Discussions

I have applied for every job possible (yes even superstore and Home Depot etc) and I haven't had one call for an interview. I have had my resume looked at so its not that...is this been a problem for anyone else in Brandon?

Don't just apply for jobs that are being advertised. Pound the streets, go business to business handing your resume in. Both long term jobs I have had, the companies were not advertising, I was just out dropping off resume's everywhere.

a guy just finished his first year at ACC, applied for MPI and got the full time job.  
He is a hard working guy in anything he does

Doing follow ups? Actually talking to a manager? I could take a look at your resume if you like. Just for second opionon. I took a few corses in resumes and job searching ect.

Me too... I can't seem to get anything!! If anyone has resume tips( or any tips in general), id be willing to hear them!! I'm not lazy, and want to work!! Let me know what will help my search! Thanks

Just recently was unemployed for 7 weeks and finally got an interview and eventually a job.  
 
It's tough out there, but my advice is keep trying and if the position listing has an option for dropping resume off go in and put a face to name.  
 
best of luck

you have put your resume out there and it''s being read. Did you write/type it your self or go to a professional. My girlfriend was looking for a job and wrote her own. She asked me to read it.  
I just quickly glanced through it and said this is not you and it doesn't sell you to me, if I was an employer reading it.  
 
She then went to a professional and got them to do it. She said she was glad as what they asked and put down made her look real different. It wasn''t the same person from reading her first one.  
 
I was thinking about a different career from the farm and repairing machinery. I can''t find anything to interest me, so if you got things to apply for, you are lucky in the current employment situation. but I bet there are 40 others wanting it to. Make your self stand out from them, but don''t lie about your self just sell you the very best you can..  
Good luck  
 
Edited by Farmboy74, 2016-06-29 14:26:57

Ask to speak to the manager DO NOT just drop off your résumé and go !!!!! Was at the Keg last week and a girl said I need to see the manager and put a yellow marker through her name as they were speaking ...smart girl....and would be awesome as I watched her being sooo polite and sooo personable...I know we will see her next week at our regular supper....you go girl!!!!

SparkyJones said "And this 'only those selected for an interview will be contacted' is garbage! "

why is that garbage? if you were doing the hiring would you contact 50, 100, or a 1000 people just to say you are not interested, hiring managers dont have that much extra time

100% true no jobs in Brandon. Construction field need people

traveller said "    SparkyJones said "And this 'only those selected for an interview will be contacted' is garbage! " why is that garbage? if you were doing the hiring would you contact 50, 100, or a 1000 people just to say you are not interested, hiring managers dont have that much extra time "

It took me 9 weeks to secure a job. After all of the positions I applied to there's NO way I'd want to be called to be told I wasn't selected for an interview. If no one calls, you weren't selected.

*enter name here* said "    traveller said "    SparkyJones said "And this 'only those selected for an interview will be contacted' is garbage! " why is that garbage? if you were doing the hiring would you contact 50, 100, or a 1000 people just to say you are not interested, hiring managers dont have that much extra time " It took me 9 weeks to secure a job. After all of the positions I applied to there's NO way I'd want to be called to be told I wasn't selected for an interview. If no one calls, you weren't selected. "

lol yes iagree, if you are putting out as many resumes as you should be to be seriously looking you also probably dont really want those calls, but if they do I would suggest asking for feedback so you can improve your chances for the next job

It does also look bad if you are constantly applying to the same businesses with the same resume. Create a new resume for each company you apply to, rather than simply just changing the company name each time. Try seeking professional help to write a professional resume. I've seen some pretty ugly ones come to the business I'm employed at, and they get tossed out almost immediately.

SparkyJones said "    traveller said "    SparkyJones said "And this 'only those selected for an interview will be contacted' is garbage! " why is that garbage? if you were doing the hiring would you contact 50, 100, or a 1000 people just to say you are not interested, hiring managers dont have that much extra time " Actually had a big bit typed out...silly phone. What I originally stated was I don't work in hr and don't pretend to know how busy you are but a courtesy as to why one isn't selected would be great. Am I overqualified, under qualified, too many employers, one single over looked spelling error, no references from the local area, you didn't like the font or the bold face I used?     Going for the interview and being told [b] 'We'll call you regardless of a decision by such and such a date' [/b] Then no call and you have to chase then down to find out. I myself am not one for tact. This 'Ohhhhhhhhh they haven't called me so I must not have gotten the job' mentality doesn't suit me or sit well with me. I'm a fully grown adult! Tell me why I didn't make the cut so I can improve my resume or improve/update my qualifications! "

i understand if you are told you will get a call then you kind of expect one, feed back is great but lots of people dont have time to contact every application nor do they always give feedback, of course to improve yourself instead of getting angry and losing your tact, which will surly lower your chances then yes chase them down and ask if they indeed filled the postion, maybe they have but maybe they still havent hired yet and your polite push will get you to the top of the list

I have been looking for work since my new hip 2 years now, I have a part time job love it min wage thou. I'm 47 with 30 of those years in construction but need something less harsh on the body so out there I'm just old with no experience. So long story short YES...

One of my companies has been hiring for awhile now, I have received maybe 50 resumes in the past two weeks, here is some of my insights...  
 
- Make sure you have the qualifications required for the job. If the ad says 'valid class 5 and transportation is required' don't apply if you don't have them, it wastes my time and yours.  
 
 
- If you are emailing your resume, include your cover letter in the body of the email or at least an introduction to it. ABout 1/2 of all resumes I get are just blank emails with attachments. I don't even open them most of the time.  
 
- Make sure yiur resume is current. If you are living in Westman but your resuem has an Albertan address and says you are currently working in Edmonton - it barely gets glanced at.  
 
- Do NOT text me about a job opening. I actualy got a text the other day "I M interested 2 meet U about the job", um...  
 
- If the ad says 'please forward resume with references to..." Do not forward a resume that says 'references available upn request' - they have already been requested  
 
When you do get the interview:  
 
- Do your research - have questions ready about the company, job etc.  
 
- Do NOT start bashing your current employer, workplace, co-workers etc. Regardless of why you are looking for a new job, trash talking others to the interviewer will never get you hired.  
 
- Regardless of the type of job you are applying for - show up dressed professionally - this is a job interview - yu put your best foor forward and if yu think flip flops and sweatpants are your best foot, what will you show up wearing to work.  
 
- Have an answer to the various ways this question will be asked, 'Why should we hire you?' This is your chance to make your elevator sales pitch - sell yourself. If you don't know why you should be hired, how would we know?  
 
 
Just my $0.02

Check this out and see if there is anything that may interest you.  
 
http://jobbank.brandon.ca/  
 
http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/job_search_results.do?page=1&d=50&sort=M&action=s1&searchstring=brandon+mb&lang=en&sid=20  
 
As for highlighting their name or resume, I would not be impressed. I will highlight your name and items that meet the job requirements if the resume makes the "cut".  
 
Make the resume easy to read as in "clean", if possible, tailor it to the position you want.  
 
Do not say,"This was part of my job duties for......". Check for spelling and grammar errors.  
 
If you are applying for a posted job, read the requirements and state how you meet those requirements. Recent and extensive experience - recent is usually within the past two years and daily but explain how/what you did daily with an example.  
 
Grooming is important and do not over look the shoes making sure they are clean.  
 
Shake their hand like you mean it but not so hard you bring them to their knees.  
 
Look them in the eye.  
 
Research the business and state why you would like the opportunity to work there.  
 
If you are in an interview and there are people taking notes, speak slowly and clearly - do not ramble on.  
 
Here is a link with some interesting tips that may help. http://www.everydayinterviewtips.com/questions-and-answers/behavioral-interview/  
 
I will check with Adam to see if there is somehow or somewhere on this site that can store PDF files that provide definitions that are very helpful for interviews.  
 
Follow-up the interview with an email or thank you card. Thank them for their time, the interview, and how you would welcome the opportunity to become part of their team. It just might be the added bit of "icing on the cake" required to "seal the deal."  
 
Good luck with your search and I hope you find what you are looking for in the near future. Cheers!

Michelle Budiwski said "One of my companies has been hiring for awhile now, I have received maybe 50 resumes in the past two weeks, here is some of my insights...     - Make sure you have the qualifications required for the job. If the ad says 'valid class 5 and transportation is required' don't apply if you don't have them, it wastes my time and yours.       - If you are emailing your resume, include your cover letter in the body of the email or at least an introduction to it. ABout 1/2 of all resumes I get are just blank emails with attachments. I don't even open them most of the time.     - Make sure yiur resume is current. If you are living in Westman but your resuem has an Albertan address and says you are currently working in Edmonton - it barely gets glanced at.     - Do NOT text me about a job opening. I actualy got a text the other day "I M interested 2 meet U about the job", um...     - If the ad says 'please forward resume with references to..." Do not forward a resume that says 'references available upn request' - they have already been requested     When you do get the interview:     - Do your research - have questions ready about the company, job etc.     - Do NOT start bashing your current employer, workplace, co-workers etc. Regardless of why you are looking for a new job, trash talking others to the interviewer will never get you hired.     - Regardless of the type of job you are applying for - show up dressed professionally - this is a job interview - yu put your best foor forward and if yu think flip flops and sweatpants are your best foot, what will you show up wearing to work.     - Have an answer to the various ways this question will be asked, 'Why should we hire you?' This is your chance to make your elevator sales pitch - sell yourself. If you don't know why you should be hired, how would we know?       Just my $0.02 "

Have proper punctuation and spelling.  
 
Yu is not you.  
Foor is not foot.  
Punctuation might be worthwhile.  
Dashes within a sentence as above might reflect badly on a resume.  
American spelling (color vs. colour) might sway some employers in thinking one is lazy.  
Resuem should be Resume.  
 
One cannot or should not judge spelling and punctuation on message boards, but when it comes to being able to spell RESUME, and having proper punctuation, that''s what I''d be looking for.  
 
Take the time to go over things?  
 
Edited by Kellye, 2016-07-02 11:35:43

Type of job are you looking for?

Sent u a private message

Kellye, you are right. I probably shouldn't use my phone to post, especially a long post that I can't go back and edit. Another good tip though for your resumes,  
 
Don't send from your phone, check spelling and grammar and watch out for autocorrect :D

Call back a few days after dropping off your resume to inquire if they have had an opportunity to review it. It will keep you fresh in their minds and you will stand out as a committed applicant.

Michelle Budiwski said "Kellye, you are right. I probably shouldn't use my phone to post, especially a long post that I can't go back and edit. Another good tip though for your resumes,     Don't send from your phone, check spelling and grammar and watch out for autocorrect :D "

No worries. I figured it might have been be a phone post.

I find it very hard to find a job...very annoying...

But, what I did while I was pounding the pavement. I had applied for probably close to 200 jobs, with my best resume I've ever had. I found it was getting frustrating with the amount of jobs I'd applied for, and wanted to apply some of my energy to tasks. I took up hobbying, and working in the community to feel my contributions in other routes. Eventually I found some work for a few days a week which has progressed now to a few more.  
 
One little bit at a time. I know we get stir crazy and want to feel like we could be doing more to get the jobs. With the recession our country isn't talking about. And the number of jobs which have been cut without any new jobs being created. People turning to automated services more and more, along with the high concentration of people working harder for less. And the stagnancy of our dollar, we need to focus on what we have in our lives, and the small ways we can apply our energies to benefit the whole. Appreciate where we can apply ourselves. And like was mentioned above, do your best to promote yourself professionally in a one to one manner. Go shake some hands, and talk to some people. Stay active, and don't give up.

Surprisingly, typos and common spelling or grammatical errors don't often bother me on a resume unless the application is for an administrative position. Probably because I am a lazy phone-poster  
 
If you become too focused on the technicalities of a resume you could overlook fantastic workers who may have English as a second language or limited education, neither of which is a disqualifying factor in itself, at least not to me.  
 
Tone, attitude, being able to follow the ad instructions show more to me than grammar ever will.

finding a job should be like working full time. Not just applying to what is posted.  
 
When I was looking for a job I made a list each morning today all the banks, tomorrow the industrial area, etc.  
 
I hand delivered a resume to each place all morning. If they wanted a application filled out, I took the home, did them over lunch and went back after lunch and returned them all.  
 
Out of all of that, I got one great job in the industrial area, that I stayed at for 22 years and were not advertising for help, when I dropped off my resume. The second job, again not advertising I got and stayed five years until I had to go on disability.  
 
Make it a full time job. I made sure I was out and at it early in the morning, so they saw I was not working, but still was able to get up and get at it.

SparkyJones said "    Brenda said "finding a job should be like working full time. Not just applying to what is posted.     When I was looking for a job I made a list each morning today all the banks, tomorrow the industrial area, etc.     I hand delivered a resume to each place all morning. If they wanted a application filled out, I took the home, did them over lunch and went back after lunch and returned them all.     Out of all of that, I got one great job in the industrial area, that I stayed at for 22 years and were not advertising for help, when I dropped off my resume. The second job, again not advertising I got and stayed five years until I had to go on disability.     Make it a full time job. I made sure I was out and at it early in the morning, so they saw I was not working, but still was able to get up and get at it. " It's not as easy as it was thirty years ago... "

is exactly the wrong attitude. If you want something bad enough get out there and work for it.

There is some truth to the 'It's who you know' idea. Hiring people is expensive and time consuming - some of the best referrals come from current staff. They know the culture, the job and their friends - asking them if they know anyone who could fill a vacant position and work well with our team can save a great deal of time and money.  
 
But instead of complaining about it - use that to your advantage. Ask your friends and family if they know of any vacancies in their companies. Ask them to introduce you to their boss or hiring manager, even if there isn't any openings. Network. Ask. And always be ready to make a great first impression.  
 
Oh and one other tip - clean up your social media pages. Part of 'checking your references' has now become online searches for the things you say about yourself and others. You have become your own reference now.  
 
Think about how things would look to a potential employer before you post...  
 
- Do you bash former or current employees or co-workers?  
- Do you trash customers?  
- Do you post 'victim mentality' type posts?  
- Do you like, post or share comments or pictures that could be offensive or construed as racist or hateful?  
- Do you post pictures of yourself in or doing compromising things?  
 
 
Whether we like it or not, our online presence is creating our personal brand. Think before you post and make sure what you say online is something you would be willing to stand by in person and defend if you need to in an interview.