A year and a half of job hunting, is it time to just join the army? - General

[QUOTE=Bomber9900;26000011]Just because he joins the Army does not mean he is going to be in an active combat situation. So every branch has an equal chance of dieing based on the situation he's placed in. My neighbor lost his friend in SEAL's training. My brothers friend died in Basic Training for the Air Force.[/QUOTE] But the air force has more comfortable living conditions, and you'll most likely be working in the US or Europe rather than the Middle East depending on the job.

[QUOTE=zombiefreak;26000224]But the air force has more comfortable living conditions, and you'll most likely be working in the US or Europe rather than the Middle East depending on the job.[/QUOTE] Comfortable living conditions, yes, working in the US or Europe, no. My brother's entire Basic Training class was shipped to Iraq and Afghanistan working active combat jobs, and they were in the Air Force. Him and one other person were working in South Korea and Japan.

I started job hunting at my 18th birthday (big mistake in retrospect), once I hit 20 and still have no job, I'll probably have decided on a branch of military and what I want to do. Thanks for the advice and opinions.

Who ever said that you'll go in as an E-1 or E-2, keep in mind that people who have a formal high school education (especially those who just graduated and join) will almost always join as an E-3. E-1's are kept for people who are dropped out/drafted. I am speaking of the United States Military so I am not too sure how it plays out for other countries. If you go in, go in with a very positive and excited attitude because that's what they look for. Oh and be very positive about what branch you want to join. I'm going into the Air Force because of all the benefits and their better standard of living. Do you have any interests career or hobby wise? Oh and keep in mind everyone, whoever says that you should join in as a pilot ask yourself if you meet these qualifications. 1. At least a bachelors degree 2. perfect 20x20 uncorrected vision 3. you must pass a comprehensive physical (there are way too many details. If you want to know, look it up yourself) Even after you pass this it doesn't guarantee that you'll become a pilot. It just qualifies you for selection. Plus, when you leave, you'll only find good work as a pilot and even that industry is taking a beating right now. TL;DR VERSION Know what branch you want to join and what you want to do before considering talking to a recruiter. Don't try to become a pilot unless you want to make a career out of it.

[QUOTE=power-mad;25998502]If I was 16, I imagine this would be a lot easier. People who are 16 have a reason to have no work history and get a lot of lenience. I don't think you understand what job searching for a year and a half means, I've applied to every fast food joint I can, every month.[/QUOTE] Check if your state has an employment security commission. They will find you a job.

[QUOTE=power-mad;26000433]I started job hunting at my 18th birthday (big mistake in retrospect), once I hit 20 and still have no job, I'll probably have decided on a branch of military and what I want to do. Thanks for the advice and opinions.[/QUOTE] Please, Please, PLEASE. If you join anything related to the government. Please consider the National Guard. I had a cousin who joined (He didn't go to college either). He did not get sent off to Iraq or some other country that he could be killed, he was sent to help with national disasters and really made a difference. During Christmas time, he even was a door ringer and got paid the same for doing either job. You're still helping our country, being paid, and not wondering if your might be killed in Afghanistan and or future wars. I'm not a spokesperson, but really consider the National Guard if you want to get into that sort of stuff. I can give you some links if you want some. :)

Don't despair, OP. 1) Get your resume redone. [url=http://resumetointerviews.com/]These guys[/url] do a bang-up job. They're well established on the Somethingawful forums and have like a thousand positive feedback. Seriously, this will make all the difference. I was getting nowhere and I thought my resume was good. They made it so much better. A shitty resume will completely destroy your chances at a job. 2) Look professional, be confident. You don't need wear an Armani ensemble to a job interview at Target, but this is critical. Wear clean, properly fitting clothes. Shower and shave. [i]Don't[/i] wear cologne, because people marinate themselves in it and end up reeking; do wear deodorant. Cover tats and remove piercings (for fuck sakes). Practice interview questions and answers so you know what to say. Answer their questions directly and confidently. Firm handshake. Eye contact. Are you paying attention? 3) Walk into a place where you want to work. Ask to see the manager. Introduce yourself and deliver your resume. DON'T LEAVE IT WITH ANYONE WHO IS NOT THE MANAGER. They'll throw it in the trash. 4) unemployment rates for 18-24 year olds [b]suck[/b] (~20%) so don't be surprised no-one is hiring. Try and do freelancing/volunteering so you can pad your resume.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1R64-ZWVoM[/media]

[QUOTE=Athena;26001662]Don't despair, OP. 1) Get your resume redone. [url=http://resumetointerviews.com/]These guys[/url] do a bang-up job. They're well established on the Somethingawful forums and have like a thousand positive feedback. Seriously, this will make all the difference. I was getting nowhere and I thought my resume was good. They made it so much better. A shitty resume will completely destroy your chances at a job. 2) Look professional, be confident. You don't need wear an Armani ensemble to a job interview at Target, but this is critical. Wear clean, properly fitting clothes. Shower and shave. [i]Don't[/i] wear cologne, because people marinate themselves in it and end up reeking; do wear deodorant. Cover tats and remove piercings (for fuck sakes). Practice interview questions and answers so you know what to say. Answer their questions directly and confidently. Firm handshake. Eye contact. Are you paying attention? 3) Walk into a place where you want to work. Ask to see the manager. Introduce yourself and deliver your resume. DON'T LEAVE IT WITH ANYONE WHO IS NOT THE MANAGER. They'll throw it in the trash. 4) unemployment rates for 18-24 year olds [b]suck[/b] (~20%) so don't be surprised no-one is hiring. Try and do freelancing/volunteering so you can pad your resume.[/QUOTE] I feel like I'm in tech support and people keep asking me if I reset my computer to try fixing the problem. I have common sense, not walking into these interviews DURR HURR ripped clothes and haven't bathed in weeks.

If you're joining just for money, experience, and education, I would highly recommend going either Navy or Air Force. Those are both much smarter places than the Army tends to be. [QUOTE=FreakySoup;26001871][media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1R64-ZWVoM[/media][/QUOTE] I like Ben Folds.

I'm joining the army next year, going to study at the Royal Military Academy, which is completely free and pay's me a reasonable sum of money each month in return that I finish my studies and stay in the army as an officer for at least 7 years. Studying there is practically the same as working in a full-time job, graduating would mean I'd get paid a lot more. Joining the army truly has a lot of benefits, but you're going to have to sacrifice something of yourself.

It sure sucks to be unemployed, OP... I should know, I've been unemployed for 3 months -before I got my current job- and it felt AWFUL. How about friends/acquaintances/family, OP? Do they know of any available jobs where they can hook you up?? Oh and btw, IMO I wouldn't join the Army... unless you want to be army material, of course.

My Great Grandpa (And all his friends) joined the army because of unemployment and the benefits they offered... in 1938. Only one of his friends survived, a mental wreck. Anyway according to people I've talked to the army is a bunch of nobends compared to the navy or air force.

Unless you make a career out of it (that is, joining the Army to study Military Engineering or stuff like that, I mean something a lot more meaningful than being just another uneducated grunt), I say stay away from the Army...

Why think of the army? The Marines have excellent benefits, and if work isn't your game, join the Navy. You can do a lot better with them. Something is wrong with the Army anyhow. My cousin was perfectly healthy before going in, now, he has seizures on a daily basis.

Go into politics or work for the government. But don't join the armed forces, you'll end up crazy or something.

Are you good at art? If so really learn how to use different materials, find something you're good at ,or that you like, and sell some of your work. Start at like $20 a piece or so, depending how large and what you used, there are people out there willing to buy. But you'll find out what ya need to do. I'm 18 and unemployed and I live by myself, still roll'n on... Oh and yea don't join the military because you have nothing else, that's where people get screwed up or end up really hating it later on down the road. People should join because they want the experience, not because of school or money.

[QUOTE=R3mix;26003063]But don't join the armed forces, you'll end up crazy or something.[/QUOTE] What? Probably should have expected such a response from a guy with a John Lennon "War is Over" avatar. The army isn't THAT bad

[QUOTE=camacazie638;26003136]Oh and yea don't join the military because you have nothing else, that's where people get screwed up or end up really hating it later on down the road. People should join because they want the experience, not because of school or money.[/QUOTE] That, and because the only things you could learn in the Military are just a few trades (mechanics, electronics, stuff like that) which in the _Real world_ would get you dead-end jobs...

If you live in the U.S., always consider becoming an Officer before considering Enlisting. The pay is ALOT better and who knows, you might decide to make a career out of it. Just remember not go to into the Recruitment Office and say that you want to be an Infantrymen right away, that'll just make them think you're desperate or another upper-class kid looking for adventure, and they'll try to take advantage of that. And make sure you have your recruiter write everything down they're promising you in writing. They will promise you alot, and from what I've heard they tend to fuck you over unless it's written.

-snip-

Finish college, get an officer's commission

Getting a job these days is about connections more than anything else. You think you're going to get hired over a friend of someone who's worked in a place for a while? Hell No If you go with the Military, try the Air Force

What college were you going to? Just hit up a state school close to your house, live at home, and you won't be over 30k in debt after all 4 years. If you get any sort of technical degree (science/engineering/math/etc) you will be able to pay it off in no time at all and won't have too hard of a time getting a job. (assuming your half decent at interviews and your profession) This is what I'm doing right now. Its my second year at California Polytechnic University of Pomona for electrical engineering. I'll be out in 2 more years and have around 25k in debt with absolutely no help from the government or my parents.

Just make sure not to be deployed on the frontlines or some shit and get your ass shot.

National Guard or Army. Air Force and Navy may have more benefits, but they are out of your league. Marines are pure cannon fodder, don't bother.

OP is bitching too much. I've been searching for over 4 years, put in 1,000's of apps over 50 mile radius, and still never got hired. I have a Diploma as well, and recently learned that some of the positions I applied for are being given to felons to get started back in society. They already had their chance, stolen, killed, raped, etc, why should a person like me with a clean record be put under pieces of absolute motherfucking shit like them? They did BAD SHIT, and essentially, they're being paid for it! At this point, I have a 6 shot snub nose next to my bed, so whatever day I wake up and say fuck it, I'm done with this shitty reverse society, I can grab it and end this shit.

[QUOTE=Superstormj;26003558]OP is bitching too much. I've been searching for over 4 years, put in 1,000's of apps over 50 mile radius, and still never got hired. I have a Diploma as well, and recently learned that some of the positions I applied for are being given to felons to get started back in society. They already had their chance, stolen, killed, raped, etc, why should a person like me with a clean record be put under pieces of absolute motherfucking shit like them? They did BAD SHIT, and essentially, they're being paid for it! At this point, I have a 6 shot snub nose next to my bed, so whatever day I wake up and say fuck it, I'm done with this shitty reverse society, I can grab it and end this shit.[/QUOTE] Suicide is the pussy way out. Be a man and keep your chin up.

Joining the military just because you can't find anything else to do is probably one of the dumbest decisions a person can possibly make

Get an apprenticeship. (You CAN get a trade in the armed forces if all else fails.)