MetaChat - Querelous Quentin, Clueless Job Hunter

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06 September 2006

Querelous Quentin, Clueless Job Hunter needs your help! →[More:]

In this episode, our hero is completely clueless about how to get a job. No, seriously, I've only ever had the sort of retail gigs that you walk in the door for and fill out a form. Even when I worked in the bank, there wasn't really any formal hiring process. So I have a resume, which may or may not be any good, but I have no idea what to do to get a 'real' job. I think I need cover letter or something? I'll probably need some nice clothes for interviews. Do I just e-mail resumes all over the place and hope I get called back?

Someone hold my hand and walk me through the job hunting process. I'm scared and lost; I don't even know what field to apply in. My degree's in psych, but I really want nothing to do with the field. What do I do?

post by: Eideteker at: 14:07 | 4 comments

For lack of anything better to do, I've been checking craigslist boston for tech writing positions. I really don't want to go back into banking/loans, despite my 4 years of experience. These 'experience wanted' cats are just going to have to accept the fact that I can learn any job within a matter of hours.

posted by Eideteker 06 September | 14:21

Didn't your college have some kind of workshop you could go to that would teach you all this stuff? Or were you too cool for the career center?

posted by matildaben 06 September | 14:33

I was too busy to make it most days.

posted by Eideteker 06 September | 15:09

If you don't have real-world experience with tech writing, you're probably going to have to do some freelance writing first. Your best bet might be to sign up with placement agencies that specialize in the type of work you like to do. They will help you get your resume in shape and give you pointers on what to say in interviews.

I will be happy to look at your resume. I'm a copy editor, but I've done lots of hiring in the past and have a pretty good idea of what should/shouldn't be on a resume.

posted by smich 06 September | 15:13

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