I need a job

[kdogg36]

Posted: 11/4/25 at 9:20pm

Can anyone help me find a job, maybe some kind of administrative position, either remote or within an easy drive from Glen Burnie, Maryland? I've been unemployed for a few years, and that's made it hard to find any kind of employment. I have lots of qualifications on paper, but in fact I believe that's made it harder for me to find a job, not easier. I really need help. Part time is fine.

[John Adams]

Posted: 11/4/25 at 9:50pm

If I had money, I'd be extremely happy to have you sit in a corner of my room and just be handsome.

But (seriously)... my suggestion would be to not only look for a job, but also try to create a job for yourself that will carry you through until you get an acceptable response in a better job market.

For example: your profile photo looks like you could be a physical trainer. Is that an option you could pursue via a posted ad on a community bulletin board? Any other talents/skills you can exploit? How else can you (literally) sell yourself?

It will be snowing soon enough. Got a snow shovel?

Be like Joan Rivers and always take every job. 

Updated On: 11/4/25 at 09:50 PM

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 11/4/25 at 9:53pm

I wish I could help.

Are you restricting yourself to any particular line of work? I know you said administrative, but would you be open to other things while waiting for the right job to come along? Or re-training in a different field?

Updated On: 11/4/25 at 09:53 PM

[John Adams]

Posted: 11/4/25 at 10:08pm

PS: The holidays are coming up...

House sitter? Pet feeding/walking/care while out of town/on vacation? Volunteer work that may lead to actual employment?

Also, for whatever you feel is a marketable skill that you can exploit as your own boss - GET GREAT REFERENCES.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 11/4/25 at 10:11pm

I assume you've checked out moed.baltimorecity.gov?

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 11/4/25 at 10:14pm

I am an IT manager and wish I could help but hard to do without seeing a resume. Some kind of administration position is kind of generic; can you be more specific. It would also help if you could provide some of your skill sets. Are you on LinkedIn? If not sign up and get a profile. Are you saying that on paper (resume) it looks like you are overqualified? Not trying to be snarky but how would you respond to question from potential employer why you have fairly long unemployment history?

From personal experience, networking is the best way to find a job. Talk to friends, former co-workers, family etc. and let them know you are in the job market. You would be surprised how many leads you may get. Have you searched online job boards like "Indeed" or Maryland's Job Bank. To be brutally honest, you need to find any job right now even if is slinging hamburgers somewhere. Having any job looks better than being unemployed and can find the position you want.

Good luck and wish I could help further.

[kdogg36]

Posted: 11/4/25 at 10:34pm

I thank every one of you, sincerely, for replying to my post. I'm looking for an office/administrative-type job to get back in the game; but I have enough resources to hold out for something other than flipping burgers (though I doubt I could get that job, either). For the heck of it, I'm pasting my résumé below.

MICHAEL KLEIN

Telephone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]                   

 

Having completed both a Ph.D. in Linguistics and a Graduate Certificate in TESL at George Mason University, I currently seek an opportunity that will enable me to put my knowledge and experience to use in tackling new challenges. 

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

2012-2016 Graduate Teaching Assistant 

George Mason University (Fairfax, Virginia)

• Taught, and developed original teaching materials for, an introductory course in Linguistics and a specialized course in English Grammar

• Created and taught a new advanced undergraduate course in Syntax

• Led the development of an online course in English Grammar for George Mason’s new remote TESL Certificate program

 

2008-2012 Development/Communications Coordinator

Equality Maryland (Baltimore, Maryland)

• Coordinated all written communications, including the creation of organizational emails, press releases, grant proposals, and follow-up for individual donors and volunteers

• Maintained, and created content for, the organization’s website

• Maintained the organization’s extensive donor and volunteer database

• Organized large-scale fundraising and advocacy events

 

2004-2005 Sales/Executive Assistant

Radio One, Inc. (Baltimore, Maryland)

• Assisted sales staff in all activities, including the preparation of written materials for existing and potential advertisers

• Acted as personal assistant to the General Manager

 

EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

2022 Ph.D. in Linguistics

George Mason University (Fairfax, Virginia)

• Dissertation: What Does DO Do? An Investigation into the Function of the English “Dummy Auxiliary” (advisor: Prof. Douglas Wulf)

 

2022 Graduate Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language

George Mason University (Fairfax, Virginia)

• Program included semester-long Practicum providing approximately forty hours of classroom experience

 

1994 B.S. in Physics

Fordham University (Bronx, New York)

• Graduated summa cum laude; inducted into Phi Beta Kappa; received Victor F. Hess Award for Excellence in Physics

[kdogg36]

Posted: 11/4/25 at 10:48pm

Zeppie2022 said: "Not trying to be snarky but how would you respond to question from potential employer why you have fairly long unemployment history?"

My standard answer to that is that I've been attending to family matters and I'm trying to re-enter the workforce.

My honest answer to that is that I probably suffer from some kind of undiagnosed mental condition, and I'm trying to find a job so that I can address that.

[kdogg36]

Posted: 11/4/25 at 11:00pm

Jay Lerner-Z said: "Are you restricting yourself to any particular line of work? I know you said administrative, but would you be open to other things whilewaitingfor the right job to come along? Or re-training in a different field?"

Thank you so much for your thoughtful advice. I'm not restricting myself to any particular line of work. I would say that, at 52 years of age, I'm absolutely looking for a job that I couldn't have gotten as a summer job when I was in high school. Definitely something better than that.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 11/4/25 at 11:22pm

Don't forget that in working a "low level" job you can build stamina for the rigors of working 40 hours a week. If you're out of practice, this will help get you ready for when your ideal job comes along. You need to be prepared.

You'd also meet lots of lovely co-workers - which in itself could help your mental health. You might learn from THEIR aspirations and from what their own plans for advancement are. There's enormous worth in just regularly getting out of the house and doing something. Anything! Especially in these horrible times.

Also, if you are indeed neurodivergent in any way… remember that the rat race is just not cut out for those who are different. Which is perfectly fine and free from shame or embarassment. Society is to blame, not you.

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 11/4/25 at 11:52pm

The greater DC area is a mecca for nonprofits and professional associations.  Remote or hybrid positions are fairly common for them.  Here is a job board for their listings.

Updated On: 11/5/25 at 11:52 PM

[John Adams]

Posted: 11/5/25 at 12:13am

Jay Lerner-Z said: "Don't forget that in working a "low level" job you can build stamina for the rigors of working 40 hours a week. If you're out of practice, this will help get you ready for when your ideal job comes along. You need to be prepared."

My last job was warehouse work (FedEx, Amazon, then lastly Crate&Barrel). I was 58 when I started at Fed Ex (6 yrs), 63 @ Amazon (1 yr) and I retired from Crate&Barrel at age 65. At all locations, I was manually loading/unloading trucks. 

I rank my favorite experience (Best to Worst) as 1) FedEx  2) Crate&Barrel and 3) Amazon. (Amazon really sucked.)

The thing I liked about warehouse work was the exercise and the comradery. I left FedEx because after the 5th year, management was completely swapped out and I hated the new managers. I left Amazon after a year because Amazon sucks. I left Crate&Barrel because I'd reached age 65 and although I would have received full SS benefits at 67, I was ready to retire.

Bottom line: the turnover at warehouse jobs means there's usually an opening to be had, if you want it. AND... they always need more help between Thanksgiving and New Years.

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 11/5/25 at 7:25am

Do you have a cover letter to go with your resume? If not, create one. It is a way to highlight your skills, explain career gaps and show your interest besides the plain facts on your resume. A good cover letter is a way to tell employer why you want this specific job and why you want to work for this company. You could also use it to highlight why your skills and experience are a great fit for this job. Finally, a well written cover letter will help you stand out from other applicants. Even if company does not ask for one, send one with your resume.

If I was you, I would add some of your relevant IT skills on your resume. From a quick read, it seems to me you have used SQL and or HTML. Resumes get scanned for "keywords" and those two items usually get hits.

Note*** Before any interview, do some research on the company. Be ready to provide a good answer to why you want to work for this company other than you just need a job.

Updated On: 11/5/25 at 07:25 AM

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 11/5/25 at 12:39pm

And I imagine you may already be aware, but the hiring process likely will involve AI and or bots.  In our firm, all application materials are first scanned, sorted, and rated by an internal AI program.  Some companies also use chatbots to conduct initial interviews.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 11/5/25 at 12:43pm

Do bots judge resumé gaps?

Some human empathy and goodwill is sometimes required.

Updated On: 11/5/25 at 12:43 PM

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 11/5/25 at 2:44pm

Depends on the algorithms companies use.  In our case, a highly qualified candidate with something outside expected parameters would likely have their application flagged for manual review.

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 11/5/25 at 5:35pm

When there is a job opening in my department, HR goes through the resumes and will give me twenty. To be totally honest, I can cut it down to ten very quickly. Out of those ten, maybe five will get interview. Most times HR will do phone interview first and cut it down to three. There have been a few times, someone's resume/cover letter caught my eye, and I will bypass HR - lol.