First "Real Job" Hunting?

Question

I've got an interesting job hunting situation and I need some advice:

I graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in Social Work. My senior year, I interned at a rehab facility for teens because I was interested in social work and substance abuse. My time there disappointed me and I wasn't a great fit for the place, so I wasn't hired on after graduation. I've been looking for a job since May, but haven't found anything in my field. In August I took a temp to hire overnight job with Walmart. Obviously I'm not happy there since I am over qualified and the pay is nowhere near what I would make using my degree.

Honestly, I've been a bit lazy and negative while job hunting and at this point I am totally lost.

I like Social Work, but I'm not sure it's the best path for me since I'm terribly introverted. I picked the field because I am a bleeding heart idealist, but those things don't translate to a job as a Social Worker in the real world. If I could go back I would have studied Computer Science or Accounting as a better fit to my personality, but I can't go back to school at this time.

I don't have very much experience in the field or anything else for that matter: 2 years part time in a college library, 3 months at McDonalds one summer, 3 months as a missionary in Thailand, 3 months as a hostess/cashier at a Steakhouse, 1 month as a cashier at a buffet, 3 months as a pizza server, the internship for a year part time, a 6 month attempt at running a cleaning service with my husband, and the Walmart job since August (3 months so far). I didn't work except for during the summers (all those 3 month periods) in college (big mistake). Currenly I only put the internship and the cleaning service on my "social work resume" and add the library job for my basic resume. I'm not sure if I should add any of the others. I think not since it looks choppy and the jobs were unprofessional.

I also have had a hard time networking because my husband and current coworkers are the only people I know in my town. I moved from a small town 2 years ago, but being introverted has made it hard to make new connections.

My references are also weak. I thought a few of my professors would be decent references, but I did not ask them before I started using them as references and am not sure that was a great idea after one would not return my phone calls. I haven't been that big of a standout since high school or at any of my other jobs, so I doubt many of the former employers would be that great either.

Also I don't drive, so DFCS or other jobs that require travel are out of the question.

I'm a brilliant person, It's just not immedietly visible and I wish I could be given a chance without having to drasicallly change who I am.

So that's my situation, here are my questions:
Should I add/remove any jobs to either my "social work resume" or my basic resume? Does working at Walmart with my degree make me look like a loser to future employers?
How do I make decent connections after graduation in a new city?
I've thought about working with a temp agency- has anyone had experience with them?
With the application process being primarily internet based how do less qualified canidates get noticed?


I'm in desperate need of focus (if it's that's not already obvious.)
Any other advice or observations are welcome. Thank you!

Answer 1

First if the job has nothing to do with the field that you are applying for you shouldn't put it on your resume. Most employer's don't care if you worked at Mcdonald's or not. Working for temp agencies are a good way to get your foot in the door at some companies, while allowing you to see what type of jobs you are really interested in. You should go to non-profit organizations and ask if you can do some volunteer work. That might help you get meet some good contacts.

Answer 2

Yes, I would go. I don't believe in ghost, but it sounds like a hoot. As far as real researchers, I don't believe that there are any that I know of. Real scientists do not seem to want to waste their time with this. Probably for obvious reasons. I enjoy watching the Ghost Hunter show though, and think it is very funny. It sometimes reminds me of a ghost movie I saw with Don Knotts, called the "Ghost and Mr. Chicken". The sidekicks on the show are hilarious. I wouldn't be very good on it though, because I would be giving them logical explanations for the creaks and other phenomena that they attribute to ghosts. Don't think that would be what they are looking for. Ha. Have fun. Boo.

Answer 3

hunting is more of a hobby for me, i do it because i love it, but if you can get paid for it then that is awsome