Why can't I find a job?
Flipper/Rehabber · New England · Member since 2018 · 23 posts · 14 votes
Why can't I find a job?
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Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
6yYou're 23 years old, seemingly able-bodied, and you claim you can't find a job in an area (New England) with 3.9% unemployment. Come on, man. Aim lower, however low you're aiming.
Make up a resume, go to Indeed.com, plug in your zip code, and start contacting people. Indeed claims to be currently listing 17,348 jobs in Worcester, MA.
Worst case scenario, join the Army. There are educational, training, and work opportunities in four years in the US Army that half the rest of the world would kill for.
84 Replies
- Rental Property Investor · Albuquerque, NM · Member since 2019 · 60 posts · 50 votes6y
@Andrew Schulz
Regardless of whether you have landed a job yet or not, you should remain positive and feel good that you are getting lots of interviews. As a manager for a large transportation company, I can tell you that it is challenging for me to whittle down dozens of qualified applicants to a handful that will ultimately get selected for an interview.
I do not know whether you have a college degree or not, if you provide that info may you get some more specific advice. Here are a few take aways that I learned after graduating college in 2012.
1) Interviewing is a skill - There are those that are naturally good at it, but for most it requires preparation. Many employers utilize behavioral based questions (i.e. describe a time you had to go above and beyond to accomplish a task). By researching the STAR method of answering behavioral based questions, you can better prepare yourself for these types of questions which will lead to confident, well constructed answers.
2) Be flexible - My younger brother is going to graduate college in about a year and expects to start out with a high five figure salary. Depending on if you have a degree, what field of study that degree is in, and where you live, that could be completely reasonable. If you are not living in a large city , it may not be. A bachelors in mechanical engineering & a bachelors in art history are not created equal. Be willing to seek out opportunities that may pay a little less than you would hope if you will be gaining valuable experience.
3) If you have a degree, consider management trainee programs. Lots of large Fortune 500 companies, including my own, post management trainee positions with the intent of hiring recent college graduates. If I had known about them before I graduated, I may have saved myself 3 years of misery.
Wish you luck moving forward, hang in there, good luck on the hunt and on the real estate endeavor which I am new to myself.
- Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes6y
You're 23 years old, seemingly able-bodied, and you claim you can't find a job in an area (New England) with 3.9% unemployment. Come on, man. Aim lower, however low you're aiming.
Make up a resume, go to Indeed.com, plug in your zip code, and start contacting people. Indeed claims to be currently listing 17,348 jobs in Worcester, MA.
Worst case scenario, join the Army. There are educational, training, and work opportunities in four years in the US Army that half the rest of the world would kill for.
- Flipper/Rehabber · New England · Member since 2018 · 23 posts · 14 votes6y
Great Advice Patrick!
I do not have a college degree and that is a big negative to a lot of people. There are a lot of jobs that do require a bachelor's degree.
I try to connect directly to the recruiter after applying to get ahead of everyone else applying. Sometimes there are up to 400 people apply for the same job! That Is a lot of filtering work for the recruiter's.
The STAR method is something that I've never heard of, but I will definitely look into it.
There is something out there for me, but I do not see it. 6 months is a very long time.
Thank you Patrick!
- Rental Property Investor · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2013 · 919 posts · 911 votes6y
I thought all flippers were rich? Am I missing something?
- Flipper/Rehabber · New England · Member since 2018 · 23 posts · 14 votes6y
Trust me. I work all the time. I do make a little money with Real Estate and many projects.
I made a great resume and applied to hundreds of jobs on indeed, linkedin, and many other job boards.
Just trying to find something more steady.
Originally posted by @Jim K.:You're 23 years old, seemingly able-bodied, and you claim you can't find a job in an area (New England) with 3.9% unemployment. Come on, man. Aim lower, however low you're aiming.
Make up a resume, go to Indeed.com, plug in your zip code, and start contacting people. Indeed claims to be currently listing 17,348 jobs in Worcester, MA.
Worst case scenario, join the Army. There are educational, training, and work opportunities in four years in the US Army that half the rest of the world would kill for.
- Flipper/Rehabber · New England · Member since 2018 · 23 posts · 14 votes6y
Flipping pancakes don't make you rich ;)
- Developer · Dallas, TX · Member since 2015 · 84 posts · 79 votes6y
If I was 23 and doing it all over again I would definitely have gone into sales instead of taking the "safe" salary. In sales you have unlimited income potential as long as you consistently market, advertise, and network. It seems like a better option, but that salary is lower than you're worth and increases at a snail's pace. However in sales you want to make more money? Just market, advertise & network more and you'll make more sales. It's not true financial freedom but it gets you ready for it. You don't have to sit around and pander, beg, & brown-nose for an extra $5k raise. No thank you. You can be a realtor, mortgage broker, securities sales etc. All of those are in sales and still related to real estate and/or finance which will be a complimenting
- Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes6y
I didn't hear what your qualifications, education, experience, desired field or anything are, so GIGO. My advice would be garbage.
The Ken Coleman podcast talks exclusively about work and careers. Also personal finance I'd imagine as he is a Dave Ramsey personality.
I haven't had a job in 17 years so don't listen to it, but I do know who you know is important. Any friend or relative who can make an introduction at their place of work will be a huge help.
In the meantime, do a side hustle. Look for cool free stuff on CL, let go, etc and re-sell it. I can think of 18,322 things you could do in this digital age if I wanted to or knew what your skills are and what you want to do. But we don't.
- Rental Property Investor · Shakopee, MN · Member since 2015 · 985 posts · 374 votes6y
Do you have any temp agencies in your area? You could always get a retail job for some income until you find something better. I know retail isn't idea, but it does build up your customer service skills. Target in my area starts people out at $15 an hour now. That's not terrible. Working 8 years in retail helped me get my first real job. It was between me and another guy I went to college with. I had the customer service experience and he didn't.
Also have you networked at any local real estate meetups in your area? Somewhere out there you might find someone willing to mentor you while you do the the monotonous tasks like finding renters, collecting rent, calling contractors, etc. It doesn't seem like much, but it is a huge help.
- 6yRemington LymanBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 7k+ votes
@Account Closed If you develop a system to find off-market deals, then you will not have to have a 9-5 desk job. You can just wholesale those deals to customers
- Shawnee Mission, KS · Member since 2016 · 716 posts · 313 votes6y
Landing a dream job is difficult you need to take some form of income tell you get that part figured out .
Blue collar jobs are yelling for help take you pick Google what looks good .
Experience is the catch 22 so expect to make less tell you are are worth more .
- Real Estate Agent · Riverside, RI · Member since 2014 · 70 posts · 28 votes6y
@Andrew Schulz Have you thought about getting your real estate license? It would give you a chance to see more homes and give you some flexibility. It would also give you access to the MLS so you can study the market a little better.
I am in Rhode Island and would not mind meeting for coffee at some point to chat about real estate and investing. Let me know if I can help.
Good Luck!
- Member since 2018 · 127 posts · 106 votes6y
I am sorry to hear that you are having trouble finding a job. I can relate to an extent as I graduated in 2010 with a degree in finance and a MBA in 2014. When I graduated in 2010, I just accepted any job I could get, even though it wasn't within my field of study. When I got my MBA, I unfortunately worked for a job that could have cared less about my qualifications, but rather just a body to perform work (I was unknown to this at the time). Now in 2019, I finally got a job as a financial analyst, which is the reason I went to school in the first place, nearly a decade later! Don't feel like you are the only one, because you are not. Others are struggling like you.
As for advice, I would definitely study the STAR method for interviewing. In short, it is a acronym for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. It is a way to organize your thoughts so that the company you are interviewing for has a good idea of what the problem was, actions you took, and the end result. I had a list about 10 pages long of things I had done throughout my career (projects, emergencies, etc.) using the STAR method. The nice thing about this is that you should be able to answer any standard interview questions using this method, as you can modify each one based on the question slightly.
Also, it may be hard for you to get a job without a college degree. While I am only 32, in the last decade, and probably starting in the late 90's it seems like a lot of jobs that don't really require a college degree are requiring one now. Why is this, because more people are getting college degrees and a corporation will most likely hire someone with a college degree than one who does not. Or to say it another way, corporations can just do it because they can. I would recommend going to a community college that has some good recruiting relationships with hiring companies. Additionally, you may want to learn a trade, like plumbing, welding, electrical, etc., and become an independent contractor.
- Investor · Bolton, MA · Member since 2012 · 133 posts · 72 votes6y
@Jim K. So true. I am an employer in MA and it is ridiculous trying to find help there are more jobs than people to fill them. There are jobs everywhere!
- Specialist · Easton, PA · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes6y
@Jim K.
Just a little insight on military jobs...
my brother in law was in the Air Force. Served in Afghanistan. Came home and went to Rutgers. Got a degree in HR and whatever else, very smart guy. HR jobs were paying $14/hr (3/4 years ago). He is now working a civilian job for the military near Atlantic City and it’s barely enough to make it worth while to put his two kids in daycare. Just one example..
- Rental Property Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2017 · 127 posts · 75 votes6y
Listen - you don’t have a degree. Quit looking online. You need to get a good resume together and physically go to businesses you want to work for and ask them if they are hiring. You’re wasting your time looking online.
- Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes6y
@Account Closed
Hi Andrew,
You might have to move to find a good paying job.
Getting on with a company that has good paying jobs and moving up over a few years might be required.
The Top 10 Paying Blue Collar Jobs
1. Elevator Installer and Repairer
- Average salary: $87,518
- Average hourly wage: $42.08
- Average workweek: 40 hours
2. Electrical and Electronics Repairer: Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
- Average salary: $68,084
- Average hourly wage: $32.75
- Average workweek: 40 hours
3. Power Plant Operator, Distributor, and Dispatcher
- Average salary: $65,846
- Average hourly wage: $31.50
- Average workweek: 40 hours
4. Gas Plant Operator
- Average salary: $63,872
- Average hourly wage: $30.71
- Average workweek: 40 hours
5. Locomotive Engineer
- Average salary: $63,125
- Average hourly wage: $28.27
- Average workweek: 42.5 hours
6. Electrical Power-Line Installer and Repairer
- Average salary: $60,354
- Average hourly wage: $29.02
- Average workweek: 40 hours
7. Structural Iron and Steel Worker
- Average salary: $59,224
- Average hourly wage: $28.55
- Average workweek: 39.9 hours
8. Construction and Building Inspector
- Average salary: $59,144
- Average hourly wage: $28.31
- Average workweek: 40.2 hours
9. Ship and Boat Captain and Operator
- Average salary: $57,910
- Average hourly wage: $24.86
- Average workweek: 51.8 hours
10. Radio and Telecommunications Equipment Installer
- Average salary: $57,149
- Average hourly wage: $27.48
- Average workweek: 39.9 hours
Good Luck!
- Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes6y
Originally posted by @Matt M.:
@Jim K.
Just a little insight on military jobs...
my brother in law was in the Air Force. Served in Afghanistan. Came home and went to Rutgers. Got a degree in HR and whatever else, very smart guy. HR jobs were paying $14/hr (3/4 years ago). He is now working a civilian job for the military near Atlantic City and it’s barely enough to make it worth while to put his two kids in daycare. Just one example..
I completely understand how you could go into the military, end up in HR pushing pencils and filling out forms, and barely be able to make ends meet. But as far as non-pencilpushing jobs, Mike, you can also go into the Army, come out an electrician, plumber, or mechanic, and be working 12 hours later. Air Force, you're servicing jet engines. The best deal as far as I can see is to go into the Navy's Construction Battalions, the Seabees. Those dudes come out as the most capable handymen in the world.
- Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes6y
@Account Closed it is actually really bad that you cannot find a job given the current job market and your age. I have not seen a job market this good since the very late 1990's. I talk to business owners all the time and they are having major problems finding people to fill jobs.
The problem appears to be that you are applying for jobs that you lack the qualifications for. My fortune 200 company will not hire anyone in customer service without a four year degree. We will hire assembly workers without a degree and that is about it. In my city they are hiring at Target, McDonals or Aldi for $15 per hour. Costco is in the same range and they treat their employees excellent. No experience for most these jobs, so it leads me to believe your standards are too high.
If you want to get into sales or customer service, start in retail or some other entry level job to gain experience.
You need to get a job, any job. Then keep looking for a better job.
- Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes6y
Originally posted by @Jim K.:
Originally posted by @Matt M.:
@Jim K.
Just a little insight on military jobs...
my brother in law was in the Air Force. Served in Afghanistan. Came home and went to Rutgers. Got a degree in HR and whatever else, very smart guy. HR jobs were paying $14/hr (3/4 years ago). He is now working a civilian job for the military near Atlantic City and it’s barely enough to make it worth while to put his two kids in daycare. Just one example..
I completely understand how you could go into the military, end up in HR pushing pencils and filling out forms, and barely be able to make ends meet. But as far as non-pencilpushing jobs, Mike, you can also go into the Army, come out an electrician, plumber, or mechanic, and be working 12 hours later. Air Force, you're servicing jet engines. The best deal as far as I can see is to go into the Navy's Construction Battalions, the Seabees. Those dudes come out as the most capable handymen in the world.
My friend was a diesel mechanic in the Army and had multiple job offers when he got out. He used the GI bill to get his four year degree in transportation management and now he is managing the entire trucking company that he was turning wrenches at. Another friend was trained in electronics and got a job as a medical imaging technician. My neighbor got a job at the VA in purchasing when he got out of the army.
HR is a tough profession. I know a couple people who have four year degrees in HR and they couldn't even find jobs when they graduated. One finally got a job but the pay is really bad. You can make money if you move up the ladder, but it is helpful if you have an MBA.
- Real Estate Agent · Los Angeles · Member since 2019 · 57 posts · 40 votes6y
I mean... this is tough, because you have to be have a very good understanding of yourself. If you don't have a college degree, that will automatically exclude you from a lot of jobs. In no way am I saying a college education is a representation of how qualified or hard of a worker you are, but a lot of employers do hold a college degree in high value. I'd try to analyze yourself and identify your weaknesses best you can. Some people are not great interviewers and that can be frustrating, because even though to your core you know your work ethic and quality of work will be a great fit, it doesn't come off in the interview. Indeed/LinkedIn are fine resources, but I'd also just network a ton. Ask professionals in companies that catch your interest to treat them to a nice lunch or dinner. Ask if they know of anyone who is hiring and explain your goals and strengths. Even companies that are not publicly hiring, if given an opportunity to add a young hustler who has potential will often do so. Keep your head up, understand yourself and what you need to work on, work on those. You'll connect everything in no time. I'm sure a kid with your mindset might just be a little impatient with wanting to achieve their goals. Blessing and a curse ... good luck man
- Realtor · Oakland, CA and a Real Estate Investor with Multi-Family Units and a Self Storage Facility · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes6y
They probably figure you are a Patriots fan so most companies outside the Northeast would want nothing to do with you.
Just kidding.I haven’t seen your resume but most resumes I see don’t even have an objective ... the candidate just talks about their qualifications. Either that or they say something genetic in their objective like,.... Seeking a job where I can apply my multidisciplinary skills with a growing company.
Those usually end up being deleted or in the trash can.
- Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes6y
What do you have to offer an employer?
Skyline Properties - Eastern Mass & Central Maine · Member since 2009 · 252 posts · 135 votes6y
Originally posted by @Account Closed:
I reached out to recruiters, CEO's, Owners, ext... But they have or looking for someone that is more qualified.
No surprise here. Employers at this level are not interested in unskilled workers. Try Walmart, Home Depot, supermarkets, et.al.
- Rental Property Investor · New York City · Member since 2019 · 703 posts · 538 votes6y
Unemployment is at historic lows and you can't find work, C'mon man? Do you have any skills? Are your standards in-line with what pay you're expecting? How long have you been looking?
For sure you can pick up some Holiday work at Lowes, Home Depot, Shopping Mall. have you tried a Temp Agency.
Keep plugging Indeed and LinkedIn. While on LinkedIn get yourself a recruiter and they can help find you work and it costs you nothing.
Keep in mind, this time of the year is when companies start the lay-off process and then employment picks up again in January.
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