Why can't I get interviews?

Barnabas · June 18, 2012, 22:10

In Argentina when we had hyper inflation like the Weimar Republic, surgeons and high qualified people envied hotel workers because they would get tips in hard currency, like dollars or pre euro european currencies.

Al B. Sure! · June 18, 2012, 22:11

Originally Posted by Barnabas

Do Hotel workers get tips in the USA? Would you expect to get an important ammout of tips for that job?

Yes. It pays $11/hour which is decent enough plus tips. This is a high-end hotel. Five Diamond AAA rating. I'll be wearing white gloves.

-Jrabbit · June 18, 2012, 22:32

Originally Posted by DaShi

Fixed your cover letter. Flash is right that it needs more padding, but this is start:

Dear Ballers,

I am an accounting wizard with a side of investing genius, dope! I'm looking to totally ride your entry-level ass...et. Consider your accounting serviced when I get in the position. As a graduate of Temple University, I know how to take it...from both sides, boyz! Both a manager and ***** be, yo!. I put up with several years of that **** and am now looking for some totally BNY putang, if you know what I mean. I can **** your **** for every angle and you won't even know I was there. I'll put the entry in entry-level and you'll be thanking me in the morning for it. Not only have I serviced many customers, I'm a professional dope machine, bro. I deliver it, I smoke it. Every time! So slap my white ass on the BNY brand and watch in rain all up in here.

Holler if you're hot,

Al P!

Perhaps DaShi's best post ever.

AAHZ · June 19, 2012, 00:23

this thread has piqued my humour levels by several notches.

Hauldren Collider · June 19, 2012, 01:07

Alby, start applying to jobs outside Philadelphia. There are lots of areas with much better job markets (like Virginia

) where someone with your skills stands a much higher chance of getting hired.

SlowwHand · June 19, 2012, 01:12

I have people from Alaska to Alabama contact me. Screw that. There are people there that are qualified. Hire them.
Alby, what they want is a 35 year old with 20 years experience and a college diploma that's focused on the exact thing they need.
Some may want a veteran, but that's nothing to bank on.

MrFun · June 19, 2012, 02:57

I've been unemployed for more than year until July of last year, and now I'm underemployed (working in an unskilled, low paying job).

Over those past two years, I would go through a period of job searching and applying and then after not getting interviews, I give up for a period of time until I resume my job search again, at some point later. I got a total of two job interviews the past two years in which both of them rejected me after the interview.

****, I even only have the current poor job because my supervisor is a fiance of one of my sister's.

Dinner · June 19, 2012, 03:02

At least you're getting rejection letters because if they really didn't give a **** they'd just ignore you so you at least rated high enough to get a rejection email. That said, I think it's time you up graded your job skills as your current resume doesn't seem to be cutting it. Try taking some study classes for being a CPA or something as that would go well with your business degree also I'd try to rewrite your resume so it better fits the type of job you're seeking. There are several different ways to lay out resumes so why not pick up a resume writing book at the local book store and see if you can't reformat it to better suit your job goals.

MrFun · June 19, 2012, 03:34

Nope, I don't get rejection letters, or rejection e-mails. When I get rejected, I only find out by following up, and they give the generic response/reason.

MrFun · June 19, 2012, 03:35

I take that back - I SOMETIMES get a rejection e-mail.

Alexander's Horse · June 19, 2012, 05:21

have you tried not attaching a personal photo to your resume?

rah · June 19, 2012, 08:38

I say split your resume into two different one.
One where you ignore the jobs that you only list for a few months. When I see multiple jobs of short duration, I consider it a big red flag (similar to gribbler's comment) This one could be used for those low end jobs. Once you've taken those out, those left show you're willing to put in some time. Then you can say that you finally left those places because you didn't see the long term potential. So you went someone else to start at the bottom and work your way up. You're qualified (education wise) to work your way up. And that's why people will hire you for an entry level position even when you appear over qualified.

Your other resume will only be used if you're applying for a position at a financial company where having that experience might actually benefit you. When asked why so short, say the economy and layoffs. Contrary to what Zoetstofzoetje posted, due to legal issues, almost all decent sized companies in the US will not say squat about a previous employee except to acknowledge that they did indeed work there. Some companies are not even verifying employment dates (but most still will). Our company sent out a note warning people to not even provide personal recommendations on previous employeeds.

And yeah, do a specific cover letter for each job. As suggested, do a little research about the company so you can tailor your cover letter better. Always state that you believe you have the skills that will benefit the company over the long haul and that whatever the job you're looking for, will lead the the career that you've always wanted.

Lorizael · June 19, 2012, 08:57

Originally Posted by AAHZ

this thread has piqued my humour levels by several notches.

No, you haven't gotten any funnier.

Ming · June 19, 2012, 09:01

While all the companies out there may appear the same, and probably are

, they don't think so. Take a look at their websites. Read their boring "mission statements"... see if they are involved in local charities... find out why THEY think they are different, and play up to those.

Even if they know you are BS'ing, they will know that you took the time and effort to learn about them.

rah · June 19, 2012, 09:09

Even if they know you are BS'ing, they will know that you took the time and effort to learn about them.

Ditto. Even while I chuckle when they spew crap from our website, I still give them a point for making the effort.

Flubber · June 19, 2012, 14:58

Having been on each side of the hiring equation I can say this

1. For most jobs you are correct in that there is no "careful consideration" until they get down to the top 10 or top 5. When I advertized to hire a contracts analyst I received 300 applications. I did up 6 stacks of 50 or so and gave them to my staff and they each had the instruction to pick 3-4 based on the job description. I ended up with 20 or so for me to look at . . . BUt whether you are being weeded out by staff or by automated tools, the issue is the same . . . you have to find a way to get past that first hurdle. Keyords and filling in the right amount of experience and education get you past the automatic stuff== The personal screen can be met by

a) having a FLAWLESS resume that looks awesome=== I certainly hope you punch up the generic formatting in what you showed here-- I know the online tools don't keep some of that but hell pdf and attach a really sharp looking one if you can
b)having something in your cover letter thats unique-- remember . . . they are likely rejecting 90-95% on the first scan so you need to show SOMETHING. If its generic cover letter, it goes with the rest of the generic ones in the reject pile

A further resume comment is to delete the second stint as an assistant manager. You probably want it to show they hired you again but frankly it shows no growth and then creates a resume of a job jumper-- THat was one of the criteria in a resume scan-- one really short job was ok--- Two and you were inching into the reject pile.

I would also reformat your resume and lead with your work experience but that might be a matter of personal taste.

2. It is troubling that you are not getting calls and interviews. Obviously you are not targetted enough in what you seek ( both from the lack of favorable responses and the fact you are applying for a bellhop job and a bank job at the same time). I think the resume scanners reject you because it looks exactly like what it is-- you want any job because you need a job and you are likely to either be half-assed or moving on

3. Take some time and figure out what you REALLY want to do!! IF you loved banking, target that. I know when I apply for jobs I get the interview between 50 and 75% of the time and usually any failures are when I "reached" or when I applied late in the process-- Even if there is a deadline-- apply early-- Many jobs get filled after a review of the first hundred resumes and some ones filed at the deadline are not reviewed at all

Flubber · June 19, 2012, 15:00

Originally Posted by Barnabas

In Argentina when we had hyper inflation like the Weimar Republic, surgeons and high qualified people envied hotel workers because they would get tips in hard currency, like dollars or pre euro european currencies.

Cuba was like that. All sorts of professionals made far more money driving a cab than doing their profession

Oncle Boris · June 19, 2012, 15:40

Could Albie's ghetto address hinder his chances?

Try pretending that you live in a trendy area and see what happens.

OzzyKP · June 19, 2012, 16:07

I can't get a job either.

rah · June 19, 2012, 16:23

Ozz, I'm surprised. With all your working for youth rights and public appearances to pad that resume, I would think you'd do great in interviews. What field are you seeking employment in?

Al B. Sure! · June 19, 2012, 16:29

Originally Posted by rah

Ozz, I'm surprised. With all your working for youth rights and public appearances to pad that resume, I would think you'd do great in interviews. What field are you seeking employment in?

Maybe he's not getting interviews to shine in.

SlowwHand · June 19, 2012, 16:35

Yeah, working a shoe shine stand would be a good fit.

Alexander's Horse · June 19, 2012, 16:36

my advice, especiallly in a difficult job market, would be get involved in the community, youth sports, charity work, more jobs are found through personal connections than any other way and its good to look busy, not just waiting for a phone call, resumes are dime a dozen nowadays, I employ people and I don't trust their resumes at all, word of mouth and references matter more to me, and the interview, we check people out very thoroughly and character counts as much as skills

the shinebox is not such a joke - if you set up a small business, even a micro one just to help pay the rent that is impressive to me, sell hotdogs, whatever

OzzyKP · June 19, 2012, 16:36

Like Alby, I haven't gotten any interviews. No responses at all really.

I'm looking for jobs with various non-profits, or administrative jobs at for-profit offices. Mostly non-profit though. Probably the job that was the best fit was with a local ACLU branch. I called to follow up after a bit and the woman said "oh, we found someone to fill that position. I don't recall your name though... I guess that's your answer." Or something like that.

Perhaps I'm overqualified? I dunno. I also wonder if I"m seen as a jack of all trades, master of none (which is true). I have three versions of my resume, one that covers my "professional" experience in youth rights, plus education and stuff. One that has all that plus all the various crappy odd jobs I've worked on the side for the last several years. The last one has the professional experience and a long list of media appearances and spots I've been published. I always send out the first one. I figure no one I'm applying to is going to care that I spent two years delivering newspapers and working at an auto parts store on the side, it'd probably hurt me. And the one with all the articles... I dunno, I'm decidedly not looking for a communications job, so I didn't think it'd help me to list everything. Could it look weird that I only list one employer? I worked there for 12 years though, so you'd think they'd like the stability. I don't know...

Flubber · June 19, 2012, 17:01

Originally Posted by Al B. Sure!

Maybe he's not getting interviews to shine in.

Possibly but a lot of activism should open some doors and get him some interviews. Some folks might hate it but there should be enough that LOVE it to have lots of opportunity.

It probably makes for a very interesting resume--- very unlike college/burger flipper which is probably the resume of half the college grads out there