Why am I having so much trouble finding a Retail job?
Asked by Seeker2008
Okay, so I'm not the most experienced person in the world. I was laid off at the end of December (with a general separation notice) by Circuit City, who of course, closed all of their stores and entire company. I worked there from August 2008 to December 2008. I had no idea the company would just up and close like that. Anyway, it took me a while to find that one at Circuit City, even. I was unemployed and worked temp jobs from the end of December 2007 to August 2008. I couldn't find a stable job then. My jobs before that were working at an Office Depot store from 10/2005 to 12/2007. I was promoted while there and pretty much cross-trained in all departments (sales associate who knew about everything there, cashier, print center, warehouse/stocker). Before that, I worked at a cinema cafe for about a year as a customer service associate/cashier. I have 3 years of Customer Service/Cashier experience, a couple of years of Merchandising/Warehouse/Sales Associate experience...and I can't find a freaking job in Atlanta, Georgia. I must have applied at every single company, store, etc. that i could think of. Not one call. Now, I'm sure there are many out there with 5+ years of experience, management experience, etc. But...aren't a lot of them 'overqualified' for the lowest positions, too? I went to a Radioshack hiring fair a while back. I was apparently denied a job there for seemingly no reason - they sent me an email saying they "didn't have a position that matched my experience." I was going for a typical sales associate position - not spectacular about that. I have sales experience, i was a lead sales in Technology at Office Depot and could also sell pretty much everything at Circuit City. So I was WTF. Yet I see they keep posting every day or two that they need "full-time and part time sales associates in Atlanta, Georgia." Obviously, I'm not trying them again...they have a Resume on file for a year. But I've noticed stuff like this happening to me at various retail stores. Is there something "bad" in my employment history or what? Why is it so ridiculously hard And...pardon the missing words and spelling/grammar errors. It wasn't that way on an application, Resume or cover letter, of course. lol I was in a hurry typing that. And it's not the recession...i'm also applying to companies that are advertising that they are hiring.

Best Answer:
Try to find a job in the food/water or clothing industry because people obviously need these things and people will still buy them when they are poor but they probably won't go for things like high price technology which is entertainment, tourism or high price designer products. People have it sacrifice their quality of life in order to pay for more important things like their health, home, or whats important to them.
me
Answered by kc

because nobody is buying anything right now
Answered by stringer_adam_00

I think it's because of the recession... Yea so just because they are advertising dosen't mean they aren't being hit by the recession also
Answered by Bruce r

The recession
Answered by *Chloe...x*

You may be "believe it or not" overqualified. You may try creating a "second" resume and remove some of the oldest experience from it. Employers may feel you would want/deserve more money for your experience, and are avoiding it because they want to pay the entry level pay. It's crazy I know, most people just want a job, but often...these companies think way too much and are never on the ground. :)
Answered by Bobber

dang, you didn't have to write all this..i know the answer without even have to read this story. It has to do with the economy...the demand for product is down..ppl feel less richer due to the stock market so their not spending as much or as frivolouslyy. Which means that stores aren't hiring due to their NOI (net operating income) being so low. Get it? If ppl aren't buying retail items...store don't have to hire as many ppl b/c it's not as busy.
Answered by Jennifer T

A lot of employers check your facebook or myspace sites these dyas. they tend to do a lot of research to see if you have any hidden secrets. Maybe they found sometin unappropriate there....
Answered by sarahf2788

So "Bobber" beat me to it but let me still add this: When you fill out an application be sure and call back within a few days to check the status of it ...that shows youre truly interested. Also if its an application you fill out by hand then be sure and hand it directly to the manager or supervisor in charge. That will give them a chance to put a face to the name.
Answered by born thru FIRE, burn like ICE

During an interview you have to let them know that you are willing to start at the bottom with everyone else and your experience shouldn't be a factor of needing more pay more hours. IN this economy (not sure where you live at) some states are hit harder and have 1 maybe 2 positions available for hiring. They would rather hire someone cheaply, and with minimum hours. (They DONT want to keep hours away from employees that have been there because they'll quit) It is the recession, don't say it's not. Companies are having to hire to satisfy the corporation, but don't want to; it takes money and hours away from the people they have. Something must be going wrong in your interview, trust me, if you went through where I worked with that service and aknowledged that you knew you would start at the bottom with crappy hours you would get the position. Re-evaluate your interviews, and don't keep thinking it's not me it's them. Because perhaps there is something with you. Reevaluate your interviews, and recommendations. Learn from your failures and get a success!
Answered by KellahPanda

Atlanta is hit by the economy just like other cities across the country. Retailers are bombarded by those looking for a job. I have spoken to others who have been looking for a job for a while. One woman I know who had restaurant management experience finally found something working at a fast food restaurant, but not in management. Employers are trying to find the most qualified individual for the least cost. You may need to emphacise your willingness to work and less on your management experience unless the job for which you are applying is a management position. I would suggest you evaluate your next interview and see if there is anything you could have done differently if you don't get the job. You could also check back with people with whom you have interviewed and ask why you didn't get the job and if there is anything you could have done differently. Good luck.
Answered by Flyby