Category: Jobs and Employment
Hi, all. I know a fair number of you are in the job market, some of you have recently found jobs, and some have been working for awhile. During your past or present job search, where are some of the places you've looked for jobs? For those of you who are working, where did you find your current job? I'm job searching myself, and thus far, no luck. Sites like Careerbuilder just seem to give me spam. I've also heard of a site called indeed.com. What other places do you guys search for jobs, or have maybe found them? I'd love some feedback.
I've hired people from Craigslist and when I make my next change Craigslist is gonna be one place I look. It's a no-frills, no bullshit kind of place and honestly you avoid the recruiter middle man job counsellor industry who tells you what employers want, and turns around and tells employers what they are supposed to expect. At least they did that to us when I was hiring.
But Craigslist is direct from the source, for better or worse.
Okay, sorry Leo, but I had a different experience. I participated in a Situational Work Assessment, kind of like an internship for three months before I got hired. When I was searching, I chose companies I wanted to work for, then looked under the employment section. I actually landed a couple interviews that way. I had a great experience with a Business Outreach Specialist at my Voc Rehab department. I work in the Human Services field, and with this kind of work, it's expecially important to have connections. I know lots of people complain about DVR, but I had a good experience for the most part. Hth.
The person I'm working with at my rehab agency is good, and she is helpful, but of course there's only so much she can do. She's trying to help me make some connections, but of course I'm not her only case. That's my big problem. It's so often not what you know, it's who you know, and I've lost most of my connections to the professional world at this point. So I've got very little of the who I know left. That reduces me to online searching, and my rehab agency, neither of which have been very promising so far.
Indeed.com is a wonderful web site.
Basically, you can key in a job type or title that you are looking for, and they will email you daily all the jobs matching the title or type of job you've entered.
I've found two or three contracts via indeed.
I used to use HRDC's Job Bank site (Canada), and that is how I got my current job. Since then, though, the resumes I have sent through there have resulted in only 1 interview. In Alberta, Canada, Kijiji is more popular than craigslist, and I have obtained a ton of interviews through them. No job offers, but more interviews means more likely success.
Indeed is at least a good place to start. At least you won't miss the opportunity to apply for local jobs, though I have yet to even land an interview myself. thanks for posting this topic, alicia.
I second everyone who's suggested Indeed.com. Although I'm sure there might be spam on there, it's much less than any of the other job sites I've encountered.
In my experience, I've gotten some responses to my resume, but many just choose not to respond at all. It's very disheartening.
My Other Half was just hired on to a job a few days ago, but they decided to let him go three days in because they thought he couldn't keep up with the coding.
don't give up. Hold your had high, and keep looking. I'm looking too.
Sister Dawn, do you live in Co? If so, ask your counselor about a Situational Work Assessment. I wasn't nuts about the idea at first, but it really helped me save my sanity. Honestly, I asked my counselor to put me in touch with the Business Outreach Specialist. I wasn't the Specialist's only case, but we both worked together to find a solution. At this point, keep your options open. I would have worked in a call center, or been a receptionist, anything to land a job. I also would have changed career fields if necessary. Internships and SWA's are a great way to make connections. Go in there, and don't take no for an answer. I told the Specialist that not working wasn't an option. We both searched online. Luckily, she has a lot of connections.
To anyone who's searching for a job, I totally feel your pain, be persistent, even when you don't feel like it. I honestly would have moved if necessary. I've actually heard of a few blind people having jobs in the Denver area, so don't give up. Pm me with any other concerns.
BLW, no, I don't live in CO anymore. I wish I did. I am working with both my rehab counselor and one of the employment specialists at my rehab agency. Yes, we are also looking at internships, or even volunteer opportunities just for the sake of getting a foot in the door, though of course something paid would be preferable. I would be willing to move if needed, in fact, most of me would like to move. So, my options are definitely open.
Great, make sure you have a nice, updated resume. Try to tailor your resume to the specific job you're applying for. That's awesome you're working with an employment specialist and rehab counselor. This turned out to be a good combination for me. Keep trying, and I'm sure something will open up eventually.
Thanks all for the info on Indeed. I've applied to a few jobs through there, but ultimately have had FAR more interviews with Kijiji... I don't know if it's just because everyone is using Indeed?
Have any of yall had experience with snagajob? I know they're known for part-time, summer employment which is what I'm looking for. I got recommended to a call center that does sales for phone companies and stuff, but they've never even heard of a screenreader and are very resistant.
I search on unionjobs.com and through my labor union and the connections I have. I have been lucky enough not to need voc rehab.