Job Searching tips

[The Oi]

hey jigio, are there any temp agencies that i should avoid? I have worked with Express professionals before. I just wonder how many of these temp agencies would be willing to work around my job I have at the law-firm. I have to work 20 hours so I can work 2 10 hour shifts Mon & Tuesday.

Thanks for the help

Not sure of any to avoid really. You can have good or bad experiences with all of them, depending on the branch and/or the recruiters you work with as well as the job they put you in. It's really hit or miss. I'd honestly say there's around a 50% success rate or so with temp-hire, usually relating more to the quality of the candidate's work than the company.

Temp agencies are very unlikely to work around your job, as they will be hesitant to risk you not being able to work the hours their client requests. That said, if you're working at a law firm...perhaps the criminal justice wouldn't be a bad career line to pursue? You might also consider targeting your search to law firms when you apply with temp agencies.

As an aside...When I was a recruiter, I got one of my friends a job as a clerk at a law firm four years ago, and he's currently an attorney there now. Not only that, but he recruited one of my other good friends who is an attorney there now. The best part? They both hate it and it's a terrible firm. :chuckles: You really never know.

 

[jonmchugh]

Jon,

I recommend CareerBuilder and Monster for looking for a career. Those are what I've used in the past. There are also more specific job boards and career assistance boards like allhealthcare.com. SnagAJob is good for exactly what it sounds like, finding a job. They have a ton of hourly job postings.

The temp-to-hire also isn't a bad gig. It might suck a little at first because you will likely make less than you are currently and receive no benefits, but keep in mind this is obviously focused on the long-term. I am a project manager in St. Louis and my project team consists entirely of temporary labor. While they don't make a lot of money in their temp positions I am currently working on getting two of my temps full time jobs within the company. They've been working with me since last September and if they do get FTE offers I wouldn't expect them to receive them until June. So they had to put in a decent amount of time, but in the long run it will pay large dividends for them.

I definitely recommend completing your degree. Without it I'm afraid your resume will get tossed in the no-consideration pile immediately because most positions require a degree. Getting work experience is great for advancement, but you will be creating a ceiling for yourself if you do not finish your degree. Also, if you have any potential connections USE THEM. Friends, family friends, parents, relatives, or professors. If there's anyone willing to help don't be ashamed to be ask for it. A good recommendation coming from a trusted source goes a loooong way with hiring managers.

If you want any help I'd be willing to review your resume.

Hey man thanks a lot, Yeah I have been looking on Monster and Career Builder for about the past week or so and haven't come up with anything yet. I did get my old Job at Target back but that is making minimum wage (7.50 / hour) and probably only 20 hours a week. That's a major pay cut. I have to take the job I don't have a choice in the matter but I'm still looking for a better full time job or another part time job that pays a little bit more than min wage, especially since I"m getting married in less than 4 months. I had a budge all planned out and that's gone to shit so now we are both freaking out.

If you don't mind looking at my resume that would be cool. I've started looking at some of the temp sites that Jigio suggested and I will look at them more tomorrow. I've started to think that it's my resume is why I'm not getting any call backs. My resume is on my computer at work but if you don't mind helping me I'd appreciate it. I could use all the help I can get for the matter. If you don't mind PMing me with your email, I can go ahead and send you what I have right now.

Thanks a lot....Jon

 

[jonmchugh]

Not sure of any to avoid really. You can have good or bad experiences with all of them, depending on the branch and/or the recruiters you work with as well as the job they put you in. It's really hit or miss. I'd honestly say there's around a 50% success rate or so with temp-hire, usually relating more to the quality of the candidate's work than the company.

Temp agencies are very unlikely to work around your job, as they will be hesitant to risk you not being able to work the hours their client requests. That said, if you're working at a law firm...perhaps the criminal justice wouldn't be a bad career line to pursue? You might also consider targeting your search to law firms when you apply with temp agencies.

As an aside...When I was a recruiter, I got one of my friends a job as a clerk at a law firm four years ago, and he's currently an attorney there now. Not only that, but he recruited one of my other good friends who is an attorney there now. The best part? They both hate it and it's a terrible firm. :chuckles: You really never know.

Thanks a lot jigio. I mean the law firm I work for is a collections law firm. So it has nothing to do with criminal law and what not but that's beside the point. That's the only thing I fear with temp to hire is I don't feel like I can take that risk now. Especially with getting married in August. I dont' know. It seems besides my girl, I've had several strings of bad luck as of late. Knowing my luck, I would get the temp-to-hire position and not get hired with the company like 6 months down the road. Then what would me and my fiance would do? That's the only thing that scares me about temp-to-hire...

 

[The Oi]

Thanks a lot jigio. I mean the law firm I work for is a collections law firm. So it has nothing to do with criminal law and what not but that's beside the point. That's the only thing I fear with temp to hire is I don't feel like I can take that risk now. Especially with getting married in August. I dont' know. It seems besides my girl, I've had several strings of bad luck as of late. Knowing my luck, I would get the temp-to-hire position and not get hired with the company like 6 months down the road. Then what would me and my fiance would do? That's the only thing that scares me about temp-to-hire...

You're thinking the right way there. If I were you I'd set some kind of career target on a title, industry or both that you'd like to be in 5 years from now. Then...if a temp to hire comes along that gets you closer to that goal than what you're in right now, take it.

If it doesn't take you any closer to that goal, but it's more money or just a better opportunity than what you're doing, still consider it.

FYI there's a lot of firms doing commercial and residential foreclosure and what you're doing right now could give you an entree into either of those areas. Might be something to look into.

 

[jonmchugh]

Yeah. I really don't want to get sucked into a retail job. I mean there is room for growth but all the retail job's I've had have paid shit. I've looked into landscaping jobs, but those are mostly seasonal and most places want like 1 or 2 years of experience. I think my strengths are date entry ( can type around 80 wpm), customer service, and computer skills. I have good knowledge with Excel, Word, Powerpoint and Outlook. I am comfortable with talking on the phone for an 8 hour shift. Just prefer taking inbound calls. I hate calling people and getting cussed at!

Just another question, There was a place I worked at for little over a year Sterling Jewelers where I got the majority of my customer service, data entry, computer experience. However that was 4 years ago and I was stupid and got fired for being lazy and being late to work. I do put that job on my resume but that was almost 4 years ago now. Do employers still look at that? I've had solid history since that point. I did get let go for one retail store because my cash register was short by like 4 dollars one day and then it was short like 2 dollars later. It was some bull shit reason i got let go. I don't put that one on my resume but I called cooperate and put in a formal complaint and nothing happened. So I guess my question is, during interviews, when they ask, "Why did you leave Sterling?" or whatever what do I say? I mean if I lie, they will follow up most likely and figure out that I'm lying. I don't know.

Thanks again, sorry for the soo many questoins..

 

[Spanky133]

This is what you should do: Move to Australia.
Here's why.
1. It would be great to get more Cavs fans here and not be the only one to have to annoy a bar to turn on a Cavs game
2. The 'global recession' or downturn, or whatever I should call it didn't hit nearly as hard here, really if at all in some sectors.
3. Our minumum wage is basically twice yours! This is straight off the australian gov website:
From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2010 the national minimum wage is $569.90 per week (before tax), or $15 per hour (as rounded to the nearest 10 cents). Before the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2010, employees covered by the national minimum wage were entitled to be paid at least the previous federal minimum wage rate of $543.78 per week or $14.31 per hour (before tax).


The cost of living is roughly that of NY or Miami, but the minimum wage is twice that. Plus the weather is just a smidge better than NE Ohio.
Unfortunately, alcohol is more expensive with taxes. That's a serious minus I suppose.

 

[bcort]

This is what you should do: Move to Australia.
Here's why.
1. It would be great to get more Cavs fans here and not be the only one to have to annoy a bar to turn on a Cavs game
2. The 'global recession' or downturn, or whatever I should call it didn't hit nearly as hard here, really if at all in some sectors.
3. Our minumum wage is basically twice yours! This is straight off the australian gov website:
From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2010 the national minimum wage is $569.90 per week (before tax), or $15 per hour (as rounded to the nearest 10 cents). Before the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2010, employees covered by the national minimum wage were entitled to be paid at least the previous federal minimum wage rate of $543.78 per week or $14.31 per hour (before tax).


The cost of living is roughly that of NY or Miami, but the minimum wage is twice that. Plus the weather is just a smidge better than NE Ohio.
Unfortunately, alcohol is more expensive with taxes. That's a serious minus I suppose.

... Don't forget the spiders.

 

[The Oi]

Yeah. I really don't want to get sucked into a retail job. I mean there is room for growth but all the retail job's I've had have paid shit. I've looked into landscaping jobs, but those are mostly seasonal and most places want like 1 or 2 years of experience. I think my strengths are date entry ( can type around 80 wpm), customer service, and computer skills. I have good knowledge with Excel, Word, Powerpoint and Outlook. I am comfortable with talking on the phone for an 8 hour shift. Just prefer taking inbound calls. I hate calling people and getting cussed at!

Just another question, There was a place I worked at for little over a year Sterling Jewelers where I got the majority of my customer service, data entry, computer experience. However that was 4 years ago and I was stupid and got fired for being lazy and being late to work. I do put that job on my resume but that was almost 4 years ago now. Do employers still look at that? I've had solid history since that point. I did get let go for one retail store because my cash register was short by like 4 dollars one day and then it was short like 2 dollars later. It was some bull shit reason i got let go. I don't put that one on my resume but I called cooperate and put in a formal complaint and nothing happened. So I guess my question is, during interviews, when they ask, "Why did you leave Sterling?" or whatever what do I say? I mean if I lie, they will follow up most likely and figure out that I'm lying. I don't know.

Thanks again, sorry for the soo many questoins..

It's HIGHLY unlikely that any job you get into at this point is going to follow up with Sterling or the retail store and it's highly unlikely either of your managers are still at those stores anyways. If putting those on your resume fill in any gaps of over 3 months, then I'd put them on there. If not, I'd ignore them.

Usually honesty is the best policy, but in this particular situation...I'd say just avoid the topic and tell them you left each of those positions for whatever you had after that or for school or whatever the case may be.

 

[jonmchugh]

hey guys gotta call back from one of my resumes today for a interview. it's for a front desk / receptionist gig at this modeling school or something in Fairlawn. it's convinient cutoz its 2 min away from my current part time job. it's part time to start with potential to lead to full time. I have to call tomorrow and they are interviewing on Thursday...

 

[MattyFos.]

I'm pretty close to getting a job for a company that is hired out as janitorial service for Chrysler. My dad works for Chrysler and got an application for me. He's also going to get the local UAW President as a reference and a couple more UAW big wigs to be references. Plus, he's going to personally hand the app to the guy who does the hiring. I'd have to move to Michigan. That would suck. But the pay is 14.5/hour and 6 days a week. So I'd be making great money.
I don't want to be there for life. But it'll be nice to save some money and try to finish school. Not really relevant to the OP. I'm just excited and wanted to share it.

 

[MattyFos.]

hey guys gotta call back from one of my resumes today for a interview. it's for a front desk / receptionist gig at this modeling school or something in Fairlawn. it's convinient cutoz its 2 min away from my current part time job. it's part time to start with potential to lead to full time. I have to call tomorrow and they are interviewing on Thursday...

Congrats dude. Knock that interview out of the park. Then bang the models!

 

[jonmchugh]

Congrats dude. Knock that interview out of the park. Then bang the models!

hahaha thanks dude. i have to call them tomorrow to set up the intterview. I am getting married in august, so cancel the banging of the models lol!

 

[Shakalu M.D.]

hahaha thanks dude. i have to call them tomorrow to set up the intterview. I am getting married in august, so cancel the banging of the models lol!

Send them my way

 

[Shakalu M.D.]

Thought I would share something that i found amusing. Even though I have an interview on Monday I've still been sending out applications. Well one of the places I applied to made me write a poem about my previous job. I did it in limerick form. :chuckles:

 

[jonmchugh]

What should I wear for my interview? I don't have a suit. So maybe something like kakis and a nice longsleave dress shirt?