Your job search needs a little tweaking...

[Arm]

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.

Yeah, I hate filling those things in, myself. It'd be one thing if I was off by a buck or two, because hey, I figure I'm either not LOSING as much, or if I'm a bit over they might make a lower offer to see what I say. But I've had one job where I was the lowest-paid guy on the team... by 30K. That is, I was 30K below the second-lowest paid, not the average. That is not good for morale, nor company loyalty.

[technopoptart]

Well eventually unemployment runs out, guess they will get serious or will beg for change outside the mall entrance. Mine cuts to 50% extended funds at the end of August.

[draco664]

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

Sounds like they'd get exactly what they pay for.

[Rapscallion]

Saw my brother in the local supermarket yesterday. He's looking for work and - finally - he's meaning it.

He was hanging around at the service desk where they hand out applications, from what I understand. He's applied before a few times, from what he says. Considering he was wearing a T-shirt with a rastafarian on the front smoking a spliff, with the legend, "Why drive when you can fly?", I fervently hope he wasn't checking on the status of his application.

What baffles me most isn't that he thought it appropriate wear, but that our parents brought it back for him from the Carribbean...

Rapscallion

[CrazedClerkthe2nd]

For a retail application I always thought the best thing to do with "wage desired" is either put down "any" or the amount min wage is or what you made at your last job that was along the same lines (ie other retail job at different store).

However there is ZERO excuse for leaving the availability blank.

I make it a point when I am applying at stores to be on my best behavior the ENTIRE TIME I am in the store as I never know who may be watching or what they may be looking for, but I know a good manager will notice small details like that.