Do you want the job of your dreams? Don't do what I have done! I write this so that you know what not to do.
I have been looking for that perfect job my whole career. I don't know if I can say I even have a real career. Let me explain... I love to make things work, I love to figure things out, and I love Technology. So, seven years ago I started taking classes learning how to program while working as a tech support/help desk person. Soon I was able to find a job where I did help desk support and was able to develop a website for my employer and implement some Java code that I had learned.
Well, after about a year and a half I was part of a staff reduction. Laid off and no job. I was able to receive unemployment benefits that helped but that soon ran out. At that same time I went back to school to get my MBA. It sounded like a great idea at the time and felt good to be perusing something. After nine months of unemployment I did get something. However, I was making so little I was forced to find something better and I did. But that only lasted a few months and was laid off again. Soon I was working again but not doing what I wanted to do which was something with Java Technologies. I wanted that Java Software Engineer Programming Job, the employment of making things with code and using technology to figure things out and advancing in my career. I wanted to get experience in open source projects that included Apache, Hibernate, Spring, and Maven to just name a few. There is a real need for those who understand this stuff. I did find a company that seemed to offer much of what I was looking for. I was so excited and was so dedicated to the company but after just 2 months I was laid off again. It was so devastating and I could not believe it. I knew that there was a major need for what I wanted to do so I beleived I could still get into this career.
I bounced back quickly and was employed with a startup company and I worked very hard for them. I spent many extra hours to make things happen. I was super dedicated and more hopeful for making this work. I also really enjoyed this job and liked what I did but guess what; I was laid off again. This was the 4th time in my pseudo-java career that I was laid off. So for seven years I have been through eight different companies.
Since then I have not been able to get another job. I have had many interviews and even taken classes on how to interview and still I have not been able to get a job. I have applied to several lower level jobs, and entry level positions but they have not hired me either. I have been really thinking that there is something wrong with me. Many interviewers question why I have had so many jobs in such as short amount of time and others question why are you looking for a job here when you have an MBA.
Be Employable
I don't know if I am employable. I earned my MBA and I think that has hurt me. I did get a couple jobs while I was getting my MBA but since then Jobs have been very hard to get in a highly employable market (Though that market is now slowing down). The MBA has not helped me but at this time has increased my debt. I have had interviews where the person interviewing me is afraid to hire me because he thinks with my MBA I am after his position as manager or team lead. I just want a job!
Then my work history is full of quick job turn arounds and layoffs. This looks very bad and several employers have been avoiding hiring me because of this. Another problem that I see becomeing more as time goes by is my age. I am not yet fourty but in less than few years I will be over that limit.
So far I have been without real employment for over 10 months now. It has been a major strain on my marriage and self esteem. I have gone through counseling trying to get answers and it has even been suggested that I have something wrong with me. Yes, I do have something wrong with me! I am unemployed! My wife can't stand me being around and we have way too much debt! I am so close to loosing everything including my marriage because I can't even support my family monetarily. At this moment I can't pay my student loans, my home loan or utilities. I have used credit cards thinking that I will get a job next month and be able to pay on them. Well guess what? No job and no income and so no payments for the debt. Now my credit is going down so fast and I can't get out of this bottomless pit I have created.
If you like to be employed within a career that you like, don't do what I have done. Get experience with a larger company that will be around for a long time. Get to know people that do what you want to do. Stay with a company for as long as you can. Don't thin yourself out by getting a different degree and learning something else than what you are trying to be employed in. Get experience for the most part and don't get large amounts of student loans. If possible don't use credit cards while unemployed.
