Depressed!

I feel useless! I just graduated from college about a month ago and I've been looking for a job. No luck. Every day I get up....turn in resume's and nothing....no interviews. I've only had two interviews so far and both seemed disinterested. I feel like I have no skills because my degree is in broadcast journalism.....even though I have proficient computer skills, know html, and can type fast....no one seems to care about that. I just wish I could give my husband a break and he wouldn't have to work so much over time. I always thought that a college degree was a garanteed job....but I guess it means nothing these days and I spent four years in college for nothing. Sorry....just had to vent.

YUP. I think nowadays its more of who you know, than what you know or where'd you learn it.

Heather, it wasn't all for nothing. Trust me on that.

The job market is still pretty tough, but it is getting better. It can take a while to get matched up with the right place.

I don't know if you are desperate enough yet, but have you tried any temp agencies? Even if it's not what you want to do, it can bring in some cash, and it shows some experience on the ol' resume.

I'll have to see if they have something like that in Flagstaff. Thanks for the advice.

Hang in there, my best friend graduated on May 15, and she just started a new job on Monday. Don't give up! I'll be routing for you!

I second the temp agencies. It gives you experience and confidence. Who knows, it may turn into something more. That is how I started after college!

What kind of stuff do you do at a temp agency?

Don't be discouraged. Realize it is only a temporary thing, maddening as that might be right now. I didn't get a "real" job for about a year after getting my master's degree, though I did some temporary things. But things worked out in the end. As I think back about the other friends and relatives who were in similar situations over the years, things worked out eventually for all of them. In a few cases, they had to take very low pay jobs to start, but ended up in higher paying, higher responsibility jobs than they had ever dreamed about. Just keep an open mind and keep telling yourself, "I can take this! I'm strong!"

Please don't worry, I spent 6 months looking for a job (finally I got one ) I spent three years getting my degree and no one wanted to employ me. I only had 3 interviews in six months. Keep applying and keep your spirits up the perfect job is waiting for you somewhere.

Hi there

I used to work for various agencies at the same time and was working every week. The one downside was getting from company to company (I have no car). I loved temping though, met heaps of great people and got lots of good job experience. I actually earned more as a temp than I did when I worked full time. And I had certain benefits from the temp agencies, paid leave days, access to a medical aid, sick days and free training. The only reason I stopped is because we moved to an area with no public transport. In my opinion temping is the best thing that I ever did. Good Luck!

Please don't get discouraged!! It may take months before the "perfect" opportunity comes along. As long as your bills are being paid and you're working at it, don't feel bad about any of it. Does your university have job placement assistance? resume writing helps? interview skills workshops?

Like Jakkie, I registered w/several temp agencies and was always working. I did temp on and off for four years. It was great experience, exposed me to a variety of working environments and helped me to focus toward what I wanted (or in some cases away from what I didn't want) In some cities, temp agencies are the only way to get hired by the big employers.

You can do just about anything through a temp agency - filing, light clerical, industrial, accounting (I've done 'em all, I was known as the Jill of All Trades at one agency) A good agency will sit down and go over your resume,experience and employment goals with you and find out what you'd like to do, then try to match you up with a good assignment. A bad agency will request a copy of your resume, have you do a typing test, tell you they'll call if anything comes up and send you out the door.

If you're patient, extremely flexible and have reliable trans., you can get great things from a temp agency!! I've worked with a few, but by far my favorite (and most helpful) was Randstad Staffing. They're a global agency, based in Holland but they have offices all over the east coast and are expanding every day. Try Express Personnel, too. Don't rule any out, but the national names usually have more opportunities than the little local shops. Feel free to PM me if you want any more details.

Thanks guys!!! Your making me feel much better!

Okay....I found a temp agency here in Flagstaff, and I'm going to talk with them today. I also got a call late last night for an interview at a Dentist's Office. My interview is at 3pm. I'm still waiting for an interview at America West Airlines as a flight attendent. I went to an informational seminar about a week ago and did a pre-interview, and they wrote in the office section: "interview". So I know I'm going to get one, I just don't know when. I am so excited about being a flight attendant, but the training doesn't start until September, and it's two months unpaid....so I still need some temporary work until then. I think my main reason for unemployment is that I have a degree in Broadcast Journalsm, but I've applied at all the stations and there just aren't enough jobs for all the graduates, and when people look at my resume they think I'm only looking for temporary work, and don't want to employ me. Which is true....I didn't go to school for four years for nothing...but I do need to work....what ever it is. Thanks guys for encouraging me not to give up! It helps to know that there are other people out there that have been in my situation. I'm really routing for flight attending....that means I can fly anywhere that the airline flys for free!

I'm kind of in the same place you are - I graduated five years ago but have decided to change careers, so I am looking for a new job! I'm also considering temping, so it's nice to read more about it from people who have done it.

Originally Posted by HFrodoC

I'm really routing for flight attending....that means I can fly anywhere that the airline flys for free!

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AWA is the only startup airline that is profitable. You are interviewing with one that may still be here in a couple of years. If you interview, take a couple of words from someone who flies a lot!

1. Don't even mention the free flights at any point during the interview.
2. think communication an customer service.
3. Impress people with your love of meeting new people.


On the down side, lots of travel and lots of living out of hotels but it is FUN sometimes. And the perks are nice!

Good luck!

Heather, I can empathize with you. Last September I was laid off for about 5 months before landing a job. And even still the job I got isn't as good as the one I had before and it certainly doesn't use my education and abilities. But seriously, one month is not very long at all. Especially being fresh out of school. I think you've gotten some excellent suggestions here. Temp agency are a great way to get your foot in the door and a great way to obtain some experience. It's not the dream job. But that may not come for years down the line. Everyone had to start somewhere and that fresh start will come along for you just when you don't expect it. Hang in there!

Originally Posted by Mark Kumpf

AWA is the only startup airline that is profitable. You are interviewing with one that may still be here in a couple of years. If you interview, take a couple of words from someone who flies a lot!

1. Don't even mention the free flights at any point during the interview.
2. think communication an customer service.
3. Impress people with your love of meeting new people.


On the down side, lots of travel and lots of living out of hotels but it is FUN sometimes. And the perks are nice!

Good luck!

Click to expand...

Hey thanks for the advice, how do you know so much about AWA? Do you work for them? I know a pilot, a previous flight attendant and a ticket counter rep. I actually think traveling is fun, so I see that as a perk, but I can see where living out of a hotel can go from fun to not so fun quickly. A friend of mine who did this for the same airline said she loved it for about three months and then she missed her own bed.

All these folks are right on. I was downsized after 28 years with one company and have since worked with 5 different companies. I am 58 and it is difficult to get a decent job when competing with all you younger folks and even harder to be out there "pounding the pavement" looking for a job at this age. But the job you want will come, all you need do is be patient and do what you can in the meantime.

Good luck on the airlines job. We'll all be rooting for you.

Have you tried posting your resume on internet sites such as monster.com and careerbuilder? After I graduated from college, I took a job over the summer working for developmentally disabled individuals (a field where they are always hiring) and I posted my resume on monster.com. I had a job offer by the end of summer.

GOT A JOB!!!!!!! FINALLY! I now work at the NBC affiliate station in Flagstaff! I'm even doing somthing using my degree! Thanks for all of your support! I love this site!