Opinions, please

[MSTRS:Me]

I've been looking and applying for jobs for over a year now. Have had a few interviews, but no luck.
I have it on good authority that there is nothing wrong, and plenty right, with my app. letters, so I am wondering what I can do to increase my chances of an interview, at the very least.
I have some on the go atm, and have had the 'Your application has been received...' emails.
Should I follow up with a phone call or wait until they contact me?
Anything else I can try?

[placidfemme]

I've been looking and applying for jobs for over a year now. Have had a few interviews, but no luck.
I have it on good authority that there is nothing wrong, and plenty right, with my app. letters, so I am wondering what I can do to increase my chances of an interview, at the very least.
I have some on the go atm, and have had the 'Your application has been received...' emails.
Should I follow up with a phone call or wait until they contact me?
Anything else I can try?

In my opinion...

I am assuming you are going for local jobs, if so I would say go in to the business in person, ask to see the person in-charge of the recruitment for the role, meet them, give them your CV and briefly sell yourself and you skill set relevant to the position advertised.

Every job I have had I have applied in person and got the job, every job I have applied for online or through email or a recruitment agent has never turned into a job.

my 2c

[Bassmatt]

Same boat for me, get the interviews but not the job, so cant help really.
Good Luck!

[nzspokes]

Cover letter is everything. if its rubbish we dont look at the CV.

[mossy1200]

What kind of work are you after?

[blue rider]

If you have send an online application

Follow up with a phone call. Don't wait.

if you have time, do cold calls directly to the business and drop CV etc off. Shake the tree...

may the force be with you, mazeltov, good luck etc etc etc

[martybabe]

Same as the others said mate, go and hand your CV in in person and ask them to keep it on file if there are no vacancies. Try everywhere you fancy working even if they're not advertising. It worked for me, good luck.

[MSTRS:Me]

Cover letter is everything. if its rubbish we dont look at the CV.

Here's an example of the sort of letter I write...if you are in the recruitment industry, so to speak, your thoughts would be appreciated.

Re the vacancy for Store, Despatch, Receiver as advertised on TradeMe

Your advertised position immediately stood out as being one I would enjoy, where my skills and preferences would be very well suited and be an asset to your business.

Currently self-employed as a signwriter, but with this industry severely affected by the recession, I have been working at ------. My role there is mainly in the despatch/store area, where I am tasked with preparing product for delivery and receipting inwards goods. It is a busy role when their production is in full swing, but unfortunately I cannot rely on that being the case and the position is only temporary/on call. Hence I am looking for something of a more permanent nature.

Happiest working in sole charge positions with a mix of elements, I have extensive experience in a variety of admin roles, where top communication, time management, accuracy, maths and spelling all contribute to my success. I consider myself a team player, enjoy interaction between co-workers and believe in fostering good working relationships between all parties. Efficient and highly organised, I am analytical, logical and methodical, and believe I have excellent Stores control and In/Outwards Goods skills. I know that I quickly earned the respect of the permanent staff and my work area at ----- looks and runs better than when I started there.

I do prefer a Monday to Friday role, but I am flexible over working hours on a daily basis. I am physically capable, have no health issues and possess a clean, full driver’s licence in classes 1 and 6.

My CV contains more information on how my skills and experience in a range of workplace situations may be suited to this role, along with full contact details.

[scissorhands]

I think there is room for a business selling bumper stickers on TM or at the markets

have a range of funny 1 liners like:

'my last ride was a horse' or ' your mum is really beautiful' or 'I love my country but fear my government' or whatever

clients can write their own bumper stickers....

Australia too, as postal costs of a bumper sticker in an envelope should be only $2

Your work could be on cars everywhere, your hourly rate very high, and you could even be an employer, if it takes off, as it may??

Whatever happened to bumper stickers?

[MSTRS:Me]

Whatever happened to bumper stickers?

Same place a shitload of stuff I used to do. No-one sticks shit on their cars anymore.

[davereid]

You should easily get to interview, you write well and are a clear thinker, and its obvious you want a job.

But the reality is that its who you know, not what you know in a depressed job market.


Network widely, and good luck, sadly the CV and good letter will never get you a job interview ahead of the receptionists cousin.

[Motu]

Same here - qualifications and experience far beyond what they require, I have got close a few times apparently, but often not even a reply. At 58, I'm almost unemployable it appears. After a lifetime of walking into any job I wanted, often without even an interview, it really feels like I'm on the scrapheap.

[DEATH_INC.]

I've read a few cv's over the years (we've employed a few people....) and to be honest that letter is boring.
Be more straight to the point.
I don't care how happy the job makes ya, I just wanna know what you can do for me.
A quick one line note, and a few quick points about what you can do that is relevant to the job I'm offering.
That's it, there's a million other cv's to get through.....

That's how I look at them anyhoo....

[sinfull]

agree with him ^^^^^

[MSTRS:Me]

I've read a few cv's over the years (we've employed a few people....) and to be honest that letter is boring.
Be more straight to the point.
I don't care how happy the job makes ya, I just wanna know what you can do for me.
A quick one line note, and a few quick points about what you can do that is relevant to the job I'm offering.
That's it, there's a million other cv's to get through.....

That's how I look at them anyhoo....

So you prefer short and to the point?

Something like "Ooooh I've done that before. It was a doodle and I was the best worker they ever had. I'll start Monday." ??