Thursday 24 May 2012

There has to be an Easier way.

I think I'm looking in all the wrong places. Because everyone else is getting employed this summer except me. My old fast food job doesn't count, though at the moment it's all I have.

I mean, my friend comes back from a 2 week long vacation from Japan, and within a week of him sending out applications he's already got interviews.

I still have nothing and it's really starting to irk me. University jobs haven't responded. Same with nearby campuses, government positions and the retail stores I've applied to. No one is responding. Really not sure what I'm doing wrong. Or if I'm even doing something wrong. For all I know my applications are being dumped into a junk folder.

Or a garbage can.


I suppose going away to China for a month isn't helping my case either. Who wants to hire someone to work for 2 months. Oh and it's two months split by a month long vacation in the middle. Yeah, unless I find a good temp job that'll let me do that, I'm not making my hunt any easier.

I guess I could keep working the fast food job. My boss is going to try and give me more hours. At least Theresa is in China so it's not like working more is taking away time potentially spent with her.

I smell like this after every shift regardless if I'm near the fryers or not.

But I think it's also time for a bit of a confession. Those who have read my very first blog post will recall that I started this blog in hopes of chronicling my attempts of figuring out what to do with my life. So far, I haven't been very successful.

But the secondary reason that I started a blog was to test its potential as a secondary source of income.

Allow me to explain. I know it sounds kind of silly, stupid or even like a scam. Making money off the internet always is suspicious. But there are tons of people who have managed to turn it into a living. At best, the amount of money earned can far exceeds the amount of work put in.

The problem is, how do you do that, efficiently.

And without potentially harming yourself.

This blog has earned me some money. More than I ever expected it to. However, it is far from optimal and if I were to make it more efficient, it would take away most of the fun I get out of doing this blog. I do enjoy blogging, don't get me wrong, but the way I'm doing it isn't going to pay for my tuition anytime soon.

Right now I'm doing some experimentation with other online things. I know that they can work but the goal is to get them to work for me. I might have to accept that this could be more only source of significant income this summer.

Give me money oh magical box!

And for regardless of it works or not, it'll make for a good series of blogposts in the future.

37 comments:

  1. It's pretty damn tough to make money off the internet without selling your soul. I think that you going away so soon could be hampering your job search, or it could be that you aren't applying "right". These people are odd, and might throw an application away on the tiniest infraction. If I were you I would hold out on trying to find a job until you get back from China.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You shouldn't ever rely on the internet for income unless you've really settled in and are doing something solid. I run ads too, but it tends to fluctuate heavily (and rarely any clicks recently). I don't even bother looking at the statistics anymore. They're a nice bonus, but that's all really.
    If you want to pay your tuition, then keep doing the extra hours at your current job while still looking for another, better job.
    And if you find yourself capable of designing websites (coding part not necessary, but could net you a lot more), give me a heads up. We're in real need of a good designer over at the small company I work for.
    Keep your head up!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm with you in the job situation, best of luck in finding one man, I know how it feels and how frustrating it can be and I haven't even got employment secured yet, I probably won't for a while either.

    ReplyDelete
  4. here in malaysia and singapore, there are some very successful bloggers with a huge following. they make about USD$ 15,000 per year just by blogging, writing about what advertisers have to offer along with their ramblings.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I didn't know Theresa is in China, I thought you were both in US.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm amazed how fast others besides me can get jobs. I'm by far a better employee than this one kid I know, but he's worked for 3 companies (fired every single time) already that I personally wanted to work for.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Good luck on the job search. I feel your pain. The job market is horrible everywhere these days. It took me 6 LONG months to find the position I am currently in. Just keep your head up, have faith, and keep pushing. You'll get it worked out eventually.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I hope you have better luck finding a job. As for deciding what you want to do in life, I suppose that takes the cake in my opinion on that hardest thing on the list. I think its one of those rare but amazing moments when you finally figure out what you want to do, I know it took me forever and a few years of college first.

    ReplyDelete
  9. It can be done... just like what Jaya said above. They can actually make a living out of it.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Yeah going away is the big thing screwing you up I'd say. I wish I could make dough off the internet easier, made about $1000 altogether I'd say, but it is not easy!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ugh, smelling like oil must be awful. However, it's a job so I guess best to just accept it. Sounds like that one month break in the middle is probably what's keeping you from finding other opportunities though.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Blogging can work, but you gotta hustle a lot. Most of us aren't all that interesting so we won't garner that many viewers just because of our life stories. I mean people have tv's for drama, reading about others drama is boring.

    ReplyDelete
  13. After some time try to message the companys where you applied, if they don't respond. It shows, that you're really interested.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Read up on SEO. Just.. do it. Even if it's a 12 simple steps thing you find on the net. There's simple things you can do to improve this blog's traffic.

    ReplyDelete
  15. My son is having a hard time finding a job also....I feel your pain

    ReplyDelete
  16. I've heard that some people earn a lot of money through the internet--but it seems like a convoluted process. I hope you find something that works out!

    ReplyDelete
  17. China does sound like fun. As a recent (relatively) college grad myself though, I can't stress enough the benefits of having experience under your belt upon graduation.

    Any bit of internship, research that you can put on your resume is worth its weight in gold. Not sure if its offered in Canada but do have your resume looked over prior to applying...for EVERY job. You need to tailor it so that it stands out based on their requirements.

    Either close friends who have been there or a career counseling service on campus should be able to help. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Yeah, that's a tough situation with a vacation scheduled...but keep trying. Your perseverance should pay off in the long run. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'd actually be fine having a buddy smell like fries, lololol. I hope you get a job offer though!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I could use to earn more money myself.

    ReplyDelete
  21. You can have a source of income soon. Just be patience! :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I know how you feel. I have been kind of out of it lately, but now things are starting to look up. I am sure they will for you too. Just don't give in!

    ReplyDelete
  23. its all about who you know, i got my brother a job for the summer. ask your friends and family about getting you a job. i know the feel when they say find your own, then ask me to get their kids/friend a job.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I think Blog advertising is just making pennies...stick to what you know best. If you are want to make real money from Blogging, have you thought about web-designs? It all depends on how good you are with computers.
    There is no "get rich quick" schemes unless you are Mr Zuckerburg, but now they are saying FaceBook was overvalued.
    Personally I tend to steer away from these types of blogs that push things at you because I have my own brain.
    Just keep pushing yourself with your full-time job resume and hopefully things will change for you.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Good luck, dude! I think eventually, blogging will pay off for you - but it seems to me that it's kind of a crap shoot in terms of reliable income. Maybe if you hosted a pay site with a "I am such a derp" webcam... lol. J/K - don't do that! :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I never knew you could make money out of blogging but there you go!! Well done you!! I hope it all works out - the objective is to get to China! I have everything crossed you get a financial boost soon! At least you are being very resourceful! Just stay positive! Take care
    x

    ReplyDelete
  27. Good luck with the job hunting...

    ReplyDelete
  28. Oh you're not alone. I need a job too. Definitely commisserating with you here!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I feel for you. I think I'm looking in all wrong places as well, my friends are getting employed and I wish I could say the same for myself but things are getting worse each day that passed. Too bad to say, I don't earn thru internet and it sucks! guys who made earnings thru blogging are really envious.

    ReplyDelete
  30. if only you could get paid to blog professionally

    ReplyDelete
  31. life is a game keep playing positively
    as you will be going on vacations i think learn a new skill and keep your old job and when you are back from vacation after that apply for the job.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hello :-)

    There's a vote up to see who wins the Kindle that Pish Posh is offering her Get Fit Challenge participants.

    If you have a vote to spare, I would be trilled to get it! The voting is at:

    http://www.the-pish-posh.com/2012/05/week-12.html

    You just have to scroll down to the bottom of the page and right before the comment section you'll see the contestants' images with a little "vote" link under each. Voting ends Monday morning. Thank you :-)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Good luck on the job front! I'll kep my fingers, toes, and legs crossed that you'll find a good place to work soon!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I keep hoping that I win a lottery sometime.lol. I hope you find a job. I'm not very sure about making money off the internet but try and see. You might actually start earning if you find out how to earn that way. Maybe I should also try doing this.

    ReplyDelete
  35. don't worry, in the end it will all, work out brah

    ReplyDelete
  36. The only way to get successful from blogging is to have a million views PER DAY and to have a topic that is needed by people worldwide (like tutorials and stuff). Also, it takes so much time to set up that I don't think it's worth it.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Go through a placement agency, they have short contracts and you'll be paid more than a fast food place. And it gives you real job market experience. Yeah as far as making money on the blog it can be good at times but I see it a mad cash only. Can't depend on it to pay rent, food, bills.

    ReplyDelete