After 5 years of unsuccessfully obtaining work, following expert advice, and filling out countless applications, I have deemed myself unemployable. HOWEVER, that doesn't mean I'm going to live off welfare......just yet. I've determined its going to take more than an interview to get me hired, that I have to actually strike a deal with the employer to hire me, bargain with them. To anyone here who owns heir own business, how do I go about this? Applying and interviewing obviously won't cut it.
A little more background information may be able to yield you some better answers. What types of jobs were you applying for? What were the reasons the employers gave for not hiring you or did they give you any reasons at all? What is your educational background? Previous work experience? Are you saying that nobody whatsoever is hiring or the types of jobs that you want aren't hiring?
Let's put it this way. I was rejected for a job at Wendy's. I've also never held a first job. And I'm in my 20's. Employers gave no reasons, which in part, they should have a legal obligation to do so. Right now, I only have some college in the performing arts. I've studied music theory, not to the point I could compose for a orchestra, but getting there. No college or employer can fulfill what I really want to do though, and that is PERFORM music, and become a music producer, among other things. It's really becoming more of a need than a want now though. Is that enough? I don't want to overshare on he internet. I've looked into entrepreneurship though.
There is no reason someone should have to tell you why they elected not to hire you. They can if they want to, but they should not be legally obligated to do so. I have no idea what your skill set is or what type of jobs you think you can negotiate for if they won't hire you without even negotiating with you. I will say this, it is easier to find a job if you already have one, or even the appearance of one with someone else. Volunteer in your local Congressman's office as an intern and use that on your resume if nothing else. Looks a lot better than "independent" anything when it comes to music.
Sounds like your first option is to get a job, any job. How many other fast food rejections have you had besides Wendy's? You need to keep trying to first, just get a job. Right now, they are looking at you as if something is wrong with you, and there is--if you are in your 20's, and are not actively in school, you should be working at ANYTHING you can find. I wouldn't hire you--you haven't succeeded in school (i.e. a degree), nor have you even had an entry level job. Unless you are extremely talented and/or good looking, give up on the idea of music for a while. Also, if you are really into music, you should be performing already, if only in a park, etc. Employers have no valid reason to give you the reason for not hiring you. All that does is open them up to lawsuits and trouble.
As others have said I believe your best bet right now is to take any job that you can find. The older you get the worse it looks to employers when you apply. Being in your 20s with no previous work experience at all will be a tough gig to sell to an employer and it throws up some red flags in their eyes. You just have to remain vigilant and not give up. There are many entry level jobs in society that are basically unskilled labor. Apply EVERYWHERE and when you apply do so in person. Many places have online applications or something, fill one out and submit it and then go to the establishment and ask them about it in person. It shows that you are eager to work there. I used to be a Supervisor at a restaurant and we had those online applications and we rarely even looked at them unless we desperately needed new employees. But if somebody walked in the front door and asked to speak to a manager about their recent application then we almost always either found them something to do in the restaurant or at the very least put them first in line when we started hiring again. It showed us that the person cared enough to take the time and actually come there face to face to check on their application. It showed eagerness. You also have to sell yourself to the employer. Don't just show up saying hey I want a job, show up and say you would like to work at their establishment specifically and when they ask you why give them a reason. Be very respectful and courteous to the manager you are talking to. Use responses such as "Yes or no Sir/Ma-am", and refrain from trying to talk to them as if they were your friends or something. Not saying you do but I see that quite often. In an age where common courtesy and respect have seemingly taken a back burner being respectful goes a long way in the eyes of an employer. Project an attitude of confidence, start with a nice firm handshake and let them know you are there to work. First impressions go a long way. When I was a Supervisor I knew if I was going to hire somebody 90% of the time within the first 10 seconds based off of the way the made their introduction. I didn't need to read too deep into their applications, anybody can wash dishes and sweep floors, I just wanted to see if I wanted them washing dishes and sweeping floors in our restaurant.
I agree with this. If you don't have any job history (which looks a little sketchy if you are in your 20's) you might want to consider volunteering. That gives you a record of actually doing something job like (showing up on time; meeting responsibilities). Also I wonder about the presentation. Face or neck tats? Iron bolts through your face? Are you presenting a clean appearance?
You are not entitled to an explanation from an employer. Nor should an entitlement such as that be legislated into law. Didn't your folks (or guardian) ever tell you to do something that you may or may not have liked and you asked, "Why" and they replied, "Because I said so"? If so, that should have been your first clue as to how a part of life works. That "choice" YOU made was/is for what end? A living? Is your ambition to perform music a labor of love or do you expect to get paid?
The best way to land a job is to know someone on the inside...Someone that works there otherwise, find a way to get your foot in the door. Make yourself indispensable in some way. In the meantime support your avocation which seems to be performing music, perhaps there is an avenue there. Record some of your music and put it out on the Internet, make a web page, get your friends involved, etc. Never give up on your avocation. No matter what.
What cues are you supposed to take away from the last unsuccessful interview (I mean the interview might be successful, but the success becomes irrelevant if you don't get the job) in order to prepare better for the next interview, if one is lucky to get it (remember, the online applications are filtered through buzzwords, so there's a good chance the application will not meet that buzzword, therefore never being reviewed by a actual human). I guess possibly I could walk into the establishment of the place I didn't get the job at, ask for the manager, and get input that way. Be persistent bu not pestilent There is a rationale behind every decision, even if its not the most easily accessible. Appearance wise, I've always gone in well groomed and dressed. I don't have a tat or piercing on me. The music theory side got boring, and I had absolutely no interest in learning about the history of music composers, and their impacts. I found myself more interested in the music audio production over the theory and ear training that bored me to tears. I touched on everything but the mastering part. Learning about the mysterious beast called Pro Tools. I still have the book from that class. As well as placement of microphones. The ambition is both. A hole only music can fulfill, and make a good deal of money from it.
A friend of mine got a job in a meat packing plant by offering to work free for a day. "Let me have one day and I'll show you what I can do" he told HR. They let him in the plant and he was good enough with a knife they paid him for the day and gave him a job. If you do it - it shows you have confidence in your abilities and that you're willing to make checking you out risk free for the employer.
Enlist in the military; all you have to do is score high on the written test and pass the physical. Get through basic training and whatever schooling requirements they have and then apply to be in one of the military marching bands. At least you're getting paid and doing something useful with your musical background.
They don't. They cannot illegally discriminate but they can use their own criteria to select or reject employees and don't have to give a reason.
Mike is right. Volunteering shows you're responsible, care about people (or animals or trees etc) and you've done a job. Again Mike is right. In food service any hint of sloppiness (and that's a broad and vague definition including but not limited to long hair or facial hair) and you won't get the job. - - - Updated - - - No he was a very good cutter and knew it. They were looking for someone but they had a lot of applications. He felt if he made the offer he'd stand out.
Good advice here. I would add - make sure you smile. Seems like a stupid suggestion but when people are being interviewed they tend to stiffen up and remain expressionless. Employers (especially in the food & service industry like Wendy's) want friendly employees and looking agreeable will give the interviewer the impression you'd be great with customers and pleasant to work with.
I have volunteered in the past. I'm willing to get rid of the facial hair, but a no-go on cutting the long hair. I'll humiliate myself by putting it in a pony-tail, but no way would I entertain actually cutting my hair short.
Yeah if you've got facial hair that could have been a problem with Wendy's. Food service companies hate facial hair. Nothing wrong with long head hair as long as it's neat so a pony tail is a must. Hey it was cool enough for George Carlin! Generally speaking inside or outside of the food service world if you go for an interview you have two choices - a very well trimmed beard, or clean shaven. Anything in between and you'll be passed over.
Well, you can intern. Depending on your state, that may be a huge risk for a prospective employer. Here in California, I am leery of hiring anyone that isn't perfect, and now that contracting is frowned upon by our beneficent overlords, I can't even test someone out that way. I simply won't hire someone that I am not absolutely sure about. Now, I just outsource.
Advice? 1. Lie. Claim you worked for mom-pop operation in the type of job you want, pick one no longer in business. 2. For the job you want, dress is VERY important. Dress conservative and suitable. For example, as a worker wear a white shirt, slacks and quasi dress shoes. No jeans, no t-shirt, no boots or dirty tennis shoes. Assure you are VERY reliable, that the employer will not be disappointed. Do not state all the hours you can't work, all the things you can't do and don't talk about problems in your life. Don't beg for the job but do say you need it and can start immediately. Listen carefully to what the interviewer says. Down play your college. It's not helping you. Just say "some college," and nothing about field of study as that has NOTHING to do with the job you are seeking. Oh, and tell them you LIKE to work. Be pleasant, sincere and attentive. Sit up straight. No slouching. Stress you are a hard worker. Do NOT complain you can't find a job.
