need advice on job I want (kinda long)

[MelindaKiah]

Well, I have an interesting dilemma. I'm working right now, but my hours have been cut very, very drastically....I now am getting 5 hrs per week, down from about 30 per week because the store isn't making much money.

Anyways, there is a plant nearby that I'd like to work at. I found out it has a great rate of pay, and I know I'd get more hours. So, I went and filled out an application a couple of weeks ago. I know they're hiring. Quite a few people, in fact. When I did my application, I had put "no" to the question "can you work all shifts". I explained that I couldn't work midnights because I have 4 kids I can't leave overnight and my DH is away a lot. Turns out there aren't midnights at this plant, but I feel it looks bad, especially if they just glance at the spot I checked off "no". I had also written that I'd prefer they not contact my present boss. I know she'd hold it against me and there would be serious reprecussions. Well, I now think that was a mistake...maybe it looks like I'm trying to hide something.

Well, fast forward a week after I filled out my application...I took a fellow co-worker out to fill one out. She wasn't sure she even wanted to work there, but filled it out anyways. Well, she has already been interviewed and hired, less than a week after she filled it out. We have the same qualifications, etc. I really, really want a job at this plant. I think I should go fill another application out, as maybe they're starting at the top of the pile...but a friend of mine thinks that would be silly and look bad if they see two applications from the same person in a 3 week time frame.

Does anyone here work in human resources and do hiring? I'd love some input on this.

In fact, I'd love anyone's input on this, regardless of what type of work you do.

Thanks for listening to me!

Melinda

 

[GeorgeG]

I am not in Human Resources, but was involved in hiring for a new department that was to fall under my supervision a number of years ago. I worked very closely with HR on this and we interviewed over sixty applicants to fill four positions.

One of the things we looked for was honesty. If you don't want to work midnights, it's best to say so up front. It's okay. Midnight shifts aren't for everyone (I'm doing one right now). We're so big on honesty that if we become aware of a false statement on your resume or application, even after you've been hired, you're gone.

We did not hire some people because we did not get a response from previous employers listed as references. Just not a good sign. I seem to recall HR having some way of checking with current employers that didn't let the cat out of the bag, but it's been about eight years and I can't recall how they did it. I wouldn't be too concerned about that for a 5 hour a week job, though.

Rather than submit another application, it is perfectly acceptable to follow up on the first after several weeks. Simply call and say that's what you're doing. It shows you have an interest in the job. You can take that opportunity to ask if there is anything else you can provide along the line of references, etc..

Some companies (as with ours) does an in-depth background investigation, including driving record and credit check, depending on what type of job you've applied for. This is usually done by outside agencies and there could be some delay in yours that your friend didn't run into. Something as simple as being hung up in somebody's in-box or maybe a digit on your SS# was mis-read. That's another good reason for a follow-up phone call.

Hope this helps some. Good luck!

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I agree with GeorgeG. I am a Human Resources Specialist for the Bureau of Reclamation. At the Federal Government we do things a little different when it comes to the steps of hiring someone for a position than what a private industry does, but I definitely say Follow-up. Contact HR of this Plant. Your application could be somewhere stuck or lost. If you contact them then they can tell you the progress of your application, if you want to change the information on it, you can have them do that too.

As for contacting your Supervisor, does it really matter for 5 hours. Your supervisor would hopefully be somewhat understanding for you trying to find a new job due to you only working 5 hours. You can talk with your Superisor and maybe your Supervisor can even work something out with you.

Another word of advice. If the plant is hiring many people for several positions, they are probably getting hundreds of applications. All the applications begin to look the same after seeing so many of them, so you need to present them a great/creative resume, that makes you stand out. I am not talking about the type of paper or color, just a unique statement about yourself other then, I can better your company by.... These are my skills.......... BE CREATIVE and make yourself stand out.

Good luck to you, but definitely Follow-up. Maybe talk to your friend that got hired, maybe she put something in her resume that you forgot to add.

 

[MelindaKiah]

Thanks.

I called the plant and all the receptionist did was ask my name and after two seconds told me they hadn't looked at my application yet. She wouldn't put me through to the person who even looks at them.

I can't submit a resume as they will only accept the application they hand out to you to fill out.

And, I really do not care now about them contacting my present employer, but because I wrote it on my application, that concerns me. That is why I wondered if I should go submit another one