How the hell do you get a job?

[SortaSavageLike]

I'm starting to get really pissed off and depressed. My 21st birthday is in two weeks, and I've still never had a job. I've applied at a dozen places in my neighborhood in the last year, some of them five or six times, and I've never gotten a word back from anyone. Everyone seems to want someone with extensive experience in multiple fields. I must come across as a total moron on my applications because I've never had a job before, and I was homeschooled since Grade 6.

Everyone around me is getting annoyed that I have a job, and they won't listen to me when I say that no one wants me. Is there some sort of magic trick I'm missing? Christ, don't they need people to put boxes on shelves and operate cash registers? :mad:

[DrummerDeanna]

Well lets start with what you're doing when you apply.

When you go in to ask for an application - you should look nice - not too nice, but nice.

When you take the application back - ALWAYS ask to speak with a manager, and give it directly to them. Never give it to a random employee. Also when dropping off an application - come dressed for an interview - because you never know...

If this is what you're already doing - sorry heh.

So what sort of jobs are you trying to get?

[JazmenFlowers]

^^^
yeah. what kind of jobs are you going for?

have you looked in the classifieds? one good job is a runner/messenger at a law firm. usually, we hire anyone capable of breathing and it would give you some experience and something to put on a resume. have you applied at fast food places? what about some kind of data entry?

[foxyluva]

Do you have any friends that can hook you up? As they say - its who you know....

Every job I have ever had (its only three, lol) I have got as a result of somebody I know hooking me up :)

[Red]

Looking for a job? Move to Calgary. There is so much work here, its absurd. Companies are actually shipping people in from other cities and paying great wages just to get people in.

Can't move to Calgary? Okay then, heed Deanna's advice about speaking with the owner/manager - that's really the only way you'll get an interview. When you do land the interview, you're toughest question will be "why haven't you worked yet"...explain why (I don't know why...school?), but follow it up with the golden phrase that worked so well for me before I had built a strong resume:

"For what I lack in experience, I make up for in drive. I pay attention and I TAKE DIRECTION WELL."

....that's a biggee. And it works like a charm.

[MacMan]

Looking for a job? Move to Calgary. There is so much work here, its absurd. Companies are actually shipping people in from other cities and paying great wages just to get people in.


It's insane in Alberta at the moment. Aren't they starting people off at McDonalds at $10 an hour or something like that?

[desertangel]

How about using an agency... temporary services, day labor, etc. - it could be the old 'get your foot in the door, then dazzle them with your brilliance' approach. The agency will screen you and tell you if they have/will have any jobs that you can do. For example, some small places (like attorney's offices) will call a temp agency when they need a receptionist for a week while their regular goes on vacation and they will spend an hour or two training you beforehand. After your week is up as a fill in... whala... there's some "experience." Just a thought. :wavey:

Good luck and don't give up... you gotta keep turning those stones, you'll find something.

[77Rumours77]

It's insane in Alberta at the moment. Aren't they starting people off at McDonalds at $10 an hour or something like that?

WTF am I doing! I need to move there! OMG w/ the expirence I have...Humm..... **Next item on agenda, move to ALBERTA!**

[Red]

WTF am I doing! I need to move there! OMG w/ the expirence I have...Humm..... **Next item on agenda, move to ALBERTA!**

Oh, you have no idea! They've started a huge ad campaign for Tim Horton's (a coffee joint in Canada, do you have it in the US?), where they talk about flexible hours, benefits and get this....starting wage is $14 an hour. :shocked:

[SuzeQuze]

Oh, you have no idea! They've started a huge ad campaign for Tim Horton's (a coffee joint in Canada, do you have it in the US?), where they talk about flexible hours, benefits and get this....starting wage is $14 an hour. :shocked:

Holy crap. I'll be there in a jiff!

[irishgrl]

Oh, you have no idea! They've started a huge ad campaign for Tim Horton's (a coffee joint in Canada, do you have it in the US?), where they talk about flexible hours, benefits and get this....starting wage is $14 an hour. :shocked:

to be a barista? (isnt that the name of the counter person?) man, thats awesome! one wonders if the wages go up as you gain experience or move to other fields?

[carrie721]

Oh, you have no idea! They've started a huge ad campaign for Tim Horton's (a coffee joint in Canada, do you have it in the US?), where they talk about flexible hours, benefits and get this....starting wage is $14 an hour. :shocked:

what's the cost of living like in alberta? i mean, $14/hr would be a seriously sweet deal here, but i dunno about other places.

[jannieC]

to be a barista? (isnt that the name of the counter person?) man, thats awesome! one wonders if the wages go up as you gain experience or move to other fields?

I am a part time barista <a href="http://www.dailygrindunwind.com/">here</a>, and I can promise you I am making no where near $14 an hour! Being a barista is fun though. People come and hang out and talk. It reminds me of when I was a bartender, except now no one is drunk- perfect! ;)

[chiliD]

....starting wage is $14 an hour. :shocked:

$14 Canadian though, right? :shrug:

Which is, what, $5.50 US? ;) :thumbsup:

[SuzeQuze]

$14 Canadian though, right? :shrug:

Which is, what, $5.50 US? ;) :thumbsup:

Not anymore, it's $12.61 US. The US dollar is not very strong these days.

http://www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi

[DestinyRules]

Have you looked into working at an internship or volunteering with an organisation? They might not pay, but the experience you get could be invaluable to a job search.

I also agree with the other advice about dressing nicely but not too nicely, like you're going for an interview. I don't know if they give interviews on the spot, but they might. In rare cases, they might hire you on the spot after an interview. That's what happened to me with my current job.

[DavidMn]

I'm starting to get really pissed off and depressed. My 21st birthday is in two weeks, and I've still never had a job. I've applied at a dozen places in my neighborhood in the last year, some of them five or six times, and I've never gotten a word back from anyone. Everyone seems to want someone with extensive experience in multiple fields. I must come across as a total moron on my applications because I've never had a job before, and I was homeschooled since Grade 6.

Everyone around me is getting annoyed that I have a job, and they won't listen to me when I say that no one wants me. Is there some sort of magic trick I'm missing? Christ, don't they need people to put boxes on shelves and operate cash registers? :mad:Good luck to you. I hope you can find something. It took me a long time too this year to find a job.