Need More Career Counseling Here

[fureverywhere]

Sigh...I have not been unemployed this long in a very long time. I got the letter from that special needs office that they "chose another candidate". I've been to so many interviews and done so many applications. But overall opinion was that wasn't the job for me anyway. Not a job that involves driving. I mean maybe one or two clients locally but not traveling all over creation.

But that is not the only office that offers services to the exceptional community. How do I find similar group homes and office close by? I mean I know the next town over has to have at least one group home if not more. Early morning and evening you see groups of differently abled people walking in the same area every day. But how to find out what offices oversee them?

Then there's figuring out applications. I can write a beautiful cover letter, I have intern experience, I have life experience. But I don't have references from five past supervisors...my employment history for the past thirty years...why do they have to make this so difficult? I'm willing to go in at way entry level. My past employment was a bunch of idiot retail positions. The supervisors I had are all long gone.

I raised five kids and got a degree along the way. I wasn't sitting home eating bon bons. I want a job where I can make a difference, where I can utilize my strengths instead of humping mulch bags and mindless shelf stocking. I'm not getting any younger here. Even if I went back for my Masters I still don't think it would get me hired. Somebody tell me how to get my nose in the door here, I have so much more to offer.

Woof, feel a bit better venting...thank you...

 

[Ralphy1]

You might to change your goal and work in another area while volunteering with special needs people...

 

[boozercruiser]

Thank you for sharing your frustrations with us forevererywhere.
If I were an American employer, I would snap you up right now!
I can't really help, but I wish you the best of luck.

Kenny

 

[ronaldj]

sad to say if you need a job, you might have to look into a different path...if you just want to help/work, volunteer, may be the way to go....

 

[Debby]

Oh fureverywhere, you just explained all the reasons that I would dread to have to face. I can only imagine how frustrated you are! I have heard that volunteering can often turn into a paid job and failing that, have you ever thought of starting your own business? Maybe with all your skills and experience you could do something with that. I'm always amazed at what some folks turn into a viable income producing job. Or are you better suited to the 'worker bee' kind of position? That would be me but maybe you're a better person than I. Sure hope something works out for you.

 

[CuriousKate]

I could not tell from your post what exactly you are looking for however have you tried home health agencies? So many people need in home care (i.e. caregiver) that are of a non-medical nature. That is what I would like to do however I do not own a car which seems to be a requirement for many of these positions. Like you, you wants to be driving all of over however I have known many people that have done this work but it does not require them to be running about. Just a thought.

 

[fureverywhere]

It's not really that I'm targeting one particular field. I'm open to virtually ANY job. I mean even the guys who work the bus station are at least earning something. I realize my mistake was spending the last three years in retail Hell and unproductive. I should have been posting resumes the whole time to find something better. Part of the problem might be age and being over qualified. If you hire a kid you can pay them minimum wage and save money. Plus you know a bunch of stores are probably staffed by people who know other people who knew somebody who already worked there. Back to making phone calls.