Job Searching

[Joseph Bruce Dougherty]

How much time should one person spend in applications and sending out resumes in one week? What is a good balance of time? What should one avoid putting on an application? How do you know what rate of pay to ask for (or put inside the box on the app.)? What usually turns an employer off?

[Jason Baker]

What kind of job are you looking for? I wouldn't put down any rate of pay.

[Joseph Bruce Dougherty]

Any job really: target, wal- mart, Bealls, Sears, publix, etc. On most applications you have to put down a number. Usually i'll put $8.00 per hour. Will the wage on an app. really make the manager decide to not even consider you? The point is that i have been trying to get a job for nearly a year, honestly, and have had nothing. Out of hundreds of sent resumes and apps. to places i have had, maybe, 7 interviews and maybe 10 phone calls. Nothing. So I'm trying to figure out why i'm jobless. could it be i'm hindering myself in some way? any ideas?

[Jason Baker]

I would put a line through the wage question on the app. I do the same thing on the race/ethnicity question. Other things to consider.

- Do a follow-up call/email about a week after you send in your resume.
- If for some reason you don't have access to the hiring managers number or email address you can go directly to the place and ask to speak to them. Usually employees are more than happy to help you get connected with the person that does the hiring.
- Before you go to an interview, do some research to find out a little more about the company.
- When you get an interview. Make sure your wear at least a nice shirt and tie.
- Try to remember everyone's name at the interview and repeat it back to each person as you shake their hand to leave.
- Send an email to the interviewer a couple days after the interview thanking them for taking their time to interview you.

I'll post up a more detailed list of interview skills tomorrow. Send me your resume if you don't mind and I'll have a look at it. You can email it to me at "[e-mail]".

[Joseph Bruce Dougherty]

Allright cool I'll send you my resume now

[Crystal Wood]

Also, if you're applying for a restruant job, it's best to come in/call between 2-4 on mon-friday. (that's what I tell people, as a hostess) Otherwise they're kinda busy and then are like "Piscch...he should know better! We're busy now! We're not gonna hire him!" well, we more or less say that at LongHorn if someone comes in to talk to a manager during our Sunday lunch rush...lol. More than likely, they're willing to talk to you, even if they don't have an opening

[Joseph Bruce Dougherty]

thats helpful and lately i have put in apps. to Chili's, Mandarin Ale, and Don Juan's- although i'm not hispanic.

[Adrian Semerene]

Just a thought... I work at Apple(in cambridge though) but the company tends to usually be looking to hire.. and pays quite welll... just a thought!!!!

[Joseph Bruce Dougherty]

Adrian Wazzup bud?! Apple Huh? That's something. Actually I don't know if there is a district office in North Florida. I'll have to check on that.

[Alessandra Elizabeth Card]

Hey another thought for you: In addition to ALWAYS calling to check the "status of your application" I will try to introduce myself to the manager on duty when I drop the application off. Most companies want THEIR own application and not just a resume also. When you drop it off, if the manager is not available I always ask when the best time to reach them is, and then you will know who and when to call back, or stop by in person. Just a couple more ideas to help you out! And yes dress for the part. As a manager at my restaurant, i would make an immediate call based on a potential employees interview outfit; if they dress like they dont care, chances are they dont care, lol. Good luck!

[Sue Sinchuk]

- First impressions are very important, i.e. how you dress (always dress for success, never a t-shirt and jeans regardless of the type of position) even when just completing an application or leaving a resume; also how you deal with people not only the other employee at the potential place of employment but others that you encounter as you enter the establishment (hold the door, smile, any polite gesture is remembered)

- As far as rate of pay on an application, I have always find it acceptable to write negotiable instead of a $ amount. When listing your rate of pay it can tell an employer a lot about your qualifications for a position. Putting negotiable allows you some flexibility in both your rate and abiltiy for the position. Asking $9.00 on a job that pays $8.00 could be construde as though you are over qualified for the position even if you have not had the chance to list your qualifications. The same would apply if you requested $8.00 for a job that pays $10.00. As an employer I would view you as being inexperienced in your field and would look to other applicants before considering yours.

Whenever applicable such as rate of pay and why you are no longer with an employer especially if it was not on such great terms you should always try to use words that would prompt further discussion. ie , "Negotiable", "No longer employed to be discussed further".

I hope this helps.

[Joseph Bruce Dougherty]

Yes thank you. Something i have had trouble with has actually been stating and listing previous held jobs. I co-owned a moderate sized landscaping business with a friend. We took over from my mom and one of her friends, already having apprenticed with them for 2 to 3 years we focused on advertising to friends and family (Church Family/ friends). We didn't need to pay taxes or get a business license for that reason and plus we had plenty of work. That's the only real "job" experience i have under my belt besides volunteer hours and services with the Boy Scouts of America, Sulzbacher Homeless Center (Downtown), etc. The problem is that kind of experience doesn't seem to count in regards to retail or office business skills- except heavy lifting/ unloading trucks and stocking & maybe customer service experience. Not only that, what potential manager is gonna believe that i owned a business at the age of 17, 18, or 19 with a plethora of Lawn Equipment.

For future reference, when a manager sees "Landscaping for job experience" is that a "turn off"? Should I even mention it? Oh and what about Interview Etiquette.

[Highly optimistic (excited)] or [More Reserved]?
Thanks.

[Joseph Bruce Dougherty]

I have a 10:00 am interview at the Target in Ortega off of Roosevelt (St. Rd. 17). Thank you for your prayers. I will be happy with any job i am given. God Bless and Goodnight.