[UnemployedGirl]

So for the past 2 years I have been really struggling to find work. Every time I get offered a position somewhere that I really want, I ALWAYS end up getting screwed over. For example, a woman hired me to work in her store as an artist and assistant, but she was just trying to get free help. When I asked her for payment, I never heard from her again.

Another example is the position I was promised at an art supply store. I waited around for over five months for the manager to get the hours for the position from their head office. When it finally happened, I went for the interview on a technicality because she had already said the job was mine and the interview was just standard procedure. 2 days later when she was supposed to call me, I sat by the phone all day and not a single ring. Followed it up and apparently she had been trying to get hold of me. Since I didn't answer she gave the job to someone else. I knew then and there she was lying, since neither of my phones rang that day and the employment agency I'm signed up with didn't hear from her either. She knew full well she can contact me through them because she had dealt with them too.

The kicker and the reason I'm writing this is I had in interview lined up with a clothing store at the end of this week. Today the manager called me to tell me she had already given the position away so my interview was canceled -- and to top it off, it's my birthday.

That doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of the situations I've been put through. This sort of thing has been happening for the past 2 years, every job without fail. I'm told I do everything right, my resume is well presented, I have the experience, I'm always complimented by employers about how professional and well dressed I am, they all like my personality -- professional, confident and friendly.

Nobody can understand, especially me, why I so damn unemployable. I'm starting to get to the point where I just want to crawl under a rock and forget about life. I'm trying so hard, being told I'm exactly what they are looking for and yet coming up empty handed. I can't take it anymore, I know its important to keep trying but I'm exhausted I really am, what do you do when you told you're perfect for the job but still don't get it? I just don't understand why no one will give me a chance? I feel like I'm cursed or something. It's not like I'm trying to get positions in not qualified for, I want a job in retail, I don't think that's asking a lot. I'm on the edge of giving up, I don't even want to wake up in the morning. I'm sorry for my sob story and really need some clarity on what's so wrong with me? Why no one will give me chance...

[Wondergirl]

Can you ask anyone at any of these possibilities that you missed out on why you weren't hired?

I'm wondering if employers are trying to give false hope to the jobless during this poor economy.

What are your credentials (education and experience) and what kind of art?--or you're thinking retail clerk?