Constantly rejected for retail jobs disheartening

[Frostee]

Recently, I have been applying to retail jobs as I wait on a 'Graduate' job.

So far, i've been rejected for 4 positions. Three of those positions I got a telephone interview, which all seemed great and then bam rejection.

To me this is very disheartening as I know that they will take on 17 year olds who don't have a degree or any experience. I see this continually with my younger cousins who seem to just go from job to job to job, literally.

I don't have any retail experience BUT this isn't mentioned for these jobs which are temporary christmas jobs. You would think the they would take anybody but no?

I do sit and think 'what the hell do they want?', like most of these interviews go well, we have a good report. So why are they rejecting me? What on earth do they want from me? Is this simply based on the interviewer picking someone they 'like' rather than based on the interviewees merit?

I have a face to face interview next week for another retail job (which I would like) but i'll just go in now not expecting to get the job as it seems that they want the world from me and I can't offer that.

NB: A lot of retail positions don't seem to be advertised. My local TESCO almost never advertises their positions yet I notice a constant recycling of employees. It seems that they're in some sort of secret club or something, I never see the jobs.

 

[Sarah S]

We have the same situation over here (sweden ) especually in retail but in general all lower service jobs. They hire younger people as they are cheeper and less demanding . DONT give up tho

 

[onlything]

Have you maybe thought about applying to an agency? In this country, for retail, hospitality and similar jobs, there are agencies that specialise in temporary workers. This way may be easier to find some casual work.

Speaking of the 'secret club'... Every job is like that. In fact, according to statistics, only up to 70% of all jobs are advertised. Much more information goes by the word of mouth and it's much easier to get one if you have the right contacts - that's why networking is such an important part of every career. The more people you know and impress, the more opportunities you get.

 

[Bolletje]

Have you asked these companies for feedback on why they rejected you for the position? I find it’s best to follow up on a rejection so you can learn why you didn’t get a position. That way you learn whether it’s about the way you present yourself, or your resumé, your previous experience, or maybe something you said in the interview. Some things can be amended, some things can’t. But it never hurts to ask.

 

[Aspychata]

My friend was too busy impressing then with all the experience for just retail and she never got hired. Also if you mention you are just killing time until the big "job", you won't get hired. She mentioned she was a real estate agent and they wouldn't hire her because they figured she would stop working the minute her first big commision check rolled in. So interviews are a bit of a balancing act. I like to ask what their ideal employee would be, then after they give you that, then you mention your similar qualities briefly. This helps you get into that retail mindset quicker. Good luck. Just keep applying, eventually someone will open the door. Also think back how you responded to questions, could you have done better? And smile as you are talking, and sound upbeat over the phone!

 

[Streetwise]

Recently, I have been applying to retail jobs as I wait on a 'Graduate' job.

So far, i've been rejected for 4 positions. Three of those positions I got a telephone interview, which all seemed great and then bam rejection.

To me this is very disheartening as I know that they will take on 17 year olds who don't have a degree or any experience. I see this continually with my younger cousins who seem to just go from job to job to job, literally.

I don't have any retail experience BUT this isn't mentioned for these jobs which are temporary christmas jobs. You would think the they would take anybody but no?

I do sit and think 'what the hell do they want?', like most of these interviews go well, we have a good report. So why are they rejecting me? What on earth do they want from me? Is this simply based on the interviewer picking someone they 'like' rather than based on the interviewees merit?

I have a face to face interview next week for another retail job (which I would like) but i'll just go in now not expecting to get the job as it seems that they want the world from me and I can't offer that.

NB: A lot of retail positions don't seem to be advertised. My local TESCO almost never advertises their positions yet I notice a constant recycling of employees. It seems that they're in some sort of secret club or something, I never see the jobs.

From what I know! most people are forced into it! to get job seekers allowance !that's why you probably don't see them advertised ! An acquaintance was forced into being a carer ,she gets slave wages and she's lost a lot of weight ,just talking to an employee of Sainsbury's today , who no longer get breaks, they are now given money instead, it would be better if you look for a job in a bookshop, it would be very draining to work in a supermarket ,your education would be very useful in a bookshop, or something like the print design shop, where you need to pay a lot of attention to detail.

 

[NothingToSeeHere]

What feedback did you get post-interview?

A lot of retail positions don't seem to be advertised. My local TESCO almost never advertises their positions yet I notice a constant recycling of employees. It seems that they're in some sort of secret club or something, I never see the jobs.

You can give local shops your CV and express an interest in any potential jobs either via email or by walking in and talking to an employee. This will put you on their radar as a proactive and eager potential employee. Don't wait for jobs to be advertised.

 

[GadAbout]

As I've commented before, your expectation of how many jobs you must apply for before getting hired is probably unrealistic. Many people will apply for quite a few more than four. You need to, also.

If possible, have a friend or counselor or family member (except yours are fairly hostile .... maybe a grandmother or cousin?) listen in on the interview, on speaker phone. Or, record it to listen to later. You might be acting like God's gift to the retail industry, without even realizing it.

 

[SolarPoweredNightOwl]

Entry level jobs are a numbers game. Shotgun applications online, apply for as many positions as possible, and google "Unicru answer key" to help you get past the personality test garbage. Interviews are my weakest point, and probably the weakest point for many of us, as they seem to be a social check (or a mask test, if you prefer). They basically just want to make sure you'll be a good little cog in the machine and not be likely to cause problems or complaints.

Also, the longer you've been out of work, the less people want to hire you, as stupid and counter-intuitive as it is. It's much easier to get a job if you're currently working somewhere else.

 

[Gracey]

Indeed.co.uk is a fair site to check which of the big supermarkets have vacancies,
or indeed any other temporary Christmas Vacancies.

In retail they'll be looking for that dynamic, adaptable someone with a 'can-do' attitude,
with bells on

Much business happens in the run up to and over the Christmas and New Year period.
Stressful times, busy, stressed out queuing customers want to be placated and served with a friendly smile.

If the customer wants your kidneys, you have to be prepared to discuss it.

okay, I'm exaggerating

If you go in with the attitude that nothing less than exceptional customer service is your passion
then you may be in with a chance

They'll have so many applicants that they can cherry pick EXACTLY what they're looking for.

 

[GadAbout]

They'll have so many applicants that they can cherry pick EXACTLY what they're looking for.

That might not always be true. It depends on the location, the size of the labor force, and the current state of the economy.

During the Great Recession people who had a job were nervous about losing it, and people who had no job had no money to spend. Therefore, sales were down, and therefore, jobs were scarce.

As the economy picked up, it actually shifted so that stores were making a great many concessions in attracting even their seasonal employees. At least, this was true in my state of the U.S. These were not high paying jobs but they were solid, benefited, potentially permanent jobs.

So you can't make a blanket assertion about how picky employers are at any location and point in time.

Even so, applying to many different jobs is a good idea, as eventually one of them will work out. For a "non career" position, don't be too picky about the working conditions, pay, and so on, since it's not likely your permanent slot. I think frostee has said he has held no student jobs and getting some job experience, anywhere, will help him get the "career" position he eventually hopes for.

 

[Judge]

I'm apt to think that there are simply too many variables in the equation to place the blame on any one factor.

Though in my own case I do recall on select occasions where there did seem to be a certain amount of prejudice towards college grads seeking work in blue-collar occupations. In tough economic times I managed to get a job in warehousing, but the social stigma of being a college grad followed me with my coworkers. At times quite unpleasant. I was happy to leave. But at the time, hey...it was all I could find.

 

[Fino]

I do sit and think 'what the hell do they want?', like most of these interviews go well, we have a good report

I hope this comes off as informative and fun and not condescending, but I thought it'd be fun to learn a new word! I believe the word you're intending to use rather than "report," is "rapport."

"a close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other's feelings or ideas and communicate well."

The "t" is silent.