A Young friend (32) has been applying for a job in the food service industry and putting in applications for a number of restaurants all over the city. They always say "we will be in touch" and he hasn't heard back from anyone yet.
His parents who are helping him out financially are insisting he should have found work by now and are ready to cut him off. He wull be homeless if that happens.I have been helping him out with food and meals as well.
He is a very good looking clean cut well spoken young man and a hard worker. My question is, should he have been able to get a job by now?
He is willing to wash dishes and take anything he can get. Any feed back would be appreciated. Very worried about him falling through the cracks.
Gael
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
Does he have a lot of experience in another field?
Perhaps they think he's over qualified?
If he's 32, then they might see years of other jobs on there and wonder why foodservice etc.
If he writes on his cover letter something about why he's making a career switch etc that may help.
Has he been doing phone call follow ups?
About 10 days after dropping off a resume, is he phoning the manager to enquire about any new positions opening up?
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
Thanks for the feedback Greta. Not sure what he has on the application, but he has done mostly chef work, waitering, bartending etc.
I will remind him to follow up by phone as well. Someone working in a restaurant that he knows, said he has to know someone these days and be given a reference to get in.
Not sure how true that is.
Thanks again,
Gael
Posted by surprise (Member # 34987) on :
I have heard on the news that it is hard to find jobs- Greta gave good feedback about follow- up-
The fact that he is hungry for work and willing to do anything is a big plus-
Maybe if he writes down a daily log of where he went, who he called, how much daily effort he's putting in and showed that to his parents they'd ease up?
Posted by daynise (Member # 39609) on :
Has it only been 3 weeks that he's unemployed? No, unless someone is waiting to hand you a job, it takes on average 3-6 months to find a new one- (that's what it was when I was last looking in 2011, probably even longer now!)
Advice: tell him to try to meet people and create a relationship if he can: see if he can reach out to any of his friends who are working, tell him to get creative (I've even heard of organic farms trading food and shelter for work), apply at coffee shops, small restaurants, and other places where people are still people- not giant corporate machines
He is not alone- my husband lost his job last November and then the market disappeared for his work. We have had to get pretty creative this year. We are both in our 30's too- seems like everyone we know are getting their hours cut or losing their jobs
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
His parents are unrealistic. Three weeks is nothing.
It took my husband almost two years to find a permanent position after his lay-off. And he has a HUGE professional network.
At least he's applying in a field where there is lots of turnover. If there is a place that looks especially appealing to him, he should make himself known there.
Hiring in food service is tough, cuz managers know people flake and don't last long. He'll have a better chance if someone knows he really wants and is even targeting certain positions.
Mostly, he has to hang in there. And his parents should encourage and support, but maybe drop the expectations.
Posted by Rivendell (Member # 19922) on :
The way the job market is, maybe he would be better off trying to get financial aid and go back to school to train in something else - like health care.
Just a suggestions.
My SO lost his job during the crash and it took him a year to find another one, but he was in his 50s.
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
If there are any temporary services such as Kelly Services or Olsten in your area, he might want to go in and sign up.
They might be able to keep him busy until he finds something.
Some employers use the temp services to try out new employees. If they like you then a temporary job can sometimes turn into a permanent one.
Posted by aklnwlf (Member # 5960) on :
I agree with Linky.
I've used temp agencies a lot. In fact the job I have now is permanent but they used my temp agency first. They do a pre-screening the employers find time saving for them.
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
WOW, Great feedback and suggestions everybody. I will try again to relate this to the parents.
Wishing everyone healing and wellness.
Gael
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
Keep us posted on how it goes.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
There's also Manpower and Apple One. A lot of people register at several temp agencies at once.
They then call the agencies in the morning and see what's available for the day.
At least he can temp until he finds something permanent. A day of work here and there is better than nothing.