I nailed it baby!!!!!!

[Trialbyfire]

Lb, this is the worst economic condition that's existed since The Great Depression. Does your fiance understand this?

 

For that matter, do you understand this?

 

RELAX PLSE!!

 

You'll find a job, one way or another but in due time.

[sb129]

LB-

 

I know its tough, and you are impatient to get back to work.

 

Arguing with your fiance isn't going to help matters- he needs to be supportive, he did say a few weeks back that he would support you during this time, so its time for him to step up and keep his word.

 

Keep in mind that in the current economic climate, there are many people in your situation- and that is going to have an impact on how easily and quickly you get a job. (any job) Its very competitive out there.

 

You aren't unemployable, and you have qualifications and experience.

 

Have faith in yourself and patience.

[sb129]

Ah snap TBF.

[Lauriebell82]

LB-

 

I know its tough, and you are impatient to get back to work.

 

Arguing with your fiance isn't going to help matters- he needs to be supportive, he did say a few weeks back that he would support you during this time, so its time for him to step up and keep his word.

 

Keep in mind that in the current economic climate, there are many people in your situation- and that is going to have an impact on how easily and quickly you get a job. (any job) Its very competitive out there.

 

You aren't unemployable, and you have qualifications and experience.

 

Have faith in yourself and patience.

 

Fiance has been supportive but now he thinks I'm to blame because I am going on interviews and applying for all these jobs and not getting them. He says that I am saying the wrong thing in trying to explain why/how I got terminated from my job and it looks bad that I am unemployed and trying to find a job. So it just makes me feel even worse. Thank goodness that he is supportive about supporting us and that we don't need money..that would be a heck of a lot worse.

 

You are right that what is happening is people who are overqualified for entry level jobs are applying for them and beating me out because I have only the minimum requirements.

 

I can't even get Giant Eagle to call me back, how sad is that?

[Lauriebell82]

Lb, this is the worst economic condition that's existed since The Great Depression. Does your fiance understand this?

 

For that matter, do you understand this?

 

RELAX PLSE!!

 

You'll find a job, one way or another but in due time.

 

I understand it, I think he does somewhat but feels that all these places are hiring and that I should be able to get these jobs.

 

He wants me to take my job off my resume but then it looks like I have this huge gap in my resume AND it's my only experience. Plus I'm pretty sure that's fraud and it would be easy for an employer to find out that I worked there. THEN if I do get hired or find out after the interview they will suspect something and find it weird I lied. So that will not work and he doesn't understand that. I think he is just frustrated because I keep having these breakdowns.

[sb129]

He is NOT being supportive if he is telling you you are doing something "wrong".

Thats clearly not helping your morale.

 

Lets face it- you are over qualified to work at Giant Eagle- and they know it, and they are probably also getting hundreds of applicants for their jobs.

 

If I were an employer, I would prefer to employ someone who wasn't going to leave as soon as something "better" came along. So don't be offended by that.

 

cast your net wider. Look at ALL the jobs in the employment sections of your paper/ internet jobsearch.

 

There may be jobs that you haven't thought of that you are capable of doing.

 

Many of my friends have degrees in this that and the other, and they don't work in that specific "field", they work in jobs that required them to have a degree.

 

Think of it this way- there could be a career out there for you that you haven't even considered but could be perfect for.....

[Trialbyfire]

I understand it, I think he does somewhat but feels that all these places are hiring and that I should be able to get these jobs.

 

He wants me to take my job off my resume but then it looks like I have this huge gap in my resume AND it's my only experience. Plus I'm pretty sure that's fraud and it would be easy for an employer to find out that I worked there. THEN if I do get hired or find out after the interview they will suspect something and find it weird I lied. So that will not work and he doesn't understand that. I think he is just frustrated because I keep having these breakdowns.

It's time he was more supportive. It's not like you're doing this on purpose. And it's not as if you can magically create a position that's just right.

 

It's talk time Lb. What he's doing is not helpful and if anything is detrimental to you right now. He's got to understand that it's no fun for you and you're trying to do the best you can.

 

As for removing the only experience you have on your resume, I agree that's not a good idea.

[Trialbyfire]

Snap again, sb!

[sb129]

Def don't remove that experience from your resume.

 

TBF is right- you aren't doing this on purpose. Your fiance should understand that.

[Lauriebell82]

It's time he was more supportive. It's not like you're doing this on purpose. And it's not as if you can magically create a position that's just right.

 

It's talk time Lb. What he's doing is not helpful and if anything is detrimental to you right now. He's got to understand that it's no fun for you and you're trying to do the best you can.

 

As for removing the only experience you have on your resume, I agree that's not a good idea.

 

Yeah, I've tried to talk to him but he just isn't getting it. I'm sick of arguing over the whole thing all the time, it's just making matters worse. We had two arguments about it over the weekend..we NEVER fight like that. I'm going to try and sit him down tonight and discuss it while we are both calm and not in the mist of an argument. He's a stubborn boy.

 

It honestly doesn't even matter what I say about why I don't have a job, they are going to hire who they want. If they really want me they aren't going to care if I'm unemployed or the fact that I "left" my previous job before finding another.

 

Also what sb suggested about looking in other fields: I actually had the same idea but unfortunately most of those jobs require business experience and/or some kind of business degree. Grrrr....

[Star Gazer]

Your fiance is being a huge twit, LB. He's not being supportive at all! NO ONE has job security. Anything could happen. Even the biggest companies in the country go belly-up, or have huge layoffs. He's not safe either. What's going to happen later on down the road when you two hit another hurdle (because there are always hurdles in life)?

 

Anyway.

 

FWIW... In California, it takes an employee earning $20K an average of one month to find alternative employment, and an additional month for each additional $10K in salary. The more you make, the harder it is to find work, because there simply are less positions. Add to the fact that you're in a specialized field, and not just "sales" or something, and that makes it a little more difficult.

 

In other words, have PATIENCE. I realize your F isn't helping matters, but take a deep breath, and relax a little. Employers can sense desperation too.

 

It honestly doesn't even matter what I say about why I don't have a job....

 

Wrong, wrong, wrong, LB. It absolutely matters. The reasons you left, or at least the reasons you convey to them () are VERY important to a prospective employer. Don't fool yourself there.

 

If anything, you can simply say something like this:

 

"It wasn't a good fit for me, or my employer. I wasn't in a position that would enable me to grow, and to help the company in return. Thankfully, I have a great support system in place to allow me to look for a job that IS the right fit, and this position just may be it!"

 

Do NOT remove your most recent employer from your resume. Just don't.

 

Are there any temp agencies in your area that fill even office/clerical positions in your field? They don't always just fill temp positions... many are temp-to-hire, or even permanent positions.

 

Keep lookin'!

[Lauriebell82]

I GOT AN INTERVIEW!!!! (And I just applied yesterday!)

 

It's an impatient psychiatric hospital for adolescents, which is perfect because I can deflect off my previous D & A job. (drug and alcohol)

 

She asked me over the phone if I still had a job (my resume says no) and I told her no. She asked why I left my other job so I said along the lines of what SG said:

 

"Well, it just wasn't a good fit and I felt like I wasn't growing as a counselor and I want a chance to expland my knowledge base. I know that impatient treatment is challenging and a great learning experience which would be perfect for my career goals right now."

 

She seemed to like that and asked me to come in for an interview.

 

Oh, did I mention it is in the high 30k WITH full benefits! I will NEVER get another offer like that with my experience. I need to practice interview questions with my fiance.

 

Oh we had a talk and he apologized for being unsupportive. He said he understands that this is hard for me and he is going to try and be more patient. He said he knows this isn't my fault that it's just the economy, but he hates to see me pissed off and miserable all the time. So he is going to try and be more supportive.

[allina]

That sounds great LB.

 

If you don't mind, run a few things by us.

 

What will you say if they ask you the following;

 

*Why do you want this position?

*What do you feel like you would contribute?

*What, if anything will you do differently here than at your last position?

*You said your last position didn't give you room to gain knowledge and to grow as a counselor. What sort of environment do you feel would provide you with room to grow and learn.

*Why should we hire you?

 

Also, please do some research on this specific place. Try to get a feel for how they work, their attitude and what they're looking for.

[Lauriebell82]

Okay Ms. Interviewer, I will give it a shot!

 

*Why do you want this position?

- have always had an interest in impatient pyschiatric treatment, as my background/training is in mental health treatment. In reading about your company I feel that I have many qualities and attributes that would fit the position.

 

*What do you feel like you would contribute?

-I read on your website that you work specifically with CBT, which I have incorporated into my treatment of individuals. I feel comfortable utilizing that model and feel I could do well.

 

*What, if anything will you do differently here than at your last position?

Not sure of that answer yet..

 

*You said your last position didn't give you room to gain knowledge and to grow as a counselor. What sort of environment do you feel would provide you with room to grow and learn.

I want to work in an environment where I will be learning something different everyday. I know impatient treatment is a wonderful way to gain knowledge and I am very interested in working with children and adolescents.

 

*Why should we hire you?

-I am very interested in working in this type of environment and I know I would be very good at this job.

 

Also, please do some research on this specific place. Try to get a feel for how they work, their attitude and what they're looking for

 

Done.

Edited October 6, 2009 by a LoveShack.org Moderator

[allina]

Sounds good LB, good answers.

 

I would add a little more details and include some things about you that demonstrate that you would do very well with children and adolescents.

 

Maybe you feel that as a young counselor you relate well to adolescence. Have you ever worked on any special projects that relate to this field? Were you in a club in high school that included helping people?

 

It's always helpful to provide some details to what you tell them.

[Lauriebell82]

Sounds good LB, good answers.

 

I would add a little more details and include some things about you that demonstrate that you would do very well with children and adolescents.

 

Maybe you feel that as a young counselor you relate well to adolescence. Have you ever worked on any special projects that relate to this field? Were you in a club in high school that included helping people?

 

It's always helpful to provide some details to what you tell them.

 

Yeah, that's a good idea. You are right that I relate well to adolescents, mostly the clients I worked with at my last job were fairly young like me because my supervisors saw that they opened up to me and I developed a good working relationship. I could mention something like that?

 

They use this specific model which I have experience using..at my last job however they focused more on indept therapy and less on solutions and brief types of therapy. I feel that brief therapy is more effective because it does not create dependence and teaches the clients tools that they can use once they have completed their treatment. That's stuff I found on there website so I'm glad that I got that type of info, it will definately help me.

 

Do you think those would be some good things to say and elaborate on?

[allina]

Yeah, that's a good idea. You are right that I relate well to adolescents, mostly the clients I worked with at my last job were fairly young like me because my supervisors saw that they opened up to me and I developed a good working relationship. I could mention something like that?

 

They use this specific model which I have experience using..at my last job however they focused more on indept therapy and less on solutions and brief types of therapy. I feel that brief therapy is more effective because it does not create dependence and teaches the clients tools that they can use once they have completed their treatment. That's stuff I found on there website so I'm glad that I got that type of info, it will definately help me.

 

Do you think those would be some good things to say and elaborate on?

 

Yeah, that sounds great LB

 

I'm obviously not familiar with your field but these are some good, solid responses.

[SadandConfusedWA]

LB, I would expand a bit on all answers. You need to add some real life examples, otherwise your answers can sound too generic/rehearsed.

 

Good luck!

[Lauriebell82]

LB, I would expand a bit on all answers. You need to add some real life examples, otherwise your answers can sound too generic/rehearsed.

 

Good luck!

 

Thanks!

 

Yeah, you are right that I need to give some real life answers. She'll probably ask when I implemented that type of therapy or give an example of something I did to help a particular client. It may help to justify what happened at my other job by talking about how I like the type of therapy that they do at the hospital and how in methadone treatment they don't like doing that as much.

 

I think my ace in the whole will be to capitalize on the type of therapy they do there and the mission of their facility.

[allina]

LB, if they are interested in you they may drill you on your prior job and what went wrong, you might have to admit to any errors or wrong doings on your part.

 

If this happens don't get defensive. Tell them that this was your first position in the field, and though it wasn't a good fit you appreciate the experience and everything that you learned.

 

Tell them that you have spent time reflecting on what you could have done better at your previous job and learned a lot about your strengths as a counselor, as well as areas you want to improve on.

[Lauriebell82]

LB, if they are interested in you they may drill you on your prior job and what went wrong, you might have to admit to any errors or wrong doings on your part.

 

If this happens don't get defensive. Tell them that this was your first position in the field, and though it wasn't a good fit you appreciate the experience and everything that you learned.

 

Tell them that you have spent time reflecting on what you could have done better at your previous job and learned a lot about your strengths as a counselor, as well as areas you want to improve on.

 

Yeah, the problem is that I don't know what went wrong exactly. They didn't tell me why they terminated me except for some very vague explanation. So I don't even know what I would admit to really...

 

But I like your explanation, it was good.

 

Oh yeah, I got another interview like 10 minutes ago.

[Trialbyfire]

When it rains, it pours! Good luck, Lb!

[sb129]

 

- have always had an interest in impatient pyschiatric treatment, as my background/training is in mental health treatment. In reading about your company I feel that I have many qualities and attributes that would fit the position.

 

Great news LB!

 

Sorry to be picky, but please please please don't say "impatient"- its "inpatient". I know you know this, but it looks sloppy if you write it in any applications...

 

Good LUCK for the interviews.

[Lauriebell82]

Great news LB!

 

Sorry to be picky, but please please please don't say "impatient"- its "inpatient". I know you know this, but it looks sloppy if you write it in any applications...

 

Good LUCK for the interviews.

 

Oh, haha, typo.

 

Thanks!

[TwinkletOes26]

CONGRATS LB ~throws confetti~