So you're looking for a job...

[Poohnatic]

This is inspired, in part, by TOV's quest for a new job.

Every year, I'd want to send a letter to Dear Abby or Ann Landers. You see, I'm in management and I get a lot of applications this time of year. The end of the school year is near, and the summer job seekers come out in full force.

This can apply to anyone, but I mainly had the 'first job' candidates in mind when I'd draft this in my head each spring!

**Mom and Dad, STAY HOME. If you must come out with your child, keep your mouth closed. I really am looking for the applicant's ability to sell me on hiring him or her. (If mom is doing all the talking, then I'm worried that Mom will tell me that applicant can't work this day, or those hours)

**Seek the job by yourself, without friends, family or kids. Managers will question whether finding a job is a priority for you.

**Come prepared. This means have your own pen. If neccessary, make yourself an index card with phone numbers and addresses of previous employers and references. (References shouldn't be related to you-we'll ask questions about your work habits and ability to perform the job you've applied for)

**Dress neatly. Save the date night clothes for date night.

**Nothing tells a propective employer that you are desperate than when you walk in with a big stack of applications in hand. The first question I tend to ask is "Why my store?" If you can't answer it without being specific about why MY employer is where you should be (I love kids, I shop here all the time, I love your products) then maybe you should skip that store. If you do want to hit multiple stores, either fill out the applications one at a time, or bring a folder or folio to put the applications into.

**Understand that most retailers are open and do the majority of their sales on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Odds are great that we don't need people for Monday through Thursday. If you only are available M-F days for a retail job, you are less likely to get called.

**Do a little research. If the mall's open til 9, then the store will probably need employees to work until 9:30, 10, possibly 11pm. We won't interview a candidate who's availability ends at 8pm. Similarly, if the mall opens at 10am, we probably don't need a 7am to noon applicant.

**Maximize your success. Start with stores you shop in. It's easier to sell when you like the merchandise. Would you want to work in a health food store when you live for junk food? A children's store when you detest kids? A perfume store if the smell gives you headaches? Figure out the stores you absolutely HAVE to visit each time you go to the mall, and start there.

**Be prepared to answer questions. If your application shows two months at Burger King, a month at the movie theatre and a month at the supermarket, you've got to convince me that you are going to really last more than a couple of months with my store. No employer wants to expend all that effort to train someone who isn't going to stick around.

**Be realistic. If the going rate for an entry level, part time job is 6.50, we're not going to pay you 10 bucks an hour.

Good luck! If you're hired, understand the credo of scheduling managers everywhere: The most productive employees get the most hours!

Suzanne

 

[MeanLaureen]

This is inspired, in part, by TOV's quest for a new job.

Every year, I'd want to send a letter to Dear Abby or Ann Landers. You see, I'm in management and I get a lot of applications this time of year. The end of the school year is near, and the summer job seekers come out in full force.

This can apply to anyone, but I mainly had the 'first job' candidates in mind when I'd draft this in my head each spring!

**Mom and Dad, STAY HOME. If you must come out with your child, keep your mouth closed. I really am looking for the applicant's ability to sell me on hiring him or her. (If mom is doing all the talking, then I'm worried that Mom will tell me that applicant can't work this day, or those hours)

**Seek the job by yourself, without friends, family or kids. Managers will question whether finding a job is a priority for you.

**Come prepared. This means have your own pen. If neccessary, make yourself an index card with phone numbers and addresses of previous employers and references. (References shouldn't be related to you-we'll ask questions about your work habits and ability to perform the job you've applied for)

**Dress neatly. Save the date night clothes for date night.

**Nothing tells a propective employer that you are desperate than when you walk in with a big stack of applications in hand. The first question I tend to ask is "Why my store?" If you can't answer it without being specific about why MY employer is where you should be (I love kids, I shop here all the time, I love your products) then maybe you should skip that store. If you do want to hit multiple stores, either fill out the applications one at a time, or bring a folder or folio to put the applications into.

**Understand that most retailers are open and do the majority of their sales on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Odds are great that we don't need people for Monday through Thursday. If you only are available M-F days for a retail job, you are less likely to get called.

**Do a little research. If the mall's open til 9, then the store will probably need employees to work until 9:30, 10, possibly 11pm. We won't interview a candidate who's availability ends at 8pm. Similarly, if the mall opens at 10am, we probably don't need a 7am to noon applicant.

**Maximize your success. Start with stores you shop in. It's easier to sell when you like the merchandise. Would you want to work in a health food store when you live for junk food? A children's store when you detest kids? A perfume store if the smell gives you headaches? Figure out the stores you absolutely HAVE to visit each time you go to the mall, and start there.

**Be prepared to answer questions. If your application shows two months at Burger King, a month at the movie theatre and a month at the supermarket, you've got to convince me that you are going to really last more than a couple of months with my store. No employer wants to expend all that effort to train someone who isn't going to stick around.

**Be realistic. If the going rate for an entry level, part time job is 6.50, we're not going to pay you 10 bucks an hour.

Good luck! If you're hired, understand the credo of scheduling managers everywhere: The most productive employees get the most hours!

Suzanne

If I might add some...

*I know you might be multitasking but please, do not fill out your application while you are eating lunch. I do not need to know that you had pepperoni pizza based on the oily stains and fingerprints throughout the application. Also, do not fold, roll up, mangle or mutilate the application in various ways. I'm not going to hire you to handle the products in my store if you can't even respect a couple of sheets of paper.

* THINK before you write. If the question is "What did you dislike about your last job", do NOT put my manager. Do you REALLY think I'm going to want to waste my time on someone who didn't get along with their last boss? Even if you didn't, get along with them, that is never an acceptable answer. Also do not answer this question in any way shape or form negatively. I've seen answers like "I hated helping customers" "I don't like standing up" "I don't like cleaning" "I don't like working in the morning" - do you really think this will get your foot in the door? The only acceptable answer to a question like that is "Nothing, I enjoyed my position with XYZ company".

* When they ask you to list your hobbies and interests - don't put down something that will be negative at work. Saying that your hobby is "talking on the phone" is not going to make me rush to interview you.

* We know when you are filling out an application for the sole purpose of scamming more weeks of unemployment. And don't think I won't report you for it. Telling a retail establishment you can only work from 7am to 11am and you want $20.00 an hour and "oh, here, sign my unemployment record for me" will earn you a phone call to your case worker. They love to find out exactly why you can't get a job anywhere and will even ask to see a copy of what you are handing in.

*Know your references. I get applications where they don't know their references LAST NAMES, no less their occupation, phone number and address. Plus, it says not to use relatives.. don't think 3 people with the same last name as you will pass as "not relatives"

*Use a dictionary. If you can't even spell the name of your last place of employment, you aren't going to work for me. Use correct grammar. When the question on the application is "How did you become interested in employment here" - do not write "I seen the sign on the window"

*Fill out all of the blanks. We didn't make up the applications so that you can decide what is optional information and what is not. We want the information, you give it to us if you want the chance to work here. Taking my application and stapling a half%@$ resume to it and handing it back to me is not acceptable. If you are that blatantly lazy, I don't want you working for me.

Thanks for the thread Suzanne! It felt good getting it off my chest I'm glad I have an under 5% turnover rate and go for years without hiring at times.. I know what a nightmare the process is!!

 

[Poohnatic]

Lauri,

I wanted to give you a for your replies in the other thread, but decided this was a better way to go.

With the new job, I'll be recruiting a lot more, since the store isn't open yet. That's a lot more fun, because you see people in their own enviornment.

There are good kids out there, I've been lucky to employ a bunch of them, but that's because I'm picky!

Suzanne

 

[MeanLaureen]

Lauri,

I wanted to give you a for your replies in the other thread, but decided this was a better way to go.

With the new job, I'll be recruiting a lot more, since the store isn't open yet. That's a lot more fun, because you see people in their own enviornment.

There are good kids out there, I've been lucky to employ a bunch of them, but that's because I'm picky!

Suzanne

You and I sound a lot alike Suzanne! I love nothing more than to watch younger employees grow while employed with me. I realize that it is normally a temporary enviroment for them but I hope that I give them some tools to take with them as the move on to their chosen careers. Right now I have 2 young girls getting ready to graduate from VCU and head to medical school. I'm so proud it's like I'm their mom! Another one was with me from highschool through college until she moved to the west coast.. I still hear from her and her parents stop by on a regular basis. It's so good to know that there are a good amount of young people out there that are serious about their lives and doing well in whatever they are doing, whether school, college or a part time job to make ends meet.

 

[Caradana]

I have a white collar job and interview candidates with relative frequency. I think all of the above advice is great, and I would add:
** Get your interview suit and shirt dry-cleaned. This is non-optional. I don't care if it looks or smells clean. Aim for crisp and polished.
** Invest in a resume portfolio. It will complete your look and feel.
** Make eye contact with the interviewer. This is an absolute.
** Prepare answers to the classic quesitons, including "what in your past experience makes you a qualified applicant for this job?" Anticipate that question and prepare your answer well-ahead of time.

 

[Miss Kelly]

Thanks for the advice. At this point, I'll take all the help I can get in finding a job. I've been looking and applying for 4 months. Ugh.. Oh and I have a college degree.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Last summer my DD worked at Starbucks in our local Safeway and she told me about a mother/daughter team who came into the store and the mother asked for an application for the DD and the mother did all the talking. I was shocked that a mother would actually do that and imagined the mother showing up on the first day of work (not that they would have hired the girl, I hope) and learning how to make the coffee drinks alongside her DD.

 

[monarchsfan16]

So here's the million dollar question job experts. I'm a college freshman so don't get to spend a lot of time at home. When I was home for spring break and intending to look for a job my father decided to rule my life for the week and I had no chance to look. So, I'll be headed home May 8. Is that generally too late to be able to find a job for the summer?

 

[MeanLaureen]

So here's the million dollar question job experts. I'm a college freshman so don't get to spend a lot of time at home. When I was home for spring break and intending to look for a job my father decided to rule my life for the week and I had no chance to look. So, I'll be headed home May 8. Is that generally too late to be able to find a job for the summer?

Not at all Heather. If you are looking for a job in retail you shouldn't have much trouble. A lot of stores have seasonal staffing. Some will have students going to a local college that go home during the breaks and have other students that go away to school and work when they are home on breaks. Plus retail is a fickle enviroment and while there may not be an opening one day but 2 openings the next. What I would recommend is to look up your local mall's websites and see if they have an area that they provide their stores to list their employment openings. Call stores you are interested in, introduce yourself, tell them you are a college student looking for a job during your break and ask them if they have any openings you could please come by and fill out an application for. If I knew where you were I would let you know if any of the stores in my company were looking.

 

[monarchsfan16]

That's good to know. Thank you!

 

[bunnyfoo]

Lots of good advice on this thread! Actually I'm going to an interview tomorrow so this is really helpful to me

Thanks for the advice. At this point, I'll take all the help I can get in finding a job. I've been looking and applying for 4 months.
Ugh.. Oh and I have a college degree.

I was looking for work for a while as well. I finally went to a staffing agency and they were able to get me contract work in offices. Many of those offered me permanent positions or extended contracts. So if you're having trouble looking for a job, you might want to look into one. Good luck with your search!

 

[KarenAylwood]

Lots of good advice on this thread! Actually I'm going to an interview tomorrow so this is really helpful to me



I was looking for work for a while as well. I finally went to a staffing agency and they were able to get me contract work in offices. Many of those offered me permanent positions or extended contracts. So if you're having trouble looking for a job, you might want to look into one. Good luck with your search!

I did the same thing- went through a staffing agency since there were few options when it came to my chosen profession in this area (no relocation due to DBF being in med school). I contacted him about two months before I graduated and he finally found an interview for me- I started work last Monday!!

Miss Kelly~ I don't know what your degree is in or what you're looking for (or where in VA you are)- but the staffing agency I went through is based in Richmond if you want me to give you the info for it! He found one in Norfolk for me, so I assume they look all over. PM me if you're interested. Some areas are just really hard to find work in Goodluck!


I had a retail job in college and would see tons of people come in asking for applications or handing them in- I knew right away who was going to get hired and who wasn't!! The last guy was the worst- he came in with a STACK of applications- we're talking at least 25- and apologized (not very meaningfully) about how messy it was- since he had so many to fill out I just wanted to tell the guy to get lost. He was out of college too! At least 25 years old- you'd think he'd have some sort of clue

 

[Aidensmom]

I am a white collar worker, and actually have gotten every job I have ever applied for, but I have a question. What exactly is a resume portfolio?

 

[Maleficent13]

I am a white collar worker, and actually have gotten every job I have ever applied for, but I have a question. What exactly is a resume portfolio?

I too would like to know this. The visual image I got was a model carrying around a portfolio of head shots.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

How about me? I plan on applying to Target & the like for employment. I do have a reference at Target, a guy that is one of the dd's in my dd's troop. He said to list him.

I haven't worked in 10 years & am 41.
Moved here to Texas last year from Missouri. I do have a BS in Agriculure, with emphasis in horticulture. I did "work for free" with your standard PTA, Girl Scouts, neighborhood trustee, back in MO.

Don't know anyone here really, the places I worked before in Missouri have been all sold and different names now.
Even my elementary & high schools...I am a nobody!

What do you do about that????

I am going to list availability Open to 2pm everyday. I am not a night person.

 

[Miss Kelly]

Lots of good advice on this thread! Actually I'm going to an interview tomorrow so this is really helpful to me



I was looking for work for a while as well. I finally went to a staffing agency and they were able to get me contract work in offices. Many of those offered me permanent positions or extended contracts. So if you're having trouble looking for a job, you might want to look into one. Good luck with your search!

Thanks.

 

[Miss Kelly]

I did the same thing- went through a staffing agency since there were few options when it came to my chosen profession in this area (no relocation due to DBF being in med school). I contacted him about two months before I graduated and he finally found an interview for me- I started work last Monday!!

Miss Kelly~ I don't know what your degree is in or what you're looking for (or where in VA you are)- but the staffing agency I went through is based in Richmond if you want me to give you the info for it! He found one in Norfolk for me, so I assume they look all over. PM me if you're interested. Some areas are just really hard to find work in Goodluck!

Thanks. Although I live in Southwestern Virginia, I would still love the name of that staffing agency. Unfortunately, I do live in an area where it is difficult to find a position. We are facing major manufacturing and textile layoffs. Relocation is a last option for me as well. Thanks again.

 

[salmoneous]

This one is more for the first-job-out-of-college crowd:

Google yourself. Some prospective employers will snoop. Other times things will come up during an interview. Q: So, have you ever done any web design A: Sure, I've got a awesome personal page. Q: Hey, let's go online right now and look at it.

I've actually done that to a kid - just pulled up his personal web page during the interview. Fortunately for him, it looked very professional and under the "my interests" section he has listed the profession he was applying for a job in, with a bunch of links and a short essay on why he thought it was a great profession. No pictures of drunken orgies or giant towers of empty beer cans.

When I was in school, they reminded us to get the, "Dude, I can't come to the because I'm too wasted" message off our answering machines. I hope they are telling students today to clear up anything that is identified with them on the web.

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

**Dress neatly. Save the date night clothes for date night.

**Understand that most retailers are open and do the majority of their sales on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Odds are great that we don't need people for Monday through Thursday. If you only are available M-F days for a retail job, you are less likely to get called.

**Do a little research. If the mall's open til 9, then the store will probably need employees to work until 9:30, 10, possibly 11pm. We won't interview a candidate who's availability ends at 8pm. Similarly, if the mall opens at 10am, we probably don't need a 7am to noon applicant.

**Be realistic. If the going rate for an entry level, part time job is 6.50, we're not going to pay you 10 bucks an hour.

From my 5 years in retail, I cannot stress the importance of these points! I remember a girl handing in an application and of course all the employees are nosey and read it. She wanted to work M for 2 hours and W for an hour. Thats it. Sorry but are you kidding me? I also saw a lot of kids who wanted $9/hour. I don't know any retail place that pays that much.

I don't understand the amount of people who come in to pick up/fill out an application and are dressed in bathing suits, pajamas, or just plain inappropriate clothing. That leaves a really bad impression. Yes, I had a girl come in to fill out an application in a bathing suit with a sheer pareo over her and she reeked of sunblock and the ocean. Needless to say, she didn't get an interview. Oh, and if you get the job, dress according to the dress code. I can't tell you how many fellow employees came into work out of dress code. When the job says no sneakers, don't wear sneakers. (Well, it also helps if the managers follow their own dress code. )

Do parents really come in for interviews with their kids? That is something I have not seen before. I would have been so embarrassed.

 

[ducklite]

A resume portfolio is just a nice leather or leather looking folder with a writing pad on one side and a pocket on the other. I use one when I'm interviewing because I use a messenger bag style briecase and it doesn't look professional enough for an interview.

Here's a link to an inexpensive one: http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/s...01&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&productId=129958

At my current job I am not the hiring manager, but all resumes come in to me first for screening. At a previous job I did do interviewing and hiring for all our clerical and marketing positions, as well as all internships. Here are my tips:

If you've got typos or spelling errors on your resume, you won't even be considered. Same thing goes for the cover letter. And if the ad says to send the cover letter to "Anne", make sure you address it to "Anne", not "Ann", "Anna", or "Annie". If you can't even spell my name correctly, there's no way I'm even going to call you for an interview.

Speaking of calling, make sure you put the right phone number on the resume, and unless you are applying for a job in a non-English speaking company, make sure that whoever will be answering the phone number you give can speak English and take a message. IMHO, it's fine to use your cell as your "home phone", just make sure the message on your voicemail is polite, short, identifies you, and is professional in nature. "Yo, this is Jason and I'm out hanging wid my dawgs gettin jacked up, C-Ya" will not even get a message left.

It's fine to let yourself shine on your resume. It's great if you emphasize your strengths, we want to see that! But don't lie or exagerate. If you are trying to tell me that you graduated from college last year, and have been handling a multi-million dollar budget as a marketing director with 38 employees under you, it's not going to fly--especially if you are applying for a job as a marketing assistant. (I'll get to the reverse of this in a minute) Be honest, let your resume state your qualifications, but don't pad. When we check references we're going to find out you were lying and not hire you anyhow, so don't waste anyone's time.

If you've been in a career for a long time and are now trying to step out of a leadership/management role into a more administrative role, it can be tricky, because many will think you are overqualified and not going to be willing to make the coffee. You need to carefully word your cover letter to explain WHY you want to take a step backwards--and using family/illness/kids as a reason is probably not going to be the best idea. But saying that in your current position you have to entertain clients three nights a week and travel frequently, and you'd like to cut back on that and understand it means taking a step back is fine. Then go on to say you have no problem working an occasional evening or weekend or travelling now and then, and have no family obligations that will keep you from doing so. It's also good to point out the responsibilities you really enjoy about the lower level position, and to say you feel you'd be much happier doing those.

PRACTICE INTERVIEWING! I can't stress this enough. Ask someone to ask you interview questions, there are a lot of books on the market with sample questions in them. Have answers to the difficult questions like "Have you ever had a conflict with a coworker and how did you resolve it?" The answer should be honest and end with a positive note that shows you are mature and able to see another persons point of view, able to make your point understood in a non-confrontational manner and are able to find a mutally acceptable compromise that works best for your employer. When I interview someone, I always ask this question. It's OK to pause for a moment before answering, but do not give me two minutes of "Um, well, um" and then tell me it's never happened. If you are still in or just out of school, give me an example with a classmate when you worked on a project together. I understand you might not have a lot of work experience.

Practice shaking hands and making eye contact and SMILING! Ask several friends to give you feedback. I want a firm handshake, not a limp noodle or a broken hand.

At the interview:

Show up a few minutes early. Not a half hour early. Five minutes is generally just about right.

When I come to the reception are to get you, I'll introduce myself--immediately offer your hand for a handshake. That will make you some MAJOR brownie points! (I'm HUGE on that!)

Do not chew gum--I wouldn't care how good your skills are, you chew gum in my interview and it's going to be three minutes long and you won't get hired.

Do not have bad breath. If you've got a pierced tongue, I better not know it. (I hired an intern with a pierced tongue, she had been with us for two weeks before I realized it--she was very discreet, and I had no problem with that.) Any other facial piercings must come out unless you are applying at Hot Topic. I also don't want to see your ink--if you are a female and have ink on your ankle, wear pants. If you are a guy and have a sleeve, wear a long sleeved dress shirt. (I want to say I have no problems with ink and piercings, most of my friends have at least one of both, but I don't want to see them during an interview.)

Keep perfume/cologne to a minimum. Better yet, leave it off.

Ladies should be in a skirt or dress slacks and blouse or twin set (not chino's unless you are applying for an entry level position in a casual retail environment or a restaurant.) Nails should be a reasonable length, polish is fine as long as it's a natural or soft pink and not chipped.

Guys should be in a clean, starched, stain free (pits and collar included) dress shirt with a t-shirt underneath, and tie with dress slacks. Chino's are the same as above. Make sure there is no dirt under your nails, I'll notice when we shake hands.

If you are applying for a professional position or any type of office position except mail clerk or data entry clerk, wear a suit. (This is for M/F)

For both, hair should be well groomed.

Shoes should be polished. Wear a watch, bring your own pen. Don't be afraid to take notes during the interview so you can ask questions on anything you want clarification on.

If you smoke make sure no one can tell. Wear freshly laundered clothes, take a shower, brush your teeth and don't smoke until after the interview. If I smell it on you, I'm not hiring you.

Leave the bling at home. One earing in each ear, post or hoop no larger than a quarter. One ring on each hand (wedding sets count as one). If it will enhance your outfit, a necklace or pin is fine, don't go overboard or be too clunky. Sometimes a soft scarf can be a better choice.

Make sure your clothes are in good repair. Don't show up in a skirt with a drooping hem, or pants that are frayed at the bottoms.

Show me you are interested. Ask me questions about the company--how many employees are there, do they try to promote from within, how long has the interviewer been with the company. Don't ask about vacation, benefits, etc. until the end of the interview, and then ask in broad terms, "What type of benefits do you offer?"

If appropriate, it's fine to make a bit of a joke. I was once in an interview where I was being "grilled" by three women. It was very tense until they asked what I did to handle stress. I didn't miss a beat. I smiled and said I went home and yelled at my husband. They cracked up and it really broke the ice. (I didn't get the job, but that wasn't why--the ad wasn't very descriptive and when it came down to it, I really wasn't qualified and knew so about halfway through the interview.)

Of course you don't want to come off flaky, or say anything that might insult anyone, and know when enough is enough. I was once interviewing someone who had me cracking up during the entire interview. He had great skills. But as funny as he was, he was too funny and I felt he would spend too much time being the comedian. He didn't get the job.

SMILE! Seem HAPPY to be there! Thank me at the end of the interview and shake my hand again.

Good luck!

Anne