RHUer Needs Advice On Getting A Job Interview

Hi RHU, I'm a long-time reader, first-time poster, you know the drill.

You can call me Faceless Applicant, because lately that's what I seem to be to any employer. I am stuck between a rock and a hard place with finding a job for several reasons, which I will explain.

1) I have no work experience, and no work references. This is a huge problem because, as I'm sure you're aware, a lot of people who are looking for jobs right now have work experience and strong references, so I'm already at a strong disadvantage.

2) I'm right out of high school, waiting for college to start and I badly need a job to pay off the student loan I just applied for. However, because I'm so young and with 'no college education' on my application, I'm not getting any calls back.

3) I don't have my driver's license yet. I should soon, assuming the DMVC doesn't give me the run-around like they did when I originally went in to get it, but I still can't put on an application that I have my license.

All in all, my applications and resume are weak, and I desperately need advice from people more experienced with getting jobs. I have tried calling in multiple times about the status of my applications, emails, everything short of walking daily into the places I've applied to inquire (not easy to do because of the lack of a license). No one will even give me a chance.

I really need a job, any job. So, RHUers, any advice for me on how to get an interview under these circumstances? Or at least some ways to make my resume and work experience seem less lacking?

Thanks in advance, 

--Faceless Applicant

(P.S. I've already looked into volunteering, there are no options available in this town that don't require some sort of experience

Comments

[Hiedi]

I highly suggest you visit a worksource (sorry, unemployment office-they are called worksource here in WA)

It's fair season where I live. There's carnivals popping up, county fairs happening everywhere. They are hiring for short term employment and often desperate for workers. My experience with getting a job at a fair ground or carnival is if you are breathing, over 18, willing to work weekends and can provide valid ID and a food handlers card you are hired. Look into that for some work experience.

Have you ever baby sat, mowed lawns, painted houses, cleaned out garages on a semi regular basis? Ever do work for a neighbor or family member on a semi regular basis? I suggest put them down as an employment reference.

[Queer Geek]

I feel your pain. As someone who has been working for over ten years only to be laid off in this difficult economy, the job market sucks. I'm still struggling looking for work and I have experience.

Okay on to your advice. Since you've never worked before. Add in any volunteer experience you have done on your resume and apply them to your work experience. As a first time job, I do recommend the fast food industry. Yes, it is hellish but it'll give you some work experience. Part time retail also is another way to go but it depends if you have skills to sell merchandise to customers.

Check commuity websites because they hire part time college students for things like recreation afterschool programs. The only ting is you have to work with kids who can be either angels or little monstrous hellspawns.

Then there are job fairs and temp agencies. I know you are going to school so it depends if your schedule will allow you to work.

As for the interview process, sell yourself! Sound positive and answer their questions to the best of your ability. Usually what I do is take all the questions they ask in an interview, remember them, compile then, and practice answering them for my next interview. It'll give you some preparation on selling yourself to a potential employer.

Good luck!

[Megsong23]

Show case the skills you do have i.e, Strong people skills, phone skills etc.(Y'know like Good____ thank you for calling Grumbel's this is Faceless how may I help you?)

Don't phrase it that you have no experience, instead spin it towards the "I am a recent high school graduate who is looking to gain experience in a new field."

Put down any awards you've earned in school-Perfect attendance etc. (Shows that you can go above and beyond the call of duty.)

I second Hiedi's ideas of use baby sitting references-or people at church or what not. Did you tutor anyone after school? Use it!

I hope this helps, those were some of the tips I got when starting.

[Hellbound Alleee]

I started out pretty humbly, but it was a lucrative start.

I worked for a housecleaning service.

It was one of those independent contractor deals. The pay was pretty ok. (It was 10 years ago and I made 10 dollars an hour. Their equipment.) I worked two houses a day, four hours per. The work was actually pretty pleasant. I listened to music the whole time, and made friends with some of the homeowners. I would not trade the experience I had for anything, and it saved me from being homeless.

Really important to make an IRS savings account, though.

[kuroneko4276]

Applying for Federal work-study may help a little once school's in session, but in the meantime, you might try asking your teachers and any adults who've worked with you in organizations (think Scout leaders, the director of the Drama Club, the Habitat for Humanity lady, etc.,) to write you a letter of reference. These can be Xeroxed or scanned and reprinted to literally staple to applications, and every time I've handled hiring, I've taken them seriously.

You'd be surprised what you can declare as work experience. Posters above have mentioned babysitting, tutoring and other informal jobs, as well as volunteer work, but if you've ever had chores or tasks for your family and friends (fixing grandma's computer, mowing your mom's friend's lawn,) you can feel free to list those tasks among your skills, and if the person you did the chores for wasn't related (or has a different last name,) there's someone you can put down as a supervisor, provided you've asked them to be a reference and explained for what. I had my godmother and Girl Scout troop leader on my resume as past supervisors until I was 25 and I still have them as references.

Also, if worse comes to worse, there are a lot of big-box stores (think Walmart,) and fast-food places that'll take in a rookie when they have the space. The personal reference of an employee who's already there means a lot, so if you have an older friend who can take you in and introduce you to HR, that really helps.

It's also possible to get a job simply by getting the employees onto your side. Even before you get that driver's license, go online and learn how to change a tire, jump a car and otherwise aid a person in need. One of the best out-of-nowhere jobs I ever got was offered to me by a retail assistant-manager whose car had broken down. I helped her get her kids home and she personally went in and bothered her boss until I was hired. Walk around local stores with folded copies of your resume in a pocket or messenger bag, watch for customers to be nasty and then very politely remind them that the cashier's working very hard, maybe offer to solve the problem yourself (if you can, things like showing a customer how to find the widgets or suggesting a different product you can do, but don't presume to speak for store policy,) and then, having impressed said cashier, mention that you're looking for a job and could they use you? My younger brother was hired directly to assistant-management at a small restaurant because he, as a customer, managed to politely defuse a situation with a disgruntled and obnoxious fellow custy.

Don't fall for the job-offer scams on Craigslist and elsewhere. If it needs your SSN, asks you to front any money or is in ANY way multi-level marketing, it's a scam. Things like pre-paid legal, fancy herbal coffee or supplements...it's all a fancier spin on a pyramid scheme and if it weren't ultimately doomed, they wouldn't be using such hard-sell techniques. NOT ONE multi-level marketing scheme is worth even touching, not one, and if you have to hang up flyers at church and babysit, it's still better than getting rooked into a MLM and at least then you'll have a good reference afterward.

Also, with any free time you have, volunteer. The people who organize volunteers at charities, local institutions like the cat shelter, homeless shelter and Adult Literacy or even special events like Relay for Life KNOW you're giving up time that could mean wages, and most of them are VERY well-connected in the community. Two weeks changing litterboxes and petting kitties could impress the volunteer coordinator so well that when her friend who owns a pizza restaurant mentions his server quit to have a baby, she'll speak highly of you and he'll try you out just on her say-so. You wouldn't BELIEVE how seriously the good word of a volunteer coordinator is taken by small-business owners and service-job managers. I went into my last job interview hoping for entry-level (I'd just had a huge move and left the entire geographical area of my previous industry,) and because the head of the company was buddies with the lady who books volunteers with the animal shelter, I was offered a MANAGEMENT position because the cat and dog ladies were impressed by my work ethic and ability to motivate a team. I literally owe my current job to volunteering at the county SPCA.

And if it worked for me, it can work for you!

[chris]

All the above posts offer you great advice. You might look for call center jobs, telemarketing, etc. Those jobs have a HUGE turn over rate... most people only work for 6 months to maybe a year or two. I have done some tech support, and during training, I noticed that many of the new hires had no computer training or experience.

Another option (and many of you may not like to hear it), but have you considered joining the military. I enlisted when I was 22, and my family and friends thought I was pulling a joke on them, because I refused to join the military... even making fun of a friend because he was in ROTC in high school.

I joined because I was recently married and needed steady income. I joined in 2000, before 9/11. I also served in Iraq in 2003. While I only did 4 years, the military has given me a tremendous edge over other people. After employers see my military service, I usually get hired right away.

I would stress that you really research the military before you enlist. The military isn't for everyone. This is something that should not be forced upon you... only consider and decide for yourself. Don't let me try to persuade you, because ONLY YOU will know the right reason.

Here are some good advantages of military service:
1. Free health care for you and your family (not the absolute best care, but it isn't really that bad.)
2. Potential security clearance. These usually cost civilian employers anywhere from 10 to 30 grand (depending on type), but if you have one from military service, a potential employer would save that money by hiring you and not someone without a clearance.

Because I had a high level clearance, I got a couple of temp jobs with military contractors. If you never served in the military, then these jobs won't be available to you unless you have some skill that is in great demand, and most will still only hire ex-military.

3. You can get a MOS (military occupation skill) in a field that you like. (I was in telecommunications.)
4. You could maybe live in a foreign country. (I lived in Germany for about 3 years- well, I did go to Iraq so maybe more like 2.25 years in Germany and I LOVED IT!)
5. I still stay in touch with some of my fellow soldiers. A friendship made in the military is a VERY close and tight relationship.
6. Guns. You get to play with plenty of those, but you receive strict training. You can't go out there and pretend you are Rambo.
7. Vacation time. It is called Leave in the military, but you get 30 days each year.
8. Money for college. You get the GI Bill (with an honorable discharge... anything less and you really lose a bunch of benefits.) Right now, I am going to school, and I get $1000 a month while in school for rent bills, etc. My tuition is paid in full each semester, and I get $500 each semester for books. Plus, while in service, your commander can sign a form allowing you to go to college. They pay a set amount per year and I can't remember the number, but I think it is about $2000 (don't quote me on the number I could be wrong). This money comes from your unit... NOT from your GI Bill.
9. If you decide to retire from the military, you only need 20 years of service to instantly get paid %50 of your base salary. I have a friend that is only 35 and is really close to his 20year mark. He plans on staying in longer (each year longer than 20 gives you a %5 increase in retirement).
10. Pride. Knowing that you can accomplish so much really boosts your ego.

There is so much more, but I don't want to make this post longer than it should be.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I was in the military, but I separated in 2004. I have no current connection to the military other than being a soldier for 4 years.

This is a decision that ONLY YOU can make. I don't want to see someone join the military out of desperation. It could bite you in the butt.

Include your family and friends in your decision. My mother at first tried to talk me out of joining the Army, but I enlisted anyway. Like I said, I had a wife to support. After my enlistment, my mother ( and father, friends, sister, etc) said that the military really helped me and has given me countless benefits.

[Colonixick]

This is just some straightforward advice - you are enrolled in a degree program.

List it under your education with a "Expected 201x" with whatever year you plan to finish your degree. Also list whatever your tentative degree is. IE
Bachelor of Arts I R Smart College Expected 2016

As for your search I'd suggest calling around to local offices (lawyer, doctor, real estate, auto) and seeing if they need any help in the office.

Also inquire to see if anybody would be interested in hiring an intern (usually they don't pay, but it's a good learning experience).

[Poofy]

If you really need the money, try mowing lawns. That's how I put myself through college the first couple of years. Its hard work and it sucks, but you can earn as much as you're willing to work for. You'll need to charge less than the "lawn services" out there. I would suggest lower middle-class neighborhoods. They usually have the cash handy to pay $20-30 bucks for someone to mow on the spot. Go door to door during the evening after people get home from work. Be sure to ask those that hire you if they'd like you to come back regularly. I lined up many regulars and eventually didn't have to do the door-to-door thing anymore.

Good luck. When you've graduated, and working professionally, you can look back and be satisfied that you made it by the sweat of your own brow.

[SQ]

Have you applied nature McDonalds? Apply at McDonalds. It sounds terrible but its not actually that bad, and they almost expect that you don't have experience.

[sellsCells]

All the advice above is sound, and should you get to an interview, I've found asking questions of the interviewer is likely to get you remembered. Here's an article of questions that are a good base.

http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-3023-Interviewing-What-questions-do-employers-want-to-hear-in-an-interview/?SiteId=cbmsnhp43023&sc_extcmp=JS_3023_home1

A few I like that aren't included are "May I have a tour? I've always been interested in [job] and I would like to see how it's handled here." and also repeating the interviewer's name so you have a reference when you call back about the interview. Also, if you're stuck in the waiting room, chat it up with the secretary or others in there. A kind disposition being noticed early could be the make-or-break in the job selection. I once got a job solely on my habit of saying "Please" and "Thank you" when offered a glass of water!

Biggest of all, good luck. I got my first job in a pharmacy because I happened to know somebody, so I was lucky there. Ask around. You might not know who among your friends and relations might need help and their work too.

[grmrsan]

As for the licence thing, as long as you're not applying for a driving position, an id card number does the same thing. Unless they ask, there's no reason to mention that it doesn't allow you to drive. There are also plenty of job help sites that can help you build a resume and cover letter that sells to your strengths and helps rephrase deficiencies, often into strengths, without being at all dishonest. Most of these are pay sites, but offer a free trial. Use the trial, or even pay for the shortest time period they offer to re-do your resume and cover.
Always dov our homework. Learn a little about a place before applying, and tailor your resume/CV to the individual company. Call ahead and ask the name of the hiring manager or general manager, and when they will be in. Drop your CV/resume off directly to the manager, dressed in interview clothes and introduce yourself. Often that will get you at least a mini interview, and help you stand out from the people that just dropped off paperwork. Even if you do the application online, you can visit the manager and tell them you have already applied online, but just wanted to introduce yourself personally. Always remember to send a personalized (but still professional) thank you note within 24 hours after an interview, thanking them for time and consideration, and VERY briefly reminding them how much you look forward go working with them in the future, and what you look forward to doing for them.
Just remember, it's all about selling yourself. Be polite, professional and considerate, and make sure they know why you are exactly the applicant they need.

[Faceless Applicant]

Hey guys, thanks for all the advice, I'll do what I can from your advice. Also, Chris, thank you for serving your country.

[Chicajojobe]

I'll add to the above advice that many universities have online career centers where employers can list openings. Including departments on campus, which are really the most convenient sort of jobs when you're working and going to college.
Another thing, don't leave the references section blank. I learned that the hard way when I was in high school. If you have no work references, it's fine, just put down any personal references other than family members. Anyone who is willing: a teacher, anyone you've done volunteer work with, even a friend if you have any you trust to not be complete idiots if they're contacted.
In all likelihood they won't contact your references anyway, but they do want you to put some down.

[Nihi]

Regarding call centers - I would avoid telemarketing and most commision based jobs unless you're a extrovert and highly motivated. That being said, tech support and tele-surveys and after-hours call centers are good choices and they don't expect much if any experience. Heck, I worked at one answering service that would pay over $16-20/hr for the overnight shift. The tele-survey had alot of flexibility and was about 70% highschool/college.

If they're asking about the liscense - make sure they know you have no trouble with travel/getting there on time.

[RockerChic]

Have you tried looking for a job in the town that your university is in, assuming you will be leaving for college soon?

Some employers see that you're going off to college and assume you will be leaving in a few weeks and no one wants to hire someone who will leave.

Make it clear that you're going to stick around one college starts or look in your college town. Lots of places have online applications or at least a number you can call.

[Hapax Legomenon]

In my limited experience, knowing someone who works at a place is the best way to get a job. Ask around. I got a job that paid 9.50 an hour (which was more than $2 over my previous hourly pay) because I ran into a friend at Panera and said I was looking for a job, and my friend's girlfriend said "We really need someone at [doctor's office]!" I wouldn't even have applied if I hadn't been told to, because the application asked for six months experience in medical records, and I had none. Asking around will get you the real info and connections.
This is an election year, and I know it's miserable work, but some local candidates will pay people to do canvassing work; it's temporary work and knocking on doors can do terrible things to your self-esteem, but they hired me when I was 8 months pregnant, so they'll take anyone. Look for those jobs on Craigslist.
Your college should also have non-workstudy resources for employment, some kind of career center. Try contacting them or checking their website.
Also, when you get to campus, look for a service organization to join. They'll help you connect to volunteer opportunities. Not only does volunteer work count as work experience, it helps connect you to work opportunities that aren't available other ways. Many of my friends in my service fraternity (NOT a social fraternity, they're totally different) went on to become employees for great places to work like the Humane Society.

[Greenhouse Gal]

There's some great advice here, but I'm going to first emphasize what Hapax said:

1. Network, network, network. I've been job-hunting for a permanent full-time job for four years. In the meantime, I've worked at an assortment of part-time jobs, some seasonal. Every single one of then was un-advertised, and I was hired because I talked to the right person at the right time.

2. As far as seasonal work goes--don't count on seasonal places necessarily advertising. I spent a couple years working seasonally at a greenhouse. This place *never* advertised--they hired based on referrals from current employees (see above), and on people stopping in at the right time (either before the season started, or right after someone quit in the middle of the season) asking, "hey, are you hiring?" Not sure where you are, but I'd be thinking farms, summer-only (or summer-heavy) venues like amusement parks, zoos, tourist attractions, etc.

Good luck!

[Timekeeper's Twit]

To echo what some here have already said-I've always found networking to be a great help. Talk to people, just in everyday life. Also, ask your friends for some help. I've gotten most of my jobs from references from friends. They can talk you up to a manager- at least tell you who's hiring where. Or, you could do like my husband does, start your own gig, Do you have any special skills you might be able to market? Create your own freelance endeavor!

[Finder Queen]

I got my start into the /lovely/ world of retail by working a seasonal holiday job. I was 19 and no skills or car or anything to speak of but I was given a chance simply due to the fact it was seasonal.
Many seasonal jobs are the way to go for first foot in the door, after that it's all a matter of how much you'll tolerate to decide if a job is worth it.
I'm on my 3rd workplace since that seasonal job and am forever grateful for that chance taken on me.
Just not so happy with my current workplace lol

[whatevz]

1. Retail doesn't require a resume. Why are you trying to avoid it? Don't lie and say you aren't because that's BS.

2. Libraries and animal shelters and homeless shelters and basically any volunteer opportunity does not require previous experience. So that's also BS.

Answer: you're lazy.

[Cranes]

Big chain grocery stores and big chain fast food usually hire high schoolers with no experience.

Also, if you live in a more rural area, my first jobs were agriculturally based. I worked on a horse farm and did corn de-tasseling. Some rural areas even have programs for corn detassling for high schoolers. Also, you can apply for work study for financial aid, it's a form of financial aid where the school actually gives you a job as part of your aid.

Also, your loans won't come due until you graduate or stop going to college. So, you have some time to find a job.

Also, you can use teachers as references on job apps if you have no experience.

[Richard Sparks]

I think the main point is that you should come to terms with the fact that you are probably going to end up with a job that is entry level and not very rewarding....but hey, as long as you keep in mind what your overall goals and treat everything as experience gained and lessons learned you will be fine...very few people manage to avoid a few rubbish jobs on the way towards their eventual career.

[Hapax Legomenon]

Whatevz, you're being rude and ignoring points Faceless Applicant made in their post. Even retail's hard to get in some places, and FA has mentioned sending checking the status of their applications; there's no evidence they're avoiding retail. And how much volunteer work have you actually done? If all the basic volunteer positions are filled, as is often the case with our humane society, they won't accept you for the upper-level positions without experience. There are plenty of volunteer positions that require experience. Around here, that experience is often handling horses. Who knows what it is where FA is?

[ArtsyGirl]

Work experience wise, have you ever babysat, helped mow lawns or shovel walks? Anything for neighbors? I would definitely use that as a reference if you had...if not, ask if any of your neighbors is looking for help of any kind. My best friend's mom has a country crafts business, and my best friend and her siblings consistently help her when she sets up booths at fairs and craft shows. Her little sister actually just landed her first job at 14 helping watch kids at the local elementary school for a summer session/camp type thing. If anyone you know has a side business, you could volunteer your time to them. While there are some volunteer opportunities that do require experience of some sort, there are definitely some that don't. A good place to start on that front would be a church or religious center. Another bit of advice is to look for opportunities everywhere. Go to a shopping mall and go into every store and ask if they're hiring. It doesn't have to be retail, either. Hospitals, schools, offices need receptionists, janitors, food service workers, mail clerks... hotels have housecleaning, valet parking. Any place with opportunity, inquire. And if you get an interview, and they ask a question where you can't answer because you have no experience, try drawing from a school experience/assignment that might be relevant to what they're asking. Emphasize that though you lack experience you can learn and are physically able to perform all tasks specified in the job description.

It's hard out there but never lose hope! Good luck!

[ArtsyGirl]

Oh, and Whatevz...I dunno where you live and where you applied, but all the retail stores that I applied to for a job needed a resume/references. Including the job I ended up getting, which is Walmart. Wouldn't expect it, eh?

Answer: you're just being rude.