DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I graduated college with a BA in English two years ago and moved back home so I could start job hunting. After a frustrating few months, a temp job turned into a regular full-time one. The only trouble is the company didn’t tell me when they hired me that the there was a big consolidation just about to start and the office I was in was soon closed.
That put me in the job market again and this time it took me three months and a few more temp positions until I found another job. After a hefty commute to work every day, I pretty much didn’t do anything most of the time I was in the office. It turns out they lost funding for the project for which they hired me, and had to let me go when nothing else came along.
It’s now been another five months of looking for full-time work and I’m getting anxious. I do not want to live in my parents’ house forever, and I am constantly applying for jobs that I never hear back from, not to mention I am embarrassed to include the two short-term jobs on my resume because it makes it look like I’m hopping around. Is it always this hard to get a decent job? --- STILL SEARCHING
DEAR STILL: A lot of us go through the kind of patch you’re facing now. You lost two jobs through circumstances out of your control, but you can explain what happened on your next resume submission or cover letter, and certainly during any interviews you snag.
If nothing full-time is turning up, consider taking something part-time that might give you a foot in the door of a company or industry that interests you. At least you’d be making some money, and if it doesn’t look like the job is going anywhere, you can parlay your free hours into time spent continuing your hunt.
Try not to get too discouraged. Establishing a career can be like the old joke of having to kiss a lot of frogs before finding a prince. It may take a while, but when you get the job that clicks, it could prove well worth the wait and frustration.