Job-hunting: some questions

[Daneel]

As some of you might know, I've been attempting to find a job for a while now, and with my bank account looking more and more dire, I've really tried kicking it into high gear the past couple of months.

So far, I haven't had much luck, and I wanted to ask some questions of the people here, some of whom are perhaps in a similar situation (or were until recently), or maybe are more familiar with the hiring process than I am. So here we go:

1. A lot of jobs, in this day and age, are posted on the internet, naturally. Many of these postings instruct people who are interested in applying to do so via e-mail, and that's pretty much it. Do you think it is a wise idea to also go to the prospective place of employment in person to reaffirm my interest, and give them a chance to meet me... to put a face to the name? Or do you think this might make me look overeager, or unable to follow application instructions?

On a related note, I guess what I'm asking is this: is there is any way I can stand out from the presumably many other people who have also applied for this job?

2. I know it will vary depending on the job, but in general, how long does the hiring process usually take, in your opinion? For example, say a job is posted on a website and I send in an application the very same day, or maybe the next day; how quickly should I expect to hear something back (i.e. a call for an interview)? If I do decide to also stop by to personally introduce myself, should I wait a certain period of time after I submit online, or should I do it as soon as possible? Also, at what point should I consider a particular job a lost cause, and just focus on others I've applied for?

I know these questions might seem silly to some, but this is the sort of stuff I think about. I may bring up some other issues later if I think of them.

Also, if anyone has any other general job-hunting tips, I'd be very happy to hear them.

Thanks!

 

[RoJoHen]

I've actually been wondering many of the same questions. According to my profile on monster.com, none of my applications have ever been looked at, and I find myself asking, "What's the point of posting the job on monster if you're not even going to look at the applications?"

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

If a job says apply over e-mail don't go in person. The best way to get noticed is to learn how to write really great cover letters. You should always include a cover letter for any job you apply for. The best way to stand out after an interview is to send a personal thank you note to the person you interviewed with.

 

[Daneel]

When I send my resume to someone over e-mail, I usually include a message explaining why I'm interested in the job and why I think I could do well in it. That would qualify as a cover letter, yes?

Also, how long should a typical cover letter be?

 

[Mr. B]

Two short paragraphs is enough for a cover letter... I don't see what that wouldn't translate into an e-mail but the short attention span will be an even bigger problem with on-screen content.

 

[the 4th hanson bro]

The best way to find a job is by knowing someone who can get you in. That's what makes you stand out from the stack of resumes, someone's recommendation.

Network, network, network in the area that you want to work in.
Good luck

 

[SmoothieX]

1. A lot of jobs, in this day and age, are posted on the internet, naturally. Many of these postings instruct people who are interested in applying to do so via e-mail, and that's pretty much it. Do you think it is a wise idea to also go to the prospective place of employment in person to reaffirm my interest, and give them a chance to meet me... to put a face to the name? Or do you think this might make me look overeager, or unable to follow application instructions?

On a related note, I guess what I'm asking is this: is there is any way I can stand out from the presumably many other people who have also applied for this job?

I would say no way to this. Randomly showing up at an office is pushy, and waste the time of the manager or HR person who put out the posting.

If you are what they're looking for, they'll contact you, sometimes that day.

On the other hand, a call to HR verifying your resume was received isn't a bad idea, because the interwebs isn't all that trusty sometimes.

2. I know it will vary depending on the job, but in general, how long does the hiring process usually take, in your opinion? For example, say a job is posted on a website and I send in an application the very same day, or maybe the next day; how quickly should I expect to hear something back (i.e. a call for an interview)? If I do decide to also stop by to personally introduce myself, should I wait a certain period of time after I submit online, or should I do it as soon as possible? Also, at what point should I consider a particular job a lost cause, and just focus on others I've applied for?

Again, don't just show up off the street. I've had call backs for interviews the same afternoon with an interview and offer letter the same week.

The timeframe from interview request to starting working varies a lot depending on what you do. You didn't state your occupation so I don't know.

A nonskilled or entry level position is generally filled quicker. There's less risk to the company if it doesn't pan out, and the pool of applicants is bigger.

If you are a highly specialized/trained professional or someone high up the corporate rung, it will take longer. They need to be sure you fit their need and don't want to pay top dollar to the wrong person. You may need to interview more than once, with HR the first time, and then a VP the next time.

Regardless, they may want to talk it over internally, verify your experience/education/certifications, check references, etc.

If you don't hear anything within a week or two after submitting a resume or an interview, it's time to cut your losses and move on.

Although you may hear back from that company at a later date if circumstances change. I got my current job that way. When I submitted a resume, they weren't looking, but a few months later when someone left they called me up and made a nice offer.

 

[Saturn0660]

If you are in dire need of a job.. You could always just goto Wendys/tacobell/etc/etc..

 

[Daneel]

If a job says apply over e-mail don't go in person. The best way to get noticed is to learn how to write really great cover letters.

1. A lot of jobs, in this day and age, are posted on the internet, naturally. Many of these postings instruct people who are interested in applying to do so via e-mail, and that's pretty much it. Do you think it is a wise idea to also go to the prospective place of employment in person to reaffirm my interest, and give them a chance to meet me... to put a face to the name? Or do you think this might make me look overeager, or unable to follow application instructions?

On a related note, I guess what I'm asking is this: is there is any way I can stand out from the presumably many other people who have also applied for this job?

I would say no way to this. Randomly showing up at an office is pushy, and waste the time of the manager or HR person who put out the posting.

If you are what they're looking for, they'll contact you, sometimes that day.

I've often thought the same thing, but my parents keep telling me to go to these places in person to express my interest. I'm not so sure that's a great idea, though -- I'm wondering if our differing opinions is at all due to a generation gap. In their heyday, the job application process was probably quite different, whereas today, pretty much everything seems to be done over the internet.

I just wish there was something I could do to get employers to take notice of me. Most of the time, when I apply for a job online, I don't hear back from them at all -- no acknowledgment, no call/message for an interview, nothing. It's really frustrating. I mean, given the jobs I'm applying for (some of which even state "no experience necessary"), I don't think my resume is that unimpressive.

On the other hand, a call to HR verifying your resume was received isn't a bad idea, because the interwebs isn't all that trusty sometimes.

Hm, okay. Thanks for that suggestion.

2. I know it will vary depending on the job, but in general, how long does the hiring process usually take, in your opinion? For example, say a job is posted on a website and I send in an application the very same day, or maybe the next day; how quickly should I expect to hear something back (i.e. a call for an interview)? If I do decide to also stop by to personally introduce myself, should I wait a certain period of time after I submit online, or should I do it as soon as possible? Also, at what point should I consider a particular job a lost cause, and just focus on others I've applied for?

Again, don't just show up off the street. I've had call backs for interviews the same afternoon with an interview and offer letter the same week.

The timeframe from interview request to starting working varies a lot depending on what you do. You didn't state your occupation so I don't know.

A nonskilled or entry level position is generally filled quicker. There's less risk to the company if it doesn't pan out, and the pool of applicants is bigger.

Ah yes, my "occupation"... well, that's pretty broad, but what you described as "non-skilled or entry level" is pretty much the sort of stuff I'm applying for; most of my background is in customer/guest services... labour and clerical stuff. For example, a couple days ago I had an interview for a job with a transportation company (that specializes in transporting disabled people); I've also recently applied for a couple of front desk positions at some hotels -- that's the sort of thing I think I'd be well-suited for, given my experience and preferences.

I do have a university degree (a B.A., to be precise), but my studies were mostly arts-related (literature, film, theatre), and outside of academia, I don't think there's much I can do with that, practically speaking. I'm not saying I didn't learn anything, but it didn't really provide any sort of specialty-training for some kind of future career (although I do hope that putting it on my resume at least lets prospective employers know that I am mature and intelligent, and that I am more than competent when it comes to writing, computer skills, etc.).

I haven't ruled out going back to school at some point in the future to study something else or further my education, but right now, I just want to find some employment to keep myself afloat.

So the sort of positions I'm applying for are generally filled quicker, are they? Okay... I just wish that employers would remove a notice for a position once it is filled, or somehow let you know that they're no longer hiring. Sometimes I see a notice that's a few days/a week old, and I'm never quite sure if I should even bother applying for it.

If you are in dire need of a job.. You could always just goto Wendys/tacobell/etc/etc..

I was kind of hoping it wouldn't come to that... but perhaps it soon will.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback so far, people!

 

[Robert Maxwell]

1. As others have said, don't be a pest. If they want e-mail apps only, then that's what you do. Since you are lacking in job experience and are open to multiple career paths, you might investigate creating a functional resume. Having a good resume is critical, and the advice about cover letters is also spot-on.

2. Hiring times can be quite variable. I am a software engineer and the time lag between initial contact and a job offer was about two weeks. Within that span, I did a phone interview, took a test, and flew out for an in-person interview. I had them give me three weeks to get my affairs in order, which they did not have a problem with.

 

[Holdfast]

I would have thought that keeping busy with SOMETHING (voluntary sector, not-for-profit, or if you must, low-paying menial work) while applying for jobs you want, would be a sensible thing to do. Maintains some skills, fills time gaps on CVs, shows motivation, etc, etc.

 

[tharpdevenport]

Robot Santa,


I live In Panama City, FL. When I first came here back in 2000, applying via e-mail was rare -- you had to go fill out an application. It wasn't until about two years ago when the economy here fell into the pooper that business names, addresses, phone numbers, started disappearing from the listings and instead e-mail and/or fax. Employers don't want to see you face-to-face anymore. It is done purposefully because, as you probably know, the current job competition shows that there are six people applying for every one position.

Take over here what over a year ago I first heard from a lady that she went to apply for a position and there were litterally (not figuritively) about a 125 people standing in the hall, packing the room. The HR lady doing the interviews said she'd never seen it before and that she could grab a handful of applications and toss it into the air and get a random one, because there were dozens of people with the qaulifications already applied.

Standing out isn't going to do it -- you're up against tons of people who have the same skills you do (or better), and will even try to do dastardly things like take lower hourly pay/lower salary, just to one-up anybody there.

That instance of the 125 people were not just that -- an instance. I heard another story like that, and experienced it myself someplace. Only reason I didn't encounter it more -- employers don't want you coming in to fill out the applications anymore.

Next time an interview is concluded, ask the HR person how many people applied, and how many of them had the same qaulifications. Then try not to act afraid of the answer.


I find the average hiring process is two weeks.

 

[Jetfire]

I've actually been wondering many of the same questions. According to my profile on monster.com, none of my applications have ever been looked at, and I find myself asking, "What's the point of posting the job on monster if you're not even going to look at the applications?"

In my area alot of places say they are hiring but alot of people I know don't get called back or emailed...including myself...even my old job who said they would hire me back is giving me the runaround now.

As for applying for a fast food job...been there, done that...would rather die.

 

[RoJoHen]

As for applying for a fast food job...been there, done that...would rather die.

Yeah, at this point I have a job, but it's just not going as well as I'd hoped. It's gonna take a lot of time to build up a steady clientele.

In the meantime, I need something more reliable.

 

[Daneel]

So a few posts up I mentioned a hotel front desk clerk as an example of the sort of thing I'm applying for. Continuing with that as an example, do you think it would be okay for me to call the hotel to ask if a) they are still hiring, and b) they did indeed receive my application and resume?

 

[Jetfire]

^
I don't know if you have looked into Being a bank teller...in my area atleast 3 banks are looking for tellers and other staff. I am working up the nerve to apply at Wells Fargo, but my work history is weak now.

 

[Daneel]

I don't know... it's crossed my mind, and it might be something I could do, but I tend to doubt that any bank would hire me based on my previous work experience. Plus I've never been much of a math person.

 

[Commander Rabbit]

I've never applied for a job through Monster.com, but the site has a lot of good advice. You might want to prowl around there for tips, not just for job leads.

Also, ditto to whoever stressed the important of cover letters/e-mails and thank you notes.

Good luck!

 

[Commander Rabbit]

So a few posts up I mentioned a hotel front desk clerk as an example of the sort of thing I'm applying for. Continuing with that as an example, do you think it would be okay for me to call the hotel to ask if a) they are still hiring, and b) they did indeed receive my application and resume?

Yes. Unless the ad specifically said "no phone calls", a follow-up call is appropriate.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I should mention that I got my current job through Monster. A recruiting company saw my resume and hooked me up with this employer.

The most important thing about having your resume on a job site is that it have the right keywords in it. Make sure any applications, systems, products, and particular skills you have experience with are listed in your resume. I have a whole bunch on mine, and automated scraping bots go looking for specific words, which brings your resume to the attention of employers looking for specific skills.