Appyling for Jobs

I have an education degree and have 3 different resumes, one for teaching jobs, one for daycare jobs, and another for other jobs. I try to sell myself in the letter of app. I always send a letter, keep it short and sweet and mention that I may not have the experience, but here are the things I have going for me and how I could be an asset to their company. I hope this helps, in this economy I say apply for anything and buy stock in resume paper.

From personal experience, stick to what you went to school for. The moment you come off that track, you are destined to be something you did not want to be and have to find other jobs to maintain that. Gain experience in the area you really want. Keep the resumes going, sell yourself and in time you will find something. If all else fails, you can always start your own business. Food sells all the time.

First, so sorry about the upheaval. But I would recommend you never sell yourself short. Show a progression, show that you can a can do learning attitude which can easily come across in your cover letter or resume.

Add your transferrable skills to your resume, by that I mean computer skills and anything else you think would help in the position for which you are applying. Also, doing a custom cover letter for each position might help too. The cover letter is your first opportunity to sell yourself! You can highlight any of your skills and also let them know that you are looking for a career change.
Also, like another responder said, sign up with an employment agency. When my husband and I moved back to Michigan in 2003 (my job transferred me), my husband went the traditional route of sending out resumes for 6 months, went on interviews and didn't get a job. He signed up with an employment agency and had a job in the first week. It was a temporary contract position but it paid more than $20 an hour.

Gotta tell ya, I have a ton of experience in my field and am applying for jobs just like you. But, I can't get so much as a call back from employers. I would have to say that sticking with your field or something associated with it is your best bet.

Get someone to help you update your resume and be patient.

Good luck!

This is to encourage you to find work in what you specialize in pastry/baking. You know there are people out there looking for work and employers can and are being picky as they can get who they want.

Have you ever thought of going into business for yourself? I know a young woman who with persistance and a silent partner who invested in her business, has her own bakery and does PHENOMINAL work. Her prices are higher than many grocery stores but people are buying her cakes, pastries, etc and she is thriving.

If being in business for yourself is not appealing, then drive a ways to get the job you were meant to have and have a degree in. You will love your job and be top notch in it.

Do what you do best and you will succeed!

Good luck to you!

Many blessings as well.

I say work it! Show them what you're made of in the interview, Tell them you're a fast learner, responsible, dependable, you have good work history, & good refrences. If you do have good ref's, that helps alot, even if their not in that particular field. Hey doesn't hurt to try, just have a positive attitude & you never know what can happen! Don't get down if you don't land the jobs, just tell your self they weren't the right ones, that it's still coming & you want the RIGHT one not just any one! :) Hope it all goes well!

Good for you for looking forward!

Are you familiar with a skills-based resume? It might help you showcase what you're capable of rather than focus on the jobs you've had in the past. It's very commonly used by people changing careers, or people who've been out of a field or not employed for awhile. In this kind, you highlight what skills & attributes you have (though you usually also put the employment chronology at the end). It's tough to explain so you might want to take a look here: http://www.career.vt.edu/jobsearc/resumes/formats.htm#Skills

Good luck! Hope this helps.

If you think you can do the job (and learn the missing skills on the job), apply for it. At the interview, sell yourself as a fast learner and make sure that they understand that having someone grow in to a job is an advantage.

I agree, a skills-based resumer would serve you much better than a chronological one. I also find that without a resume, employers rarely call for an interview.

On the other hand, have you thought about starting your own business of baking/selling your pastries and cakes? Maybe approach local offices for monthly birthday celebrations, attend networking events to find opportunities to cater desserts,

You could also consider a PT work-at-home opportunity that would give you cash on a weekly basis as you built your pastry business. If you opt for that option, choose one with no inventory and low start up costs so that your income can go toward living.

Is there a temp firm in your new city that can give you some experience and some income while you gain knowledge. You may even started somewhere as a temp and then get hire as a regular worker

I would try to hook up with a staffing agency or 3. I did, and it really helped me find a new job when I got laid off last year.

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What's the worst thing that can happen by applying for jobs you know you could do, whether your specialty or not? They don't interview you...

I say apply anywhere and everywhere. Most employers won't ask for an actual resume until an interview is set up. Have references ready too.

I don't have a degree in Culinary Arts, but can bake and decorate one heck of a beautiful cake.

I don't have a degree in anything computer related, but I am working with all the Microsoft Programs where I work, doing Process Writing, editing, metrics, and auditing. But... My "label" here where I work is a Prototype Technician. Which is what I've been doing for the last 10yrs. Working on prototype vehicles. Not any of those things are anything like one another. But I have the ability and my Supervisor trusts that I can do what he's asked me to do even though it's not my "field".