Just one little, medium sized rant...
About This Page:

bradbeckyk · 03-02-2010, 02:55 PM

I agree with the other post he should follow up calling or dropping in to the work place.

I had to laugh about the question about fighting in a work place. Home Depot asked me that when I applied to work there. I had just retired from the military and when the young lady asked me that question I smiled. She asked me what's so funny in a snobby power trip kind of way. I told her that first of all I couldn't imagine being asked a question like that and second on my last job I had for 20 years nobody fought with each other in the work place; if they did they didn't get fired they went to jail. Needless to say I didn't get hired on.

jimmymac · 03-02-2010, 03:11 PM

Huntermom · 03-02-2010, 04:54 PM

I agree with the cold calling at the place of employment and making calls to follow up as to whether the application has been received and later to inquire about scheduling an interview. Lenny may also want to get out the word to friends and aquaintences that he's looking.

Immediately after the interview, Lenny should always write a thank you note and then call and follow up the next week.

My ex was unemployed 3 times over the 30 years we were married. He was well educated and well qualified but often submitted hundreds of resumes before he was offerred a job.

The other thing you may want to do is see if someone could review his resume. I know you think Lenny is well qualified for the positions, but maybe that is not coming through in your letters and resumes. A neutral eye maybe able to pick up something.

Also be aware that often positions are posted to meet HR policies but there already be someone waiting for the job. I've seen that often when a company wants to hire an intern but needs to exhaust other possibilities first.

Good luck, be patient. In the scheme of things, you really haven't been at it that long.

ilovejack72 · 03-02-2010, 06:48 PM

my i make a suggestion when he does get and interview have him send the person a thank you card for taking the time to speak with him. its like a follow up but more personal then a phone call. worth a try good luck

loobyoxlip · 03-02-2010, 07:00 PM

I agree with Suzie, go in person! I used to be a hiring manager, and I actually had a girl's application in the 'no' pile. Then she came in, asked me IN PERSON about her app., I found it, interviewed her and ended up hiring her! It really does make a difference to go in and show initiative!

Tigger71 · 03-02-2010, 07:14 PM

Here in Australia our job market is not so critical but the amount of applicants is overwhelming. We recently advertised for a grill cook position (non qualified) and had over 300 applications - 140 via email the first day! I would estimate that approx. 100 were from trade qualified chefs!!!! Applicants looking certainly would be disappointed if they believed they were going to get a personal reply...We do call unsuccessful candidates if they have been interviewed but not the others.
It is harder to say no to an applicant in person, so it's true Lenny should apply in the flesh even after submitting via computer. This forces the manager to rethink the "want/need" for the job. The lengths some people go to to get noticed is amazing. Remember to consider the position when trying to visit the manager. It sounds obvious but do not attempt to speak with them at peak periods or at the very beginning or end of the day...I even had a chef call me at 7.30pm on Friday's dinner service and want to ask about pay for the advertised position - not a good look!
Best wishes - Persistance pays eventually.

Christine43 · 03-02-2010, 08:03 PM

CinderAbby · 03-02-2010, 08:36 PM

Thanks everyone for the words and encouragement. Lenny was told not to go into the carwash today even though it was sunny and 45 so we think this is the beginning of the end. He did go around job hunting and no one was willing to talk with him. They either said they were all set or to do an online application. For the ones he already did the online app for, he was told to go home and wait by the phone

. So just yet more discouragement.

Quote:

Good luck, be patient. In the scheme of things, you really haven't been at it that long.

I know this to be true, but Lenny also works for a company that has already told him point blank that once they let him go, they are going to fight unemployment so we can't get benefits. Lenny recorded the conversation with his camera phone so we have the video and the sound to his supervisor admitting this, but that doesn't mean much IMO. I don't think the fact that he got it on video is going to help us any (the way Lenny wears his phone, the super didn't know that Lenny hit record and was getting the conversation on video). If we could get unemployment, I wouldn't worry so much, but there's no way we could survive on what I make at the school - I only work 17 hours a week if I work all week and in my school district it seems like we have more days off than on. Plus summer is coming all too soon it seems and I get absolutely no pay then. And Lenny's part time job, as much as they say they can push him up to 30 hours, I don't think they're going to. Lenny said they're already overstaffed as it is. So needless to say, that's why I'm so concerned about Lenny not being able to get another job. And at this point in tme, I don't even care if it's a full time job or not, we'd both settle for a part time job just to have money coming in to pay the bills.

Reese · 03-02-2010, 08:45 PM

GATechGal · 03-03-2010, 04:03 PM

Darlene, is it possible that he could work for a temp company while he's looking? I haven't done that since college, but it put coin in my pocket then, and I had some time off as well.

Dawn in Scotland · 03-03-2010, 04:45 PM

Why are Lenny's company going to fight unemployment - that seems a bit unfair?

Huntermom · 03-03-2010, 05:29 PM

I know it's a discouraging job market-Lenny is not alone and he is probably one of hundreds applying for the job.

I know you're in a bit of a panic about him being unemployed and not getting unemployment. Maybe he should stop by the unemployment office and talk to them and ask for ideas before he is let go. They should be able to tell him more than anyone what your state's requirements are. I am not in a particularly liberal state and even here, unless you are fired for cause, you are entitled to collect (there is a 6 month waiting period for fired persons)

Make sure Lenny is looking professional when he goes into the employers-like he's really out looking for a job, not just stopping by on his was to the hardware store. At the very least he should wear dress pants and a dress shirt, preferably with a tie. If he was able to talk to a manager/supervisor, even for 5 minutes, he should follow up with a thank you note-hand written.

He can also start calling around to the temp agencies. Often as the economy recovers, business will hire temps first. There is no commitment and they don't have to offer benefits.

Can you look into a summer job? How about seeing if you can watch another school aged child or two -you will have a companion for Abby and make a little money.

Also try to keep positive however hard it is.

Diane

loobyoxlip · 03-03-2010, 06:46 PM

I don't see how they could fight paying him unemployment. Every company is required to pay insurance into unemployment, so that shouldn't be a burden on them. Unless he was let go for some heinous reason, they are obligated by law to pay this. Heck, even at my present job if you are let go for excessive absences, you still get unempl.

jenifermg0 · 03-03-2010, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loobyoxlip

I don't see how they could fight paying him unemployment. Every company is required to pay insurance into unemployment, so that shouldn't be a burden on them. Unless he was let go for some heinous reason, they are obligated by law to pay this. Heck, even at my present job if you are let go for excessive absences, you still get unempl.

I was wondering the same thing. In AK - if you are fired for cause or just quit then you have to wait six weeks, but then you get your unemployment. But is you are laid off or your company goes under or something like that - all you have is one waiting week. The employer really doesn't have much say in whether or not the employee gets the unemployment paid to them.

Also, the company has already paid this out - and their aren't going to get it back so what is their problem....other than just being brats???