Posted on 11/29/2004 9:17:33 AM PST by LuLuLuLu
Working in a call center for 6.75$?
I work in a major telecoms call center I am making 18.00$/HR in a right to work state! I don't even have a degree just my military expirence! I would avoid a job like that if you can... those are usually the telemarking or cold call centers.
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Worth repeating.
Yes...as someone who is peripherally involved with hiring staff here at the library, I can vouch for the effect that this can have on a potential employer.
It might not be the effect you want. A busy manager may not have time for random office visits, and might well resent having someone come in without at least a courtesy telephone call.
If you want to try this, I would recommend trying to feel out the situation, perhaps by calling ahead.
In general, you have to go where the work is.
If you can't, then you have to be aware that 80% of jobs are found by knowing someone. Who do you know, where? Network. Make sure your friends know you are looking for work and ask if they have openings where there are.
CONTACTS....CONTACTS....CONTACTS.....go to Chamber of Commerce meetings, Church, women's clubs meetings, tell EVERYONE you KNOW and SEE what you are looking for, in fact, have a RESUME READY to GIVE them......even tell the people you are standing in line with.....or where you are purchasing goods......SELLING yourself is the key, AND knowing someone helps, too.
Don't tell the employer about your shortcomings in the resume or cover letter. It only allows them to eliminate you before the interview. Instead, concentrate on the areas that you're most qualified for. Explain how your experience prepares you for the job without using negatives.
Most people get jobs through networking. Join professional organizations for your specialty. Get to know people in the organizations where you want to work. Talk to people at church. Get out and meet people.
Don't depend on the Internet for job leads. I found that many of the jobs posted on Monster or Flipdog had already been filled before they were ever posted.
Find out what organizations hire your specialty. Do searches on Google for your specialty and don't just concentrate on the geographical area that you're interested in. I found job postings for Virginia, but when I went to the company web site I found jobs in the local area (Florida) for the same speciality and the same company.
Go ahead and send resumes to companies that haven't advertised. Submit resumes to the companies in your local area that hire people in your specialty. They may have unadvertised positions.
Make finding a job a full time task. I put together a schedule and made it a point to contact at least 10 potential employers a day. Use your imagination on how to locate them and be creative. Always make follow up calls after you send a resume.
Good luck. It can be pretty depressing after a couple of months of unemployment.
What ever you do, stay away from Bernard Haldane. There be vampires there.
My first and third jobs in the Cincinnati area have come from the local papers. They were both small companies that did not post openings on online services.
Look in all the local papers, not just the big ones.
Networking is key - asking for a position, even if they have to create one is important too.
My favorite line, when 'they' ask if you are ambitious - "I want your job."
Better yet - work for yourself. It took me 15 years to figure that one out...
Your letter and resume should focus on how you will save the company money or make them money. The rest doesn't count.
Try working as a "contract employee", I know that my company is tired of hiring people from a resume' because now a days people have a tendency to "embellish" their skills and experience...we have found that when we have the option of trying a person out as a "contract employee" for a month or two, we get to see how well a person blends in and whether their skills really match their resume'...just a thought.
Sending a cover letter + resume is never enough these days. Admin jobs probably get 60 of those per position. If you want to show real interest in the job, only a phone call and meeting will do, and you can only get the meeting if you pick up the phone or go in person to talk to a warm body. Ask in more detail what kind of person they're looking for, to make them think you care. Sorry to say, but it's all technique in the beginning.
Deliver those cover letters personally, and ask who makes the decision, and a date when you can follow up. If they say you didn't make the cut, beg for another chance.
If you're not worried about benefits, what about temp agencies? They always came in handy when I needed an admin paycheck.
ping! Lots of good info here.
ping
A very large company has just eliminated over 700 authorized vendors, dropping their total amount of authorized vendors to around 50. Fortunately we're one of the remaining authorized vendors and things are picking up... W2 only.
I haven't read all the posts so this may have already been suggested, but you might try a temp agency, where companies go for temporary help and sometimes this can lead to a full-time job. Also, medical transcription for doctors. I did that at one time for a doctor - went in at hours convenient for me, as no set time was required and you might even be able to do it at home. Another thing you might try to get your foot in the door is to substitute teach - most school districts are always looking for good subs and it might lead to other employment.
Good luck and don't give up - your story is very familiar as we have been there many times, so please take heart and try to stay positive - keep making contacts and something will turn up.
There's lots more in the book to help you with each of the steps.
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