Frustrated Job search

[NeuroTypical]

Networking is basically contacting everybody you know and asking them about jobs. I've heard estimates from 60-85% of new jobs are obtained this way. It's a very well researched phenomenon out there, but we LDS know it involves basic gospel principles of service and love which most good people have in abundance. Folks want to help each other out.

You: Hi Bob, it's me AngelLynn. I remember you saying once that you worked for [company x]. I'm looking for work - do you know of anything?

Bob: Hi AL! I didn't know you were looking. We don't have anything here, but my cousin Bertha is in management at [company y], and she told me the other day they had a few entry level openings. Good starting pay and great benefits too - let me give you his number.

You: Hi Bertha, you don't know me, but I'm friends with your cousin Bob. I'm seeking employment, and Bob told me you might be the person to talk to.

[etc]

---

Hope this helps.

LM

[Lbybug]

I completely agree with what Loudmouth said. I got my job (which i've been at since 2000) because I had moved back home after a semester of college. My mom went to a course with the manager at the store I applied at and had mentioned that I had moved home and was looking for a job. The manager said "well i haven't posted our help wanted sign/ad yet, but I am actually going to be looking in the next few days as we are losing an employee". I went in the next day with the application all filled out, and my resume attached. I asked to talk to the manager and told her who I was. She interviewed me on the spot, and called me the next day to let me know I had the job.

I was lucky with that one, but not all job opportunities are that simple. Looking for a job is hard work, and isn't something that can be done by just sitting back looking through newspapers and online. Get out there, make yourself known. Like I said earlier, if there's any place you go regularily, talk to the sales people there. Mention to anyone know you (friends, family, ward members) that you are looking.

Also, it doesn't hurt to put in applications/resumes to places that aren't currently hiring. Most companies keep your application on file for a certain amount of time (i know we keep ours for a year), in case something comes up.

And if at all possible, avoid calling the places to see if they're hiring. Drive/walk/bike/swim down to the company you are wondering about and ask them face to face. I have heard from several people who do hiring that phone calls about hiring drive them nuts. After they have your application, I'd say it's ok to call and make sure they recieved it. But if at all possible, avoid the dreaded phone call to see if someone is hiring.

just my 2 cents.

[BenRaines]

LM and Lby, both great comments. I believe few jobs are found sitting at home, emailing out resumes, with no working experience, will result in any jobs.

I know in Las Vegas area they have regular job fairs also. Look for the next job fair.

If I had never had a job before I would take anything to get some experience.

Ben Raines

[rameumptom]

Do both. Several employers will only work online. However, sometimes a resume that is dropped off at the right time and place will be noticed by an employer.

Remember, not all jobs are done online. Many small businesses still work via word of mouth or people walking in off the street.

What you can do, though, is do a little homework. Find out who is in charge of HR, or is the hiring manager at a company. Call the person's secretary/office, and ask what is the best method for obtaining an interview. Mailing in letters of introduction still are helpful, also, with a follow up phone call/visit.

[AngelLynn]

Update: Well yesterday I got a hair cut and today I put on a dress fully intending to go on a job scavenger hunt. lol

Anyway it seems my mom beat me on the punch on the networking factor, she called a woman she knows in the ward that works at the Salvation Army Adult Daycare center where my brother who has Downs Syndrome. SSo she asked if there was any jobs avaliable and she said there was one position that might be opening up, but not to let anyone know that she had let that out.

So I went down to the headquarters of the Salvation Army and filled out an application and left this woman's name as one of my refrenceses. And so everything else is in God's hands.

[Lbybug]

good luck angellynn. keep lookin though, incase that one falls through.

[AngelLynn]

good luck angellynn. keep lookin though, incase that one falls through.

Yep... yep.... yep.

The next thing will be going down and filling out an application for the Boys and Girls club since I have previous experience with them due to volunteer work. Which may work out for me, assuming they have any openings.

[Lbybug]

that's a really good idea! it's all in the networking, see :)

[AngelLynn]

that's a really good idea! it's all in the networking, see :)

Yea. Of course reality hit me really good today. I just got a total of my student loans. I am suppose to be in deferment. Hasn't the government heard of the 11th and a half commandment: Thou shall not collect loans on students who have graduated for at least six months.

I'll have to give that a call tomorrow. This hasn't been the first time they were confused about when and where I've graduated.

Edited January 29, 2009 by AngelLynn

[Hemidakota]

What happened your meeting with the employment rep?

[AngelLynn]

What happened your meeting with the employment rep?

Something came up and I wasn't able to go.

[AngelLynn]

Well I emailed the Boys and Girls Club and got an application. I am gratefull for the attachment application. I must have made twenty million mistakes on it before I managed to get it filled out properly. I attached my resume and turned it in. They are remodling at the Boys and Girls Club next to my home, so when I went in it looked pretty empty and deserted, and only the directors were there. I am hoping once they finish remodeling they will have some job openings. But one can only hope. I have a good feeling about this job as I have had previous experience. So it's all now in the hands of the Lord. And I hope he blesses me for it.

[Hemidakota]

Have faith....

[trulykiwi]

Just thought I'd throw this out there - with the way the economy is of late - but do you have any skills where you could make money from them?

For instance, before I had my children, I worked for a local graphic design company (I'm a graphic designer) and when I had my children I finished working. One of my customers I had become quite good friends with and she asked me if I would continue graphic design and do work for her from home. I thought what a great idea! And it's kind of grown from there. Over the past few years, I have even taught myself web design (the internet is an amazing educational tool!), I'm now an advanced web designer - and have made a couple of awesome sites for clients that I'm really proud of!

Sorry to go on, but my point is, if you have an interest, hobby or some service you can offer others - then what better way to earn money than to work for yourself! I love it and would never go back to working for "the bossman"

[AngelLynn]

Just thought I'd throw this out there - with the way the economy is of late - but do you have any skills where you could make money from them?

For instance, before I had my children, I worked for a local graphic design company (I'm a graphic designer) and when I had my children I finished working. One of my customers I had become quite good friends with and she asked me if I would continue graphic design and do work for her from home. I thought what a great idea! And it's kind of grown from there. Over the past few years, I have even taught myself web design (the internet is an amazing educational tool!), I'm now an advanced web designer - and have made a couple of awesome sites for clients that I'm really proud of!

Sorry to go on, but my point is, if you have an interest, hobby or some service you can offer others - then what better way to earn money than to work for yourself! I love it and would never go back to working for "the bossman"

Well as for hobbies, I like to write. I took two creative writing classes at my university before I graduated and I loved it. Yes, I've been looking at some freelance writing websites, but not sure whether they are reliable for one, I'd really would hate if someone took something I wrote and plagerized it as their own. So I really do question the legimacy of websites.

I keep plugging away on a manuiscript of a story I am working on, I have some stories idea. So I haven't exactly been idle, although the process is painfully slow at times. Somedays a page, somedays no pages. You get the idea.

Other hobbies, well I love to take pictures, but in that skill pretty amature. And then the only other thing I've done in the past is geneological work. I spent a good deal of time at the geneological library looking up my ancestors.

I like to cook sometimes as well, although not really too much experimentation on things. I follow the cookbook mostly.

Those are some of my hobbies that I like to do.

[Mahone]

Just thuoght I'd post a couple of my own thoughts on here.

While job hunting can be depressing and stressful, see it as a full time job. Don't see yourself as unemployed and get into the habit of getting up at lunchtime, taking two hours to get washed and dressed, watch TV for an hour and before you know it the day has gone. A lot of jobs you work from 9 - 5, so between those hours, you should spend the time looking for jobs. It's boring filling out the same details again and again, but it'll pay off eventually.

Make sure your CV (resume as I think you Americans call it) looks good. Remember employers often get hundreds of CVs for a job, you really want yours to stand out. Any spelling mistakes / bad layouts / too many pages to read through and it'll get chucked straight in the bin. They don't have time to think about and consider each application in detail in the initial stages, so make sure yours really stands out.

If you take Beccas advice, and go into the company / organisation and look for jobs, make sure you look good. I've had people come to me asking me to ask my manager about jobs who have curry stains down their top, shirts untucked, messy shoes etc. It doesn't look good at all. And don't make the mistake I did once and leave your phone on... I wasn't going to an interview, but I was enquiring about a job with a manager and my phone rang twice. We all have our bad days, but make sure it's not on a day you are asking about jobs. The same applies for interviews obviously.

You should do some voluntary work. It's difficult enough looking for jobs in current circumstances, let alone when are aren't currently employed already. So if you are volunteering somewhere, at least a perspective employer will realise you are not lazy and are willing to work - plus it gives you experience.

[AngelLynn]

Well still nothing in the job market deespite my efforts of job searching.

Although I did put in for a job at Hallmark. Today I got a response in an email.

Dear _______,

Thank you for your interest in the All Merchandise Positions - Part-Time Only position in the NV - NEVADA area at Hallmark. As you may know, the competition is exceptionally strong for this position. While your background has many impressive aspects, we have selected candidates who more closely fit our current business needs.

We thank you for your interest in Hallmark and wish you success in your future career endeavors.

Sincerely,

The Hallmark Staffing Team

Although a bit disappointed in the response, I felt good that someone actually took the time to send me a response about my inquiry. It may not have been much but I actually felt that Hallmark had enough respect to let me know that they couldn't use me. I just wish more businesses could be like that.

[rameumptom]

Wow! Hallmark only sends the very best "Sorry, but we're not hiring you today" cards.

Don't give up. It is difficult for many people in this economy.

[hordak]

. The thing is most of the applications are online and I am applying for them but they seem to think I need to go down to the place and ask and tell them I've applied. I am not sure if this is the right thing to do as I feel it shows desperation and a sense of neediness. Most of the online applications state that the employers will contact you if they are intrested.

It shows dedication not desperation. Pick up apps in person and return them in person. Then you become "the person who stopped by picked up an app,or drop off an app". instead of applicant #40 in the online database.

[AngelLynn]

Wow! Hallmark only sends the very best "Sorry, but we're not hiring you today" cards.

Don't give up. It is difficult for many people in this economy.

Well at least I know where I stand with them.

On a postive note, I was at the hair stylist place and we were talking. Her older daughter is out of work as well. But then I mentioned that in my past I volunteered and did tutoring and she said, "tutoring, my nine year old is flunking in school. If you can tutor her, I'll pay you $25 an hour for a couple days a week." She gave me a card with her number on it and told me to call her back next week.

At least I can be paid something.

[prospectmom]

My husband applies for job he really wanted. He was told they wern't hiring at the time. He stopped by almost every day to say hi see how the situation was going. He was hired shortly because he perservered.. He strted at 9.00 an hr and has worked up to 19.50. Now he is laid off due to the economey but hopefully will be back to work soon.,

Tutoring looks great on you resume.... and you'll feel great doing it :]