Picking Up The Pieces And Starting Over

[OnlySunshine]

I was hoping some of you could give me some advice on what to do now that I'm seriously looking for employment.  I am very worried that I have damaged my job record beyond repair and no one will hire me.  Because of health issues and stress, I left a lot of my jobs without giving 2 weeks notice and, hence, have burned my bridges.  I also do not have any job references (except for maybe my last job at the nursing home) because most of my old bosses have moved to new jobs as well and I haven't kept up with them.  Nowadays, most job applications ask for references and I don't know who to ask to be one.  I am hesitant to use someone I know at Church (although that's where I am the most active).  I haven't held any volunteer positions besides at Church.

 

My major is Office Administration with a focus in the Medical Office.  I'm going to take a semester off (Fall 2013) because 3 classes that I need to finish my degree aren't offered until Spring and I don't want to take just one course since I'm on limited financial aid which is only available 9 more semesters.  I would like to utilize the financial aid for my Bachelor's degree as well.  The one major thing I have on my side is that I made the President's List last semester since I was full-time and made all "A" averages.  I made "A" averages the previous semester but was one credit short of being full-time.  The problem is that, like my work record, I've damaged my educational transcript by not taking courses seriously and, thus, my grade point average is below 2.5 (until after this semester since I am making all "A" grades) even though I'm making significant progress to raise it.  My mom and my therapist have both suggested I try to get special consideration for people with disabilities since I have depression and adult ADD and both have negatively impacted my history.  I'm hoping to get accepted early to the university so I don't have to put off nursing school for another year while I finish this degree, especially since it is not my long-term career choice of working in a Medical Office.

 

How do I handle this?  I've worked with a Vocational Rehabilitation specialist and got no where.  Many people have suggested I look into working as a volunteer for a while but I really need to get a money-making job now since I have a car again and need to pay insurance and gas bills.  Any advice you can give is appreciated.  :)

[OnlySunshine]

Oh, and I should mention that I have looked into temp work.  I am still looking into temp agencies in my area.  :)

[arfink]

I don't know quite what to say, except I've been stuck in a situation similar, though not as serious, as yours. I went to seminary, got a degree that's not useful for anything, and don't have a good work history, not because of bridge burning, but because it's just really short. I couldn't hold down much other than a summer fast food job during all my years of college, and that makes my resume look horrible, because there is this big hole in it. I've also got adult ADD, and it does make things really really challenging for me.

 

But I had to start doing something that I wanted to do for work, even if it meant not being paid for it. Partly so that I wouldn't go crazy, and partly because I needed experience. Now, in my case I got very lucky because I live at home with my parents and have next to nothing for bills, just my student loans and a cell phone.

 

I've just jumped from one temporary part-time job to the next, because it's all I have right now. I don't know what else to say. Not a single job that I have worked so far in my life has been directly connected to my schooling, and I think that will probably be the case as long as I live. That's sadly true for most college grads.

 

I guess the most important lesson I learned is not to give up on the hunt. Get something to cover the expenses, maybe part time, and always keep hunting for something else. It's all I could ever manage, and so far it's not great, but it's been enough. I am not sure how I'm going to eventually break out of it, but maybe some day I'll know. I'll keep you posted.

[franciscanheart]

Lower your standards? A good friend of mine just graduated from a very well-known university here in the south and is at the top of her class. She was active, employed, and very well studied throughout her entire academic career. And where is she working while she decides her next move? A restaurant at a mall nearby. She'll be a server in about a week.

Finding the perfect position isn't going to happen -- at least not right now.

A girl I know from church works at our local JoAnn's. She manages.

An old friend's dad got a temp job at Starbucks at over 50 years old because he had bills to pay and had no other substantial options.

McDonald's hires regularly and pays well, I'm told. Another friend speaks well of her employment at JambaJuice.

[4588686]

[Papist]

I don't know why you quit the others jobs, perhaps stress. Get a very low-stress job. A job that is easy not to take home. 

[OnlySunshine]

Lower your standards? A good friend of mine just graduated from a very well-known university here in the south and is at the top of her class. She was active, employed, and very well studied throughout her entire academic career. And where is she working while she decides her next move? A restaurant at a mall nearby. She'll be a server in about a week.

Finding the perfect position isn't going to happen -- at least not right now.

A girl I know from church works at our local JoAnn's. She manages.

An old friend's dad got a temp job at Starbucks at over 50 years old because he had bills to pay and had no other substantial options.

McDonald's hires regularly and pays well, I'm told. Another friend speaks well of her employment at JambaJuice.

 

My standards aren't high.  I just applied to two jobs at Chili's -- both applications were to be a hostess in different locations.  I realize, since my job history is bad, I'm going to have a tough time finding something if I hold out for a job in office work.  :)

 

I've also applied to work as an Infant Room Teacher at a local preschool since I have experience working in Early Childhood Education.

Edited June 3, 2013 by MaterMisericordiae

[OnlySunshine]

I don't know why you quit the others jobs, perhaps stress. Get a very low-stress job. A job that is easy not to take home. 

 

Mostly, I quit because my depression was not well controlled.  Now that it is, I'm in a much better position to work and I have the coping skills necessary to succeed.  :)

[CatherineM]

If you can find a job, make your own. Print a business card and hit every small business in town. Offer to come in one day a week or half a day to help with their bookkeeping or coorespondence, or updating their spreadsheets. Whatever you are ae to do.

You could get a wash bucket and do window washing. Mow lawns. Flip burgers. Rebuild your resume at an ordinary job. All work or any work is worthwhile. We even did bottle picking to pay off our first mortgage.

[Eowyn]

When I did temp work, the rep from the agency was very helpful in updating my resume.  Is there a hospital or nursing home in the area?  There are sometimes openings for help in transporting patients or in the dietary depts.

[Luigi]

Definitely ask the people at your parish to write letters of recommendation. 

 

If, during job interviews, they ask you why you worked so many jobs, why you left without giving notice, or anything else of which you're not proud, look them straight in the eye and say, "I was a lot younger then. I had some medical problems that weren't well controlled. I've matured a lot since then. I've been very successful in my college classes, I'm active in my church, and I'm confident that I can do this job." 

[arfink]

If you can find a job, make your own. Print a business card and hit every small business in town. Offer to come in one day a week or half a day to help with their bookkeeping or coorespondence, or updating their spreadsheets. Whatever you are ae to do.

You could get a wash bucket and do window washing. Mow lawns. Flip burgers. Rebuild your resume at an ordinary job. All work or any work is worthwhile. We even did bottle picking to pay off our first mortgage.

 

This is an awesome idea. I've done some of this. :)

[OnlySunshine]

All good suggestions, thanks.  :)

Edited June 3, 2013 by MaterMisericordiae

[franciscanheart]

My standards aren't high.  I just applied to two jobs at Chili's -- both applications were to be a hostess in different locations.  I realize, since my job history is bad, I'm going to have a tough time finding something if I hold out for a job in office work.  :)
 
I've also applied to work as an Infant Room Teacher at a local preschool since I have experience working in Early Childhood Education.

That's great! Best of luck.

[Anastasia13]

Sounds like you are a student. You can use a professor as a reference.  Use ones you got to know or did well in the class taught by.

 

If you can advertise tutoring on campus to bring in a couple $20s a month, and develop relationships with a professor if you know he has a lot of struggling students. (That course that have the major struggles with perhaps?)

 

If you can handle a small investment, you can probably become a traveling notary and market yourself like that.

 

If you do volunteer while you job hunt, you can do a few hours a week where you will gain valuable experience and references while being able to do other job hunting and leave quickly if you get a temp job. This happened to a lot of people at the place I used to volunteer at-just make sure it is a position that gets you some sort of job skills, like administration or something.

Edited June 3, 2013 by Light and Truth