[InadequateJusticex]

I'm kinda sick of just looking online for jobs as there seems to be no vacancies at all. Do all shops advertise all vacancies online or would it be a better choice to go around handing out my CVs too? A lot of my friends seem to have found work by going into a shop...

Also when you're in the shop, who do you hand your CV to? And what do you say?

[inksplodge]

(Original post by InadequateJusticex)
I'm kinda sick of just looking online for jobs as there seems to be no vacancies at all. Do all shops advertise all vacancies online or would it be a better choice to go around handing out my CVs too? A lot of my friends seem to have found work by going into a shop...

Also when you're in the shop, who do you hand your CV to? And what do you say?

I would go in and ask to speak to a supervisor or manager, say you're interested to know if they have any vacancies. If they say no, then by all means ask if they'd take a copy of your CV and cover letter in case a future vacancy comes up.

How old are you? Try local restaurants and bars as they're always looking for staff

[InadequateJusticex]

(Original post by inksplodge)
I would go in and ask to speak to a supervisor or manager, say you're interested to know if they have any vacancies. If they say no, then by all means ask if they'd take a copy of your CV and cover letter in case a future vacancy comes up.

How old are you? Try local restaurants and bars as they're always looking for staff

I'm 17. Hmm I might go to restaurants but not so sure about bars...I heard they pay well but I've never actually been in a bar as it's a bit daunting by myself

How would I politely ask if they would take my CV? all the things I could say in my head don't sound right at all xD

[inksplodge]

(Original post by InadequateJusticex)
I'm 17. Hmm I might go to restaurants but not so sure about bars...I heard they pay well but I've never actually been in a bar as it's a bit daunting by myself

How would I politely ask if they would take my CV? all the things I could say in my head don't sound right at all xD

If they say they don't have any vacancies, just say 'In that case, could I leave my CV and cover letter with you to consider if you have any vacancies in the future?' or something similar

[InadequateJusticex]

(Original post by inksplodge)
If they say they don't have any vacancies, just say 'In that case, could I leave my CV and cover letter with you to consider if you have any vacancies in the future?' or something similar

oh ok cool, thanks

[kiss_me_now9]

(Original post by InadequateJusticex)
I'm 17. Hmm I might go to restaurants but not so sure about bars...I heard they pay well but I've never actually been in a bar as it's a bit daunting by myself

How would I politely ask if they would take my CV? all the things I could say in my head don't sound right at all xD

Unless you're turning 18 soon, don't bother with bars as you won't be able to work there apart from glass collecting, which will be ****e.

[InadequateJusticex]

(Original post by kiss_me_now9)
Unless you're turning 18 soon, don't bother with bars as you won't be able to work there apart from glass collecting, which will be ****e.

Really? Apparently you could work as a kitchen porter which pays well or something.

[kiss_me_now9]

(Original post by InadequateJusticex)
Really? Apparently you could work as a kitchen porter which pays well or something.

Depends on the bar - nothing in the bar sector pays well, it'll be minimum wage unless you're very lucky...

[~ Purple Rose ~]

It is always worth handing out CVs if you can't find anything, because there is a chance you will get something from it.

[InadequateJusticex]

(Original post by kiss_me_now9)
Depends on the bar - nothing in the bar sector pays well, it'll be minimum wage unless you're very lucky...

Ah I see...

(Original post by ~ Purple Rose ~)
It is always worth handing out CVs if you can't find anything, because there is a chance you will get something from it.

Yeah that's what I thought too. Now if only I have ink to print off a few CVs..

[Jabberwox]

Every time I've done that I've always just received funny looks, a few vague 'We'll get back to you' and others telling me they aren't even recruiting. Kinda disheartening.

But yeah it's always a good idea I dunno if you're on JobSeekers but apparently they don't like it if you just look online and don't do anything else.

[thegodofgod]

(Original post by ~ Purple Rose ~)
It is always worth handing out CVs if you can't find anything, because there is a chance you will get something from it.

PRSOM. This.

(Also, love your Chandler / Friends avatar )

(Original post by InadequateJusticex)
I'm kinda sick of just looking online for jobs as there seems to be no vacancies at all. Do all shops advertise all vacancies online or would it be a better choice to go around handing out my CVs too? A lot of my friends seem to have found work by going into a shop...

Also when you're in the shop, who do you hand your CV to? And what do you say?

Just try and hand out as many CVs as possible (which are of course relevant - you don't want to hand out a CV for a Sainsbury's checkout assistant's position, if it's tailored to something more specialist), as the more CVs you give out, the greater chance of hearing something back, in my opinion.

Do make sure you meet the essential requirements though - there's no point in applying to something that requires at least a Level 2 NVQ if you don't have it - your CV will just add to that week's recycling

[Mr Dangermouse]

Online worked better for me, the CV route is only really likely to work at small shops, bars etc, for the bigger chain stores they tend to have a set procedure for hiring staff, so they put the vacancies on their website, you fill out the form, the best forms are selected to interview, the interview questions are predetermined and company standard etc, all very standardised.

[InadequateJusticex]

(Original post by Jabberwox)
Every time I've done that I've always just received funny looks, a few vague 'We'll get back to you' and others telling me they aren't even recruiting. Kinda disheartening.

But yeah it's always a good idea I dunno if you're on JobSeekers but apparently they don't like it if you just look online and don't do anything else.

Haha yeah I guess I'm not looking forward to the weird looks...or if I accidentally ask the wrong person and they're being unhelpful or being a **** about it. And who doesn't like it if you only look online..?

(Original post by thegodofgod)
PRSOM. This.

(Also, love your Chandler / Friends avatar )



Just try and hand out as many CVs as possible (which are of course relevant - you don't want to hand out a CV for a Sainsbury's checkout assistant's position, if it's tailored to something more specialist), as the more CVs you give out, the greater chance of hearing something back, in my opinion.

Do make sure you meet the essential requirements though - there's no point in applying to something that requires at least a Level 2 NVQ if you don't have it - your CV will just add to that week's recycling

Yeah I plan to print a few and go to different places every day, but since I have no experience at all my CV is pretty empty and crap so it's hardly specialised

Also should I make a cover letter or..? I don't know who to address it to though, that's the problem. And I don't know what to write aha.

[sliceofcake]

I can only encourage you to look in as many places as you can to get a job but I personally hate the idea of handing my CV to a place that isn't already advertising because I've seen many places take a CV and as soon as the person is out of the door it's dropped into a bin. I also remember when I was working at Sainsbury's when a boy came in asking to hand in his CV. I assured him that if we had any vacancies then he would have to apply online. I think he got really nervous and asked if he could leave it anyway. I took it but my co-worker just tore it up once he left. I'm sure some people have gotten jobs handing in their CV to places that aren't advertising but just keep that in mind. Also remember to keep calm when you go in so you don't put yourself in an awkward position like that boy did!

[thegodofgod]

(Original post by InadequateJusticex)
Haha yeah I guess I'm not looking forward to the weird looks...or if I accidentally ask the wrong person and they're being unhelpful or being a **** about it. And who doesn't like it if you only look online..?


Yeah I plan to print a few and go to different places every day, but since I have no experience at all my CV is pretty empty and crap so it's hardly specialised

Also should I make a cover letter or..? I don't know who to address it to though, that's the problem. And I don't know what to write aha.

If you're just handing out CVs randomly to employers, there's not much point in tailoring a covering letter for each CV you give out, as they have to be quite specific, in my opinion - although if you're giving a CV in for a specific vacancy, then you should write a covering letter, as it would be specific to that vacancy / sector.

However, I'm not sure, whether that's what the more experienced TSR users would suggest

If I were writing a covering letter, I'd address it to the person who's most likely going to read it, i.e. the head of HR - I'd just research first before I put the wrong name down - wouldn't make a good first impression otherwise

[xAlice95]

Sounds like im in the same position as you...what ive been doing is looking online for the big chain shops (but that's not really been successful...) so i think i might print off my cv and hand it in at smaller shops...hopefully i can act confident even though im terrified!!! lol

Also what actually is a cover letter?

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App

[threeportdrift]

(Original post by InadequateJusticex)

Also when you're in the shop, who do you hand your CV to? And what do you say?

(Original post by thegodofgod)
If you're just handing out CVs randomly to employers, there's not much point in tailoring a covering letter for each CV you give out, as they have to be quite specific,

Which is why this is the least effective way of applying for a job, by a long way. Generic applications are obvious, and immediately tell the employer that you have no particular interest in working for them and you've put the minimum effort possible into making the application, especially if there is no covering letter. So all it takes is for one single person to have handed in a tailored letter, and they are likely to be far more preferable as a candidate than you are. Think about, for advertised posts employers are getting 100+ applications for entry level roles. They aren't selecting 6 people to interview, they are working out how to reject 94, and generic applications will get binned every time.

If you really think there are retail opportunities going in your town then go round town asking in every shop if they have any opportunities. When you get a yes, take a note of the store, then go home and tailor your CV to the specific store. Then next day just hand out the few, well tailored applications.

Your application should be a CV and a covering letter, in an envelope, addressed to The Manager, Store Name.

Shops are not allowed to keep your application pending a future role, unless they hold that record in accordance with the DPA. As few if any shops will be equipped to do this, if they know they haven't got a job going they will bin your application.

Most nationwide stores will have an online application process, except perhaps some franchises.

[InadequateJusticex]

(Original post by sliceofcake)
I can only encourage you to look in as many places as you can to get a job but I personally hate the idea of handing my CV to a place that isn't already advertising because I've seen many places take a CV and as soon as the person is out of the door it's dropped into a bin. I also remember when I was working at Sainsbury's when a boy came in asking to hand in his CV. I assured him that if we had any vacancies then he would have to apply online. I think he got really nervous and asked if he could leave it anyway. I took it but my co-worker just tore it up once he left. I'm sure some people have gotten jobs handing in their CV to places that aren't advertising but just keep that in mind. Also remember to keep calm when you go in so you don't put yourself in an awkward position like that boy did!

Yeah, I was expecting something like that. I'd probably act like the boy, but I'd be nervous after I leave the shop lol.

(Original post by thegodofgod)
If you're just handing out CVs randomly to employers, there's not much point in tailoring a covering letter for each CV you give out, as they have to be quite specific, in my opinion - although if you're giving a CV in for a specific vacancy, then you should write a covering letter, as it would be specific to that vacancy / sector.

However, I'm not sure, whether that's what the more experienced TSR users would suggest

If I were writing a covering letter, I'd address it to the person who's most likely going to read it, i.e. the head of HR - I'd just research first before I put the wrong name down - wouldn't make a good first impression otherwise

I can't be arsed to write a cover letter, it wouldn't make much of a difference since I'm applying for the most basic jobs anyway so I won't bother.

(Original post by xAlice95)
Sounds like im in the same position as you...what ive been doing is looking online for the big chain shops (but that's not really been successful...) so i think i might print off my cv and hand it in at smaller shops...hopefully i can act confident even though im terrified!!! lol

Also what actually is a cover letter?

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App

Yeah that's basically what I've been doing so far, but no luck...everyone here says I should've been looking march ish which I thought was too early if I wanted to work in the summer o.O But I'm going to print off a few CVs tomorrow and go around my local shopping centre and see how that goes..

[threeportdrift]

(Original post by InadequateJusticex)
I can't be arsed to write a cover letter, it wouldn't make much of a difference since I'm applying for the most basic jobs anyway so I won't bother.

Great help for the employer. Anyone who can't even be arsed to make a full application is a chucker. 1 down, 99 to go. They don't even have to look for typos.