For the last two years I have been searching high and low to find a job in Wichita, KS. Finally within the last two weeks, I have managed to get hired here at Odyssey as well as a retail company. With that being said, my biggest issue with going to an out-of-state college was how I could pay for my education and housing when my current job was in Nebraska. This, then, is when I
sat down for many hours to start the process of filling out application after application, after application. Anyone who is willing to work and has done this long ordeal, knows how irritating the process can be. So for this week, my topic will be the top 10 most irritating things while trying to get hired.
1. The search for the place to find the application itself!
These days, many companies have their own website, and with that they might include their application as well. The catch is, though, not all places do, and this is when the hunt begins. For some people who do not know whether a certain company has an online application or hard copy, here is a small list of a few popular places yhat have hard copy applications: Tad's Locker Room, Bed Bath & Beyond, Hobby Lobby, Baskin-Robbins, McDonald's, and Aeropostale.
2. Answering many of the same personality questions over and over that are written four different ways.
Not only is this part about an hour long depending if there is 50 to 130 questions, but also because certain questionnaires ask you the same question maybe two or three times to see if there is a difference in how you answer each time!
3. Having to read all of those terms and conditions that involve specific rules for California, Missouri or Oregon residents.
Like why!? I do not understand the purpose if I do not live in those states or trying to find a job there. I get most applications are just general copies that the companies make, but if I am applying online in Kansas, there is no need for those terms and conditions like that.
4. The verification codes you are asked to type out based on that picture that has the numbers or letters the website gave you.
Half of the time those things can be wrong, too small to see or just way too hard, causing you to keep trying over and over until you finally just get one correct.
5. Going early to the interview to show you are responsible, but the interviewer is late themselves even after the time you both agreed to originally meet or they just completely cancel.
Never leave if this ever happens, unless the person interviewing you let's you know it is cancelled for sure! Sometimes managers will ask you to wait a few minutes due to them being busy but watch out for this might be a trick!
6. If the interviewer does show, shortly you are told that the person doing the interviewing has not read your application or resume.
Being here in Kansas, this has happened four times with four different companies. I have never understood the point of why a manager or HR interviewer does this. Indeed they would like to hear it from your lips first and have you show off yourself but when they begin asking questions that I already had put down on my application or resume, it becomes upsetting.
7. During the interview you ask questions about the job that you are applying for, and the interviewer does not know and says they need to ask their manager.
I understand people can forget things from time to time, but when it is your job to always hire new people and you cannot answer the applicant's questions, then the interviewer might need a refresher on their job!
8. Interviewers talk up the job you are applying for and/or the interviewer is not clear about what exceptions they are wanting from you.
You never know completely what the companies want from you until either you mess up or someone gives you the 4-1-1.
9. Waiting for that phone call or e-mail they said you would get, but over a few weeks you learn to live with the fact you will never hear back.
Now this does not mean all companies won't call! Some companies actually tell you to call back and check in about a week so make sure you listen to what they say. On the other hand, I know for sure two companies in Kansas throw away your application if you call, so just watch out and be careful.
10. Finally getting the job, but coming to find out that the uniform tops are not the size you need so they make you wear one that is either too small or too big!
Finally getting that position was a relief, but even now you are going to start out looking like a huge idiot because the shirt size is not correct.
No matter how many different places you apply for, most are very straight forward and may take a while depending on how intense the application is. In the long run, the more the merrier because you never know who will hire you. My advice is to not apply at just one place then wait to hear back. Write down a handful of the places you shop at the most, as well as the places that you would find interesting working at around those locations. Also, depending on if you are going to become an out-of-state student, or somehow be involved in the military, or any other thing that makes you move a lot, find companies that are around the many states such as Kroger, Buffalo Wild Wings, Lowes, or Target. The more stores you could transfer to, the easier it would be to keep the current work you have so you won't have to re-apply again!
