Picking a job

[Autumnal 25]

Somebody please tell me I'm not insane and I'm just being picky.

My husband and I have hit a point where me working would be a very good thing, especially since I've made little use of the EAD (well... most of the delay was the SSA's fault) and there are student loan bills to pay that aren't getting any smaller. So I'm off to find a job. The problems here are a few, and I'm not sure how to deal with them.

First of all, nothing posted that I could remotely qualify for looks interesting at all. Retail, receptionist, answering phones... I don't know, these just don't seem like things I'd like to do! I can't even think of halfway interesting, fairly entry-level or college-level jobs that would be fairly prevalent in a larger city.

Second, I know most of the job market is hidden. How do you network in an area when you know very few people and, worse, most of them are in a field you probably can't get into because it requires a great deal of experience?

Third, where do you go to find those interesting jobs?

I'm looking at a position that pays pretty reasonably ($11/hour + benefits) and provides training, but it's not what I'd ever consider for a career and I have the feeling in six months, I'm going to be bored out of my skull. That's part of what's making me afraid to actually get out there and say "yes!" to a position I've interviewed for.

Any suggestions for this silly Canuck?

[ChristinaM 0]

Yes - you're being a little picky!!

Even if it's admin, reception or retail, for one it earns you money, secondly it gets you US references when you do decide to move on and thirdly, it's all about the networking, baby!

I'm not going to make a list of "interesting jobs", because what I think of as interesting is likely not be the same as you! I will tell you though that I work in sales, and I love it. I'm a high-school grad with some college, and I was looking at the mid-range admin jobs. Going back into sales meant I had a whole new product line to learn (I sell phone systems, so it's pretty technical and interesting - www.avaya.com ) and I could indulge my love of people in a productive way. I wasn't looking for a career, but I did wind up with a great job and I know a huge number of people now.

[Cygnet 0]

Hello, Autumnal!

Well, I think that you can look at your situation as a good opportunity to do some exploring within the workforce. When you find a job, you don't have to stay there for the rest of your life. So, if you get bored with the work that you have, you can always find another job.

I don't really know what the situation where you live is (in terms of finding a job). But there has to be something for you even temporarily.

My sister-in-law started working 2 years ago here in Canada after being a stay-at-home mom for seven years. She has had three different jobs since then. She started with a regular shipping/clerical job for a company that supplies stuff for the Dollar stores, Zellers and so forth. She stayed there for less than a year. The second job was again clerical but this time in ticketing for a fashion accessory company. And then, now she has a new job for a designer clothing company. Each new job is better than the last. And her salary has increased with each new job (and within each company, too, while she was working for them). And she said she learns from each experience. Before being a stay-at-home mom, she worked in the hotel industry. So, she came in with some clerical experience but not exactly related to her background. She is career-driven, though, so that helps her. Oh, and by the way, she works in Montreal and does not speak a word of French.

But of course you are in the U.S. so maybe work is harder to come by. But maybe you can start applying through an agency first (Of course, I only know the Canadian ones like TOSI or Quantum. Can't help you with the American ones). When you have a job (any job), you may find it easier to network and find better jobs out there. Years ago, I worked for a steamship line agency and I remember a couple of my co-workers found work with companies that were actually clients of the company. And I think they got those jobs because clients knew how they worked and so forth.

Anyway, these are just my thoughts. And I guess what I'm trying to tell you is don't get too stressed with finding the perfect job right away. You can always change jobs... not like marriage.

Good luck!

[babybunny 2]

if i was looking for a job. I would start where they offer some interesting perks. example. FEDEX -flight benifits.

[Autumnal 25]

Interesting take - flight benefits! Those are always good.

I've just found that finding a niche "in" has been hard to achieve and while I realize I'm not going to find a job right off the bat that's just what I want, I do really appreciate feedback for finding something maybe a little off the beaten path.

I've never done sales, admittedly, outside of the context of retail. And yup, I'm in the US. Good ol' Chi-town.

[kc456 0]

So, what do you like to do and what kind of jobs did you have before moving to the US. Without a large network, it's harder to find a job you'd really like, but any job is a start to building a network.

[daisy16 0]

focus on finding work that complements your interests and strengths. For example, my first job here was grooming Bernese Mountain Dogs. I love them, have one who's my first dog. I stopped in to the kennel one day to see if I could volunteer, and she said she'd pay me! My current job is running an afterschool daycare, which is closer to my field of teaching, but it's only temporary as well.

You won't find the perfect job, but you can find something that pays the bills, gives you experience and helps you realize your dream job.