Can I just say, and I'm just being honest...

[The Valkyrie]

Don't give up.

Go out and kick their arses for them.

Why can't you get a job?  Are the places currently loaded down with staff?

The one place held interviews at school, before I graduated. I did both a sit down and a technical interview and was "strongly encouraged" to apply online, which I did. I got a call the next day, was told that they would try to find a receptionist position for me until I graduated. Three days later, I get a call saying they didn't have any of those positions available, but they emphasized the importance of having me call when I graduated and received my license in hand. I called the day I got my license. Waited three days, no answer. I emailed. Waited three days got no answer. Called again. Same thing. I then called the salon closest to me and spoke with the manager, whom I had seen a dozen times while at school. She wasn't there, but the assistant manager said she would pass along my info. Waited a week. Finally I decided to go in. I spoke with the manager who told me she didn't understand why the recruiting personnel wasn't contacting me so she would check it out. The very next day, I get an email from the recruiting person saying they weren't moving forward with my candidacy. Wasted over a month of my time because from everything they said during both my interviews and the initial phone calls, they wanted me in.

I could have been looking elsewhere.

The second place called today. Evidently there was another more.qualified person for the job. I'm okay with that because at least they didn't string me along like the other place did.

I dunno. People get hired on right out of school all the time. Maybe it's my age. Maybe they want young blood. I really just don't know.

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This might sound so obvious you already considered it, but do you have like a portfolio of your work you could show employers? Photos and videos of what you do? Testimonials from any customers you might have worked with before?

I'm glad you asked. I have an online portfolio that all the salons have access to. It was set up during my schooling and was updated before I graduated. In addition, I have client surveys from school that show whatthe clients tthought of my skills, attitude, professionalism etc. I was asked by the second salon if my profile online was complete and it was.

Put the onus back on the first place.

Ask them WHY they won't be going forward with you.  Ask WHY the process took so long as you could have been looking for other positions.  Ask WHY they took so long getting back to you?

It seems the manager you met through school is the one who had your back and can get things done.

Talk to her about upcoming positions and career advice.  She may be too busy to help and you might not want to impose, but you get nothing if you don't ask.

If you're really feeling the need to work, have you considered getting a job elsewhere while you keep searching for something in your chosen career path?