How to Get Hired

I have found myself in the same predicament a lot of Americans are also in today, and that predicament is called unemployment. Being unemployed is not only depressing, but when it seems that you keep trying your hardest and keep getting rejected, or just not contacted at all, it is very demotivating. Here are some tips that I have come to understand quite well, after FINALLY getting hired at a great place to work. It took interview after interview after application after phone call for me to realize what employers are actually looking for, that a lot of people who are looking for a job don't really know right away. I didn't.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A positive attitude
• Access to a computer (depending on what job you are interested in)
• A smile

1. 
    
   Confusion!!

   So the first thing that you will need to consider is what kind of job you are looking for. This article is more meant for either people who haven't graduated high school or for those who have graduated high school and do not have any special skills, trades, or degrees. If you have a skill, trade, or degree, then fortunately the likeliness of you getting hired is more than for those who are without these special abilities.
   The very first thing that you must do if you have no clue at all what you want to do is figure out what you could possibly be good at. If you have no work experience whatsoever, then you have to settle for less than you would like. Unfortunately that is how the world is, but it will not last long for you this way. You just have to get your foot in the door, whether it's fast food, retail, or some other minimum wage job. If you are unemployed right now and you are trying your damnedest to get hired, then you will settle for minimum wage (snicker...).
   So figure out what it is that you want to do. Are you a friendly person? Do you catch on well and learn fast? Are you self-motivated? Are you a go-getter?

2. 
    

   The next thing to do is go job searching! Everyone uses this term for seeking a job because everyone is in the same boat whether they would like to admit it or not. Job searching could be looking on the internet for jobs, or driving or walking around to nearby places of interest, or just going through the phone book and underlining places of interest.
   When you go in or call, do NOT just ask anyone if they are hiring. That is the biggest mistake you could make, and the first mistake also. More than likely you will be talking to another employee, not a person in charge. Do you really think that that employee does the hiring? And do you also think that that employee wants you to take their job from them? The answer is NO. Most of the time when you ask the first person you speak to if they are hiring, what is the reply you get? "No, we are not. Thank you, goodbye."
   Always ask for a manager or supervisor. Always. Be professional and respectful, and always be polite and courteous. This is the usual conversation that I have:
   "Hi, how are you doing today? May I speak with a manager please? Thank you."
   "Hi, my name is Anita and I am currently looking for a job in the (insert job type here like retail, restaurant, whatever the place is that you are calling or speaking face to face in etc...) field, and I was wondering if you have any new positions available?"
   If they say they are fully staffed, then that means that probably means it is a dead end, unless you feel comfortable pursuing.
   If they say they are hiring then you are in luck. Say:
   "Well that's great! May I have an application to fill out? Thank you."
   And if they do not offer an interview, then suggest that you schedule one with them in a polite way. There shouldn't really be a reason why they would refuse one.
   It is always best to go into a place in person to apply for a job and request an interview. Employers like it best when they can see the person they are possibly considering hiring on their team.
   If you have filled out applications online and would like to pursue that, then you should go in to the place you applied online at and ask to speak with a manager. Introduce yourself and be friendly. Tell them about the application you have already completed and submitted. Then they will tell you they will look it over and give you a call. If they don't call you, CALL THEM.

3. 
    
   Courtesy Mara Rago

   When you search for a job online using craigslist.com or other job searching engines, make sure that when you reply to a job, that you follow the replying instructions that they should have provided you with in the ad. If they don't have any preferences on how you reply, then do it however you'd like. If they want you to provide a resume, then make sure that you provide them with one. Email it to them with a short and sweet introduction stating that you are interested in the position. Tell a little about yourself but not too much. Also make sure to leave contact information because this looks professional. Start the email out with "To Whom It May Concern:" with a date at the top.
   Step two is probably very intimidating because of how large it is, but that's not the difficult part.
   Step three is very important. You MUST follow through with the places you have applied at. The biggest thing you could do is follow through. Pursue this job. Don't let anyone else get it! It's YOUR JOB! A good thing to do is keep records of every place you've gone to or applied at. Write down the names of the places, the phone numbers, and the supervisor's name that you spoke with. If they don't call you, CALL THEM! Don't be annoying but make sure that they know you are serious.
   Check your email often because some people will reply with a request for an interview or a denial.
   A big reason I recommend writing everything down is because I have found in my job searching that I want a job so bad, that I will not just apply at one place. I will apply at ten a day! I will forget names, places, interview times, and everything else that matters. So write everything down if you are really serious about this.
   Call these places back or find out when the manager will be in so that you can go in and speak with them in person again about an interview. When you finally set up an interview, then you almost have your foot in the door... almost.

4. 
    
   Sample Resume

   Okay, so about the application process. When you fill out an application, the best thing to do is be as honest as you can. If you can't, then make sure your stories match up and that you can be a good liar. Unfortunately, a lot of people do lie on their job applications. That is the only kind of background check that nobody can do on you. The only information they get is the information you give them. They can call your previous or present employers, but that is all they can do.
   It is good to apply for jobs that resemble jobs you have already worked in. Employers don't particularly like to hire people who have worked for competing businesses either, but they will make exceptions sometimes.
   Basically do your best to impress your potential employer because if your goal is to attain this job, then do whatever it takes. You can do anything you want to.
   Make sure that you complete your applications, too! Don't leave empty sections or anything like that. Improvise. Make it work, and make it look awesome. Make it stand out from its awesomeness.
   If you feel that you should make a resume, don't be afraid! Resumes are fairly easy to make. I will post another article on how to make resumes because that is an ehow all in itself! My resume looks great and I am very proud of it. If you would like, I am more than willing to help anyone make a resume on Microsoft Word. I have made many.
   If you do wish to leave them with your resume, make sure that it is only one page long, with a separate page including your references that you can provide them with if they ask. Staple your resume to the front of your application. This will ensure that you stand out which is good in this case.
   I have found that most employers don't like to mess with people's unavailability, so when they ask you when you are available, tell them that you have open availability. When they ask you when you can start, tell them immediately. I don't care if you really don't have open availability. If you really want this for yourself, then you will have to make it work and you WILL find a way.

5. 
    

   When you go to your interview, act natural. Be yourself, if yourself is friendly, fun, mature, and to the point. It is best to try and strictly talk business with employers. Tell them what THEY want to hear. They are the only ones who can change your life in the way of giving you a job, so impress them. Dress the part, whatever that may be, don't over-dress or under-dress (but if you are going to do either one, overdress.), and give them a great lasting impression. Make sure that you stay on the topic, and stay professional! No flirting! That is a HUGE deal in most employer's eyes. Have fun with it. The more comfortable you feel, the more likely you are to get hired, I guarantee it.

6. 
    

   After your interview, either they will hire you on the spot and ask you when you can start, or they will tell you that they will contact you at a further date to let you know what their decision is. Usually if they don't want you, then they don't bother calling back. They are busier than that, are you kidding? They don't care! If they don't call you, like I said, call them back. It wont hurt anything to call back. Some places request a second interview which will be more in depth and to the point. Do the second interview and behave just the same way that you did in the first.

7. 
    

   By this time you will probably know if you do or do not have the job you were seeking. Great job if you get it! And if you didn't get it, don't worry. I've been there for a very long time. It took me a long time to figure out that you just have to tell the employer what they want to hear, you have to play the part. You have to act. You have to dress the part. You have to change, but it pays off and you wont have to act forever.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not have the appropriate attire, I would recommend the Dress For Success Program. Go to the website http://www.dressforsuccess.org and click on locations for the closest one near you to set up an appointment with an agent who will provide you with FREE, yes I repeat FREE professional attire to disadvantaged women.
• Remember, I am willing to help with resumes! Email me at [e-mail] for help. I promise I will help! I will even send you a copy of mine to show you how great mine looks!
• Keep a positive attitude. There is no better way to fail than to wallow in self pity. You can do whatever you want to do with yourself. Only you can change your own outcome in life. Do your very best, and when you don't succeed, try again and don't stop trying.
• I suppose that there is an exception to the over-dressing theory. I once applied at a fast food joint looking my best and they didn't want anything to do with me. I went back looking like crap and they didn't recognize me. They requested an interview with me right away! Every person, place, and thing is different so what you do is all in your own discretion. Just be positive and have faith in yourself.

[Rockney]

on 1/31/2009 Great article!