2 more rejections this week

Been looking since May 2010 when I graduated. I broadened my search recently, but all it has gotten me is more rejections. I feel like I am NEVER going to get a job

Re: 2 more rejections this week

25 views and no response? Nice. I've been feeling awful all day..could have used some kind words.

Re: 2 more rejections this week

It'll happen. You're getting interviews, so you're doing something right!

Have you ever had anyone mock interview you? Is it just a very competitive field you're looking at?

It will happen for you.

In the meantime, what are you doing to keep sharp? Are you working, volunteering etc?

Keep your chin up

Re: 2 more rejections this week

Re: 2 more rejections this week

Posted by tarabelle99

It'll happen. You're getting interviews, so you're doing something right!

Have you ever had anyone mock interview you? Is it just a very competitive field you're looking at?

It will happen for you.

In the meantime, what are you doing to keep sharp? Are you working, volunteering etc?

Keep your chin up

Re: 2 more rejections this week

Can you do some temp work?

Since this is your first job since graduation, try establishing some type of history, even if it's part time work in a non related field.

The old adage that it's easier to get a job while you have a job still holds a little truth.

Re: 2 more rejections this week

Posted by tarabelle99

Can you do some temp work?

Since this is your first job since graduation, try establishing some type of history, even if it's part time work in a non related field.

The old adage that it's easier to get a job while you have a job still holds a little truth.

Re: 2 more rejections this week

Stay positive, I am sure you will get something amazing!!!

Re: 2 more rejections this week

Thanks, everyone. I've tried going for internships, but I've been told a few times I am over-qualified. I did have one contact, and I got an interview with the company but didn't get the job. I've used up all the contacts I've had, and every time I get introduced to a new recruiter, that person isn't very helpful.

I'm even applying to temp and part time jobs, but I'm getting NOTHING.

Re: 2 more rejections this week

Since you do writing, can you do some freelance work?

What about looking into tutoring in English or writing? Teaching a class? Volunteering to teach ESL? Offer to proofread/edit for people? Read to senior citizens? Even volunteering counts as work if you're doing it regularly!

If you have no work history at all, that may be part of your problem. Do something. Anything. Bag groceries, work retail etc. Don't discount it, you'd be surprised what just being able to say you're employed does to a resume/application.

I'd also consider having your resume/cover letter reviewed by an impartial person.

It will all come together, but sometimes you need to take a little detour to get there

Re: 2 more rejections this week

Posted by tarabelle99

Since you do writing, can you do some freelance work?

What about looking into tutoring in English or writing? Teaching a class? Volunteering to teach ESL? Offer to proofread/edit for people? Read to senior citizens? Even volunteering counts as work if you're doing it regularly!

If you have no work history at all, that may be part of your problem. Do something. Anything. Bag groceries, work retail etc. Don't discount it, you'd be surprised what just being able to say you're employed does to a resume/application.

I'd also consider having your resume/cover letter reviewed by an impartial person.

It will all come together, but sometimes you need to take a little detour to get there

Re: 2 more rejections this week

But getting out, even in a volunteering capacity, is broadening your network. Don't forget that. Everyone you meet is a potential contact. And if you believe in karma, then giving back to your community is great for personal enrichment too.

You're in a very specific market, you may need to wait a while. Since you have published research, pimp yourself out as a consultant advising others throughout the process. Again, making more contacts for your network too. Tutor people in science. Adults returning to school especially may be interested in that.

Basically, what I'm saying is think outside the box. Be creative and innovative. Market yourself. You say you've been told you're over qualified, maybe create a couple different resumes. Tailor them for the jobs. Downplay certain experiences for lower end jobs you want, play up skills you think would suit the job more.

Re: 2 more rejections this week

I also want to add, keeping your skills sharp is important. If you're maintaining your skills, even in a volunteer capacity or taking more classes, it's more appealing to a potential employer. You've been out of school over a year now and haven't worked in that time from what I've gathered.

If I'm a hiring manager and have a few candidates on the table that are comparable, I'm not going with the one who hasn't kept their skills up over the past year.

Try to think like a potential employer. Imagine the type of employee you'd want working for you and become that.

Re: 2 more rejections this week

It's really scary, because I haven't worked since school, and I'm afraid the longer I am unemployed the worse off I will be. But I feel like I have no control over this. I can't will people to call me for interviews.

In your opinion, do you think volunteering is a good thing to have on your resume? Do you put it under work experience? I'm not quite sure how it fits in.

Re: 2 more rejections this week

I think volunteering is excellent to have on your resume! It shows selflessness, dedication etc. And it creates a reference for you as well. Even if you're volunteering, you're going to have a "supervisor" who is assigning you tasks, can tell an employer if you are punctual, organized, able to get along with others etc.

I think sometimes it can be worked into work experience if it is regular and applicable, or it can go in a separate section.

Re: 2 more rejections this week

I think volunteer experience is great to have, and it can really help you.

When I worked at a large law firm, I used to do a lot of recruiting and interviewing of entry level attorneys, who were still in law school. We looked for a lot of things beyond actual experience practicing law (because other than summer internships, they had none).

We were looking for well-rounded candidates, so people who had interesting travel experience (e.g., study abroad or teaching English in another country) or hobbies or did volunteer work were often viewed in a more positive light. And people who had a non-legal work history often capitalized on that history and made those past jobs relevant by showing they helped them develop skills they'd need as an attorney, such as the ability to meet deadlines, write clearly, speak in public, etc. But volunteeer work and even involvement with hobbies and other interests shows a certain degree of self-motivation and can be indicative of a broader skill set. And at the very least, it gives you some interesting talking points for the interview. As an interviewer, I always felt like it was up to me to keep the conversation flowing, and I liked having an ice breaker that I could pick off the resume (e.g., Oh, I see that you are in a book club, what have you read lately?).

Doing something proactive is always a good thing, in my book. I would just try to do volunteer work or get involved in a group or hobby that, if not directly related to your chosen field, allows you to work on sklls relevant to that field. I mean, I am sure you need to be detail-oriented to edit and help publish scientific research, so maybe do something that would demonstrate and hone that skill set. And I think to work with scientists in the way you want to, you'd have to be a good collaborator and be able to work well with others. So maybe you can find a job or a volunteer position or even an interest that would underscore that quality in you.

It seems that publishing scientific work would largely be done in an academic environment... have you been going to local universities, even just to go to events (such as art exhibits or shows or lectures) that are open to the public? That would be a great networking opportunity and a chance to meet people that could maybe give you a foot in the door.

Also, do you have a career services office at the college or university you graduated from? Part of their job is usually to counsel and assist alumni. You might want to get involved with your alumnni network, too, for networking.

I know there are no easy answers and no one right answer, but maybe these suggestions will get you thinking about what you CAN do instead of what's not working. I know it's hard not to get discouraged, but try not to, because a discouraged attitude does come through when you talk to people, even if you don't think it does. Interviewers like positive, confident interviewees!

Re: 2 more rejections this week

Re: 2 more rejections this week

Have you looked at Brookhaven National Lab at all? I am on their e-mail list for job postings and they are always looking for post-doc grad types...worth a shot to check them out maybe? Good luck...I've been trying to get a "real" job in a new career for quite awhile...know how you feel

Brookhaven National Lab...

Re: 2 more rejections this week

MSC Industrial in Melville is hiring - take a look at their site

Re: 2 more rejections this week

I know you've said you don't want to teach permanently, but have you looked into adjunct teaching as a resume gap filler? I adjunct teach in addition to my F/T job (trying to get into a tenure-track position, which is unlikely in my field in this area).

Re: 2 more rejections this week

Volunteering is so important to have on your resume if you are not working. Employers want to see that you aren't just sitting around waiting for a job, but that you are taking advantage of opportunities. Plus you never know what kinds of networking you can do while volunteering.