Everybody wants to hold off for the perfect job but what if you need to get hired quickly?
Here are four tips to nail down your job fast:
- Check your application materials carefully. If you're submitting an application, sharing a resume or sending a cover letter – make sure they are absolutely free of spelling errors and typos. That's the number one mistake that hiring recruiters see and a lot of them won't consider your application if they see any typos.
- Target small businesses. If a small business has a hiring notice out front, chances are they're looking to hire someone quickly. If you see a small business posting a position on Snagajob.com, it's usually because they have a specific job that they need filled right away, and oftentimes the hiring process in a small business takes less time than a larger business because fewer people are involved.
- Keep your eyes open when you're out and about for stores that have hiring notices posted in the window. If there is a business you would love to work for, go in and ask if they have any open positions. You never know when you’ll be at the right place at the right time.
- Let your friends and family know that you're looking for a job. They are your job search network and that is the single most valuable tool you have when looking for a job. They can keep a lookout and tell you when they run across great job opportunities posted online or a local store you might not go to that has a position available.
Have a question? Head over to the Snagajob YouTube channel and leave us a video response with the question you want answered. If your question is selected, we will send you a gift card and include your video in our response!
About Kim Costa
I notice that all the actors in your videos are young. Are older workers hired through Snagajob?
Hi Clare! We here from members of all ages who have been hired through Snagajob. Check out Cindy’s story here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbfvfM-0qj8&feature=plcp and let me know if you have any questions
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I Have Been Looking For A Partime Job I Had Some Interviews Getting My Hopes High But They Dont Call Me Back So I Call Them I Feel Like They’r Giving Me The Runaround I Dont Know What Else To Do Im Looking For A Stocking Or Unloading Trucks Job
Hi Javier! I am sorry things are frustrating. Be sure you are double and triple checking your applications for any spelling and grammatical errors. For example, capitalizing every word can make your resume hard to read. Also, check out all of our interview tips: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/interview-tips/ and let me know what you think you are getting caught on.
@ JAVIER have you tried FEDEX, Walmart Distrubution Centers(the initials you might hear a lot of is “DC” which stands for Distrubution Centers), Lowes, Home Depot, or even Joann’s Fabrics and Crafts, Mary Kay D C, Avon DC.If you want to unload trucks take a look of all the Trucks on your local Freeways, Notice which way they are traveling; are they headed towards a major town or away fron a major town? that will tell you several things.It will tell you where they are shipping towards or away from.also, notice the names of the trucks and see if you can’t go to their shipping department & find out where the majority of there shipments ship to!.Just some thoughts!
I have been looking for a part time job for some time and in many types of business I have only heard from very few I do only feel out jobs I know I would take with in 10 miles of 60641 i dont know what the hold up is I have a lot of experience working and losing my pension in the market
did me know good it seems all the big shots get the money and end up in jail and I still get
nothing please give me any suggestions you might have I am a single money and need the money Thank you in advance
I am currently 16 years old, and have been diligently searching for a Partime job. I have applied to many restaurants and stores, but i haven’t gotten a call for an interview. I would greatly appreciate some tips or help on how to separate myself from other applicants.
Hi Ben! Are you following up on your applications? This is a very important step in the job search process, but is often overlooked. Recruiters tell us that following up is a valuable way to stand out from other applicants.
PAPA JOHN”S Pizza is the best place to work! I worked part time on the inside phones & pizza making for years off and on..I loved it! the managers were great, the co-workers were nice, it was truely the best place I have ever worked.My brother on the other hand liked Pizza Hut! he worked inside on phones & on ovens (being the cook basically). KFC is always needing help! the issue is they have to work around your school schedule & you can’t work past 10 pm. what about being a bag boy at your local Grocery shopping,Bed Bath & Beyond or at PetSmartor Toy’s R Us? they are always needing help also…FEED STORES! They always need 16 year old guys to help with the yard area. Hope this helps.
Dude, toys r us won’t even hire me at 19, what chance does this kid got?
There is definitely discrimination against senior citizens.Looking for a part time job internationally in Central/South America or even locally to no avail:Why? because the mentality of Indiana is ten years behind in truly global activities even in their own state.Too much apolitical and not enough common sense called Wisdom.Universities does not really fill the wisdom and experience that senior citizens have of today because it only fills the mind with knowledge and no experience(On hands)..Also most people of today lack morals,integrity and values to do a honest day of work for the company.Get back to God.
Hello ! I’m 23 almost 24 and I have been searching for a job for a long time now. I have only 2 previous experience job and both are in the fast-food industry. I got fired from one and quit from another. With that being said, is there anything I can do to help find a full-time job outside of the fast-food business ??
Hi Melanie! Great question – You can focus on how your skills can transfer to another industry. Traits like leadership and problem solving can be used in any job. What type of field are you interested in? I think this article can help you: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/how-to-change-careers/. Take a look and let me know what you think!
Melanie, my neice found a really good job for herself at a place you’d never think of a “BIG GIRL” getting…..believe it or not…she went to 24 hour Fitness! she works the graveyard shift so she doesn’t get the looks that “excersise people” give & the people who do come in at that time of night LOVEto see a “normal sized” person behind the desk! The job doesn’t require a lot of lifting, walking or cleaning other than your normal stuff you would imagine. dysenfecting with a spray, wiping off counter tops, etc. & she loves it! It’s good pay, hours are great for her because she’s a naturally awake person over night(Graveyard).
Kim; Hi, everyone says H.R. uses computers to assist them in processing applications. but why can’t a job board agency such as snagajob design a bargraph that sits at the bottom of the screen and tells us (the applicant) the percentage of key words that were pulled from the job description and placed in the resume before we send it. That way if it says “only 53% of key words used” we would know that we would have to rewrite the resume to include more key words.
Hi Jesse- Interesting suggestion! I will pass this along to our design team. Thank you!
@Kim yes i have followed up with my applications. i come in after a week or so and request to speak to the manager, and tell him i have applied to the job and asked how things were going. Most f them reply they want an employee with more work experience. Which makes me rather upset, because i do seek experience but if nobody gives me the opportunity, i won’t be able to acquire the experience needed. Thank you for the advice.@Rita Thanks i will try those methods, see how they work.
Dear Kim,
I have been searching for employment for more than 2 years now in a new sector of the construction trade. I have been involved in mostly residential remodeling and improvement and consider myself part time self employed to keep up my status on my resume. I have submitted many applications on line and follow up as suggested by many professionals. I am 60 years young and have had medical issues that limit me to possible positions in the labor field. I have applied to Home Depot, Loews, and many other national and many local businesses as well. I keep getting told they have chosen a different person and it just makes me feel like my whole career has been in vain. If you have any suggestions at all, I would appreciate them as I am getting so frustrated it makes me want to quit looking. I attend job fairs whenever they’re available but still nothing happening. Do I just lay back and accept this? Thank you for your time and any suggestions you may have to help others in a similar situation.
Hi Jim – I am very sorry to hear about your situation. It sounds like you have good experience to back you up. Are you following up on your applications? Employers tell us that this is a very important part of the job search process and can really make you stand out.
Are you getting the interviews, or is it hard to get past the application stage?
Don’t lay back an accept this, in a competitive market you may find yourself applying for awhile until you find that right job for you. I know it’s frustrating, but by staying positive and continuing to get out there, you will set yourself up to succeed. Good luck and please let me know if you have any questions.
I’ve been searching for jobs in the data entry/clerical field since I was laid off from the Department of Motor Vehicles in June of 2011. I’ve managed to find retail employment, but hours and payrate weren’t sufficient. (Plus, we all know you can get caught in the “retail spiral.”) I’ve gotten call backs for interviews in my field, but no such luck. I’ve even relocated to Dallas area for new opportunitie, and income has come to a halt. Any advice on how to find something decent ASAP? I’m almost to the point of taking anything now, since now all employers see is my current placement in retail…
Hi Amanda! Have you thought about volunteering somewhere? This will not only help fill in your current employment gap, but it will also give you valuable connections in the area.
Im moving to Marietta, and i searching for a cna job it seems as if they will hirer peoples thats been staying around the area before they choose to hire anyone out of town but my fingers are crossed that something come thru for me, i would like home health around that area…
There are a lot of employers out there that like to ruin people's lives. I would like to know if an employer can get away with bad mouthing a former employee. There are a lot places that run it as if they were in the military. I've always said you can't run a business like that.
I sent a response a while back and never got a response. I would like to know what the problem is?
Hi Bill! I’m actually working on a blog post with the answer to your question! I was waiting until the article was finished before I responded. It’s a little complicated
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I posted back in June. There was a response. The response said that somebody was working on a project. I don’t know if a former employer can ruin a pesons life. I worked at a place where one of the managers runs the place like the military. This manager expected things to be perfect. He would yell at us in front of everybody. He didn’t threaten with bodily harm, but he yelled at us for no apparent reason. Nothing is perfect. Now I know why there were people leaving that place.
HI! Bill has brought up a wonderful point and topic. I would like someone to expand as well. After applying to dozens and dozens of jobs, with no luck, sometimes it can feel as though a person is being “black-balled”, in the industry. This has got to happen out there in the real world, where it seems people want to hold others back? What can a person do to protect themselves? What kind of investigation can a person do , if any? What to do if you detect a previous employer embellishing on your employment history? I certainly would be nice to know! Many thanks in advance.
Hi! I have put in literally over 1,000 applications since I was laid off on March 4th 2011. I have not heard anything from anyone. I have a BSGA and a Top Secret Security Claearance and a history in Law Enforcement and Corrections. I dont understand why I have been so unlucky in my job search. I have a resume and a cover letter, but I cant afford to send them through the “resume builder” sites because I cant afford it after being laid of for this long. I have no earthly idea what to do. I have been told by certain companies that i am “to qualified” and others I dont have the “skills” they are looking for. Please help me figure out what to do so that I can finally get a job!!!!!
Hey, I have been putting in applications in walking distance of 40769 and I have checked up on my applications, But i am getting now where i have past experience in restaurant work but i haven’t worked in 4 years, so I was wondering should i live my past work experience off the application, the reason i haven’t had a job in 4 years is because i have been a stay at home mom any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks in advance
Hi Rachel! Employment gaps can be stressful, but not detrimental. Check out a recruiter’s take on employment gaps, and the right way to handle them: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/how-to-overcome-gaps-of-unemployment-2/. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!
Hey Kim, What should I do if I saw a post for a small business that has been removed? Should I go for it and hope for the best or move on? I ask because the receptionist seemed like she was caught off guard when I asked about the past posting…..Just wonderin’…..
Hi Christopher! If the posting has been taken down, it is because the position has been filled. If you are still interested in working for that company, you can always go into the store and ask if there are any openings. This article may help: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/approach-a-manager-for-a-job/. Make sure you continue to look for other jobs while you are waiting to hear from them, you don’t want to miss out on an opportunity. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!
I have been job hunting, filling so many applications out, I’ve had some interviews but than they never call back. I have been out of work since 2008 but I have been trying and trying but with no success, please help I need a job badly. I’m a hard worker, just need a chance.
Hi Stephanie! I am sorry to hear you aren’t having much luck. Take a look at this video, which explains some reasons you may not be hearing back from employers: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/video-why-am-i-not-hearing-back/. Let me know if you have any questions!
No offense but that horizontal line going around Amy’s neck in the “How to find a job fast (part 4)” is REALLY distracting. Is it a zipper? Will her head fly off in a strong gust?
Please, in the interest of professionalism, have people who aren’t tattooed and/or wearing odd accessories star in your videos. It’s very unprofessional and frankly, if I were an employer, I’d be put off by it. Please lead by example.
Hi Sher! Sorry for the distraction. It’s actually a piece of Amy’s hair that got out of place. We’ll be on the lookout for rebellious hair in future videos
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Is there a way to overcome the “we filled the position internally” response for an application to a large corporation when you do not know anyone that works there? I also wonder why a position is posted publicly if internal applicants have priority? This is a serious concern as I have lost out on 6 job opportunities to these darned internal applicants!
Have you tried doing volunteer work? Make connections with local veterans groups like the American Legion and AMVETS. Do civilian patrols with the local police. MAINLY make connections and let people get to know you. I have been offered 5 jobs over the last year and have not applied for any, mainly because people I know recommend me.
Make connections and build skills by volunteering. Yes you will not get paid, but you will gain experience. Find an organization that interests you and go do that. You could even get into clubs at school, these all give experience. And let you meet people. One big secret to getting a job is this”It is not always what you know, but who you know”