More Job Hunting Crap

[Rageaholic]

Sometimes I wonder why I even bother.

-First you gotta find out if a place is hiring.
-If they are, you gotta see what job is available. About 90% of the jobs on indeed are either management position or require experience I don't have. Well how am I supposed to get job experience if I can't get a job? (don't say volunteer because these particular jobs require JOB experience).
-Then you gotta fill out the application, which is never simple. Assuming the application even makes it to the manager and they don't just throw it out because they don't like my face (like I've heard on CS), it's still a crap shoot where people with more experience have better odds. If I even make it this far, I'm still just a nobody to them.
-Then there's the interview, which I'm lucky to even get, but it still sucks because it's bullshit central.

I mean, aside from filling out applications, what the hell can I do?

[DrFaroohk]

Job hunting suuuuuucks. I gave up and finally took the easy-to-get job at the fish factory (they hire ANYBODY...criminals, drug addicts, sex offenders, etc...). It sucks but I'm hoping to add another line to my resume so like in a year maybe I can go out looking again and show more stability.

Applications suck because they have those damn trick questions. Like what position do you want? I've heard that people who put in stuff like "any" or "anything available" are thrown away immediately. But then you gotta figure out what they call it. Cashier? Customer Service Associate? Cash Handler? Checkout Person? Get the answer wrong and they throw it away again. Or desired salary. Too much, and you're full of yourself. No way they want you. Too little and you don't believe in yourself. Fuck off.

When I was trying to get a c-store job I went in and bugged the manager at least three times a week. Didn't call, just showed up, asking if there were any status updates to my application. I got the job. Maybe despite that, maybe because of it.

[jackfaire]

I got a job interviewer got upset that my stated desired income was a 1$ more an hour than she wanted to pay someone just starting out at her company.

Apparently the fact I was driving from one town over didn't mean anything to her. She flat out told me I could drive it cheaply.

[Fryk]

I have aced every interview I have ever gotten. I have learned how to bullshit put my best face forward very well. It's all the points you mentioned before that that bug me. And I can't stand the fact that even if you DO get through the application filling, a lot of times anymore the managers simply have no time to even READ them.

[Rageaholic]

Applications suck because they have those damn trick questions. Like what position do you want? I've heard that people who put in stuff like "any" or "anything available" are thrown away immediately. But then you gotta figure out what they call it. Cashier? Customer Service Associate? Cash Handler? Checkout Person? Get the answer wrong and they throw it away again. Or desired salary. Too much, and you're full of yourself. No way they want you. Too little and you don't believe in yourself. Fuck off.

And some of them don't even allow you to put "Any" down (especially if it's online, which I've bitched about here before). They'll only accept one position, which is a problem when you don't know which ones are available. They'll make you fill out the same application for each position.

Another one, part time vs full time, seasonal vs regular. Usually, I'll put part time regular, but again, if they are looking for seasonal or full time, I could be screwed out of a potential job just because of the way the application is set up.

Then there's the "time available" crap. I like that they do this, but it's kind of annoying because I do not want to work night shift. I gotta sleep you know. If I put "any" down, I could end up working those shifts.

God applications suck.

[KellyHabersham]

Then there's the "time available" crap. I like that they do this, but it's kind of annoying because I do not want to work night shift. I gotta sleep you know. If I put "any" down, I could end up working those shifts.

God applications suck.

I'd have to agree with you on this one.......although for me, the problem was more that the library was unable/unwilling to give me a set schedule, thus making it hard to list when I'd be available for hours at a second job. (fortunately, this isn't an issue with my secretary job, as the church office has set hours, and the library works around that)

[insertNameHere]

I'd have to agree with you on this one.......although for me, the problem was more that the library was unable/unwilling to give me a set schedule, thus making it hard to list when I'd be available for hours at a second job. (fortunately, this isn't an issue with my secretary job, as the church office has set hours, and the library works around that)

Sounds good, as my "part time" job refused to let me switch off of 3rd shift, so monday I plan on making a stand for myself and saying since I can't not be 3rd shift and I hate it regardless of it being only taking up 3 days of my time, I never find out till the day before the new work week what Im working and it doesn't leave much ability to play things, Im going to insist I am no longer available ANY. and I will now know what days I am off, IF they still refuse to let me live MY life because they don't seem to want to promote me I'm not letting them hold me back, I will just have to apologize for the inconvenience and offer my two weeks notice instead.

[MaggieTheCat]

I always wondered about places that were hiring for some supervisor or manager position that asked for "2 years experience minimum" or something like that. How are people supposed to get supervisor experience if every place they go to requires them to already have experience? I'm sure not ALL places require it, but it seems pretty common.

Then again, at my old call center job, they did interview me for a supervisor position, even though I didn't have experience (which was a requirement on the job listing.) I didn't get the job but I was the "second choice" in case the person who did get it turned it down or something. So, I think it's worth applying for those kinds of jobs even if you don't meet the requirement 100%. The worst they can do is turn you down.

[Dreamstalker]

About 90% of the jobs on indeed are either management position or require experience I don't have. Well how am I supposed to get job experience if I can't get a job? (don't say volunteer because these particular jobs require JOB experience).

Oh HELL yes. I'm finding a lot of posting for 'entry-level' jobs....that require 3-5 years experience, typically on something that is specific to the company so the only way to get experience is to work there.

Volunteer? Sure, if you pay my rent/utilities/credit cards...

[draggar]

My wife has been out of a job over 2 years now and its very hard for her since she's handicapped (most offices don't like the idea of a dog in their office, even if it's a service dog they're worried about her physical limitations etc..). So she stated to work for herself. She's training dog now and occasionally we'll board one, too (we're boarding a toy poodle puppy for boarding and housebreaking). Maybe you can find something you're good at and try to promote yourself with that? Maybe even learn something that could be in demand (sewing, graphic design, content writing etc..).

Most job "openings" are filled before they're even posted they just have to post them to CYOA. This makes it very hard to even get your application or resmue even looked at and not just quickly filed in the "circular file" (when I was younger a place I had applied to even did that while I was still standing there!).

As for "entry level" postions that require experience - that's complete bull and a tactic to get higher qualified workers but an easy excuse to pay them as little as they can.

[Rantsylvania 6-5000]

And let's not forget that you're pretty much expected to wear a suit just to pick up an application anymore (for those places that still have paper ones). I always saved the pinstripes for the actual interview, but now you have to dress up just to pick up the app! I remember when you could go out in regular clothes to go shopping or whatever, and if you happened to see a "now hiring" sign someplace, just walk on in and get an app. You could fill it out there or bring it back later, also in regular clothes, and you'd actually hear from them later!

I read an article a few months ago that said if you're looking for a job, be dressed for it at all times, as you might meet your future employer. So everywhere you go, be dressed as if you're going to the office! Fuck that!

[insertNameHere]

And let's not forget that you're pretty much expected to wear a suit just to pick up an application anymore (for those places that still have paper ones). I always saved the pinstripes for the actual interview, but now you have to dress up just to pick up the app! I remember when you could go out in regular clothes to go shopping or whatever, and if you happened to see a "now hiring" sign someplace, just walk on in and get an app. You could fill it out there or bring it back later, also in regular clothes, and you'd actually hear from them later!

I read an article a few months ago that said if you're looking for a job, be dressed for it at all times, as you might meet your future employer. So everywhere you go, be dressed as if you're going to the office! Fuck that!

Yeah, that is partly why I havn't been to active in going for jobs. Because even setting up for business casual is a pain in the ass, especially when it 90 degrees and your wearing pants.

Granted I get that my shirt that says "I don't suffer from Lazyness I enjoy every moment of it" is probably not a shirt to wear to pick up an app.

[Rageaholic]

And let's not forget that you're pretty much expected to wear a suit just to pick up an application anymore (for those places that still have paper ones). I always saved the pinstripes for the actual interview, but now you have to dress up just to pick up the app! I remember when you could go out in regular clothes to go shopping or whatever, and if you happened to see a "now hiring" sign someplace, just walk on in and get an app. You could fill it out there or bring it back later, also in regular clothes, and you'd actually hear from them later!

I read an article a few months ago that said if you're looking for a job, be dressed for it at all times, as you might meet your future employer. So everywhere you go, be dressed as if you're going to the office! Fuck that!

Well, I must be screwed then. I only dress up for interviews. It's bad enough to obsess over irrelevent bullshit during interviews, but picking up applications? Fuck that! I hope any jackass employee who throws peoples applications away because they don't like the way they are dressed gets fired! And yes, they are jackasses for not even giving people a chance. That's probably why I have not yet heard back from the many places I've applied.

[Red Panda]

I always dress up to drop off applications because I also ask if the manage/ person doing the hiring is availiable so I can introduce myself.

[Rebel]

I guess it depends on where you're picking up an application from.

A good way of going by is to observe what the people currently working there are wearing, and then dress to match. So if it's a place where people wear suits, then wear a suit. If they have a smart casual dress code, then wear the same.

Otherwise, a good middle ground is to wear black trousers and a collared shirt/blouse. That way you're dressed pretty appropriately for nearly any job application situation.
Otherwise, if you're just picking up an application on the spur of the moment, just try to make sure you look decent (no stains on your clothing, hair not sticking up everywhere, etc), be polite, and say your name several times. It seems like a hassle at the time, but you have a better chance of the person you talked to remembering you, and in a positive way too.

That being said, I applied for a job at the gym I went to straight after a training session. I was sweaty and gross and had a bright red face, but they remembered me as a pretty good member, and I got the job. Ended up becoming the front-end supervisor there for a while until I moved country.

It all comes down to good first impressions or good reputations when you're going for any job.