[ArtemisSoifa]

It seems to be impossible...I've been rejected so many times.
I kind of sound like every job posted seeking a job right now

I can't work fast food again I can't take it anymore...I believe that it looks bad on an Application too...

I had an interview at this diner, this diner has a store inside and she called me in to work in that part...I think they were surprise my apperance..I think my name..never mind anyways...I spoke to the manger he was very friendly but now that I think about it he was kind of odd

He asked me where I used to work (I'm thinking did you not read my application?) I told him a fast food place (it was a while ago.) He said. "That's that ghetto one right?)

I didn't know how to respond to that...he also keep bugging me to tell me how much I got paid at my last job, I read somewhere that mangers aren't suppose to ask that are they?

Sorry I'm farily new to the job industry. Like I never had an actual job outside of grease and rude customers

So I sit down and this woman comes up to me(the one who called me I believe.)
And we shake hands...due to my social issues I had trouble making eye contact with her and my clothes were soak in sweat I had a jacket it on luckily (it was cold outside.)

She gives me this form telling me to read it, what's to be expected of me...for a moment I thought I actually got the job...

But it went down hill from there...I asked her how do I know if I got the job do they call or what? She looked at me oddly then stammered
"Yeah...yeah we call."
Then she got up and the same guy I spoke to earlier sat in front of me

Asking me how much I got paid at my last job...I told him a little not much?

Was that the wrong answer?

I think he already made his mind up about me as soon as I told him where I use to work

I read that you should take any job...but I believe that working in fast food has ruined my chances of getting a retail posiiton

I think people look at me and see a lazy person when they find out where I use to work

Um, I also worked at a park...serving food that seemed to be the only thing they were really intrested in again it was like they didn't read my application at all.

They asked me did I do retail there. and I told them no
And they were like
"So you have no experience then in retail?"
I'm like no...
Maybe I should have lied and said yes?
I also had another interview that day at a food place (I swore to never be around food again but I really need the money..)

This place was at a resturant...I thought the interview went fairly well never heard back from him though..

It's strange..I mean I read online that if you want money just get a part time job but that seems to be the impossible

I'm been searching all summer long (I know some people search for years.)
uBut I think if you want a job you should be able to get one..

I'm not sure if a college degree will help any...they'll probably ask what the heck am I doing here if I have a degree in something else..

Rejecting my App because I'm too overqualtifed

I mean if it's impossible to get a job at Burger King (I'm not sure if all of you are from America so please forgive me if you have no idea what a Burger King is.)

How am I going to get a job in my field?

I don't think I can even work at another fast food place I think I have a bad REP by now..I got fired from two jobs already, had to leave the other
and so on and so on

I don't want to reply on other people to eat anymore...it's getting out of hand....

Um thanks for reading my rant....

Hi there,

Job interviews are tough, even for seasoned people. It seems to me that you were not ready for that interview you went to.

Showing confidence and basic knowledge of the industry, going reasonably well dressed (as a retail worker would dress, for example) and preferably not sweating would have helped you a lot.

As for people interviewing you, don't be surprised or upset when they ask weird questions: some of those questions are tailored to knock people off their rails, just to see how they react to unexpected situations, for example.

It's all part of the test, and there's nothing informal about it. In my early days of jobseeking, I had interviewers being very friendly to me and making me feel totally at ease, only to pull the rug from under my feet in the end. They're a tricky bunch...

Also, when working in retail you're going to have to make a lot of eye contact with the general public. If you can't handle that during the interview, the person who's interviewing you can pick that up pretty quickly.

Google "jobs at retail" tips, or "key retail skills", and get yourself ready for your next interview.

Good luck!

[Cat_Lover_58]

I work as a cashier in a restaurant/retail shop environment. I came to this job with, first, a job as a telemarketer, and second, all temporary positions over three years. I was asked on my interview back in 2012 to sell a pair of salt & pepper shakers. My boss was the one interviewing me. I got the job...

I don't know what employers can and cannot ask. There seems to be such a blurred line for the most part. I think if a prospective employer sees a transition with where you've been and where you want to be, then you have a better chance.

I worked production, clerical, janitorial jobs. Then did the telemarketing gig...great telephone skills, and then, this job where I'm face to face and dealing with people all the time.

I have never had anyone ask or continue to ask about wages. That's weird to me. Anyway, best of luck to you. Keep me posted, Cat

[alieninshadows]

I was told by someone at an employment agency that it's good to show some nervousness and eagerness because it's a sign that you really care about getting the job and are eager to work.

I've never gotten a retail job but I've been on some interviews for retail. It's odd. The employers seem to have fun playing with minds and psyching people out, testing their customary skills and character. You have to be able to self-promote and know the products and trends ahead of the interview and know what you're talking about. There is little room for training and gaining knowledge after being hired, so they want someone who's ready to sell stuff right then and there.
I've blown so many retail prospects. My weakness is saying goodbye and thank you. I don't know how many times or how big a thank you I should say. If I should initiate shaking hands or wait for them.
I'm horrible at math and often they want someone who can count change without automatic tills or calculators. I've tried to "sell" what I was wearing with little knowledge about the exact name of the style of clothes I was wearing but put on a more fashion show-esque way of doing it. I don't know if the managers meant "that was different" in a good way or bad way. At least I have a personality.
One job I was trying to go for an interview at, the manager grabbed the phone and started a conversation just as I stepped into the room. I waited patiently for him to finish. Then he told me that the interview was done. Oookay. Turns out, a neighbor down the street that worked there and put in a word for me to get a job there, said the manager wanted me to interrupt his phone call and that would have shown I was aggressive. That type of aggression is not me and so I'm glad I didn't get that job.

[IceCreamKid]

I hope this helps. I believe I read in another of your posts you have autism? You might want to consider contacting Goodwill in your area. They work with people with all kinds of challenges to gaining employment. Here is a link to the Goodwill website for Savannah Georgia which I see is your location: Job Connection Career Center Locations in Coastal Georgia | Goodwill of the Coastal Empire

This might be the way for you to learn how interviews are structured; what to wear; what the most likely questions will be; how to ask when and how you will be notified about getting the job.

As far as the pay question goes, I don't know why they were even asking; they likely know what the pay is for the places in your area. If you made minimum wage, you could say "Minimum wage." Probably they are trying to weed out people who want to make more than the minimum they are willing to pay (which may or may not be the same as minimum wage).

Please give Goodwill a call and see if they can help you. I wish you the very best.

[Permacultural]

So if somebody during an interview asks a question, i.e., How much did you make at your last job? The answer they are looking for is, "I made $ x.xx an hour."

There are interview coaches that can put you through mock interviews so you can practice, and help you come up with good answers to really common interview questions. Maybe look into that.

Preparing for an in-person job interview is like preparing for an exam. Study and prepare your answers (and questions) ahead of time. Interviewing is a skill that should be practiced in order to be mastered. Just like playing the guitar or learning how to do anything. The cool thing is that no matter what the job, the questions are going to be grouped in different areas. There's only so many ways to ask a question! So the answer to "Tell me 3 of your weaknesses" can be the same answers to the question "What challenges you?"

There are lots of free resources on youtube to help. Just search for "How to prepare for a job interview". Here's a users channel to get you started. His suggestions are good. There are lots of others as well!

https://www.youtube.com/user/DGeorgevich

[LiteraryLark]

I've worked at Walmart, Ross (discount clothing store), Kohl's, and Toys R Us. Retail jobs SUCK. I currently work at McDonald's, and I'd gladly stay working there as long as I don't have to work in retail again. You think fast food is bad, retail is a million times more horrible. The worst customer you get at fast food is not getting their food the way they ordered, and that's laughable because seriously who screams at someone because they messed up their burger? In retail it's a huge nightmare. Tons of a-hole people. At Walmart I was so stressed out I threw up once or twice a day at work just so I could go home. I also threw up at Ross from the stress.

Seriously, fast food is such an easy job. Retail is hell.

Also, it sounds like you aren't confident enough in your interviews and not knowing what to say when they ask questions. You may not get the job because you've been fired twice, that looks really bad in resumes and interviews.

[ladytiger]

I am back at my part time job after a company I was contracted to work for let me go due to being too slow for them - a month's worth of work. I can't seem to land a job anywhere the employers look at me like I don't want to move up yea I do it's called budget issues in my dept anyone who is part time is only there because it's a job and they are moving on not staying! It'll be 2 yrs next Feb for me...

[darthdukes]

I know how you feel. Both of my fast food jobs ended with horrible anxiety and me quitting. But there is literally nothing else hiring where I am. I'm terrified.

[CopperStar]

Only way I can get a job is to lie, lie, omit, and lie some more.

If something on my history looks bad, I leave it off the resume and never mention it.

If an employer is looking for some sort of specific skill set, I exaggerate experience in a previous job to make it sound like I have those skills / experience.

I come up with noble or normal sounding explanations for gaps in employment on my resume.

And I make sure that every omission, exaggeration or lie cannot be verified one way or another.

I choose my references wisely, in some cases having family members or a friend pose as a former coworker and saying great things about me when called.

The biggest lie takes place in the interview itself, where I pretend like I'm really excited and eager to be there. "Oh yes, I've always thought it would be fun to work at a Taco Bell, I stop at the one near my house all the time and it seems like a great atmosphere!" (Most recruiters will see this as a sign that you are very naive and a sucker, it is good to let them believe that.)

The real trick to getting a low-wage job is to tell them what they want to hear, and cherry-pick your resume. You can think of it as a decent initiation ritual for all of the faking you'll need to do to appease a thousand crazy a-hole customers.

[ilovefroyo21]

If you get an interview, that means you're doing something right when it comes to your previous experience and general written skills. However, if you don't usually make it past the interview part, that means that the interviewer probably thinks you don't sound confident and/or prepared enough. But there is always room for improvement. Sharpen your interview skills; there are many helpful videos on YouTube that go through the questions employers ask during interviews and will show you how to answer them in a politically correct and sociable sounding way. Watching YouTube videos and practising scenarios in my head has personally worked wonders for me. I hope this helps and good luck!