(no subject)

[cblj_backup]

WELCOME TO THE SAM'S CAFE JOB FAIR, where our motto is "Being unemployed is some bullshit. Give me a job."

We are disorganized, but that's excellent preparation for life!

Basically, the idea is to bring all three thousand of us together in an orgy of job-seeking. We ask for advice and give advice and network without all the really gross slimy bits of networking.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A JOB...leave a comment! Tell us what you're looking for and where, and what your qualifications are, to the degree that you're comfortable.

IF YOUR PLACE OF WORK IS HIRING...leave a comment! Tell us what the job is and where, and what kind of person you're looking for, again, to the degree that you're comfortable.

Feel free to post anonymously if you wish, especially if you're linking to a resume or LinkedIn and don't want your screen name associated with your facetime identity.

Make sure you also read the comments, in case a match is out there waiting for you, or a colleague in your field has also commented and could be a good connection. If you have questions about applying for jobs or interviewing or anything career-related, ask! If you have some awesome advice to give, now's the time to share it!

If you're curious about how this has worked before, you can check out the previous two, and you may want to have a look at the Job Advice Sub-Thread snaxcident started last time.

Have at it, and keep checking back!

Comments

Re: Boston, MA - Processing Archivist wanted

[contrarywise]

I've forwarded this to a friend, so hopefully she'll be interested and available. If I had the required qualifications, I'd love to come work with you!

Geochemist/Environmental Scientist in Canada - mostly looking for advice

[bare-bear.livejournal.com]

Eh, it's a long shot considering that use science-y folks seem to be a minority here, but why not. Maybe I'll meet some other science-y folk in the cafe this way!

I'm a recent graduate with a Master of Science in Geology (specializing in aqueous geochemistry at contaminated mine sites), and ideally would like to work in contaminated mine site monitoring and remediation. I've been applying with environmental and engineering consulting companies in Manitoba and across Canada (although I'd rather stay in Manitoba or Yukon if possible), but when they are hiring, they want experience, not a recent graduate. Fun times.

Frankly, I'm getting disheartened. No one seems to be interested in entry-level people, and I'm finding it hard to keep motivated over job hunting. Any advice on keeping motivated despite the lack of positions and the lack of experience would be appreciated.

And maybe some suggestions on how to address the lack of experience in my cover letter. Does my graduate work count if it included field work and related experience, especially when they only indicate an undergraduate degree? How do you translate summer positions to "years of experience"?

Thanks everyone. And HELLO SCIENCE-Y FOLK!

Looking for a Full Time Library Job

[(Anonymous)]

Hello! I have an M.A. in English Lit, and an MLS in Library Science. I've taught/lived in Asia, and have experience building websites and pages, both on my own and for a library (it was my practicum).

I've worked on the reference desk during my practicum as well, and have experience processing multiple budgets, ordering/maintaining supplies, as well as invoicing creditors.

I'm also willing to move anywhere! The thing is, I don't have much experience working in a library, and to gain some I need a job (since I don't have one at present). I'm in the processing of getting a volunteer position, but there's no work in my area at all. Anybody need an easily adaptable, ready to learn librarian?

Library/Information Tech in Ottawa, Canada

[canadianvampyr.livejournal.com]

I have a Library and Information Technician diploma, and I would love to find a permanent position here in Ottawa. I have a position now, but it seems to be an ever-renewing contract and I would like some stability (and higher pay wouldn't hurt).

I am uni-lingual (English) which is my biggest stumbling block in a bilingual government town. I am taking courses, but it will be a while before I have my BBB classification.

Ideally, I would like to find a small corporate library, I am not interested in working in a public or school library.

ALSO:
Has anyone here done a Masters of Library Science/Information Science in an entirely online course? I have a bachelors degree, but the only MLIS program in town requires 1/3 of the courses be taken in French, and I am not able to leave the city (breadwinner's job is here)

Thanks

Halifax, N.S

[pommery.livejournal.com]

My company has a fairly high turnover rate, and at the moment are scrambling to fill position that our student employees will be leaving when Campus opens up. It's a grocery chain (Sobeys) and if you don't mind hard work or customer service it's not a bad place to be. But I mean it about the hard work. If you have back problems or trouble lifting things 'please' consider the department you apply for.

Online applications are available, but your chances are better if you go to several stores and hand out an application with resume. Note whether you have experience in the culinary industry, for example: Baking, Butcher, Fry cook, or cooking certificates. It won't change the position you end up with, but it will push your starting wage up a couple of buck an hour.

(Also, for hospitality/culinary workers looking for experience try The People Bank, it's a temp agency on Hollis street and they do alot of hiring for major functions around the hrm, and they are awesome to work for. Just make sure your WHMIS, and First Aid are up-to-date.)

http://www.thepeoplebank.com/

Help with Job Titles (Microsoft Office skills)

[lannamichaels]

I am not currently actively looking for a job, but I might be in the near future, and I keep my job alert e-mail notifications up to date. My problem is trying to cast a wide net that's also not getting me things that are like "excel in your chosen field!"

I can do a whole bunch of data things in Excel and I can do databases and stuff in Access. I'm good at putting documents together in Word. My Microsoft Office skillz are currently through 2007, but will be through 2010 as soon as I get 2010. I'm also decent enough with SharePoint.

What sort of job name positions should I be focusing on? I have things like Information Analyst, but when I hit on things like Data Analyst, they suddenly start requiring programming knowledge, and list a bunch of names of database applications that I just don't have access to or any experience with. So I would like to avoid jobs that require 3-5 years experience with proprietary and/or expensive software, but still find the jobs that are heavily Excel and Access focused.

In addition, I can also do document creation in Word (reports, papers), PowerPoint (awesome slideshows, custom templates), and Publisher (I am very good at swearing at it!). I can put together flow charts in Visio and I can't do shit with Project, although I keep trying to learn it. I would ideally like to bundle this Word/PowerPoint/Publisher with the Excel/Access stuff, but my job searches tend to seperate those two skill sets out, even though I think that together, they're more compelling: I can analyze your data, graph it, and make a nice presentation!

Any ideas for job titles to look for? The corporate world just loves to have job titles that don't make me imediately connect them with my areas of expertise, or things in the job description are so vague that I don't know if it's data crunching or if it's staffing a help desk. For various reasons, I don't want to do tech support, and I can't go for any job that requires travel or weekend hours or being on call.

A word about USAJobs

[lannamichaels]

One word of advice I've gotten about USAJobs and applying on there: everything has to be in the documentation. If the job requires something, it has to be explicitly in the resume. If a questionnaire asks something about your experience, it has to be in the resume, etc. It was also recommended that you have *both* a Resume Builder-built resume, and also an uploaded resume that you attach to your application.

If you think you might in the future apply for a job through USAJobs, it also might be a good idea to make an account and get everything set up with the resume builder, plus uploading your transcripts and other documentation you might need. Get all that set up in advance makes it easier when you do apply for the job.

Also, the federal government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (I mention this because I'd mentioned it to someone before and she was surprised. Don't Ask Don't Tell leaves a certain impression.)

Re: Looking for ENGLISH MAJORS in HOUSTON, TX

[lavinialavender.livejournal.com]

No, you should absolutely send in your resume now! We are always interviewing, even when not looking to immediately fill positions; we keep your resume on the backburner and might call you later when we have more work come up. We do part-time, full-time, and contract work - it's very flexible, and we have at least one student getting her masters on staff. Her hours are flexible; she does less during the school year, more during the summer, until she graduates this December, and we're very glad to have her.

Re: DEVELOPMENT/FUNDRAISING POSITION WANTED IN NEW ENGLAND

[rowena742.livejournal.com]

Is she on the YNPN Boston listserv? Sometimes they post Western Mass opportunities.

Re: Looking for ENGLISH MAJORS in HOUSTON, TX

[lavinialavender.livejournal.com]

We're certainly not just looking for English majors, though English skills are a must, and Word/Excel/Powerpoint skills are very helpful too. Especially familiarity with the oil industry.

You sound like a great fit, and I will reply to your email shortly. :)

Re: Looking for ENGLISH MAJORS in HOUSTON, TX

[lavinialavender.livejournal.com]

Great! Remember, oil/gas knowledge is not crucial, you pick that up along the way. You can give your friend my email.

Best of luck to you! I don't know if you have any job prospects lined up, but I do highly recommend Riverway Business Services as a temp service to keep you afloat and possibly to hook you up with full-time work.

This is definitely one of the best places to find work right now, in the U.S.

Re: RAHT

[petranef.livejournal.com]

Hee! But the bite-marks would be so cute! ;)

[gemini-melia.livejournal.com]

So I know I'm late to the party, but I thought I'd drop in and give my own situation. I'll be graduating in May 2012 with a BA in Writing/minors in English and Screenwriting. I really want to do something with editing or publishing, preferably in books. I'm not a fan of newspaper or magazine writing unless it's arts criticism, which I've done freelance for college and local publications.

I've always had the preconceived notion that if you want to break into publishing, then NYC is the place to go. I'm from rural suburbia and the idea sounds exciting, but extremely daunting. I was wondering if anyone could a) give me some advice for getting a job at a NYC publisher and avoid getting lost in the void of applicants or b) give me any alternatives to NYC to find writing or editing jobs. Not necessarily publishing, but where I can flex my writer's muscle in some slightly creative sense.

I'm from the East Coast and had planned on looking anywhere from Boston to Philly to DC to Chicago, but I'm really open to anywhere in the country.

Thanks everyone, and especially Sam (I've lurked on your journal for a long time)! This is such a great idea and beneficial to so many people!

Boston / southern New Hampshire area

[fiveforsilver]

I've done a lot of temping, so my resume is kind of all over the place. I can type 90wpm, I'm good with computers, I've done data entry, call center, and customer service work. I had a small business for a few years making and selling jewelry. I have a BA in Studio Art and I studied metalsmithing for a while, too.

I want a job where I'm not doing the same thing all day (ie not 100% data entry or 100% phones). I've been looking at administrative assistant types of jobs, but although I have the skills, I don't have experience and I think that's where I get into trouble.

I would also be interested in suggestions for kinds of jobs to look for.

Multi-talented with strange skill set: hard to sell seeks work in MI.

[bridgeweaver.livejournal.com]

I have six years customer service and technical support experience, as well as volunteer coordination and teaching experience at the Sacramento Society for the Blind. In addition, I have run a solo massage therapy practice and managed a multi-therapist wellness center. I've also done contract programming, though frankly my coding chops are way out of date.

I am seeking work in a politically activist organization, preferably doing volunteer coordination or teaching of the disabled in technical, life and job skills. My next priority would be to find an opening for an experienced massage therapist in an integrated healthcare setting, one where I'm not having to run around marketing and where I can focus on the healthcare, working with other team members who respect my skill set and experience: 15 years in a field with a median longevity of 3 years. I'd also be willing to work for the right company in customer service or technical support. I'm good with volunteers, have lots of experience doing fiddly documentation for government agencies, have developed and taught my own curricula for assistive technology teaching.

I'd like to find work in Michigan, either Ann Arbor area or the west side of the state. I'm relocating there at the end of this month.

[captainofidiots.livejournal.com]

I'm not the original poster, but my mom is a TSA screener. There is a bit of physical activity involved. I know you have to be able to lift a certain weight amount and be able to stand for long amounts of time. You will have to have a physical beforehand. They do hire from a variety of backgrounds. My mom had been a school bus driver before being hired.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

Re: any Medical Technologists / Clinical Laboratory Scientists out there who could give me some advi

[regonym.livejournal.com]

I hear you. :D Which sub-program were you in? I did NCCC twice, once as a Corps Member and once as a Team Leader.

Re: any Medical Technologists / Clinical Laboratory Scientists out there who could give me some advi

[silmerin.livejournal.com]

I was also NCCC! Vicksburg Class XVI, planning on going back as a TL someday in the hazy future.

best year of my life, for real

[lavinialavender.livejournal.com]

My GOD, I know what you mean about the intimidation factor of moving to NYC right out of college. I was told that too, when I wanted to go into publishing (and I still do, but maybe later. Tech writing is a more sure field right now :) ).

Have you looked into Amazon's groundbreaking publishing industry? They're really picking up speed - just got premises in NYC, but I know they have multiple locations over the country now.

[gemini-melia.livejournal.com]

Ooh, thank you! I hadn't heard about that - off to look now! :)

Re: looking for work in memphis

[jenna kass (from livejournal.com)]

This is off-topic to jobs-in-Memphis, but on-topic for art. I hope you don't find a little critique untoward.

I would deeply suggest displaying your art differently. If you don't want to go through the hassle of setting up your own website, using Blogger is great, but I think it would be better to utilize the blog format: post each piece of art, tag it digital, painting/printmaking, etc, link the tags on the sidebar. All of my professors have stressed ease-of-viewing as the most important aspect of any artist website, corroborated by a the articles written by art directors that I've read.

For free gallery, as alternatives or in addition to Blogger, you can check out places like Behance; there are also free website services, like Weebly.

I do like your art quite a bit, which is why I felt the need to pipe up. Good art deserves to be displayed to its best advantage (:

Oops

[frith]

D'oh! Thanks for the head's up. 8^)

Re: RAHT -- Granby?

[frith]

Have you left a CV at the Granby Zoo in Quebec? All new hires in animal care are RAHT's and we just hired three temps last week. There are people on or going to be on: sick leave, maternity leave, sabbatical, study leave... You just need to be good at written and spoken French.

[queencallipygos.livejournal.com]

....I'm in NYC as well -- where would I find out about this? Do you have a link?....

NANNY or PRESCHOOL TEACHING position, FT

[elucreh.livejournal.com]

I know I'm rather late but it can't hurt to ask!

I have a B.S. in English and Child Development with an emphasis in helping children to develop their language skills both written and spoken. I've been teaching preschool for the last seven years, but would love to either make an actual living wage at it or work with smaller groups of children. I come with glowing references from professors of child development, the director of my preschool, and several former part-time nanny clients.

I currently live in Utah but am willing to move pretty much anywhere in the U.S.

I love my kids. I pay close attention to their needs and learning patterns, and I am very good at disguising great learning opportunities as really awesome playtime. I'm an amazing storyteller, a reasonably healthy and competent cook (with a LOT of experience in cooking for specialised diets/avoiding allergens, if you/your child has special requirements), and willing to do light-to-medium housework (I can't steam-clean your carpets, but I scrub toilets cheerfully).

Bonuses that I can't really put on an official resume: I'm very, very good at hanging out with geeks and raising children who, at the very least, find other things than geekiness in their parents about which to be embarrassed. I'm wide-open-minded about people's personal choices, and would ESPECIALLY love to become part of a gay or gay-friendly family (well, because I'd like to be able to talk about my girlfriend.)