I’m looking to go back to work in a few months and it occurred to me that I have no idea how one would get a job that isn’t in the retail/service market. So how do people get office jobs? Do they look at websites or show up and hand them a resume? I’m 26 and have never had a job that didn’t require me to wear a nametag. I have superior customer service and sales skills. I have some clerical skills. Am I even qualified to do anything outside of retail? I really want something with a little more prestige than I’ve had in the past. Thanks for any advice.
For large companies, showing up in person is very unlikely to get you anywhere. For tiny companies, it might work (I haven’t tried it since high school when I went door to door at TV stations trying to get my first job in TV production; I did get one, but I also had a connection on the inside so it wasn’t really showing up that did it for me). Most likely, you’ll need to apply online (again, with the possible exception of tiny companies).
Most decent sized companies have job listings on their websites. I personally would recommend coming up with a list of companies you’re interested in working for and checking them directly. Maybe find a list of the largest employers in your area, the “best places to work” list or think of industries you’re interested in. I think being focused helps. There’s nothing wrong with using Monster.com, Craigslist, etc., but the signal to noise ratio tends to be pretty bad. I’d use those sites, but only as a supplement to directly targeting specific companies (e.g. spend a little time each day skimming new listings for possibilities you hadn’t thought of).
I would suggest you think about being a bank teller. It pays better than retail for virtually the same skillset (normally at least some paid training is provided for the more technical aspects) and looks more respectable and white-collar on a resume (actually it never looks bad on a resume when you are trusted with large volumes of money). It’s a job where you have a better-than-average chance of working your way up to something better (branch manager, loan officer, etc) and where you can take the same skills to almost any geographical location and get work.
You can also consider a federal or state civil service job (postal worker, DMV, etc). For Federal jobs, you use USAjobs.gov; your state probably has a central website as well for state government jobs.
I apply for state jobs (state of Oregon) more than any other kind. A couple of weeks ago learned just how tough the competition is.
Someone I know who works for the DMV said when there was an opening for an Office Assistant 1, the lowest paying most entry level position there is. He said about 300 people applied for the position, and many of them had Master’s degrees.
So in this economy how do you find a job? I’m guessing either through luck or connections.
Do not even waste your time looking at craigslist, much less responding to everything. In our experience, 100% of job postings on CL are scams. At the very least, you’ll have wasted time, but more likely, you’ll be aimed at sites built either for ID theft or for filling up your PC with malware.
Hook up with temp agencies - Adecco, Apple One, Manpower, etc. Generally, they’ll have you come in for a brief interview to see what you’re looking for and to take a couple office aptitude tests. At the start, they’re nothing too hard. Probably a typing test and one to see if you know your way around Microsoft Office.
The nice thing about temp agencies is that if you’re basically competent and personable, there’s a decent chance that they can keep you busy with temp assignments. It’ll be random. You may get a week assignment somewhere, followed by a two-day stint as a fill-in receptionist, or maybe you’ll luck into a long-term gig while someone’s out on maternity leave. Of course, when you start up with the agencies, let them know you’re looking for either direct hire or temp-to-perm. You’ll probably still need to do a handful of temp assignments first, just to prove to them that you’re stable and will actually show up every day.
I strongly suggest signing on with a good temp agency. Can I say “Adecco” here?
They will test you on your computer skills and match you with assignments at your level. It is an excellent way to gain experience, training, recs, contacts, and earn money at the same time.
My first career/degree was in Child Development and when I decided to retire from that, I went to a temp agency. I started out doing receptionist jobs and worked my way up to, in less than a year, an Office Manager position (I temped for the company, knowing they were looking, and got the job in a week, simply by having DONE it/proven myself and submitting a resume. Talk about a foot in the door :D).
But of course, the economy being what it is, finding ANY job is pretty iffy. But it can’t hurt to sign up with an agency and keep yourself on call. It is a MUCH better way, ime, to make that transition than paying some fly-by-night “school” to get a worthless degree.
My friend used LinkedIn to network and find a new job. Obviously, it’s dependent on your past and present coworkers participating as well, but I think it’s getting more popular.
I don’t know much about it, but based on his situation I spiffed up my long-dormant account today and was surprised at how many former coworkers were already using it.
Another vote for temping until something better comes along. They’ll test your skills, as noted, and maybe put you in positions where you can learn other skills. Sorta like padding your resume for the future.
18 years ago, this is what I did. After temping for about 6 months, I got 2 job offers. The companies I temped at liked the idea of being able to test drive potential employees.
If you do temp, and find a company you are interested in, don’t be afraid to walk into a supervisor’s office and tell them that you are interested in working for them permanently.
Temping can be a way to get in. It’s hard, I’ve been temping for 2.5 years now and none of the agencies have been able to do anything for me.
Five years ago I went to accountemps (A Robert Half Company) and I was $15 - $25 an hour. And almost all the companies wanted to hire me.
Now Accountemps only pays minimum wage and I was getting only about 7 hours A MONTH.
I would still go with a temp agency. Robert Half is probably a good match for you IF you have them in your area.
My problem, they said, is I’m way too overqualified and have too much education. And just because it hasn’t worked for me doesn’t mean it won’t work for you.
Look at company websites and apply there.
Get a good SIMPLE resume. People go way overboard on them. I worked in H/R and believe me they H/R people want to scan your resume and say “OK he would fit.” All the details will be required at your first interview.
And try different things. Get a Google voice phone number. Make up a different resume with a Google Phone Number that goes to voice mail.
Try different way
Thanks for some of the suggestions. Some of it doesn’t precisely apply to me as I’m Canadian (Ontarian) but it’s still helpful. I really like the idea of being a bank teller, it seems like a good fit for me. I’m going to start looking at their websites today.
Number one is networking; according the US Bureau of Labor, 70% of new jobs are found this way. Temp agencies are a great bet for people who don’t have a network or the skills to build one; the “test-drive new employees” factor is attractive to employers, especially those who can’t or won’t access their employees’ networks. That said, there are plenty of legitimate jobs on employment sites and even on Craigslist; the problem there is that the amount of competition makes it hard to stand out. Also, I’ve found that employers who rely on Craigslist tend to be a bit eccentric and hard to work for. Professionally-run HR departments use temp agencies, industry-focused employment sites, and their own company websites to attract applicants. And, as I said at the beginning, networking short-circuits all of this; by having a friend tell you the job is available before it gets posted, you get in before the crowd. If you can get your resume in front of the hiring manager before he sees any others, you will have improved your chances several times.
I agree that networking is the way to go. I mentioned to a friend from school that I was job hunting, and she called me the next week with info on a job opening that hadn’t even been advertised yet. A friend of hers had just received a job offer and was quitting. I went in and interviewed, and based upon my friend’s strong recommendation and being in the right place at the right time, I was offered the job last Wednesday. I start in two weeks.
Once I interviewed the first time the office manager decided that she wanted to hire me, and I interviewed once again with a rep from the corporate office. They agreed to make me a formal job offer, even though no one else had gone through the interview process. I know that the job opening had been advertised from the corporate office after my first interview because I overheard someone on the phone talking about the large amount of applications that were submitted. At the time I was taking a test and at that point, decided that there was no way they would consider me. I’m still a year away from receiving my bachelor degree.
I was caught completely off-guard when the office manager made me the job offer that day.
Network, network, network. It really does work.
I don’t know about Canada, but in the US a lot of companies are scared of another recession, and so don’t want to hire anyone permanent. It is always a reasonable way to go, but especially now.
But if you want a permanent job, networking is definitely the best way. I think a lot of employers would rather get one person well recommended by someone they know than wade through hundreds of resumes.
When I was looking for a job in the GTA, I used a combination of the job sites (monster.ca, careerbuilder.ca. workopolis.com, the federal and provincial sites (lost the links, sorry!), company web sites, LinkedIn, and networking.
LadyJane84, you said you’re in Ontario. Do you know anything about computers (Mac and Windows both, Linux a plus)? Are you willing to commute to Burlington? If the answer to both is “yes”, PM me.
I used usajobs.gov
I used Monster, Indeed and Careerbuilder. It seems that more people look at resumes on Monster because I got contacted a lot more through that site. I also applied for a number of jobs directly through company websites. In one case a headhunter contacted me and sent me for an interview but the company was very picky and didn’t like my lack of small business experience.
I found a job listed on Indeed.com, confirmed the listing through Monster and applied through the company’s website. They needed to make head count for a gov’t contract and I had more than the basic skills so I was in. In my personal experience, using temp agencies used to be a sure fire thing but during my last two job searches they were almost useless. Many wouldn’t even reply to my inquiries about job openings, probably because they didn’t have any. Again, this was in NC so your experience might be very different. Frankly I don’t know how a lot of temp agencies in Raleigh and Greensboro are staying afloat right now unless it’s through 100% manufacturing/warehousing placements. Office jobs are a no-go there.
I havn’t needed to find a new job myself in quite some time. However, what I have noticed is that for the few job openings we have had in our department in the last few years, every single one was got by “networking”. That is, someone said, “Oh I know this guy, he’s real good, I heard he was just layed off from such-and-such. . .”
At your age, with your job experience, temping is the way to go. You’ll get lots of valuable experience and contacts, and your lack of office experience won’t be a problem, as long as you can do the work.
I see people recommending sites like Monster, but they never worked for me. For entry level office work, nobody is looking there. It might be great if you have special skills or certifications, but if you don’t, the only replies you’ll get will be MLM schemes and scams.
One thing to suggest: If you send in an application to a company, call them after a few days and ask if they got it. This makes someone go through the pile and find yours, which brings it to the top of the stack. If you’re really interested, keep checking (not daily, you don’t want to be a pest). That keeps your name in front of the people who’ll be preparing the initial interview list.
Well, a lot of legit companies post there too. But yes, today, the way to go is Temp. Temp and Temp to Perm is how companies are hiring in this current “on the way back up but uncertain” market.
Monster is good. However, scammers there will send you tempting job offers where "*Job Description & Requirements
Check e-mail three times per day.
Preparing brief summary reports, and weekly financial reports.
Proficiency in using Microsoft Office.
Good communication skills in English (both verbal and written)
Possess well interpersonal skills.
Self-motivated and capable of working independently.
US Citizen, GC Holder
We offer
Salary plus commissions: $85,000-$95,000 per year
401(k) plan
Employment type: full-time/part-time
If you interested, planning to make a change, or know of a friend who might have the required qualifications and interest, please email me. In considering candidates, time is of the essence, so please reply to this email ASAP."* Quoted from a email I just got.
They are either going to scam you by having you cash bogus checks- or you will be acting as their money laundering agent, leading to a Federal Conviction. Just about all “work from home” is a scam.