Looking for work; suggestions?
 

Hello...I'm in a pretty bad position right now (and yes, I know it's my fault; I would appreciate it if I wasn't reminded of this as I'm depressed enough as it is), and could use some advice, please. As the thread says, in a nutshell, I need to find a job. It won't be long-term (I start back at school in August, and have found in the past that working while in school isn't a good idea for me), cannot be physically demanding (I have a bad back; unable to really lift anything), and I really want to avoid retail/sales or working with food if at all possible. A driving spot would be ideal, but I don't think I'll qualify for anything like that (just got a print-out of my DMV record; I hadn't realized that there were two blemishs on it (one's an accident; the other is an old ticket that I have not yet taken care of), but I figure that two is at least one too many :().

Honestly, I can live with mundane at this point, and can also live with a low wage (obviously, more per hour is better, but I can accept $10 an hour or even less), as long as it isn't overly stressful. However, every search I've done thus far has come up with stuff that either requires experience (I have limited retail experience, but otherwise, no professional experience that can apply anywhere else), is in a retail/sales field (believe me, I'm a horrible salesman and am too honest to be able to change that :)), or requires more physical ability than I can muster (I've already screwed my back up enough trying). Does anyone have any suggestions on what to look for, or should I just give up, or what?

Any suggestions would be appreciated, although I do ask to not be belittled or yelled at as I'm already shaky emotionally...

Thank you in advance!

Sorry to hear of your situation. I know a lot of people in similar straits, and it's not easy.

Have you thought of anything along the lines of research or data entry where you can sit inside at a computer?

Another thing could be as a customer service reprentative. If you're that honest, you must be empathetic enough to deal kindly with sometimes angry customers! :)

I am sorry about your misfortune, especially in this economy where jobs are difficult to come by these days.

You have already mentioned occupations that you don't want, or can't engage in, and that takes a sizeable chunk of ideas I would have had.

You should consider looking into a job counseling service. They help determine where you are best suited for (based on what you have stated already), help you tidy up your resume and groom your interviewing skills.

I don't know how long you have been jobless, but there are several emotions that erupt when that happens...disbelief, grief, anger, hopelessness, etc. I have been there several times.

I would take a week to gather up your feelings and focus on the direction you want take at this point before you just jump back into the job hunt.

You have mentioned more about what you CAN'T do than what you CAN do. That's not healthy. To better understand what you should focus on, you need to hone in on your strengths, then apply those to the job you'd like to have. As bad as the job market may be, people DO get jobs. But you have to be armed with the confidence and self-esteem to do so.

Not sure if you considered this at all, but many used their job displacement to do what they really wanted most of all...to start their OWN business.

why not try finding a job as a receptionist at an office?

Alon

Since you have computer access, I would do the local search via the net. Don't know if Monster.com is worth it, but might as well look at it. Temp agencies are good at shifting through the positions that you're not good at, either by profession or physical capability, and even better if the employer pays the fee. If all else fails, get out and do some volunteer work, sounds wacky, but it gets you out of the house and might put you in contact with folks that will pay for your skills.

Might try some of the temp agencies like VOLT, ect. My nephew has gone to a couple of these. There are ones that deal with what amounts to basically unskilled labor, which covers alot of ground. He landed a permant job this way, by being sent to a place that needed someone to help for a month or so while they got caught up during a real busy period, and they liked him so much they hired him full time.
Second suggestion is don't come to Washington state ;) We're not hiring anyone for anything right now.:D

Go get a DBA start a business doing what you love and pursue the American dream.

Don't forget to work 80 hours a week!

If you are interested let me contact me and I will help you out for FREE!:)

Call around to the non-profits in your area. Places like Food Banks and such. I sit on a few boards, and we're always looking for reliable staff for things like telephone answering, client interviewing, and so on. Pay is usually poor ($7-$10/hour) but the people are usually dedicated and the environment terrific thanks to their ethical stance.

Also, if you're single, these places are often staffed/volunteered by attractive young women. One nice side benefit.

A lot of good Ideas have been posted.
First I would try to get your back in shape.
What did you do. REAL dammage or just a "bad" back. Upper or lower? I know, about bad lower backs. If It is lower back and the doctors can't find anything specific I have 2 recommendations
1. Go to Home depot and buy one of those back braces that the workers are supposed to wear. Put on a T shirt and wear that brace for the next week ( 24 hours a day) or untill you back gets better. That is what I used to do. As soon as I get that twinge in my lower back I put it on and usually within 3-4 days My back is fine.
2. Go out an buy the book "Healing Back Pain" by John E. Sarno M.D. Since I read this book My back has not hurt. I highly recommend it.

Jobs.
There are plenty of jobs out there. It will take some time to get out there and hunt one down. If the Home Depot brace helps you may be able to have a job that has a little more activity, Not lifting, but activity. Cashier, etc.

You need to take care of your back first. At your age having a bad back will limit your ability to live life. I know. When I was 30 I just got hired (1984) with American Airlines ( I'm now an MD80 Captain) and "threw" my back out running. I didn't attend to it immediatly and it took a couple of years to get it to recover completely.

What are you doing about becoming a Commercial pilot?
The degree in History will be adequate. Actually the Airlines do not formally require a college degree. The degree shows that you can start and complete something. And more importantly it prepares you to do something IF you can't fly. A degree in history will only allow you to teach. I would suggest a degree in business and finance. If you are science oriented, You could go that way. But getting a degree in History leads me to believe your not a Science person, More of the arts. A degree in business with a concentration in History could make you a savy investor.

What about the flying part?
What are you planning to do to get the hours required for a commercial job?
Look into the Cival Air Patrol. Military Reserves, Active duty. Or flying civilian to get your hours.

Again take care of that back. Something will come up for you, You just have to shake the trees out there.

Dave

Unemployed, w/bad back
 

1. Go to Home depot and buy one of those back braces that the workers are supposed to wear. Put on a T shirt and wear that brace for the next week ( 24 hours a day) or untill you back gets better. That is what I used to do. As soon as I get that twinge in my lower back I put it on and usually within 3-4 days My back is fine.
Really good advice, I have one of these, I think it was for weight-lifters, and it does work! :D