English grad has found a job in Atlanta - update Jan. 1

[RangerWickett]

Update: I have a job, at a local grocery store. It's not much, but it'll pay the bills. I just have to wait for orientation on the 8th, and all will be well. Also, on the 10th I have an interview for a library job, something I really want. It's at my old college, and it would be a treat to work there. Of course, if someone knows a publishing job in the Atlanta area, I'd still rather be working in writing, but libraries are still good.

Wish me luck, and Happy New Year.


The following entry is dated, and no longer needed.

I have writing skills, and I graduated with a bachelor's degree in English/Creative Writing. I'm skilled with Adobe Photoshop and I have worked in a campus library for the past four years. I can type 70 words per minute, am friendly, and would make a great host, or secretary, or office assistant, or clerk. However, due to the extremely urgent nature of my unemployment, I am willing to do anything.

I have no car, but if I get hired somewhere I could get there with MARTA. The problem is finding a job. If anyone knows anyone who is in a position to get me a job, please, please help.

 

[diaglo]

did you get ahold of these/this guy(s)?

Here's the address:

Goodman Games
672 Woodland Ave. SE
Atlanta, GA 30316
__________________
Joseph Goodman
Goodman Games
www.goodman-games.com
info@goodman-games.com

 

[RangerWickett]

Still looking for a job. Very very desperate. In fact, so incredibly desperate that if you want me to clean your gutters or kill cockroaches for you, I'd do it.

 

[The Sigil]

Get a copy of the local yellow pages and call/visit every temp agency you find. They'll be able to get you a "stopgap" job - even if it's data entry - much faster than you can find one yourself.

If you have a degree, you may consider calling your local school district to see what kind of hoops you might have to jump through to become a substitute teacher. Right off the top of my head, these are two places you may be able to find some work with quickly - temp agencies are constantly getting new calls, and school districts may not need you every day - or even at all, but most school districts are chronically short of teachers - even subs - and even a couple of days a week can help pay the bills (you may have to take some sort of qualifying test, though, which may cost money - not sure - and you probably will have to provide transcripts).

Grab the "help wanted" ads in your local newspaper and call every one. Talk to as many people as will listen.

And, not trying to be snarky, Ryan, but if you're truly desperate, have you checked around at the local McDonalds/Burger King/Wal-mart/etc.? I know the pay there won't be great, but it may at least be enough to tide you over until something else comes up.

Better yet, if you can get it, look into working at your local supermarket. The wages may not be much better than the places I quoted above, but the benefits usually are.

Living in California, though, I don't have any "connections" I know of in Georgia that I can pull for ya. But I thought I'd give you general advice.

Oh... and as of right now, your full-time job should be "headhunter" - as in, getting a job for yourself. Spend a full 8 hours a day pursuing it. That still doesn't guarantee success (took me 3 months after I graduated from college to get temp work - but that was in the recession/dot-com bust of 2000), but at least you can look at yourself and say, "hey, I'm putting forth the effort." (Not sure, maybe you're already doing this.)

--The Sigil

 

[RangerWickett]

It seems that the job market in Atlanta is just very difficult right now. All the low-skill jobs like store clerks seem to go quickly, and though I've applied at three different grocery stores, a Blockbuster, and Target, I've gotten no calls back. I suppose I should go pester them again, but I'm guessing they'll say I'm overqualified or something.

I will look into Temp work and teaching, though it often frustrates me that when I tell friends "I'm an English major with no job," their first reply is, "Have you considered teaching?"

I blame myself, mostly. And my college a bit too, for not telling me what I should be doing if I wanted a job. You'd think that'd be an important part of getting a degree. Oh well.

I just never thought it'd be so hard to get a job. I mean, people have things they want done, don't they? I want to do these things for them. What's getting in the way?

Thanks for reminding me to keep looking in different places. For a while I got stuck on my college's careers page, assuming that it'd be easier to find a job there (also, they have about 200 different positions listed, though most require science skills). The only job I ever got a call-back for was as a delivery boy to drive the truck of storage books between the different libraries. And by best friend Neil got that job.

*grin* This is one of the most frustrating things I've ever experienced. At least I can write on the side for a small bit of cash.

 

[Greylock]

FWIW, those grocery jobs offer quick advancement and long term goals to any schmo who spends enough time at it. About the quickest rate of 'schmo' to Store Manager out there.

I don't live in Atlanta, but I have friends and relatives who do. I'll take a look at your resume now...

 

[Greylock]

Dude, no offense, please, no offense.

Take the next job you are offered. Micky D's or whatever. You are in a specialised world. Very specialised. Get out of it for at least the fall.

Great work if you can get it, what you are after, but you are limiting yourself too much.

 

[drothgery]

An English degree and some graphic design and web design skills? You might be able to parley that into an entry-level job in some company's marketing department.

 

[diaglo]

did you apply at the Atlanta Journal Constitution? CNN? or TBS?


how about white wolf? they have a warehouse less than a mile from my house as the crow flies. 1500 block of Litton Dr Stone Mountain, GA 30083

 

[Umbran]

All the low-skill jobs like store clerks seem to go quickly, and though I've applied at three different grocery stores, a Blockbuster, and Target, I've gotten no calls back. I suppose I should go pester them again, but I'm guessing they'll say I'm overqualified or something.

As far as I can tell, the modern modus operandi is to not call back applicants, period. It seems that employers figure that if the candidate is not enthusiastic enough to pursue them, they aren't enthusiastic enough to hire.

And this makes some sense in any market in which there are more candidates than jobs. In cases where the employers must compete for employees, you get calls back. But for most jobs, don't hold your breath wating for them.