Discussions

Numerous times. Sometimes everyone else has the exact same qualifications it’s just they chose someone else who they thought would fit better. I applied to the same place three times before I eventually got hired there. It doesn’t mean they didn’t like you or wouldn’t hire you in the future. Just keep applying and you’ll find something! It can be discouraging at times.

Dunes said "Have you ever applied for a job and you fit ALL the qualifications (and then some) and you get this polite email saying, "no thanks, we picked someone else"? Curious. "

Just an ideal of a recent job posted, the HR people received over 200 resumes.  
 
That is a lot to go through, decide who to interview, etc. Probably half of the one's interviewed had the right and all of the qualifications.  
 
Maybe you had a the qualifications and thought the interview went well, someone else had them all too and their interview was great.  
 
Also, sometimes, extra qualifications can be a deterrent. They figure you will want more money, or come across as knowing more than they do.  
 
Obvious they just found someone who they thought would be a "better fit".  
 
It can be discouraging, but their are only so many good jobs, so many people looking. Like others have said it was actually very nice that you got an "polite e-mail". Most of the times you never hear anything back after an interview.  
 
Try not to get down, too discouraged and keep on trying. Looking for a job can be a full time job, to get the one you want. Just remember how many others are also out there looking for that same full time job.  
 
Good Luck!

Also sometimes it boils down to “soft skills” not listed on a resume. We have had over 150 applicants for one job posting, eliminated almost 75% due to living location, interviewed 6 that all had the right qualifications and it boiled down to personality and how well they would fit with the team. Brandon and area is a small town and word travels extremely fast! Unfortunately rumours and attitude can have a direct impact on whether or not you get hired. Sucks, but it’s the truth.

Of course! Anyone who has applied for multiple jobs, especially if there is a downturn in demand for the job, has received similar PFO letters/ emails.

Viv said "Also sometimes it boils down to “soft skills” not listed on a resume. We have had over 150 applicants for one job posting, eliminated almost 75% due to living location, interviewed 6 that all had the right qualifications and it boiled down to personality and how well they would fit with the team. Brandon and area is a small town and word travels extremely fast! Unfortunately rumours and attitude can have a direct impact on whether or not you get hired. Sucks, but it’s the truth. "

I don't think it's fair to screenout an applicant based on their address. They may be considering relocation or willing to commute. Applicants should be based on qualifications.

You are right, they shouldn’t be I agree, but with an online portal to apply to we had people applying from other countries and both coasts. Realistically the company wouldn’t pay to relocate them and they don’t know the industry or the area.. the learning curve would be a huge training cost. Besides, why not look local first?

If you are applying for a job, your social media presence can also play a part. Make sure anything you post on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc is professional and tasteful.

As someone who has been responsible for hiring many people in brandon over the last few years, i can tell you that the hiring pool of qualified people for any skilled position here is extremely shallow, so when someone that is a good fit comes by, they typically get hired right away.Doesnt mean you arent qualified, it means someone else beat you to it. Be quicker on the draw. Also, makes sure your resume is professionally done, and dont just apply by email, follow up with a visit. Showing up in person always shows your real interest. Remember nobody is entitled to a job just because you apply or fit the qualifications, so you have to go and grab it.  
Good Luck!!!

As another poster mentioned, Brandon is a small town/city and word travels fast. Being a smaller city also means that sometimes, no matter how well your qualifications meet the posted requirements of the advertised position, it’s not always what you know, but who you know...unfortunate but true. Also, some businesses are required to post positions externally and go through the interview process even though they may already have an individual in mind for the position. If is frustrating for those who are looking to get a foot in the door and gain experience or for those new to the city who meet all the qualifications but are passed by in favor of a “local”. Job searching can and often is a job in itself and it’s not always an easy one.

I totally understand the out of country but I was referring to locations a short distance away from the business- ex 30-60 minutes

Understandable. But also we have rotations where people have to be available for on call call-outs and have to be at the office within 15 minutes. So we’ve hired people who live in Brandon and can’t do the on call rotation which isn’t really fair to the extra work that piles on the people that live in the town as they have to give up additional weekends. So for the right candidate we will hire if they live more than 15 minutes away but we start looking in our area first. Just the way it is.

Honestly... Employers have lost touch with reality for the most part. Often times they will hire schooling over experience, and i think that’s because for the most part those with experience know the difference between knowledge and capability. Unfortunately for us however it’s usually inexperienced young people that are making hiring decisions based on paper and not person. So what we have is an epidemic of individuals who have lost touch with reality and hire people based on paper, not person. To sum it up all the paper accolades in the world about your training in kungfu doesn’t equate an actual ability to kick butt irl.

ChristopherAndrews said "Honestly... Employers have lost touch with reality for the most part. Often times they will hire schooling over experience, and i think that’s because for the most part those with experience know the difference between knowledge and capability. Unfortunately for us however it’s usually inexperienced young people that are making hiring decisions based on paper and not person. So what we have is an epidemic of individuals who have lost touch with reality and hire people based on paper, not person. To sum it up all the paper accolades in the world about your training in kungfu doesn’t equate an actual ability to kick butt irl. "

There are just a lot of people looking for jobs, applying for the same jobs.  
 
Pound the streets. I have got all my jobs not by sending resumes to advertised positions, but my pounding the streets.  
 
Each day, a different area of town. It is like full time work to get the job you want.

It always looks better if you are working when you apply for a new job. Don’t be fussy. Work retail or fast food. Something is better than nothing.

Dunes said " Have you ever applied for a job and you fit ALL the qualifications (and then some) and you get this polite email saying, "no thanks, we picked someone else"? Curious. "

In my experience most places I have worked for always picked the people they thought could learn the best over what they already knew... As in they didn't care if you had x y z qualifications, because if they can't train you to do it the "company way" they don't want you regardless of your qualifications... Maybe this is only a thing in lower income / lower tier positions as I've never had a quote unquote "High Paying 60K+" job before so this is all I am used to dealing with.  
 
I am not saying this is the best practice when it comes to hiring people, just my experience working "low" end jobs in Brandon.  
 
Best of luck!

NOYB said "It always looks better if you are working when you apply for a new job. Don’t be fussy. Work retail or fast food. Something is better than nothing. "

if you have only been out of work a short time and can prove laid off or the business closed.  
 
Anyone who is doing hiring in Brandon knows that market is tough and I would expect they would know that people are unemployed when looking for a job.  
 
They also understand someone could be collecting EI while looking, which could be more than working part time, casual, fast food.  
 
Also, if they want someone to start as soon as possible, they will take someone who is not working rather than someone who has to give to weeks notice or more.

Been looking for a job myself and have been passed up several times. The head if the company told me to apply for the job but the H.R Manager doesent seem to like me as she has history with my mother.  
 
I have called her to see why, and she basically said she doesn't like me.

It is always a gamble. I go through rough spells looking for people. I am in one of those rough spells right now. Looking for labourers in a fast paced environment and yes I can find them, but then attendance issues begin. Or other way around. Perfect attendance but just cannot catch on. Very frustrating. So if anyone is looking send me a message lol.

Is the job seasonal?

To make a first impression. I love somebody coming in and face-to-face expressing an interest in “our” particular business / line of work. You get to see their expression, smile, eyes, demeanour, how they carry themselves, greeting you as a stranger, comfort level, confidence etc etc. It’s also a real bonus if a potential employer reads a resume that you can tell is not a “generic” one that everybody else down the street has received from you too, but rather expresses an interest in working at your specific business. I know it’s difficult. Been on both sides. Good luck. And as mentioned, don’t take it personal or consider yourself rejected if you don’t land that job. If you know that’s the job / place you want, go back in a month - regardless if jobs are posted or not - and try again. It could still happen....