Looking for work since November

[acommondisaster]

Tailor your resume to the job you are applying for. I'm in no way saying lie or pump up your resume. If you're applying for a government job, find the keywords for the job requirements and use them throughout the resume. Use different forms of the verb. That way, when they do a word search through resumes, yours will get more hits. If you're applying for a job making little rocks out of big rocks, it's best to focus on that job experience - don't over qualify yourself for a job. It's one thing to be a manager of the people making the big rocks, but if they're looking for the workers, they probably don't want another manager, so don't make your resume about being a manager and having a $3M budget and supervising 20 people, if you're fine with a job making little rocks. Once you get the interview, you can expand, if you find they're wanting more. What I'm really trying to say, is make your resume relevant to the job you are applying for. Yes, it's work, but if you're unemployed, what else do you have to do? (And send a thank you note after the interview - that's what just got my DIL the job she wanted, and her job search was 6 months with only one other interview.)

 

[BernieP]

Several years ago I read a few articles about all the "fake" employment classified ads that there were. Congress even considered acting on it.

It's been a while for me, but a fair number of the ads are for head hunters or "for fee" job placement services - they are drumming up business.
Some companies have ads posted even after the job is filled - they don't bother to remove them.

Statistically speaking the lowest probability of getting a job is a blind submittal, your best chance is knowing someone in the company who can get your resume / application seen by the hiring manager.
Having worked for a number of firms over the years I've always wondered just what is it the HR people do?
I worked for a firm (who shall remain nameless) where if you wanted a job internal, you had to search the website and apply thru the same process as an outsider. The hiring manager often did not see your resume.
When contracts ended, they would simply lay the people off rather than place them on other contracts. The employees had to do the work.

 

[Beta]

I think they are allowed to say whether or not they would hire you back. That's what an HR person once told me, true or not, I do not know.

If someone doesn't want to hire me back because I want too much money or they're jealous of my good looks and their sexy secretary started taking notice, you bet your ass I'm suing them if I don't get a job because they tell my prospective employers that they don't want to hire me back.

 

[acommondisaster]

It's been a while for me, but a fair number of the ads are for head hunters or "for fee" job placement services - they are drumming up business.
Some companies have ads posted even after the job is filled - they don't bother to remove them.

Statistically speaking the lowest probability of getting a job is a blind submittal, your best chance is knowing someone in the company who can get your resume / application seen by the hiring manager.
Having worked for a number of firms over the years I've always wondered just what is it the HR people do?
I worked for a firm (who shall remain nameless) where if you wanted a job internal, you had to search the website and apply thru the same process as an outsider. The hiring manager often did not see your resume.
When contracts ended, they would simply lay the people off rather than place them on other contracts. The employees had to do the work.

No one is going to look out for you the way you should. (universal you, not you you) If you want a job within your company, dot all the i's and cross all the t's as far as applying goes, but also do your own footwork. When it looked like my job was going away a couple of years ago, my manager promised to start looking. By the end of the week, I'd applied, interviewed and accepted another position within the company, whilst my manager and the placement office were still "looking". When she called two weeks later to say she was having a hard time finding me anything, I told her I'd already secured a position. Best advice is network, never burn a bridge or close a door and look out for yourself the way no one else will. I found my position through former coworkers.

 

[kwillia]

If someone doesn't want to hire me back because I want too much money or they're jealous of my good looks and their sexy secretary started taking notice, you bet your ass I'm suing them if I don't get a job because they tell my prospective employers that they don't want to hire me back.

And exactly what grounds do you think you would have to win a lawsuit?

 

[Beta]

And exactly what grounds do you think you would have to win a lawsuit?

Lawsuits have been won with much less these days...that's my point. If a company opts not to hire someone because of a bad reference, there are lawyers who would go for wage losses, medical insurance expenses, and other damages. It happens. That's why, like I said earlier, many law offices don't say anything...because they know of the possible complications.

 

[MarieB]

No one is going to look out for you the way you should. (universal you, not you you) If you want a job within your company, dot all the i's and cross all the t's as far as applying goes, but also do your own footwork. When it looked like my job was going away a couple of years ago, my manager promised to start looking. By the end of the week, I'd applied, interviewed and accepted another position within the company, whilst my manager and the placement office were still "looking". When she called two weeks later to say she was having a hard time finding me anything, I told her I'd already secured a position. Best advice is network, never burn a bridge or close a door and look out for yourself the way no one else will. I found my position through former coworkers.

All good points. I'm glad to hear your DIL got a job. She has an accounting degree, right? Or maybe I'm thinking about someone else

 

[BernieP]

No one is going to look out for you the way you should. (universal you, not you you) If you want a job within your company, dot all the i's and cross all the t's as far as applying goes, but also do your own footwork. When it looked like my job was going away a couple of years ago, my manager promised to start looking. By the end of the week, I'd applied, interviewed and accepted another position within the company, whilst my manager and the placement office were still "looking". When she called two weeks later to say she was having a hard time finding me anything, I told her I'd already secured a position. Best advice is network, never burn a bridge or close a door and look out for yourself the way no one else will. I found my position through former coworkers.

we agree, however, when you do this, be careful - you will be labeled "disloyal" if you leave your position early or find a job outside the company.

I didn't want to say that but as far as I'm concerned I am loyal to me, nobody else. Because at the end of the day, they don't have my back. They may want you to believe they do, but I'd say those days are long gone. It's sort of like the protocol of the "two weeks notice" - they don't give people 2 weeks when they lay them off. It's usually 2 hours and out the door.

 

[MarieB]

Loyalty used to somewhat be a two way street. I'd say that it still exists in places, maybe.

 

[BernieP]

Loyalty used to somewhat be a two way street. I'd say that it still exists in places, maybe.

BS - if you think your employer is looking out for you, you are misguided.
Employees are disposable assets. You are only as good to the company as the money you bring in, then they will treat you as a most valued employee, the minute you stop making money for your employer, you are of zero value.

 

[GWguy]

BS - if you think your employer is looking out for you, you are misguided.
Employees are disposable assets. You are only as good to the company as the money you bring in, then they will treat you as a most valued employee, the minute you stop making money for your employer, you are of zero value.

It used to be a two-way street, years ago. Now it's every man for themselves. That's one reason I retired early. They were not watching my back. I had no loyalty to them anymore.

 

[BOP]

Oh wow so many responses. Anyway thank you everyone. It feels good to know I'm not the only one who's been going thru this. As far as my experience I've worked in retail basically all my life plus 3 years in the Air Force. I don't have peircings or tattooes. I'm hard working. Just wish I could get a chance to prove it.Thanks for the idea of taking hard copies of applications into the places I've applied to online. Hopefully someone will call soon.

Do you have your Air Force experience on your resume? Don't laugh, I've seen people leave out that very important detail.

Again, many people here have asked you what your resume looks like and except for the vague answer above, you really haven't answered it. There are some really smurt people here, though many of us may have you fooled in that regard, and they can help you. Seriously.

 

[FED_UP]

Katlins PMs is turned off, I wanted to slip her something private to help.

 

[Hank]

Katlins PMs is turned off, I wanted to slip her something private to help.

Perv

 

[FED_UP]

we agree, however, when you do this, be careful - you will be labeled "disloyal" if you leave your position early or find a job outside the company.

I didn't want to say that but as far as I'm concerned I am loyal to me, nobody else. Because at the end of the day, they don't have my back. They may want you to believe they do, but I'd say those days are long gone. It's sort of like the protocol of the "two weeks notice" - they don't give people 2 weeks when they lay them off. It's usually 2 hours and out the door.

I believe that disloyal stuff is very true, I applied many times to a previous company that I quit for personal reasons, not one call or email back.

 

[FED_UP]

Nope, I really have something for her to see, it should improve her resume.

 

[RPMDAD]

It used to be a two-way street, years ago. Now it's every man for themselves. That's one reason I retired early. They were not watching my back. I had no loyalty to them anymore.

Agree GW, it did use to be a two-way street years ago, however not anymore.

 

[catlingirl]

I'm working on my resume. I've just been filling out applications as far back as 1994. I mention my Air Force experience. Just turned on messaging. You are all soo helpful thank you.

 

[BernieP]

It used to be a two-way street, years ago. Now it's every man for themselves. That's one reason I retired early. They were not watching my back. I had no loyalty to them anymore.

It's not a reason to retire, or quit, but it's a fact of life one should be aware of and not buy into the spew from "management".
They will pat you on the back one day, tell you that you are the most valuable employee and the next cut you loose.
It's not what you have done in the past and what you might provide, it's what are you doing for me today.

 

[NurseSherri]

Just my 2 cents here... I haven't posted here in a very long time, and after reading a lot of posts on this thread, I remember why... so many people here are so judgmental, it really creeps me out. The girl was asking for advice and so many people just jumped to conclusions about her appearance, her intelligence level or lack thereof or even being a liar. It's just so weird on here. I myself have not been able to find a job in this horrible place despite 17 years of experience. I've had several jobs in those years and I was hired from every interview I've ever done. The fact is, the companies around here don't want to pay for my experience though I am clearly expecting and agreeable to a large pay cut from what I made in San Diego. There seems to be a lack of true professionalism from the experiences I have had here thus far. I'm sure when I come back to this in a day or two, there will be several posts just ripping me apart... I'll brace for it now.