Your job search needs a little tweaking...

[CrazedClerkthe2nd]

So yeah, we're in a recession. This week I'm averaging probably 10 people a day either inquiring about jobs or looking for applications, but it seems some folks don't really put much advance thought into their search.

I've had the following people come in and apply lately:

- Dude with a backwards baseball cap, plain white T and shorts on.

- Dude with a wifebeater on

- Dude who looked like he hadn't shaved in weeks

- Woman who was wearing a top that was so tight and low cut she was practically bursting out of it.

- Guy who was wearing a Lebron james basketball jersey and gold chains


Also, I've had people who call up, somewhat sternly ask for a manager, only to then inquire whether or not we are hiring. There are two problems with this approach:

1) I know whether or not we have open positions, it's not some secret only the boss is aware of.

2) This tactic is sometimes useful if you are there in person, but asking for a manager over the phone does nothing but bother the manager 9 times out of 10.

Also sending your mom, girlfriend or buddy in to get an application FOR YOU is not the best idea. I had one dude that wanted FOUR applications for him and his buddies (who were not present). I don't care how qualified your friends may be, if they don't want to put the in effort to even show up to get an app, they aren't worth hiring.

It is also NOT wise to come in and ask for an application TEN MINUTES BEFORE WE CLOSE. The store manager has gone home, we are about to wrap up for the day and there are about a half dozen other better times for you to come in looking for work.

Additionally, handing in a resume with no experience whatsoever will get you nowhere. There are two reasons for this:

1) Our company generally does not hire people with no customer service experience whatsoever.

2) It's a recession! There's plenty of folks with plenty of experience out there looking for jobs.

Oh I should also add an application with any of the following on it:

- coffee stains
- crinkles and wrinkles
- a ripped off corner
- fields left blank (I had one turned in last week with the "Wage desired" box left totally empty)
- doodles (yes I had a girl hand me an app with some pretty flowers on it)

Will be promptly placed in the circular file. Asking for one of our pens will also seriously curtail your chances.

I know this post sounds ranty, but it amazes me how many job seekers come through my store that apparently don't give a rat's ass about putting in effort in their job search.

I don't get it.

[edible_hat]

- fields left blank (I had one turned in last week with the "Wage desired" box left totally empty)

I'd hire that one, looks like they'll work for free.

[Bright_Star]

I figure people like that are only going through the motions. They're not serious about finding a job only to keep their unemployment checks coming in. They'll say that they've been "looking".

[Hanzoku]

- Woman who was wearing a top that was so tight and low cut she was practically bursting out of it.

With some bad managers, this is a perfectly valid way to get hired.

Not for what the job actually says, of course, but you would get hired.

[jnd4rusty]

We have also been getting many applications. There are two, that come to mind right now, that made me laugh.
1. In previous employment section, the person wrote that the reason he left his previous job was because it was "a pain in the butt." HA! made me laugh!
2. We recieved this one yesterday, the gentleman wrote that he had been convicted for 1st degree burglary, now no problem with that, as we are only a couple of miles from CAB which is the work release for our state prison system. The funny part comes to play when he answered this question, "Why do you want to work for this company?" his answer, "cash flow", I just thought it was hilarious because of his conviction.

[CrazedClerkthe2nd]

With some bad managers, this is a perfectly valid way to get hired.

Not for what the job actually says, of course, but you would get hired.

A good chunk of our customers are children, I wouldn't want a woman so unafraid to flaunt them around the kids.

Now I understand she may dress differently IF hired, but where I come from, when you are looking for a job you should, unless a specific uniform is required, dress as you would when coming to work. For a retail store, that generally means pants or clean, unripped jeans and a nice shirt (polos usually work fine).

[Stormraven]

I've actually heard it as 'dress one step above standard work attire, if possible'. So for men, if the work environment is Business Casual, dress in shirt and tie. If the work is shirt and tie, wear a suit.

Not sure how viable that is, but that's what I've heard/read.

[jjllbb]

I had one today that I could have sworn was a joke. Someone seeking a management position (requested salary nearly twice as much as mine even with my years of retail experience) with no degrees, no prior work experience, and not even a single reference to speak of or give any clue as to what he's been doing with his life at all.

[edible_hat]

For a retail store, that generally means pants or clean, unzipped jeans and a nice shirt (polos usually work fine).

fixed for the way some managers want employees to dress.

[BlaqueKatt]

I had one today that I could have sworn was a joke. Someone seeking a management position.....

Well you can't expect mommies special snowflake to start out at the bottom can you?

[WhiteRose]

MELTED BY THE FLAMETHROWER OF JUSTICE!!

gah, my coding skills suck and i didn't realize quick reply doesn't show emotes, or i'd have a flamethrower here...so just pretend, mkay?

[jedifarfy]

I LOVE dealing with applicants! Most are ok, but we do get those special ones:

1) A man came in, grabbed an app and a pen, and filled it out. When he was done he insisted on speaking to a manger right then and there. He needed him to sign a paper saying he'd applied for a job. Best part: He wrote the wrong store name down!!

2) Miss Entitled came in with a 7 page resume and an attitude. I'm helping someone, but SHE NEEDS A JOB! So naturally she interrupts, and I make her be quiet. Luckily a manager is right there, and hands her an application. I don't have an exact quote, but you'll get it: "I have a lot of applications to full out. I'm going to leave my resume and bring this back later" and leaves. Her info got a big post-it "NO!"

3) We have a high school nearby, and get lots of applicants from there. Sadly no one's taught them how to deal with reality. First, don't make fart jokes, then ask for an app. Don't saunter in, snapping your gum, and ask for an app. Make eye contact. One girl walked up smacking a comb or something in her hand, barely got the words out of her mouth, to get an app. She brought it back at least. :P Oh, and don't come in, ask for one, then sneak to the sex bay to giggle over the books.

Side note: My SM watches every applicant. They get an auto-no for the most part if they come straight in and straight out without even looking at books. Not buying cause you're on your way is one thing, but to not even glance? Do you LIKE books?

[JLRodgers]

There was a thing a while ago (years) that said not to fill out the "desired pay" section or to fill it out in a way that basically says "whatever it pays given the current area based on experience" (ex: negotiable).

Mainly since...
...If you fill it out, and you put down more than they want -- you won't get hired because you won't be happy.
...If you fill it out, and you put down less than they plan on paying -- guess how much you'll get paid?

Basically, unless you're a mind reader -- you'll either not get hired, or paid less than it would've prior.

[anyanka2]

We get a lot of people asking for applications who don't look like they're very serious about it. It happens about 2 weeks every month, probably when the MI unemployment office checks up to see if the people receiving payments are actually attempting to job hunt, which is kind of futile, especially now in MI.

[powerboy]

Side note: My SM watches every applicant. They get an auto-no for the most part if they come straight in and straight out without even looking at books. Not buying cause you're on your way is one thing, but to not even glance? Do you LIKE books?

If I am am applying at a book store, I am most likely not going to look around. Because they are going to be the same at other book stores. I will look around, if I have never been in there before.