So when should I start get discouraged with job hunting?

[EmCeeGrammar]

 
It's only been a few days, but its really hard to tell who is and isn't hiring when they are only allowed to say "we're taking applications".  So far I say I've already "applied" at 15-20 different places.I only have the one job I worked at four years for, which I was fired from.  I'm under the impression that the only thing they're allowed to inquire about if I am eligible for rehire, but then someone today asked me what I thought they might say about me if they called my old job.  WTF, they shouldn't be telling you anything, right?! The questionnaires I keep filling out feel like they are full of loaded questions whereas I feel like I have to constantly cross reference what I said on some earlier inaccessable part of the form.  One question in peculiar asked if I have ever taken advantage of people.  Yes I have, but not malicously or by being deceitful.  How am I supposed to answer this?  Should I be calling every one of these businesses back in a few days to check?  I'm really starting to appreciate the ones that are straight with me and just let me know they have nothing available or won't be hiring me.  It's nice to not have my time wasted.

Sorry for rambling, but any advice would be appreciated.
 

[Mupepe]

Yes, call back after a few days.  Don't be discouraged ever unless you want to be homeless.  Answer those stupid questionnaires like you're Jesus Santa Clause Christ.

Don't worry, dude.  You'll find something.

And yeah, they'll pretty much ask your old job if they'd ever hire you again.  But they can't give specifics and usually the job will ask you why not (if they're seriously considering you).

[Akala]

lol relax. you get better with practice.

be somewhat honest, but lie about taking advantage of people and/or other obvious red flags that have little sense being there. come on now. just think of applications as first impressions. admitting to be a manipulator? lol your shit is going in the trash.

if applications are tripping you up (god help you), make up a resume to drop off to places. it shows initiative.

[The Fake Shemp]

Economy sucks. There aren't a lot of jobs out there. The fact that your old job won't rehire you will hurt, and since that's really the only job you've had - I'd try to keep that as quiet as possible. Don't check boxes, say anything, etc.

[Joe Molotov]

I'd say after about 9 or 10 months.

[brawndolicious]

What I would do is actually hand a manager or HR person etc the application directly.  It sends the message that you're a dedicated little peon.

And LIE on those questionnaires.  Nobody can check if you're telling the truth or not.

[EmCeeGrammar]

Then what am I supposed to say I've been doing since I got out of high school?  My naive nature suspects getting fired wouldn't be a huge deal considering I was there for four years.

[EmCeeGrammar]

I'd say after about 9 or 10 months.

yeah I don't understand how you can be unemployed for that long unless you had thousands saved up already.  I was steadily saving with the goal being about 3 grand but some things came up and now I only have a month covered.

[youtube=560,345]it sucks to be me[/youtube]

[youtube=560,345][/youtube]

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It's nice to not have my time wasted.

People always whine about that when I give the evasive "We're always accepting applications" answer.  "Well I don't want to waste my time!"  You're unemployed -- your time is literally worthless at this point.

"Accepting applications" usually just means they want to have a bunch of applications on file in case someone gets fired or quits suddenly.  Most chain stores have one standardized application that is accepted at all stores -- grab one, go to Kinko's and scan it into PDF.   Download FoxIt PDF Reader/Editor, type out your responses, then print out ten copies and submit them to every location of the store you're applying to.  Any large company will probably already have a PDF on their website so you may be able to skip Kinko's.

None of the schlubs that apply for these jobs have the sense or the know-how to type up an application -- I've worked in a place that saw 100 apps per month and I've seen maybe 1 of them typed.  Having applications typed and saved to your hard drive means you can submit to 20 times as many places as frequently as you would like and your applications look 100 times better than anyone else's (provided there's no typos).  The only downside is it might take you an hour or two to learn FoxIt PDF Editor.

[Joe Molotov]

One of my business professors said most businesses are so paranoid about being sued by former employees for libel, that generally if another business calls and asks about your employment there, they'll only give out the dates you were employed and not go into any specifics. I dunno if that's true or not, but that's what I've been told.

[Mupepe]

They won't go into specifics.  They can answer "Would you rehire "x employee" again?"  Just with a simple yes or no.  At least it's that way in Texas

[EmCeeGrammar]

It's nice to not have my time wasted.

People always whine about that when I give the evasive "We're always accepting applications" answer.  "Well I don't want to waste my time!"  You're unemployed -- your time is literally worthless at this point.

"Accepting applications" usually just means they want to have a bunch of applications on file in case someone gets fired or quits suddenly.  Most chain stores have one standardized application that is accepted at all stores -- grab one, go to Kinko's and scan it into PDF.   Download FoxIt PDF Reader/Editor, type out your responses, then print out ten copies and submit them to every location of the store you're applying to.  Any large company will probably already have a PDF on their website so you may be able to skip Kinko's.

None of the schlubs that apply for these jobs have the sense or the know-how to type up an application -- I've worked in a place that saw 100 apps per month and I've seen maybe 1 of them typed.  Having applications typed and saved to your hard drive means you can submit to 20 times as many places as frequently as you would like and your applications look 100 times better than anyone else's (provided there's no typos).  The only downside is it might take you an hour or two to learn FoxIt PDF Editor.

This is all great advice, except I don't have transportation, I'm smack dab in the middle of like a hundred businesses though, but not much redundancy options.

[EmCeeGrammar]

How long do you have before you have to move back home?

wut

spoiler (click to show/hide)

not an option I'm afraid!

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[Rman]

I once was on a job hunt for 6 months. 

[archie4208]

9 months and counting.

:'( south Georgia job market :'(

[EmCeeGrammar]

Jesus christ I'm fucked

[Flannel Boy]

One of my business professors said most businesses are so paranoid about being sued by former employees for libel, that generally if another business calls and asks about your employment there, they'll only give out the dates you were employed and not go into any specifics. I dunno if that's true or not, but that's what I've been told.

That's probably the case even though reference checks are protected by qualified privilege in many jurisdictions. If a past employer is contacted and makes a comment in good faith, qualified privilege should protect him from a defamation suit.

(Also, it's slander, not libel.)

[Brehvolution]

Is there anything keeping you in that area? Maybe it's time for a change.

[The Fake Shemp]

    ^
Not a bad suggestion.

Do some research, see if there is a place with better unemployment numbers that suit your skills and has a good nightlife scene. Then grab a duffel bag and a few hundred dollars, and make your mark! Bright lights, big city!

[demi]

Jesus christ I'm fucked

Imagine all the money you saved on games by owning a nintendo wii.

[Diunx]

I'd say after about 9 or 10 months.

:'(

[OptimoPeach]

Haven't been able to get hired for a minimum wage position in over 6 months here in California. Get used to it

[tiesto]

Yeah, my girlfriend has a history degree as well, and is stuck in a customer service job she doesn't like, working for some nutty Orthodox Jews who apparently have no idea how to run a company. Kosma, why don't you go try for a Masters degree? Or like be a tour guide or something? (I could totally see you doing that, then banging the cute girls in the tour group )

[tiesto]

Working in travel is always one of the things I look for As long as you don't have to fly.

I don't have money for a Masters now Tiesto, plus it wouldnt help me at all if I did it in History.

How old is your GF?

Hmm, well I dunno what the situation is like in Europe, but here we could take out student loans and pay them back over a long period of time, and of course you wouldn't necessarily have to do a degree in history. Law, polisci, education seem like popular advanced degrees to go into. My g/f is 28, she's doing some slight cradle robbin' with me  

[chronovore]

Just hang in there; getting your first job is a royal PITA for anyone, and it almost never has anything to do with your career. If you're in danger of not being able to support yourself, it may be a good time to consider a move, particularly if there is anyone who can put you up in a new area.

Note: Speaking of "up in a new area," what demi calls "paying your rent" is not a good long term strategy.

The resume and PDF printout are good advice not just because it can save time, of which you have only a nominal shortage, but because it shows more forethought and motivation than some schlub who sits in the shame corner to fill out their work record. And mgmt. is prolly watching how long it takes them to fill out a simple form; I know I would.

[EmCeeGrammar]

Jesus christ I'm fucked

Now I feel bad for telling you not to worry and there's plenty of other waiter jobs out there. 

I think one place I stopped by today is hiring for sure.  I'm in arkansas, and the guy who gave me the application said that he was helping but was from another store.  In Branson, Missouri. 

[EmCeeGrammar]

EmCee what are your qualifications/ skills? Can you do accounting? Code HTML, simple PHP? What uni did you graduate from?

IIRC Kosma has graduated in history () that's why he has some problems in getting a job. I think if you have graduated in math/ comp. sci. then you should be fine in hunting down a job.

Personally I am keeping my fingers crossed cause you are a good person. One of the very few Wii fans I tolerate.

Oh sorry to ignore this.  I'm just a simple man, a proletariat person if you will. 

[EmCeeGrammar]

Jesus christ I'm fucked

Now I feel bad for telling you not to worry and there's plenty of other waiter jobs out there. 

I think one place I stopped by today is hiring for sure.  I'm in arkansas, and the guy who gave me the application said that he was helping but was from another store.  In Branson, Missouri. 

I know the Olive Garden in Norman, Oklahoma is hiring if that helps!

They gave me a "peer tour" today.  I don't think they have processed the application though.

[Arbys Roast Beef Sandwich]

Oh sorry to ignore this.  I'm just a simple man, a proletariat person if you will. 

Do you have any skills, like, at all? Or at least any hobbies that can be parlayed into real-life work?

Learn a trade skill or something, and build from that.

[EmCeeGrammar]

Oh sorry to ignore this.  I'm just a simple man, a proletariat person if you will. 

Do you have any skills, like, at all? Or at least any hobbies that can be parlayed into real-life work?

Learn a trade skill or something, and build from that.

... I like to argue about stupid shit on the internet?

edit: I will say that just feeling like I do right now has seriously made me think about going to tech/vocationcal school when this all gets sorted out.

[EmCeeGrammar]

Just join the Army.  Afghanistan 2010: The Adventure Continues

Yeah, I'll be stopping by the recruitment office in the next two weeks to see what they have to offer.  If I survive it I get free schooling.

[The Fake Shemp]

Plus, after serving in the armed forces, not only will your soul be broken and shattered with years of horrible memories, the Army may or may not throw in a free prosthetic limb when a roadside bomb blows up your entire unit!

[The Fake Shemp]

Hey, I don't live in Beltsville! Have some respect!

[The Fake Shemp]

I tell people I live near "that place in Maryland where that sniper shot all those people".

[The Fake Shemp]

Plus, after serving in the armed forces, not only will your soul be broken and shattered with years of horrible memories, the Army may or may not throw in a free prosthetic limb when a roadside bomb blows up your entire unit!

Not on vet benefits. Not in this economy.

I'm pretty sure he at least gets a deductible on the prosthetic limb. I mean, does EmCeeGrammar really need two legs?

[EmCeeGrammar]

Plus, after serving in the armed forces, not only will your soul be broken and shattered with years of horrible memories, the Army may or may not throw in a free prosthetic limb when a roadside bomb blows up your entire unit!

I guess it works out that I think prosthetics are kinda neat.  Losing an arm or two would suck balls though.  I wouldn't get too depressed about a leg.

[The Fake Shemp]

See, you've already got the mindset! Your appendages are expendable! The Army will love you!

[Flannel Boy]

A university education in the States will literally cost you an arm and a leg.

[The Fake Shemp]

Don't forget a shattered and broken soul that will prevent you from forging any meaningful and lasting relationships, gradually sending you into a downward spiral of alcoholism and anger management. If you have a child, they will forever be scarred and never know a loving parent.

To them, their father died the day that helicopter landed in Kabul.

But - hey! - he'll have his college degree and Wii Motion Plus. He'll be fine.

[The Fake Shemp]

Absolutely not. I totally rely on my pinky for when I hoist fancy drinks and mock you in a British accent.

[EmCeeGrammar]

Don't forget a shattered and broken soul that will prevent you from forging any meaningful and lasting relationships,

pfffft, I've been dealing with this since childhood.

edit: I just realised losing an arm still means I can play my wii.

[The Fake Shemp]

I think you should enlist today. You will be terrific cannon fodder.

[Flannel Boy]

Army Recruit: Do you know what pain feels like, son?
EmCeeGrammar: Yes. I surf the web using my Nintendo Wii.
Army Recruit: The horror!

[EmCeeGrammar]

I think you should enlist today. You will be terrific cannon fodder.

Does your disdain for ninthings really extend this far?

[Barry Egan]

you don't have any relatives/friends that will take you in EmCee?  Have you really tried everyone?

[The Fake Shemp]

I probably still could have fucked her that night but my ex-girlfriend kept calling me every 5 minutes making things awkward for me.  The gimp cutey made an effort to find me and tell me she was leaving.  If I don't end up reconcilling with my ex I'm sure it'll be easy to find this girl on campus.  I just have to look for the brunette with the limp. 

The Business will be the only one scouting the Special Olympics for one-night stands.

[The Fake Shemp]

... Hooah?

[Flannel Boy]

The Business is now evilbore's creepiest poster.

Poor fistful.

[EmCeeGrammar]

you don't have any relatives/friends that will take you in EmCee?  Have you really tried everyone?

I have acquantices, my issue is that I have animals and I need to live near where I work.  I may reconsider that and just get a bus pass.

[The Fake Shemp]

That is a lie. We all know that when service men are overseas, their significant others are cheating on them back home to make up for the fact that service men bang each other.

[The Fake Shemp]

At what point was I being anti-military, I thought I was helping to recruit EmCeeGrammar

[Cormacaroni]

Free higher education is a pretty amazing deal in the United States.  It's nothing to scoff at. 

Just another illustration of how fucked up the US educational system is. I didn't pay a thing for my education, and taxpayers are (much) richer for it.

[Cormacaroni]

I think we could argue all day about whether free higher education is a pretty amazing deal at THAT price though. High value, yes, but high price. Potentially as high as it gets.

[Cormacaroni]

Depends on how much you like losing, I suppose. At Chez Cormacaroni, humble pie is always on the menu.

[Eric P]

Free higher education is a pretty amazing deal in the United States.  It's nothing to scoff at. 

Just another illustration of how fucked up the US educational system is. I didn't pay a thing for my education, and taxpayers are (much) richer for it.

the taxpayers in japan?

spoiler (click to show/hide)

i don't know what country you went to college

[close]

[Cormacaroni]

Looks like The Business is closed. 

Eric P - Northern Ireland

[tiesto]

My company reimbursed me for my Masters degree (they had an on-site Systems Engineering program via Stevens Institute of Technology)... from what I heard, way back when, quite a number of companies would pay for schooling if it related to your job.

[chronovore]

I met a girl at a party recently where there were a bunch of dance majors so I asked her if she was a dancer.  She gave me a really dirty look and told me she was a communications major.  Then I looked down and saw that her left foot was a prosthetic.  Whoops!

You should have said "Dirty looks get in the way of communications, baby!" And then done some killer dance move requiring BOTH legs.

[chronovore]

I met a girl at a party recently where there were a bunch of dance majors so I asked her if she was a dancer.  She gave me a really dirty look and told me she was a communications major.  Then I looked down and saw that her left foot was a prosthetic.  Whoops!

You should have said "Dirty looks get in the way of communications, baby!" And then done some killer dance move requiring BOTH legs.

Good thing you're married already, you're a cruel man 

Yeah, the funny thing is, pretty women love it the most.

[Tauntaun]

I met a girl at a party recently where there were a bunch of dance majors so I asked her if she was a dancer.  She gave me a really dirty look and told me she was a communications major.  Then I looked down and saw that her left foot was a prosthetic.  Whoops!