I'm just feeling kind of down right now. I've been checking the help wanted ads for a while, and there's never anything in our area that I'd have even the slightest chance of getting. I was looking yesterday, and there was an ad in there for a Career Expo (my husband said it sounds like a fancy job fair). It's free, and there'll be people from different companies there (WalMart, a supermarket that's across the street from our place, etc). It basically says to dress to be interviewed and bring your resume, because there will be onsite interviews. I want to go, and I showed it to my husband and he said I should.

*sigh* Now, here's the part that's making me feel down, and bad about myself. I have no clothes for an interview. I have mostly jeans, and the only pair of pants I have that aren't jeans, are like an olive green color. (I guess that's what it is anyway) I have one button up shirt, that's black. Which I guess is a plus, except I feel like I'm always fidgetting with it because the top button is lower than I'd like.

And then there's also my resume. My only job experience is Subway. I worked there for a year, and I did become a shift leader after only a couple months, and had I not had to move, probably would have been conisdered for the manager position when he left. And my last day at that job was in.... Aug 2006. Almost 2 yrs ago.


A little back info as well.... I'm young. I tried getting a job in highschool but live in a small town. And I found out I was pregnant right around my last day at Subway, then had to move and my husband had to leave (he was in the Navy). I honestly didn't want to try getting a job since by the time he got back I was a few months along. Didn't think anyone would hire me.
Tried applying a few places these past few months, even had an interview but, didn't get it.


Sorry. this is long and pointless. Just feeling down, and have no one to talk to in person.

*Edit to also say: I just feel like I'd have no chance if I went there. I feel like I'd look scroungy and haven't worked in two years.

I say go - dress in your nice pants and shirt- don't fiddle with it - wear your hair down if you want to look older - put on some make up.

Review your resume and make copies of it.

Then just be polite and friendly - good luck!

Wear a tank top under the shirt so if it feels "low", it will be OK because you're "layered."

Those job fairs are not for high paying, high tech jobs where they are going to expect everyone to be in a suit. There will be folks in jeans - I guarantee it - because that will be the best thing they have. The key is to be neat, CLEAN, and articulate.

On your resume, stress your education - even if it's just high school - put in a GPA or something if it's good. Put your job experience in there and stress that you have excellent customer service skills and experience working in a high-stress, fast-paced environment and that you can multi-task.

Put your computer skills in there. Not "I know how to surf the internet" but if you have basic knowledge of any Microsoft package like Word.

You'd be surprised how many entry-level jobs might be available there.

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Great advice up above ... and remember, whenever you turn in an application / resume give them a couple of days and then call them back and give them your name and ask if they have had a minute to review your information. It will make your name stick out to the manager / owner!

Good luck and don't be so hard on yourself! Everyone has to start somewhere.

Also, if you get an interview -- on the spot or a private interview, send them a thank you letter. That is another way to have them remember your name.

Please stop wasting your time with the want ads. That's a horrible way to get a job.

Instead, dress in your nice olive colored slacks and a basic, nice looking T-shirt and go sign up with several temporary agencies. You need experience and confidence. A few temp jobs will get you exactly that.

Almost every permanent job I've gotten was through a temp assignment. That's how most companies hire now a days.

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"Poor people work for their money. Rich people make their money work for them."