Random Rants XLII: The Four-Part Plan

[Joecoolyo]

#firstyearproblems

So true

Take the initiative. As long as you aren't in her dorm there's really nothing lost in being forward. And yes, girls don't like pussyfooting.

Yeah, she lives in the dorms on the east side, while I live on the west, so no real conflict there.

And, I'm not really sure how to be forward/take the initiative. I mean, I'm still not sure if I'm imagining something here or not, and I don't want to come off as pushy or anything which could ruin it (lack of tact wewt). I hope I don't come off as pussyfooting around, but unless things are concrete, I guess I'm just really passive about things. I don't know, its all so confusing!

And I could lose everything by being too forward, and given my track record I'd rather not screw this one up. But then again I guess kicking back and taking it slow might ruin my chance as well. ugh

I feel like I'm putting more thought into this than I am into the four essays I have due next week. I guess that's my punishment for finishing all my work early.

 

[madviking]

Yeah, she lives in the dorms on the east side, while I live on the west, so no real conflict there.

And, I'm not really sure how to be forward/take the initiative. I mean, I'm still not sure if I'm imagining something here or not, and I don't want to come off as pushy or anything which could ruin it (lack of tact wewt). I hope I don't come off as pussyfooting around, but unless things are concrete, I guess I'm just really passive about things. I don't know, its all so confusing!

And I could lose everything by being too forward, and given my track record I'd rather not screw this one up. But then again I guess kicking back and taking it slow might ruin my chance as well. ugh

There's a reason it's called a game.

 

[Joecoolyo]

Blech

oh well

I'll just hope for the best

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

I had a customer on the phone call me filth, and the "c" word today in a genuine monologue of odiousness. I can unquestionably state he was in the wrong. I told him "Mate, keep going if you want but don't you even think of hanging up on me". I got a few words into a withering retort and got the dial tone. I'm guessing that a commercial exchange will not ensue.

 

[GenMarshall]

If there's one thing about the Rants threads that will never change, it's that the majority of CG's rants will be about not having a job, and that the majority of PE's rants will be about CG's rants.

I vote we start titling these threads, "Not-so-Random CG/PE Rants".

Shesh, the least y'all cab do is offer at least some sort of advice on how to get out of the rut. No need to be a jerk about it.

CG could complain about singleness and unemployment,

To be fair, I haven't complained about being single in a long time.

 

[JohannaK]

Shesh, the least y'all cab do is offer at least some sort of advice on how to get out of the rut. No need to be a jerk about it.

This point has already been addressed in the discussion.

 

[GenMarshall]

Well, I'm open to suggestions.

I don't know what I am doing wrong since I've been trying to do the right things; sending out resumes and applications. Yet I get no response from employers.

 

[Tee Kay]

Do you have people proofreading your applications and resumes?

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

Well, I'm open to suggestions.

I don't know what I am doing wrong since I've been trying to do the right things; sending out resumes and applications. Yet I get no response from employers.

I believe that sending out resumes and applications are an important part of looking for a job. But how much time per day do you dedicate to this task? How many applications per day? When did you last hit the streets and cold call? How many agencies are you on the books with? How many jobs have you applied for that are outside of your comfort zone and would require you to truly challenge yourself should your application be successful? What time on the morning are you up attacking this task?

I ask these questions to challenge you to reconsider the idea that you are doing all you can. I'm not suggesting that 100% dedication is realistic, I'm suggesting that you re-evaluate your perception of 100%.

 

[sophie]

Well, I'm open to suggestions.

I don't know what I am doing wrong since I've been trying to do the right things; sending out resumes and applications. Yet I get no response from employers.

Are you following up with prospective employers? Calling them a week or so after you send in the application. How are you sending in your resumes? Are you sending them online or in person? If you do so in person, what are you wearing? How are you talking to the people you send your apps in to? Do you just hand them the paper or do you also try to make a good impression; reminding them of your skills and qualifications?

 

[GenMarshall]

Do you have people proofreading your applications and resumes?

Most if not the majority of my applications I fill out are done electronically via a HR site (some have their own and some are done by a third party). Though on occasions, I do come across an old fashioned fill in the blank by hand resume and fill them out as legibly I can and the resumes that I have is already proofread (I even sent a copy to DT for him to look over and he said that it's good on his end).

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

Are you following up with prospective employers? Calling them a week or so after you send in the application. How are you sending in your resumes? Are you sending them online or in person? If you do so in person, what are you wearing? How are you talking to the people you send your apps in to? Do you just hand them the paper or do you also try to make a good impression; reminding them of your skills and qualifications?

These are excellent questions. You just can't go wrong with this advice.

 

[GenMarshall]

I believe that sending out resumes and applications are an important part of looking for a job. But how much time per day do you dedicate to this task? How many applications per day? When did you last hit the streets and cold call? How many agencies are you on the books with? How many jobs have you applied for that are outside of your comfort zone and would require you to truly challenge yourself should your application be successful? What time on the morning are you up attacking this task?

I ask these questions to challenge you to reconsider the idea that you are doing all you can. I'm not suggesting that 100% dedication is realistic, I'm suggesting that you re-evaluate your perception of 100%.

1. Pretty much when I'm in a mood thats not cynical and have some semblance of a sliver of optimism. I'm still recovering from being a discouraged worker.
2. That depends on the day, one day could be one while another could be upwards of ten.
3. That hasn't been an option in mind. I'm largely a shy introverted type in RL .
4. I have had sought out applications in the retail/fast food joints.
5. Usually around 10-11 EST

Are you following up with prospective employers? Calling them a week or so after you send in the application. How are you sending in your resumes? Are you sending them online or in person? If you do so in person, what are you wearing? How are you talking to the people you send your apps in to? Do you just hand them the paper or do you also try to make a good impression; reminding them of your skills and qualifications?

1. I usually don't, I don't want to come across as desperate or pushy. Plus it's not usually the option on my list, including cold calling.
2. Electronically.
3 & 4. As I told Rugby, I'm a shy and introverted person IRL so I don't usually talk to people. My self-confidence and esteem are in the crapper and all in my mind is just anxiety about getting the job and starting my life over again. I don't touch base on my college education when applying for low skill jobs so I don't get flagged as too over qualified and turned down.

 

[salty mud]

Employers want you to be desperate and pushy. Why should they hire someone who doesn't show much interest?

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

1. Pretty much when I'm in a mood thats not cynical and have some semblance of a sliver of optimism. I'm still recovering from being a discouraged worker.
2. That depends on the day, one day could be one while another could be upwards of ten.
3. That hasn't been an option in mind. I'm largely a shy introverted type in RL .
4. I have had sought out applications in the retail/fast food joints.
5. Usually around 10-11 EST

Massive props for straight out, honest replies without justifications. The good news is that is an attribute that a employer would be looking for . To address a few of your points.

1. A very very risky way of approaching anything. Moods are extremely hard to control. Try to let your actions determine your mood and push on. Do positive stuff and watch your mood magically improve! It's win/win.

2. How does it depend on the day? One is far too few, period.

3. Fair enough. But boy, if you had a crack it and realized that your fears, while legitimate, are overstated, you'd come out the other side reinvigorated.

4. To restrict your search to fast food joints is selling yourself short. I've seen your stuff in DYOS and I'm not suggesting that you will instantly get a job in that field, I'm just saying that it's a minuscule percentage of the population that can do that, I'm sure you have other talents. Also I think that the fact that years later you can't get a job flipping burgers speaks volumes for your approach which just ain't working. Don't do the same thing over and over expecting a different result.

Truth be told, if you were dressed, coffeed up and ready to rock by 8.00am everyday, dedicated 8 hours a day to finding a job just in fast food, hit the pavement, hit the phones, sent out every app possible etc, I guarantee you you'll be employed, probably after two days. Sure, this regimen would be torture if you had to do it day in, day out for a year. I'm asking for a week, just one week. You will get a job, I'm certain. You would blow your competition out of the water. You have absolutely no idea what you are capable of until you try. You can walk around the base of Mt Everest for a thousand years but you ain't getting to the top.

5. 10am? 11am? No, just no.....your competition has made 5 applications already, 3 phone calls and is on their way to the new place just opening, resume in hand, ready to work.

1 week of giving your heart and soul and you won't fail. In the highly unlike case that you do, well heh, you've given your heart and soul to something, and that's never a fail.

Good luck champ. I for one would be absolutely pumped to hear how you go

 

[sophie]

1. I usually don't, I don't want to come across as desperate or pushy. Plus it's not usually the option on my list, including cold calling.
2. Electronically.
3 & 4. As I told Rugby, I'm a shy and introverted person IRL so I don't usually talk to people. My self-confidence and esteem are in the crapper and all in my mind is just anxiety about getting the job and starting my life over again. I don't touch base on my college education when applying for low skill jobs so I don't get flagged as too over qualified and turned down.

This is the mistake. You can't just send in a bunch of electronic applications without following up and expect to find a job. Literally thousands of other people have done the exact same thing you just did, and with nothing to set you above everybody else your application is going to be passed over.

Don't worry about appearing desperate or pushy. It tells employers you care about the job and want to work. If they don't like it, well, you weren't going to get the job anyway so there's really no problem.

What you really need to do is rather than just mass filling out online applications and mailing them in, you need to walk around your town, find 10-12 good jobs with openings available that you can really see yourself working at, prepare a good (proofread, printed on professional paper) résumé, with cover letters for each position, put on your best suit and go down in person to each location. Ask to see the manager. Do not give it to an employee working at the counter. Do not hand the résumé over to anybody but the manager. When he comes out you give him a good, firm handshake (remember the thumb to web technique), and then hand him your résumé. When you are giving him your résumé you tell him that you are qualified for the job, you really want to work here, and some of the reasons why he should hire you.

Then, about 2-3 days after you've given him your résumé, assuming you haven't been called back for an interview, you call him and ask about the status of your application. You reaffirm that you want to work there, retell him your qualifications and say you look forward to hearing back from him. You do this because managers have to deal with a lot of crap day in day out. They probably get a couple hundred online applications and a good at least 20-30 other guys coming in just like you just did. Only a fraction of those 20-30 will follow up. It's the easiest way for him to remember who you are. Those people who follow up have their applications go straight to the top of the pile at least 4 out of 5 times.

Finally, and most importantly, don't sit on your laurels waiting for a call for an interview. Don't say "well I shouldn't apply for more jobs because what if I get called for an interview by any of the last 12 places I applied to". Instead, you find another 10-12 places and do exactly the same thing you just did. Applying like this beats the hell out of just blindly sending in 100 applications a day to random places online. It sounds like hard work but if you are serious about wanting to find a job, you will get it if you put in the time and do it this way. I guarantee you will find something within the month if you do it exactly that way.

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

Wanna job Owen? Come hang in Oz man, you'd literally smash it up selling cars.

 

[History_Buff]

M I N I M A L; Minimal.

Also, I'm really drunk.

 

[Borachio]

I had a customer on the phone call me filth, and the "c" word today in a genuine monologue of odiousness. I can unquestionably state he was in the wrong. I told him "Mate, keep going if you want but don't you even think of hanging up on me". I got a few words into a withering retort and got the dial tone. I'm guessing that a commercial exchange will not ensue.

Hohohoho. Now that's the sort of thing completely ruins my day. Try as I might, I can't seem to shake the annoyance off. The less I say in angry reply the quicker I get over it, though.

The best result is when I manage to talk them round with calm and charm.

 

[madviking]

Wanna job Owen? Come hang in Oz man, you'd literally smash it up selling cars.

ahahahaha i would love to see that.