I'm in a pinch. I'm out of work and need to find a job asap because I'm broke. I had two short jobs this year. One I left because the employer refused to pay me. I had to go to the local Labor Dept. to get my paycheck. The last one didn't care about employee's health and worked their people 16 hour shifts while getting away with very little pay (no overtime, either).

I'm filling out applications and dropping resumes at as many places as possible, but no one is calling me. The few that have called me in for an interview haven't called me back for a second interview. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I fill out apps, I leave a resume, I dress nicely, and try to be as professional as possible.

What makes me the angriest, is that no one is calling. After filling out all those apps., I'm getting no calls. Do companies usually do reference checks before an interview or after? Anyone have any tips or advice on what to do to get a job? I just can't figure out why they aren't calling me to begin with. What am I missing? My work history isn't bad. It's just been a couple of bad decisions this year. -- Justin

 

We don't do the background checks until after the first interview. If they pass that then the background check is done followed by another interview and then drug/alcohol screening/physical.

Do you have a resume? Are you narrowing your search to just one career field?

 

Try dying your hair black, learn spanish and get a good tan. Then you'll be able to get hired anywhere.

 

Have you been calling the companies back? Make sure to do that.

Also, check with temp agencies. If push comes to shove, mcdonalds is always hiring

 

I'm actually going to try at the Wal-mart, just 'cause I need cash flow.

I'm going for a variety of different jobs, mainly delivery, though. I have a good resume and work history. I have a clean background.

I wasn't aware that calling companies back was done all that much. I may have to start doing that. What is the proper thing to say in that situation? I'm sure "Why the hell didn't you hire me?!" is the wrong one.

 

Well said.

I dont check references until after the inital interview. When I conduct and interview I look for attentiveness and a genuine character. At times you can tell when someone is lying though thier teeth. One thing that I would question when I saw your application or resume is the frequent quitting of jobs. You have explained it in your post, but a employer might shy away from it. If a perspective employer did ask questions, how you answer it is important. I never get a good impression when a applicant goes of bashing the guy "who worked us 16 hrs a day with no overtime" not saying that causes a red flag but how you explain it to the interviewer is very important. Nobody what to hire a trouble or someone with history. Not say at all that you do but it could be read into it.

Good luck with your search.

 

Just let them know that you applied for a position within their company and was wondering if anyone had looked at your resume yet.

 

hey, i havn't worked in over a year! welcome to the club!

have you thought about school to get some formal education? military? or relocating?

 

Try searching for jobs online. Many companies are using online resumes and questionaires. The online version allows them to scan for keywords to sort qualifications..Walmart, Home Depot and Best Buy just to name a few have online only applications.

You need to use keywords that are used in the industry you are looking in..

Have someone else check over your resume, if you haven't already, Maybe you are missing something that is blackballing you...

 

Try an online resume "warehouse" type place for example monster.com.

My wife used them a few years back and got so many hits she had to take her resume offline to stop the phone calls. As a refrence my wife was/is not a college degree person either. She worked for years as an accountant for a local resturant but never had any "Formal" accounting school. Like I said she got a lot of hits, bunch of interviews and a few job offers.

She actually ended up turning them all down and is now happily employed part time at Starbucks and loves it.

Just a thought

 

Dont be afraid to re-contact potential employers. If you know the company is hiring show up once a week and say "Im just checkin in", Face to face contact is the answer. I know it can be tough in your area, you talked about delivery, Do toy have a CDL?

 

I have a two year accounting degree, which, in ND, doesn't get you much. I don't have a CDL. There are so many jobs available for those with a CDL around here.

 

The place I work at now, I had to badger the HR person responsible for hiring new employees. I called her once a week, every week, untill she got tired of me calling. She finally, and somewhat huffy at that, told me to come in and test. This happened to be over a holiday weekend at that. Needless to say, I passed the test, and the rest is history.

Like it or not, you are but one fish in a BIG pond, and if you want to get at the bait (job), then you had better get aggressive.

 

What about Craigs List!

Don't they have a section on jobs?

Just an idea.

 

I'd leave ND.

Lots of work down here in Texas, especially manufacturing and oilfield work. We are struggling to hire enough people to do all of the work that we currently have in the backlog.

Sometimes you have to go where the money is.