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Y&R Discussion Group
So, I get home in a little over a month, and I coming home to unemployment and no where to live. I hate the task of having to look for work, especially in this economy, and it's hard to find a place to live when I don't know where I'll be working or how much I'll be making. Full-time Guard is not an option at this time unless I want to move, which I don't. I have 15+ years in administrative work, computer skills, an education degree, and a security clearance through my job in the military. I have to redo my resume, which I will work on from here, but how do I go about applying for jobs when I am currently overseas? I've been on two interviews in my life, and got hired both times. Problem is, I have to find a job that can support me since I am a one-person income household.
Can anyone give me any advice or tips to make this transition easier? What can I expect as I look for work, especially in this economy? What can I do from here regarding preparations? I have about $10,000 saved up for the transitional expenses, but that won't last long with the costs of housing and deposits. Thankfully, I have my surrogate grandmother (former neighbor) who is letting me stay with her while I work the housing issue. Now that I am getting that much closer to coming home, I know I need to get my butt in gear and take care of business. Also, when you apply for a job and they tell you to put your salary requirements in, how do I know how much to ask for? How do I know if I am aiming too high or selling myself short?
On another topic, I talked to my sister this evening and heard my cats in the background. Apparently they were snuggling the phone while I was talking. :) I miss them...
CC, I have to echo some of the advice below: You DO have the world by the tail, MSN is a good job hunting resource, indeed.com is great because it consolidates other job listing websites. As for my own advice, I would recommend setting up a LinkedIn profile asap and start building those contacts since developing a good network takes time.
Is there any sort of professional credential or specialized training you can pursue while you job hunt? Also, I'd suggest becoming active in whatever professional associations are related to the line of work you're interested in. Another nice resume builder is authoring articles and getting them published in professional journals. Those are all things that not everyone does and so they might give you an edge in the job market. When I left my last job, I got the first job I interviewed for; there was a lot of attention paid by the interviewers to the fact that I have an advanced practice credential, have worked on the national level with a professional organization, and have had articles published. They even mentioned that no other candidates had those types of involvements. It can go a long way toward demonstrating dedication to your profession so if you can do any of those things, it certainly wouldn't hurt.
Good luck to you, I'm sure your job search will be very fruitful in the end.
camochick, I work in the business world so I can help you. I've been in it for 34 years and have never been without a good job.
It's easy to apply for jobs while you are overseas - go on-line to www.indeed.com. They pull in all of the jobs from monster.com and careerbuilders.
Type in the kind you want, city and state you want it in and it will bring up all jobs in your field.
The other things you can do is call an employment agency (not one overseas) but one where you will be living and tell them you are overseas now and can they help you now or do you have to wait until you get back to America.
What you can expect when you look for work is: There will be thousands of applicants for the same position. We are a large pharmaceutical company and we are experiencing that.
The other thing you may want to consider doing is Temp work. Working through a Temporary Agency like Kelly Services. But there's no benefits, no paid sick time, no paid holidays when you work through a temp agency, but it may be worth it to get your foot in the door.
For salary requirements, I always put negotiable. Or you can put flexible. But negotiable is more professional.
I'm sure you do miss your cats and I'm sure they miss you. What state are you going to be living in? I'll see if anyone here knows any contacts in that state.
I'll help you out in anyway I can.
When are you coming back home?
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You are so personable and talented, well-traveled and educated, you shouldn't have any problems getting work. But what do you WANT to do? As a person that's looking closer at retirement than a career change, please take my advice. If there is something you are burning to do or are heavily interested in, DO IT! Make it happen! I have so many regrets. I should have finished college sooner. I should have gotten a more focused degree, a more marketable degree. I should have traveled more, explored all the options.
You have the world by the tail! You can live your dreams. Making your dreams come true is so much easier when you are unencumbered and have little debt.
With your obvious love of travel and photography, you should consider a job in the travel industry or the United Nations, or a thousand other possibilities.
You say you don't want to move, but you are, in essence, at the best time to re-locate. San Diego? Hawaii? Alaska? Bali? You could start anywhere!
I wish you the best of everything and hope that you will truly find something you love.
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