Is it normal that i want to work hard but can't find a job?

I don't have a lot of work experience, I'm 20 and my only "long term" job was in a restaurant for 2 years.
It was physically hard work because it was in a very crowded area.
I enjoyed doing it because it was a busy job (time passes) and it felt like I was earning my money and contributing to the workforce.
But it's almost 2 years ago since I last worked there and now I'm looking for a new job for some months now and I've applied many times and every time they either don't respond or they say the job's been taken...
And that is annoying I mean why put it up there if you're not even inviting someone willing to work over for an interview..
It's not a job I will do for the rest of my life by the way, I'm being honest with them and tell them it's temporary.
I specifically look for temporary contracts (there's plenty of them).
I'm not picky either, just not mcdonalds or cleaning toilets.
And now it's starting to get me worried how these 5 months of doing nothing will look for future employers..
is it normal that it's so hard to get a normal job?
In my country they seem to ask specific certificates for any kind line of work, even the most simple one.

Voting Results
78% Normal
Based on 37 votes (29 yes)
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Comments ( 7 )
  • ready2rumble

    If you are not active you could volunteer while you keep on your job search, just don't allow yourself to be long periods of time doing nothing, employers don't like it.

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  • EnergyShift

    I've been looking for a steady job since 2009 (3 years now) and I still can't find shit. I'm living with family in the dining room, and on food stamps just to survive and stay off the street. I can build and repair computers, but can't even land a job at WalMart. I try to make money by fixing computers from home, but nobody has money and they're all flakes. If I advertize like crazy (online, on light poles around my city, in parking lots, holding a big sign, handing out business cards, I can maybe pull in $200 in an entire month. Things are bad.

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  • dalmationUntoyourSoul

    i have the same trouble. luckily i have a job now that has hired me back every time i've moved back into town. but besides that it was mostly restaurants. i don't think i've ever gotten a job without one of my friends or relatives helping me get it. i work hard and managers are glad they hired me, and hate to see me go, and usually give me special treatment and extra responsibilities, i just think some people put off a vibe that makes people reluctant to hire them. good luck and keep trying, and the volunteering thing is a good idea. give your application directly to a manager if possible, at a time when they aren't busy. and check back at least once a week or until they tell you not to come back.

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  • Avant-Garde

    Don't tell them it's "temporary" most employers want t hire someone that will work for a long time. When they say that its been taken or don't respond, is usually because you didn't meet their requirements,etc. Wait to tell them when you're planning to quit, but after you've gotten the job.

    Is there a employment office in your city/country?
    Or do you have any relatives/friends that can find a job for you?
    If things get really desperate, maybe going to college could help. If you've already gone, perhaps learn a subject and add that to your work portfolio.

    Good Luck!

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    • Well I have to tell them it's temporary because I need the work references for the future.
      It has to be a temporary contract (which there are plenty of) but they don't seem to invite me after I sollicitate.
      There are employment services, I went to one a few days ago but they didn't have anything.
      And I really don't want to go back to school, I hate studying xD
      I will already have to study for what I need these work references for.
      Well I will keep applying for jobs, I have an interview tuesday hope that goes well.
      Good idea to learn a subject, I'm very interested in history (though that's probably not very useful), I could also learn a language that always looks good on my portfolio.
      Thanks!

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  • Aliifreak

    You shouldn't be telling them it's temporary :S When you wanna quit just tell them xD If you tell them right away it might lower your chances to get called back. And isn't there some websites or employing centers for your country/city/whatever that tells you which jobs are available?

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    • Well I live in my country's capital so there are many job offers, many of those are temporary contracts which I specifically look for.
      I need the work references for the future that's why I can't just walk out when I feel like it.
      There are websites and centers, I've been to both and applied lots of times :(
      I have a job interview on tuesday (finally) it's for a construction site, nothing special just physically hard work.
      The person who I was speaking with on the phone told me it was unlikely I would get the job because without work experience in the same field most people simply can't physically do it.
      I told her I wanted to try anyway because I want to work and I'm not scared of dirty or hard work so she said I could come over just to "talk things over".

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