Unemployment

Yup. There's my problem.

I am throwing applications out there and mred, I notice there are a lot of jobs, I just don't have the right experience for most of them. I'm hoping this is my chance to catch a break though.

I'm 26 with 2 college degrees and sick to death of retail.

DRave. Don't let your lack of work experience stop you. Most of the job reqs companies push out are filled with fluff and if they actually found someone that met all their qualifications they wouldn't be able to afford them. Be realistic -- go after entry level jobs if it's a new field. Most importantly, find the field you want to build a career in and apply like crazy. Focus on yourself as a person and less on hard skills. You can teach someone that is interested hard skills.

Cpayne gave me very similar advice when I graduated from my undergrad. Told me that people post wish lists, if you fit anything -- apply. I applied for a job, the recruiter called me back and said I didn't qualify for that job.... but asked me if I was interested in other opportunities. I don't regret a thing, it worked out great for me.

You're in a tough situation, but I've found things normally work out for the best. Do the paperwork you have to do, but keep pressing. Be confident, but modest. Show you're willing to learn and work hard and someone will give you a chance.

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm doing the best I can, put in 15-20 applications yesterday and today. I'll see how things are looking in a week or so. Thanks for the well wishes!

Virginia is a right to work state and an employer can fire you for any reason.
sounds iike a perfect reason for a union.

(Edit) How about looking for jobs in nearby states that give rights/freedom to workers?

Look at the list of right to work states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.

Many are the poorest (crappiest) states in the union, in every sense of the word. It's a shame so many have given up on economic freedom, but at least we're free to get the eff out if we choose.

And yeah, keep your chin up. I got fired once and it was the best thing that could have happened looking back :)

Virginia is a right to work state and an employer can fire you for any reason.

Wow. So as an employer you don't even need to document performance issues? Can an employee even bring a wrongful termination suit in VA?

Seems rough on the workers.

Schneed

I think it depends on the size of the business. My company takes forever to force losers out. They have to go through lengthy and well documented processes. Typically they have to be put on a PIP (Performance Improvement Plan) and given a chance to get better, etc.

Employees can bring suits, but the burden is on them to prove that they were discriminated against.

sounds iike a perfect reason for a union.

Unions don't provide any protection because they can fire you for any reason in Va. Its also a reason why Va is well below the unemploment rate in the US because itt attracts business. At some point as an employer you get tired of the gov. telling you how to run your business.

Unions don't provide any protection because they can fire you for any reason in Va. Its also a reason why Va is well below the unemploment rate in the US because itt attracts business. At some point as an employer you get tired of the gov. telling you how to run your business.

The reason VA is so far below the average unemployment rate is because of the government. So many jobs revolving around the government are in VA. It has nothing to do with right to work and has everything to do with the location. Many of the other right to work states have some of the worst unemployment in the nation.

Wow. So as an employer you don't even need to document performance issues? Can an employee even bring a wrongful termination suit in VA?

Seems rough on the workers.
Seems rough but how many employers fire good/hard working employees? I don't know of any and if your boss/employee does not like you why would you want to work for them in the first place.

The reason VA is so far below the average unemployment rate is because of the government. So many jobs revolving around the government are in VA. It has nothing to do with right to work and has everything to do with the location. Many of the other right to work states have some of the worst unemployment in the nation.

Your factually incorect. If you look deeper into the numbers then what I have provided here you will see that heavy union states v/s right to work states very greatly. Most of the jobs Obama is saying he created from 2009 to 2012 greater then 70% of those jobs are in WTW states.

PolitiFact | Bill O'Reilly says unemployment is lower in 'right-to-work' states (http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2011/feb/28/bill-oreilly/bill-oreilly-says-unemployment-lower-right-work-st/)