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[Nerdeka]

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Spent my entire life in Chicago. Went to a top university there. Got a decent clinical research job. BUT I was miserable. I was required to be there 8+ hours a day (and weekends) UNPAID. One of my bosses was a complete dick.

So I quit after almost a year. I also moved to a state in the south where SO lives to get residence there. I've been the happiest, except I still don't have a job. I did get a lot of interviews at a top research hospital though with no luck. I actually was offered a job but one of my references must have spoken to my other boss about how terrible of a human I am.

Anyways, I'm ****ed. I try to apply to lower-level medical positions but I think I'm denied for being "overqualified". A problem I had back in Chicago as well. 🙁

What do I do? Should I just continue to apply to the research hospital and postmate/uber in the meantime? Or should I significantly dumb down my resume/past/education and apply or other jobs?

Thank you!

 

[altblue]

Have you tried any of the traditional pre med jobs? Some examples are scribing, CNA, MA, and EMT. Even though the pay is alright at best, they have no problems taking people who have "good" qualifications.

 

[Goro]

Spent my entire life in Chicago. Went to a top university there. Got a decent clinical research job. BUT I was miserable. I was required to be there 8+ hours a day (and weekends) UNPAID. One of my bosses was a complete dick.

So I quit after almost a year. I also moved to a state in the south where SO lives to get residence there. I've been the happiest, except I still don't have a job. I did get a lot of interviews at a top research hospital though with no luck. I actually was offered a job but one of my references must have spoken to my other boss about how terrible of a human I am.

Anyways, I'm ****ed. I try to apply to lower-level medical positions but I think I'm denied for being "overqualified". A problem I had back in Chicago as well. 🙁

What do I do? Should I just continue to apply to the research hospital and postmate/uber in the meantime? Or should I significantly dumb down my resume/past/education and apply or other jobs?

Thank you!

Stop looking for clinical jobs and get A job.
You can get clinical experience by volunteering.

 

[Nerdeka]

I completely understand that. However, I’m 24 years old and all my experience is at a hospital or research lab. I’m applying to the lowest paying jobs and not even getting interview offers. All of them have been from a top research hospital...

I’m wondering if it’s a good idea to go to HR of a hospital that has multiple patient registration jobs available and explain my situration? This hospital is closer so it would be ideal.

 

[Nerdeka]

Have you tried any of the traditional pre med jobs? Some examples are scribing, CNA, MA, and EMT. Even though the pay is alright at best, they have no problems taking people who have "good" qualifications.

I’m considering getting my CNA or MA certification (unfortunately I moved to a state that requires them) and haven’t seen any EMT jobs 🙁

 

[sabsaf123]

Spent my entire life in Chicago. Went to a top university there. Got a decent clinical research job. BUT I was miserable. I was required to be there 8+ hours a day (and weekends) UNPAID. One of my bosses was a complete dick.

So I quit after almost a year. I also moved to a state in the south where SO lives to get residence there. I've been the happiest, except I still don't have a job. I did get a lot of interviews at a top research hospital though with no luck. I actually was offered a job but one of my references must have spoken to my other boss about how terrible of a human I am.

Anyways, I'm ****ed. I try to apply to lower-level medical positions but I think I'm denied for being "overqualified". A problem I had back in Chicago as well. 🙁

What do I do? Should I just continue to apply to the research hospital and postmate/uber in the meantime? Or should I significantly dumb down my resume/past/education and apply or other jobs?

Thank you!

I kinda experienced the same thing. I am assuming that you went to either UChicago, NU, or UIUC? I went to one of those schools and then got a really good job offer after college that would pay well and look great for med schools. I had a decent gpa/mcat, extracurriculars, and with this job I'd be able to take two years off, make some money, spend time with family, and then start med school. Then in my last semester of college I became really unsure if I actually wanted to pursue medicine versus do something else. I knew that instead of doing this prestigous job my time would be better spent volunteering, shadowing, and speaking to heatlhcare professions to determine what I wanted to do longterm. I applied to what felt like a million jobs and became a CNA along with working some other minor jobs. Ended up taking three years off but ultimately decided on med school. I know the struggle to find a good job. I'd recommend getting a CNA license from a community college and then working. I'd also recommend applying to literally like ~30 jobs per day until you land something (healthcare related or not).

 

[califlipboy92]

Stop looking for clinical jobs and get A job.
You can get clinical experience by volunteering.

I agree with @Goro.

Unless you're trying to find a career out of a clinical research position, you can gain clinical experience through volunteering. I was in the same boat a couple of years ago and decided to teach/tutor at a test prep center, which paid really well and had flexible hours.

 

[deleted480308]

If you have no paid work experience and left your most significant volunteer gig which only one year with a negative reference you aren’t overqualified....you just have a bad resume for hiring.

Get a job doing anything. Waitress, make coffee, uber, admin work, cashier, scribe....literally anything that shows someone wants to pay you for your time and the other stuff will come around

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

uber

Yo that’s underrated. A few guys on my last boat did that and made bank.

 

[Nerdeka]

If you have no paid work experience and left your most significant volunteer gig which only one year with a negative reference you aren’t overqualified....you just have a bad resume for hiring.

Get a job doing anything. Waitress, make coffee, uber, admin work, cashier, scribe....literally anything that shows someone wants to pay you for your time and the other stuff will come around

I’ve had many paid research assistant jobs. I worked a year as a clinical research coordinator where I’ve worked on 4 studies. I had to have like 5 references and made the poor decision of choosing one that was closely associated with the reason I left. But okay, make **** up in your head. Cleatly, I am overqualified if I can’t even get an interview for a job that requires only a diploma and am only getting interviews at a top research hospital.

 

[Nerdeka]

Yo that’s underrated. A few guys on my last boat did that and made bank.

Did it in Chicago, can’t here. To say the roads are insane would be an understatement (Chicago is a damn grid - all straight roads).

But I am postmating, diner dashing, and a few side gigs. And I’d prefer working at McDonald’s than all of them.

 

[deleted480308]

I’ve had many paid research assistant jobs. I worked a year as a clinical research coordinator where I’ve worked on 4 studies. I had to have like 5 references and made the poor decision of choosing one that was closely associated with the reason I left. But okay, make **** up in your head. Cleatly, I am overqualified if I can’t even get an interview for a job that requires only a diploma and am only getting interviews at a top research hospital.

We’re all working with only the information you provide. Ok, so you had some prior actual work....were those part time? How long were they? Was this year long volunteer thing your latest experience?

Because if so, here’s how an employer will look through the resume. Scans past education “ok probably smart”. Goes to employment....sees a 1yr gap “wtf have they been doing all that time?”. Latest entry was a year, with a number of shorter term part time stuff while the person was in school...”ok, lots of stuff is part time, we’ll call the longer term reference and see what the story is”. Calls bad reference, “nope”

Long gaps with nothing to show....even entry level menial work....doesn’t look great to most managers. If I’m hiring low level employees and an educated applicant hasn’t worked for a year, I don’t think this person is too qualified...I think they clearly don’t have the mentality that they need a job or they would have found someone to take them by now. you thinking you are overqualified for jobs probably comes through more than you think in your interviews/applications. I’m suggesting you are not as overqualified as you think, both because I believe it’s true and because you might need to start acting like it’s true to increase your odds of employment

I’ve hired a laid off architect for labor work. Came in and said he needed something to keep his kids in the house. Told me he was hoping to be gone soon but he’d be crazy reliable and work his tail off until he put his notice in....he was great. People who can exude “I’ll be a painless and selfmaintaining employee” get hired

Good luck with it either way, just offering a perspective that might be worth considering

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Did it in Chicago, can’t here. To say the roads are insane would be an understatement (Chicago is a damn grid - all straight roads).

But I am postmating, diner dashing, and a few side gigs. And I’d prefer working at McDonald’s than all of them.

That's what GPS is for dude.

 

[altblue]

That's what GPS is for dude.

I mean there's also the issue of congested traffic.

 

[altblue]

I’m considering getting my CNA or MA certification (unfortunately I moved to a state that requires them) and haven’t seen any EMT jobs 🙁

Before you do that, look closely at the wages and job market for each of those. Both are solid forms of clinical experience.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I mean there's also the issue of congested traffic.

That's part of the job. My friends did it in San Diego, where there's traffic AF. Just depends on how patient you are lol.

 

[892002]

Have you considered doing full time service with an organization like CityYear-AmeriCorps?

It's not too late to apply!

City Year

 

[Unlimited Apps]

Yo that’s underrated. A few guys on my last boat did that and made bank.

Unfortunately uber and lyft don't pay as well as they used to. There were some "studies" done to look at what it comes out to per hour after accounting for gas and repairs and in many places it at or slightly above minimum wage. Gone are the days where you can approach 50k relatively easily with a smart strategy and working full-time for a year.

 

[CUatthefinishline]

Spent my entire life in Chicago. Went to a top university there. Got a decent clinical research job. BUT I was miserable. I was required to be there 8+ hours a day (and weekends) UNPAID. One of my bosses was a complete dick.

So I quit after almost a year. I also moved to a state in the south where SO lives to get residence there. I've been the happiest, except I still don't have a job. I did get a lot of interviews at a top research hospital though with no luck. I actually was offered a job but one of my references must have spoken to my other boss about how terrible of a human I am.

Anyways, I'm ****ed. I try to apply to lower-level medical positions but I think I'm denied for being "overqualified". A problem I had back in Chicago as well. 🙁

What do I do? Should I just continue to apply to the research hospital and postmate/uber in the meantime? Or should I significantly dumb down my resume/past/education and apply or other jobs?

Thank you!

I think I agree with @sb247 about you possibly not being as overqualified as you think. Like you might be meeting education standards, but lacking in experience, references, residency, etc. I'm not saying that to knock you, but I have been in your shoes before. I was definitely "overqualified" for quite a few jobs when I moved after grad school by most standards but was judged based on things like age, length or residency, and future career goals. You might seem risky to jobs based on your education, youth, and probably obvious future plans (leaving them for medicine?).

Also, some jobs do not ask for someone with a bachelor's or whatever higher education degree because they do not actually want someone with those degrees. Consider that they may actually see your degree indifferently or negatively in light of the kind of employee that they are looking for. As prideful as I and the women in my family are, I was always taught that you are never too good for any legal paying job. That does not mean you have to like them all or that some will not waste your time, but you may be giving off this impression from your resume or interview, which is confirming fears or biases of those in charge of hiring.

Anyway, my advice is to dumb down your resume (this is coming from someone that previously turned in a full CV to a day-to-day temp agency for factory work 😕) for the "simpler" positions and seem eager & teachable at the interview. I get a lot more callbacks from short-term jobs (e.g. Amazon fulfillment) by leaving off a couple degrees and tailoring my work experience and skills section to the job's needs.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Unfortunately uber and lyft don't pay as well as they used to. There were some "studies" done to look at what it comes out to per hour after accounting for gas and repairs and in many places it at or slightly above minimum wage. Gone are the days where you can approach 50k relatively easily with a smart strategy and working full-time for a year.

This was only like 2 years ago. They were definitely making good money by only driving during multiplier times. They would sometimes make a few hundred dollars in a couple hours. Even with gas, that is way more than minimum wage.

 

[Nerdeka]

What do you guys think about seeing the HR office at a local hospital? They have several positions opened (clerk type jobs) and I feel explaining my situation would help (that I’m not planning on leaving soon l despite my resume, that I actually live in this state, etc).

 

[Nerdeka]

I think I agree with @sb247 about you possibly not being as overqualified as you think. Like you might be meeting education standards, but lacking in experience, references, residency, etc. I'm not saying that to knock you, but I have been in your shoes before. I was definitely "overqualified" for quite a few jobs when I moved after grad school by most standards but was judged based on things like age, length or residency, and future career goals. You might seem risky to jobs based on your education, youth, and probably obvious future plans (leaving them for medicine?).

Also, some jobs do not ask for someone with a bachelor's or whatever higher education degree because they do not actually want someone with those degrees. Consider that they may actually see your degree indifferently or negatively in light of the kind of employee that they are looking for. As prideful as I and the women in my family are, I was always taught that you are never too good for any legal paying job. That does not mean you have to like them all or that some will not waste your time, but you may be giving off this impression from your resume or interview, which is confirming fears or biases of those in charge of hiring.

Anyway, my advice is to dumb down your resume (this is coming from someone that previously turned in a full CV to a day-to-day temp agency for factory work 😕) for the "simpler" positions and seem eager & teachable at the interview. I get a lot more callbacks from short-term jobs (e.g. Amazon fulfillment) by leaving off a couple degrees and tailoring my work experience and skills section to the job's needs.

I get what you mean. And it comes off as cocky, but that’s the farthest thing from me. It was literally the advice I’ve been given here before I got my coordinator job (when applying to medical Craigslist jobs). That being said, I AM applying to every possibly job I am qualified for (from IHOP to other hospitals).

 

[Nerdeka]

Thanks for everyone’s replies. Ive has two phone interviews for a clinical position at a top research university. All I have left is to meet with the PI. I’m sure I’ll fail though, like all the rest.

 

[RNtoMD87]

Lol I'm imagining this guy as a doctor. "Hey Doc, whats up?" "Well you cancerous as f*(k. You straight gon die soon."

 

[Hopeful7419]

Thanks for everyone’s replies. Ive has two phone interviews for a clinical position at a top research university. All I have left is to meet with the PI. I’m sure I’ll fail though, like all the rest.

Self fulfilling prophecies are real phenomena. Try to stay positive.

 

[Nerdeka]

I just had my interview with the PI lol... Went okay, but the “we’re still in the beginning stages of interviews” means a no go for sure.

Another interview Tuesday...

 

[CUatthefinishline]

I just had my interview with the PI lol... Went okay, but the “we’re still in the beginning stages of interviews” means a no go for sure.

Another interview Tuesday...

It sucks when you get those signals during the actual interview. Good job for getting the interview & best of luck on Tuesday!

 

[863168]

@Nerdeka You need a therapist. I've been watching you post in SDN forums over life related problems over the past year and it seems like you are chronically depressed, upset, or frequently have the world crashing down on you. You were struggling to find a single job a year ago and now you believe that you are being denied because you are over qualified despite that job also being a negative reference. I can't suggest more that you actually hire a professional so you can work on verbalizing, organizing, and sequencing your thought process because it seems like every time you are on this site you are a complete mess.

 

[Nerdeka]

@Nerdeka You need a therapist. I've been watching you post in SDN forums over life related problems over the past year and it seems like you are chronically depressed, upset, or frequently have the world crashing down on you. You were struggling to find a single job a year ago and now you believe that you are being denied because you are over qualified despite that job also being a negative reference. I can't suggest more that you actually hire a professional so you can work on verbalizing, organizing, and sequencing your thought process because it seems like every time you are on this site you are a complete mess.

Thank you, I definitely am depressed and my current situation with the job (and SO- the reason I moved here) is making things worse. I really don’t know where to go from here. I had an amazing job interview on a Tuesday at the same place and they loved me. They asked for references, which I gave and two offered high praise but she asked for references from my last job which I’m obviously scared to do. I left due to one boss and I’m not sure how the other boss would rank me. I will contact her first and see. Can’t get any lower than this.

 

[Robin-jay]

We’re all working with only the information you provide. Ok, so you had some prior actual work....were those part time? How long were they? Was this year long volunteer thing your latest experience?

Because if so, here’s how an employer will look through the resume. Scans past education “ok probably smart”. Goes to employment....sees a 1yr gap “wtf have they been doing all that time?”. Latest entry was a year, with a number of shorter term part time stuff while the person was in school...”ok, lots of stuff is part time, we’ll call the longer term reference and see what the story is”. Calls bad reference, “nope”

Long gaps with nothing to show....even entry level menial work....doesn’t look great to most managers. If I’m hiring low level employees and an educated applicant hasn’t worked for a year, I don’t think this person is too qualified...I think they clearly don’t have the mentality that they need a job or they would have found someone to take them by now. you thinking you are overqualified for jobs probably comes through more than you think in your interviews/applications. I’m suggesting you are not as overqualified as you think, both because I believe it’s true and because you might need to start acting like it’s true to increase your odds of employment

I’ve hired a laid off architect for labor work. Came in and said he needed something to keep his kids in the house. Told me he was hoping to be gone soon but he’d be crazy reliable and work his tail off until he put his notice in....he was great. People who can exude “I’ll be a painless and selfmaintaining employee” get hired

Good luck with it either way, just offering a perspective that might be worth considering

Employers that care about long gaps aren't worth working for imo.

Only time I would agree with that is after medical school and residency, where you need to hurry and get a spot to become a resident/attending.

There have been times where I went several months without working during gap years because I saved enough when I was working and focused heavily on getting into medical school. Had I not got accepted to medical school, it would be real crappy for employers to say that any gap time is unforgivable.

Also, references for mediocre research and clinical jobs are laughable. I know employers that would give employees the worst references for ridiculous reasons. No one should care what a chief scribe thinks, or a researcher above you at a hospital. I would look at what professors think of students that worked for them as TAs, researchers, etc.

 

[Robin-jay]

Thank you, I definitely am depressed and my current situation with the job (and SO- the reason I moved here) is making things worse. I really don’t know where to go from here. I had an amazing job interview on a Tuesday at the same place and they loved me. They asked for references, which I gave and two offered high praise but she asked for references from my last job which I’m obviously scared to do. I left due to one boss and I’m not sure how the other boss would rank me. I will contact her first and see. Can’t get any lower than this.

Can't you try to point them in the direction of good references and steer them away from bad ones? You should mention at interviews or via E-mail references you think are best to represent you. Maybe a professor you did research for, or T.A'ed for? something like that. Everyone works for a garbage employer at some point in their life. Just show them the good ones.

 

[Nerdeka]

Yeah guys, unfortunately one of my positive references is out and the others phone isn’t accepting calls (I emailed her).

Second time she’s asking for a reference from my last job so that’s great. She also asked me to come in tomorrocome. Not sure if I should address a negative reference.

 

[Medic741]

I’m considering getting my CNA or MA certification (unfortunately I moved to a state that requires them) and haven’t seen any EMT jobs 🙁

Have you reached out to your UG’s career development/alumni relations office?

And probably talk about the negative review in a matter of fact positive way.

“While I appreciated the opportunity, it just wasn’t a good fit. I had X experience at my last employer. We experienced friction because of X, X is what I learned from the experience and X is why it won’t be a problem here.”

 

[Nerdeka]

I got the job and they want me to start Monday. I got the link for the five references again... I entered 6 and it seems like everyone is super busy and dodging me because only 1 completes. It’s always one thing after the other. This is just a formality and I’ll try to get it done by harassing my references lol.

 

[Nerdeka]

Just wanted to update y’all. I got all the references and got the Emory job. I’m going to the gym and walking to help with my anxiety. Hopefully I’ll get the benefits soon so I can see a doctor here. And just due to pure boredom on weekends, I’m going to start light review on the MCAT. I have so much anxiety when it comes to this damn test, I know I could rock it if I just tried.

 

[CUatthefinishline]

Just wanted to update y’all. I got all the references and got the Emory job. I’m going to the gym and walking to help with my anxiety. Hopefully I’ll get the benefits soon so I can see a doctor here. And just due to pure boredom on weekends, I’m going to start light review on the MCAT. I have so much anxiety when it comes to this damn test, I know I could rock it if I just tried.

That's so great! Best of luck to you 🙂

 

[Planes2Doc]

I’m originally from Chicago too! *HIGH FIVE* I can best describe being over-qualified as you put it through a friend’s business. I have a friend who owns a medical office. When he hires someone, he expects that person to treat it like a career, and not some kind of stepping stone. The last two administrative workers I know of had limited education compared to pre-meds. One went to Harper College and the other finished high school. You would think that someone who is coming from Northwestern or University of Chicago will have a more impressive resume and make them easier to hire, right?

Wrong. As a business owner, your primary concern is people who will treat this as a career, and not a stepping stone to something bigger. As a pre-med, you are already guaranteed a short term employment. Pre-meds can be flaky, especially if they have a big test or something else coming up. Also, if someone decides to drop the idea of going to medical school, they will quit ASAP. So my friend isn’t going to play games with pre-meds and act as a revolving door. Training and retaining people costs time and money. Therefore, not only will he not care about someone’s fancy education, but he will turn away people who are over-qualified. I believe other employers will be the same way, except for those who target pre-meds such as scribing companies (though some have ridiculous requirements nonetheless).

As a pre-med, you don’t need to have a job. In fact, contrary to popularity opinion here, I am against entry-level clinical jobs. I have a big post about it here:

Planes2Doc's Ultimate Guide to Final Fantasy 7, Medical School Purgatory, & Typical Pre-Med Missteps

Other jobs can be better since they tend to be more “unique,” often with more reasonable hours, and can pay more.

 

[Goro]

Just wanted to update y’all. I got all the references and got the Emory job. I’m going to the gym and walking to help with my anxiety. Hopefully I’ll get the benefits soon so I can see a doctor here. And just due to pure boredom on weekends, I’m going to start light review on the MCAT. I have so much anxiety when it comes to this damn test, I know I could rock it if I just tried.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I have so much anxiety when it comes to this damn test, I know I could rock it if I just tried.

The best cure for all that anxiety (besides prayer) is to prepare well. The more you prepare, the less anxiety you'll have, because you'll go into the test day knowing you did everything you could and that you're in a good place to get a solid score.

 

[solitarius]

Millenials as a whole are pretty screwed. Culturally obsolete if you ask me.

Raised in a softer era of participation trophies and constant positive feedback. Graduating into a difficult labor market. The working world was never easy dude, and nobody is putting up with millenial BS when there are plenty of other people who will do the work with less hassle.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Millenials as a whole are pretty screwed. Culturally obsolete if you ask me.

Raised in a softer era of participation trophies and constant positive feedback. Graduating into a difficult labor market. The working world was never easy dude, and nobody is putting up with millenial BS when there are plenty of other people who will do the work with less hassle.

Solid contribution.