I might have to take an Excel course just to be a receptionist
I got an email from a personnel agency called The Placement Group. They advised me to take the Excel course as most of their clients require Excel just to be a receptionist or in adminstration. It is most frustrating to have to spend more money just to get a job when I am looking for a job in the first place. It just doesn't make sense but I can see the logic in it. It is why I can't apply to every receptionist job because they do want you to have Excel. My friend Carol took Excel. She says the employers want you to have previous work experience using Excel. Carol is just temping at the moment, this is the first position where she can use the Excel she learned in school. Carol has been unemployed for the last 3 - 4 years. She works for a month and then they let her go. This has been the nature of her career in the last 3 - 4 years. She hasn't been able to keep a job. I can't get a job. I have been looking for the last 2 years but seriously looking in the last few months since my Smokey died in Nov. 15, 2009. The competition is something else. Some of the simple receptionist positions require an college education. I am old fashioned and think that is absolutely crazy. It is definitely the employers market. The employer can afford to be really picky. I am frustrated. I have to re-enter the work force as I need the money, why else does anyone work at a job. Most people hate their jobs. I just have to get a job and don't care if I like it or hate it. I hope the rest of you are having more success than I am. Thank you for listening to me vent out all of my frustrations. I appreciate it greatly from Diane B.
Replies
I am sorry you are having such a hard time with your job search, Diane. I know how difficult it is now. I have sent out my resume a couple of times recently because I am worried that my part-time tutoring will not be enough to support me. I have not heard a word back from any employers. I know exactly what you mean about Excel...we might as well add MS Word to that also. I use both in my tutoring work, and if I did not know them both well, my work would be harder to do. I sure understand about not wanting to put out money for training while you are looking for a job...that is exactly why I do not want to try to get teaching licenses again! Without working at a school and having a school board to pay for the required continuing education college credits, it\'s too expensive to come out of my pocket. I had to let both of my teaching licenses expire a few years ago because of the cost of keeping them up to date. My tutoring is the only job I have ever actually loved and do not want to give up, even after 8 years. Eventually I burned out in classroom teaching and now feel I don\'t think I could make enough money to make me go back to it. Hang in there! It seems like learning Excel is the right thing to do nowdays. Good luck with it! Hugs, Patti
I think Patti is right. Excel and MS Word are both easy to use and easy to learn. You can probably pick up books on both at the public library. Sometimes adult education classes offer those courses at a very nominal fee. Good luck on the job search......it is hard right now when employers have their pick of qualified applicants (many times over-qualified applicants) in this tough economy. You will find a job you like.......just don\'t give up.
Hugs, Dianne