Hi Lil,
As you know, I've moved around a lot the past few years and have had to find a new job each time. It's a pain in the butt, I know. I'm guessing you're probably applying for jobs in retail? Which just so happens to be an area I have some experience in
, so maybe some of my experiences might help you.
* Yes, almost everyone has online apps. Out of about 15 places I applied, only Bed Bath & Beyond still did paper apps, but it can help to go in and ask to speak to the hiring manager to at least get your face known. At my last job, they wanted me to speak to the hiring manager AND apply online. When my app came in, she had an idea of who I was, and she knew me by what I'd told her I'd done at my previous job. When I came in, she didn't even interview me! She just handed me the drug test and said, "Sign here," and that was it.
* Sometimes when it rains, it pours. It took several weeks but I had 2 offers the same day, and another the following day after probably about a dozen dead ends. (I had already accepted the first offer when it came in; I wondered if it would have been better for me to take one of the other two, but I told God, "I'm going to keep my word to the first place I committed to and trust it will turn out." So far, it has, though of course, with the ups and downs of any job.)
* However often they allow you to apply (for some places, it's every 90 days), keep applying. Retail is a very tumultuous business and you never know when something will become available, slow season or not. My dept. recently lost 2 long-time employees very suddenly due to transfers and so that's 2 jobs that have just opened up, literally overnight and without warning.
* Make your schedule as open and flexible as you possibly can. The number one thing that will get you through the door is experience and availability, and if you don't have experience, availability is the next best thing. Be willing to do work any time they need you and do whatever they need you to do within your capabilities.
* Take whatever they can give you and go from there. I started at a place that could only offer about 10 hours a week but once they see your work ethic, that can change drastically. I was up to almost 40 hours within a month, so don't let the first few weeks or months discourage you.
* Once you get your foot in the door, offering to work in more than one dept. (if they let you/are willing to train you) will definitely increase your chances of getting more hours/promotions.
Don't give up, hon! I know it's tough. Keep us posted on how it goes and let me know if there's anything I can do to help.