No Catholic Church jobs so...

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PattyPryor

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I have my Theology degree and have applied to every Catholic church that is hiring and saddly I get interviews but no job offer. I am thinking about going to a different religion for a Church job. I don’t WANT to since I am Catholic but I really need money. I just don’t know what else to do.🤷
 
In our Lutheran church, currently the administrator is Catholic, having converted from Methodism last year. The current praise and worship leader is Catholic, and teaches at the local Catholic school, but plays for us and for a Methodist Church. The previous praise and worship leader was Assemblies of God. One of the praise singers formerly also taught at the Catholic school. Taking a job with a particular church does not necessarily mean that you have to give up your own religious belief.

Good luck and I will pray that you find a job soon.
 
Oldtimer_7 said:
In our Lutheran church, currently the administrator is Catholic, having converted from Methodism last year. The current praise and worship leader is Catholic, and teaches at the local Catholic school, but plays for us and for a Methodist Church. The previous praise and worship leader was Assemblies of God. One of the praise singers formerly also taught at the Catholic school. Taking a job with a particular church does not necessarily mean that you have to give up your own religious belief.

Good luck and I will pray that you find a job soon.
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Wow I am suprised I was told by a Lutheran tghey only hire Lutherans perhaps because she is wels?
 
PattyPryor said:
I have my Theology degree and have applied to every Catholic church that is hiring and saddly I get interviews but no job offer. I am thinking about going to a different religion for a Church job. I don’t WANT to since I am Catholic but I really need money. I just don’t know what else to do.🤷
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Hi Patty!

Nice to see you here again. I hope you are well.

Have you tried applying as a Director of Religious Education? Also, you may need to brush up on your interviewing and resume skills. Check out Monster.com for really good tutorials on writing your resume and interviewing for a job.

I hire people (for computer programming and IT tech jobs) and the interview is all-important. Because it is sooooo difficult to fire people (especially in CA where I am) it is crucial to screen out anyone who,in the interview, seems the least bit hinky or off-key, or even overly nervous. So it is essential to hone your interview skills as far as possible to assure a potential employer that you are steady, stable and sure in your skills and your ability to pleasantly and effectively interact with others.

Most “bad employee” firings have nothing to do with the core skills of the job, but everything to do with the employee’s ability to successfully interact with fellow employees, customers, suppliers and (in the case of a RE teacher) students. The ability to assure a potential employer that none of this will be a problem is your golden ticket.

The trick is to show the prospective employer the balance between your calm confidence, humble teachability and easy sense of humor.

Hope this helps.

Paul
 
PaulDupre said:
Hi Patty!

Nice to see you here again. I hope you are well.

Have you tried applying as a Director of Religious Education? Also, you may need to brush up on your interviewing and resume skills. Check out Monster.com for really good tutorials on writing your resume and interviewing for a job.

I hire people (for computer programming and IT tech jobs) and the interview is all-important. Because it is sooooo difficult to fire people (especially in CA where I am) it is crucial to screen out anyone who,in the interview, seems the least bit hinky or off-key, or even overly nervous. So it is essential to hone your interview skills as far as possible to assure a potential employer that you are steady, stable and sure in your skills and your ability to pleasantly and effectively interact with others.

Most “bad employee” firings have nothing to do with the core skills of the job, but everything to do with the employee’s ability to successfully interact with fellow employees, customers, suppliers and (in the case of a RE teacher) students. The ability to assure a potential employer that none of this will be a problem is your golden ticket.

The trick is to show the prospective employer the balance between your calm confidence, humble teachability and easy sense of humor.

Hope this helps.

Paul
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Hi Paul,

I am well and yourself?

Saddly I think my resumes shine but I don’t have enough on the job experience. This would be my first church job. I was a Catechist but it isn’t enough. I have gotten like 20 interviews and most of them are nos and a few I had last week. I am really struggling with my faith because I thought God was calling me to study Theology… Private message me we can talk more:thumbsup:
 
PattyPryor said:
I have my Theology degree and have applied to every Catholic church that is hiring and saddly I get interviews but no job offer. I am thinking about going to a different religion for a Church job. I don’t WANT to since I am Catholic but I really need money. I just don’t know what else to do.🤷
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you would choose your church based on who hires you?

wow
 
HR questions are my speciality. So please do not be offended.
If you have had twenty interviews and no job offers, assume the area to work on is job interview skills and make sure all your refernces are not saying something that would surprise you!
Just my two cents.
Thank you
 
Is your degree a Bachelors or Masters? If you have the A, it may be a case of needing to get the MA
 
Plus a teacher’s certificate would help you. Perhaps guidance counseling.

You would do well as a RCIA director in a Mormon-dominated area-- if you can emotionally tolerate going into the heart of the beast. Remember, you would have the support of the Catholic community.
 
Rightlydivide said:
HR questions are my speciality. So please do not be offended.
If you have had twenty interviews and no job offers, assume the area to work on is job interview skills and make sure all your refernces are not saying something that would surprise you!
Just my two cents.
Thank you
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all my answers to why are my lack of experience not my interview skills I hav asked why I did not recieve the position I usually do very well in job interviews just not one for the Catholic Church Religious Education.
 
LongJourney said:
Plus a teacher’s certificate would help you. Perhaps guidance counseling.

You would do well as a RCIA director in a Mormon-dominated area-- if you can emotionally tolerate going into the heart of the beast. Remember, you would have the support of the Catholic community.
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I actually was thinking about the teaching certificate… I should look into it more
 
PattyPryor said:
ummm no I think you don’t understand what I was saying.
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Non-Catholics are not going to hire a Catholic to teach their theology classes. (I assume this is the position you are looking for.) You would have to convert to their religion.

Is there any secular work that you could do, while waiting for an entry-level position to open up in the Church? Any kind of sales or teaching position would give you the basic experience that you need to work in the Church, since that’s essentially what we do - “Evangelism” is just sales all dressed up in Sunday clothes, and Catechesis is just teaching dressed in Sunday clothes, as well. 🙂
 
Personally, I would never consider working for another church. The reason is because you’d be helping the other church with a certain duty which would lead them more time to “sheep steal” or proselytize Catholics into coming into their religion. I wouldn’t want that.
 
jmcrae said:
Non-Catholics are not going to hire a Catholic to teach their theology classes. (I assume this is the position you are looking for.) You would have to convert to their religion.

Is there any secular work that you could do, while waiting for an entry-level position to open up in the Church? Any kind of sales or teaching position would give you the basic experience that you need to work in the Church, since that’s essentially what we do - “Evangelism” is just sales all dressed up in Sunday clothes, and Catechesis is just teaching dressed in Sunday clothes, as well. 🙂
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I am looking into secular work for the year. Anyone know of any good place to work? The job market is just so bad right now
 
PattyPryor said:
all my answers to why are my lack of experience not my interview skills I hav asked why I did not recieve the position I usually do very well in job interviews just not one for the Catholic Church Religious Education.
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Having been in HR for years, I would never tell anyone the reason they did not get the job was a bad interview. Thats does not mean that is the reason in your case. I am simply stating a fact. IF someone asked how their interview went, I would say fine or ok. Its not my job to get into interview skills. I cannot imagine any HR person delving into that or priest.
HOWEVER, the lack of experience must be addressed through volunteer hours if possible or another way. What is your degree in?
 
PattyPryor said:
I have my Theology degree and have applied to every Catholic church that is hiring and saddly I get interviews but no job offer. I am thinking about going to a different religion for a Church job. I don’t WANT to since I am Catholic but I really need money. I just don’t know what else to do.🤷
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you have applied to every parish and diocese and Catholic institution in your country?
wow

how much help does your college placement department offer?

what positions have you applied for and how have you marketed yourself, showing your skills and experience as well as academic qualifications?

most of the same rules apply in this job search as in any other. Have someone review your resume and on-line profile, get help refining and defining your search. When you embarked on this degree program what jobs and careers did you have in mind? an MA in a liberal arts field whether it is history, theology, or English does not necessarily provide and entry level to specific careers. YOu don’t typically go out and “do” history or theology, but it is a credential for any of a number of positions that require the research skills and knowledge, and how to use knowledge, you have gained.

next stop might be the national professional organizations for the positions you have in mind, membership there, though pricey for a student, is an entry to a lot of postings and networking. If you are looking at DRE, YM and similar fields those organizations are linked on the Bishops website USCCB.org

next stop is to take any job remotely in sync with your skills and degree to pay the bills, and find any internship or even volunteer work that expands those skills and knowledge with practical experience you can parlay to paid position in a congenial field.

have you written an thank you letter to everyone who interviewed you and asked for some feedback on your interview?

what I forgot to say is those national orgs, NACYM, NACCL and the like have published “job descriptions” and qualifications not just for specific jobs like DRE and YM but for the various sub-classifications of job skills–relating to pastoral leaders, collaborative ministry, etc. That is book you can buy, or it is on-line I think and you can use it to tailor your resume to show your strengths, by referring to those national standards. That shows you understand what the job is and what is required and why you are a good prospect.

Keep up as a catechist, best all around experience you can get and it is free.
 
PattyPryor said:
I have my Theology degree and have applied to every Catholic church that is hiring and saddly I get interviews but no job offer. I am thinking about going to a different religion for a Church job. I don’t WANT to since I am Catholic but I really need money. I just don’t know what else to do.🤷
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I believed God was calling me to pursue a vocation in ministry also. I attended a Seminary for three years, and after I obtained my MA, looked for a position in the Catholic Church. I think it was more the protestant formation that was a problem then my lack of experience.

I think the question needs to be “where does God want me to serve Him in ministry”? This may not be equivalent with what you do to pay the bills. Since Fall is coming up, I recommend that you volunteer with a local parish in RCIA, or if you like kids better, the catechism program.

Don’t rule out local high schools and community colleges, who love to get master’s level theologians to teach classes. I could give you better feedback if I knew what type of work you were seeking. Mine was in pastoral counseling, so I went to work in a secular counseling environment while awaiting an opportunity to be full time at the parish.
 
PattyPryor said:
I am looking into secular work for the year. Anyone know of any good place to work? The job market is just so bad right now
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If the secualr markets are in bad shape,why woud a position at any Catholic Church be better? My staff went from 8 people to two in less than 3 years.As Director of Reg Ed,trust me, it is not easy running a program with no help.
 
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