Can't find a job, depressed (Berkeley: job market, college, closing)

[robertpasa]

I just moved here from SF. I mostly did Word and Excel projects and other mundane office work. I studied computer science a long time ago but never used it much, so I ended up doing these jobs. I didn't work at all 2002-2005 because of laziness and naivete which looks bad on my resume. My only consistent job since was for a year (2008-9) at a law firm where I got $18 per hour doing spreadsheets.

I moved to LA for a number of reasons and signed up with a job agency called Ultimate but then nothing happened. I also called Helpmates and Hart and they just said to send my resume and wait. Nothing happened. I also put my resume on Craiglist every week. One law firm did an interview with me but nothing happened.

I don't know what I'm going to do. I almost want to apply at a fast food place. I did that in Berkeley once and nothing happened.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by robertpasa

I don't know what I'm going to do.

What about going to some place that has jobs?

Would you be willing to leave California?

[CantWait2Leave]

Originally Posted by Charles

What about going to some place that has jobs?

Would you be willing to leave California?

I agree with this.

[yamota]

I say don't give up, even though thousands of people move to California every year and even more thousands are planning to move, you have an edge over them, your'e already there

[Chichappens]

The entire country is low on jobs so no need to move just stay and keep looking and the mean time apply for a mondane job....

[Snort]

I didn't work at all 2002-2005 because of laziness and naivete which looks bad on my resume.

Restated: For four years I pursued enlightenment at the feet of a Buddhist master and obtained a pure state of Nirvana.

[Majin]

Is it *really* that hard to get a job?

If you have a decent personally and dress professional you should be able to get pratically any low paying job at a department store. Do a good job and you can move up to manager quickly. It's really not that hard.

[Chichappens]

Originally Posted by Majin

Is it *really* that hard to get a job?

If you have a decent personally and dress professional you should be able to get pratically any low paying job at a department store. Do a good job and you can move up to manager quickly. It's really not that hard.

my dear the state of Ca has a 13.6 percent unemployment rate and department stores are closing an not hiring...fact Gotchalks just closed last year and Macy's has closed several stores.

[uptown_urbanist]

Yeah, it can be that hard to find a job in LA right now. The easy-to-find fall-back jobs are a thing of the past (and that includes entry level department store jobs); all the other unemployed people already took them. To the OP: keep trying, and try looking at places other than the standard job sites and temp agencies. Some places are starting to hire again (my husband's LA office has recently hired new people, a nice change from a year ago when they were still cutting people on what seemed like a weekly basis). But yes, it is hard, and if you don't have enough savings you might have to figure out an exit strategy. In the meantime keep looking, look directly at company's websites, keep sending out resumes, and try to live as cheaply as possible.

Your situation is the reason why so many people on this forum warn people from moving to LA right now, or at least not making the move without careful consideration of the risks; it's not to squash dreams (as some often think), it's that the reality is that it's a terrible job market, even for those who would make excellent employees and who have stellar resumes.

Do you have an interest in any particular cause? Have you thought about volunteering? Not that the nonprofit world is flush with jobs right now, either (unfortunately!), but you'd get out of the house, meet people, maybe pick up some new skills, and maybe manage to work your way into a position or else find someone, staff or fellow volunteer, who knows someone and will tell you about a job that isn't advertised elsewhere.

[CantWait2Leave]

Originally Posted by Majin

Is it *really* that hard to get a job?

If you have a decent personally and dress professional you should be able to get pratically any low paying job at a department store. Do a good job and you can move up to manager quickly. It's really not that hard.

Sorry, but this isn't true right now. It's also very presumptuous and offensive for many who were laid off. I know many college graduates who are working minimum wage jobs. Where does that leave those who don't have a degree? Unfortunately jobs are hard to come by regardless of your personality and ability to dress nicely. I don't mean to be rude, but you need a reality check.