another day of job searching (Raleigh, Pembroke: job market, public schools, universities)

[Eeyore1]

I am sorry to keep whining about the same stuff, but I am so impossibly frustrated. I live in Raleigh, and I need a job doing SOMETHING! What does it take to find a job? I have tried every avenue, temp agency, and job placement service. I spend hours a day looking and applying for employment. My biggest problem is that I have no experience doing anything business related, and most of the job postings are for jobs of this nature.

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I fully accept that music was not the best career choice, and the job market is slim. However, I find it hard to believe that three college degrees, doctoral level research, and teaching experience do not qualify me to answer telephones. Since completing my doctorate (2005) I have been working in Raleigh as a waitress. If I have to do this for one more day, I will go crazy. Every day, I hear "You have a doctorate, and you are working as a waitress?" Then that person whips out a corporate gold card, and tips me 10%. Sigh. I really need to find something meaningful. Please, does anyone know where a middle-aged person can apply for an entry level job, and be taken seriously? I do not care so much about the money. It is more important that I just find something. I feel as though I have been married for 20 years, now suddenly I am out in the dating scene and everyone is laughing at me. I've heard all of the "overqualified/underqualified" arguments. Somewhere out there, there has to be a job for someone like me. Moderator cut: removed

[Tar Heel Smitty]

Try any of the local university music departments?

Keep trying the local Universities for jobs, there are a lot out there, but there is also a lot of competition.

[Eeyore1]

Thanks, Tar Hell Smitty. I guess I should include that teaching college level music IS my career of choice, and is the one I have pursued with the most energy. Even at a national level, jobs in my field are scare - ten or so per year (not an exaggeration!)

I did teach part-time for a while at UNC Pembroke, but the drive was killing me. In retrospect, I should have kept the job anyway.

[SunnyKayak]

Look at your resume and pay attention to any special skill or attribute that gets repeated with several jobs and make that your strong point to put strength in and when an interviewer or HR look at your resume make sure it caters to that company.

Try to think of your days doing music and waiting and think of jobs that was not exactly in that field but related and find out what those posistions are and apply for them.

For instance you stated you waited tables .
Waiting tables involves customer service so make customer service your strong pointt if you are applying for customer service type work which is abundant in the area.

I am not familiar with the music field so it kinda hard for me to brain storm related but not related type work.

You stated teaching try child care, tutoring, child development and disabilities, childrens healthcare , etc

I see quite a bit on this forum people looking for someone to teach their kids how to play musical instruments this might be rewarding for you to do on the side until you get a client base built up or relief after a day in a cubicle farm job.

The above is just ideas to help you try to think of options. I been there before with the day of looking for work and thinking so now what do I do and what skills did I really pick up.

Try to set goals as if you was working and had to do work goals so that you can stay focus and treat job hunting like a job start at such and such time on Wed and work 6 hours til Friday.

Good luck

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

What types of music teaching jobs have you applied for? Are you willing to consider elementary / High Scool or only university? What is your ideal music teaching job? What are some alternative ideas within your field that you are considering? I'm not a recruiter, but I will keep an eye out for you.

Best of Luck!

[renee_cal]

I am currently looking for a job in the area but I am not in the area yet. I have heard a few people give me some tips so I hope this helps although I do not have as much degrees as you do.

If you want anything meaningful look outside your field. In other words think outside the box. See if there are anything in the public school system for music teachers even substituting until you find something in your field.

Since you are down there already look for jobs within the state of NC. It may not be in your field but it will be better pay and probably less tedious.

In other words dont just look in your field im sure there are other jobs that can use your degrees. There are plenty of jobs that are looking for someone who has a degree no matter what the degree is in.

Lastly, sad as it may seem you may want to leave out the PHD off your resume. Some companies may not want to pay top dollar for that degree.

Have you thought about working in a hospital or therapy facility doing music therapy?

[Eeyore1]

Originally Posted by North_Raleigh_Guy

What types of music teaching jobs have you applied for? Are you willing to consider elementary / High Scool or only university? What is your ideal music teaching job? What are some alternative ideas within your field that you are considering? I'm not a recruiter, but I will keep an eye out for you.

Best of Luck!

Thank you! You are such a gem. You are very kind and your posts are always warm and positive.

Yes, I have an active application on file with the public schools of NC. There are 5-10 posted openings a year. A few in Wake County. Not kidding. Actually, my certification is from NY, so I am not the most likely candidate for a NC public school job. I have also pursued the private lesson avenue, but that market is already oversaturated with teachers.

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[Tar Heel Smitty]

Wake Co. Schools needs teachers badly, go to their site and check it out. Not sure if they need music teachers though.....

Wake County Public School System

[autumngal]

Sorry, this is not a job board. If you would like more advice on how to interview, tips for your resume etc. you may want to post in the Work and Employment forum or put an ad in the Classifed forum for job wanted.