Why is it so hard to get an interview or hired?

[Anonymous]

I was laid off from my job in January and I've sent my resume out for over 100 positions. At first I was always getting phone interviews then I would never hear back from them. I finally had a face to face interview at the end of February and they said they would let me know (which would've been by last Friday) and since I haven't heard back from them I assume that I didn't get the job. Then I had another interview last Thursday and it seemed to go well but then I just got an email from the recruiter letting me know that I didn't get the job. I just don't understand what companies are looking for now. I have a Bachelors in Health Systems Management and an MPH. I've worked in Public Health for 10 years so I have plenty of experience. I'm so tired of being unemployed, I have student loans that I'm still trying to pay off and unemployment isn't enough for me to do this and pay my other bills.

[Anonymous]

OP. MY DH was unemployed for one whole year. He had 20 yrs experience in his field. Highly respected, well-liked by all past employers....all of whom would line up for the oppty to give him a reference.
He had a mortgage, wife and three kids to support. His income went from $200k to $18k. THAT was hard. He had so many phone interviews, about 10 face to face, spent day and night networking while I went back to work. I tell you this to help give you perspective on your situation. No matter what you're going thru, there is always someone out there suffering 10xs worse.

If you can, start waiting tables or bartending. You have no idea how long your situation will last. Don't be too prod.

[Anonymous]

Hang in there, OP. You can get an unemployment deferment on the student loans, BTW. Call the bank....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP. MY DH was unemployed for one whole year. He had 20 yrs experience in his field. Highly respected, well-liked by all past employers....all of whom would line up for the oppty to give him a reference.
He had a mortgage, wife and three kids to support. His income went from $200k to $18k. THAT was hard. He had so many phone interviews, about 10 face to face, spent day and night networking while I went back to work. I tell you this to help give you perspective on your situation. No matter what you're going thru, there is always someone out there suffering 10xs worse.

If you can, start waiting tables or bartending. You have no idea how long your situation will last. Don't be too prod.

Why don't you work, then, PP? Did you wait tables when your husband lost his job?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP. MY DH was unemployed for one whole year. He had 20 yrs experience in his field. Highly respected, well-liked by all past employers....all of whom would line up for the oppty to give him a reference.
He had a mortgage, wife and three kids to support. His income went from $200k to $18k. THAT was hard. He had so many phone interviews, about 10 face to face, spent day and night networking while I went back to work. I tell you this to help give you perspective on your situation. No matter what you're going thru, there is always someone out there suffering 10xs worse.

If you can, start waiting tables or bartending. You have no idea how long your situation will last. Don't be too prod.

Why don't you work, then, PP? Did you wait tables when your husband lost his job?

What a snarky reply pp. Read the post again. She DID go back to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP. MY DH was unemployed for one whole year. He had 20 yrs experience in his field. Highly respected, well-liked by all past employers....all of whom would line up for the oppty to give him a reference.
He had a mortgage, wife and three kids to support. His income went from $200k to $18k. THAT was hard. He had so many phone interviews, about 10 face to face, spent day and night networking while I went back to work. I tell you this to help give you perspective on your situation. No matter what you're going thru, there is always someone out there suffering 10xs worse.

If you can, start waiting tables or bartending. You have no idea how long your situation will last. Don't be too prod.

Why don't you work, then, PP? Did you wait tables when your husband lost his job?

Reading comprehension is not your greatest asset, is it?

[Anonymous]

Keep in mind that it gets harder to get new jobs as you move up the career ladder. if it was easy to get entry level jobs, it gets much harder as you move up in salary and responsibility. Hang in there OP, something will work out!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP. MY DH was unemployed for one whole year. He had 20 yrs experience in his field. Highly respected, well-liked by all past employers....all of whom would line up for the oppty to give him a reference.
He had a mortgage, wife and three kids to support. His income went from $200k to $18k. THAT was hard. He had so many phone interviews, about 10 face to face, spent day and night networking while I went back to work. I tell you this to help give you perspective on your situation. No matter what you're going thru, there is always someone out there suffering 10xs worse.

If you can, start waiting tables or bartending. You have no idea how long your situation will last. Don't be too prod.

Why don't you work, then, PP? Did you wait tables when your husband lost his job?

What a snarky reply pp. Read the post again. She DID go back to work.

You're right. I apologize. It was the line about 'having a wife to support' that bugged me and I didn't read carefully.

OP, it actually sounds like you're doing pretty well. That many interviews in a few months is great! Something will pop soon. FWIW my husband and I both recently got new jobs through friends. Definitely ask your personal network for leads, not just your professional one.

[Anonymous]

This is the PP who's DH lost his job AND I WENT BACK TO WORK. Thanks all for clarifying on my behalf. I thank my lucky stars that I found a job to help make ends meet -even if it was a $40k job. The smartest thing I did a few years ago was to go back to work PT. had it not been for that PT job, no one would have given me a chance at a FT job as I had been a SAHM for 7 yrs at that point. Anyhow, after DH found a job - a great one that more than pays the bills, I stayed in the workforce FT and am now at $52k. My kids are in school all day so it makes it easier. No tiny ones at home. I don't think I will ever drop back out of the workforce. Too many friends are telling me how they wished they could go back to work for financial reasons but have been out of the workforce for so long that they can't.

OP hang in there. If you are in DC you will find a job faster than if you were anywhere else in the country.

[Anonymous]

DH has been looking since Jan also. It sucks to look for a job, he also has a great resume, with a masters and 10 yrs experience. Getting a lot of bites and a bunch of interviews, but no offers yet. Its a terrible waiting game.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

"It's the economy, stupid."

I've been unemployed for a year. If you think you are frustrated now, you ain't seen nothing yet.

But I do wish you good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"It's the economy, stupid."

I've been unemployed for a year. If you think you are frustrated now, you ain't seen nothing yet.

But I do wish you good luck.

What's your field?

[Anonymous]

Boo hoo hoo. If you made 200k then you shouldn't have lived like you made 300k. There should be plenty in the bank. Try making 40k then going down to 18k and then I will applaud your efforts and sympathize with your sob story.

[Anonymous]

You need to network, network, network. And look outside the DC region for jobs, if you're not already doing this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to network, network, network. And look outside the DC region for jobs, if you're not already doing this.

I thought DC was the best market in the country.