Just a rant...Why can't I get a job??

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

I just don't understand it. I have a full time job right now and have held this job for almost 7 years BUT i can't seem to get a part time job in the evenings.

I can work 4pm-until midnight or later but no one wants to hire me!! I would like to have some extra money to pay for our Disney trip and my step-son's senior year in high school.

I don't aim high for jobs. I've applied at Target, McD's, 7-11, Walmart and no one wants me!

I guess the thing that really makes me mad is that I have a few kin people that job hop..they only last a job for month or two and they go find a job elsewhere AND they get the job. Grrr.

Thanks for venting. If you all have any hints on landing a part time job..please let me know!!

 

[Colleen27]

Right now I think it is really tough to land a second job, because the places you mention are all inundated with applicants and prefer to choose someone who isn't applying for a specific shift. So you're probably getting passed over for unemployed candidates that have the ability to work whatever hours/shifts they are needed.

A friend of mine who manages a retail store in our community says she shies away from people who are looking for a second job because the first/full time job will always come first, even if that means being late or calling off to the second job when asked to stay late or offered overtime for the first. She also said that most people don't stick with a second job for very long before deciding it is just too much or accomplishing the short-term goal that prompted them to get the part-time position. So that could be working against you, particularly right now when there are hundreds of applicants for every job and employers can afford to be picky.

Hang in there, and hopefully soon you'll find the right job.

 

[LilyWDW]

I just don't understand it. I have a full time job right now and have held this job for almost 7 years BUT i can't seem to get a part time job in the evenings.

I can work 4pm-until midnight or later but no one wants to hire me!! I would like to have some extra money to pay for our Disney trip and my step-son's senior year in high school.

I don't aim high for jobs. I've applied at Target, McD's, 7-11, Walmart and no one wants me!

I guess the thing that really makes me mad is that I have a few kin people that job hop..they only last a job for month or two and they go find a job elsewhere AND they get the job. Grrr.

Thanks for venting. If you all have any hints on landing a part time job..please let me know!!

As a past retail manager, you would have been passed over by my store as well. We have hundreds and hundreds of applications. As such, we could get decent applicants that have full or open availability and not have to deal with someone that had such limited hours. By having such limited hours, you would be of no use to us if there was an emergency or someone called in sick on a different shift. So, why would be put ourselves in that situation when we didn't have to?

Also, we would have known it was a second job. Like Colleen27 said, we would also shy away from an application like that because your first job will always be more important. If it came down to a situation where you had to make a choice, most likely you would go with job one. Which could end up with us in a situation of having to find another new employee or covering a shift at the last minute.

 

[Azrael]

Have you checked your resume over? Are there any problems with your spelling or the way it is worded? Are you following back up with the hiring managers?

 

[momof1princess]

OP, i know how you feel, but i can't even get a FIRST job! i've been looking for a year, and have only been on 2 interviews. being a SAHM for 12 years has made me totally worthless, even with a college degree. it's discouraging and demeaning to always be looked upon as not good enough.

 

[lovehoney]

OP, i know how you feel, but i can't even get a FIRST job! i've been looking for a year, and have only been on 2 interviews. being a SAHM for 12 years has made me totally worthless, even with a college degree. it's discouraging and demeaning to always be looked upon as not good enough.

Me too! SAHM for 9 years . I'm still looking for a job after more than a year of looking. I think I need someone to look at my resume. It is just a tough job market out there. The paper today said our city unemployment rate is higher this year than last year.

 

[Madison'smommy]

OP, i know how you feel, but i can't even get a FIRST job! i've been looking for a year, and have only been on 2 interviews. being a SAHM for 12 years has made me totally worthless, even with a college degree. it's discouraging and demeaning to always be looked upon as not good enough.

I agree with this. Unfortunatly, I am in the SAME position! One of the interviews I did actually get.. the woman told me that she had like 300 applicants for the position once she posted it on craigslist! She called and spoke with 30, and brought 10 in to interview in person.

 

[prncess674]

Rather than looking for a retail job, maybe you would be better off doing odd jobs in the mean time, such as babysitting on the weekend or in the evening, cleaning houses, erranding for the elderly, weeding flower beds.

 

[aprilfoolwed]

I am in the same boat. I am a SAHM who has worked p/t hours at the same company since 2005. I have been applying for jobs for 6 months, and no luck. I get interviews, but then do not get the job. Very frustrating.

I have an interview this week with the company I have been working for (for another p/t position in a different department - with different hours). I am hoping that helps me a bit with chances for being hired.

It's still sooooo tough out there!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I agree with this. Unfortunatly, I am in the SAME position! One of the interviews I did actually get.. the woman told me that she had like 300 applicants for the position once she posted it on craigslist! She called and spoke with 30, and brought 10 in to interview in person.

I've run into this as well. I applied for one job at a Hallmark store that was hiring and when she asked me why I hadn't been working and I explained that it was to stay home with my children when they were young I could see on her face that she was no longer interested despite many previous years of retail experience including management. I had put on the application that I was available for any hours and she asked if I was aware that they were hiring for evenings, not school hours and I said yes, I was available. But I was never called back. That's the furthest I've gotten, the other places didn't even call for interviews.

I'm sure I could probably do babysitting or substitute teaching, but I know I would not be happy being with children all day, then taking care of my own 5. I would rather do something that doesn't involve children. Once the schools are back in I'll try again.

 

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

Well, I'm glad that I'm not the only one out there. I thought it was me!! Its sad to say when McD's don't even want to hire ya!!

I guess I'll keep looking! Ugh!! This doesn't look promising at all.

 

[momof1princess]

Well, I'm glad that I'm not the only one out there. I thought it was me!! Its sad to say when McD's don't even want to hire ya!!

I guess I'll keep looking! Ugh!! This doesn't look promising at all.

i know how you feel! i've got a college degree and i can't get a job as a cashier at k-mart!

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

DH has worked for Wal-Mart for 15 years here's what he tells people who want to apply.

When you're filling in the application apparently you can apply to different Wal-Marts at that time - "check" all the ones you can feasibly get to/ would want to work at - you never know which one is hiring. Also check any / all jobs you would be willing to do. When you take the honesty type test (I can't remember what it's called) take it seriously - if you fail that there's no way they'll hire you. They really want folks who can work weekends - if you can do it that's a plus -also working a later shift (like overnight stocking) can be good)

I know our community pool is currently hiring pool attendants since a lot of them are going back to college and the pool is open until late September. While that sort of thing would only be temporary I'd suggest looking for jobs that college / HS students are vacating due to school starting back up.

Good luck everyone!

 

[dbarker]

I can't find a job either. Uggghhh!

I have a college degree, 20 years experience, and unemployed since February.

This economy we are in is just as bad as this heat wave we are having in Texas.

I need a break!!!!

 

[dsny1mom]

I've run into this as well. I applied for one job at a Hallmark store that was hiring and when she asked me why I hadn't been working and I explained that it was to stay home with my children when they were young I could see on her face that she was no longer interested despite many previous years of retail experience including management. I had put on the application that I was available for any hours and she asked if I was aware that they were hiring for evenings, not school hours and I said yes, I was available. But I was never called back. That's the furthest I've gotten, the other places didn't even call for interviews.

I'm sure I could probably do babysitting or substitute teaching, but I know I would not be happy being with children all day, then taking care of my own 5. I would rather do something that doesn't involve children. Once the schools are back in I'll try again.

Problem with hiring *some* parents who are the main responsible party for their children's care, be they babies or older children, is *some* are known for calling off frequently(due to child care problems, sick children,etc.) and expecting all of their time off requests to be granted, as they are usually requests around their children and their activities.

Hiring managers know that when hiring part time the importance of keeping the job is lower and when you add to the mix younger children, it puts the job lower on the importance scale. If they have hired parents with younger children in the past and had lots of call offs and requests for days off they very well may be turned off by the applicant because they have been burned before.

I know it stinks. But when one is hiring they have to take into consideration what is best for the buisness first.

Do some well qualified applicants get passed over because of this? Yep.

If I was applying for a PT job and had school aged children or younger I'd make a point of bringing up that I have rock solid child care that would assure I'd be able to show up for my shifts even when my children are ill and that I make a point to schedule my personal life around my work schedule. That way I'd probably stand a better chance at being offered a PT job.

dsny1mom

 

[Princesca]

OP - how about delivering papers? That is usually something done before a normal working day starts.

Or delivering pizzas...

 

[mpls_mm]

I think you should check your resume, I have a problem with at least 75% that I get. If you have a big employment gap like others mentioned, explain it in a cover letter. Sometimes gaps mean kids and school, sometimes they mean prison. Not kidding, we are careful now. I am hesitant if someone lives far away or has a full time job, I eliminate those. Maybe make it not so clear, so I have to ask and then have a great explanation. And if you do get the interview, learn a little about the company, do some research, and dress appropriately somewhere between I have to pole dance in an hour and all I have is a tank top and terry cloth shorts and I forgot my bra would be nice. It took us 3 months to hire someone and I ended up choosing a recent widow with no experience because she had the fewest bad habits and seemed loyal.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

My DD has worked for Starbucks in the past and almost everyone there has 2 jobs or kids or goes to school... Or all 3!! They are very flexible with hours and schedules.

 

[Tistal]

All I can say is good luck, and you're not the only one struggling. I have 2 bachelor's degrees (that I completed in 4 years, so it's not like I spent a very long time in school) and a master's degree, and I can't even get an interview. I'm looking to get out of the job I'm in (it's in a *bad* part of town), so it's not even a second, part-time job.

 

[RachaelA]

My DD has worked for Starbucks in the past and almost everyone there has 2 jobs or kids or goes to school... Or all 3!! They are very flexible with hours and schedules.

I worked for Starbucks for 5 year (until last year) and while the majority of us were in school or recent graduates (I worked for two stores near a college), when it came to hiring we didn't even look at resumes from people that had other full time jobs. As others have said, why hire someone who has an extremely limited schedule when you can hire someone who can work anytime. When a place is open 5am-10 or 11pm. Someone who can't work more than half the day is not considered a good hire.