What does a person like me do? (Full Version)

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supernova1976 -> What does a person like me do? (9/19/2008 11:38:15 AM)

I am in school but I do not have a degree and no credentials. I am not a good sales person and the only ads for no experience are sales jobs willing to train. I am a single parent and alimony will run out soon. I have not worked since 1997. Most ads want at least 1-2 years experience. What do I do?



NoShow -> RE: What does a person like me do? (9/19/2008 11:56:13 AM)

Network.



Focusing -> RE: What does a person like me do? (9/19/2008 1:49:53 PM)

What did you do when you did work? Can you get back into that? (Do you want to?)

Something important to remember: "ads" are oftentimes used to weed people out. Just because you don't have 1-2 years of experience in that field, if you have have some work experience, indicate the ability to work, and have a good attitude, that can be enough to get your foot in the door at a lot of places! Don't sell yourself short ... from talking with people in HR, they are looking for employees who are dependable and have a can-do attitude.

Being a single mom doesn't equate to a negative thing. You need to work, want to work, are determined to work, and are working towards bettering yourself ... these are positives. [:)]



stellaluna -> RE: What does a person like me do? (9/19/2008 2:07:27 PM)

What are you studying?

Have you looked at your school's job board?



rgod -> RE: What does a person like me do? (9/20/2008 11:39:04 PM)

I'd do a couple of things.

First, I'd talk to a professor or two in your department (or an advisor). They might help you with identifying some openings in your field so that you aren't stuck with sales - which it sounds like you don't like. They might be able to get you a job at the school - recommend that you get some sort of grant or something like that to help with your tuition (so more money can go towards your kids), or help you with getting the experiences you need to get an entry level position.

I'd also talk to the career center in your school. They might be able to help you with placement. Find out if there is some sort of alumni network for your college. They might be willing to help you get started.

I'm not sure where you'd find out this information - but I'd start trying to figure out what kinds of help you might be able to get that might help you until you find a job that pays enough (for when alimony runs out). In Florida there are programs to help women in situations like yours - they pay for childcare or other things while you are looking for a job (or while you are working) - if you make under a certain amount of money. It might tide you over for a few months until you can get on your feet.

Where are you looking for jobs? Aside from networking with professors, friends, the career center, church, family, etc. - check online sources. Aside from Monster.com and Careerbuilder - don't forget to check Craigslist.com and Indeed.com. Check the job boards from your school as well. Look into COOPS - if your alimony will last you another semester or so, perhaps you can get a COOP that will give you experience and pay at the same time. The pay isn't that much often, but it will be enough to help you get your foot in the door. Plus - you usually get credits as well - so you won't miss school.

And don't overlook some of the non-sales entry level type positions. Even if they list a certain type of credential - you might want to try anyway if you think you can do the job. All they can really say to you is no. You never know what doors might open.



creationtalk -> RE: What does a person like me do? (9/21/2008 12:00:53 PM)

quote:

I am in school but I do not have a degree and no credentials. I am not a good sales person and the only ads for no experience are sales jobs willing to train. I am a single parent and alimony will run out soon. I have not worked since 1997. Most ads want at least 1-2 years experience. What do I do?


Do a little research in your future career field--find out which companies in your area do work in that area, go to their website for job listings. Contact the companies and see if one might have a part time trainee position you could take.

Can you clean houses? This is something you might be able to do with a flexible schedule. You can post business card in various places where people who might want someone to clean might go--laundromats are NOT a good place for this since most people who can afford a cleaner can also afford a washing machine.

I don't know about your area, but fast food joints are always hiring around here. Servers in upscale restaurants make pretty good money most of the time. Many of these type jobs are also part time, evenings and weekends.



Lady_of_Faith -> RE: What does a person like me do? (9/24/2008 10:41:48 AM)

Check with your school's career center. If you have the time, you may want to take a course on career/life planning. I completed a course last year and it really helped me pinpoint my skills necessary for the career I chosen.

Good Luck



Laminin -> RE: What does a person like me do? (10/12/2008 11:04:31 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: supernova1976

I am in school but I do not have a degree and no credentials. I am not a good sales person and the only ads for no experience are sales jobs willing to train. I am a single parent and alimony will run out soon. I have not worked since 1997. Most ads want at least 1-2 years experience. What do I do?



I agree with NoShow; network. Get out, meet people, and get yourself in networks that can aid in the need you have. Of course, the infamous question we all over look :) what are you good at? Toddler rangling? Administration work?



sudden -> RE: What does a person like me do? (10/15/2008 4:20:31 PM)

Dear SuperNova:

What a great name. One from which great things will be expected!

Only something like 3% of all jobs are advertised.

How do you get a job? Talk to everyone you meet. Tell them that you are looking for work. Tell them what your skill set is and what you would like to do.

Don't forget that you have capabilities that will be useful to your future employer even although you have not used them "on the job" yet. Be prepared to speak about them. and don't forget your wonderful assets either! such as your empathy for co-workers or whatever it is that you have. Brag a little!

Make a list of all your positive traits. I'll bet many employers will want you now.

You go girl!

Yours for getting back on your horse and showin' em how to ride,

Sudden



redeemedsaint -> RE: What does a person like me do? (10/18/2008 1:36:40 PM)

Start with some temp agencies in your area. You would work for a lot of different companies in various types of jobs. It is worth a try. Good Luck.



vicbhe -> RE: What does a person like me do? (10/19/2008 10:35:19 AM)

Since you mentioned sales I just wanted to touch on that one. I been is sales for 13 years now. A lot of pressure, both from upper management and yourself. Sales is a broad term that represents many types of jobs. It could be a company representative that is fully trained on the products a company provides. This position may actually require little selling and more product support to existing customers. Good people skills are what is most important here.
The sales postions that are selling a product or service and are salaried and maybe plus commision, are often going to require a proven track record or some sort of business degree. If the company is willing to pay you to learn and pay your expenses to sell their product, that is a good poistion as they are sure of their products.
The sales positions that hire just anyone off the street who is willing to give it a try are often commision only, high pressure sales selling a overpriced product that no one would actually walk into a store and buy. They hire anyone willing to try because there is such a high turnover in sales people. I'm not saying that to discourage you from trying to get one of these jobs, just be knowledgable about what your getting into. High commissions + zero sales still= zero income. Been there done that.
Then there is retail sales, such as working a department store or being a customer service rep. People skills are what they are looking for.
I do understand your situation as I am pretty much in the same; divorced a few years ago, raising 3 kids, business failed with the economy, filed bankruptcy, lost house and all, and wondering how Im going to feed these kids and get my feet back on the ground while trying to go to school and learn a new career myself.
It can be quite overwhelming at times but I would encourage you 'don't lose heart'. I'll say it again...Don't lose heart! God is still in control, he knows your situation and he already has a plan...... and sooner or later he will be kind enough to share that plan with you.....laughing. I know, it's frustrating sometimes when we know in our heart God will provide, yet we sit and look at an empty refridgerator supported by our empty bank account which is being replinished by our zero income.



NotDoneYet -> RE: What does a person like me do? (10/19/2008 10:59:03 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: redeemedsaint

Start with some temp agencies in your area. You would work for a lot of different companies in various types of jobs. It is worth a try. Good Luck.


I agree...at different times in my life when I needed a job FAST, I would sign with temp agencies. I rarely had to wait more than a week to be placed somewhere. Some of the jobs were great, some weren't...but it kept a steady paycheck coming in...

Also, I second the looking for co-op opportunities...that's how I finished my degree and got into the field I'm in now...many employers will make deals like a "loan" for tuition that will be forgiven at the rate of 6 months employment for each semester they paid for. I went to school for free (except for the cost of books), worked 3 semesters, got a 15% raise the day I graduated, and now make well over the nat'l median income...

You can do it!!!

NDY



Row1 -> RE: What does a person like me do? (10/24/2008 1:57:42 PM)

to figure out what skills you have:

figure out your top five work accomplishments. what five things would you award yourself a medal for?

these do not have to be payed-for work. could be volunteer. or something you managed to do in your home life. like raising kids, or repainting rooms, making a composting garden, etc.

then, look at those accomplishments and figure out what skills it took, and what about it made you proud.

then brainstorm: where can i apply these skills?
plus, this is what you could tell an employer in an interview.

i taught myself how to build a computer - and felt proud of being able to do it. that is one of my 'top five most proud work accomplishments.' i don't do that for a living. but if the economy gets rough, i may have to!

i would definitely be driven to fix or build/sell computers before being a house cleaner - i would get fired once they saw i cannot clean well! but my wife is the opposite - keeps the house very clean, without much effort, but does not know how to fix things on the computer, and has no desire to learn.



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