So I've recently been accepted to medical school and I'll be wrapped up with interviews and the application process by the end of this year. Next semester will be my final college semester and I'll most likely be taking the minimal requirements in order to graduate. Since I will only be going to school ~2 days/week (I commute from home), I am looking to get some sort of part-time job working in a retail store or something like that. I don't really care about the income from the job; it's just that I think it'll be a valuable experience to have before entering the real world. Last time I tried to look for this kind of work, I sent ~10 applications and got no interviews/offers. Anybody know any hints or have any advice in acquiring these kind of jobs?
Not a typical SDN question but any advice?
- Thread starter osprey099
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Don't mention your degree or med school acceptance...that'll make you overqualified.
try to work somewhere like barnes and noble rather than mcdonalds....after you send in your application..call over and over and over again to speak to a manager about your app.
try to work somewhere like barnes and noble rather than mcdonalds....after you send in your application..call over and over and over again to speak to a manager about your app.
Getting a retail position in Jan/Feb is the hardest time if year to do so. It is the slowest season and the stores will just have cut their excess holiday staff and have few openings.
Go in person and ask for applications/if they are hiring. Be dressed approximately the way an employee of that store would be dressed and be faultlessly polite to every person you interact with. Do NOT repeatedly call trying to speak to the manager, that would get your application killed at any store I worked in. Calling once or twice to ask about the status of your application is OK.
Offer good availability; you could even ask if there are particular shifts they need covered. Do not bring it med school or the fact you'd be quitting after a few months.
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Get a job at a restaurant, learn firsthand how miserable working in the service industry is, and come out a better person.
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It's far easier to get a job in person, as opposed to sending out resumes into the ether. Especially big box HR ether. I have actually gotten 2 jobs in person -- the first by simply walking into a restaurant and asking if they needed any help, and another by emailing (very personalized) inquiries to local medical offices. I've had zero luck with corporate online application portals.
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If you want to work retail it is best to go directly to the location and speak with the manager after you've submitted the application.
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Dress professionally and stop in to inquire about your already-submitted application during a non- busy time. That will put you eons ahead of the idiots who come in sweats. We had a lady show up half an hour late for an interview, in sweat pants. Shockingly, my manager didn't hire her.
IMO, I don't think "want valuable experience" sounds good... Makes me think you're slumming it with us commoners to see what it's like. I would stick with being a college student who has some free time and needs some extra money. And if you really want to experience "service," get a job as a server. You will have such appreciation for where you are headed.
IMO, I don't think "want valuable experience" sounds good... Makes me think you're slumming it with us commoners to see what it's like. I would stick with being a college student who has some free time and needs some extra money. And if you really want to experience "service," get a job as a server. You will have such appreciation for where you are headed.
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