How to stand out as the best candidate for jobs I want.

[jim1986]

Hello all. This will be my first post. I recently moved to Jefferson City, MO with my fiancee. I quit my previous job as a juvenile correction officer to follow her here, as she found work she enjoys more than her previous job. 
I have had nothing but bad luck since July in terms of job offers. I have a Master's Degree in Sociology with work experience in both qualitative/quantitative data collection and analysis, interviewing, etc... I have a multitude of other types of work experience, including park and recreation maintenance, customer service, library work in elementary education, writing/editing, research and writing up technical pieces and general public interaction. Still no offers. I have tried my hand at landing positions such as research analysts, policy analysts (notably for the legislative office in the capital here), and other positions that open up in the state. I even have expressed interest in librarian positions. Nothing.
I need help. I know that employers only want people they don't have to train or at least require minimum training, and I also am aware that they are looking for the best candidates for their firm/organization, etc... 
I think I have great credentials, but have been unable to market myself as the best candidate. There always seems to be someone else who is better. How am I suppose to make myself sound like I have more experience if I don't have it? 
Has anyone else here found work with a Master's in Sociology? If so, how did you get your foot in the door? Keep in mind, Jeff City is the capital, but only has a population of about 45,000. I also would like to note that though I am willing to accept work not completely related to my field, it would be great to get into research and analysis since that is my concentration. Would love to solve the puzzle of how to get into that career with my credentials.
Any advice?

[sorrey]

I hate to say this, but unless you are geographically mobile, you are going to have a hard time. Outside of local/state governments, the main non-academic employers for sociologists are going to be non-profit organizations and think tanks, which tend to be concentrated in major urban areas. A quick search on idealist.org for jobs that included sociology in the ad and only required a masters yielded positions either close to DC or the metro area.

[Network]

Social networking might be the best way forward for you. Unfortunately, you’re new in town and have few contacts. Can you create some? Perhaps you’re looking at the prospect of doing some internships (possibly unpaid) for a couple of years to build your local credentials and reputation.

Best wishes. I know it’s hard.

[yesss]

Oct 24, 2017 7:18:22 GMT -5 Network said:

Social networking might be the best way forward for you. Unfortunately, you’re new in town and have few contacts. Can you create some? Perhaps you’re looking at the prospect of doing some internships (possibly unpaid) for a couple of years to build your local credentials and reputation.

Best wishes. I know it’s hard.

This is a good point. While major organizations are the ones that will hire full time researchers, one thing that you can do is reach out to local organizations for consulting or free work. Lot's of small organizations have a hard time creating the sorts of reports and evaluations that many funding sources require. Sometimes it's stuff as simple as creating a spreadsheet or an easy graph. Most of these won't be able to pay you much or at all per contract, but it at least builds up a network.

[jim1986]

I will start substitute teaching this or next week (still waiting on background check to clear) for the purpose of what you guys suggested, networking. Now I'm not against volunteer work but I simply can't afford to work for free, especially with gas prices going up. Hopefully I meet some people out in the school districts that have contacts.

I've never held a position I wasn't completely over educated for. Pretty sad that in this country you can't get ahead with a Master's Degree. I thought this was the land of opportunity..
I also just saw that a girl who took the same spss class as I has been waiting tables at Olive Garden for 3 years now!
If we want to be competitive with other nations, we need to start focusing on this untapped talent pool. There are so many qualified graduates not reaching their potential.