Online Job applications

GWashington1732

GWashington1732

Joined
Jun 20, 2009
Messages
13,240
Is it just me or are these things absolutely useless? I've filled out over 100 online applications for jobs in the past month and I've heard back from maybe fifteen. All fifteen were responses to tell me I wasn't qualified in some nonspecific way. Really? These weren't hard jobs with a lot of prerequisites, they were inventory stocking and cashier jobs to help me pay for school. I got a response from Toys R' Us of all places telling me that I didn't meet the qualifications to stock shelves :confused:.
 
Cougar Allen said:
What are the qualifications to stock shelves? :confused:
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The thing is with jobs like that, everyone is qualified so there's a lot of competition. I can imagine it's even more difficult in an urban/suburban area with so many people looking for work. 500,000 people officially unemployed in New Jersey...
 
I hate those non job specific questions that you answer agree or disagree to a certain question. Not sure if you are supposed to answer how they want you to answer or how you really feel...
 
When I out processed from the military they give you this week long class all about finding a job and filling out applications and such.

One of the things they stressed was a lot of these on-line applications are screened by computer first. if they don't see or catch certain "Buzz Words" the whole application is rejected and then you get a canned rejection response.

Not sure what their asking you but the idea is to get in the door for an interview. Best thing to do is read the job description and stick to that as much as you can. Embellish a bit if you have to. If you get in the door you can tell them all the other great things about yourself.

UPS is hiring right now looking for drivers helpers. Its seasonal work but it could lead to full time work.

Don't give up. I know its tough out there.

Good luck bro!
 
"Don't meet our qualifications" is very legally-defensible. As long as they're not improperly discriminating against protected groups, they can set their qualifications for stocking shelves as they see fit and therefore it is difficult for your to sue them for not hiring you. Labor law is a minefield and employers usually stick to the exact phrases that their lawyers have vetted for them.
 
danbremner said:
I hate those non job specific questions that you answer agree or disagree to a certain question. Not sure if you are supposed to answer how they want you to answer or how you really feel...
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Most of these online "test" are looking for strongly agree/ strongly disagree answers- the answers in the middle are there to weed you out...
 
As much as I hate online apps, it's worse when you walk into a business to apply in person, and they hand you an application that looks like it was printed on a Prohibition-era lithograph. They want the name and full address of your "grammar school" , and provide a space one inch by a quarter inch for you to write this information.

Every class and seminar I've ever attended warns you to avoid errors at all costs on your resume and application, and to have everything looking as polished and professional as possible. What to do when the application form they hand you looks like it was transcribed with black Crayola to begin with:confused:

Job hunting is certainly more arduous and time-consuming than any job you're likely to come up with. Best advice is to ask around and see if you can get some recommendations. It often boils down to who you know, rather than what you know, or what you can do.
 
proud2deviate said:
As much as I hate online apps, it's worse when you walk into a business to apply in person, and they hand you an application that looks like it was printed on a Prohibition-era lithograph. They want the name and full address of your "grammar school" , and provide a space one inch by a quarter inch for you to write this information.
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I disagree. I've had better luck in person. I walked in filled out the application right there and insisted that I hand it directly to the manager. This way I'm dealing directly with a person and not some stupid computer system.
 
They tell me, on "essay" questions, to basicly rephrase the question, using exact wording, to paint a picture with you in the best light.
 
I know how you feel, I've done probably close to like 30 or more applications online for every company in my area and not one has replied back or acknowledged my resume/application. I've tried calling these companies and I never get a person to answer just a machine, I leave the info for them to contact me back on etc..still nothing. I've set aside days where I just walk from building to building and fill out apps in person handing them to the managers, or dealing with the stupid computers and still nothing. It's rather annoying. I've got schooling in my field, good past work experience and all that bs and I can't even get a simple shelving job like you mentioned. No one needs any help so the jobless are left jobless in my area unless they can commute long distances, which i cant...
 
I'm pretty disgusted with myself right now.

I've had two calls back for jobs and I turned one down.

One as a pizza delivery driver. I had to turn it down because my car now gets (conservatively) a whopping 13 miles to the gallon, and there no guarantee that I'll make enough to actually walk away with money or that I'll even have a working car by the end of the week.

The other was with an extermination company. Still waiting on them to call me back. I thought my phone interview went well but I'm not holding my breath.
 
Treat it as an arbitrary exercise. Fill out X number of applications per day, then move on with your life. Maybe make sure your cover letter is up to spec. Especially if you're applying for entry level positions, it can be hard to be humble enough when writing about yourself, especially when you've worked so hard in school for crappy positions that should be beneath you. Sometimes it helps to have someone else read your cover letter and help you rewrite it. Just set a quota per day to do, do it, and find other things to think about the rest of the day. As long as you keep applying, that's all you can do; and anything beyond that is overthinking.

Zero
 
Zero_Time said:
Treat it as an arbitrary exercise. Fill out X number of applications per day, then move on with your life. Maybe make sure your cover letter is up to spec. Especially if you're applying for entry level positions, it can be hard to be humble enough when writing about yourself, especially when you've worked so hard in school for crappy positions that should be beneath you. Sometimes it helps to have someone else read your cover letter and help you rewrite it. Just set a quota per day to do, do it, and find other things to think about the rest of the day. As long as you keep applying, that's all you can do; and anything beyond that is overthinking.

Zero
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My general rule is, if I'm applying for the job, the position is not beneath me.
 
Carry on this I am sure on day you will find the required one.I these days jobs opportunities are minimum.In future the market will get settled.Keep on trying.I wish you better luck.
 
I know what you're going through, i have a BA in HRM and I would be happy with the most basic entry level position but I can't find one.
 
My advice for you is.... apply in person, especially if you're looking for an entry level position. Good luck.
 
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