I am facing a career dilemma and urgently need some advice to get out of my current nightmare situation.

My LinkedIn profile:www.linkedin.com/in/christopherrobinpeterson/

I work at a large utility company in Minneapolis/Saint Paul that rarely converts contractors to full-time employees. I have applied for positions there, but only received responses from HR twice.

Since September 2017, I have been submitting resumes, attending interviews, and phone screenings, but without success. I am sure that in some interviews I said something inappropriate, especially early on when my interview skills were poor. But there were also companies where I would not have accepted the position even if offered. For example, one manager used various phrases like "I prefer you," which was a huge red flag. There were three companies where I really wanted the job, but ultimately did not get it.

I hope to obtain a staff accountant or analysis-related position with a salary around $50,000. But I find that this seems unlikely to be achieved. Honestly, I would even be willing to work on weekends in exchange for an annual salary of $50,000 to $55,000, because currently I have to work a part-time job to reach $50,000 in income. I need to earn $50,000.

I have a health issue that requires regular Botox injections, otherwise my life becomes miserable. Botox is not cheap, health insurance is not cheap, and the cost of obtaining two bachelor's degrees is also high.

Working as a temp was not my intention, but I lost my job in 2010 due to a bankrupt catering company. In 2010, no company was willing to hire an assistant with only accounts payable experience. I later attended Metro State University to improve my prospects, but I am not sure if it helped. My luck has been bad; the companies I worked for either had managers who did not like the people they hired, or colleagues did not communicate at all, or large companies simply did not hire.

Additionally, I am also wondering if accounting is really suitable for me? If so, do I need to pursue a master's degree in accounting, or obtain a CMA (Certified Management Accountant) certification to truly break through?

Based on the Myers-Briggs personality test results, I feel that I might be best suited for a role like a budget analyst, but I am not sure how to become one. I may have an informational interview with the Minnesota state government in June; they said they would talk with me after the legislative session ends.

Another person told me that his sister is a project manager, and although she did not have relevant educational background, she started as a project coordinator.

Potential positions I am considering include:

  • Financial Analyst
  • Management Analyst
  • Cost Estimator
  • Accountants and Auditors
  • Budget Analyst