Why would you put it on your resume? I've had interim jobs that I wanted nowhere near my recent work history, and I simply didn't include them in summaries of my professional experience.
You wouldn't include it on your professional resume.
I don't know what the job situation is like where you are, but I was unable to get a fast food job when I was looking for one during my three years of unemployment. I tweaked my resume multiple times, and even left off some of my degrees, but I was still over-educated for them.
or whole foods or someplace like that. I seem to recall at whole foods folks with long hair so you wouldn't have to hack it off, assuming it's still long just to get employed.
Have you tried temp agencies? The real trick is finding a good one, but you should be able to pick up just enough money to even out the rough spots while doing more serious job searching.
Ask local newsgroups or communities for recs. Ask people you trust for recs. Trust your gut.
I did the temp agency thing, too, when I was unemployed. I found one local agency I liked, partly because they did all their mechanical testing online, and then you just went in for an interview. They called two days later with a job, but I had a professional interview that day for a job I got, so I had my name removed from their list.
a. Figure out what types of jobs you are looking for and what hourly wage you need.
b. If you can find a temp company that specifically lists your profession (i.e. Accountemps for accountants) go for it.
c. Otherwise (or afterwards) start calling/submitting résumés.
2)
This is the more difficult step of finding a good one. If you repeat 1c enough, you will find a good temp company. I have done temping during two time spans and I found one persistent pattern. The good temp companies were the ones that said "when can you come in for an interview." The bad ones said mail us (during round one of temping) or enter your résumé on our website (during round two of temping) and we'll get back to you.
"We'll get back to you" either means we have no jobs or we don't care enough to do ours.
The "good company" that I found in Gainesville was Kelly Temporary Services. I think they must have bought an expensive software package because they became a bad company when I tried working for them in Raleigh.
Gainesville jobs: receptionist, "office help", seminar registration, file clerk, etc.
Kelly kept me busy and the only reason that I stopped working for them is because I hated working as a file clerk (and did not have any conception that I could stop working a job just because I didn't like it). I got a permanent 40 hr job as a cashier at Office Depot and from there it was all upwards. I know, it doesn't sound impressive, but I was making $8-10/hr in Gainesville ~ 15 years ago, and that is more than you will make working fast food.
Round 2, I found a local company called Greer Group. Unfortunately, they are strictly regional. They put me in a temp to hire situation at Railinc. I was there for ~ 3 years and they have the bennies of the gods (or at least used to, another reason why I quit). I checked their website just in case they had something in Atlanta. They don't, but in Raleigh they have 8 listings from $8.75/hr (3rd shift assembly line) to $18-$25/hr for a Systems Analyst. I suspect these are just the listings that they do not already have candidates lined up for.
It is not terribly high paying stuff, but it is quick and better than fast food. To earn higher than this on short notice, you really need to go to recruiters (see previous, they lie).
Other characteristics of bad companies:
-They keep trying to send you on wildly inappropriate jobs. -Over emphasis on proper dress and a neat appearance. You can expect a bit of this, but if it is over the top, it means that they are scraping the bottom of the barrel. -Really long delays between jobs & payment
Even the best companies will try to convince you that driving to the next county isn't really *that* far and you will have to do the humiliating 'sign the time card' routine just about everywhere.
There's only one employment agency listed in Atlanta, and it's rated three stars. I guess I'll see if I can track them down -- apparently they do well for sysadmins.
Normally, one is asked questions about employment gaps. But no one has ever questioned me about my 3-year gap, because they know what it was like during that time. I'm not so sure Ben would be asked about a gap.
Oh yes, once you know where your next meal is coming from, add some volunteer hrs to fill the résumé gap. However, I have to disagree on listing irrelevant work on résumés. If it is one of those 3 yrs back, security check things, list everything. Otherwise, leave it off and save it for the interview as an example of your flexibility. A résumé with Mickey D's at the top will go straight to the shredder, unless you are applying for a job at BK.
Back in 2006, when I was desperate, I applied and was told I was far, far too overqualified and they wouldn't hire me. I did get the job with the welders about a week later.
Unfortunately, with unemployment rates where they are now, my suspicion is you might not be able to GET a job at a fast food place -- a coffee place or bookstore or other retail, perhaps, but not fast food.
I can't answer the resume question, but I have hired people with blank periods in their resume, as long as these blank periods weren't reoccuring or excessive.
*nod* i can't get a regular retail or restaurant or anything job with my masters degree listed on the hiring card i have to fill out. they always say i'm too qualified. my dad suggested i just forget i got a degree. good luck.
Jodi suggested you look for a fast food job? Seriously? Of all the things you could do to help bring home the tofu, I'd put fast food at the bottom of your list. Go with what you know, brother. If you're going to apply for an out-of-field job, I'd start with coffee shops or bookstores. They're things you love and know about. And I don't think it's dishonest to omit such jobs from your resume, as long as you're honest about it in the interviews.
1. check with _everybody_ in your field before looking elsewhere. If they turned you down previously maybe the person they hired to hire turned out to be an idiot and are gone now. Make sure you check back with all those you did talk to before where you wanted to work.
2. If you must go outside your profession, into say, mmmh retail, you may be surprised to find how many used record/cd stores there still are in the ATL area that would seem to be a pretty good fit.
3. The west side of town south of charlie brown airport has an incredible amount of warehouses, and despite the economic slowdown, blah blah blah, they are all full of stuff that is poorly inventoried except maybe amazon's distribution center that coulld use your skills and talents.
4. Headhunters, temp agencies, are pimps, just without the floppy hat and flashy car. Well maybe they have a flashy car.
Good hunting O Ben.
Frog says, too bad the Charist,feminist bookstore, in little five points isn't hiring.
Toad seyz: The other used bookstore on Euclid might be. Wax n Facts mostly used record store (a fave) and criminal records, mostly new, independent music. So called indie music.
PS if Emory or Tech or Agnes Scott don't all make you offers they aren't as smart as they look. Not to mention the Carter Library, CDC, yerkes, and all the local town libraries.
When I worked at Whole Foods (far from fast food, btw) I worked with people who were between jobs, a lot of these people were educated and held professional jobs in the past. Most of the people I've met throughout my "career" in retail held master's degrees.
Working in food service or retail isn't a death sentence. You just need a little extra income. Do what you have to do.
Good luck.
Don't go into fast food, though. Heh. I can see you working in a specialty grocery store or a cool geeky gadget store. If you really need a job, make fast food your last resort.
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I don't know what the job situation is like where you are, but I was unable to get a fast food job when I was looking for one during my three years of unemployment. I tweaked my resume multiple times, and even left off some of my degrees, but I was still over-educated for them.
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It's disgusting. And I speak from personal experience. Though if I hadn't done it, I wouldn't have met Lisa. :)
...and aren't you a vegetarian? Ugh, I get sick just thinking about the smell.
Go bag something at Publix instead, if you want more money.
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I did the temp agency thing, too, when I was unemployed. I found one local agency I liked, partly because they did all their mechanical testing online, and then you just went in for an interview. They called two days later with a job, but I had a professional interview that day for a job I got, so I had my name removed from their list.
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a. Figure out what types of jobs you are looking for and what hourly wage you need.
b. If you can find a temp company that specifically lists your profession (i.e. Accountemps for accountants) go for it.
c. Otherwise (or afterwards) start calling/submitting résumés.
2)
This is the more difficult step of finding a good one. If you repeat 1c enough, you will find a good temp company. I have done temping during two time spans and I found one persistent pattern. The good temp companies were the ones that said "when can you come in for an interview." The bad ones said mail us (during round one of temping) or enter your résumé on our website (during round two of temping) and we'll get back to you.
"We'll get back to you" either means we have no jobs or we don't care enough to do ours.
The "good company" that I found in Gainesville was Kelly Temporary Services. I think they must have bought an expensive software package because they became a bad company when I tried working for them in Raleigh.
Gainesville jobs:
receptionist, "office help", seminar registration, file clerk, etc.
Kelly kept me busy and the only reason that I stopped working for them is because I hated working as a file clerk (and did not have any conception that I could stop working a job just because I didn't like it). I got a permanent 40 hr job as a cashier at Office Depot and from there it was all upwards. I know, it doesn't sound impressive, but I was making $8-10/hr in Gainesville ~ 15 years ago, and that is more than you will make working fast food.
Round 2, I found a local company called Greer Group. Unfortunately, they are strictly regional. They put me in a temp to hire situation at Railinc. I was there for ~ 3 years and they have the bennies of the gods (or at least used to, another reason why I quit). I checked their website just in case they had something in Atlanta. They don't, but in Raleigh they have 8 listings from $8.75/hr (3rd shift assembly line) to $18-$25/hr for a Systems Analyst. I suspect these are just the listings that they do not already have candidates lined up for.
It is not terribly high paying stuff, but it is quick and better than fast food. To earn higher than this on short notice, you really need to go to recruiters (see previous, they lie).
Other characteristics of bad companies:
-They keep trying to send you on wildly inappropriate jobs.
-Over emphasis on proper dress and a neat appearance. You can expect a bit of this, but if it is over the top, it means that they are scraping the bottom of the barrel.
-Really long delays between jobs & payment
Even the best companies will try to convince you that driving to the next county isn't really *that* far and you will have to do the humiliating 'sign the time card' routine just about everywhere.
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Unfortunately, with unemployment rates where they are now, my suspicion is you might not be able to GET a job at a fast food place -- a coffee place or bookstore or other retail, perhaps, but not fast food.
I can't answer the resume question, but I have hired people with blank periods in their resume, as long as these blank periods weren't reoccuring or excessive.
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good luck.
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thoughts on the subject
2. If you must go outside your profession, into say, mmmh retail, you may be surprised to find how many used record/cd stores there still are in the ATL area that would seem to be a pretty good fit.
3. The west side of town south of charlie brown airport has an incredible amount of warehouses, and despite the economic slowdown, blah blah blah, they are all full of stuff that is poorly inventoried except maybe amazon's distribution center that coulld use your skills and talents.
4. Headhunters, temp agencies, are pimps, just without the floppy hat and flashy car. Well maybe they have a flashy car.
Good hunting O Ben.
Frog says, too bad the Charist,feminist bookstore, in little five points isn't hiring.
Toad seyz: The other used bookstore on Euclid might be. Wax n Facts mostly used record store (a fave) and criminal records, mostly new, independent music. So called indie music.
PS if Emory or Tech or Agnes Scott don't all make you offers they aren't as smart as they look. Not to mention the Carter Library, CDC, yerkes, and all the local town libraries.
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When I worked at Whole Foods (far from fast food, btw) I worked with people who were between jobs, a lot of these people were educated and held professional jobs in the past. Most of the people I've met throughout my "career" in retail held master's degrees.
Working in food service or retail isn't a death sentence. You just need a little extra income. Do what you have to do.
Good luck.
Don't go into fast food, though. Heh. I can see you working in a specialty grocery store or a cool geeky gadget store. If you really need a job, make fast food your last resort.
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http://www.kellyit.us/web/us/kit/en/pages/careers_main.html
http://www.roberthalftechnology.com/
Good luck,
Dana