Anyone else feel "black-listed"?

[CaptWalker]

I was basically just wondering if anyone else was having the same great difficulties as I have had in finding employment of any kind?? It just seems like I am either getting no responses or when I do they end up rejecting me without saying specifically why. Not that employers are obligated in any way to explain why they didn't pick you for the job, but it just seems like once they meet and see me in person they suddenly no longer like me. 

Now I know I could easily be assuming way too much as far as someone's reaction goes,  but it's just been so long and hard in trying to find any job at all, and seems like if you don't have a near spotless past then you will most likely not be well received or at least not trusted enough to be offered any kind of job.

Edited July 13, 2024 by CaptWalker
Just being anal, since you asked...

[other one]

3 hours ago, CaptWalker said:

I was basically just wondering if anyone else was having the same great difficulties as I have had in finding employment of any kind?? It just seems like I am either getting no responses or when I do they end up rejecting me without saying specifically why. Not that employers are obligated in any way to explain why they didn't pick you for the job, but it just seems like once they meet and see me in person they suddenly no longer like me. 

Now I know I could easily be assuming way too much as far as someone's reaction goes,  but it's just been so long and hard in trying to find any job at all, and seems like if you don't have a near spotless past then you will most likely not be well received or at least not trusted enough to be offered any kind of job.

Well, it's been 50 years ago, but I had to go to an employment agency and let a professional find something I was qualified to do and hints on how to do an interview.  I had only worked for my dad and a TV station.  Fortunately, I did have something that Xerox needed, but the suggestions on how to handle the interviews helped a lot.   What to wear and what the company is really looking for.

[Dennis1209]

6 hours ago, CaptWalker said:

I was basically just wondering if anyone else was having the same great difficulties as I have had in finding employment of any kind?? It just seems like I am either getting no responses or when I do they end up rejecting me without saying specifically why. Not that employers are obligated in any way to explain why they didn't pick you for the job, but it just seems like once they meet and see me in person they suddenly no longer like me. 

Now I know I could easily be assuming way too much as far as someone's reaction goes,  but it's just been so long and hard in trying to find any job at all, and seems like if you don't have a near spotless past then you will most likely not be well received or at least not trusted enough to be offered any kind of job.

In my area, I see front door signs and many hiring announcements on the radio, from Tractor Supply to good paying and benefits factory jobs to state prison guard jobs. Employment opportunities have not been this good in a long time.

Correct me if my assumptions are incorrect, but it sounds like you are in survival mode. I have been there and done that. I had to pull myself up by the bootstraps, and it took time and initiative. I did have the advantage of several transferable military skills to the civilian market. Have you planned and prepared for a career path?

At my lowest point, I had to hire an employment agency and pay them back for the job they got me, and it was not cheap either. Many know that supporting oneself (or family) by flipping burgers isn't easy. In employment, the problem was my attitude (entitlement), and I needed to reinvent and change myself (be marketable). How do I get my foot in the door?

When changing careers, I eventually worked and earned my way into a couple of dream jobs. I was self-centered, rebellious, and had an attitude problem, with a somewhat checkered employment past. I finally realized the problem was me and how I looked at the secular employment world. Changing my attitude made a difference. For the last 15 years of my career, I interviewed people for employment and recommended hiring and firing.

Some adages and predictions continue to ring true today: You do not get a second chance to make a first good impression.

Do employers discriminate against people with facial tattoos, eyebrow and nose piercings, pink and green hair, alcohol on their breath, disheveled, etc.? Are those appropriate for the position you seek? Honesty and attitude go a long way in employment.

Typically, employment applications are screened by Human Resources Management Services (HRMS) for minimum qualifications before they reach the interviewer(s). Then, the interviewer(s) scour your application, call previous employers, review resumes, and decide if you merit an interview for the position. If the candidate made it to the interview chair, it is up to them to set themselves apart and determine how they can benefit the employer. One must be well prepared for open-ended questions.

The best predictor of future performance is past performance. Ecclesiastes 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

I had applications across my desk from convicted murderers, convicted child molesters, thieves, and felons. Am I willing to take on the individual's history, risk, and liability? Nope, not me.

In addition to employment history and background records, potential employers look for knowledge, skills, ability, and organizational skills (KSAOs), which include education and hands-on experience. When I wanted to improve myself to get a competitive advantage or change career fields, I started with an associate degree program in Junior College and went from there.

It all starts with the effort of a good, neat, concise, literate, well-thought-out application and resume. One needs to articulate well in the interview process; sometimes, less is more.

I was hard-headed, and it took years, but one of the best-kept secrets to employment and advancement is not me, me, me.

Before the interview even began, I was turned off when an interviewee asked what the pay was, what the benefits were, if it was a union, if I was on call, what about overtime, etc. Things like these say a lot about the individual's character to the employer.

Sharing deserved credit accomplishments and being invested with your bosses, superiors, and the organization goes a long way in an application, resume, interview, career path, advancement, and reputation.

God is still on the throne, and prayer changes things and circumstances.

 

[D. Adrien]

It could also be as simple as age discrimination, known as ageism. 

[CaptWalker]

Well with me personally I can see nothing wrong with my appearance or the way I express myself and answer questions. Maybe many employers nowadays are simply looking for a certain "type" that would fit well in there company or establishment, even if it's only some local no name restaurant or menial labor job? Of course age could have a lot to do with it but why even bother to call someone in if that was going to be an issue?

[other one]

29 minutes ago, CaptWalker said:

Well with me personally I can see nothing wrong with my appearance or the way I express myself and answer questions.

I didn't either, but learned some things from the agency.  Like exactly what they were looking for so I could focus my discussion on filling their needs instead of mine.

[Hopefully]

On 7/13/2024 at 4:16 AM, CaptWalker said:

I was basically just wondering if anyone else was having the same great difficulties as I have had in finding employment of any kind??

Hi and yes.

 Noticed the hard time my son is having - just finished high school - with finding a simple minimum wage job, but by the time I was 18 I was on like my 4th or 5th part time gig.

 Am currently employed and not looking, but when I was I had a hard time too. 
 

I feel like it’s a case of when technology doesn’t make things better. Because of the internet it’s big competition, but previously they only had applications of people who walked in.

My son will find something soon and at least he’s still a kid kinda.

 Was in a toxic work environment for years so I really was suffering which came with big prayers. 
 

I would apply here and there and had some interviews but never got anything, because I know along with praying I should take action.

God knows I already believe without seeing so maybe that’s why he showed me.

During a period when I didn’t have any applications out, an old supervisor called me and offered me a job working from home with a 25k increase. I hadn’t reached out to her or spoken to her in months maybe even a year.

 I thanked God for flat out knocking on my door saying here’s that job you have been asking for.

“Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭3‬ ‭

 

 

[LaMonte]

 Out here in Calif there are help wanted signs everywhere. 

You could move to Calif, just kidding.

[CaptWalker]

Yeah I just always somehow knew that the modern Internet way of finding jobs or finding employees was really just going to end up benefiting only about the top 10% or so, while the rest of those such as myself would just get lost in the mix.

But it is what it is and all one can do is keep praying, trusting in God and waiting for a minor miracle, which a job nowadays often ends up being!!

[Lilybloom]

You're not the only one struggling.

A big part of it is that much of the job listings are actually phantom listings. Many fields purposefully remain understaffed while putting up job listings to make it seem as though they're actually looking to fill their roster; also why you might be invited to an interview and just told no. It's like someone on unemployment who wants to stay on unemployment; they're just upholding what obligations they have to. For an example, you know who's always looking? Nursing homes. They remain purposefully understaffed so that they can make what workers are there try to juggle so much work (like 3 nurses for every 100 patients) and they can pocket that extra money. Meanwhile they've got listings and interviews quite commonly that just go nowhere.

As well with online listings, some of them are merely periodical listings put up by corporate and not the business itself. Like I applied at a store recently because I saw them on Indeed. This is what the hiring manager said when I called up to express interest: "We don't really do the listings. Corporate puts us on there every 2 or 3 months to see if anyone more qualified comes on, or if we'd really want to replace anyone we currently have. As it is, i'm full up. Sorry." Which isn't 100% a phantom listing because the possibility does exist there - but it's still more or less a phantom listing.

Then yeah, ageism and "too much experience" is also a factor. I'm unaware of your age, but many places do see an older candidate and go "okay well we could hire them but then they'll just retire". OR as it were, they're not actually looking for someone with a lot of experience because someone who's experienced will naturally require a higher pay grade and have more expectations. Me. Literally me, i'm a bit of a job hopper of sorts. I've switched fields so many times. So it seems like so many places look at my application and they see stuff like, worked as a caregiver, steel fabricator, department of agriculture, USPS, construction. They're just like, okay why would this person want to work at Lowes. Or maybe they assume i'm lying or something, since i'm only 30. 

It's a struggle. Even for me, someone who has crossed lines from field to field. The only thing i've found that works is calling places up to express interest, and two? Focus moreso on my resume vs my application. Like if they do allow me to submit a resume, I just focus on relevant experience and don't go too hard on upselling myself. Cause most employers are going to give your details a glance, and that usually means the resume. I look young for my age, so I just kind of play dumb and eager and that only has a chance of working.

As well, be wary of places that do hire older. Amazon is infamous for hiring older folks and then not really paying them much or mistreating them a fair bit. They do at least hire older people, but yeah. Might be a good idea to ask other older people what jobs have been working for them. There's also looking for work outside of the system; people who make and sell their own crafts, act as advisors and so forth. That's not exactly easy nor straightforward either, but it is an option.