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feel like a failure at life

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Posted 4/19/2012 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
I should start out by saying that this is not about crohns, its just my mom and friends don't seem to understand. I graduated from college in August and have been unemployed since then. I moved to Seattle with a friend in November thinking that I could get a job and it would be really easy and I would be working my way up the corporate ladder. Well, I spend 3 hours every day applying to jobs and don't even get an interview. I have applied at retail stores, even stores that I have worked for in the past won't call me back. I even applied to be a waitress at a strip club, but I'm too fat apparently. My savings is decreasing by the minute, I signed a lease for a year and my friend is depending on me. I am just getting more and more depressed by the situation every day and everyone keeps telling me that it will get better. The thing is though even if I get a retail job I need 3 of them to pay all my bills every month. Do I just give up on all of my dreams and move home with my mom, to a town where there are even fewer jobs than in seattle? Sorry if this is just rambling I am just frustrated beyond belief and didn't know where else to go.
Posted 4/20/2012 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
Well, first you need to figure out what to do about that 1 year lease. Is your friend also unemployed? Any chance you can bring in a 3rd roommate to help cover the rent? Or ask your folks for some $$ to tide you over?

I realize the job market stinks. I'm sorry about how hard this is. Do you have any friends in Seattle who do have jobs? It's time to start networking and stop filling out applications at places where you are a stranger.

Is the strip club the only waitressing job you applied for? I did some waitressing 30 years ago at a bar - 10 hours a week and it covered a good part of my rent.
Posted 4/20/2012 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
The job market is dire worldwide. You may (possibly) have been guilty of naivety, but I don't think you are a failure at life. You tried. Not your fault there aren't jobs to be had on a plate anymore and probably never will be again.

If you have a spare room, a 3rd roommate sounds like a good idea. Plus have you considered anything besides retail? I know of one guy who makes decent money walking other people's dogs. I've got an aunt who does house-sitting. Plus there's the usual cleaning, gardening, etc. type work. You can advertise your services in places like Craigslist. I'm not saying it's easy. I would certainly understand if you had neither the energy or the motivation to do all this, but if you do, it's gotta be better for your self-esteem than being turned down for a job in a strip club.
Posted 4/20/2012 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry you're having such a tough time. What did you go to school for? What activities were you involved in, and what are your interests?

Using Craigslist is a great idea - advertise yourself and your skills. Are you a great writer? Offer to be a tutor, proofreader, resume writer, editor for an hourly or flat rate. Are you a math person? Call Sylvan learning center or Mathnasium, or hang up signs in groceries stores offering to tutor. Were you good in sports? Sign up to be a youth coach this summer. Look for seasonal work at a garden center or a children's organization. If all else fails, volunteer doing something you love.

I think about the very few job openings I see in my area - most of which are for technical positions requiring experience. I would imagine a position at the mall would get tons of applicants. You're going to better off, in my opinion - networking, talking to people, visiting the stores and places you love and talking to the managers directly, telling them you are looking for something. Perhaps you can get a foot in the door before an opening gets advertised.

Don't give up, and don't sell yourself short. You have to be outgoing and convince others how wonderful you are! Hang in there.
Posted 4/21/2012 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
You're in despair my friend, go out for a walk and start doing yoga. Listen to music that makes you feel good and watch movies that make you laugh. Yoga for dummies with Sara Ivanhoe is a great first yoga dvd.

Jobs that are easiest to get? Fast food, foor server, department stores, pizza driver, taxi driver. I've known PHD's and commodity brokers that did these things temporarily during personal/financial crisis, it's not failure, it's being strong and coping with your immediate challenges. Good luck to you!!

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