dead end jobs again

[1love2k5]

i hope no one gets upset with me whenever i post this message, but it has to do with getting a job. (refer to my post "dead end job/career") well anyway, i live in new hampshire in a town of hampton, and there's a lot of "prejudice" people living throughout the state because i believe that they won't hire african americans (or black people) for a job. they always turn me down by sayiing that "we're not hiring right now", or "we've already have enough people" or something like that. they only hire who they WANT to hire.this is an outrage and it makes me very angry that i don't get hired anywhere or receive a call back. what exactly is going on? no, those dumb websites on the internet won't really get me a job either i've tried. this is because everytime they put up a NOW HIRING SIGN or HELP WANTED sign, i apply, and i turn in my application(s) in, and they never call me back. why? i've tried so hard for several months to get a job, and it doesn't seem to be working for me. i love making money and everything, but i just can't seem to get my life back on track. evry time i turn around, i have to fina another job in less than a monthe because i end up getting fired or laid off. i have been laid off since 2 months ago, and nothing's working. am i gonna spend the rest of my life jobless or careerless? what am i to do? am i ever gonna be successful one day? i have been basically "beating myself up" because i'm jobless and it's tearing me up as well as my life.am i ever gonna get my life back on track? i've ran out of options. please help!

[Day_Walker]

There can be many reasons why you dont get a particular job. If you really want to look at the statistics then predominantly African American males have the most trouble getting jobs because of the stereotype associated with them. You dont know directly that you arent being hired because of your race unless you have proof. The point is that it doesnt have to be discrimination there could be other factors.

[1love2k5]

yeah, but what if it is discrimination? why do employers say they'll call back when they don't? they've basically wasted my time.

[Day_Walker]

I would look at the employers words as an empty promise just used to be nice and nothing more, since thats exactly what it seems to be.

[Dannysgirl]

yeah, but what if it is discrimination? why do employers say they'll call back when they don't? they've basically wasted my time.

 

Hmm what are the reasons you are given for being fired? Before you apply for jobs you need to ensure that your resume and cover letter is absolutely brilliant - the experience you have had doesn't need to be great but it should be worded in way that makes it seem that you have benefited either intellectually or professionally from each experience that you have had. Research resume/cover leter writing online to give you ideas on how best to sell yourself and make sure you draft it a couple of times to get it just right.

 

Secondly you have to make sure you conduct yourself in an articulate, informed (read up on the company you are applying to work for so you can ask intelligent questions at interview) manner during interview.

 

Unfortunatley it doesn't apear that you are geting to that stage if you are not getting a call back, that may well be because of racism or it could be the fact that your resume is lacking in some way.

 

I doubt very much that EVERY company is going to turn you down because of your race and if your resume and cover letter are both in order you should call them back and ask for feedback on your application (i.e why you didn't receive a call back - you are perfectly entitled to ask and don't let up before you get a proper answer)

 

Finally when you do go for an interview ensure you are dressed appropriately preferably in a smart suit of some description and your hair is tied back out of your face - prospective employers like smart and understated.

 

Good luck!

[spiderman_56]

There is a saying around that America is the and of freedom and that everybody is equal ... I think that it's something not accomplished and far from reality...

unfortunately sometimes the race is a factor , the manager is not comfortable with other races around or he has a preference for a certain type or you simply are not fit for the position ..they can be many reasons but race can also be one ...

But let's talk about smth that works for you ... present yourself well no snickers, jeans , hat , etc .. dress yourself in a business manner , in a way that with the first impression you look like someone who has/want a career and is ready for it... also the attitude, do not go to an interview with the 'i'm not going to get it ' attitude , be confident , be positive and certain that you can do the job ...

also be realistic ...and if you really don't meet he requirement don't waiste your time ..

 

The most important thing in beeing successful is determination and persistance and someday you'll see the 'opening' and shine through it ...

 

I do not believe that the fact that you are african american you are doomed to fail , it's a great occasion to prove that you can make it and just for the records, make a search and you'll be surprised how many successful 'black' have made it ... if one was able to make it then you can make it

[ratherbesailing]

1love2k5 -

 

Is there a reason that you can't work towards your GED? I've got to imagine that most places you are applying are looking for high school graduates and that maybe the biggest reason you aren't getting call backs.

 

You at least have to work on your math skills. If you find out you've lost a job because you can't make change to a customer then you have to work on that. Take any criticism you get as good advise and improve in that area. Try not to get angry. These companies that you apply at don't owe you anything, you have to earn their respect and show them that they are going to benefit by hiring you. Some of them probably get lots of applications and at those you have to show them why you are better than the other applicants.

 

The local unemployment office should have some resources for training and placement. Here's the phone number and address. Call and make an appointment. They will help you.

 

New Hampshire Employment Security

PORTSMOUTH OFFICE

2000 Lafayette Road, 03801-5673

Phone: (603) 436-3702

 

 

When you have a job you have to make sure you are working harder and better than everyone else or else you may be the one to be let go or laid off. Show up a little early, don't be in a rush to leave, smile.

 

If you are absolutely convinced that race is a factor then you should make sure you apply to plenty of big companies that have policies against discrimination. You might want to see if there are any state jobs you can apply for.

 

You can find a list of NH minority owned businesses at this address . There are a couple near you, you could try them or look for business that have other African Americans working there already.

 

I'm just afraid that if you are angry and blame others for not being able to get or keep a job that your attitude is going to come accross when you apply and that you aren't going to try to improve. If you are faced with discrimination then you are going to have to prove yourself even more but there are places that will hire you and keep you if you do a good job and have a good attitude.

[1love2k5]

thanks danny's girl!

[1love2k5]

thanks spiderman 56!

[1love2k5]

thanks ratherbesailing!...but i already have the address for the unemployment office. i've been there a few times before. i've even tried applying for unemployment, and nothing happened. it's just a waste of my time. i was doing so well when i came up here last year in june until i got fired at a burger king just because i didn't call or came in. i was under a lot of stress that day because there was a manger who normally works at the one in portsmouth, nh who was harassing this other female employee as well as me (and told everyone at work he slept with me), so that's part of the reason WHY i got fired as well as having a PERSONAL and BUSINESS relationship with yet another manager who also used to work there. none of these people work there anymore. (not even the former store manager) i told them (the store manager and district manger) all about the harassment going on, and they never did anything about it, so i threatned to do legal action which was to sue the two managers. the store manager for discrimination and the other manager for harassment, so i talked to a lawyer, and haven't heard from my lawyer ever since february of this year. this had an effect on me which was why i couldn't get a job right now. so, i finally talked to the district manager again, and he said that he'll give me a good reference, and also said that i can use him as a reference. there's actually a little more to this story, but i won't go into detail unless you or someone else send me a private massage.

[Dannysgirl]

Okay now for starters if you have a job and you don't turn up or call to tell your boss why you won't be in then they are perfectly within their rights to fire you. Now you might be right in thinking that the reason you got fired was because of the harassment but at the end of the day you gave them a reason to legitimately fire you by not turning up for work.

 

I think a lot of this is down to attitude and motivation, you keep saying you did this and you did that but 'nothing happened' a job/unemployment benefit/legal aid is not just going to be handed to you on a plate YOU have to MAKE it happen. You have to keep on these people, if you haven't hear anything from the unemplyment office CALL them over and over again until you get an answer and do everything they ask you to do in the meantime to help yourself - fill out the forms, make sure you send them off promptly ect.

When it comes to work you should be very careful of the way you act with your co-workers, the golden rule is don't mix business and pleasure and that is very true. Its NEVER a good idea to get involved with someone at work because if things go bad then coming to work will be very uncomfortable for you. The best way to be at work I find is to be a little detached from my co-workers. I am always polite and friendly but never socialise with co-workers or discuss my private life, work is completely separate from my social life and the person I am when I am at home or with friends. I find this is the best way to be as it ensures that your coworkers don't have anything on you and cannot b!tch about you ceaslessly when you're not there.

 

I don't mean to sound harsh but you really need to decide that you ARE going to get a job and be single minded about it all I'm seeing in your posts are excuses. Okay I understand that you've been through a rough time but sadly thats life there are people out there who will knock you down just because they can but its your decision on whether you stay down or not. Get up, dust yourself off and treat this as a learning experience - do you really want to let those people win?

You can and WILL get another job you just have to be serious about it and not be put off. Finding work can be difficult but if you really put your mind to it it will happen.

 

Good Luck.