[Mountaindewed]

I'm looking at stores at the same postion that I have 8 years of expierence with. These are just part time retail jobs and I'm asking for 20 hours a week maximum and $10 an hour yet I'm not even getting a call back saying its a no. Just a no on my application

Why wouldn't I even get an interview for jobs I assumed I was highly qualified for?

[Discombobulated]

It’s hard to say what might be happening. Have you had other people take a look over your applications to see if there’s anything they would change? Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes can help.

The only other thing that occurs to me is if you have a few years employment gap might that be an issue? If so could you get some volunteer work as that can help give current workplace experience.

[divine1966]

In my experience retail hires anybody. Is there something on your application that is off putting?

[Mountaindewed]

I haven't worked for 3 years because of covid concerns then moving and having 3 surgeries then having a ton of medical problems all last year.

I can't see anything else wrong with my application. I have open avalabilty and can work weekends and everything.

My therapist helped me fill out the first application.

[Discombobulated]

It might be the gap, hard to say. Like I said before, volunteer work can be a good way to address this if you think it could be the gap that’s the problem.

[Samicat]

I think it's probably the gap in your employment history. If you say you have medical problems, they may not hire you unless it's clear that your medical problems are dealt with.

It's my understanding many places are short-staffed so they may not be looking for part-timers. I always worked part-time and companies SAY they want part-time but usually they just don't want to provide benefits but they want staff who are eager to work up to 40 hours if needed.

[splitimage]

It could very well be the gap in your employment history. It shouldn't be an issue, particularly if it was at least partially caused by Covid, but the reality is that lots of employers don't like gaps.

I had a 2 year gap on my resume, at one point, and I actually put on my resume, "providing eldercare" during that period, just like it was another job. That seemed to get me past that hurdle.

Then I had a much longer gap, more recently, but I was doing some volunteer work during that time period as well as taking music lessons at a music conservatory, so for that gap I listed my volunteer experience and also put studying at X conservatory. the latter was true, I just didn't specify that I was only studying part time.