Job Seeker
The résumé, the interview, the competition…. let’s face it, sometimes looking for a job stinks. Lucky for you, you’ve come to the right place when it comes to sound advice. When job offers are scarce, yet household bills are not, you need a resource that will tell it like it is, and get you back in the working world…. right away.
Here, you will find a variety of questions and answers that address common (and not so common) situations from people like you – people who are looking for work and need advice on how to get hired. From interview tips to morale boosters, you will find a wealth of information.
If you have a specific question that has not already been posted, please feel free to submit your comments directly on our site. The more interaction, the more Anita can “clue” you in!
May 30, 2012 @ 14:45:06
Hi Anita, I was laid off almost a year and a half ago. Since then, I have taken a part time retail job to show that I’m working at least. Since the lay off, I have had 3 job offers but they are offering me wages from almost 20 years ago. I now have experience & the degree so this is insulting to me. I get it’s an employers market now & I know I need to expect a pay cut but this much is pathetic. Any suggestions to overcome this? Is anyone else experiencing this scenario? it’s very depressing.
May 22, 2012 @ 14:28:54
i have been leaving resum’es with careerbuilders and haven’t had a position come back to hire me
May 18, 2012 @ 16:01:43
Hi Anita, “Resume” question
I found your website via the Selecstaffing.com site and I’m glad.
My question is in regards to employment history and my resume.
Here’s my question, I need to update my resume and of course it must be 100% accurate but I had many jobs and do not have all my start dates, company names and son on. As of right now I have two options, first I can obtain my “Employment History” from the Social Security ssa.gov for a fee, but was informed it could take up to 4 months, so that’s not going to work. My second option is to contact each and every past employer and get my employment details directly from them which I would prefer not doing. So, I’m hoping you have an alternate suggestion that’s quicker than the ssa.gov office or calling each employer, so that I can get back to work
Please let me know ~ Thanks so much!
Amelia
PS: nice website by the way, I think I might send people your way via mine.
May 15, 2012 @ 04:45:40
Coming from an Military Family Education is an ongoing for life. Unfortunately with an Assoc Biz/IT and Cert. in Communication many local firms see me as Over Qualified. How to get around this? I advise I apply for positions which spark my passion to learn,
May 18, 2012 @ 17:07:37
Hi Katryn,
My question is, how do you know employers see you as “over-qualified” are they telling you this, or is this your perception?
I think it’s great that you have so much experience and qualifications, but why would you want to leave your current job? No job is perfect and as the saying goes “the grass is always greener on the other side” why not make the best of things at your current job? There will always be pros and cons, it’s about your outlook and how you react to things and situations.
Oh by the way 50 years is young
But you make it sound old when you say it like that “As a 50 year old professional” 
Age is beside the point, if you’re motivated and enthusiastic people will notice that ~ So no more “50 year old…” 
I truly think that whatever we think we are, is what we project, so if you think that you are “over-qualified” and most importantly “old” then you might be projecting that – Hum just a thought.
Stay Inspired Katryn ~ You are not old or over-qualified
May 10, 2012 @ 12:04:17
Hi, Im looking for employment if you could please contact me back I would appreciate it thank you
May 07, 2012 @ 23:20:22
hard motovate working,welling to learn new jobs based on my skills.night watcher ans scale room and gerenal out doors jobs and landscaping task,accounting,bookeeping.fast learner.
May 07, 2012 @ 12:54:05
I am a SAHM, want to get back into the work force. I just have 1 yrs of experience in IT prior to my career break, and am having a tough time getting myself a job. Please advise ! I have been job hunting for more than a year now.
May 15, 2012 @ 06:25:32
Are you putting your mgmt skills on your resume and coverletter? I just Grad AAS IT and SAHM’s have ample skillset to work entry level IT
May 18, 2012 @ 16:08:16
Sahm, I suggest diong Intern or externship this is a foot in the door with the possibility to get hired permanently, or obtain a position outside of your field and once there you can always apply for your IT position. Also maybe since you know IT maybe you can put those talents to work for you by placing ads and working for yourself, just a thought
May 03, 2012 @ 10:58:53
Anita,
How can I recover my career and reputation when a former employer and good friend (so I thought) has takes me to prospective employers? I just found out that this happened and am deeply concerned as he has been on my reference list for months!
May 01, 2012 @ 14:36:24
Your stardom video article is interesting. Are there companies that will do this for a nominal fee out there? I don’t exactly need to hire a full on production company for a 3 min intro do I?
May 03, 2012 @ 12:06:11
Thanks! I had a lot of fun writing it. Several branches through The Select Family of Staffing Companies can help you record a video and then send it off to their clients. How easy is that? No production company, no director, no extra fees, no worries about how to get it out there. It’s as easy as one, two, three; just you, your shining personality, and a web cam.
Apr 28, 2012 @ 08:10:38
Dear Anita,
Last summer I was laid off from my job of 5 years after they relocated the office several hours away and I was unable to move with them. Since then the only work I can get is temp work and they always seem to end quicker than expected. I was just let go from a temp to perm position after a week & a half for “not working to my full potential”, even though I was still training. The job before that, who didn’t even start my training with (I was just doing busy work until the trainer was free to work with me) said I “didn’t show enough spark or initiative”, after 4 days.
My question is, what can I do to make these employers give me a real chance to allow me to learn the job and then be able to shine? It’s very frustrating getting shot down over and over again. Thank you.
May 03, 2012 @ 12:03:14
Hi Kelly,
The best piece of advice that I can send your way is to do your absolute best when you are on assignment. Do everything you can to go the extra mile for the hiring company. Offer to come in early, stay late, ask for more work to do, and inquire about ways you can gain more experience in the field. Employers will be blown away by your enthusiasm and interest in the position at hand. It may feel unnatural, but it is the best way to get noticed (in a positive way) and eventually be placed in a temp-to-hire situation.
Best,
Anita
May 18, 2012 @ 16:22:42
Anita’s advice is wonderful and applies to every person who is now working or seeking employment. I believe that it is even more important now to “shine” simply because there are thousands of people out of work and employees are easier to replace, but rgardless going the “extra mile” mile will make you an asset to the company.
On a side note to Kelly, perhaps not having the mind-set that you are “shot down over and over again.” might be helpful. You can’t fix the past kelly but you can certainly learn from those previous jobs and just reflect and maybe ask yourself “what could I have done differently” But I’m not suggesting that you dwell on this instead learn and move on, in other words “let it go” don’t carry those negative experiences with you everywhere you go because you might be attracting it by simply thinking it. Just a thought and hope it helps
I’m sure there’s another job out there for you Kelly, stay inspired!
Apr 26, 2012 @ 20:26:11
Can not finish my app., because the formatted date I am available will not let me
finish to submit !
Apr 26, 2012 @ 09:12:14
Dear Anita:
I am looking to expand my job search by cold calling companies, who are not advertising that they are hiring. I have alot of varied experience in different industries, one industry that I want to focus on is real estate companies that are dealing is short sales.
I worked at Bank of America in their short sale dept for six months and I would to get my foot in the door in their clerical support dept. I am wondering if you could provide me with a few tips on how to cold call professional. A friend on mine suggested that I should just go them with no appointment and professionally dressed.
David
Apr 24, 2012 @ 11:53:12
I haven’t worked in a year. I was evicted last month. I’ve had a few really good interviews since, but don’t get a call back after they run a background check. Do evictions appear on background checks?
Apr 26, 2012 @ 18:04:58
I suggest you give a few of the companies a call, speak to the HR person you initally saw and ask them if there was something in your backgrond that prevented you from being hired. If there is something there, I think they would let you know. Can’t hurt and you’ll never know if you don’t ask.
Good luck!
May 18, 2012 @ 16:51:19
Hi Freddy,
That’s unfortunate. You do appear from what you wrote that you are on the right path as far as the interview process, but you say you “don’t get a call back” This is just a suggestion and I always do this and it works. I suggest not waiting for a “call back” be proactive Freddy and by that I don’t mean being inpatient because background checks do take a while. That said I suggest sending the person that Interviewed you a “Thank You” note either via email or in the old fashion mail, employers like this, it shows you are interested and it puts you up on the “potential candidate” list as well
I always send “Thank You” notes, these are very simple notes not a cover letter, not a long history, just a simple “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today” and you can say something like “I am very excited about the postion, please contact me if you should have any further questions” “I look forward to hearing from you”
Look up some sample “Thank You” notes online.
On the background “eviction thing” from my understanding some employers maybe most do take that into consideration as well as credit history. Which is why sending the “Thank You” note is especially important in your case, this may change the employers perception about you and give you a chance.
Next Interview – Get a business card and when you get home send a “Thank You” note, (not a desperate note) make sure it is professional and check your grammar.
Hope this helps you ~
Stay Inspired Freddy!
Apr 21, 2012 @ 09:26:16
A quick question. As a 50 year old professional, I am looking for a job with benefits that not neccessarily needs to be upper-managment or pay a higher salary than I currently earn. After working so hard at my career, I now seem to be over-qualified for a multitude of positions. Though I am currently employed, I need to know how to get my in the door.