Job Search Advice? (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill: chapel, job market, school)

[stedesco]

Hi everyone,

I recently moved to Chapel Hill and I'm on the hunt for a job. I have a B.A. in Communications, but can't seem to even find an administrative or retail job. I've walked into every business I can find, I'm working with a temp agency, I've applied to countless jobs at UNC, etc, and yet, no responses. I know this is the nature of the job market right now, but does anyone have any suggestions on where to look for a job or know if anybody is hiring? I'm willing to do anything needed, from administrative, customer service, data entry, to babysitting, teaching.

Basically, if anyone has any advice/suggestions at all, I would really appreciate it! Thanks!

[sowk09]

Unfortunately, I think most retail/admin jobs won't hire you because they know you'll be gone as soon as you find something in your field. What websites are you using? I found indeed.com and simplyhired.com to both be helpful in my job search. Of course careerbuilder and monster are good too, but I had to do a lot more 'sifting' on those. Definitely peruse Craigslist multiple times daily- check any section that could even remotely apply to you. Maybe post fliers advertising babysitting and violin lessons at places like libraries, coffee shops, etc. around town. Good luck!!

[ZimaCheryl]

You mention a temp. agency. Do you mean a company that will get you temp. gigs for a few days? Or are you talking about a professional placement company?

I'd suggest a professional placement company. My husband used Robert Half but there are several companies out there that do the same thing.
Thing is a placement company will do more than get you a job. In hubby's case they helped him polish his resume, prepped him for interview, and really walked him through everything.

Also, check the Durham City website. I've seen them advertising workshops for job hunters. Not sure what exactly it is, but maybe it would be helpful?
Durham, NC - City of Medicine (http://www.durhamnc.gov/news/NewsDisplay.cfm?vNewsID=2136 - broken link)

Good luck.

[lovebrentwood]

For others reading this, think of this as why some on this board advise, "Don't move here without a job."

We've seen many people similarly suffer.

[librarySue]

She didn't say where she moved from. Maybe it was from Raleigh. ;-)

Also a good cautionary tale for younger folks. Don't major in Communications. (like I did! Virtually useless degree in this kind of economy.) She's going to have to go to grad school or get some sort of career training.

[Francois]

Chapel Hill (or any college town) is going to be one of the WORST places to live and find a retail/entry level job, because you're up against hundreds of other recent (and not-so-recent) grads who want to hang out in town, all fighting for the same few positions. And they have the advantage of having a few "connections" in the area.

You don't say why you moved to CH, but I would recommend finding another town where there are more jobs AND fewer others in your same boat competing for them.

[ncsualum2004]

I always see tons of ads for looking a babysitter or nanny. I remember one friend graduating at the worse time was time able to get a job as a nanny with no experience (of course the pay was horrible). Check The Daily Tar Heel and The Chronicle.

Also if you do a search I know a few websites have been mentioned for nanny jobs.

[wjsluvskaz]

Originally Posted by lovebrentwood

For others reading this, think of this as why some on this board advise, "Don't move here without a job."

We've seen many people similarly suffer.

Ditto

[sandycat]

If you're a violin teacher, check out High Strung in Durham. Maybe you can get on their violin teacher list. Also, Music and Arts (in Durham) they contract out music teachers.

[myNC]

Try sologig.com. I do not know about jobs in your specialty but there are lots of jobs out there