Pleez Giv Job!

Looking for a lousy holiday temp job to make some money while you wait to get a new job? Good luck with that! According to Consumer Reports holiday jobs are going to be few and far between. If you still need to get a job, they offer these helpful hints:

* Begin searching now. Retailers may delay hiring this year, but when they’re ready to begin, they’ll choose from candidates they have already met and screened.
* Apply in person and online. While there are some new job sites that specialize in hourly-wage employment opportunities, the best course of action is to visit stores in person. Going through a retail chain’s Web site adds a layer of screening that will slow your search. Many stores that are part of a national chain have the authority to hire workers on the spot, if there’s an opening.
* Be flexible. It’s critical in today’s seasonal job market. Express a willingness to work off hours and openness to last-minute scheduling changes. Don’t walk into an interview and say you can’t work a certain night or during certain times. Previous experience is also a plus, because employers don’t want to spend more time and money than necessary to train new workers.
* Don’t rule out mom-and-pop stores. Such stores don’t always advertise positions on the Internet. Applicants will face less red-tape because they probably will be talking directly to the owner — the person who makes the hiring decision.
* Dress for success. It’s always a good idea to wear your nicest clothes to an interview. It will help you stand out from those who wear jeans and T-shirts. Other tips: Be on time, show enthusiasm, and follow-up.
* Don’t talk money. Your focus should be on convincing the interviewer why you’d be an asset to the company.
* Don’t expect the moon. At least not this year. With unemployment at around 6 percent and more people taking part-time jobs because they can’t find full-time work, employers have the upper hand. So don’t expect many incentives. That said, many stores continue to offer a store/merchandise discount to all of their hourly employees. For example, Toys ‘R’ Us offers a 10 percent discount, while AMC Theatres allows its employees free movies, according to SnagAjob. Generally, some sort of company discount is the main perk that seasonal employees should anticipate.

In other words, only a few lucky suck-ups willing to work for slave wages will make the cut. Read the rest here.

I interviewed a candidate for an entry-level editorial position last week. This was the follow-up email I received:

Hi [My Name],

Thank you for calling earlier. I look forward to hear back from you sometime this week.

[Applicant]

Who found the typo? Ding, ding! You’re right! “To hear” should be “to hearing.” In a brusque two-sentence email in which you are allegedly trying to get hired for an editorial position, you need to get the grammar right. It’s two sentences, people.

Despite the fact that she was looking forward to it, she did not, in fact, hear from me last week. This was the follow-up email I received.

Hi [My Name],

How are you? I didn’t hear back from you last week.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

[Applicant]

No mention of any interest in the position, no reinforcing of any applicable experience, and again, the brusque tone. Limited relevant experience + poor grammar + missed opportunities galore = rejection letter.