You seem to know that you have the skills needed to get past the stage where you are right now. But I think you’d have to cut the negative self talk for a good while before you can really start to see and understand clearly what you have to contribute to a new job. You have the skills-then translate that on your resume. There is such a thing as transferable skills that one can use to demonstrate how they are qualified for a position.

If it means much to you then go back to school. While you are in school, defer your loans and start over with regards to your career. I agree law school can be a crap shoot, but there are tons of other career paths out there. Again, what are you passionate about? Make that your vocation.

I think first you need to change your mindset as far as how you approach things. The same energy you give off here regarding your situation (perennially dismal) may be the same that you are putting forth in your resume and cover letters. Try to see where your continuing to psych your self out of actually being and doing more than you are right now. Why would an employer take a risk with you if you are unwilling to take that risk with yourself?

My best friend got his law degree and passed the bar exam - and took a minimum wage job as a stiockboy. Struggling with student loans, he went back to school for a master’s degree and ultimately got a $40K job before running for office and moving up the political chain to a $100K job.

While I like to think that I have above-average intelligence and am capable of learning and doing new tricks, I also understand that employers regard me as a high-risk applicant due to my utter lack of anything which might be considered career-related experience. Since employers are risk-averse, they find it easier to toss my resume than to offer an interview, and I don’t know how to overcome that at this point. There is a major disconnect between my skills and my experience, and that definitely does not appeal to employers.

Not wanting to struggle with a ton of law school debt and a stockboy job, I chickened out and decided I couldn’t afford law school.

I find that our realties are based on the things we accept for ourselves. I do not for one minute believe that this is all you could ever amount to in life and that your degree is the only thing holding you back from getting the job you really want or pursuing your passions. What are they? If you want to go to law school, what REALLY stopped you? Plenty of people take out loans to make that happen, why wasnt that an option for you? Im just asking here, not preaching.

I think you have to dig deep and be honest with your career trajectory and figure out what happened along the way. Did you make the right decisions? Do you take ownership or will you just say I cant because X-Y-Z happened to me.

I won’t give too many details of my personal life-but been there, done that and the key was taking ownership for the decisions I made and learning to make decisions that were right for me. If I didnt know how, then I sought the counsel of those who helped me sort things out.

Ive seen your posts on other PF blogs so I know that you’re seeking away to make something better in your area of personal finance. Perhaps 2008 is the year and no Im not trying to soup you up with hot air. Sometimes we need to take a look and make a decision. Your life is what you make of it. Not a degree, not a job and damn sure not a paycheck. Your life, you live it and you take charge of it. No one else.

Start with believing in yourself, charting a plan and following your passion. The rest will fall into place.

Today I am an aging baby boomer and there is little hope for me. It’s very unlikely I can get a good job now.

Thanks Tony! We can all use a lil more discipline!

Your welcome Rikkia!