Job Search Advice

For nine years I worked in a college career center and had come to assume there is a

"common sense" when it comes to job searches, but an experience I had eight years ago

taught me differently.  I was working in the front office of a small manufacturing facility in

Hagerstown when the owners advertised for a few open production positions.  In just three

days I handed out and accepted over 300 applications, which meant I had the opportunity

to observe and interact with over 300 applicants.  One would think the people desperate for

jobs would realize they should offer a good first impression and should avoid putting any

obstacles in the prospective employer's path, but I learned that's not so.

Here are a few of my thoughts about what I observed, and some advice:

1. Don't bring your family with you. Don't let your kids run around the waiting room, climb

on your lap, and play all the ring tones on your phone. Don't let your wife help you fill out

the application.

2. Read the sign on the door, and also the one posted on the window (and also the ad in the

newspaper) that tells you when you can and can not apply. If you come during a time when

you aren't supposed to apply (because the company is short staffed at that time), don't ask

if you can anyway. Don't pretend you don't see the sign or that you can't read it. Employers

don't want employees who can't follow directions or read, or who expect special treatment.

3. Don't complain if you are told you have to complete the application in the waiting room,

not in your car (we want to make sure you, not your girlfriend, can complete it). Employers

need to make sure their prospective employees can read and write. They don't want

employees who complain when they are given instructions.

4. Don't complain if there are fewer chairs than people in the waiting room and you have to

stand up to complete the application, especially if the 200 people before you didn't

complain. Employers don't want employees who are negative or who won't put effort into

their work.

5. Do not wear clothing with paint splatters or grease stains, or that smell strongly of

smoke, body odor, or gasoline. Please wipe the mud, or whatever that brown stuff is, off

your feet before entering. The other 10 people standing with you in the waiting room will

be grateful if you wear fresh clothing.

6. Don't wear t-shirts that advertise nude dancing or that have pictures of marijuana plants.

Also don't dress as if you are heading to the night club. Wear clean, neat clothing that you

would wear to work. For a factory job that might mean jeans and a plain t-shirt, polo, or

button down shirt, with clean tennis shoes or work boots.

7. Don't ask if you really need phone numbers for your references. Don't ask if you really

need to fill in the employment history if you have your resume. Make it as easy as possible

for the employer to scan your work history and contact your references. Don't put any

obstacles in their way.

8. Don't ask the employer to make copies of your resume, work permits, certifications, test

scores, or anything else. Bring extra copies of all these to attach to your application.

Employers really appreciate these supplements, but not when they have to pay to copy

them.

9. Don't ask for a phone book so you can look up the phone numbers for your references or

former employers. Have your list of references and employers (with the dates you worked

there) and their phone numbers ready ahead of time. Employers want employees who

think ahead and come prepared.

10. Don't ask if the employer will hire someone who has committed a felony, but if the

question is asked on the application, answer it honestly. Don't leave the answer blank

because the employer will assume you have committed a felony and are trying to hide it.

11. Don't be rude in any way. Smile, say please, say thank you. A person who has handed

out and accepted hundreds of applications in three days will not appreciate rudeness and

may bury rude applicant's materials at the bottom of the pile.

12. Don't call the very next day to check on your application. Don't call every day for the

next 2 weeks, 2 months, or 6 months. When you turn in your application, ask when the

employer expects to begin making calls for interviews. At that time, call once to check on

your application. If you haven't heard in a week, call again. If the employer hires other

people but not you, or hasn't hired anyone yet still advertises for the position, ask the

employer to let you know what qualifications you are lacking. Quit calling.

13. Don't expect "I really, really need a job bad!" to trump the qualifications of all the good

applicants, then get mad when others with direct experience are hired and you are not.

In summary, dress in fresh, neat clothing. Be prepared. Follow directions. Smile and be

polite. Don't complain and do anything to take up the employer's time and effort. Make

your first impression that of a model employee, and don't do anything to make the

employer want to throw your application in the "no" pile as soon as you walk

out the door.