Looking for work since November
- Thread starter catlingirl
- Start date
BadGirl
I am so very blessed
It took me 14 months to find a new job after my last job ended.
I looked constantly. I had a good reputation, a bang-on resume, scads of business contacts, and I could hold my own in an interview. And I had no offensive tats or body piercings.
I accepted a job - finally - but it pays 27% less than my prior job. Despite the salary decrease, I feel quite lucky to even have a job in this economic climate.
I looked constantly. I had a good reputation, a bang-on resume, scads of business contacts, and I could hold my own in an interview. And I had no offensive tats or body piercings.
I accepted a job - finally - but it pays 27% less than my prior job. Despite the salary decrease, I feel quite lucky to even have a job in this economic climate.
kwillia
n/a
This has been the norm for several colleagues of mine over the past couple years. Currently, those that do land an equivalent job to what they were doing before are doing so at significant cuts in pay and benefits.
mitzi
Well-Known Member
Easy to say when you are working. I was out of work for a very long time. I can count on one hand how many interviews I had. I have years and years of office experience. My resume was fine. Only thing I could figure was future employers knew i wasn't a spring chick by the years listed on my resume. So, no you don't know why they aren't calling you.
getbent
Thats how them b*tch's R
Always wondered what a previous employer was allowed and not allowed to say.
lucky_bee
RBF expert
Similar experience, when I first moved here a little over 2 years ago. Took me almost 9 months to finally land a job and within that time, I'd only been called for 2 interviews :shrug:
I have a great reputation, awesome resume, knew plenty of important contacts and give a great interview too. Andddd I look like a clean-cut nice girl next door.
My field is a little specific, in Graphics, but I was applying to anything and everything that'd accept my degree. I had admin experience from several internships but no one was calling me bc I was technically overqualified for those positions. I didn't even get a chance to tell them I'd gladly take the pay cut
I worked full-time at Home Depot for the time being and part-time bartending...I actually had more trouble trying to get a filler retail position closer to where I was staying! Originally I'd just transferred to the HD here since I'd been working at one back in CT before moving. I tried for-ev-er to get a retail job closer in St Marys or Calvert....not a single call back. I always did the whole apply online then walk in to the store during off-peak hours to hand a hard copy to a manager thing...nada. It's like they saw the BA of Arts on my resume and assumed I'd quit the second I'd land a position in my career-field :shrug: most frustrating thing ever. Thing was, I knew I'd still need a part-time job after my full-time job to help out with the bills I created living off of minimum wage for a year. No one wanted to even hear that from me. I finally just created a "retail/customer service only" resume that didn't list my college degree or graphics experience, just all the customer service jobs I had getting through HS and college...FINALLY got a couple calls. Within a week though I got the graphics position I have now and just stayed with HD on the weekends for a couple months bc it was easier and more flexible until I was good with some bills again. But seriously, it was rough. It just blew my mind how little people were willing to even meet with me bc of what they assumed off my resume. I wanted to scream every time I went to a restaurant as a customer, that I'd applied to several times (and spoke with managers) and had to deal with incompetent employees. You'd rather have this nit-wit full-time than a reputable slightly-over-experienced worker like me. Whatever
Beta
Smile!
Not much. Some (all?) Law offices are ahead of the curve and basically only answer whether or not the person worked there, and what dates. If you say negative things, the person can sue you if they don't get the job. If they say positive things and it doesn't work out, the business can sue you for a false reference. So it's better to say absolutely nothing!
frequentflier
happy to be living
You can verify the dates of work and answer the question "would you hire this person back?" If asked why you would not hire the person back, a previous employer can give specific reasons if they wish to. I have only been asked this question once and was honest about both her positive and negative attributes. I do know the person got the job and I was happy for her.
I used to not check people's previous work references but plan to in the future. In the case of my newest hire, who contacted me when she moved to the area, I am glad I did. I have a great employee that is positive, happy to come to work, has been a fast learner and is requesting more hours!
MarieB
New Member
Same thing I did when I was a manager. I think it sucks that employers are afraid to give a reference now, which in turn has stopped employers from even making that call. I have great references because I am a fast learner, and I work hard. No employer has ever wanted me to leave. I appreciate the ones who are willing to say so because I think it does help
You can be sued for anything. There are no laws concerning what an employer can ask, or what one could say if asked, as long as it is true.
slotpuppy
Ass-hole
Here are some job openings.
http://mgmnationalharbor.com/jobs/career-showcase.aspx
http://mgmnationalharbor.com/jobs/career-showcase.aspx
catlingirl
Active Member
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.
SoMDGirl42
Well-Known Member
Follow up with a phone call to the manager a week later after filling out the on-line application. Then they know you are serious in getting a job. Continue to follow up every 2 weeks or so, even if by e-mail, but don't be a pain in the ass about it. If you do get an interview, follow up with a thank you note/e-mail thanking them for their time in interviewing you and express your desire to work at XYZ.
SoMDGirl42
Well-Known Member
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.
I know several people who have had similiar experience. Lots of people have signs up saying "Help Wanted" but in reality they are not hiring, they are taling applications.
One store had a sign at the register for "Open Interviews". An employee told us that was a joke, that nobody was every there to do the interview so call in advance.
Frankly it's a buyers market, what would have been considered an "entry level job", now is only intereted in people with prior experience - very specific experience.
There is also a lot of age discrimination, older, or "mature" employees need not apply. Employers don't want to pay and assume with that experience will come a higher cost - they don't even bother to negotiate.
Which goes back to it's a buyers market, very few real jobs for he number of people looking.
blazinlow89
Big Poppa
Petco has that sign up by the register. Tuesday from 12-3 iirc.
MarieB
New Member
Several years ago I read a few articles about all the "fake" employment classified ads that there were. Congress even considered acting on it.