Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Underemployed (long, sorry)
The company I currently work for cut one of my work days a couple weeks ago. I was only working 3 days a week so 1/3 of my paycheck is gone. When I started two years ago they said it would be full-time soon after I started. Now I'm losing time instead of going full-time and soon hasn't happened. I wouldn't have switched jobs had I known that I would still be part-time and now making less per paycheck than I was at the other job.
I went from being able to cover the bills and most groceries, using my husband's income for saving for a house, and bigger purchases, to the point I can only afford the rent with nothing left over. I've been looking for a full-time job with basic benefits (PTO, medical ins) for four years and just keep chasing down the wrong trail.
I have a bachelor of arts which had been more of a detriment than an asset. I did an interview last week, and my husband went there for an appointment and said some girls that were probably about 19 or 20 were the new hires in the position I interviewed for. I have the experience, but they hired young attractive girls instead of the 26 year old with working experience in a similar field. I think they're probably both part-time so they didn't have to cover benefits.
When I first graduated I was working part-time retail and looking for a full-time job. I found a semi-full-time job with no benefits. I worked there for 2 years, a year of which I was still working my part-time retail job, until my current job came along sounding so good.
Its not going anywhere. On top of that, not to sound mean, but a high school graduate could do it and get paid just as much. Thankfully I didn't have to take out any student loans, or I wouldn't be able to pay them. I hate to sound like I'm whining, but I literally feel like I wasted 4 years at college and the 2 years at this job.
Right now my options are slim. I cannot find anymore listings for places hiring for full-time, and it seems like the only other option is to start working a second job again. It feels like I've been defeated, like I've failed. I literally feel sick at the prospect of going back to working 7 days a week, never getting holidays or weekends again. I did the math and at minimum wage I would have to work 28 hours a week at the second job to cover what I've lost losing 1 day a week and covering what my husband has to pay for my ins. Every time I get a ray of hope something smashes it to smithereens. I know we're in a recession, but it doesn't make me feel like less of a failure.
Re: Underemployed (long, sorry)
Don't lead your resume with your education.
Start with job/real world experience.
What jobs are you trying to track down? Have you tried banks? Offices? Okay - what about waiting tables?
The job hunt has been indefinitely put on hold because I sprained my ankle pretty bad last week. I can't put my full weight on it. I've got a compression sock and an air cast on it. I just got off of crutches, but its still swollen to the point I can barely put an untied tennis shoe on it. I know a sprain sounds like nothing and I should definitely be ready to walk normally and even running by now but its still swollen and bruised horribly. Not exactly interview attire.
Do you think I didn't get hired because I didn't wear a suit? The only suit I own I bought right after high school, I don't think the style would be appropriate on me now, so I wore Docker's khakis and a nice shirt.
My biggest piece of advice is to dress for the part. If the business is business casual breaking out that suit would be a good idea. Black slacks, a dressy top, dress shoes, and a blazer (I just bought one from JCP for $34) works too. What you are wearing conveys professionalism and how serious you are about the position.
One other tip I received recently on my job search is to research behavior based interview questions and follow the STAR method when explaining your examples.
Also, go in knowing you are a SUPERSTAR! Even if you're not feeling overly confident, fake it til you make it.
Where all of this advice is coming from:
I recently lost my job due to the restaurant closing unexpectedly on a Monday morning... payday no less. I held my position for over 7 years. I applied through a staffing agency for a position I was confident I could do with the training they were providing. The next day Tues I got a call for a brief phone interview and was set up to take the required tests. Next day a call for a face to face interview. I then interviewed with the company a week later and was offered the position hours after my interview. The training class started this week.