A Possible Job Maybe Coming For Me

[Raphael]

No I looked at that rejection letter, and it mentioned "Customer Service" position, but I applied for 5 other positions. 

Which positions did you interview for, though?  Usually businesses only interview for one position at a time. And Mindychan is right, some businesses don't want you to be 'too' eager...not saying it's right, but it is the way business is. Employers can often misinterpret your intentions.

If you do get a chance to speak with the person who interviewed you, try to find out why you didn't get the position.  He might be able to offer some insight as to what you could do differently the next time.

Good luck, hope it works out.

[Mindy]

You're right but I have gone after jobs with a lot gusto and it's backfired on me.

Still, if you do have a good feeling about a job, follow it. Just thought I would poke a little friendly advice from past experiences.

[ResidentEvil7]

Well I did talk to the guy today.  I told him that I'm available for other positions, and he said that the Customer Service position is what they needed to fill in, and now they're fully staffed.  He also told me that my application will still be on file for 90 days (August 21) in case if something comes up between May 21 - August 21 (Day-90).  So all is not totally lost, yet.  But I'm still applying, and with my car in badly need of expensive repairs, it's real hard to get to further distances.  After leaving Best Buy, and punched a NO PARKING sign, I went next door to a Dominicks's private bathroom and released my hardened feelings over taking a massive blow.  I just had to let my feelings go, and pouring/crying them out like that is my best way to get rid of hard feelings; I can't keep them bottled up inside.

After that, I continued to look for other places to find work, but that word "Experienced" keeps coming up.  I tried applying to other places.  Try Wal-Mart; that was a VERY annoying application.  Target isn't hiring.  I applied to Dick's Sporting Goods the same time as I did as Best Buy, and they were open to all positions, and now they're fully staffed.  So I go to Meijer, and it took me 30 minutes just to find the position and location to apply to, because they're 14,000+ searches to look up.  These computer applications, or computer kiosk application has definately made this job market much harder and much more different now than it was around 9/11 when this NeverEnding unemployement started.

[Mindy]

90 days is about right to check back in. Although I hope they call you way before then!

And yeeeesh! You've been unemployed since 9/11? On and off? My husband went through some rough unemployed periods from 2003 - 2008. He finally landed a job where he has stayed for 2 years now. *knocks on wood* It was like holding our breath for those first 6 months!

Have you thought about volunteering your time somewhere? That could help you gain a bit of experience. I really am truly sorry that you are having a hard time!!!

[ResidentEvil7]

That's right, my first ever application went out on December 19, 2001--Jewel Osco.  The recession then was very hard, especially when you're at the age when it's time to get my future going, and I've made mistakes at these interviews before because I can't relate to certain situations.  So what I did to get myself prepared for that Best Buy interview was jot down all the questions that was ever asked of me in the past 8 1/2 years, and had my dad and my best friend help me come with appropriate answers.  The only downside is that every interview I get, the questions are completely different than of the previous interviews, and then I end up panicing, and stumbling to come up with a perfect answer and it always ends up coming up as a stupid answer.  If anyone ever asks me what my weaknesses are, and my answer would be tought interview questions.  But I'm VERY fed up being 27 and never worked; it's embarrasing, humiliating, and to put it directly it down-rights HURTS.  I even sometimes cry myself to sleep worrying about what's next. Management looks down at my unemployement/age, as if there's anything more I could do about it, but they keep holding it against me anyway.  Then I developed an anti-management attitude, blaming them for my NeverEnding unemployment. The fact of the matter is considering I'm at this age, never worked they're still giving me possible openings at Best Buy, still gives me some sort of hope, and that it's not too late, and the fact is I've not decided to quit and give up just yet.  Even though it's so easy.

[Mindy]

Uh, you probably have already tried this but... employment or temp agencies? :\

Going unemployed this long, I am very humbled by your tenacity to keep going. I would have given up ages ago!

[ResidentEvil7]

Well I did for a little while, trying to self-employ myself where I could fix and modify computers and capture/burn customer's home videos and edit them into 5.1 surround sound, Wide Screen and converted into HDTV.  Unfortunately I couldn't come up with enough money to get that going.  And it when you give up, then you accepted being homeless rotting on the side of the highway asking for money.  Besides you can't spell my name, Nathan, Q-U-I-T-T-E-R, because you can spell it as W-I-N-N-E-R!

[Leonardo_Mystic]

Let me offer a bit of advice. As Mindy herself has testified, more often than not, being overzealous can be a turnoff to an employer rather than a turnon. Yes, be confident and let them know you are willing, but don't be overkill. Sometimes too much is as bad as not enough. 

Also, I know you would much like to work in the field you love most, but you may have to make some sacrifices at this point and look in other positions elsewhere. Especially if you need the money to fix your car. I know when I had to get my first job I had to take what I could get. I love children and infants and I wanted so badly to get a job in a daycare. I've done some babysitting before, so I wasn't totally an amateur. I must have at least tried a half dozen, but I could not get a job in any of them due to my lack of experience. Eventually, I had to broaden my horizons because I needed a job and I landed one at Chick-Fil-A. It wasn't at all what I wanted, but it was a paycheck coming every two weeks and that's what I did want.

I stayed there for six years before I landed my second job at Walmart in the same field over two years ago. Again, I had tried a daycare too, this time with even more experience after practically raising an ex-roommate's infant daughter for nearly a year. However, it was Walmart that called me before they did. Again, I had to take what was available because the daycare certainly wasn't. Plus, they were offering a whole lot more money than I believe I would have been for the daycare. 

So I more than understand the desire to want to work in the field you love most, but in today's world, you can't afford to limit yourself. I have a cousin in the same position as you, but has now learned if he wants a job, he has to take what he can get.

[ResidentEvil7]

I hate the idea I have to take jobs I really don't want.  I will admit I have been real selective; 9.5/10 applications have been retail.  It's kind of tough for me to steer away from things that interest me most: people, electronics, and retail.  But I am looking at this as a sidetrack; apply to a Jewel-Osco where I can get retail experience with them.  The only downside applying to them is the same as Best Buy and that is the agree/disagree test.  I HATE THOSE DAMN TESTS!

What I really don't understand is this; how is it that they can hire high schoolers who have nothing to show, but they give people like me a hard time?  I mean a person at age 16, 17, or even 18 really have little to nothing to show for.  So how is it that they can work with thier no experience in anything, but they don't work with my no experience?  Managers!!!  Can never figure them out.  But the fact I can still get interviews with companies as large as Best Buy at this late age of 27 shows that some things ARE still possible.

Besides I'm applying to another Best Buy in my old neighborhood, and because I and a friend of mine used to visit that Best Buy 3 or 4 times a week, some of the employees got to "know us."  So perhaps that could help out.

[Raphael]

Unfortunately, in today's society, a lot of us do not get to work in the field we want.  It often comes down to deciding what you want more - your dream job, or money in your pocket. Not saying you have to work where you don't want, forever, but if you desperately need cash, you might have to be a little less discerning.

As for the employees getting to know you...don't count on that making a difference.  In my experience, unless you're using those employees as an official reference, it won't matter. Management does not tend to call the employees together and say "Hey, so and so is applying here, any of you know him?". The only things they're going by are your application, your references and your interview.

[ResidentEvil7]

Well the fact I'm still going on after all those years lost ought to mean something.  And besides, so I failed the Geneva, IL location; there's still "try again," and I have been.