How to get a job?

[deanb]

Seriously. Thought I'd come here n ask.

 

I must be missing something, I've always felt the education system sucks at "big world stuff" like jobs, loans, mortgages, taxes, insurance, bills etc. They're things you can't grade on. But yeah the standard "browse online and hand CV's out in town" doesn't seem to be getting me anywhere. I'm mostly holding out for September since many have told me that's when the jobs come. How long usually does it take to get a job? What are some off the beaten track ways to get one?

[Strangelove]

You gotta know somebody at the place you wanna work so they can recommend you. That's seriously the way 99% of people get jobs.

[Johnny]

Personal experience: Have a driver's license. I don't, and can't afford driving lessons. It's become a bit of a problem.

[deanb]

yeah nepotism was how I got my place at the icecream factory but that's out of the question now. It does honestly seem that knowing someone is the way to get in.

 

The entire job system seems broken. There's no centralized system. There's the job centre site but they have next to no jobs listed. If it was required all job listings were to go on the Job centre site you'd probably see unemployment drop a fair bit since people would actually know about the jobs available.

 

 

edit: Yeah that's another issue. You need a job to be able to afford to get lessons and a car, but you can't get the job without having a car. Very catch-22.

[Mal]

I highly suggest volunteering. Do good at what you do you may land a job since people can look at your performance on the spot. That's how I got one of my jobs. Sweet gig of building and breaking down stages.

Sure, I only did it for like six months but I'd like to think that I was pushed out by Jr. who started to work at end of my time there. That and the recession was here to stay.

 

edit: Though, physical labour (An "u" for you folks across the water ) jobs can be found that way but not sure of what kind of job you're looking for.

Edited August 21, 2011 by MaliciousH

[deanb]

I've debated working in a charity shop just so I can put it on a CV as retail experience. Bummer is I tried it a few summers ago and the woman tried to fob me off saying I must have gotten the wrong store. This is after they'd asked me to come in for an interview and they still had the "volunteers wanted" sign out front.

[Hot Heart]

I'm sure there are always plenty of retail jobs coming and going, but that's not really a 'career' any sane person should want. Since you're young though it can be a good way to get some experience rather than big gaps of 'no work' on your CV, plus you can usually switch into the office roles department stores have and go from there.

 

The other option is to join a temp agency. I know friends who have found regular jobs via temp work.

 

It really depends on whether you just want a job or a career. If you're interested in creative stuff I'd be looking for internships at places. One of my sisters went on to a pretty good job after doing an internship and another is currently doing one with some kind of gallery that David Byrne is involved in.

[deanb]

Well I had been at uni for doing VFX, but that's all gone to shit now as far as I can tell. So for now just wanting "work" so I can have some money coming in. I've got savings but that only lasts so long. Then once I have something stable down I can kinda figure out where to go from there.

[Yantelope]

For me it usually just takes time. Write a long resume listing your skills, achievements and accomplishments and don't be modest. Make it stand out and print it on nice paper if you're going to hand it in. They sell resume paper at most office supply stores and it makes your stand apart from the pack. For me getting the interview is the hardest part. Once I get the interview I usually get the job. Mostly in the interviews I just try to be extremely friendly and agreeable and answer questions directly linking to accomplishments of things I've done in the past. Also throw your resume up on career builder, monster and any other sites you can find. You can get a lot of calls that way.

[CorgiShinobi]

To echo the earlier comments, it's mostly about who you know. Seriously, most of my jobs have been through connections. I've posted my resume, and etc, on the state's job site, but I would get weird businesses and just as many scams. I got fed up with having to filter through the scams and crap jobs that I began talking to retail businesses of interest.

 

I have only about a month of retail experience. In this recession, everyone wants someone with at least three months experience. It's a catch-22. Stores want workers, I want to work, they say get experience, but who is going to give me that experience. I mean, if I'm pushing stuff I know about, the only thing I need to be trained on is their rules/regulations.

 

Enough about me; as I said it's primarily about connections. If you want a career, you should find internships. I don't know about across the pond, but my latest jobs have been on campus. I finally got out of my crap job of 1.5 years and I'm transferring to my new one with more hours and better pay.

 

Seriously, I can't survive at $134 every two weeks. Now it'll be $270!

Edited August 22, 2011 by Atomsk88

[Maritan]

I know that feel.jpg

I've graduated from the university this summer and of course finding a job for a philologist is a pain in the butt(I don't want to be an English teacher, lol).

Now I also have problems with the Army, so getting a job is nearly impossible. And I don't have any friends, at least with connections.

So, yeah, I'm pretty fucked, lol.

[deanb]

But surely in soviet Russia job finds you?

[TheRevanchist]

Yantelope offers the best advice. A good, clean resume gets a second look. A nice font, not too flashy or too boring. Use borders, bullet points, and other graphical details, but make them subdued, as to keep the focus on the words. Use titles and formating to display the sections of your resume. No resume should be longer than 2 pages, unless you are on a CEO level. The typical resume for someone without a lot of experience should be 1 page.

 

There are professional resume writers (usually found in larger cities) who can make a resume look good. Really good. With a price.

 

But, there are services that usually can help out with these kinds of things. Or, ask someone you know who might be an employer to review the resume.

 

One last bit of advice, for the person who gets the interview, KNOW THE COMPANY BEFORE YOU INTERVIEW! If you are interviewing for a job at a dairy, know the difference between a Holstein and a Jersey. If you are interviewing at Intel, learn what management tools they use in their processes. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Appear confident, but never arrogant (which is hard to do, but smiling and being positive helps a lot). Know how to answer "Where do you see yourself in 10 years?" and all other typical questions you see in interviews. Practice them with a friend who will take it seriously.

[Yantelope]

Yantelope offers the best advice.

 

QFT, also

 

One last bit of advice, for the person who gets the interview, KNOW THE COMPANY BEFORE YOU INTERVIEW! If you are interviewing for a job at a dairy, know the difference between a Holstein and a Jersey. If you are interviewing at Intel, learn what management tools they use in their processes.

 

Very Good Advice.

[Hot Heart]

I believe this advice is best.

 

[Yantelope]

I believe this advice is best.

 

 

This is awesome. Once again you bring the Lawls HH.

 

Update: and now that's posted on my cube wall.

Edited August 23, 2011 by Yantelope

[Maritan]

But surely in soviet Russia job finds you?

LOL, I wish. The only thing that really finds young men in SR is the army, sadly.

Anyway, I need to try freelance translating. I've heard a lot of companies are in need of translating different stuff.

[Chewblaha]

Nepotism is illegal. ALWAYS steer away from that, it looks awful on your record.

 

Anyway.

 

Are you talking about career job, or "job 'til I can find a career job...." job?

 

If it's the ladder, then I suggest just going to the place of your choice often and showing as much interest as possible. Trying to get a museum job right now (a career one) and I go there everyday and express interest. Most of the common workers know me as someone who has applied and you can only hope that the word of mouth reaches the main boss and gets you in. Mostly having the people working at the current area (those in good standing) refer you as someone who should be chosen for the job is the best way of putting it.

 

SImply put, go in to your target place and let people know how passionate you are and when you catch the attention of one, it's essentially having a leg in the door and opens up whole new things. Most of the time references from a person currently working at target area is the best way in.

 

Have good recommendation letters as well, put people you know who are in respected positions down as references as well. Put a professor who you loved and knew very well as a reference as well. I have several professors I consider friends and putting them as a reference is great because they know me personally as well as the hard work I do.

 

All that being said, I don't have a job right now.

 

Market here where I live sucks.

[Chewblaha]

Because my edit button isn't popping up:

 

I'll use my time at GameStop as an example.

 

I went into GameStop for three weeks straight almost everyday, putting stuff back on the wall without saying anything, and when I'd talk, it'd be to my old third key. We'd joke about video games, talk about sports, talk about what's coming out. One day he said "you have an application here, right?" From then it all just snowballed and I got myself a job at GameStop.

 

I was a little different to the people who worked there, my ASM didn't like me because I talked a lot and came in a lot to hang out (because yeah.), but they soon realized what a good employee was. I was top 5 in m district for GA's quite often and I've often thought of myself as the best GA in the district. I got a good three and a half years (because this past half year was fucking awful with Billy McNutbutter as our new manager) of good time/decent enough pay for a guy who was in college. Didn't have to ask my parents to borrow money for that entire time and was able to make quite a few purchases for myself. Had some nice spending money, just pretty much enough to keep me afloat.

 

ALL because I went into the store often and got to know the workers who had been working there. IF that's the kind of job you're looking for, one to hold you off 'til something bigger comes along, that's the way to get it.

[Chewblaha]

Beware: 'Pparently my advice would only work in 'Merica. Beware.

[TheFlyingGerbil]

If you're looking for a retail job to tide you over they start handing out application forms for Christmas temps from nowish. Fill in one of their application forms rather than hand in a CV. DO NOT FOLD THE FORM. Take a couple of copies - crossings out look awful. If this is the type of job you're looking for seriously pretty much that is all you need to do to get to the interview stage. I work in retail and honestly, a neat form with neat writing will make you better than about 80% of applicants.

 

I help with the (group) interviews and our favourite people:

 

-seem interested and attentive when people are talking (including other applicants not just the interviewers)

-do not talk when other people are talking

-ask when they don't understand something

-dress smartly, sit up straight and are not chewing gum

-are friendly and chatty but don't witter on

-have a positive attitude even though we know it may not be their ideal job

-non-confrontational and not argumentative. Don't act like you know more than the interviewer - even if you do!

-don't wait to go last for anything

 

Basically, you want the interviewer to be able to imagine you working there without causing any friction with their current employees and getting on with the job.

 

Best of luck.

[GunFlame]

Apply. Some people think it's bad when they don't receive anything after 3 or 4 attempts. But seriously, you gotta be ready to hit around 20 applications at least.

 

Don't send an application and wait, just send and search and do so even if you have interviews lined up.

 

For your resume, add what is useful, not what isn't. Also, don't make it too short, 3 pages is good. And make sure you send a cover letter, this can be very important as some places look at that more than the resume itself. And finally, tailor your resume for the job.

 

Even though you can't drive, be prepared to travel. Look for bus routes, trains or cycling routes that you could take. Take it seriously.

 

Finally, during the interview; sit up, don't cross your arms, and speak clearly to the questions asked. Also, ask questions. It shows that you are interested, and that means that you are a good option, and have taken the interview seriously.

[Yantelope]

The one retail job I landed was at Circuit City (I was one of the ones who got the door in the infamous layoff). I got the job by going in and asking to talk to the manager and then just telling them how I knew all about cameras and computers and other things and just being really friendly with them. Face to face contact whenever possible is huge. In the corporate world that's not usually possible though.

[deanb]

Jesus. H Christ. Fuck the Job Centre.

[TheRevanchist]

_{From what I have seen on The Full Monty, I can understand your pain. We have something similar here, but I haven't been to one of those places since college.}