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The new company I’m at now sent me an email from an email address that was HR@companyName.careers saying I was accepted for the position. They gave me paperwork to fill out and sign to accept the position
I fill out the paperwork and send it back to them and it goes through… then a few days later I go back to the email to say something else and I get this…?
Then today I got a check from the company In the mail to setup my home office, and it’s signed by someone I’ve never met before or heard of…?
What…..
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I have 8 years mgt experience in food service mgt and got turned down for a dishwasher job. I’ve had several interviews this week and it’s always sane answer…we have more candidates to interview
Bingo
It's not you, I promise.
With the increase in AI created CVs, recruiters have been dealing with a huge influx of resumes they've never seen before. Their solution? AI, which then supposedly filters out 'AI' resumes, but it's filtering out valid resumes. With the new influx of resumes, and growing number of unemployed people, companies now can be extremely selective, or even pretend to be filling roles for a tax break (oh no we didn't fill the role, we need compensated).
I have a Google Sheet where I recorded my application submissions and responses. From January 9th, 2025, to January 9th, 2026. I had sent 344 applications for customer service and other various roles I am more than qualified for, with under 5 interviews, and minimal to no response.
It's not you, it's the job market.
Because companies can control with AI what they want filtered . As in specific wording and availability
Look for jobs in a completely different way. If you’ve been doing only online applications, maybe consider walking into a few?
As an assistant manager of a retail store, I can tell you walking in to meet the manager, is a waste of time. We do not have any control over the application process. As a matter of fact, we recently got notice that, AI will be handling parts of the process. It’s a very tough world out there.
Be more resourceful on searching jobs online, i applied so many jobs on indeed and glassdoor, and nobody called me. I used chatgpt and asked if there’s any job for newbie. Voila! It guided me, like everything! Location, salary and benefits. Even helped me with my cover letter, resume… so, yeah! Dont lose hope. There’s something for u out there. All the best job seekers☺️
In many retail stores, walking in to "meet" anyone on the management team is a great idea. They get to "meet" your energy, put a face to the resume, which will most likely go through a corporate website. When your resume is in the corporate system, noting the specific location you visited and were "pre-interviewed," they will be able to pull your resume and call you for an actual interview. This is definitely a great option, as there are literally hundreds of resumes just sitting in a company's recruiting software. So put on a nice outfit and head to the mall and go into your favorite stores "energized"... Don't rely on just your resume, VISUAL Presentation, and enthusiasm overide just another resume. Hope that helps.
You should not be the one to determine if your cv is a problem or not, but also, you don't have callbacks, so it's perhaps your cv that is the problem. The other issue may be your availabilities. In retail you would be expected to work at least one closing shift per week, and one weekend day. If you aren't available for either of those, then you won't be contacted. There is no 9 to 5 in retail. Evaluate this part of your application process, and see if you can improve your availabilities. The other will be experience. If you have zero retail experience then this can be a factor. Try applying at McDonalds or another fast food place to start, and get some experience in. Again, anything like this will require availabilities on evenings and weekends. I've seen some people apply who only want to work one day per week, and not include the evening in that one day. Generally most employers will not consider this. If you're not able to offer many hours, you'll have to reconsider what you are applying for, or just make yourself more available.
I agree with the availability aspect. As I mentioned, the most important thing is to get the interview, Go to the retail store you'd like to work, ask to speak to manager; they WILL tell you to apply online, AND they will have also put a face to the name and experienced your vibe... It really does help! You have nothing to lose with this approach. Online applications will ask about availability; let your availability read as EVERYDAY/ EVERY EVENING... nothing is off the table. It shows flexibility and eagerness to work... Get the interview by being the MOST available candidate, who "took the time" and went to the store to let "meet" you, however briefly... You can work out your intentions once you score the interview and have taken the temperature of their level of enthusiasm towards YOU. Most retail stores are DESPERATE for reliable, enthusiastic, capable staff.
In Las Vegas, companies mostly only hire people they know or or comes with a personal reference. Building your social network is your best chance.
my last job was Hilton in late 2024, I get interviews but then they'll choose someone for the hotel role over me, but applying again, avoiding alcohol as I'm Muslim but doors will open, Allaah God opens doors when one puts the effort, sometimes call the company after applying, chat to me on Instagram @Chagtaidawah
Im muslim too, thankfully i live in the UK racism here is no where as bad as in the US, especially as a hijabi. Inshallah things start to look better for you.
Dear Sales Associate:
Please do not get discouraged. Of I were you, I would go to a Personnel Specialist, particularly at any One Stop Employment Center. A
1. Ask for a counselor who can look over your resume.
2. Request from them some practice mock interviews.
3. I would also ask them if you are applying for the jobs that are suitable to your skills; training; and past employment experiences.
4. Try to apply for employment that would allow you to get more training within your current position.
5. Ask if the company to which you are applying, if they will provide any further company assistance to allow you to go to school; if that is what you want.
Try asking everywhere you've volunteered at for job leads. Someone can probably find a postion actively hiring and recommend you based on your volunteer work. If nothing else, maybe they can suggest a career path in dire need of employees that you can aim for with training or a college degree that way you have a direction to go in. When applying online also make sure you include the keywords they're looking for in the job description so you get past the AI filter. There are some smaller scale jobs that still use paper applications but they're rare and only going to be helpful if actively hiring which will be equally rare since they have fewer slots to fill. I wish you luck! Keep at the volunteer work and make sure that you have all of them as references. I'm sure something will turn up eventually. One of the biggest problems is your limited hours to work so this might be why you're having a hard time rn.
One thing I learned the hard way was that I needed to improve my soft skills. I wasn’t as likable as the other candidates. Then I spent a few years, focusing on how to quickly build relationships with people and become more personal and less robotic. Now I make 100 K at 32 as a senior analyst in Finance and it’s a non-managerial role.
Practice with friends, watch YouTube video or TikTok, shorts and read books about it and make sure you play the character of the likable employee that everyone wants to hire during those interviews!
It’s rough job hunting for sure. Just keep pushing something will come through.
Yea but if u got rent to pay, time is something anyone has.
This app isnt what I thought it was either Ziprecuiter & LinkedIn better , even indeed sometimes
Yes it's very common you're not alone
that's awesome where did you land a job?!
Have you tried mcdonald's?
Isiah I was also in the same predicament when I applied for my first job. I would suggest that you start looking for either internship opportunities (No pay; but, you do acquire some hands on work experience. Or, start looking for paid internship positions. They may only be part time; but, you do gain some hands on skills and knowledge that you can add to your resume.
Have you gone to your state employment office? The jobs offered are usually solid, entry level and they get back to you. There's also the 5 branches of the military and the Coast Guard.
I have applied at places that I have been invited to apply - however nothing - that has been going on for about 8 months- so I wonder if this jobs dont exist at all
The problem is that you do not have any experience and other applicants with experience who are not in school with possible major scheduling conflicts are applying. You need to find a friend who has a job somewhere that is hiring so they can get you in
I have also applied for jobs. I had two interviews and haven't heard anything. I have been out of work for two years. It seems harder now to find a job unless u know someone. But I'm not giving up! Something will stick! I wish u the best on find a job soon.🙏
Part of it is your age. Our company requires a person to be 18. you may have to go somewhere like Walmart, Target, etc to get hired until you turn 18. That will also help you gain work experience.