I realize the job market can be very discouraging....but consider the following observations:
1. Would have worked 1:1 with a CEO for an SEO company that sounds a bit sketchy. He is on the record as being in the Tea part and I suspect he and I would not have gotten along well. So I never returned his call.
I fully understand that some situations may not be 'ideal' (just as I would think twice before working 1:1 with someone who was one of the founders of Mother Jones
...BUT, it wouldn't hurt to be just a little more "open minded" in a situation like this to simply talk to him and be honest (people do like honesty). While I'm not a card-carrying member of the Tea Party, I do agree with probably about 98% of what their views are....but at the same time, I'm not an 'in your face' type of person, and my co-workers would not be able to guess my political views. Would it hurt to call him back and simply talk to him and see if he is truly bursting at the seems with conservative references? If politics doesn't come up, just be frank with him and ask if political situations or comments will be a part of the daily job functions. Worst case scenario, you simply join the job hunt again. Best case scenario, you realize that not all people who are active in politics are in-your-face as you assume, and you wind up with perhaps a decent job.
2. Recruiter who 5 minutes into the interview says they're looking for someone more qualified who can hit the ground running in that position. 'Oh we'll keep your information on file in case something comes up'
They are in the same position as employers. All they see is a resume. They need to communicate to find out that 'human element'. A while back, I interviewed in another city for an engineering position (was dating someone in another city, and was going to make a career change, so I thought "why not?"). Engineers, as you can imagine, sometimes come across as very stuffy, emotionally sterile, robotic at times. They talked to me and were impressed that I could actually communicate.
Perhaps they felt that you didn't come across with enough of something that they were hoping to find? Or perhaps they simply were seeing if there might be some other position you might be more suited for? I'm not saying that you have any shortcomings with your communication skills, but just one thing to realize that can be a critical element in the job hunt.
3. Job placement company that has been around for 60 years. I sent them my information in July, then got a call from a lady who said they don't do recruiting for teller jobs. I did that 6 years ago, not looking to go back and do it again. Didn't feel like explaining it to her and just thanked her and hung up.
Did you have a cover letter with your resume? Did you have an "objective" section at the top of your resume detailing (in one/two short sentences) the type of career you're looking to put your experience and talents of _____ to use in? Perhaps she assumed because she didn't know...or perhaps she was looking at 5 different resumes and cover letters and was confused.
Regardless of the reason, SPEAK UP! Tell her "Well, actually, although I have considerable experience as a bank teller, I am hoping to find a position in _______ or ______".
Again - you never know where that final lead will come from! Perhaps she also knows of a position that might fit your talents. You need to pursue each lead with as much reasonable detail and effort as possible. You're giving up too easily!
Then after my partner's car blew up, the salesperson gave me the contact information for another recruiter who happened to work at that company. I hesitated for almost a month about whether to even make the effort.
Dude, there is almost 10% "official" unemployment. The economy's in the toilet. Jobs are not plentiful. I realize that some leads may be low probability of success...but when you say "I hesitated for almost a month", you need to ask yourself "why?" True, you don't want to apply for a CEO-level position right out of college...but if your talents would be put to good use at a position, and you think you would be happy with the position, then go for it! Market your skills and different aspects of your experience to show how/why you might be a good fit for the job.
