Anyone else feel "black-listed"?

[farouk]

On 7/22/2024 at 4:11 PM, Lilybloom said:

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.

@Lilybloom Re. the age thing, it's also maybe a case of, If we hire them, maybe they'll want us to pay them more.

[CaptWalker]

Well I can definitely relate to that even though my path has probably been a lot more predictable with me simply being under qualified or having a sketchy past employment history with a violation of company policy which is obviously a BIG red flag! And so they don't even have to give any excuses as to why you were rejected, and maybe they would prefer to waste a 15 minute interview on someone like me because they pretty much know I will never be questioning why.

But as far as Indeed goes I pretty much had my suspicions as to just how legit there job postings were/are. Actually the only real luck I've had was from applying directly to the company website, and I've even called Walmart stores after applying and still not been called back to come in, that is for the stores that I could actually get ahold of someone in human resources! And don't even get me started on any fast food experiences such as McDonald's who have never even been remotely interested in hiring someone like myself whether or not they had ever met me face to face, but it is what it is. And sure there will always be those people who say how there are jobs everywhere and you can always just get a job flipping burgers if nothing else...well actually it's not quite  that simple nowadays.

Edited July 24, 2024 by CaptWalker

[farouk]

On 7/20/2024 at 9:35 AM, Hopefully said:

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 ‭

 

 

@Hopefully I like the Proverbs quote......some editions of the NT and Psalms also have Proverbs attached to the edition...........

[JohnD]

Definitely get on the Worthy prayer list!

I'm saying a prayer for you now.

It works, and people here care enough to intercede

on your behalf wit the Almighty.

Our fate in more in his hands than our own!

 

[Oh Hamburgers!]

On 7/24/2024 at 6:29 PM, CaptWalker said:

Well I can definitely relate to that even though my path has probably been a lot more predictable with me simply being under qualified or having a sketchy past employment history with a violation of company policy which is obviously a BIG red flag! And so they don't even have to give any excuses as to why you were rejected, and maybe they would prefer to waste a 15 minute interview on someone like me because they pretty much know I will never be questioning why.

But as far as Indeed goes I pretty much had my suspicions as to just how legit there job postings were/are. Actually the only real luck I've had was from applying directly to the company website, and I've even called Walmart stores after applying and still not been called back to come in, that is for the stores that I could actually get ahold of someone in human resources! And don't even get me started on any fast food experiences such as McDonald's who have never even been remotely interested in hiring someone like myself whether or not they had ever met me face to face, but it is what it is. And sure there will always be those people who say how there are jobs everywhere and you can always just get a job flipping burgers if nothing else...well actually it's not quite  that simple nowadays.

Job searches are hard. It's hard to be told no and have that feeling of rejection, not being good enough. There were many positions I've applied for in the past that I knew I could do and do well if they just let me get a foot in the door, but I wasn't given that chance. 

You mention sketchy employment history & a violation of company policy - I don't know the details of these things but if those are things you have, yeah it's gonna be hard to overcome and convince someone to give you a chance. Should you get a job you'll need to work hard to prove those are blips on the radar and don't represent who you are & can be as an employer. Fresh slate & start over so to speak.

To have a successful interview you need to sell yourself. Dress appropriately, be clean, be approachable. Can you hold a conversation, listen to their questions and ask questions of your own? Be engaged and socially present? You need to help them visualize you as someone who could be employed for them and could do a good job. First impressions matter for things like this, and even if there's something you don't have experience with you have to show them what steps you'd take to get up to speed. 

Obviously this is all much easier said than done, and it might be a good idea to ask someone you trust for help, if there are things you could do differently that might improve your chances of being hired.

Finally, accept that getting rejected is part of the process, and try not to take it personally. There are many jobs where you could have been a top candidate, but someone else was chosen who had something you didn't. Don't let it get you down and just keep trying. 

[Diamond]

On 7/20/2024 at 2:28 PM, LaMonte said:

Out here in Calif there are help wanted signs everywhere. 

We have lots of jobs in this state. The are begging for people to work. I can not imagine someone not being able to find a job. Unless they can not be depended on to show up for work. 

There is a book called How to win Friends and Influence people. It could help to develop people skills. The main point of the book is find something people like to talk about and talk to them about subjects they are interested in.