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Can't Get Life Moving

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  • Can't Get Life Moving

    Ever since I got back from Afghanistan in January, I've been looking for and applying for jobs. Half of the time I never get a response. The other half of the time I just get told I'm not qualified even if I am.

    I finally got what I thought was my break. A few weeks ago, my dad met one of his neighbors who lives further down the street and he works for a big contractor down in the DC area. He told me to apply for a job with his company and he'd help me out. I found a perfect job. It was analyzing the data that I was collecting when I was in Afghanistan. The job experience required at least one year working in the lab I worked at in Afghanistan. It couldn't be a better match and it felt like a lock. A few days later, I got an email back telling me that I didn't get the job because I don't have Top Secret clearance. So, Secret is high enough for the work I was doing out there, but it's not high enough to view it back in the states?

    Then I was waiting on a position out in Las Vegas doing Toxicology. It was a trainee level job so I really had more experience in the field of forensics than I needed for the job. Two weeks ago, I got an email telling me to expect to hear from them soon. A week ago, I got an email telling me I had an interview this coming Monday, July 16th. I bought a plane ticket, got a new suit, was all ready to go. I just got a phone call this morning telling me that they were reviewing applicant's resumes and when looking over mine, it no longer appeared that I had the correct amount of experience. Wtf? So now I'm out $500 for plane tickets and I'm totally bummed. Add in the price of my laptop going in for repairs, gas money I've been spending, etc. and it's been an expensive month. I still have to cut a check for $2,200 for my car insurance.

    When I was in Afghanistan, I started talking to this woman I went to school with when we were kids. She had moved back to Canada and I hadn't heard from her since. We talked all the time out there and when I got back we kept talking. She came and visited for a week and we had a blast. I honest to God love this woman. But she can't move here? Why? Because fuck US Immigration. They'll let uneducated illegal immigrants stay here since they've lived here too long already, but they won't let someone with a bachelors degree and a graduate certificate move here who would actually benefit the country.

    Besides her, I have like four friends left in this area. One is always busy, one never wants to go out and do anything, one always has an excuse for why she can't hang out, and the other is complicated. We used to hook up but once she started dating someone else, that ended and I decided it was done for good. Now that she's single and not hooking up with anyone else, she keeps asking me to hang out to cuddle and stuff. I don't want to do that with her and she knows it, plus she does weed around me even though she knows I hate that. I can't deal with her anymore.

    I just want to move on with life but it doesn't seem possible anymore.
    Violence has resolved more conflicts than anything else. The contrary opinion that violence doesn't solve anything is merely wishful thinking at its worst. - Starship Troopers

  • #2
    I am afraid of this when I finish up my tech training in a few months. Because I am Guard I will be looking for a job. but as it stands I will be done about October... not the best time to go looking for tech work as much of the hiring seems to be spring and summer. Hopefully, I can tap some old potential jobs that I wanted but I didn't show enough discipline straight out of college to obtain but now I'm all pacified and follow orders blindly

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    • #3
      Unfortunately, the job market sucks right now. Spring and summer are sometimes the worst, depending on location. Why? Many places have limited offerings, and then you have to compete with the kids just out of college, or those looking for internships. Sometimes, that can work in your favor. Sure, the pay might suck, but at least you'd get your foot in the door. That's how I got my current job...and I've been there 15 years.

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      • #4
        They job market certainly does suck. Have you given thought to trying to get a GI business loan and starting your own business? Maybe seeing if Uncle Sam has any job training/placement options? (I have no idea how you'd go about that..sorry). Wish there was some sage advice I could give you .

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        • #5
          Starting up a business in my field would cost at least a couple million. I also have zero credit deite paying off my student loans.
          Violence has resolved more conflicts than anything else. The contrary opinion that violence doesn't solve anything is merely wishful thinking at its worst. - Starship Troopers

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          • #6
            Geez man, sounds like you're really going through a tough time. You have my sympathies, but hang in there.

            You mentioned that half the applications you make don't give you a response. I work with someone who used to be in HR, and she had quite a bit to say about stuff like that. It is a classic symptom that your resume is not attracting the attention it needs to.

            Bottom line, get someone to look over your resume. Someone professional, with a HR background would be ideal. Get them to make sure it looks right, is the right length, has the right level of info on it, and that it has all the right language.

            And have multiple resumes. Different ones for corporate, government and lab jobs. Having a generic one you send out to everyone automatically puts it into the 'seen it before' mindset of the reviewer.

            The vast majority of people do not tailor their resumes and cover letters for each job. Doing so is a pain, but increases your chances of success *markedly*.

            Good luck. Don't let rejection wear you down. Above all, believe in yourself.

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            • #7
              Did they know you had purchased the tickets?

              I haven't heard of a company who would make you fly out to interview (versus at least a phone interview first) and not pay for the tickets themselves!
              I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ - Gandhi

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              • #8
                *Nods* Most of my friends have left the area I am in looking for better and more opportunities. Me I am working a job at a company that would have been outsourced internationally except it is part of our client's contract that we can't outsource that part of our operation and not only have to do it ourselves but have to keep it stateside.

                Opportunities are slim pickings and everyone is struggling to find a place to fit in. Probably why geek culture has gone mainstream.
                Jack Faire
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