Eggnawg's Job Search Journal

[eggnawgkid]

So I'm starting another session of job seeking. I've applied at about 5 places in the past, but obviously I didn't get them or I wouldn't be righting this . I'm pretty shy and assume I came off that way when I turned in the applications, not exactly what they were looking for. Now it's been a few months and I've been talking considerably more (at least enough for my friends to take notice) and I think I come off as a bit more confident. So tomorrow I'll be hitting up a few stores, trying my best to be outgoing and enthusiastic. Here's what I'm planning on saying, but PLEASE feel free to fix it up:

Me: Hi, I was wondering if you will be hiring anytime soon?
Clerk: Yea, let me get you an application.
Me: Ok thanks. Do you know when the hiring manager will be here?
Clerk: (He tells me).
Me: Alright thanks a lot. (Make like I'm about to leave).
Clerk: Have a nice day.
Me: You too.

Then I'm planning on going in when the hiring manager is there and asking for him/her so I can give them the application directly. I know this whole process probably doesn't seem like a big deal to you, but unfortunately it is for me, so any pointers are more than welcome. I've read on here that getting a job will get you used to talking to random people, which I hope will help me get over my social phobia. Plus I could use some extra cash.

 

[Microphone Fiend]

Um....so........ this is seduction related????

 

[Fitch]

Seducting the boss. How else does one get a job?

Ha-ha.

 

[eggnawgkid]

This is to help me become more used to talking to people and girls. I read an article on this site that getting a job is a great way to become more confident talking to people. I need that confidence to get better with girls.

I'll see if I can find that article.

EDIT: OK here it is: http://www.sosuave.net/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16180
It's in the High School DJ Bible.

 

[eggnawgkid]

This morning I took the new SAT and found it extremely easy. For me the hardest part was writing in cursive the agreement that the person's name on the test is you, no joke. So then I got home and was thinking up excuses as to why I should not go look for a job. I was trying to convince myself that I was too tired after taking the SAT and should relax the rest of the day. Thankfully I got myself out of that state of mind and got all pumped up to go find a job. I threw on a collared shirt and some nice-looking AE jeans and took off. Here's what happened, more for my own benefit than yours since you probably don't care:

Rite-Aid: My first stop. I was surprised how little hesitation I had. I got out of the car and got in line behind a guy buying groceries. The cashier didn't look particularly friendly but luckily the customer in front of me got him laughing as he left and I was able to approach with a smile. I asked him if they're hiring and he didn't know so he sent me over to the manager at the One Hour Photo. He said you had to be 18. I'm only 16. Damn. At least they were both nice enough and I was pretty confident. Moving on.

Party City: The cashier was just finishing up with a customer and then I asked. She didn't know but there were 3 other employees standing around her and a guy told me they're all out of applications. I get him to tell me that they'll be hiring towards the end of summer. Thats over 5 months. Grr.

Michael's: I find a guy stocking shelves and he gets me an application but he doesn't know if they're hiring. A girl on the way out overhears and says you have to be 18. Well thats just great.

Ross: So I'm walking out of Michael's which is right next door to Ross and there's a Ross employee smoking outside. She sees my application and says "Try Ross, they're hiring. Ask for stockroom." I'm like "Ok thanks" and I go in, wondering what the hell "stockroom" is. There's about 5 people in line ahead of me and I see no other employees walking around so I'm stuck behind them. I'm looking around and all the people seem pretty white-trashish and wondering if I would really want to work here. After like TEN MINUTES of standing in line I'm told that they're not hiring right now. Problem solved but dammit. I'm still trying to find out wtf stockroom is, maybe it's a last name of a manager or something, but it sounds like a room to me and WHAT GOOD WOULD ASKING FOR A ROOM HAVE DONE ME?? I'm thinking that that chick was smoking something other than a cigarette.

Longs Drungs: One cashier and about 3 people in line. I'm feeling good because it looks like they're short on help. I only see one other employee behind the counter of what I assume is the pharmacy. I get in line and ask the cashier. He says they "just hired a bunch of people," but he gave me an application. I'm thinking THEN WHERE THE HELL ARE THEY, HUH??

Linens N Things: My most noteworthy attempt. I go in the door and see two girls that work there (HB8 and the other I didn't pay attention to, maybe a 4-5) talking by a display bed. Anyway I went up to them and asked if they were hiring. The HB8 (who looks about 18 or 19) says they might be. I ask the HB8 how old you have to be. "16." HELL YES. So I follow her over to get an application and she tells me to bring it in to the manager. And the best part about this is that I had absolutely no problem going up and talking to her. I even looked her in the eyes a good amount of time and was feeling confident. Obviously I wasn't trying to seduce her but I think I came across very well and it was good practice talking to a girl.

Albertsons: The one thing that I'm ashamed of. So I go in the door with the confidence boost from the HB8 at LnT and who do I see? A chick from school (HB7) that works there. Damn I thought she worked at the other Albertsons. So I say "hey" as I'm walking past and she does too but it seemed forced like she wasn't happy to see me and THUD. My confidence all falls out of me. I was able to keep my composure by I wasn't ready to go asking for a job with her watching me. So I chickened out of this one. I walked down a couple aisles as if I was looking for something and couldn't find it and went out the other door. SMOOTH. Yea right.

AutoZone: I get in the car and pull out of the parking lot, thinking that I can't end the day with this failure. So I pull up to AutoZone and they have a Now Hiring sign out. SCORE. I go in and wait for the guy to ring up a customer. I ask him if they're still hiring. They are and I get an application. He says you have to be 18 because of all the electrical work. He said I can turn it in anyway and seemed genuinely positive toward me, but you really need to be 18. And we're done for the day.

So I got 4 applications, 2 of which I actually have a chance at, the others I got before I was told I was too young. For me, today was a complete success. I was confident the whole time (except Albertson's for which I'm ashamed) and I had no problem talking to the employee's. I think I left a good impression at each store and have progressed greatly from my shy days. I'll update with more once I do more. If I do nothing tomorrow then I definitely will this coming 4 day weekend. Later.

 

[DA KID]

Good Luck

 

[Joe The Homophobe]

eggnawgkid, I have had the same problem. I been outta work for 2 months, I applied like in 8 places. I had only two interviews though because there were no open positions it seems and I only got called back those 2 times.

My last interview came recently which I think I screwed up and I was told they were going to need people because Spring is the busiest time of the year for business. You should keep applying specially now because of Spring. Another thing is that you should apply online to save you the trouble of going to the stores. For example in the albertsons website you can apply for a job online (I did), you never have to set foot in a store to apply.
www.albertsons.com

When it comes to interviews make sure you memorize some answers. They are going to ask you for example
1. what type of job are you interested in
2. what type of skills do you have related to this job
3. what you did in your last job

btw don't forget to tell them you are great with people and that you have the ability to learn any job.

Just make sure that when you have the interview you talk slow. If you don't you will run out of material too soon, you want to make the interview last longer which was my mistake (I answered too fast, interview took only 10 min). So when you're answering questions do it in a calm slow fashion.

I admire your guts for going out to search for a job and battling your shyness and fears. I wish you the best of luck in finding a job.

 

[dastal]

Okay, First off you're a ****ing fag for having an online job searching journal. Second off you're a ****ing fag for having an online job searching journal. That just about covers it all...

Ive only seen two replies of yours, and youre just pissing everyone off. Why dont you get a life?

 

[eggnawgkid]

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I hope you find a job soon too Joe. As for the internet applications, I've tried them a few months back and I don't think they're as effective as going in personally. I didn't get one acknowledgment that they had even received the online ones. I've got a question though about what I was asked a couple times today. I have never worked before and they ask me, "Do you have any retail experience?" I said no, but I think that there is probably a better answer so I can work the question in my favor. If you can help me respond to that I would be very grateful.

Okay, First off you're a ****ing fag for having an online job searching journal. Second off you're a ****ing fag for having an online job searching journal. That just about covers it all...

I think his username [lackofsecks] pretty much explains in itself why he's PMSing.

 

[Joe The Homophobe]

Originally posted by eggnawgkid
I've got a question though about what I was asked a couple times today. I have never worked before and they ask me, "Do you have any retail experience?" I said no, but I think that there is probably a better answer so I can work the question in my favor. If you can help me respond to that I would be very grateful.

About having no work experience: So you are looking for your first job? When they ask you about having never worked before or after they see you have no work experience in your resume, you are going to have to make up something. Tell them that you have worked before but not independent. You worked with your dad cleaning a gym at night, or cleaning offices, make up a job you did with your dad! Make sure you give detail on what you did, for example if you're gonna say you worked with your dad cleaning a gym, say you cleaned the stepmaster machines, vacumed the floors, cleaned the mirrors while your dad did other stuff etc. Give detail so you don't sound fake although they probably don't care what you did. Start putting up the fake job story in your resumes from now on. In your next interview if you handed out a resume to that job without your fake job listed on it make sure you tell the person that interviews you for that job that you did work, but not independent, so you didn't want to list working with your dad in your resume (but at least youll tell them you have some work experience from that job with your dad). Make sure you mention your fake job so they don't think you have no work experience.

Make sure you make up a job story like the one I described so you don't have to say "this is my first job." By the way telling them you took care of babies or you mowed somebodys lawn that won't cut it although you can add those after your fake job story if you think it is necessary. Saying you did some work helping your dad clean a gym or offices is better and sounds more serious.

What about having no retail experience: Tell them that you are great with people, you love helping people, and it should be no problem for you to learn the work if you get trained. Like I said in my first post make sure you say "I can learn any job."

Good luck getting a job, send me a pm if you get one to see how it went! Just remember to make up fake jobs, it doesn't matter if you lie a bit you need to get that first job under your belt. It doesn't matter if you lie to get jobs as long as you are a hard worker and you really need the work. Everybody lies in their resume a bit. BTW you live in the USA correct? since you are just starting out and you mentioned being 16 you should seriously consider taking spanish classes in high school. Being Bilingual gives you an advantage in getting jobs these days (assuming you live in the USA).

 

[DA KID]

You motivated me to fill out a bestbuy application. I had some questions tho can they do anything to me since I gave the my SS# like let's say I turned down the job would that be like I was quitting a job and be on my record if their's such a thing. And what happens if I don't want the job (like you got anoter one instead) what do you have to do.

 

[eggnawgkid]

Thanks for all advice Joe. Luckily that reminded me that I had gone in to my Dad's office once during the summer and done a few things such as putting up bulletin boards. I asked him today and he said he has a few more things I can do next week, so now I get to truthfully put working for a lawyer company (my dad's the manager) on the applications . I'll be sure to let you know when(hopefully not if) I get a job, thanks. Do you know how your interview went yet? Honestly, I'm much more worried about even being able to get an interview than I am about doing the interview itself. In the past I have only gotten one interview at a Subway. That was in my shy days and evidently it didn't go so well. You were talking about your interview being short at 10 minutes. Well mine was about 4 and being the dumbass that I was at the time I thought I actually had a chance at getting it. Now I know better and can't wait for another interview. Oh and I'm on my third year of Spanish so I've got the bilingual bit covered .

You motivated me to fill out a bestbuy application. I had some questions tho can they do anything to me since I gave the my SS# like let's say I turned down the job would that be like I was quitting a job and be on my record if their's such a thing. And what happens if I don't want the job (like you got anoter one instead) what do you have to do.

I'm glad you decided to get out and apply for a job. Believe me, I know it's harder than it sounds to get out there. And don't worry about the Social Security Number, I highly doubt there are true job records other than your resume. If you don't want the job then just tell them that you've been hired and are no longer interested, but thank them for the offer so that you can have a chance for it at a later time.

I've got a question too. I've filled out one of the two applications and I'll do the other tomorrow so I can turn them in on Tuesday. But they both ask if I have a valid work permit since I'm under 18. Well I don't and I'm wondering if they're really going to make me show them one? If they are where the hell do you get one of those? I've never heard of anyone having one.

 

[McKindley]

Getting a job in high school isn't half as hard as you're acting like.

Its looks like you're not looking for the best job on earth (which is good, since you're not even 18).

So I guess it could help to tell you where me and my friends worked in high school?

My first job was at a Regal Cinemas movie theatre. It was some of the most fun I had in high school. The money sucked, but it was a blast. Then I worked at a hotel delivering room service. Cushiest job ever, but you have to be 18 (I got hired on my 18th birthday).

I had a lot of friends in high school that worked retail. Clothing stores and toy stores and the like. Lots of kids worked at restaurants. Lots of them still do.

Many kids worked at grocery stores just bagging and stocking shelves.

Oh yea, and I've met a good number of kids that worked at golf courses, and they all loved it.

So there's some ideas, for what its worth. Just remember, this isn't as bad as you think it is.

All that's going to happen is you're going to fill out an application and then drop it off. After a few days, hopefully, the manager will get it. (if they ARE hiring he'll most likely get it, because the people that work there are already tired of being shortstaffed).

He'll look at it, and then call you for an interview. You come in and he'll ask you really basic questions. The only one I was always asked that always stuck out in my mind was "why did you leave your last job."

Then, as long as you didn't make a complete slobbering ass out of yourself he'll give you a job.

Its so much easier than you think it is. Once you walk in the door he'll decide if he's hiring you or not. If you walk in dressed nice and can form complete sentences he'll probably hire you (cause hey, standards are low at places that hire people under the age of 18).

 

[Natt]

G'day,

recently I attended a lecture from a mechanic who hires aprrentices from holden.
During the lecture he asked the male dominated audience this question. "So what should you wear to an interview?" most responded saying.. a neat/casual shirt and black pants.
he said "but no tie right?" and we responded "no, just neat and casual!"
he responded with "yes wear a tie, because this shows the boss that your prepared to do anythin to get this job, your dedicated to succeding."

you see most people would turn up wearing NEAT and CASUAL
then you turn up wearing a neat shirt, polished shoes and a tie. proving your prepared to put in the extra effort than all the other applicants.

WISE WORDS.

Also, last year my school introduced us to WORK EXPERIENCE.

I choose my place of emloyment as an ARCADE thinking it would be FUN and EASY. I approached the manager in a sutiable manner to the work environment. this proved i was suitiable to work there. I walked in there strutting, head high and did a cheesey smile saying 'hey how ya doin!, I was wonderin if you guys do work experience here ' and I got it, I now have a job at the arcade.
In comparison if i wanted a job as a telemarketer i would speak AS CLEAR as possible. in a soothing tone of voice.

My point is.. ajust your personality to the work place. IT WORKS

Seeya

 

[eggnawgkid]

McKindley: Thanks for all the job ideas. When you say restaurants are you talking about sit-down ones or fast food? I can't say that I have seen many teenagers working in fancy restaurants.

Natt: Thats a really good point about adjusting your personality to where you're applying. I'll have to make a conscious effort about that one.

Well, as promised, I turned in two applications today. One to Longs Drugs and the other to Linens N Things. The clerk at Longs Drugs said that the manager comes by every night to get the applications and that they're hiring "off and on all the time," so I would take that as fairly good news. At Linens N Things I was able to meet the manager. I basically just told her that I have a job application and then she asked me if I'm still in school to which I replied yea and that I'm 16. Then I thanked her and left. I kind of had the feeling I should have talked longer but I didn't know what I should ask.

Then I went to a Ford Dealership because my dad told me that they hire teenagers to wash cars and such. I said, "Hi, are you hiring soon, for washing cars or anything?" and the lady paused and said, "We're accepting applications." I definitely got the feeling that it was a no, but I still picked one up. I haven't decided if I'll take the time to fill it out or not since it's looking pretty hopeless.

I have Thursday and Friday off so on at least one those days I'll be hitting up some more places. Right now on my list are Fred Meyer, Top Foods and Subway. I'll think of more later. I just have one question. Should I call the places I applied to in a few days or should I wait for them to call me?

Later.

 

[eggnawgkid]

I almost forgot to update this today. I went to a few more stores and got a couple applications. The minimum age of 18 at many places sure is a killer though. Here's how today went:

Top Foods: I had called the job line before I went and found out that there were three openings. I found the customer service desk and waited behind a guy buying Lotto tickets. There was one lady behind the counter and I was next but then a guy comes up to another part of the counter and she helps him first. WTF. So then I ask her if they're hiring (which I knew they were) and she doesn't know but gives me an application. I ask how old you need to be. 16. SCORE. The only problem is that the job line said they recommend you turn in the application at an open interview session every Tuesday at 2:00. Lucky me, I'm in school until 2:05 and wouldn't be able to get there until maybe 2:25. I think I may have a chance here still since they ARE actually hiring. Oh and I forgot to mention I think I saw a girl I knew from school (HB8) working here out of the corner of my eye when I was in line. I'm thinking she saw me too. We talked in 9th grade and for the first half of 10th she would say hi to me when she saw me. This year (11th) I haven't run into at all since we haven't had any classes together the past two years. So working here will definitely help me get closer to her . (Just trying to tie this whole thing into girls a bit.)

Subway (Pac Highway): I went in and there were two 13/14 year old girls (HB6/7? didn't pay much attention) standing around so I almost chickened out. I'm proud to say that I didn't though and I asked the girl working there (HB7) about getting a job. She and her coworker both didn't know if they were hiring and they didn't have applications. They said I can get one at any Subway or on the internet. Grr.

Fred Meyer: They also had a customer service desk. I waited behind a couple people returning things and such. One lady was standing over to the side of the desk and had her 6-7 year old son standing in line to ask for the newspaper ad. The clerk couldn't understand the kid so the mom had to yell over for an ad. I'm thinking seriously lady, how f*ckin lazy are you, making your kid get it for you. Anyway I got up there and got an application. They hire 16 year olds. YAY. The application has a number to call to check about the hiring. I called it. There are about 5 jobs available but at least some of them you must be 18 for. I'm just hoping not all of them. I need to call back and schedule an appointment or something to turn in the application. That makes 2 possibilities for today.

Subway (336th): I park and go in. I see about 4 people waiting. I go around the corner and there's at least 10 people in line. I'm like screw this and leave. I wasn't about to wait 25 minutes to be told they have no applications. I'll go back in a few days when it's not busy.

WinCo Foods: Final stop. I walk in the doors and see a sign on the way in that points to the customer service desk. Good, another customer service desk. It makes it so much easier. So I find the place and there's about 6 people in front of me and 2 people behind the counter. I'm standing there for a couple minutes and notice a sign: "We're Now Hiring In:" and then it listed 4 places. I'm thinking HELL YEA. I move up in line and two little girls, I'd say about 10 are buying bagels in the customer service line. I'm like wtf are you doing over here. You could have gone in the checkout lanes and have been out the door 5 minutes ago. Oh well she rang them up and then I was next. I asked if they were still hiring. Yea. She gets an application and I ask how old you have to be. 18. OF FREAKIN COURSE. So I don't take the application. I'm thinking it's because the employees own the company and minors can't own anything or some dumb stuff like that.

So that somes up my job search for the day. I've got a Top Foods and a Fred Meyer application to fill out. Then most likely I'll wait a couple days after I turn them in and realize they won't call so I'll go looking for more places to work. That's the worst case scenario of course. I think it's best to plan for the worst than get your hopes up for something that won't happen. And I still need to know if and when I should call back after I turn in an application. Thanks for your help and good luck for those of you also searching for jobs.

 

[Joe The Homophobe]

eggnawgkid what city you live in? I bet its a big city since you applied to lots of stores. My problem is that im living in a place that stores don't seem to be hiring anyone.

for me I have no luck. I have to start going to college again in like a week, now it is going to be harder to find work because I won't have the time as before, and they are less likely to hire me because of my schedule. Im also going broke because of all the months without work, and since I have so little money it means im going to have to put a temporary end to any djing I was planning to do (girls cost money I ain't have much). No work, no money, im going to have to stay away from girls. Oh well I always try to stay humble and im just thankful for having good health and a good family. I shouldn't complain but things are pretty bad at the moment

 

[eggnawgkid]

Good news! I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance. (Sorry I couldn't resist.) Anyway, for all of you that thought I had given up I am here to say that I haven't. Today I went to Fred Meyer for an "application session" at 3 PM. There were 7 other applicants: 5 high school-aged kids and 2 older women. No one very attractive but I did recognize one of the girls from my school. And I am pleased to say that I was the best dressed one there, not that I was dressed up. I had on some AE khakies, a dark green button-up shirt (untucked) and some nice black shoes. I'd say 5 or 6 of the other people were all wearing jeans. You'd think they'd show some effort but all the better for me. So I get there first, about 8 minutes early and was told to wait around the customer service desk. Then a lady comes and tells us to follow her upstairs and I was surprised because I didn't even know they had two floors haha. So then we go into a room with a few tables and a TV and she goes over some stuff about the company. For instance I have to pay 50 freakin dollars to join the union if I get hired and $22.50 a month. Also, "Hair may not be longer than the bottom of the collar in the back (good there) and the bottom of the ear on the sides (sonofa*****)." Also she said that the only openings for 16 year olds are two parcel clerks. DAMN there were like 5 other openings. Then we watched one of the corniest videos I've seen with 24 different job situations and we had to choose how we'd respond to each one (multiple choice). One of them was seriously called "An employee offers a coworker a cookie" or something along those lines. I wanted to laugh at a lot of the segments but I'm thinking it wouldn't have been a good thing to do. Most of the answers were painstakingly obvious too so that's all good. Then 80 multiple choice questions in a booklet about occupational stuff and some math problems which I could do most of in my head but everyone else was retarded and had to use scratch paper on most of them. Throughout the multiple choice the lady from before called us into her office one by one. She asked about how I helped someone in a situation and stuff. I couldn't think of anything so I made most of it up. Then she asked about the wage, I said whatever they were willing to pay. And then blah blah blah. She said they'll call in a week to a week and a half. Then we started walking back to the room and I asked about the hair. She said yea I'd have to get it trimmed on the ears, but that I didn't need to until after I was sure I got the job. But if I do that I'll have a freaking mullet so I'll hafta get it all shortened up, even will all the nice compliments I've gotten about it . Eh, I'll get over it. So that's how the whole Fred Meyer thing went over.

Joe, I live around Seattle. Not in it but within half an hour. I think the population is 85,000 or so. Just keep trying once you get to college and I'm sure you'll eventually find a good job. Don't give up.

I'm not sure when I'll go looking for more jobs, I've hit up most of the obvious places. This weekend I'm busy but perhaps during the week or next I will. I'll update as soon as I make some more progress. Later.

 

[wavejams007]

not a whole lot of advice that I can give you that others haven't already given, but i do give you my support. Just do not dress like a slob, and act for the occasion. If it is a semi-fromal place, then don't use a lot of streetslang. On the other hand, if you apply to somewhere like TacoBell, then don't act all preppy. Also, keep in mind that it isn't really below your dignity to work at a place like BurgertKing or Mcdonalds, of Tacobell.

 

[DA KID]

Keep it up egnawg. I applied to best buy and subway so far. I have applications for mcdonalds and starbucks but I need to find references. Do I really need them?