This is actually really good to know. There are some places that don't even allow me to apply online if there aren't any known job openings. Like, I wanted to get a job at Whole Foods. I actually watched for jobs like a hawk but if the job was not open it didn't even give you the chance to apply.
But I think I will look into asking for the hiring manager, so that way they have a face to put with the name, and I'll tell them I might not have much experience but I do have a lot of availability, and willing to learn whatever they need to teach me, can lift up to 40-50 pounds, etc. then apply in whatever form.
And sometimes it is tricky in the job business >.< I'm praying I get a job before Christmas so I can get people Christmas presents.
thank you so much for this!
Hi Lil
,
I just wanted to mention one other thing (and I'm posting it instead of PM'ing in case anyone else out there is looking for a job in retail as well)--networking is always valuable! I know you have tons of connections at your church, etc. and maybe also through your family? Does anyone you know work at a place that might have something available?
As awful as it sounds, I can tell you that retail, at times, can be desperate, and that can definitely work for you. I know it seems like your apps just get tossed or lost in the sea of other online blips, but knowing someone who knows of a job opening can skip you to the head of the line.
Last year we had someone who, in all honesty, wasn't a good worker at all (for the sake of privacy I'll call them Worker X.) Worker X constantly called in, left early, and spent most of the day on their phone. No one in any dept. wanted that person, but due to varying legal complications, they couldn't be fired, either.
As I said, retail has A LOT of turnover, and when someone who had worked there for 16 years literally quit without notice, they were scrambling to fill that position. Even though Worker X had a terrible reputation, they said, "Hey, I have a friend who might be able to work that..." Now normally, no one would have paid attention to Worker X's recommendation, but they were really hurting for someone to fill it.
And so, Worker X had her friend come in to introduce themselves to Manager X, talk about availability and job expectations, etc. Worker X's friend was then told to put in an application--and was hired immediately and ahead of the crowd of all the other online applicants, just because this person had come in and talked to the manager. Now as you can imagine, there were a lot of doubts because of Worker X's reputation, but out of desperation, they were willing to give it a shot, and fortunately, this person's work ethic was the exact opposite of Worker X's.
Retail is fickle and very sudden--you could have a job opening happen overnight that causes them to say, "Now Hiring" one minute and "Sorry, Nothing Available" literally within an hour because someone had a friend who was available.
If anyone you know knows of anything, I would definitely encourage you to follow up on that lead.