Trying to get a job

Blogs > `Zapdos

`Zapdos

United States935 Posts

March 08 2012 05:31 GMT

Alright so here's the deal, I promised myself in some earlier blogs I was gonna be productive with my life from now on and I'm trying to get a job. However, everywhere I've applied has not called me back and last week I applied at a place I REALLY would enjoy working at but am still awaiting the phone call for an interview they promised me. I applied in person and breifly talked to the manager there and they said they would call.

Here's where I need help. I want to be proactive and call them up tommorow and see if I can get an interview. I've never done this before and I'm pretty shy so all you experienced job getting people, if you have any advice on what to say or how to handle this I'd very much appreciate it because I don't really know what to say or ask them when I call. Thanks for your help TL!

Epoch

Canada257 Posts

March 08 2012 05:34 GMT

One piece of advice is to make sure you figure out when that particular business is going to be the least busy and make your call then as not to interrupt any busy affairs and have the best shot at talking to who you need to.

Another thing is these days call backs for jobs is something like 1 for every 30 resumes or something crazy so don't get discouraged you gotta work HARD get out there! Go in person, don't just apply for stuff online etc...

GL

blade55555

United States17423 Posts

March 08 2012 05:38 GMT

On March 08 2012 14:34 Epoch wrote:
One piece of advice is to make sure you figure out when that particular business is going to be the least busy and make your call then as not to interrupt any busy affairs and have the best shot at talking to who you need to.

Another thing is these days call backs for jobs is something like 1 for every 30 resumes or something crazy so don't get discouraged you gotta work HARD get out there! Go in person, don't just apply for stuff online etc...

GL

Yeah it's really tough now of days :/. My dad was telling me how he never had to call when he was looking for a job, if they were hiring they called you, but with it today you have to call to even have a chance it seems. I hate calling as I feel like I am going to annoy them lol xD.

`Zapdos

United States935 Posts

March 08 2012 05:39 GMT

On March 08 2012 14:38 blade55555 wrote:

Show nested quote +

But guys.. what do i call and say? T.T

Chairman Ray

United States11903 Posts

March 08 2012 05:40 GMT

The easiest way to get a job is by going through a friend. This is the only way I've been able to get a job back when I was in high school. Most places have a big stack of resumes people drop off. There's nothing differentiating you from anyone else. If you have a friend that works somewhere that's hiring, get your friend to give the manager a shout.

Chairman Ray

United States11903 Posts

March 08 2012 05:44 GMT

On March 08 2012 14:39 `Zapdos wrote:

Show nested quote +

But guys.. what do i call and say? T.T

Just be direct with them. "Hello my name is Zaptos, I inquired last week about the job opening you have. When can I get an interview?"

blade55555

United States17423 Posts

March 08 2012 05:45 GMT

On March 08 2012 14:39 `Zapdos wrote:

Show nested quote +

But guys.. what do i call and say? T.T

tbh not sure as I am like you, don't know what to say. I know in the place I called I just asked to make sure they got my application (saying my name of course

).

I imagine someone who's better then me will tell you

Diader

United States232 Posts

March 08 2012 05:56 GMT

On March 08 2012 14:44 Chairman Ray wrote:

Show nested quote +

Just be direct with them. "Hello my name is Zaptos, I inquired last week about the job opening you have. When can I get an interview?"

This is good advice, I would just add to ask for the manager to speak with them, mention what job it was specifically, and maybe instead of "When can I get an interview" go a tad more formal with "I was wondering when my interview will be scheduled", or think or a way to rephrase that so you don't use wondering, since that's not really ideal.

It doesn't really matter, though, in all likelihood the manager will say something like "Oh hey Zapdos, we've been really busy and haven't had time to go through those applications. How about you come in for an interview on [day] at [time]?"

Good luck, and keep at it!

frequency

Australia1901 Posts

March 08 2012 05:57 GMT

I hope you realise that in the blog section it says "How to get a... Zapdos". I chuckled.

Golgotha

Korea (South)8418 Posts

March 08 2012 07:01 GMT

#10

On March 08 2012 14:39 `Zapdos wrote:

Show nested quote +

But guys.. what do i call and say? T.T

been there! you gave em a week? you are positive that the scheduled calling period is overdue? then there is no harm if you call and ask for an update on your interview!!!

Call and tell the operator or secretary that you want to talk to the hiring manager or the head supervisor (make sure to ask the operator to find out if the manager is FREE). When you get patched through tell him/her your name and ask if you could have an update on your hiring status. Don't be pushy but be eager. Let them know you are very interested. They might not know who you are so you gotta brief them with a bit of background on what happened the last time.

Whatever you do, do not say, "But you promised me an interview wah wah wah wah". Nothing like that. Just ask for an update and if you are on their schedule.

Be very friendly, cordial and professional.

edit:

oh and even if they say no, you gotta hands down must most assuredly say, "thank you for your time and thank you for the previous interview."

BenBuford

Denmark307 Posts

March 08 2012 07:15 GMT

#11

Upload a recent replay (application/CV) and we might be able to help.

Phelix

1931 Posts

March 08 2012 07:22 GMT

#12

I'm in the same situation as you, finding motivation to apply for a job. This has been rough on me after graduating college, but the only advice I can give is that you have to remain positive.

BreakfastBurrito

United States893 Posts

March 08 2012 08:07 GMT

#13

-ask for general manager, shift managers cant do much for you, so its kind of luck of the draw sometimes..

-DONT call during peak times, they wont have time to talk. restaurants is like 5-7 weekdays is busy, 11am-2 is pretty busy. Weekends are busy. Can vary from place to place though.

-be polite obviously but don't be phony. managers often value REALNESS in a person, since they will have to work with you many many days in the future if they hire you. be yourself sounds cliche, but yeah... Just dont be uptight. Goes for the interview as well.

in this day and age, a few applications isnt enough. I used snagajob.com and filed a couple every day. 2 or 3 a day adds up and you will get some callbacks. They have a really good legitimate website that I recommend and can personally tell you that it works.

most important thing... dont get discouraged! You will turn in a LOT of applications, probably call a LOT of managers to have them tell you that they aren't hiring atm. Just gotta be "prolific" with your applying haha...

Diader and Golgotha both gave good advice as well. Definitely follow what they say

Newbistic

China2912 Posts

March 08 2012 10:39 GMT

#14

I think if you have a phone number for a job, you should definitely follow up on filing the application by calling during non-peak hours and asking to speak to the manager or whoever is in charge. Simply waiting around for a call just doesn't work these days. Unless you've been promised a call on some date, you should definitely follow up on an application after a day has passed, and if you don't receive a promised call, follow up by calling them a day after.

Furthermore, as depressing as being jobless/trying to find a job is, you definitely should try to sound optimistic, confident, and enthusiastic while answering the calls and during interviews, even for jobs you think you might not enjoy.

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