Why is it so hard to find a job in Chicago? (Ohio: school, university)

[OhioState2012]

Okay I've moved to Chicago from Cincinnati Ohio for graduate school at the University of Chicago and I haven't been able to find a job. I've been here since October and I've gone on countless interviews and that's it. I went to an interview at McDonalds and I was told that they would love to have me working there but since I have a degree in forensic anthropology and archaeology anthropology it might not be a good for me. Do I just stop putting my degree on my resume? I've worked in finance marketing, retail, accounting, I've even done an internship with the FBI and nothing. Should I just pack up and move to New York or something?,

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by OhioState2012

Should I just pack up and move to New York or something?,

Well, you should probably go wherever you can get hired. I'm not sure what a Forensic Anthropology degree qualifies you to do, but if you are interested in working in that field you might have a bit of a struggle ahead. That field is not really a huge source of jobs around here (though I'm sure there's something), but there are fields that hire clever people who are good writers, like advertising. But you'd need to develop a skill that's marketable, and figure out a way to get paid for it.

Or go to Medical School?

[squirrels]

I was walking to my bike shop on Clark the other day and I personally counted five HELP WANTED signs just on the side of the road I was walking on between my building and the bike shop. If you were willing to work at McDonalds, take a stroll and find some places that aren't advertising online.

[emathias]

Resumes should be targeted for the job you're seeking, and you have to exhibit the characteristics that the specific employer wants to see in people who fill the position being filled.

Putting details about degrees on a resume you give to McDonalds for a crew position isn't going to help you get the job because they train you to do what they need you to do, and often more advanced training will get in the way of your willingness to be humble and accept their training. They don't need someone to come in and seem arrogant or entitled toward their other workers. I'm not saying you are arrogant or entitled, but if you emphasize your education, they will worry that you are/will be arrogant and/or entitled and therefore disruptive to operations.

It seems like, at the very least, you should be able to get work as a temp. That should pay better than McDonalds does, and could turn into a regular position if the place using you as a temp likes you.

So, to reiterate, when you apply to a job you don't emphasize what you're most proud of - you emphasize what the employer will find most relevant to the position you're seeking. McDonalds don't give a damn that you had an internship with the FBI - what are you going to do, investigate who dropped that fry on the floor? - but they might care about retail work you've done or other small, mundane roles you've held, because those roles show you can handle the monotony of crew roles at McDonalds without going nuts.

[jman07]

Well you are getting interviews, so you can't say it's chicago that's the problem. It can be a hard long process to find a job without knowing someone.

[probablyimnotsure]

Originally Posted by emathias

Resumes should be targeted for the job you're seeking, and you have to exhibit the characteristics that the specific employer wants to see in people who fill the position being filled.

Putting details about degrees on a resume you give to McDonalds for a crew position isn't going to help you get the job because they train you to do what they need you to do, and often more advanced training will get in the way of your willingness to be humble and accept their training. They don't need someone to come in and seem arrogant or entitled toward their other workers. I'm not saying you are arrogant or entitled, but if you emphasize your education, they will worry that you are/will be arrogant and/or entitled and therefore disruptive to operations.

It seems like, at the very least, you should be able to get work as a temp. That should pay better than McDonalds does, and could turn into a regular position if the place using you as a temp likes you.

So, to reiterate, when you apply to a job you don't emphasize what you're most proud of - you emphasize what the employer will find most relevant to the position you're seeking. McDonalds don't give a damn that you had an internship with the FBI - what are you going to do, investigate who dropped that fry on the floor? - but they might care about retail work you've done or other small, mundane roles you've held, because those roles show you can handle the monotony of crew roles at McDonalds without going nuts.

Brilliant.

[Vlajos]

Why McDonalds?

[romnation]

It took me 3 months of applying and sending out over 100 applications to land a job here. I agree it is very difficult if you don't know anyone.

[msreed87]

The best advice I can give is to go to temp agencies and lots of them. McDonald's I'm sure felt intimidated by your intelligence plus all of your degrees have no relevance in regards to what they would have you doing. That was my first job. Temp agencys are the way to go in your situation because they are flexible and willing to work with you and by you having experience in different areas, it would be easier for them to place you. Good luck!!!

[Chicago87]

You can't get an assistantship, work-study, or part time job at U of Chicago?