I'm in the same boat as you, kipperfan...I've been home now for a month, and I've applied to MANY companies in the white-collar world, and I have generally the same work experience and education as you. I'm wasting time at my old job for now, biding my time until I get a call back, but it's damn near IMPOSSIBLE to break in with one of these companies in this city. Seriously, you have to be related or dated the boss' daughter to get a foot in the door. This city seems like it's all backscratching. One of the reasons why I didn't want to come back here, but had no choice.
Ironically, the only employer to have gotten back to me first before anybody for potential jobs is the Federal Government - the most bureaucratic institution of them all.
