A Rant/ Needed Advice

[BMX]

With your high levels of sociability maybe you might be a good fit in public affairs, mass comm or communications for that matter. Keep expanding your fields, I agree with you on that.

 

[PrettyBoyAJ]

Yea, Marketing and Sales might be the way the go. With my MBA degree I can get a quick promotion right to Marketing or Sales manager if I have a good track record. That should be an easy 6 figures depending on the company.

Now Im still stressing until I find this job. I honestly wouldn't even feel so pressured if I was living in my own sht... This has taken a big hit on everything in my life. My whole life is on pause.

 

[speed dawg]

PrettyBoyAJ I'd say just lower the level pay. You should be able to find a job making $30,000 a year. Just take whatever, get some experience, then look for bigger jobs when they come. I think that's your issue.

 

[PrettyBoyAJ]

I kind of figured that out. When I'm applying for accounting job typically minimum is 40k. When I applied for marketing jobs it is 30k+. I'm definitely thinking marketing will be a better fit with my social skills. I just need a str8 salaried job so I can get out on my own. I been applying nonstop since I woke up at 10. Indeed, Craigslist, Careerbuilder, Monster, LinkedIn. Just applying for everything. If I don't get any leads by mid week next week I'm printing like 50 copies of my resume and I'm heading to Downtown Atlanta.

My Goal is to get start a job by January 31, 2013. Get an apartment by February 28.

 

[PrettyBoyAJ]

Good stuff Leper. I definately ****ed up big time by not applying hard while in Masters program. If I had did that when I graduated I would have already an another apartment lined up. Completely my fault.

The sales is a great thing. Right now I'm looking for ANYTHING with a base salary of 30,000 in Atlanta. I've been sending resumes all day and checking at least every hour.

Being idle in life is the worst feeling I have ever felt in my life. I honestly don't even feel like eating I feel so horrible. I'm grinding though with these job apps no doubt. I just need someone to give me a chance.

 

[PrettyBoyAJ]

Thank you for the pep talk 5String. I've just sent the email.

 

[5string]

Thank you for the pep talk 5String. I've just sent the email.

Send me a copy so I know what you said brother.

And hang in there. You will not be in your current situation for long. Take a deep breath. Think about your new job, new digs and all that tang you'll be gettin'! Dreams can come true, especially if you are awake.

I envy you for the MBA. Wish I'd have finished grad school. Oh well, when I call it a day here in a few years, gonna go teach American, or American Military history at the college level. Mrs.5string is actually really behind me on this to her credit.

 

[PrettyBoyAJ]

I sent you a copy. and I'm still applying hard. I don't care what happens but I'm confident in fact that I will have some sort of interviews next week. And I have to be confident if I have the interview I will get it. I have been going too hard with these applications. I must get this new apartment in Atlanta by March.

If any of you guys find another job agent good let me know. I use Craigslist, Careerbuilder, Indeed, Experience, Linkedin, and Monsters.

Sent in resumes for Marketing, Finance, Business, Manager. Even have separate Cover Letters for each.

I got one call for an interview (Accountant). The employer is giving 30$ an hour. I also have a phone interview for another company on Tuesday (Accounts Receivable Specialist). Before I go to these interviews I will definitely study more accounting. These places are around 20 minutes from atlanta. With traffic probably 30 but at the end of the day when I start my business I definitely want to be in Atlanta. But I want to get this square paper first.


-----

To any college students reading this thread: Game plan well before you graduate. I passed up interviews for Accounting positions last year just because I wanted to graduate early and didn't want to make an hour commute. Right now its feeling like a big mistake. A huge bit of your confidence comes from being autonomous. I felt like I lost most of it. Don't put yourself in my position.

 

[goundra]

if guys would just take a 3 year hitch witn ARmy, right out of high school, and then, once 21, sign on for a year driving with JB hunt, then get their own used 18wheeler and a 3rd world wife co driver, they'd only have to drive at most 2 more years, then have the money to set up TWO tenant house that will clear them 60k a year each! if they live there and manage the places themself. If they dont wish to stay there, then figure on losing 10k a year each, to let someone live in a free apt and be paid 5k a year to manage the building, and 5k more a year lost to a managment company which checks on the building, your manager, and the books/tax. the place yuo want to locate such income probucing buildings is often in cities/states where you do not wish to live, but 45k a year each, after tax, will give you a fine life style, if you know how, and don't ruin it with kids. Retired in 4-5 years, after leaving Army, age 25-26, set for life, solid investment and life skills, VA to back you up , too.Tax advantages, thru owning the properties in a corporation founed in her country, too.

 

[sageproduct]

Goundra, I just want you to know that I appreciate you and your dedicated trolling because it always makes my day a little brighter

 

[goundra]

yeah, when I say that gravity always works on earth, it's "trolling' cause I know so much more than everyone else and am wiling to post what I know. If I WASN'T way ahead, (about that given subject) then I wouldn't post about it. Most things, I don't post about at all, for that very reason. I don't know enough about it, or don't care a hoot about it, so why post anything about it? When someone else posts the same thing, it's aok. I've been doing the forum thing for 14 years, and I know what the score is, dude.

 

[PrettyBoyAJ]

Well this weekend I spent the weekend at my old apartment (haven't got evicted yet). During this weekend I had time to think about my situation. So what I decided to do was find a job near that Apartment and catch up on my rent payments so I can still live on my own. (rent is only 400$ a month). So tomorrow I'm going to call my old boss at Home Depot and see if I can get my job back. I also applied to places such as Verizon and Sprint. I will call all these places tomorrow and see about me starting as soon as possible. I also have to call the manager of my apartment building and ask her for an extension on my rent. I cannot pay my rent until I start whatever job I get again. I hope the manager of my apt can work with me (she should because I've never been late for rent in 2 years until now) then I will be bouncing from my parents house this week sometime.

While I'm doing this job I will also be looking for a career in Atlanta. Once I get that I will just make a commute for a couple months until I am able to afford my apartment in Atlanta.

Being a car salessmen is also on my mind. Should I find a used dealership or a new dealership. Is the first weeks strictly commission or minimum wage?

 

[sageproduct]

Hey AJ, good luck with everything



Now I don't know why I didn't mention this before...but I totally know of an online job I used to do that might have openings. It's more of a part-time thing, but great for cash as needed because you have complete control over how many hours you work each week. PM me if it sounds appealing at all

 

[AAAgent]

Hey man. You’re in a tough position and it’s not easy motivating yourself when success seems so distant but trust me the fact you’re putting in the effort and critically analyzing where you could be going wrong puts you legions ahead of the other lemmings trying to find work.

Like I mentioned earlier I was in an even worse position than you, having graduated in 2010 with a 2.2 - equivalent to a sub 3.0 gpa. In the UK having a 2.2 is pretty much a death sentence. It was based on extenuating circumstances and I was fortunately accepted on to the masters program, where I proved it was a blip, but that’s another story.

You have (hopefully) a great first degree and an MBA so you have a lot to offer. I remember graduating in summer, feeling like I’d failed everyone, unemployed and frustrated at my self-imposed condition. But this experience along with my time in Asia and my failed oneitis are probably the most significant parts of my adult life. I wouldn't be where I am now without them. You define yourself by how you respond to the most trying moments in your life. The fact you’re here and hungry for success is a positive sign you’re not just willing to roll over like so many others.

I took over a year out before the masters and honestly this was probably more important in helping me secure the job I have now than all 4 years at uni. Real experience is irreplaceable. Sales is a great shout because you learn so many transferable skills. If you can sell cars then you can damn sure sell yourself in an interview when the stakes really matter.

Also, learn the art of spin. In a buyer’s market only a mug doesn't embellish. Shining **** and making it look like gold. Otherwise you will get left behind. My first job was basically cold calling executives across Europe and begging them to buy conference tickets. You think I put it like that on my CV. Nope. Instead I was a “Financial Sales Consultant” who “managed existing clients and rapidly developed business with new clients to maximize sales” and “developed efficient time management strategies to improve the number of sales calls per day which led to increased sales for the entire team”.

If you can’t find work, then volunteer. It demonstrates a strong work ethic and it’s something to fill up your CV. Again, think about the skills the employer is looking for and then spin it in a way that suggests volunteering has helped you develop these skills, showing evidence of having demonstrated the attributes they’re looking for.

Don't just say you have analytical skills. Give an example of a time you used them. Yes it's great that you learnt to programme in Java over summer but what does it mean to the employer? It shows you can pick up complex subjects quickly, that you're versatile and able to adapt to an increasingly IT centric work process. See what I did there? It’s all in the game.

Looking back I can see how A led to B, and B to C. My volunteering stint abroad helped me get a good sales job. The sales job equipped me with the skills necessary to sell myself well in interviews. And both roles gave me something other than my degree to talk about when I was going for graduate jobs I was actually interested in making a career out of. At the end of the interview of the firm I’m working at now, one of the interviewers said

“It’s so refreshing to hear someone talk about something other than how they learnt to manage their time well by writing their dissertation”

Finally be ready to face rejection. The brilliant thing about this site is how so many of the game principles can be used in other facets of your life. One of my favourite posts is from Atom Smasher on female rejection.




You need to live by this quote, because you will experience frequent and merciless rejection. Understand that this is a dynamic written in stone.

I applied for almost 60 jobs while studying 40+ hours in my masters year. And these weren’t half assed applications where I just throwed in my CV. No. We’re talking 5 hour applications. It's a numbers game and going through various application processes will only make you stronger and more experienced.

If you make 100 well thought out, targeted applications and haven't landed a job then you might have a reason to be worried. Your life should move in one direction. Forward. Soldier on.

This is one of the most well written straight forward pieces of advice given here on SS you should take away. I went through the same processes but instead of graduate school to fix myself, i went through the process of volunteering, working on side projects to develop my own skills which i added to my resume, and i read alot of books.

You should always be doing something to better yourself and your chances of landing the job you want. Remember what your end goal is and every move you make should be aimed at increasing your chances of reaching that goal. Maybe it will take a few months or even closer to a year but remember, each passing day is just a step closer to success.

Great advice Leper.

 

[PrettyBoyAJ]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I'm tired of btching and venting like a female. It's time to actually do something about it instead of just complaining about it. So what I ended up doing was moving back to my old apartment (i plan to catch up on my lease payments) and plan on getting a full time job around there. I'm going to be working and saving for an apartment in Atlanta. I'm also still applying for jobs in Atl. So once I get that job I will go and get a crib there. *Now back to the old AJ*

 

[twentee]

screw the apartment rent and utilities, man! HUGE waste of money that you can't SPARE without a GOOD job. Better think in terms of renting a flop pad, or living in an old van. I;ve done it, it's no big deal. Mylar space blankets on top and sides to reflect the sun if you can't park it in (all day) shade. stiff styrofoam insulation inside, on the roof, solar powered battery charger, a pan of ice sitting in front of a battery powered fan. Or use a regular charger a buddy's house to keep a battery charged, while you use another one, or use a power inverter to run the fan off of the battery in the van. If you do the latter, better have one of those portable "jumper" devices, cause you might not be able to start the van after running the fan all night. Most of the smaller fans, tho, will run most if not all night on one of the big, rectangular flashlight type batteries. Check out living in somebody's basement or garage, and so on.