Landing first job four years after grad?

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This has me worried. Naturally. I graduated from Apollo College of Boise (now Carrington College) in 2007 with a 3.4 GPA. I never got further than that. Now, I am looking at picking massage up again, because it truly is my calling. It would be supplemental income, so I'm not worried about making LOTS of money at first.

What I AM worried about, is explaining the gap. Four years, it's been. And nothing to show for it. How do I explain that? In truth, it was the economy, my gender (with some places; one even sent a request to us to send the most attractive female there to do externship - needless to say, our school did not furnish their request), and my low self-esteem. My fiancé (girlfriend of three years) left me just before graduation and my self respect hit the floor. I decided not to take chances. I ended up selling the car of my dreams (MINI Cooper S - still paying my parents back for it) and my MacBook. I went out and got a credit card. Lots of stupid choices. A lot has changed since then...

I dated a few people. I married one. Then we had a baby. And I have really come into my own since 2007.

But how do I turn this into a positive to sell myself? I cannot just pour my guts for them, unless I feel they're quite down to earth. The two largest employers around here are Massage Envy and Elements. There are also chiropractors and salons.

Any advice?

 

[Christopher S]

Landing first job four years after grad?

So, were you ever employed as an MT before everything happened, or did you just get your license and haven't worked anywhere yet? Did you have another form of employment during this time?

I waited 6 years after massage school to get my massage license and start working as a therapist. I went through a lot of crap during that time as well. I just wasn't ready yet. Just tell them you went through a rough patch in life and now you are in a better place and ready to start your career. That should be all they need to know.

 

[Peter J]

Landing first job four years after grad?

My sympathies on the loss of your MacBook... :


"Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans."
John Lennon


But really, as I quoted above... "life happened" to you. You went through some things, some good, some bad... hopefully you learned a lot about yourself, and other people.

I really don't see it as being a bad thing that it's taken you 4 years to get to a point where you're ready to start making your living doing massage. You've taken the time to get your life in order and IMO that probably would make you a more serious & stable employee.

I hope you wow 'em uRabbit! And please keep us posted about your progress!

 

[guvnor]

Landing first job four years after grad?

I love this community so much! You guys (and gals ) are always so motivational!

Hehe, thank you for your condolences on my MacBook. Though, I think I miss my MINI more. Especially since I'm still paying on it. Haha.

Anyways, I truly hope that employers will look at me the same way as you two are presenting right now. I *feel* like I would be a better employee than the person I was four years ago. I am in a much more important seforum.xxxe of my life now. I am becoming debt free (sounds much better than 'paying down debts') and securing a future for my family in what we are passionate about.

Oh, and no, I never even got licensed. Just certified. I am looking to get licensed soon. And then MBLEx and AMBP membership. I have been employed, non-stop, since I was twelve years old. So, no gap in employment during those four years.

 

[DaveyDenero]

Landing first job four years after grad?

I have been employed, non-stop, since I was twelve years old. So, no gap in employment during those four years.

I think this would be more important than simply not being employed in massage during that time. Even if you hadn't been employed at all, think of all the stay-at-home parents who have gone more than 10 years without being employed who are now having to return to the workforce. That's not held against them so I don't think it would be against you.

 

[westo]

Landing first job four years after grad?

Good point, Taoist.

Okay then, what about how rusty I am in A&P? I am SUPER rusty. "/ I am studying now, tho. Seems harder than it was before. I'll need to make up flash cards again, as I cannot find mine. I am hoping that I do not need to know attachment sites, Latin names, etc. for an employer (maybe for a chiro). I know I will for the MBLEx. It's the largest portion, I believe. I do know the muscles, just not their names; same with bones. I know all the attachment sites also. When working on a body, I can see the muscle, its attachment sites, its actions, etc., in my head. And of course, I can feel it as well.

 

[shedaisyluv]

Landing first job four years after grad?

Okay then, what about how rusty I am in A&P?

"Trail Guide to the Body" and "The Anatomy Coloring Book" are your friends! I think both are available at Barnes & Noble, I know they're both available at amazon.

There's something about the journey of massage school. I was told "it will change your life". And of course, that's what I hoped for, professionally. But I didn't truly grasp the meaning at the time. For me, as for many others I've encountered, the whole of life changes when massage enters your life. *You* change and become more of yourself than you've ever been. Not to say this is always an easy or happy-happy process, but great changes occur. I can't explain it, but as I said, I've experienced it and seen it with others.

Anyway, enough rambling I would agree that you're in a more positive place than you might think, simply because you have always been employed. Especially once you are licensed, etc, there's no need to explain anything beyond that this is the next step in your plan for your life, you're ready to add massage to your employment. End of story. If you're asked why you didn't before now, I would say something to the effect that your life circumstances (job and family commitments) demanded your attention and focus, and that at this time you can add massage employment because you are now able to give it the level of commitment and professionalism that you demand of yourself. The old job interview technique of turning a possible negative into a positive... but word it better than I did ;-)

 

[Katelina]

Landing first job four years after grad?

Okay then, what about how rusty I am in A&P?

"The Anatomy Coloring Book" are your friends! I think both are available at Barnes & Noble, I know they're both available at amazon.

uRabbit,

I have a very old Anatomy Coloring Book which has a few plates colored. #1-14 and #28 out of 142 plates have been colored. If you want it, I am happy to mail it to you no charge. Just PM me with your mailing address.

I offered it to someone else in the past, but they never took me up on the offer.

 

[carebearnmbr46]

Landing first job four years after grad?

I have the very same books. In fact, my Anatomy Coloring Book is beautiful coloured, as I have slight OCD.

tropicmom, I like your wording for a response to why I have not been employed in massage before. Thank you.