I’m in the US, no degree, and absolutely sick to death of working in retail.
I’ve tried all the jobs website. They haven’t even gotten me an interview. The only job search method that’s ever given me results is to think of businesses near me and apply to them directly. But that only leaves me working more retail, since public facing businesses are all I’m interacting with.
I just want a job that pays my bills, and lets me work on a consistent schedule. I’m so sick of having my hours constantly whipped back and forth. I just want to go to bed at the same time every day.
Go to a place that seems intetesting and ask for a job. Tell them that you have no experience but are willing to start by sweeping the floors and then learn as you go. The worst thing that can happen is that they say no.
Plenty of places aren’t actively hiring but that doesn’t mean they don’t have need for an extra pair of hands. Showing up in person gives a good impression.
There are worse things than saying “no.”
Companies aren’t hiring people without experience, and it’s cheaper to not bother upscaling your employees and just leave them trapped in their current job.
No one cares if you show up in person to ask for a job anymore, and if their hiring system is all online it can even be a bad impression because it indicates that you can’t find information from their website and follow instructions.
This seems like the kind of boomer advice my dad thinks still works and hasn’t worked in decades.
I don’t think its worse its just that your chance of finding a job that way is such that you could be just as productive buying lottery tickets. Seriously. Have you ever worked at a place that you could do anything more than tell the person to go to such and such a place and fill out a application or more likely now go to the website and fill out an application.
Not if you’re applying for Apple or Goldman Sachs. Different story with smaller local businesses.
Well I’m not sure how I’d pay my bills in the meantime while I’m sweeping floors for minimum wage.
Removed by mod
Sorry that I tried to be helpful.
Your “advice” hasnt worked in 30 years. No, it’s not helpful, especially when someone is serious about needing a job.
Have you tried? Because I have.
Removed by mod
I just told you it worked thirty years ago. it has not worked agian since. Hence, your suggestion is a boomer suggestion.
Stop deleting my comments Mods. Im not saying anything wrong.
When was the last time and did you know the people at the place you did?
About two years ago and no, I didn’t know them (but I did have experience on the field) I just googled local companies. I got an interview in the second place I asked.
A lot of businesses - especially where I live - don’t even post jobs online anymore because they get flooded with AI-generated applications from people who don’t actually even want the job but are forced to apply to keep collecting unemployment benefits.
The only realistic way to get hired at a place like that is to either know the right people or be in the right place at the right time. That doesn’t have to mean literally walking in the door if that feels like too high a bar - cold-emailing them and just asking works too.
Well, 2 years ago when I was looking for a job and tried the same thing, I got told the don’t take resume’s unless there was a specific job posting. And I was asked if I saw a position advertised. Then asked to leave the business when I said I was following advice like this.
You hit a one in a million.
I don’t think it’s luck. What probably explains more of it is that I was applying for a job that involves getting your hands dirty in a company with less than 10 employees.
I stand behind my advice. I think displaying a genuine personality will pay off in the long run. Nobody remembers the generic application they trashed without reading, but they do remember the guy who showed up as himself.