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!
Jun 19, 2013 @ 00:00:41
When is the next interview date?
Jun 19, 2013 @ 11:42:09
Wait a minute, it sounds like you might need some information from a Select Family Personnel Supervisor. I’m not sure where you are located, but I’ve included a handy dandy interactive map to help you find the branch you applied to. Here it is: http://www.selectfamily.com/site_code/includes_locations/mapping.cfm?site=SFAM. Best of luck to you and happy job hunting!
Jun 18, 2013 @ 13:52:43
Hi Anita,
Ten months ago I moved to a neighboring state for a job that did not work out. Now that I’m looking again, I want to go back home. While I’m packing up (a couple of weeks), I am trying to get a head start on my job search back home by submitting my resume for open positions. However, I cannot use my mailing address from back home just yet, as the post office has not processed my transfer request. Should I use a family member’s address back home on my resumes? I do still have my CT phone number and that’s what I use. I also state in the first paragraph of my cover letter that I will be permanently back home in 3 weeks and available for immediate employment. Yet, today, I received a “form” reply stating “we do not typically respond to out of state candidates.” That means I am being nixed b/c of a physical address that will not be my actual address in 3 more weeks. I welcome your advice in this situation, please. Thank you.
Jun 19, 2013 @ 11:32:12
Moving can be hard enough without having to worry about having a job when you get there. But good for you for getting a jump on the gun! Since there are a lot of job applicants on the move these days, I’d like to refer you to a post I’ve written that can help you. It’s called Job Search Out of State. Good luck on that move and on your job search.
Jun 18, 2013 @ 08:31:01
Anita, Ten years ago I was arrested for a felony, I served 5 years and 3 years probation. I have been trying to get a job in several different fields but haven’t been able to get past the “your felony dosen”t mean you will be discualified” portion of the interview but either I never get called or I get a rejection e-mail even though I got thru the 2nd interview with flying colors. What happened to pay your dept to society and second chances? Oh by the way my crime was a white collar crime, if I had been in politics I would be an analist on TV or at the very least have my own talk show……
Jun 19, 2013 @ 11:20:58
I’m sorry you’re having such a hard time finding work but I certainly understand your situation. It’s probably going to be difficult but it’s not impossible. You can do it and I have some great information on a previous post that you might find helpful in your search: Finding Jobs For Ex-Felons. I wish you the best of luck.
Jun 15, 2013 @ 09:13:57
Hey Anita, i was wondering what were some open positions since i was just emailed but i dont seem to visualize jobs
Jun 14, 2013 @ 10:27:14
Hi Anita, I have a telephone interview, but have lost the job posting. The job posting is no longer on line. Any suggestions?
Jun 14, 2013 @ 12:59:31
Hi, Brenda. You’re in an unfortunate situation. This is why I always recommend to job seekers that they print out or email themselves a copy of the job description and keep it with the resume and cover letter they sent. There’s nothing worse you can do in an interview than appear to know nothing about the job you applied for. Once, I asked an interviewee why she applied for my position, and she asked me what position it was again. I ended the interview only minutes later and never once considered her to be a viable candidate. Still, you can make the best of this situation. First, do you at least remember the position title you applied to? If so, study up on other postings for that position. While the nitty-gritty may be a little different, at least you won’t seem clueless or like you don’t care. Another alternative is to contact the interviewer prior to the scheduled interview time and be honest that you have misplaced the job posting and request another one. Assure them that this is uncharacteristic (so they don’t think you’re irresponsible) and that you really want to ensure you are fully prepared for the interview so you can give the most relevant answers possible. Though you may lose a couple of points for misplacing the job description in the first place, you’ll likely gain a few for being honest and showing your determination to be prepared for the interview. Good luck! Let me know how it goes…
Jun 12, 2013 @ 12:43:16
Hi Anita – I just came across your site and hope you can help. I lost my job of 10 years when the company was sold. eight months later, I chose to move to a new city with a larger job market. Since then, I’ve worked for a couple different temp agencies but also had interviews with companies similar to my previous employment. My question is: when you are interviewing and they ask “HR” questions, how is the best way to answer them. I have answered truthfully but when the answer was “I lost my temper and blew up”, I know that most likely “cost me” the position. Any advice? thank you
Jun 13, 2013 @ 09:04:46
Hi, Lynn. Never forget that you should be a salesperson in an interview. You are marketing yourself and your skills and experience to your potential employer. While I don’t think you should lie, you certainly shouldn’t tell the sordid details of any past negative experiences. You can always spin the answers to still show a positive side of yourself. That said, if you have several situations like you described (where you lost your temper, etc.), take a little bit of time to “interview” yourself. Maybe there are some anger management issues that need to be addressed and your next job should be some self-help. A positive, confident person will always come across better in an interview, and attitude sometimes sells a hiring manager on your qualifications as much as your relevant experience.
Jun 04, 2013 @ 16:41:44
Hi Anita….I am currently unemployed since April 25th of this year. I was working for a company in an office situation through a staffing/temp agency. The work environment was very hostile and I was having a really hard time dealing with it. I contacted my temp agency and they never responded. I decided to just let it go and move on. I worked in retail for about 28 years before that and wanted to try something else. I am in my late 40′s and still looking to make a change for the better that can benefit someone else besides myself. I feel I have a lot to offer and am at a crossroads in both my life and career status. I have very little family left and am completely self supporting. I have considered going back to retail but it really doesn’t pay that well. I never got past H.S. and have considered job training but am not sure where to start. I want to do something more with my career than just going to work, doing a job, and bringing home a paycheck. I want to know that I am making a difference and actually doing something positive for someone else while bringing in enough to keep the rent and bills paid and put something away for the future. Also, I know I don’t really interview that well. I tend to get really nervous and frightful and kind of babble on a bit. I am working on my resume and keep deleting and making changes to it and now I’m just frustrated with it because I’m not sure how to word things and what I should add, leave out, headings, skills, experience how far back, should I do a summary or objective, etc. Any help and advice you can offer is greatly appreciated. Thank You!
Jun 05, 2013 @ 08:29:53
Hi, Deb. I’m sorry about your previous experience with a temp agency. I promise you, they are not all alike. I think you could have better luck from my friends over at Select Staffing or Remedy Intelligent Staffing and suggest you check them out. In the meantime, it sounds like you could benefit from performing some volunteer work. Not only will it feed your soul, but you can also list it on your resume to compensate for the time that passes since April 25. You might even develop some marketable skills through it. Type the word “volunteer” into the search box at the top right of my blog site for some recent posts about ways to incorporate volunteering into your resume. You should also keep working on your interviewing skills, as they are critical. If you have a friend or family member who can conduct a practice interview with you and then critique your performance. You may also find some helpful tips throughout my blog, including Interview Tips, Interview DOs and DON’Ts, and Talking Too Much in an Interview. Also, make you you follow up promptly and properly after the interview to help seal the deal. If you hone your interview performance, you just might start to see the job offers rolling in!
Jun 03, 2013 @ 08:44:58
Hello anita I have two year exeperience I m mean I work for a company for two year now I leave work because they have no no grow up my positin I m tamprary on company pls help help find new jop
Jun 01, 2013 @ 20:02:32
Hello Anita,
I am a 2009 college graduate and I have not had any luck landing a job in my field. In the past 4 years I have worked seasonal,temp, and currently work part time in retail while still actively applying for jobs. I’ve got called in for interviews, but I can’t seem to make it the next phase ” the your hired phase”. It’s pretty rough out here competing with all the people with years of experience under their belts. Ive also applied to many jobs outside of my field of interest. Do you have any advice for me.
Jun 03, 2013 @ 08:21:12
Hi, Amy. Congratulations on finding part-time work while you look. At least you’re able to keep the money flowing in while you find that perfect job. Unfortunately, you’re in the same position as many others, despite the economic recovery. Finding a great job is still just hard to come by and you’re up against others with more experience on the resume than you may have. Since you’re getting called into interviews, it sounds like your resume is in fairly good order. Perhaps your interview skills need a bit more work? If you have a friend or family member who can conduct a practice interview with you and then critique your performance. You may also find some helpful tips throughout my blog, including Interview Tips, Interview DOs and DON’Ts, and Talking Too Much in an Interview. Also, make you you follow up promptly and properly after the interview to help seal the deal. If you hone your interview performance, you just might start to see the job offers rolling in!
Jun 06, 2013 @ 14:27:42
Hi Anita,
My thoughts exactly. Also I know I’m not the only one in my position, but sometimes it seems to feel that way. Espescially when I try to explain that to my friends and family members, who seem to think that just because you have a degree your automatically intitled to a job.I appreciate your advice and look forward to trying a mock interview.
Thanks again
May 28, 2013 @ 09:16:54
Hi Anita, My husband’s company is not paying anything towards health coverage and what little they give him towards health and welfare benefits is used up by this company for his health insurance and they do not contribute anything out of there pocket and his company and does NOT provide anything for me, We are paying over $684.80 a month just for him….. I can’t afford a single coverage for me as I am not working. and to get anything through his company would be another $550.00 per month for me!!! How can this company do this??? How does Obama Health Care benefit me????????????? I see it as a BIG MONEY MAKING RACKET and isnt helping us at all…. WE CAN NOT AFFORD THIS OBAMA CARE!!! I thought we would be able to afford health insurance but this isnt helping us at all!!!!! Now our paycheck is so small we cant afford to save anything much less pay our bills!! HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
May 25, 2013 @ 13:48:49
Hi Anita! I am an employee at Burger King in Johnson City, Tn. I started eight months ago. I was full time, working 40 hours until January of this year. At that time they cut all employees (except management) down to 29 hours because the new Obama Care. They offered us insurance but, it is so expensive I can not afford it. I just find it crazy that my hours get cut and now I am told I have to buy insurance. I just finished classes to get my CNA and am seeking employment in that field. I will have to have two jobs just to make it. It Does not seem fair!
May 21, 2013 @ 11:31:19
hi anita, im a convicted felon with lots of job expierience, trouble is employers wont give me a chance. my felony is only a couple of months old and a first. not even the temp services will help. what can i do to put this behind me and get on with my life?
May 21, 2013 @ 08:44:50
Hi Anita…Any tips for me in landing a job who is almost 59? Having a rough time & feel perhaps that’s part of the problem! I am skilled with quite a few years under me as a dental assistant, recently located to another state, with 6 months having no luck after interviews
. I have branched out in other areas as well, however still unlucky. Thank you.