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Post by greatcoastal on Feb 17, 2019 6:16:31 GMT -5
Now that I have my CDL class A I am stuck with applying for jobs online. You end up giving out a wealth of personal information, and not hearing back from anyone!
Following up is next to impossible! I've tried numerous phone calls, and showing up in person, only to be told " you need to apply online".
Like so many jobs, I think it comes back to 'who you know".
I applied for city and county jobs. That was....." a learning experience" to put it politely! Fortunately, I have a friend who actually writes/designs these same kind of application programs that kept shutting down on me.
My friend gave me words of encouragement, " you did fine. Don't feel bad. No one would know how to get around this. These where written 15 yrs. ago and need a lot of updating. Don't feel stupid, it's their system that's screwed up, not you. Look at it this way, imagine how many other people struggle with these things and give up? At least we got your name in".
I am also struggling with being either 'overqualified' again, or not having enough recent experience.
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Post by northstarmom on Feb 17, 2019 9:50:30 GMT -5
Applying for jobs is a numbers game. Apply for anything you might be qualified for. For each position, modify your resume so it highlights the exact skills and experiences you have that match the position. Also do individualized cover letters after researching the company. Use the same words in your cover letter and resume that were included in the job description. Your application will usually be overlooked unless you do that.
Last time I was job hunting, I was 64. Imagine how hard that was including figuring out the online stuff!
J
Tell everyone you know you are job hunting. Landing a job is often connected to who you know. Also, many positions are filled without being advertised. I’d sent out info about my job search to everyone I knew including people in a very weird theater troupe I am in. It ended up that one of the troupe members — a gay and out guy, "J," known for dressing in drag on stage also was a high administrator in a state government department that oversaw the large grant I ended up getting hired to administrate at a nonprofit. Before my second interview, I was chit chatting with the woman who ended up hiring me. She asked about my hobbies and I told her I was in rehearsal for local community theater. She asked the name and then asked if I knew J.
She ended up calling him to find out whether I was a team player. That helped me land the job.
Also call your state government employment office and ask them what agency you can use to get free employment help. In my state, it’s CareerSource, which has offices in most cities. It gives great job fairs, interview workshops, networking events, help modernizing one’s resume. It was of enormous help to me as the job market and ways of applying had changed a great deal since I had had to look for a job.
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Post by greatcoastal on Feb 17, 2019 13:42:36 GMT -5
Short version: I am applying for ( dirty) blue collar work. My resume is written in order ( newest to oldest). My last few jobs where white collar.
Longer version: My past work experience can easily look like clean, easy, higher educated, people skills only positions. However, those jobs had a lot of hands on, dirty work as well.
The interview I went on , the other day , I had to spell that out for the owner. I was basically told that I looked and sounded like I couldn't handle being dirty! ( I dressed nicely for an interview. it was V-day and I had other places to go. First impressions..... right?) After explaining that I mow 8 to 10 yards a week, and all the dirty home repairs that I have done, myself to all of my rental homes, he had a different perspective.
It reminds me of my younger days, when I would live in my truck 6 days a week, get a shower every 3 or 4 days, be smelly from grease, diesel fuel and dirty dusty pallets, and then get home, put on my tux/white dinner jacket, and go out dancing with friends. That's just who I am.
I think I am going to need to write a second resume!
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Post by Handy on Feb 17, 2019 14:07:25 GMT -5
Greatcoastal, NSM is spot on, people get hired through personal contacts and good referral information. I had to change careers and got 75 "we found a more qualified applicant" rejection letter. I went to job fairs, used the "job seekers" workshops at the "Employment Service" (really should be called"(weed out everyone that isn't perfect for the job." The "employment service is actually paid for by employers so who really is the "employment Service" obligated to serve the most?
I had interviewers tell me that no experience was my biggest handicap. I found out someone with 8 yrs experience but no college degree got the job. I had one person tell me they don't hire people with a high college GPA because the high achievers in college were interested in doing too good of a job and this placed needed to move work in and out fast with results that met the minimum standards. I had employers tell me they hire people from within, people in their sphere of influence (friends of friends or people they knew second handed). I had employers say they were looking for a certain type of employee (age, gender, weight, highly attractive) to fill a spot. Yes there is age, beauty, and weight discrimination. I have heard employers talk about past health insurance claims or if a potential employee might be prone to certain medical conditions where they might be off work or influence the company health insurance rates.
After 74 or 75 rejectin letters, I got a part time job on 3rd shift 11PM to 7AM because I did a free 90 day internship with a state agency and another state agency had an office in the same building. The state office people talked with each other and that is why I got that job.
If i was in your shoes I would take almost any type of driving job even if it was delivering pizzas just to have some recent experience and so you can list them as a reference. Someone might even know someone in the trucking industry.
When I was applying for jobs, there was a severe economic down turn in my area. I trust that is not the case in your area.
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Post by greatcoastal on Feb 17, 2019 15:56:13 GMT -5
Applying for jobs is a numbers game. Apply for anything you might be qualified for. For each position, modify your resume so it highlights the exact skills and experiences you have that match the position. Also do individualized cover letters after researching the company. Use the same words in your cover letter and resume that were included in the job description. Your application will usually be overlooked unless you do that. I need to do more work on those cover letters. When it comes to "exact skills that match the position", I find that I normally qualify for 75 to 90%. ( it's the 'recent' experience, that's a problem). Others have advised me " a lot of that is a general requirement . Typical wording for a job application. Apply anyways and keep following up, you are already 90% what they are looking for. It's very rare ( some of them impossible) that they are going to find someone who meets all of their requirements". Because it's online, doing follow up is where I am learning new things. |
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Post by Handy on Feb 17, 2019 17:34:51 GMT -5
Greatcoastal, applications are a way to weed out people that might be a problem employee in the future. I used to think I could do several types of work and wondered why I wasn't hired. I found out employers worry more about what a person might cost the company in the future, more than what the person can earn for the company. To me, from an employer's position, job applications / resume's are the first line in the risk management process. Yes you have to do the job well but doing the job well doesn't eliminate the companies risk management. New driver= no recent trouble free miles = an unknown risk. Experienced driver with 500K 5 million miles = equals less risk. Experienced driver, on time all of the time, no accidents, lots of miles = even less risk. Add on all of the other things some employers look at, and the amount of risk exposure they are willing to take, you will have to understand being qualified for a job is mostly only a small step. Employers look at several things and some of those things are technically illegal so they do those things on the sly. Things like age, weight, tattoos, FICO score, previewed medical fitness (divorce) and so many other things factor in when determining if someone is going to be hired. It might not be fair or legal but I Know it happens. Knowing someone, a friend of a friend, a very successful past employment in the field, I would guess is the primary people get hired in small business or where departments have the final say about a perspective new employee.
Anyway, I wish you all of the success possible.
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Post by northstarmom on Feb 19, 2019 11:52:33 GMT -5
GC: read carefully what I wrote before. Follow what I said. The advice holds for people of all backgrounds. This includes modifying your resume and cover letter for each job you apply for. As was the case with me when I was job hunting at age 64, the employment world has changed a great deal since you last were in the market. Application techniques that used to work no longer will help you get a job. You have to treat job searches like a job.
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Post by northstarmom on Feb 19, 2019 11:55:49 GMT -5
A big reason to tailor online submissions to the individual companies and to use the same key words in their ads is that some companies use computer programs for the initial screening. Applications that don’t use those key words are thrown out with no chance of an interview.
Interviews now are standardized with each applicant’s being asked the same questions.
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Post by greatcoastal on Mar 26, 2019 8:44:14 GMT -5
Applying for jobs is a numbers game. Apply for anything you might be qualified for. For each position, modify your resume so it highlights the exact skills and experiences you have that match the position. Also do individualized cover letters after researching the company. Use the same words in your cover letter and resume that were included in the job description. Your application will usually be overlooked unless you do that. Last time I was job hunting, I was 64. Imagine how hard that was including figuring out the online stuff! Tell everyone you know you are job hunting. Landing s job is often connected to who you know. Also, many positions are filled without being advertised. I’d sent out info about my job search to everyone I knew including people in a very weird theater troup I am in. It ended up that one of the troupe members — a gay and out guy, J, known for dressing in drag on stage also was a high administrator in a state government department that oversaw the large grant I ended up getting hired to administrate at a nonprofit. Before my second interview, I was chit chatting with the woman who ended up hiring me. She asked about my hobbies and I told her I was in rehearsal for local community theater. She asked the name and then asked if I knew J. She ended up calling him to find out whether I was a team player. That helped me land the job. Also call your state government employment office and ask them what agency you can use to get free employment help. In my state, it’s CareerSource, which has offices in most cities. It gives great job fairs, interview workshops, networking events, help modernizing one’s resume. It was of enormous help to me as the job market and ways of applying had changed a great deal since I had had to look for a job. I found the job I really wanted. A heavy equipment operator with the Sanitation Division for my county. Driving 48 ft open top trailers, tankers, and lowboy gooseneck hauling oversized loads. All within the county. My interview went excellent! I was pleased to get that far. Then I was asked to do some backing maneuvers. Short version. I failed. longer version: I got 1 out of 3. The 2nd I was never taught, and will never have to do (blindside parallel parking. It is no longer required by the state.). The 3rd. was very different from my school experience. have you ever taken a test and failed it? Then passed it the second time? The person interviewing me, told me " re-apply, some guys take the test 3 or 4 times . pass the test and then we hire them. You won't need another interview, your work ethic and personality are great. I can tell you know what to do ,you had the right procedures, your just rusty, can you practice and get some experience?" I went back to truck school. they graciously gave me more training to match my need. I reapplied on line. I made phone calls. I met other drivers for the county. Other people told me " I will have them call you today". I have not heard from anyone. I have been told " the wheels turn slowly when getting a job with the county". Here's where I took your advice. I wrote a letter, and hand delivered it. Similar to a cover letter. In short, letting them know that I have done what was requested of me and I would appreciate a second opportunity. I also wrote : Also, I hope it is clear from our positive interview and my consistent interest that I desire to secure this position. I look forward to serving you as a consistent and valuable team member. If there is a reason that I will not be considered in the near future, I would appreciate knowing such. I will make a decision soon whether or not to pursue job openings with other organizations. Because of the reputation of working for the county, the types of trucks being driven the people I have met thus far and the responsibilities for this role, I have focused on this position. I ask that you call me this week, please, and share your thoughts. I am going to give it another week and then move on. The job remains online with the words "Open until position is filled" |
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Post by hopingforachange on Mar 26, 2019 10:13:39 GMT -5
It's county government, the one guy that's needed to check the box or click the mouse could be on leave.
But letting them see your face and get to know you could help.
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Post by northstarmom on Mar 26, 2019 11:15:03 GMT -5
GC said: "Here's where I took your advice. I wrote a letter, and hand delivered it. Similar to a cover letter. In short, letting them know that I have done what was requested of me and I would appreciate a second opportunity."
Coming in in person can work to your favor unless there's something about you (such as your age) that you'd prefer the company not use to screen you out. If you drop by in person, dress in at least business casual even for a blue collar job. An applicant who dropped off an application where I used to work was eliminated because he came in looking like he had just rolled out of bed. And be nice to everyone including the receptionist. From what you've posted, you sound like a nice person with common sense, so you probably are polite and neatly dressed when you drop things off in person. I mainly mentioned that in case others who are reading this could benefit from those tips. It's amazing to me how many people apply for jobs and are rude to the people like receptionists and don't realize that companies want people who are easy to work with, not people who think they are better than others....
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Post by greatcoastal on Mar 26, 2019 15:35:23 GMT -5
It's county government, the one guy that's needed to check the box or click the mouse could be on leave. But letting them see your face and get to know you could help. It's a fine line! You get told online, " your application has been accepted. You will be notified. Do not respond to this email." or " you already applied for this position". More and more people have spoken to me, but still... no answer. This happened to me the other day, ( i kid you not) I was on the property and a man asked if he could help me? he told me "I know John (the man who interviewed me) his desk is next to mine, we've worked together for years, he's normally right there in that building. They are short drivers and he is driving today. You will never have to do any kind of backing like that. Everything is pulling straight forward. We pay overtime. I'll give him your card, he'll call you today". Several days passed and I talked to the ladies at the scale house ( front entrance) they told me " John?. John who? There's no John here by that name. There's no truck drivers here. You need to go to the other office". I know more of what's going on then they do! Wierd, and a fine line, when you do your best to remain polite and cooperative. A friend of mine consults hundreds of businesses, he tells me " some businesses are lightning fast, they stay right on top of hiring and returning communication. Others could care less and they remain far behind on all sorts of things." |
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Post by DryCreek on Mar 27, 2019 1:39:47 GMT -5
He’s too busy driving to hire drivers...
I’d say keep being persistent. The need is clearly there if you can make it through the red tape. It’s not uncommon for the online software to have failed them and they don’t even know you’re re-attempting. Like trying to get past the automated menu to speak with a human at some places!
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Post by ironhamster on Mar 27, 2019 1:48:11 GMT -5
If software is doing the sorting, use it to your advantage. Look at what their ideal candidate has, and copy and paste what you can into your resume. The program will search and find what it is looking for in your information.
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Post by northstarmom on Mar 27, 2019 10:01:00 GMT -5
My experience was that governments were especially meticulous in using point systems and structured interviews to figure out who to hire. Make extra sure your resume and cover letter include the exact words in the job listing you are responding to so it’s very clear you have the skills and experience required. Expect to spend a couple of hours perfecting each job submission.
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