I've been unemployed for 3 years now. Which means, at 21, I just sit inside the house all day depending on my parents and I leave it once a month on average because I don't have friends either. I apply absolutely everywhere I can. If I'm lucky enough to even get a call back, then I go to the interview and I'm not hired anyway (hate to blame being fat, but really, I don't see many fat people working where I live). So the gap in my employment history keeps growing and growing, which means I rarely ever hear back from anywhere I apply. I can't to college like I wanted because I don't have the money to go.

I finally got a call yesterday after nearly a year of never hearing from anywhere, and by the time I called back she claimed they "already hired everyone".

I feel really stuck and I'm stressed out and sick of it all. I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I just needed somewhere to vent!

Have you spoken to a career counsellor/agency to ask them what the problem is? Review your resume and/or do a mock interview? In 3 years then there is probably an issue with one or both of those.

I wish I had advice for you, but I just wanted to let you know I sympathize 100%!! I'm 20yrs old and cannot get a job for the life of me. I never wanted to blame my weight, but it can't be a coincidence that they tell me on the phone I've got a great shot but once I go in and they see me it's suddenly not gonna happen? So frustrating. I also rarely do much these days... fell out of touch with most of my friends after they went off to college but I was just too broke to make it happen. I still talk to a few of them, but its online/texting, we don't really go out much. It's really silly to let this weight hold me back from so many things in life, but I guess that's all the more reason to get it off.

sacha - Most of the jobs I apply for are retail type places (like Family Dollar) or fast food, so I don't get to use my resume as it's usually just a standard application, but I will definitely look into checking out the workforce center and see if they have anything like that!

thinkfit- Thanks so much! It cheers me up to have someone to relate to. I feel so limited, like all these years are just passing me by and my weight just makes everything so much worse because of all the opportunities that are cut off. I guess it can just be another motivator for us!

Ladies, don't get discouraged. You are 20 and 21! You have 40 years or more to work! Is there a community college nearby? Can you take one or two classes at a time with a small student loan? Can you get a grant to take a few classes? Congrats to you both on your weight loss!!

I agree with what everyone is saying about looking at your resume again. If you can't find anything you could also look into volunteering, even though you won't be paid it will give you more to put on your resume and get you out of the house. Plus if you pick something you care about you will find it rewarding. Good luck!

Might I suggest volunteering, babysitting, dog-walking. All these can be put on resumes.

I don't know if they have these things in your state... but we have Workforce solutions.... They help train you (computer skills etc) and have a reimbursement to employers who hire people and train them (at the employers expense) A friend of mine (who used to work at QVC call center) lost her job and wanted to become a nurses aid... The company who hired her an a companion is paying for her schooling to become liscensed... Check it out!! Its a wonderful thing and won't cost you anything....

I was going to suggest these, in addition to checking out community college or even online courses.

I'll recommend this, as it's worked for me, teaching English abroad. I'm currently almost finished my 4th year of teaching English in Korea and while it can be frustrating at time it's great for the resume and the savings account! To teach in Korea you do need a degree however there's lots of countries where that is not necessary!

Good luck with your search and remember to think outside the box!

Volunteering is a great thing to help you get a job. I started volunteering a dog rescue - which eventually lead to me getting a paid job at a cat rescue. I wouldn't have gotten that job without the volunteer experience.

I'd recommend temp agencies. If you have any around, they are a great place to get started.

I also was going to suggest a temp agency. If you get a long enough temp assignment you can qualify for unemployment insurance.

Also, a friend of mine once pitched to a small employer that she work for 6 weeks for free. (he had advertised but was hesitant to hire her without a work history) And the end of that time she get either a great reference or a job.

She got the job.

In this market you have to go outside the box but keep in mind that most large employers would not go for this.

I can sympathize with you 100%. But the secret they don't tell you is that just because you have a college degree doesn't mean you will get a job. I graduated with a BA in Public Relations in 2008 and I STILL haven't had a job using my degree. I fell into working at a hotel as a front desk clerk and clawed my way up by basically doing anything they asked. I have had a grand total of ONE interview for a "real job" in my BA field and it was earlier this month.

I agree with thinkfit too - people have a great misconception that all fat people are lazy. I had one employer outright ask me once (for a pet store) if I'd be able to stand for 8 hours and walk around helping customers. After working there for a week or so he pulled me aside and told me he was impressed and "didn't think I'd be able to do it." Jerk!

I am so sorry that you are going through this. The economy for people just starting out sucks. I wish you the world of luck and agree that volunteering might help out. If nothing else it gets you out of the house and adds a feather in your cap. Depending on the volunteer work it would also be great exercise! Keep a positive attitude and you will get there! Don't give up!

You haven't mentioned what skills you have, but if you don't have basic computer skills, get them. Even if you have to go to your public library to use the computers there, knowing the Office product suite will help. Volunteering and the temp work are great ideas to get your foot in the door.

The other option is to start your own business. Persons offering cleaning services in my area make $25/hour -- I'm not making this up! There is such a shortage of people willing to do house cleaning, that the few who will definitely get to charge a great rate. The couple who clean my house started their business 4 years ago and now have six people working for them. Their gimmick is that they charge a flat $25/hour, but she cleans the house while he cuts the lawn and trims. I have them here once a month for 4 hours and it's worth every penny. My point is that while you may not want to do that for your entire life, it provides a work history, shows that you are motivated, and shows that you have acquired some pretty good business skills. Just make sure that you pay the taxes including social security and get a business permit, etc.