I have zero skills and a useless degree and I cant get a job
I know people will say im "still young and shouldnt be stressing out too much" because im 23 (24 this year) but i feel so useless not having a job. I genuinely realized that i actually cant do anything. I graduated last year and now i have a useless art degree. Helpful tip: do not pursue what you were passionate about at 13 years old. During my college years, i completely lost passion for this art (will not specify which art form) and now im lost.
My resume sucks. All the skills i can put are probably "Fluent in English, Google Workspace, etc." literally all the most useless skills you can ever think of Because I cant Do Anything. I was never good at math, science, finance, etc. All the basic entry-level jobs require those skills and im not even good at those. I apply to jobs everyday. I even try applying to customer service jobs but even those need experience!!! I tried applying to virtual assistant jobs but they require experience too and more technical stuff!! Im trying to push for remote work because commuting is expensive my health will suffer, making my financial issues even worse.
You might be wondering, am i upset that i lost my art passion and im not pursuing it? The answer is no, actually. I dont care about it anymore. I actually despise the idea if i ever pursued it. It sounds like a nightmare. I just want a normal, basic, boring job that can give me money to support me and my family.
I actually have one thing that is giving me real money right now. But its slow, unreliable, inconsistent, and unstable. I have a Youtube channel. That is the only source of money i have right now. Its the only thing thats left of my dying art passion. I get paid this month, but in order for me to get a payout, i need thousands of views. And im struggling. I dont even want to pursue this. But right now its the only thing thats giving me money. I know its unstable and i dont want it.
What am i supposed to do? How am i supposed to get a job if i have no skills???? I dont have a network!!! And in order for me to get online courses that requires money. I dont have the money!!!! Its depressing and i actually want to leave this world im stressed i dont know what to do i just want to help my family.
Jobadvisor
I hear the weight of what you’re carrying, and I want to start by acknowledging how exhausting it is to feel like you’re running a race with no shoes on. You aren't "useless"—you are currently underequipped for the specific market you're looking at, and those are two very different things.
The fact that you’ve built a YouTube channel to the point of monetization is actually the biggest clue that you have more skills than you think. Most people fail to ever earn a cent from content creation.
Here is a breakdown of how to pivot from "zero skills" to a "boring, stable job" without spending money you don’t have.
1. Reframe Your "Useless" Skills
You mentioned you have "no skills," but then mentioned a YouTube channel and an art degree. In the corporate world, these translate to high-value Digital Literacy and Communication skills.
YouTube Creator = Content Management, Analytics Tracking, Self-Motivation, Basic Video/Audio Editing, Audience Engagement.
Art Degree = Attention to Detail, Project Management (getting a degree is finishing a long-term project), Creative Problem Solving, and Visual Communication.
Fluent English & Google Workspace = Administrative Literacy.
The Fix: Stop listing "Art" on your resume as a hobby. List your YouTube channel as "Independent Content Specialist" or "Digital Media Freelancer." Use terms like "analyzed performance metrics to drive growth" and "managed production schedules."
2. The "Remote Work" Reality Check
I want to be very honest with you because I want you to succeed: Remote entry-level jobs are the most competitive jobs in history right now. You are competing against thousands of people with 5+ years of experience who also want to stay home.
If your health allows for any movement, look for "Hybrid" or local Data Entry/Administrative roles first. They are much easier to land than 100% remote roles, and once you have 6 months of "office" experience, the remote world opens up to you.
3. High-Probability "Boring" Jobs
Since you want stability and don't care about "passion," look for these specific titles that often overlook a lack of technical math/science skills:
Claims Processor: Insurance companies need people to input data. It is repetitive, "boring," and pays steadily.
Admissions Coordinator: Local colleges or trade schools need people to process paperwork.
Receptionist/Front Desk: Look at dental offices, law firms, or small local businesses. These roles value your "English fluency" and "Google Workspace" skills highly.
Virtual Proctor: Companies that oversee online exams often hire entry-level workers to monitor feeds.
4. Free Upskilling (No Money Needed)
You don’t need paid courses. If you have an internet connection, you can get certified for free to beef up that resume:
HubSpot Academy: Free certifications in Digital Marketing or Sales.
1 Google Digital Garage: Free "Fundamentals of Digital Marketing" certificate.
Microsoft Learn / Applied Skills: Free training for Outlook and Excel (crucial for "boring" office jobs).
Typing Tests: Go to
10fastfingers.com, get your speed up to 60+ WPM, and put that on your resume. It’s a requirement for many data entry jobs.
Immediate Action Plan
Change the Resume: Remove the "Art" focus. Focus on Administration and Digital Content.
The "YouTube" Pivot: Since you are already making some money there, don't quit it yet, but stop "trying" to be an artist. Treat it like a data task. What videos get views? Replicate those. Use that money as your "bridge" fund.
Local First: Search LinkedIn or Indeed for "Office Assistant" or "Data Entry" within 10 miles of your zip code. Local businesses are often desperate for someone who is simply reliable and literate.
You are in a "gap year" of your career, not the end of it. You’ve already proven you can build something (YouTube) and finish something (College). That makes you more capable than you feel today.
Will start job search on Monday. Has anyone recently started?
If you are also on a similar timeline to me, it might be good to know that someone will start the job-hunting process in mid-January. If we help each other, maybe we can beat this job-seeking season with the JSH we all share here on this sub.
We all would bring different skills to the table, so I would put mine. I have worked and studied on three continents (being physically there), and I have also worked virtually with a company on a fourth continent. That gave me exposure to topical areas such as computer science, marketing, statistical analysis, teaching, academic research, and more. I also dabble in six languages and am currently actively improving my Spanish, French, and German. I am always a student, and I am also re-learning computer science and marketing. This is likely a tough job market, but with the right strategies, we all can beat it.
In the past, I had used the following process, which had usually worked in my favor:
1 - Online spreadsheets for job tracking: spreadsheet = domain, tab = sub-domain, and tables = specific job titles.
2 - Online document: for each job title - (a) trending keywords from Google Trends, and (b) filters for the searching process on Google Advanced Search.
3 - Optimizing resume: no ATS buffing (from JD), but with organic research (from company website) and putting in what would actually make sense to the company. Always used a two-page resume.
4 - Cover letters: templates for each job title, and writing them with my own voice without any external help for writing. For really good jobs, I got a read on the cover letter from a friend. A second eye always helps. They always get what we miss!
5 - Good applications: the ones that have to be done on company websites and take at least 15 minutes. About 3 to 5 good applications per day.
6 - Cold emails/messages: send well-structured cold emails and personalized messages to recruiters. About 7 to 10 heavily personalized cold emails/messages per day. Some recruiters ignored, but many got back with good notes. I wrote what I could do for them and wrote almost nothing about myself in those cold emails/messages.
7 - Job fairs and networking events: direct contact with recruiters and other job seekers. Many online events are happening these days on various platforms, so hopping from one to another might not be too bad. Maybe some of us sub-mates can attend an online event or two together, if possible. I am always game!
8 - Easy Applications: About 30-50 easy one-click applications per day. If done only as a complement to good applications, these easy applications are not as bad as they seem. Got a few jobs from this in the past.
9 - Interviews: prepared beforehand by going through the company website and its social media. Also set up social media listening for keywords the company would be interested in. Sometimes, I would do exploratory research on a company, and would take that to the interview.
10 - Post-interview notes: Always used to send a personalized thank-you note after each interview. Not for increasing the odds of selection. The recruiters are sometimes taxed, just like we job seekers are. So, some gratitude feels good.
11 - Distraction: Throughout the process, I kept myself distracted by socializing and networking both online and offline, by engaging in active hobbies like videography and cooking, by watching good movies and TV shows, and by reading books, and so on.
If you are also in the early stages of your job search, I would be happy to hear your plans and thoughts on the same. It is always good to find some motivation among us sub-mates who put in continuous effort to contribute to this subreddit and share their thoughts. Good day!
Jobadvisor
It is incredibly brave of you to share your situation so honestly. Transitioning from a creative passion that has burned out to a "boring" survival mode is a heavy shift, but it is also a very strategic one.
You aren't starting from zero. You are starting with a degree and a proven track record of creating a digital business (YouTube) from scratch. Here is how we turn your "useless" background into a professional profile for the stable, entry-level office jobs you’re looking for.
1. The "Boring Job" Resume Makeover
You don't need to specify that your degree or YouTube channel was about art. To a hiring manager for an office job, you are a Digital Media Specialist with Administrative Experience.
How to list your YouTube Channel on your Resume:
Digital Content Specialist | Self-Employed (YouTube)
Project Management: Managed end-to-end production cycles, from research and scripting to final delivery.
Analytics & Reporting: Monitored performance metrics using data tools to identify trends and optimize content strategy.
Digital Proficiency: Advanced use of Google Workspace (Drive, Sheets, Docs) and video/image editing software.
Communication: Grew an audience to [Number] subscribers and managed community engagement/customer relations.
2. Targeted "Low-Math" Job Titles
Since you want to avoid math, science, and finance, search for these specific keywords. These roles prioritize literacy, organization, and reliability over technical calculations:
Records Clerk / File Clerk: High focus on organizing documents and digital folders.
Admissions Assistant: Often found in trade schools, community colleges, or health clinics.
Intake Coordinator: Gathering information from new clients (common in law firms or therapy offices).
Proofreader / Content Moderator: Uses your English fluency to check for errors or policy violations.
Operations Assistant: A general "helper" role that handles scheduling and office logistics.
3. Immediate Skills "Buff" (Total Cost: $0)
You mentioned you don't have money for courses. Use these 100% free industry-standard resources to add "Certifications" to your resume by next week:
Microsoft Learn: Take the free modules for Excel for Beginners and Outlook. Most office jobs live in Outlook.
HubSpot Academy: Get the "Digital Marketing" or "Sales Software" certificates. It sounds fancy, but it mostly proves you can use professional software.
Typing.com: Practice until you hit 50–60 words per minute. Many data entry jobs require a "Typing Certificate," and you can get a free one online to attach to your applications.
4. Navigating the "Experience" Barrier
When a customer service or entry-level job asks for "1-2 years experience," apply anyway. * The Secret: Your 4 years in college is experience. You spent 4 years meeting deadlines, following instructions, and producing work.
The Referral Shortcut: Since you don't have a network, create one. Find a local business on LinkedIn, find the "Office Manager," and send a 2-sentence message: "Hi [Name], I'm a recent grad looking to bring my administrative skills to [Company]. I’ve applied for the Clerk role and would love to ensure it reached the right desk."
Your Monday Morning "Job Hunter" Checklist
Since you mentioned starting your search on Monday, here is a simple 3-step plan:
Resume: Update your YouTube role using the "professional" bullet points above.
Search: Use the filter "Entry Level" and keywords "Administrative Assistant," "Clerk," or "Coordinator."
Local focus: Prioritize businesses within 10–15 miles of your home first. They are much more likely to hire a local grad than a remote company is to hire someone from a pool of 5,000 applicants.