I have officially hit rock bottom on my job search (Lynchburg: insurance, school)

[slaminjamin87]

Well, my job search has taken a turn for the worst once again. Last month, I had three interviews with government contractors and I got rejected with all of them.

One company, (SAIC) decided to cancel the technical writer position that I interviewed for because they didn't like any of the potential candidates including myself. Another company, (Systems Made Simple), decided to hire someone else for the solutions writer position because he had more experienced on writing business requirement documents.

Lastly, I had an interview with another government contractor and they still conducting interviews for the next 2 weeks.

I really don't know what to do folks. Nothing seems to working out at all, and anytime that a bad break occurs, it always happens to me. Therefore, I starting to believe that I have reach rock bottom with my ongoing job search.

At this point, I might as well take a break on my job search and resume searching after Memorial Day weekend. I'm not sure what you all suggest, but when I do resumed looking again, I will seriously considering looking for long term contract work or possibly grad school.

Anyone else has any suggestions??

[tysonsengineer]

It's tough. I think more than anything every company just has uncertainty because of the election, because of the budget discussion (thanks GOP for extending that infinitely forward). I mean now GOP is saying they wont cut defense, but social will take a bigger cut.

Just no one knows what the hell is going on, so how can anyone hire a long term position? Indecision and stagnation by our politicians so that they can make a political move is ruining a lot of peoples lives in my opinion.

I hope that something finally gets agreed to so that companies can adjust and start hiring back. Keep your head up.

What is your work background? Perhaps you should look away from government direct to indirect industries?

[lasershen111]

Work another job while searching for what you really want to do, so you have some income coming in. And keep on... keeping on! Keep your head up and you'll find your fit eventually.

(Honestly I got into the industry I am in after looking and applying to 100s of jobs for months... because I was an outgoing waitress at a restaurant and talked to all of my customers... one of them happened to get me in to a good place to start out). As I'm sure many have told you,.. it's all about who know you. Job and career fairs are good to so I've heard.. because you get to talk to them face to face.

[chicagotodc]

Can you spin the 'writer' stuff into 'system analyst' type work? Seems like that would open up more doors.

[sonnymarkjiz]

Sadly, it's about who you know more than what you know. Unless you get lucky. I've been stuck at my job for the past year and I've been trying to get out. It sucks, but just keep your head up and keep trying and applying. You'll find something when you least expect it.

[LynchburgLover]

I know it doesn't sound exciting but sign up with a temporary firm, like Kelly Services. Work like crazy, do whatever needs to be done, dress uber-conservative and show them you have an awesome work ethic. Even if it isn't in a job you want, the employer reference could lead to another placement more to your liking. That's how my daughter got a great job.

[tysonsengineer]

Check out this start up that is headed up by a TJ alumni, sounds like they are hiring.

Government is dry right now, time to expand to non-government
FoundationDB

[sullyguy]

Become a W2-contractor for a bodyshop and let the bodyshop find you a job.

Figure out what you're looking for w.r.t. yearly salary, divide that by about 2000 to get an approximate hourly rate, and a fudge amount to that to cover medical insurance and retirement, and go to a bunch of bodyshops with a well-written resume and tell them to get you some work in the area.

If you are realistic, whatever the bodyshop suggests as your hourly rate could actually end up being at or above what you computed as your desired hourly rate!

You may find you like the variety of work that being a body can give you - I know I do.

[sullyguy]

Originally Posted by LynchburgLover

I know it doesn't sound exciting but sign up with a temporary firm, like Kelly Services.

Great minds think alike - you posted while I was typing my post...

[sullyguy]

Originally Posted by sullyguy

Become a W2-contractor for a bodyshop and let the bodyshop find you a job.

Figure out what you're looking for w.r.t. yearly salary, divide that by about 2000 to get an approximate hourly rate

Per "salary.com" a Technical Writer I (the lowest skill level, I believe) can expect $50,000+/year. Using that as a base works out to about $25/hour, adding a "I'm a body, not a permanent employee with bennies" fudge factor would make that at LEAST $30/hour as a W2-contractor.