First Job Application @ MindSay

Alrighty Guys, As many of you know I am in retail managment and it has come to my attention that MANY, MANY people don't have the 1st clue how to fill out a job application correctly.  So... I feel it is my duty to educate the masses on this subject.  Please share this information with people you know who are looking for a job.  If you saw most of the job apps I get you would almost cry.  They range from the few truly accepable and desirable to the truly hideous ones that must have been filled out either in the dark, under the covers OR they just aren't filled out at all.  And unfortunately the vast majority or really baaaad.

First.... a major pet peeve for me... Can you please put the date when it asks for one?  I am not inclined to call someone for an interview if it is an old app and exactly how am I to determine this?  Oh... that's right.  by the date on it!

Second... uummmm... YES.... your handwriting matters.  Once again they are either filled out in the dark or my favorite... all scrolled and fancy to the degree that I can't read it.  Which means that even If  you are GREAT I can't call you because I don't know who you are.  Hmmm. funny how that works.

Third... Job history.  I expect complete information in this area.  If you don't know the phone number of an old employer, you need to find out.  Exactly how do you think I am supposed to call for references?  Because, let me tell you that I am not going to go out of my way to find this information for myself.  If you want a job then you have to do the basics.  PS... yes your handwriting still matters.

Fourth...  to the Job Hoppers out there.  You know who you are.  You know what.  When I look at your job history I am looking for some sort of longevity.  If you have had 4 jobs and were only at any of them for 2 or 3 months then why would I expect you to be worth the time and effort I have to give to train you?

Fifth... If the app asks you questions about why you want to work for their company... some answer would be appropriate... but I will look at 2 things, particularly.  One, It better not say "because I need money!" and two, let's try to spell correctly.  Oh yeah... that looks special.

Sixth... OK... so you know that spot for references.  Well, you need to fill that out.  I don't care if this is your first job app and you have no professional references.  You know somebody.  Your teacher, you preacher, your best friends mom!  And by the way... it really does no good to fill out all that information and not include a phone number.

Seventh... if there is a back page for you to fill out for a background check?  FILL IT OUT.  duh...  as with many of thoses empty spaces on an application... We wouldn't ask for this or have it given that page to you if we didn't want it. 

Eight...OK... Let's live in reality when it come to that ohhh so special space where we want to know how much money you need to make, and think about where you are applying for a job.  If you go into the mall and apply at a store that is likely to hire a teenager with no work experience at all, why would you ask for $8.00 an hour.  Reality dictates, you are looking at minimum wage here folks.  You have to start somewhere.

Ninth... So yes, many people who are looking for a part time job only have limited availability but, OK... once more lets get a grip on reality.  If you want a job in the mall (for example) you sure as hell better be able to work nights and weekends.  That is when most mall retail needs the most workers.  That is when the most people come to the mall.  What good would you do me if you can't work a Sat or Sun?  Not much.

And for my Tenth and final points of the day.... really look at the app before you try to hand it in. Is it clean and unfolded. Or does it look like you just jammed it into your pocket.  And are you clean and presentable.  First impressions are everything here people.  Trust me when I say that we look at the people who hand in the App.  You may think... I am just dropping this off and I'll come to the interview looking good, but you are much more likely to get an interview if you look nice and appropriate to the business to whom you are handing in the App.  If it's a clothing store, they want to know you can sell clothes, not look like you just rolled out of bed.  And my final point.  Look at who you bring with you.  Your whole family should not be trailing along behind you.  Your kids should not be tugging at your skirt.  And your mom should not be the one asking if she can get a job application for you (especially if you are standing right there with her).  If you can't be bothered to come in to pick the app up... what about that makes me thinks you would show up for work?

Think on it people.  And happy job hunting!!!

Smooches,

Torridgirl

Right, so here is my first real up-date for what seems like a long time. This is mostly down to my computer suffering a severe attack from spyware, malware and an attempted hijacking. All of which I have now managed to defeat by installing every anti-spyware programme under the sun and now it looks like my compy – Henry, the name of my computer- is never going to be the same again.

So anyways, since August of last year when I finished my summer job as a general assistant and deciding to take a year out from University to gain work based experience in a laboratory to support my training as a biochemist I haven’t managed to earn any money with the exception of those three days in November.

Of course I sent off goodness knows how many application forms for jobs and never heard back from them, which is frustrating in itself, it appears that it is not economical for companies to inform applicants that their application will not be processed any further, though I will say that it must save on paper which is always going to be good for the environment in this day and age. However, my persistence did earn me several interviews. These included jobs at top bio-technology and pharmaceutical companies offering lucrative pay slips if they choose to hire you, yet it became apparent from the reasons for not hiring me that though I have the science knowledge and can perform all the tasks required that they have their standards to meet and that for me to meet them would take too much time on their part to get me to the required standard. I can only think how can anyone get a foot in the door for any job in today’s job market when the chances to gain experience require experience themselves? Lunacy? You bet.

And of course, I was also fortunate enough to be one of only four to be interviewed for a position within the police forensic labs. Now it is unusual to turn around after an interview and say that you enjoyed it but that is exactly what I did. I truly loved it as far as jobs and possible careers go that is. I was in total awe, the interview for me was one of my best to date and being shown round was interesting – in other words totally cool, who wouldn’t want to speak to forensic scientists about their current cases and see how they work-. A las, I did not get the job but it left a lasting impression and I am hopeful of being invited to shadow several forensic chemists in the near future.

From these experiences of seeing what my current degree in biochemistry would lead me to most likely doing in the pharmaceutical/bio-tech sector in comparison to the world of forensics and realising the repetition of what was involved and knowing me as I do that such a career would be soul destroying for me so I have applied to new Universities hoping to be accepted on to a degree course in forensic or crime scene science.

So on with that, I have taken a small ten hour a week job working Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday in a local store just getting it ready for opening. It doesn’t look like it will be to bad, I get paid a good rate at £6/hour, I get too see all the bargains and I get to operate the buffer machine which is the most fun ever as I attempt not to lose control of it and destroy the entire store in the process. On the downside I have to be there at half past seven in the morning, guess I can’t have it all my own way. Guess I just need to get another job that will take my hours up to between 20 and 30 and I won’t be doing too badly.

I’m thinking perhaps of finding about working in America over the summer months in one of those camp things I’ve seen advertised in the past. Especially since I’ve recently picked up papers for a passport the other day and I’ve not been out of the county in well over a decade.

Long days and pleasant nights

Stephen :)

Today Was Very Amuzing First We Went To Meet My Dads Boss And Then We Went To The Bank Then We Picked Up My Sister From Work Then We Went To Togos For Lunch Then We Dropped By Jesse`s Work (yes he acctually has a job now) And Picked Up An Application (she wants to quit her job and work there) Then We Dropped Her Off At Home Then We Headed Home I Took A Quick Nap Then I Made A New Website http://www.freewebs.com/riot-music You Can Check It Out But It Not Done Not Even Close I Have Too Do More Tommrow Iam Also Changing Starlights Layout http://www.freewebs.com/starlightnight My Friend Said The Neon Green Was To Bright So Yea Anyways Iam Out I Gotta Make Dis Layout Rill Quick Din Iama Get To Bed.

~Punkdollie

I woke up around 1or 2pm yesterday. And I haven't slept since, And I'm tired and I'm suppose to do the dishes. I've been looking in the wanted ads today. I asked my mom about them and she said no one would hire me and she isn't going to drive me all over the place for a job. So I thought I'd just go to the local burger king, which is maybe 7 minutes walking from my house, and fill out an application. I know no one from the morning crew and only know people from later in the day.

I go in late in the afternoon so much I'm almost on a first name basis with everyone who works there. I couldn't sign up for hours that were too late though because I didn't know about my mom. I want to be able to walk back and forth without her and I don't like walking at night by myself..and I don't know if she'd be willing to come and get me at night, so I signed up for 9am to 4pm execpt on wednesday..I signed up for 9-1pm. So I signed up for 46 hours a week. I told her that those were just the hours I would be able to work, but if she only needs me on certain days for certain hours, I'd be okay with that.

I don't like her as much as I like the night time manager guy. I've just been around him more and he seems more laid back and funny that the first one. Either way, I hope I get hired (because that way I won't have to listen to my mom bitch about taking me somewhere really far) and I work for awhile for those hours and then my mom says she'll pick me up late at night if I want to switch my hours...and then I get to switch my hours from 2-10pm. Then I would get to work with the people I've been around with more and with the people I feel I'd get along with and be more comfortable with.

The whole time I was applying, I looked up and caught someone looking at me. I felt like they were all saying "look, she's applying...fresh meat. If she gets hired, give her a nice welcome" or some shit like that. Anyways...I got home and realized that I didn't put a date when I could start (which is really asap, but I don't think it matters much if I did or didn't put that because they are suppose to call...hopefully they won't just throw it away) I also didn't put down what position I'd like to be, but in reality, I don't give a shit. I just want some fucking money and a place to be sometimes where I don't have to hear my mom so much.

I said something about going job hunting today, but she said she has work to do. I think if she'd say okay and that she'd pick me up and stuff, I'd like to apply at Target, Barnes and Noble, or Books A Million. I would also go for best buy, but I hear you have to be 18. I'm thinking....Target is nice. Its just nice. I like it there. Barnes and Noble and Books A Million...I'm thinking heaven. I'm thinking discounts + my paychecks = A new bookcase with new books. With Best Buy I'm thinking wholesale prices + my paycheck = everthing out of that store. I'm thinking 20 new things each week.

- Jessicka