What better advice than something that works?

I'm gonna need a bigger boat...


In all seriousness though, sending out hundreds of generic CVs is a [censored] terrible way of getting a job. Take some time to actually sell yourself - write a covering letter and have a chat when you hand it in - and you stand a far better chance.


Getting a degree in something useful pertaining to the world's most valuable industry also helps.

Search for hospitality jobs. Dunno bout over there, but here, you're practically guaranteed a job in a cafe. I walked into one, asked for a job, and was plonked behind the counter the next day. Happens all the time.


Course after a while you come to the conclusion that quitting and never working in another cafe ever again is actually the best thing you'll ever do. But it's money and experience.

I'm with this guy... I've got a feeling something may have happened which resulted in you having the key taken off you...Something that might suggest to your mum you shouldn't have the responsibility of a house key. Parents rarely have NO REASON for doing things, its just that when you're a certain age you're blind to said reasons...

in her words "Her house her rules"

I'm getting the feeling you must have done some dumb [censored] to get it taken away, and aren't telling us to make us biased to side with you in your problems....

Treating it for real is the best possible way out for you to tell others you did this for real and possess the quality to deliver quality service.

Around here many of the big chain stores are starting to only take online applications. If you show up with a resume they tell you to go home and fill it out online.

I live in Canada. There is no such thing as a entry-level job stocking shelves that will pay anywhere near $40 000.

It's true that you have to fill out an online application

But, it's also true that if you don't show up you're not likely to get an interview

Yep. And I doubt a hiring manager would turn you away. Just get to know the managers, become known by them and you'll get an interview in no time.

If you get a McJob just persistence and enthusiasm should pay off. Applying online, sitting and waiting.. no. Walking in, submitting a resume, and leaving without chatting.. no. Going back to them and reiterating you'd like to work for them, with an open position, odds are good.

For any real job, networking significantly increases odds. Degrees help too but showing a piece of paper to an employer expecting to be hired is equivalent to expecting a woman to get hot and bothered merely by showing her a picture of your junk. Your face needs to get in there, and experience always helps.

You mean that doesn't work for you? Sorry to hear it, mate

Alas, I don't work for that industry.

1. Make your resume look awesome. There are thousands of templates online - find one that looks professional and well laid out, and use it. In places that have a lot of people handing in their resumes, crap-looking ones get chucked in a bin without so much as a glance at the content. I've seen this happen. Also, print it on nice, thick paper, and buy some nice paper folder things to present them in.

2. When going into places to ask about a job, look smart. Tuck your shirt in, wear proper shoes, shave, make sure your hair is neat. You want to sell yourself, and if your resume is lacking, you'll need everything else about you to be better than everyone else. Don't walk in wearing torn jeans and trainers, even if it's just a fast food place. You need to show you are BETTER THAN THE REST.

3. Always ask to see the manager, don't just hand your resume to the first person behind the till/counter/etc. Chances are, they'll put it down somewhere and forget about it, and nobody will ever see it.

4. Stand up straight, offer your hand to shake, look them in the eye and speak clearly and firmly when asking about work. You want to be as assertive as possible, although be careful about crossing the line into arrogance.

5. Write a cover letter for each place you apply to, and tailor said letter towards that business. Again, look online for some good templates for different types of work. It shows that you are willing to put effort into finding out about the place of work rather than just throwing your resume into every open door.

Monster.com and Careerbuilder.com both provide resume building services, i am pretty sure. i suggest try those. it is easy enough to sign up and make a resume. if not, then i say search the net (Google?) for some respectable resume building site, there should be some. some general suggestions. keep it short and concise, they don't have time to read your life story. tailor it some to spotlight your skills and experience that fit the job you are applying for, your work as dishwasher may not be what qualifies you for, say, clerk assistant. grammar should be correct, no spelling mistakes either, computers today have spell check and MS Word even brings to your attention awkward wording, so they see it as you having no excuse for having bad grammar on your resume.

when you are invited for an interview, leave it at the door. meaning, your life outside of work is none of their business and they don't need it getting in the way(theirs or your work), they want to see positive, smiling people. also, better be 15 mins early then 5 mins late. better to overdress than to show up and find all other candidates all suited up and you being the only one who is not.

You reminded me of http://www.room362.com/blog/2009/4/17/couch-to-career-in-80-hours-or-less.html (http://www.room362.com/blog/2009/5/23/couch-to-career-follow-up.html -- includes slideshow), mainly because I based the design of my resume off of his (granted I've not needed to use it yet )

Despite it being an information security-centered talk, it has a lot of good general advice that applies to all, moreso for professional job hunting, though.

In addition to what Fish said, shake the manager's hand firmly. As for looking for jobs, look around colleges and other local places where teenagers and college students hang around.

Apply > Buy a suit > Appear at interview > Show confidence (border big headedness) > Wait > Wait(?) > Succeed/Fail

Best method is apply to loads of things. x 1,000. Since most places don't have the common deccency to say 'Go fall in a pit' also be prepared to get no response a lot of the time. >.<

I liked that though, it was a cause to send spam. NOTICE MEEEEEEE

I find that adding 'hire me before I kill again!' sometimes helps them to respond with a polite letter.... saying... no.

Fail. Worst advice possible. You know what your applications will be like if you send out hundreds at a time? Generic, uninteresting, and not tailored for the job you're actually applying for. And you know what potential employers do with generic, uninteresting applications which aren't tailored to the job? They bin them.

I didn't think I needed to mention the covering letters should be customised for the job but once you've done enough they are all generic, with a little changes for the role in question