The one problem I keep running into is that I don't have valid experience. i.e. experience in the field I'm pursuing. Well, doesn't my degree say anything? Apparently not. Since having a college education is more common these days than say, 10 years ago. Which makes me think, that if one cannot do internships while attending school (because of the need for a regular paying job or some other factor), should someone go to work straight out of high school and then go to college after gaining some experience?
The other concern is my resume. At least, it wasn't a concern until I met with a successful businessman yesterday who caused me to question it. Yet, he had peeked at my resume and it must have caught his attention to call me into his office for a meeting. He told me the average amount of time someone looks at a resume is about 10 seconds, so it needs to stand out. He also asked me something that I am still pondering and has led me to posting a poll on Facebook..."Why is your education listed first? Why not your experience/skills?" I felt a gulp develop in my throat as I considered my answer.
"Well, that's how I was told to do it"
"By who?" he said, causing the knot in my stomach to grow.
"My professors....and a few other students and friends"
He found this interesting, and now so do I. So I'm still debating and polling on which is correct. So far, a majority of the responses I've been receiving lean toward listing education first. While a few other friends who don't have college degrees (coincidence maybe?), say to list experience first. Then I have one friend who responded by saying that it depends on which is more relevant to the position you are applying for. Which seems like the best reasoning.
I did find this article regarding resumes and why one may not be working, yet I am already aware of everything it has listed: 10 Reasons Your Resume Isn't Getting You Interviews so I don't think my resume is entirely the problem (I'm 90% sure it's not).
It wasn't until yesterday that I questioned my resume, maybe I should? I have sent it to at least 100 (probably more) job postings, with no success. (Well, I shouldn't say none entirely, I did go on two interviews that led nowhere.)
Then again, in such a highly competitive job market, it really could be just about WHO you know and not WHAT you know. This man, who I met for the first time yesterday through a family friend, is going out of his way to contact some people for me! I tried not to seem overexcited yesterday when he listed multiple people or places he had connections to, but I am! Even if it doesn't get me a job right away, but it gets me interviews or gets my resume into more hands, it gives me more of a chance. One thing that worries me though is my lack of experience (it always comes back to experience!). I am eager and willing to learn, I'm like a puppy ready to be trained! But this nice man gave me some other important (and frustrating) information––employers don't want to waste time or money training people, they want someone who already knows how to do the job and can get right to work. For every job there is an average of 5 people able to do the same job. So why not choose the person with 5, 10, or more years of experience? Thus, leaving me (and other college grads) in the dust.
One last thing he told me about the current state of the job market, "you need to be specialized". It used to be good to be well-rounded, but now people want you to be focused on one thing or in one field. Which I sort of realized, considering most people getting jobs are those in demanding fields (i.e. anything related to health). Now I need to focus on myself and what I want to do, which is difficult since I am well-rounded, I like a lot of different things and I'm willing to learn and do new things. It's also difficult since I only did one internship and lack *ding ding ding* experience, to know in which direction I definitely want to go. My fear is I do get a job as an editorial assistant or in a publishing company or as whatever, and what if I hate it?! Then what? What's plan B? Go back to school? I hated school, it took me 5 years to get my Bachelors, I don't want to do that again. Get a Masters? In what?
I DON'T KNOW....Because I NEED EXPERIENCE. Ha!
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