I have been trying to find a job for the past 2 years and I have not been able to go further than a round two interview of four. I have applied to multiple jon openings through LinkedIn, Indeed, SimplyHired, and other smaller platforms that I can’t remember because I’ve been through so many. I have tried directly contacting companies asking if they are interested in freelance work or even an opportunity to have an informative interview and nothing. I have tried temp agencies and it’s either truly crappy pay work or they are just not interested in me. I have updated my resume numerous times, I have gone to job fairs and talk with companies and nothing. I have tried to reach out to what little network that I have and they have really not been helpful. Hell, I’ve even tried applying to Walmart and I still got no response and it’s been like 2 months. I just don’t know what to do anymore. If anyone can kindly give me some advice, that would be greatly apperciated.
- I have a Bachelors in Psychology and I have over 5 years of customer service experience.
Try heading down to a local Service Canada centre or a provincial employment hub. If there isn’t one in your town, just give them a shout on the phone. These places are there to help you out, I happen to work at a place like that myself.
You might also want to think about leveling up your education. These days, a general Bachelor’s degree can be tough to market on its own, especially in a field like psychology where you almost always need a Master’s or a PhD to actually practice.
Get out there and volunteer or just start chatting with people. Tell everyone you meet what you’re passionate about and that you’re looking for work. You never know who is hiring until you ask.
When it comes to your resume, get a second pair of eyes on it. Ideally someone who knows the industry. If your experience is a bit thin, stick to a one-page functional resume that highlights what you can do rather than just where you’ve been.
When you’re applying through online portals, use an AI tool to cross-reference the job posting and find the specific keywords or “buzzwords” that will help you get past the automated filters.
Don’t underestimate the skills you already have, either. If you’ve got retail experience and a degree, you’ve actually got a great foundation for a pivot into something like marketing.
For the interview, it’s all about the vibe and selling yourself. Practice talking about your wins with confidence and make sure you have solid, real world examples ready for their questions. Always have two or three good questions ready for them at the end so you look engaged.
Do your research before the interview. You should know as much as you can about them before talking (particularly if they have a mission statement).
Every job market is different. I live in a small town, but because it is a tourist hub it is more like a small city. Most jobs here are word of mouth and shaking the right hand, but a lot of the tourist jobs with the bigger shops are more corporate so you need to apply online.
Most importantly, don’t let this process get you down. Keep yourself moving, stay active, and do things that make you happy. If you’re not working right now, use that time to sharpen a skill or just better yourself in some way. It doesn’t really matter as long as you’re moving forward.
Also, keep in mind that if you’re dealing with any health issues or disabilities, there are specific Canadian programs and vocational rehab services designed to help folks find the right fit and get back into the workforce.