Any hiring managers here?

[TIC]

I need some answers. I've written about this in my approach journal

I got interviews with 4 retail/service industry places in the past few weeks

Cosi (Cafe/lunch)- The manager interviews me, tells me she will contact me the next Monday after my background check comes in. Interview seemed to go well. She never called me back. I call later and she says there's a hiring freeze in the area because of construction...there was in fact construction but that begs the question, Why hold interviews if your on a hiring freeze?

Zumba's Mexican Grille- Interview goes pretty smooth. $8/hour, very simple, not too much to worry about. The manager starts talking as if I have the job or in a very promising way. He says "the hiring manager will call you tomorrow or possibly later today" and the interview concludes. I never get a call

Bigby Coffee- Interview went smooth, the lady said I would get a call if I get it. This is the most honest anyone has been so far

2 days ago Meijer- Interview went as smooth as it can go. When I walked in the store, I was greeted by a retard with one arm (yes, mentally retarded). So I'm thinking wow I'm sure I can handle this. The manager interviews me, goes over stuff with me about the job as if I'm about to be trained tomorrow, and then says "looks good, will give you a call Monday"

Its monday, no call


Wtf is this sh*t. I can't even get a minimum wage job. How will I survive after college? I won't.

If your a manager of sorts, please explain why they lie to your face about calling back, and why they give no feedback as to why you didn't get the job, and why a ONE ARMED RETARD CAN WORK AT MEIJER BUT NOT A JUNIOR IN COLLEGE.

Thanks

 

[synergy1]

who knows man, but I feel like I am firing blanks at these stupid ****ing job apps too. have gotten a few interviews, but neither called me back promptly and both were rejections. From what I hear from friends in industry, companies are cutting back and not bringing people in. To be specific, one government contractor in Mass. let go over nearly 100 people, and another smaller company is expected to let go of 25 by Q4. I'd be more shocked if I had a real job than if a friend or two found themselves in my boat - but seriously lets hope not because this **** is miserable.

 

[TIC]

who knows man, but I feel like I am firing blanks at these stupid ****ing job apps too. have gotten a few interviews, but neither called me back promptly and both were rejections. From what I hear from friends in industry, companies are cutting back and not bringing people in. To be specific, one government contractor in Mass. let go over nearly 100 people, and another smaller company is expected to let go of 25 by Q4. I'd be more shocked if I had a real job than if a friend or two found themselves in my boat - but seriously lets hope not because this **** is miserable.

Right but they aren't giving me a rejection or a call back. These coksuckers promise to call me back and then never do. No feedback as to why I didn't get the job or anything

its like, I'm in the dark. I don't know whats going on. I cant even get a 7.40/hr job this is depressing and sad

 

[Serialized3]

I'm not a hiring manager specifically, but I am a business manager for a fairly successful local niche business.

I'm sure you realize that it's an employer's market right now. To me you sound like you feel entitled to a decent job merely because you are "a junior in college". So fuckin' what? You really think you're better than an $8/hr job? Why bother applying for it then? I'm almost certain that this entitlement attitude pervades your interview which is your main problem.

Who knows, perhaps the one-armed guy is is a much harder worker than you or has a more customer service oriented attitude. Believe me when I say that there are plenty of people out there with Bachelors' and Masters' (MA in some jerkoff degree) who are willing to work for just above minimum wage.

Recruiters and other interviewers can smell through bullshit as much as your average 7 at a house party when you're running weak game. Come off with an attitude of entitlement and arrogance and you will be thought of as nothing more than a diva or manboy. Come off as someone who is truly enthusiastic to have the opportunity to work and maybe you'll get somewhere.

Humble yourself and look for a job in a field that you are excited about (or even vaguely interested in) and watch the job offers roll in.

 

[Serialized3]

Also, they don't call you back because you're just one application among 30-100 apps or so for just one position. It's just business - they don't have time or interest.

 

[TIC]

I don't feel entitled for the job and I certainly didn't act like it. I came in, smiled, talked calmly and relaxed, and articulated my answers as best I could. I didn't walk in feeling above the job, I just wanted to the job.

I honestly don't know what I did wrong or what more I could have done.

 

[synergy1]

Also, they don't call you back because you're just one application among 30-100 apps or so for just one position. It's just business - they don't have time or interest.

this is where connections come in, but even than it seems to be hard to get noticed. In engineering, its more like 10 apps per job, but that is still significant considering many of those folks have 10+ years of experience compared to my 3+. Also, these jobs are becoming 'temp work' along with typically being lower pay so clearly it is an employers market.

 

[Kailex]

Right but they aren't giving me a rejection or a call back. These coksuckers promise to call me back and then never do. No feedback as to why I didn't get the job or anything

its like, I'm in the dark. I don't know whats going on. I cant even get a 7.40/hr job this is depressing and sad

Welcome to America. You and MILLIONS upon MILLIONS of people are going through the same thing.

That job you applied for... I guaranteed that the person interviewing you probably interviewed at least 50 more people. That's a LOT of callbacks from HR.

Right now you are feeling the same pain a LOT of others are feeling. I know it doesn't justify the lack of a call, but I actually feel for HR departments nowadays.

Hiring freezes can happen just MINUTES after they go through interviews. Sometimes a job posting can come up, they gather up people for the interviews and then the call comes in saying that they can't hire anymore people... for NOW. It happens, it's happened to me, I've seen it happen at my jobs.

You probably didn't do anything wrong. You probably delivered excellent interviews that would have gotten you the job immediately... five years ago. But now you are competing with people from all over the walks of life. You are competing against people younger than you, fresh out of high school. You are competing against former professionals, people who lost their houses, their lives, etc...

It's sad to see, but the person who gets the jobs at restaurants now are people with just the work experience and no formal education. You said you are a junior in college and they probably saw THAT as the main reason to NOT hire you. Why have to work around someone's school schedule when we can hire someone who ISN'T in college and can work the part-time job WHENEVER we need them to? A lot of employers think this way, even if they act like school won't interfere.

Another reality is... would you want to be the guy that determines that One Armed Jimmy the Retard shouldn't work and possibly face a suit for discrimination?

 

[Mike32ct]

The other thing to consider is that a lot of hiring is decided early on and many subsequent interviews are just formalities to make it look like they reviewed multiple candidates and chose the "most qualified."

They may have already decided on a relative or friend of a friend, but conduct multiple interviews to make it look "fair.". When in reality, they were wasting the time of 95 percent of candidates because it was pre-decided.

This is why networking is important so you can be the pre-selected person.

I'm not saying you do formal networking for a restaurant gig, but it really helps to know people.

 

[TIC]

Thanks for the input. Just a few hours ago during class, I got the call from Bigby Coffee for a second interview with the owner.

However I must say that these managers still owe me feedback as to why I did not get the job. I spent valuable time and gas to go there and try to impress them. Then they lie and say they will call me in the next couple days? F that. Tell me why I wasn't good enough for this minimum wage job

I don't think that is being self-entitled. Its about respect, honesty, and decency which apparently these people lack.

 

[Kailex]

However I must say that these managers still owe me feedback as to why I did not get the job. I spent valuable time and gas to go there and try to impress them. Then they lie and say they will call me in the next couple days? F that. Tell me why I wasn't good enough for this minimum wage job

I don't think that is being self-entitled. Its about respect, honesty, and decency which apparently these people lack.

Funny, because a LOT of times when people quit, they never give the real reason as to why.

Yes, you spent valuable time and gas to go there and try to impress them, but they also spent valuable time AND they have to decide which is the "best" employee for what they need.

I know you feel like its about all of those "virtues" but you'll soon learn that this isn't a period of time where you work at just one place for 30 years, retire, and then life is golden. Everyone is looking out for themselves. The sooner you realize that, the sooner you'll shake that feeling off. Even if they did call you, what makes you think they'll give you an honest reason for NOT selecting you? They could give you ANY sort of excuse and you'd have to eat it just because they said so.

I always subscribed to the notion that I don't stop looking for a job. Anyone who doesn't call, I automatically assume that I didn't get the job. I'll always call at least once more to check up on things. If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. What can you do? Just keep looking. But getting upset because they aren't calling you back is going to get you nowhere.

 

[AAAgent]

nobody owes you anything unless you earned it. As of now, you've earned nothing.

You have to stop thinking like that. It would be a courteousy to obviously tell you where you could have improved or what they were looking for but not many places do it at a part time hiring level.

You as a job seeker should figure that out yourself or to the best of your abilities. If you want, you can call the company back and asked them why you didn't get the job or ask them what there were specifically looking for. Ask them how you could have improved, etc. Don't expect it to be handed to you. I'm not saying you're asking things to be handed to you because you're not. You're taking a big initiative and applying for jobs but you need to realize its a tough market out there. I applied for close to 1000 jobs before i got a FT position i was happy with.

During my down time, I made sure to work on improving myself and my value. So that tomorrow, i would be more valuable than today. This way it isn't just meaningless time i wasted in order to find a job, then start to improve myself. Write down your mistakes. Find possible answers to correct them. Work on skills that employers are looking for daily. Show initiative, persistence, patience, friendliness and reliability(customer service requires this), etc.

Since you lack experience don't chalk up the little experience you have because it obviously can't compare to an experienced server or barista but instead what you can do is:

1.) Show that you have the balls and intelligence to pick up these skills.
2.) Show that you have the desire to pick up the skills and creativity, perserverance, or w/e good qualities you believe you have that make up for your lack of skills.
3.) Be honest but confident. This has worked to my favor.

I've told my past hiring managers that "I may not be the best at this right now, but i guarantee if i'm given the opportunity i will perform on par if not better than everyone else. My aim is to be successful in any environment i enter, and i will work towards that success with every opportunity that i have.
4.) don't rush these hiring managers. They are already stressed enough as it is. Be reasonable when you follow up. wait atleast a few days. Thank them for their time. Be a gentleman, especially in service. Service requires alot of patience and putting up with ridiculous requests, show that you are up to that challenge.
5.) Don't give up. Even when you land the job, look for better opportunities. When you find one, give your two weeks notice, etc.

My 2 cents from job hunting experience.

 

[Quiksilver]

It is definitely difficult right now.

Try pestering a place over and over. Prove to them that you aren't going away and you aren't a drifter who will be there one day and be gone the next. To pester a store owner/manager at least once or twice a week about employment and 'helping out', will get you noticed far more than a 'gray man' who drops his resume off and disappears.

I don't mean pester in a bad way, I mean it in a good way. Obviously don't be rude, just make it clear you aren't going anywhere and you're keen (more interested than all the other candidates) to get a job.

Doesn't have to be your dream job either. Could be for washing dishes or scrubbing floors.

IMO, scrubbing floors and slaving away on dishes is 100 times more enjoyable than being unemployed or receiving welfare.

Pester away and let them know you're serious.

 

[justkyle]

pick yur head up dude itll work out. N hell if your up to the drive i garentee u would get hired in here. Ten bucks an hour. Not bad..... Mad lots of honeys on first shift too

 

[TIC]

pick yur head up dude itll work out. N hell if your up to the drive i garentee u would get hired in here. Ten bucks an hour. Not bad..... Mad lots of honeys on first shift too

I definitely would jump at that job but it would be an hour commute to and from work everyday to Lapeer County...too much wear and tear on my already 13-year old jeep

But thanks for the offer though I really wish I could. I guess more honeys for you haha!

 

[Quiksilver]

I definitely would jump at that job but it would be an hour commute to and from work everyday to Lapeer County...too much wear and tear on my already 13-year old jeep

It is a job dude. Obviously not a perfect fit, but your first step is to get ANY job. Once you're there you can keep looking for another that is more favorable.

I would snap at it, and use some savings to get the jeep tuned up so you don't have to worry about it.

Job + 2 hour commute + jeep wear & tear > no job + no commute + less jeep wear & tear

 

[Sisyphus7]

this is where connections come in, but even than it seems to be hard to get noticed. In engineering, its more like 10 apps per job, but that is still significant considering many of those folks have 10+ years of experience compared to my 3+. Also, these jobs are becoming 'temp work' along with typically being lower pay so clearly it is an employers market.

10 apps per job in Engineering? Not from what I've seen! I just FINALLY got an engineering job and there were over 80 applicants for the single position I landed. Other interviews I have had recently have told me there were 80-100 applicants. Of course they can't take the time to interview all of them, though.

 

[synergy1]

10 apps per job in Engineering? Not from what I've seen! I just FINALLY got an engineering job and there were over 80 applicants for the single position I landed. Other interviews I have had recently have told me there were 80-100 applicants. Of course they can't take the time to interview all of them, though.

word, I meant 10 qualified applicants..not the hundreds of folk who are blanketing the internet with resumes. Given a 10 percent unemployment rate, I would expect job applications to be over 100 for many openings as you said.

Question for people who might know. I asked a former manager for a recommendation ,but they said they can't release information about former employees. Is this just a way to say no, or is it legit? I want to say they just don't want to give me a reference, but are at least giving me that line to make me go away.

Could use a break here. This unemployment thing is starting to be a drag :/ its starting to get really discouraging.

 

[AAAgent]

word, I meant 10 qualified applicants..not the hundreds of folk who are blanketing the internet with resumes. Given a 10 percent unemployment rate, I would expect job applications to be over 100 for many openings as you said.

Question for people who might know. I asked a former manager for a recommendation ,but they said they can't release information about former employees. Is this just a way to say no, or is it legit? I want to say they just don't want to give me a reference, but are at least giving me that line to make me go away.

Could use a break here. This unemployment thing is starting to be a drag :/ its starting to get really discouraging.

Don't let that feeling linger Synergy1. I know where you're coming from. I was unemployed for 8 months. When i decided to come back home and help, my family signed a 5 year contract to let my sisters boyfriend run my family business. Got in a huge fight with my family and i was forced out.

My friend was assaulted and i defended him. I was charged for assault. was briefly locked up and had to bail myself out.

I had no place to live, i spent 80% of my money bailing myself out. I was hungry all day everyday.

I remember this one time I saw my friend through away a piece of his sandwhich. I wanted to eat it so bad.

I had house hoped from house to house days at a time until i found a friend and a cousin that let me stay at their places regularly.

This whole time i'm going to interviews here and there hoping to land any type of job so i can buy some food. I'm eating leftovers and snacks.

This kept getting worse. Lawyer fee's when i had no money and had to borrow from all over, credit card and phone bills, etc. My car had problems as well and was also running low on motor oil.

I just kept telling myself it only gets worse before it gets better.

I thought at one point if it got any worse, i might as well die but i stuck it through. I worked everyday to improve myself. Finaled in a bussiness concept competition and improved my interviewing skills. Got a part time contract job which i gained valueable experience and landed a FT job later. Just finished paying off my cc debts, lawyer, and not i have my student loans that just began. I was also found innoncent of the felony charge.

don't give up man. Persevere through it and it will get better.

 

[BigJimbo]

Look, America is like EVERY country on earth. It is no more special than any country I have spent time in. America, like EVERY SINGLE other country, is about who you know. That simple. Actually, since most of you are still young dudes it is about who your Daddy knows. Daddy basically will make or break your ENTIRE life. So go ahead and blame your emasculated Daddy. I am sure he wasn't Mommy's first.