[Kuncher]

I think they're assuming you will quit in three or four months because you keep quitting or getting fired in that amount of time. Not to mention that with a college degree you're overqualified for the jobs you apply for. They don't want to waste money training you when they can just hire someone else. I guess you could try promising you intend to stay on the job long term in your cover letter.

Maybe find a friend who can recommend you for a job that actually wants someone with a college degree.

[r9tbayfC]

It's a crummy economy and you're living in an urban area with lots and lots of unemployed people. I wouldn't trust any "guarantees" for anything.

[Snweyuag]

if i were hiring people to be bellhops or work in a dollar store, i would think that you were overqualified and that you would leave the second you found something better.

I actually did hiring for similar positions and the turnover is crazy (in fact, my friend says the turnover at the hotel is ridiculous) but there's also an abundance of people looking for work. You need someone? Go through the application stack or just ask an employee if they know anyone. The cost of hiring is also very small in such jobs.

So that means even if I were to quit quickly, it's really no skin off their back (maybe they think it is, but it's not), and it would not be atypical for the position.

[majestictwelve]

sure, but even so, if i were that position i would still hire someone who has a greater chance of sticking around for while, as opposed to someone who is obviously overqualified.

So I'm overqualified for half the jobs and underqualified for the rest? What gives with the banking jobs? Wells Fargo gave me an interview (maybe partially because I used to work for Wachovia) but the other banks didn't interview me to be a teller. So Wells Fargo thought I was qualified to be a teller, but no other bank does. What gives?

[MpbY5dkR]

1. why you are interested in the position
2. how your skills and experience match that position specifically
3. demonstrate desire to contribute to company and career therein

sending f*ck-you letters to previous employers (life is about more than burgers yo!) does not help. the place you apply to now is going to call those previous employers.

your CV shouts 'underperformer' btw.

No. They don't call them. Do you know how HR managers are? They're too lazy to call previous employers even if they have the phone number readily available. And guess what? I don't supply those phone numbers on apps so I know they're not looking in phone books. They're not doing that much work. There's no calling of the one job I left on bad terms with (a job I worked at for nearly 4 years!) going on.

How am I an 'underperformer' when I got promoted in every job and received commendations?

Everywhere but Sodexo, I was constantly praised. I honestly thought me cursing at Wells Fargo wasn't even going to be an issue because I was the top performer. My first day, my manager switched me to full-time.

If I'm an underperformer because of my degree, well that's the problem I'm trying to solve here by getting a job!

[risyGreeple]

And I don't keep staying at a job short-term. If they're really looking that attentively at my resume, they would see I worked for two companies for 3+ years each.

Well yippee, I doubt that will do you much good if the other applicants aren't people who quit in a few months for half the jobs they get.

[barsikjal]

It's a crummy economy and you're living in an urban area with lots and lots of unemployed people. I wouldn't trust any "guarantees" for anything.

Exactly. My wife has been applying for several jobs in the hotel industry and there are 200+ applicants.

[Evsltkzl]

elok, why did you go back to the states? was teaching in peru not working out for you?

There were a lot of reasons; that was one of them. I probably could have pulled it off if I'd really thrown myself into it--but we were totally isolated there, trying to raise a cranky kid by ourselves, and the profession is hardly stable. You're always hustling for more classes as they evaporate under you due to clients' budgets or students dropping out.

[buIf6yoW]

Probably both I'd imagine. It's tough starting things up somewhere where you are not from.

Albert, I got my job that I have now teaching through a combination of luck, and having great references. They called up one of my former bosses, who said that I would be an excellent fit for them and their organization.

I got my second job, showed up survived the hiring process, and went from there. The first job is about square up with my qualification and the second, I was overqualified. But, once I got my foot in the door, I did around double quota so I've been on with them ever since.

I would recommend getting out of Philly if you can. That's probably the single biggest factor.

[MineOffedOvex]

yeah the instability is not ideal, especially when you've got others to think about.

do you mean isolated from family and friends, or finding it difficult to make new ones?

Both, really. There's an expat community in Lima, but they tend to live very different lives, and have different priorities, from Shelok and I.

[shodulsilfeli]

Not really, now that people can get it for free.

Well, there's still lot's of money in porn in Asia. Oddly, the only seedy part is dealing with the Chinese distributors.

[valiumnopresc]

Your cover letter sucks, it doesn't show you are interested in the position at all, it is just a form cover letter filled in with applicable job information. It shows you are lazy. Your cover letter needs to be longer and tailored to each employer, each cover letter needs to tell the relevant employer why you specifically want to work there, why you specifically are better than the other 200 job applicants, and why you want to work there for the long term. Also, if possible, you should follow up every two weeks.

[12Cickprior]

Lie, it is what I did when applying for jobs. Do research on company, see what makes them different from their competitors.

[padlabtard]

Do Hotel workers get tips in the USA? Would you expect to get an important ammout of tips for that job?

[MADwanker]

Do Hotel workers get tips in the USA? Would you expect to get an important ammout of tips for that job?

Yes. It pays $11/hour which is decent enough plus tips. This is a high-end hotel. Five Diamond AAA rating. I'll be wearing white gloves.

[arriftell]

this thread has piqued my humour levels by several notches.

[stuck_in_WA]

I have people from Alaska to Alabama contact me. Screw that. There are people there that are qualified. Hire them.
Alby, what they want is a 35 year old with 20 years experience and a college diploma that's focused on the exact thing they need.
Some may want a veteran, but that's nothing to bank on.

[outsitWrord]

At least you're getting rejection letters because if they really didn't give a **** they'd just ignore you so you at least rated high enough to get a rejection email. That said, I think it's time you up graded your job skills as your current resume doesn't seem to be cutting it. Try taking some study classes for being a CPA or something as that would go well with your business degree also I'd try to rewrite your resume so it better fits the type of job you're seeking. There are several different ways to lay out resumes so why not pick up a resume writing book at the local book store and see if you can't reformat it to better suit your job goals.

[shenacatro]

I take that back - I SOMETIMES get a rejection e-mail.

[Dogxzysl]

I say split your resume into two different one.
One where you ignore the jobs that you only list for a few months. When I see multiple jobs of short duration, I consider it a big red flag (similar to gribbler's comment) This one could be used for those low end jobs. Once you've taken those out, those left show you're willing to put in some time. Then you can say that you finally left those places because you didn't see the long term potential. So you went someone else to start at the bottom and work your way up. You're qualified (education wise) to work your way up. And that's why people will hire you for an entry level position even when you appear over qualified.

Your other resume will only be used if you're applying for a position at a financial company where having that experience might actually benefit you. When asked why so short, say the economy and layoffs. Contrary to what Zoetstofzoetje posted, due to legal issues, almost all decent sized companies in the US will not say squat about a previous employee except to acknowledge that they did indeed work there. Some companies are not even verifying employment dates (but most still will). Our company sent out a note warning people to not even provide personal recommendations on previous employeeds.

And yeah, do a specific cover letter for each job. As suggested, do a little research about the company so you can tailor your cover letter better. Always state that you believe you have the skills that will benefit the company over the long haul and that whatever the job you're looking for, will lead the the career that you've always wanted.