17 Rules for Job Seekers

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If you want the chance to make a good impression read this article, brush up on your professional appearance and mannerisms and take part in National Job Swap Day on Monday March 22 2010. It gives people the opportunity to swap their virtual or actual jobs for one day with someone they know very well or only virtually. It's great for networking, PR, making new connections, re-thinking your same old job, etc.
Here's my blog for more info:
https://lisalahey.wordpress.com/
Happy Swapping!

Lisa Lahey 6:42AM March 18, 2010

This is excellent. I appreciate the honesty and the sense of humor in this. I like how everything is straight to the point. It's an easy clear summary.
Everything discussed has great details and is sooooooooo true! This makes me more confident during the job search.

Alicia of MD 6:18PM September 28, 2009

Greetings,
Seeking Prestige companies and Professional Individuals who need business Office Support to manage the office in a timely manner. Sharron 202-341-2268

SHARRON of DC 11:14PM July 16, 2009

Do you have legitimate new work-from-home?

Sharron Dark of DC 11:05PM July 16, 2009

Although age discrimination does exist, and, jobs are scarce, employers are still looking for the best person to fit the job. At age 60, I still get hired in this depressed market. And, for the area, they have been among the best jobs available. Why? I think my attitude and the fact that I show the prospective employer what I have to offer them is the ticket. I am enthusiastic, pleasant, treat everyone nicely, and present myself as a human being, not a super star, during the interview process. I've ALWAYS made it to the final 2 in the selection process no matter how many are applying for the job. It's those final two that are decisive. And, I do send thank you notes. On more than one occasion, when I was turned down initially for the job, I ended up with it because the earlier candidate didn't work out. It's important to always be pleasant and not hostile.

Barb of WA 4:17PM July 15, 2009

They may discriminate, but it's more likely due to the fact that if you are close to the mandatory retirement age, then it's not worth the cost to them for training you. At least that's how they see it.
As for it not being worth your precious time and money to apply there, why did you? Oh wait, because you didn't know that it was a waste of time and money. Now, what would happen if they turned around and contacted you a couple of weeks after the rejection letter and said "Mr. (or Mrs.) Anonymous, this is <so and so> at <company that rejected you because you think they discriminated against you>. We have a position open in our <other department from where you applied> and by your resume, you seem to fit the spot. We'd like to consider you for that position."
By your own statements, you're going to say "No" and stay on unemployment because you think that every company that rejects you discriminated against you. No offense, but it's attitudes like this that make it no surprise that California (and a lot of other States) are in financial trouble too.
I can say I've taken jobs that were first offered to me, and hated them. So, you really should look at it from the perspective of "I may not have liked working there anyhow. So I'll move on to find the job that I will like."
Have a great day:)

Patrick of IA 9:15PM July 12, 2009

I am currently waiting to hear about follow up interviews on two positions and in both cases, the persons doing the hiring have been out of the office for one reason or another. So yes, I do not wait for the phone to ring, but I do follow up at least weekly with the recruiters who are working on securing the interviews for me. I've used the experience as a great exercise in learning patience. :)
Oh, must respond to Anonymous of CA: Being vengeful really will not get you anything, except a negative effect on your health. Reality is that the job rules really have changed. Recently I registered with a new staffing agency that had me fill out many more forms than I could believe! But the receptionist and I made the best of it by joking that I had just filled out enough forms to apply for a mortgage! Ha, ha!
Yes, rejection stinks. Trust me, I can empathize. And how you handle it is your choice. As for me, I choose to accept it, process it and move on. Why? Because someday my growth in being resilient to things not going my way will serve me well in that new position I will be in someday. And well, I just find living a thankful life ... no matter what ... is the only life worth living.

San Diego Padres Fan of CA 1:16AM July 11, 2009

Anonymous in CA missed #9: Be nice to everyone. Consider several others too.
She might have had some very disappointing experiences, but reading her venomous comment below, it wouldn't be surprising if her attitude didn't project something that potential employers just don't want to deal with, much less pay for. (See #8 as well.)
Vengeance afterwords helps no one, particularly the applicant. Looking for revenge after being denied a job somehow suggests that the applicant missed #17 and forgot the thank you note. (By the way, the thank you notes DO make a difference.)
And someone please tell her that her credit score DOES matter to your potential employer. If you take care of your business well enough to get a good credit score, you'll probably take care of their business just as well. (I've already worked for a company where several of the managers had filed for personal bankruptcy. Do I need to tell you that the company filed Chapter 11?)
Believe me, if you have something positive to offer an employer, some employer will want you. (Whether they can pay for you nowadays may be a different matter.)

Just hired at 51 of WI 12:04AM July 11, 2009

18. Don't walk into your potential employer's place of business in sweat pants.
Most employers, be they retail or a professional setting, will make a conclusion about you based upon the first impression you give them. Make it a good one. Otherwise, you are your own worst enemy.
My daughter works for a national retail store. She is continually amazed when people walk into the store in wearing sweat pants or something dingier, and they ask for the manager so they can turn in their application. My daughter smiles and says "I'll be glad to get the manager for you," knowing full well that that person will never be hired there.

bg of IN 11:53PM July 10, 2009

The remarks and advice above are all bland excuses and sissy approaches when an applicant IS REJECTED when it may have been the umpteenth time they have experienced discrimination! Our country STILL doesn't do anything about THIS, regardless of rules that are supposed to be enforced. Basically, the rule actually is, "go ahead and beat up grandma, she won't fight for long!" A senior's chances of hire are diminished by 95% when interviewed by anyone under 40! Take a quick look at the grayed heads at the unemployment offices!
Know what I do? I don't go to a movie, that's for sure, I'm too broke for that! I will, one way or another, get the message back to that employer they are no longer a consideration of mine EITHER. What difference does it make - THEY ARE NOT keeping my resume on file (supposed to be for six months) anyway, it already saw the bottom of the shredder. I follow up by not buying their products, and put them first on MY list to reduce my use of their service, and NEVER buy anything from them again. I don't get BACK, I get EVEN!
Of course it's rejection, and something better out there that's BETTER may not exist whatsoever! It could take miles of travel, more crap of sending out resumes, and employers who prove they are nothing but liars! This goes double for temp agencies, the Lying Experts!
There are at least four places where I have already decided to not buy their products, eliminate what I am currently using, or reduce my use of it or use their competitor's product, and will NEVER apply with them again. If they discriminate against seniors now, that will not change. I would not accept employment with them, period! Don't placate me, I feel better just finding my own PAY BACK. Many EMPLOYERS CAN BE REPLACED, TOO! I can be rejected lots of places! THIS is what increases MY SELF-ESTEEM for the next interview.
AGE DISCRIMINATION IS ALIVE AND WELL IN THIS ECONOMY!
BOTTOM LINE - THEY WASTED MY VERY PRECIOUS TIME, AND MONEY IN GAS TO GO APPLY WITH THEM.
By the way, the last place I applied - stupid temp agency, not only wanted to do a background check for every place I lived in my lifetime, but run my credit, and wanted to know if I had even collected welfare at any time. This is invasive information that an employer has no right to know. What does my credit score (by the way is excellent) have to do with whether I can do the task at hand?
I don't mouth-off to them, I can do all I'm doing in complete silence... know what - I FEEL BETTER! It sure beats the cinema!

Anonymous of CA 12:54PM July 10, 2009