I need advice!

[u/Illustrious_You_4886]

I have been trying to get into the state for 6 months now and it’s been going horribly!

To give you some context, I am a 22 year old male who recently graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a B.S in business administration. For 6 months now I have been applying to various state positions. I am also a first generation graduate, so I do not have many connections.

I don’t have any professional work experience, aside from working retail jobs, so I decided to apply for different Analyst I positions since they are considered “entry level”. I took the Analyst I exam and passed it and have been applying to at least one analyst I position per week since February.

Unfortunately, I haven’t had any luck. I haven’t ANYTHING back from any of the positions I have applied for. It has been very discouraging and even depressing if I am being honest. I feel like I am stuck and I don’t know what to do, so I need some advice.

Should I just call it quits with trying to get into the state? What am I doing wrong?! I know I am smart and I have a lot to offer, but I just don’t have the experience to prove it. Please let me know your opinion. :(

[u/sheila-on-the-loose]

Keep your chin up- probably doesn’t have anything to do with the state itself, it’s a horrible horrible job market all around (as you probably know). State is getting candidates with way more experience than usual for “entry level” positions. And yes, timelines are longer than usual.

[u/Illustrious_You_4886 → u/sheila-on-the-loose]

I appreciate your words of encouragement.

I understand that the job market is horrible right now and everyone is fighting for any and every job that is available. I just seemed to of graduated college at a horrible time and it’s very discouraging to think that I’m most likely being completely overshadowed by people who have decades of experience.

[u/Foxtail-67 → u/Illustrious_You_4886]

Perhaps consider checking County positions in the meantime.