Job search strategy discussion thread

I suspect it's a good deal too late for that. They just hired on holiday help like a month or two ago, most likely.

Once again I am unhappily dancing the unemployment dance.

I'm considering doing an HGV training course, because from what I can tell there's quite a demand for trained lorry drivers at the minute. I quite like the idea of driving for a living, but I'd like to be stripped of any naivety I have about the notion. Has anyone here had experience in that line of work, and is there any advice they can give me about pursuing this option?

It's hell on the home-life. My cousin's unstable hours and very late shifts were a mitigating factor in his marriage break-up.

Being part of supply is not for wimps.

I guess I didn't think about that. Damn.

I just can't find any jobs in my area. I tried looking for bank tellers and all require experience.

I know that feel, bro.

@Thorn14, for bank teller jobs, I'd recommend starting with the bank you have an account at, and ask for an "informational interview" with the hiring person. An informational interview does not require an actual opening; you just go in (be sure to dress like it was an actual interview) and ask questions like "What does a bank teller's job entail? What qualifications would I need? Are there physical requirements I need to be aware of? What sort of corporate culture do you see your bank having? How can I improve my chances of getting a job in the banking industry?" Given the busy schedule of most hiring managers, you may need to wait a week or two for an appointment, but it'll be a chance to improve your interview skills without the pressure of trying to get the job right now.

You're young and inexperienced, so it's okay for you to take an index card in if you think you might forget your questions.

As for myself, today's workshop was on Job Seeking After Forty.

Was really looking forward to getting back into looking for a job now that things have settled down a bit and I get summoned for jury duty, damnit.

Unless I can get myself excused, that really hampers my chances. At least Arkansas pays its jurors.

At least I have my Master's thesis to keep me busy.

The other up-side... if you have a bit of a gap, explaining it with "jury duty" gets you some points.

The Monday morning veteran's job club has been shut down, but I had a big Linked In event to go to yesterday. Mostly for small businesses and enterpreneurs, but I handed out a bunch of business cards and had my resume critiqued.

The most useful information for job seekers was on using the internet to find information on prospective employers. Dang you can find a lot of info on prospective employers if you know where to look. Sometimes a creepily large and personal amount of information.

Today, I got news that my VA education grant was approved, so I am now enrolled in college again for a Business Management Associate's. With luck this will enjhance my employment opportunities.

Congrats!

I got out of jury service. Whoot!

Did you do like my uncle does, and say you're a raging biased white supremacist?

I don't really feel comfortable lying just to get out of jury duty :/

I know a friend who shaved his head and wore a dirty hoodie to the first court date so that one of the lawyers would move to dismiss him (they're allowed to move to dismiss a limited number of jurors without justification pre-trial here).

It worked.

... THAT I could probably do.

Well, maybe not the shaved head part.

I've always wanted to actually serve on a jury.. But because I don't lie, they don't pick me.

I've always figured it's the law enforcement affiliation. Either by being an MP or by being from an LAPD family.

To the best of my knowledge, I've never even been summoned.

I wouldn't mind serving, but I honestly don't have daycare in the evenings. So after school, I need to be there for my son. This has greatly hindered my job search as well.

Judge: why do you need excused?

Me: I have no daycare after school for my son.

Judge: Just the one? How old.

Me (getting annoyed): 6. And just the one.

Judge: (condesendingly) And you have no one who can help you?

Me: My father just died. Hence why I wasn't at the first juror orientation.

Judge: (breaking eye contact and turning red) Ms. Whatever her name Clerk, we need to excuse Ms. Gabrael from the call. You may go.

No lie needed, but I am getting tired of people assuming I just have someone to dump my kid with on a dime. It comes up in interviews, schools, blah.

Employers, lawyers, judges and any civil servant... let alone prospective supervisors/ HR people. They all assume you can adapt to their demands... but, God help you if you need them to be a bit flexible on your behalf to do what they ask of you.

Which, by the way, you would be able to do... with that little bit of help to juggle things.

The fustrating part is I'm not applying for jobs outside of my range of availability. Then should I get the miracle of an interview, they ask why didn't I apply for another position. I answer I don't have the availibility, and it all goes downhill from there.

It's fustrating because what should be considered a mark of responsibility (not going for what she can't do) is considered a liability (she has a kid with no anytime sitter).

And since Arkansas is a right to work state and all the nonsense tacked with it, they can discriminate against me all they want.

What exactly is a 'right to work state'?

The official meaning is that you can't be forced to join a union to get a particular job.

This has the side effect of weakening unions considerably and making it much easier for corporations to ride roughshod over the workers.

I think what you meant is an "at-will" state. That is, you can leave whenever you want-and they can fire you whenever they want.

Right to Work is about unions, at-will employment is about termination policies.

As I have explained before, in the state of Arkansas where I am currently shackled, our At Will laws are included under the big umbrella of a bunch of other anti union, right to fire, right to discriminate-oh, sorry-right of employer's choice, and all sorts of other nonsense under the official title of "Right to Work".

EDIT: For example, potential employers in Arkansas can ask if I have child care even outside of the hours of my job because if I have to miss work because of my son being sick, I am a liability. So they can refuse to hire me in favor of someone who does. In other states, that would be illegal. But here it is fine.

edited 19th Dec '12 4:56:16 PM by Gabrael

So, your plans to try something new in the New Year?

I'm going to be applying to temp agencies.

After some serious thought, I'm really cracking down with my freelancing. In Georgia, which is an at-will state I don't want to put my livelihood in the hands of some Pointy-Haired Boss that can destroy my income with two simple words, or for that matter have to jump through hoops and beg for a paycheck each week or so.