I have been browsing for jobs for the last few weeks and I am beginning to get a little down! Every single job I look at that I am interested in lists a year or more experience as a requirement for the job. It is that old catch 22 thing. To get experience you need a job but to get the job you need experience. It is depressing seriously. We are trying to decide on some major life changing family decisions in the next couple of months and me getting a part time job would help. However I haven't really worked in about 5 years and the last job I had was some office work which doesn't relate to my current degree of jobs I am hoping to apply for. So anyone have any pointers?
It really is depressing, especially when you are trying to break into a field with no experience. On your other thread you were asking about volunteering, I would think that volunteering somewhere where human services are required, or even at something vaguely related to human services, would look good on a job application. Hang in there! If you keep knocking on every door you can, one of these days one will open. Sorry for your frustration.
I would think they would need volunteers at a crisis center, etc. Would that help get the experience you need?
I'm thankful every day that I have a rock-solid job with decent pay and great benefits....I can't even imagine trying to break into this job market right now. I can't say for the market on the Left Coast, but around here there is a great need for people willing to work entry-level jobs in the mental health field; the pay isn't the greatest, and sometimes neither are the conditions (staff at a mental health center group home), but it is a job nonetheless. I'd check the websites of mental health agencies, both private and public; I'm willing to bet there are jobs out there for people willing to be a staff member at a mental health group home (usually only need a H.S. diploma) or a mental health technician (usually requires a Bachelor's degree, at least around here).
Chemical dependency counselling trainee (CDCT) appears to be a viable option. This CDC opportunity below provides for trainees as well. However, you may not be able to get part time work right away. I would apply for the trainee position, get qualified, and then if it works out, they may be willing to negotiate with you. In a seller's (employer's) market, you need to be flexible. Chemical Dependency Counselor & Chemical Dependency Counselor Trainee at Downtown Emergency Service Center in Seattle - Brought to you by NWjobs MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: • Must obtain and maintain appropriate trainee license/credential with Washington State Department of Health. • Interest or experience in working with clients who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional mental health programs. • Ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
I feel your pain. I had to move from my beloved Washington State over here to Baltimore, MD for a job. The job market was pretty crappy where I lived. I was laid off in 2008 and finally found full-time permanent work at the end of 2010. Over 300 applications with numerous interviews in-person and over the phone. Rejection loses its sting after a while. Look at the schools in your area, community colleges and universities sometimes they are hiring. Also, check on the military base and see if you can get in there with a NAF job of some kind. That can lead to better opportunities down the line if you are willing to work your way up. Hospitals are also good places to look. I'm sure you have been here, but you can also go in person to get help as well: Worksource Washington. You'll make about $10-$15 per hour as a Chem Counselor. You can make more once you have experience, my uncle does that (and got his A.A.S. from a community college in Washington). You have to pass a national exam and get 2,500 hours of field experience as well. Although it sounds like you are looking for work and not more schooling. Problem is, Human Service degrees and professional people holding those designations are plentiful and your competition will be huge. Good luck on your search.
You should also work every personal and professional connection you have. I cannot remember the exact statistic but I seem to recall something like 2 out of 3 jobs being filled through a referal rather than blind application. You could try church contacts (assuming you go to church), join profesional fellowships or societies where you live (in my case that would be the local PMI chapter), join charitable organizations, maybe take a class on campus locally, try and work with a head hunting or recruiting firm (these people can be tremendously effective at times). Those are just a few ides.
