such as cleaning houses and dog walking which cleaning houses can be dangerous. And mike is working odd jobs but those are too physically demanding. If anyone has any other suggestions though I am open to them. And if there are odd jobs that aren't dangerous (I.e where I'd be alone with strangers in houses and such) feel free to let me know. Its hard feeling like a fragile flower in a tough world. I need to take defense classes for real!

sillysuzanfree

What type of job are you seeking?? The job market is very tricky in today's world...

I was a placement recruiter for a number of years and my experience is that these days your resume and qualifications have to match the position you are applying for...unfortunately employers are looking for very specific skill sets and if they don't see it on your application or resume, they most likely won't even call you for an interview (unless you know someone who can open a door for you). This is my experience both as a recruiter and as a job hunter. The temp agencies don't seem to just send you out on assignments anymore (as they did in the 80s and early 90s). At least not here in California. I don't know about other states.

In the meantime, you can try doing some volunteer work and that is also a great thing to put on your resume. Perhaps you can take some online computer courses if you aren't already and put the word out to anyone you know...I've seen many people get jobs that never would have because a friend or acquaintance got them in the door.

Good luck and keep us posted!!!

sillysuzanfree

Over 30? I sure hope not!

wishinghope

Thank you I have tried finding friends to help me but sadly they aren't in any position to help. Its sad how difficult it is and volunteer work was already suggested and I would but I have to find a job asap no money so I limit my driving so as not to use gas. Its a very desperate situation I'm in. But once I get a job I may consider doing volunteer work in case I need it on my resume and it will boost my self esteem. I wish I would've done volunteer work before but I was too busy getting stoned. Sigh. What a pickle I've gotten myself into. But somehow I've been remaining remotely positive don't get me wrong I do have my moments where I just want to give up but for the most part I feel I've been handling everything rather well.

ReadyAtLast

Exactly! I'm job hunting at them moment and ten years above 30. Very depressing to believe people think this

I would ask a friend to look over your CV. I did this and it does help.

wishinghope

CV? Does that stand for cover letter? I really need more friends I wish I had some good wholesome professional ones. I have one who I can consider he is pretty well established and knows what he is doing.

flossyfressia

A CV is a resume xx

wishinghope

Oh thank you...I really need to be more in tune with the business world.

flossyfressia

I'm English and that's what we call it here-it stands for Curriculum Vitae. I don't think that everywhere in the world uses that term though Xx

Mountainmanbob

You I assumed. also severed drinks
I would say that I was a bar maid
MM

Marcher13

wishinghope often the employer is going to look at a CV for a minute or less so you need to stand out from the crowd. If you were to write 'stage performer' then what skills can you offer? Instead of trying to follow the usual resume rules get creative but be honest.

You said: Really? Weren't there plenty of times when you had to manage your time, organise yourself and others etc? Try stepping into the employer's shoes: what skills and knowledge can you bring to the particular job you are trying for? Why should the employer choose you? Think outside the box.

Aellyce

So, Wishinghope, not sure what kind of job you are looking for, but some of these difficulties are the reason why I suggested that maybe you try to look for work that's not super far from your previous experience. For a while, and you could go to school or do some kind of training in parallel?

An another example I have: one of my best friends in college also did the phone sex thing for a couple years in parallel with her studies, then got fed up with that and wanted something more "real" and less risky. She got a job as the secretary of a well-known porn star and movie director at the time and worked for him for years. It was a pretty conventional secretary job for her really. She finished college and after that, applied for an administrative position at another universities dean's office and in a few years she was head of the office. Then moved abroad and started working for a company as a business analyst (got formal training for that during her previous job).

Also, if it's a smaller private company, maybe a startup, they might not care so much about your past if you have something to offer that they really need/want. This is why I am suggesting: perhaps be realistic and look for a job right now that's not very far from your experience, then focus on new training, and it'll be easier to make a shift then once you have qualifications.

Someone else comes to mind again who has had a long history in the erotic industry and decided to be 100% self employed. Started doing stuff that was in line with her experience online and she ran the whole business. In the meantime, she trained online for a web development/design degree. She has that now and works for a company (100% unrelated area) from home online in that field, as well as keeps her own business.

There are always hundreds of possibilities, sometimes we just need to be creative and patient. I hope it'll work out for you

Archelon

See if your community has a jobs center. They help people get back to work, help with resumes, hold job fairs, etc. They don't cost anything.

Also, try a temp agency that hires for a place like a warehouse or something, often if you pass the drug test they will hire you, don't care about experience or job history. This will give you a good work history.

It is what I did when I was having trouble finding a job.

Now I am in a new community. I am going to vocational rehab today.