Ask the Experts: Your Job Questions Answered
Frustrated with your job search? We hear ya. Snagajob's job experts are here to help with your job application questions, job interviews and job dilemmas. Click any question to see the answer.
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Q. When employers ask why you want to work for them, should you tell them the truth, even if it's to say "I need a job," or should you find something clever to say like "I'd be a very great addition to your work force"... even if you know it's not completely true? –Amber V.
When an employer asks, "Why do you want to work for us?", never just say "I need a job." Why? Because the employer knows you need a job - every other person applying for the position needs a job too! However, you shouldn't lie about why you want the job, either. The key here is to be specific. Think of one thing about the company that you really like, and one specific thing you're good at. Then match them up - like this:
- "I always shop at Macy's because the employees are so helpful. I really enjoy customer service and I think I'd be a great addition to your team."
- "I really want to work for a company that offers opportunities to advance into management positions, and I know Chipotle is committed to helping its team members grow."
- "I love scrapbooking and other crafts, and I think my experience makes me a perfect fit for Michaels."
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Q: My question is, what have I been doing wrong? I have been filling out applications on this site for about three years. And I have yet to find a job. I have had about 4 interviews (thanks to this site) in the past 3 years and none of them called me back. What, if anything, might be turning employers off? I think my problem is I don't have much experience in general, but it isn't like the jobs I apply to are hard in the least. –Devon L.
Sorry you haven't had much luck finding a job. You're definitely doing one thing right: being persistent. There are about six people competing for every single job out there right now, so you've got to keep applying in order to have a shot at getting hired. Our most successful job seekers apply to 10 jobs or more before they find the one that's right for them.
It may be that employers are turned off by your view that your experience shouldn't matter because the jobs aren't hard. Experience does matter. If an employer is looking at applications for a cashier job, and one applicant has cashier experience while five others don't, who do you think they're gonna hire?
Here's the good news: even if you don't have a ton of job experience, you can use what you have to convince employers that you're right for the job. In your job seeker profile, make sure every bit of experience you have is included: part-time jobs, student jobs, volunteer experience, etc. Then, use the "Tell us about yourself" section to talk about your skills and abilities. And before your next interview, research the company and practice common interview questions so you're ready to wow them. Good luck!
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Q: After I worked faithfully for almost 9 years, under unusual circumstances I was fired from my job. I was unjustly let go, but it probably was time to move on. Should I be truthful or not? It is embarrassing and it was unwarranted. –Janet C.
As embarrassing as it might be, you’ll want to be truthful on this one. You never know when someone might call up your old employer looking for a reference. If they find out you were lying about being fired, you’re going to lose all credibility and at the same time lose your shot at a new job.
Definitely include this job in your job seeker profile. Our profile system doesn’t require you to tell us why you left your last job, so there’s no reason to mention that you were fired just yet. Nine years is a long time to work for one company, and employers may be impressed by your dedication. If prospective employers ask what happened, be careful not to say anything harsh about your old company – keep it brief and keep it simple. There were unusual circumstances that led to your being fired after nine years. Tell the prospective employer that being fired helped you to realize that it’s time for you to move on and you are now looking for a new career that’s right for you. Stay as positive about the whole thing as you can. Your new employer will like your optimism and will appreciate your honesty.
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Q: I’m currently working in a position that at the beginning was very enjoyable, but is now horrible because of my new manager. What should I do about this? –Angela P.
The short answer? It all depends. Take a long hard look at the situation – what is it about your new manager that you don’t like? Does she tell dumb jokes? Is she annoying? If she’s just getting on your nerves, you can find a way to live with it. It’s not always fun, but if you love your job then it’s worth it. Try and find something you have in common with her. Maybe she tells dumb jokes because she’s nervous around you and deep down, she wants to be friends. Make an effort to be friendly and if that doesn’t work, then just try and ignore her irritating behaviors as much as you can.
However, if she is rude and condescending, illegally docking your pay or verbally or physically abusive, you need to report her through the proper channels. If that doesn’t work, then you should start looking for a new job. No one should have to work in a toxic environment, no matter how much they like or even need their job.
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Q: How do I convince a potential employer that I'm worth hiring even though I have no work experience? I'm 20 years old with no work history to put on my applications, and lately I feel like if you don't have any experience, you won't get hired. I know that I would be a good employee, but I don't have anything to back that up except to say I'm a really hard worker. What are some other ways to prove I'm good for the job? –Angel R.
You’re not alone. Plenty of people visit our site looking for their first job – after all, everyone has to start somewhere. Even if you have no work experience, make sure to put something down in the experience portion of the application. Babysitting, volunteer work, school activities and sports are all great ways to show employers that you can handle the responsibility of the job.
Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get the first job you apply for. Our most successful job seekers apply to 10 or more jobs. Make sure your application is complete and has no spelling errors, apply to jobs that don’t require much experience, and before you know it you’ll have your first job!
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Q: I get choked up during job interviews. What can I do to help with that? –Amber A.
Don’t worry, Amber! That’s completely normal – everyone gets nervous during job interviews. If your nerves are getting to you, the best thing you can do is prepare. Before a job interview:
- Research the company. You should know who they are, what they do, a little bit of their history and who some of the key figures are in the company.
- Try and think of things you’d like to tell the interviewer. Remember, employers want to know why you are the right person for the job. Come up with examples of your work accomplishments.
- Look up some commonly asked interview questions. Have a friend or family member pretend to be the interviewer and have them ask you practice questions.
- Remember to take care of the little things. Print out directions to the location of the interview and leave early. Wear professional clothing and go easy on the perfume, cologne and makeup. Make sure you know the interviewer’s name and keep his or her phone number handy just in case of an emergency.
- Be confident! Remember, there is a reason they are interviewing you. Remind yourself of all of your accomplishments, take a deep breath, keep your head held high and you’ll do fine!
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Q: I have tons of job experience for my age (19), along with an extensive resume and amazing references. I have just moved to a new city and have been looking for a job for months. I'm seeing people my age getting jobs left and right, who have no experience. I feel like I'm doing everything in my power to get a job. Why can't I find one? –Bridgette F.
Not too long ago there were two unemployed people for every available job. Now? There are six unemployed people for every one open position. In some places that number rises to 17 people for every one open job. Those are some tough odds – even with a flawless resume. Try not to beat yourself up. It’s quite possible that you are doing all the right things and still not getting hired.
You can try freshening up your resume and profile. Fine-tune your cover letter and the “Tell us about yourself” section of your Snagajob profile. Really make them shine. Consider volunteering somewhere while you’re unemployed. It’ll keep you busy, will add to your experience and provides a great networking opportunity.
Most of all – and this is the toughest part – do your best to stay positive and keep on applying. Something will come along soon.
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Q: How should a stay-at-home parent (mother) with both professional experience (5 yrs.) and a college degree (bachelor's degree) handle her resume when it comes to describing the last five years that she has voluntarily been out of work to raise her family? –Ann R.
It can be tough to reenter the workforce after taking an extending period of time off. One of the easiest ways to address the gap in your employment history is by mentioning it in your cover letter or in the “Tell us about yourself” section of your Snagajob profile. Say something like, “After taking time off to raise a family, I am both ready and excited to start working again.” You could also create an objective statement to put on your resume that says the same thing.
Some people put down their parenting experience as job experience. If you’d prefer to do that, try to focus on the transferable skills, like budgeting and organization. Also include any volunteer work you’ve done. Organizing events for the mothers’ group you belong to might not feel like volunteering, but it is.
While transitioning back to work can be difficult, it’s not impossible. Just be sure to acknowledge your employment gaps, and then focus on what a great asset you’d be to the company.
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Q: Last year I worked at Sonic Drive-In, but I only worked there for a week before I quit. The reason for me quitting was that I did not have a reliable source of transportation. Now that I have my own car, I know that I will be able to get to work every day, but it is hard for me to get a job. I wanted to know if I should put Sonic down on my applications as work experience. It would be a big help to finally know what I should do. Thanks in advance. –Ebane R.
We don’t recommend including it. If you have any other job experience, leave out Sonic and put the other jobs down instead. You really don’t get much work experience out of a job that only lasted one week, and it will only make employers worry that you’ll leave your new job after a week too.
If this is your only work experience, you can use it, but don’t mention that you were only there for a week. Instead, only list the month you worked there. If employers ask about your work at Sonic Drive-In, be honest and make sure to stress that the only reason you left was because of your transportation issue – which isn’t going to be a problem in your next job.
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Q: I just have a quick question concerning how credit would relate to finding a job. I have kinda crappy credit since the recession started in 2008. I just graduated high school and I don’t owe that much money, but would that be the reason why my job search has been so difficult? –Sean G.
Having bad credit definitely can affect your ability to get a job. Fair or not, many companies will check your credit before hiring you, especially for jobs that involve handling large amounts of money. Credit card companies, some large retail stores and banks will all likely do a background check and check your credit before hiring you. However, they can only do so after you give them your Social Security number.
There is hope for those of you with bad credit; recently a bill was introduced in the House of Representatives that would prevent companies from not hiring you because of your credit. But until it passes, your credit could still be an issue with some employers. Learn more about how to keep your identity safe.
If you’re just having trouble getting interviews, then it’s likely something else. Double-check your application for errors, add more details about your work experience or fill in the “Tell us about yourself” section of your profile, and try to be patient. The economy is still making it really hard to get a job, so keep your head up and keep trying.
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Q: How can you find a job? Because I have no experience, I feel like no one wants to hire me. I have been looking for a job for a while. I have had my Snagajob account for over a year and still no luck. Please give me tips on how to make myself look better and make companies want to hire me. –Jasmine G.
Don’t get too down on yourself. With unemployment being so high, it’s hard for anyone to find a job. With that being said, it’s important that you sell yourself as best you can. While you may not have had your first “official” job, you may have some valuable experience you haven’t even thought of.
Have you volunteered or done any charity work? Are you a member of any clubs or groups? (academic, neighborhood watch, church, etc.) Do you participate in any sporting activities? Are you the captain of the team? All of these things demonstrate your commitment, responsibility, and in some cases, your leadership abilities. Be sure to be as thorough as possible when filling out the experience section in your job seeker profile.
Also, try applying to jobs that don’t require much experience. Once you get that first job, then you’ll have the work experience you need to advance your career.
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Q: A job at Valvoline Instant Oil Change asked me for my Social Security number in the middle of the application process. … Is that safe? –Edward A.
If you are applying through Snagajob, we have carefully screened each employer so we know they’re legitimate and trustworthy.
Here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to your personal information:
- Employers know they have to be very careful with personal information like name, address, phone number and Social Security number, so they will take the proper precautions when it comes to keeping your info safe.
- Most large companies like Valvoline Instant Oil Change will have a privacy policy available for you to read on their careers site. It will give you the rundown of how they will deal with your information once you give it to them, and it is typically located at the very bottom of the website’s homepage.
- Be cautious when giving your personal information to an employer who you haven’t personally verified or who hasn’t been verified by a reputable source (like Snagajob).
If you are still worried, it’s okay to call the location you’re applying to and ask the manager about how they protect your information. If he or she doesn’t give you an answer that makes you feel comfortable enough to give it out, you might think about applying somewhere down the road.
Your prospective employer is required by federal law to provide certain information (including your Social Security number) if you do get hired, so if you get the job you’ll have to give them your SSN anyway.
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Q: I have only about 3 years work experience because I have been a stay-at-home mom most of the time. My concern is although I do not have hands-on experience, I do have the intelligence and leadership for most jobs. … So how do I explain to the employer that I can do the job or learn very quickly? –Nina S.
This is something that many stay-at-home parents experience when re-entering the work force. On the application itself, be sure to be very thorough about your previous professional work experience. Once you get the interview, give the hiring manager specific examples of how you learn quickly (like teaching yourself how to use a computer program).
If you are involved in any groups or activities outside of the home (church or volunteer groups are a great example), you can talk about those activities. Helping in the kitchen at a homeless shelter could help you get a restaurant job. If you volunteered at your children’s school, that’s excellent experience for an education job. Be creative and don’t sell yourself short!
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Q:I have an interview in two weeks and I am concerned because I am 8 months pregnant. My due date is in 4 weeks and the job I’m interviewing for requires me to start in May (a few months after I give birth). … I have daycare set up already too. What should I say about my pregnancy during the interview? –Sheyla P.
It sounds like you’ve thought of everything, and that’s something the hiring manager should know. Don’t be afraid to tell them about all the preparations you’ve made – that will reassure them that you will be a dependable and responsible employee. You might consider bringing written proof of your child care arrangements with contact information to provide for your interviewer. It’s best to acknowledge the situation, because it’s something the hiring manager is probably wondering. Explain your arrangements as directly and simply as possible to answer any questions they might have, and then move on to why you think you are an excellent candidate for the position.
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Q:I just applied for a position by filling out the application online. I really want the job. Should I also call and/or go in person to the employer to express my interest in the position? – LaShana C.
It’s a tough call. You certainly can give the hiring manager a call to follow up a few weeks after you submit your application, but you are taking a risk in doing so. Sometimes, showing how enthusiastic you are about the job can give you an advantage, but you’ve got to do some investigating first to make sure that this particular hiring manager likes follow-up calls. If you don’t, you may come across a manager – and there are many – who absolutely hates it when job seekers call or visit to follow up. They’re busy, don’t have time to talk to you and bothering them could ruin your chances at getting the job.
If you do decide to take the risk, here are some rules to follow.
Call the hiring manager – once. Repeated calls are a sure way to annoy people and to not get a job. An email follow up (if you’re able to track down an email address) is best.
Call during slow hours. If you’ve applied at a restaurant, don’t call during lunch or dinner rush. Do your best to guess when the hiring manager might have a few minutes to spare to chat with you.
Keep it short and sweet. Say something like “Hi, this is LaShana. I recently applied through Snagajob for the assistant manager position in your store. I wanted to follow up with you, make sure you got my application and let you know that I am still very interested in the job.” Answer any questions the manager might have and then thank them, say good-bye and leave them alone.
We know it’s hard to stay patient and not call the hiring manager when there is a job out there that you really want. But a little patience can go a long way.
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