I was laid off in March of this year after 26 years with that company. In three months, I have submitted 150 applications, got 11 interviews, and no job offers.
I’m sorry to hear especially after all of that loyalty. Are you on LinkedIn? Want some feedback on your resume?
Genuinely saddened to hear that, @Mike403. Does the school you attended have any sort of employment contacts or assistance programs? Not to even mention the harsh reality of being laid off after that many years.
Sending you hugs and hopes for better, SOON..
Here's my resume:
[header redacted due to personal info]
Experienced data processing and billing analysis professional with a proven track record in data entry, accuracy verification, and discrepancy correction. Demonstrated expertise in exceeding productivity standards and enhancing department efficiency through specialized projects. Highly motivated and eager to learn new processes to continually improve performance. Recognized for meticulous attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
ADT Security, Aurora, CO 1997 to 2024 Billing Analyst 2007 to 2024 • Analyzed and processed billing adjustments and terminations, adhering to strict policy guidelines and referring complex cases to management for resolution. • Calculated and applied termination fees accurately, in line with contractual obligations, contributing to departmental accuracy metrics. • Participated in and completed special projects, acquiring new skills which led to significant operational efficiency and team productivity.
Lockbox Processor 2003 to 2007 • Accurately processed incoming payment documents, ensuring timely posting to relevant customer accounts. • Resolved discrepancies through detailed investigation, maintaining data integrity and payment accuracy.
Contract Processor 1997 to 2003 • Conducted thorough examination of new account contracts to ensure accuracy, identifying, and rectifying any inconsistencies. • Maintained database integrity by validating and updating entry information, enhancing data reliability.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Electrical Engineering Technology, Metropolitan State University of Denver, CO. Expected graduation 2026. Relevant coursework: Technical Programming, Process Control Systems, Interface Technologies, Microcontrollers, Analog and Digital communications
SKILLS
MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) * Python * C# * Java * MATLAB * NI Multisim * Data Entry * Billing * Organizational Skills * 80-100 wpm Typing Speed * Electrical Engineering * Computer Coding * Web Development * Flask framework * PC Workstations
What sites are you using for jobs? May I suggest
LinkedIn Handshake Indeed ZipRecruiter
Also the university I went to has a site where alumni recruit alumni. They also have alumni events. On the downside, many of the alumni jobs are more entry level.
@Morpheus - Indeed and ZipRecruiter for the most part. Occasionally LinkedIn.
I will effectively be laid off at the end of september so I will be joining you in the search. I have a number of things I wish to attempt to do so we will see how that goes in three months.
@Mike403 Oh, Mike, I’m sorry to hear that. I hope you find something you love to do soon, or at least will pay your bills while you finish school. Hugs!
Ditto Mike. I look forward to the day when post you have found a job. And boy you know a lot of stuff. Your resume has my head spinning.
@Mike403 Below are email screenshots for Career Networking Group. The link is for Austin, but I'm sure they're in your area, too.
Perhaps you'll find this useful.
@Mike403 That's definitely rough. Like the job market, resumes have changed. One size doesn't fit all nowadays. It's not uncommon for people to have different resumes setups for the line of work applying. My ideas: - The first section should be Professional Accomplishments, to also highlight any awards or big projects you spearheaded. Being vague here hurts your credibility and chances. - Don't mention turning things over to mgmt, unless it involved a big discovery (such as a system glitch.) - Flesh out your skills section with examples (this could help your accomplishments/highlights.)
I'm happy to assist you via DM.
@Mike403 You have a great resume! I’m so sorry that you were laid off, especially after being such a loyal employee. I understand that feeling of being a little lost and now what’s next? You will find something. I know it.
Imagine a slightly different career if you have interest. Workforce Commission in your state probably has free training courses. (I’ve sometimes wished I’d considered doing something totally different for a career, endless possibilities,)
Please keep us posted and wishing the best for you!
Yes, it absolutely is. Lots of ghosting, lots of fake job postings. One of my friends suggested starting a new career but a) entry level jobs now ask for three years of experience and b) I have too many bills to be able to start at the bottom again.
@Mike403 I do not envy you in the least. Having been self-employed for a number of years now, I would be lost in the new, online world of job applications.
You certainly have the education, experience, and credentials needed to find a good job, so don't give up.
I’m sorry Mike. You should consider getting professional assistance with your resume. To be brutally honest, your resume, while thorough, needs more “zip”. Maybe that’s why you’re not getting many bites? Change the lure! And add specific leadership qualities and ways you’ve demonstrated strategic thinking and/or unique skills relative to your peers. How much profit did you generate for ADT? I’m sure you possess attributes that can distinguish you from most applicants and get that offer!
And since AI is a big deal now, need to address how you can be part of the solution to make it work.
Companies are in the business of making money $$$. Be forward thinking, not backwards!
In the meantime, I hope you can find some good cuddles from all the wonderful people on this site.
26 years? Did you have a nice little nest egg built? Get something that covers expenses that have to be paid and maybe invest in your talents and start a business.
Another issue right now is a lot of companies are using AI to screen applications. Go over to the LinkedIn forums and there is nonstop complaining about this. Add to that companies posting and reposting and reposting the same job (what, you couldn't find anyone in the first 3000 applicants?) because they're looking for perfection. It's an employers' market right now, definitely not a job seeker's (I've had five interviews in 18 months).
I have not verified if this works, but it seems plausible.
Hang in there Big Mike- Your time is coming
I think it's posts like these that really demonstrate how these forums can be an amzing place.
There is definitely extremely knowledgeable people who have offered helpful advice to not just Mike-but all who may be in that situation.
In addition to professional assistance with your resume there are also groups who will reach out to potential employers on your behalf. Recruiters is one name for them but tthere are groups who have a tremendous track record of success when it comes to landing clients a job.
Also, Mike -Life is about perspective and I found what you expect in life you typically receive. Change the narravtive of the job market is terrible to Companies are looking for qualified people like me.
I would use to you your advantage the absolute fact that there has NEVER been a time in our country where so many businessess are desperately seeking competent, reliable employees. I
It really does help a lot to do targeted searching. I did this for my last job hunt and it was so much more effective. Basically, only apply to jobs where you meet almost all the qualifications. Then, target your resume very specifically to that position, making sure to include all keywords. In other words, don't create one resume and apply in mass as these will often not get by the keyword search algorithm. That being said, 11 interviews out of 150 applications is not bad at all these days.
Also, always do a cover letter even if it says it is optional. Make sure that cover letter is also targeted to the specific position.
I 100% agree with @WriterGF
There are a LOT of “ghost jobs” (jobs listed that the company has no intention of filling) on job boards today. Companies do this for 3 reasons… 1) it makes it look to investors that the company is growing because they APPEAR to be hiring 2) it gives false hope to overworked current employees - “I know you have been working 10-15 hours of unpaid overtime for the past 4 months but we are trying to hire more people… just hold on a little longer…” 3) companies like having a file full of “fresh” resumes in case someone quits and they actually need to hire someone. 4) a “bonus issue” some job postings are total scams and are posted by people who just want to collect all your personal information for marketing purposes or to sell on the dark web.
Also, AI is doing a LOT of screening of resumes and applications today. You may spend 20-30 minutes (or longer) completing an application and filling in all the details of you work history and education background, only to have AI reject your application within 1 nanosecond because you didn’t include 1 key word it was looking for (I.e. you said you were an expert in “process improvement” but it was looking for someone who was an expert in “BUSINESS process improvement.”
I ran across a guy on LinkedIn who has an MBA. He answered a job posting that required a Masters of Business Administration, and his CV lists the fact that he has that MBA. He got rejected and the rejection email said it was because he had not "met the educational requirement." Why? Because the AI was looking for "Masters of Business Administration" and didn't know what "MBA" meant.
To add to JohnR1972's comment, a lot of places will ask for test projects as part of the interview process. Then you never hear from them again, but hey, they got free work out of you.
Pissed me off when I hear from people that the economy is great, because the government said so. Tbh it's the worst it's been in my lifetime. I'm an independent long haul trucker, and rates have never been as low as they are now, that combined with the scarcity of work available and super high overhead and overall cost of living spells disaster.
@wilderdude A lot of the strong job creation numbers are infrastructure jobs - road crews, that sort of thing. Also keep in mind that unemployment numbers can be low because they don't count people who have used up their six months of unemployment (as I have, twice now) or just given up searching.
I don't expect anything to improve before next year. Companies always sit on their hands in Presidential election years until the election is over, and by then it's almost the holidays so hiring shuts down.
@Mike403 It truly is. I’d encourage you to look at your areas local top temp agencies and the jobs listed within. Indeed Mentors from previous employment, networking or job fairs & letters of recommendations. You have quite the resume. Freshening it for each job featuring keywords in the job description. Maybe do take a temp or contract job while still looking. Remote advertising your skill sets like Task Rabbit. Good luck and get in a few cuddles here and there to help destress during the work transition, pivot and search.
Also just lost my job and struggling severely with the job hunt. Here to wish you luck 🤞🏻
@wilderdude The media is still repeating the long outdated situation of the United States having a driver shortage and estimating it at 80,000 drivers needed.
That WAS true at one time several years ago but according to BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) a couple hundred thousand people earned the CDL in 2020 and 2021 and we now have a big driver surplus which is driving down wages for drivers (you can’t escape supply and demand).
I believe a lot of trucking companies are intentionally promoting the idea there is still a driver shortage because it ensures a driver surplus and keeps wages down.
I don't really have any amazing accomplishment to put on my resume other than my 26 years of loyalty. I'm applying to data entry jobs that pay $20 per hour which isn't enough to live for most people in the Denver area but I bought my condo so cheap and can survive on that wage.
I did apply at temp agencies and they didn't find anything for me yet.
@Mike403 If you're setting the bar at $20/hr jobs, your resume needs to sharply focus on job skills of those making $21-30. Being seen as overqualified is a real hurdle. A resume should address "what's in it for us" from the vantage point of the Employer.
When you do get interviews, research the company so you can talk about your fit and contributions to them. There's no future in dwelling on what you used to do.
Have you considered approaching companies that don't have an active Ad? Informational or courtesy interviews at upstarts and small companies can lead to referrals. Networking is a must and possibly something you haven't done being in one place so long.
Good luck
@Mike403
When you say you don't have any amazing accomplishments to put on your resume, I think one of two things. A lack of confidence or a lack of insight, for lack of a better word.
Receive any awards , attaboys for accuracy? Were there any in-house metrics used to judge you? Maybe pull out your old Performance Reviews. Numbers are important. For example, to achieve corporate goals for accuracy every quarter every year for ten years, gets you their attention.
Taking initiative for learning new languages, going to college while working is an achievement; anything above and beyond your co workers is a big plus. Learn to sing your own praise. Try to find other real resumes to see how to improve yours. Find a headhunter. When I last looked for a job, nearly 100% were found by a headhunter. They get 30-35% of your first year base salary as a finders fee if you're hired. They help with resumes and coach you in prep for an interview.
Most of the responses I have gotten have been from smaller companies that haven't started AI screening yet.