'Target harder to get into than Harvard'

I am looking for work after my first baby and wow, never thought it would be so hard. Trying to get work to fit around daycare sucks :( I can't go back to my old job because
a) They open at 6am
b) They work from a weekly roster
c) Shifts can be as small as 5 hours which is pointless when paying for childcare.

So I am looking for other work and there doesn't seem to be much available unfortunately. I just wanted a local job at maybe Target, Kmart or Big W, but far out somebody has to die in order for a new position to become available!! I never would have thought these kind of jobs would be so hard to get in to. I searched on the Big W site and they reckon there is no jobs available IN VICTORIA. Seriously?
I read something the other day (based in the US) and the title stated "Target harder to get into than Harvard" and Now I finally understand!

Does anyone know why these jobs are so hard to get into? And does anyone out there work at these companies?

I guess when so many jobs are lost through corporate sectors, a lot of people turn to retail. Most people have done sort or retail experience. I know at my local stores though, the staff are the same as they've been from very early on, same faces.

I'd still put my resume in, they might keep it on file for when something does pop up. I did that when I wanted to get into the area of retail I wanted and I ended up working for three different companies over the years who called me before the job was advertised. Good luck!

Thanks! I have submitted my application on all the sites a couple of times. Somebody did say to me that you have to be available all day every day in order to be successful. Which is totally unfair for people with kids wanting work. I put my availability from 7:00am to 6:00pm (childcare hours) cos that's the best I can do!

I went for a job at Kmart when I was wanting to return to work on less hrs than my previous office employment, and they told me the only reason they didn't hire me was cause they couldn't fit me into their shifts. I like you had to leave at a certain time in the evening for collection of child, but with the close and cashing of the till, it just wasn't workable to be able to have me leave at that time..

They have their shifts that work out, and unfortunately new employees have to fit into them, not them make shifts around mums who want to return to work..

I know it is hard, and I ended up accepting that I had to work hrs that I didn't really want to do (ie full time) or not at all.. Things have now fallen into place a few years later, but I had to do something I didn't want, to get to where I am now.

I'm not sure that they are hard to get into - rather, they have very high volumes of applications so they can pick & choose.

If you have a retail background, have you considered applying for other types of customer-service jobs? I'm thinking things like post office, chemist, medical reception, even call centre work, etc. Try to think about all the other skills you have, and what employers need those sorts of skills, eg, I took a banking background into a library job, because my application emphasized client-service skills, information retrieval, and good ability to learn new IT platforms and processes quickly. Throw in a few sexy words like flexible, keen to learn, and valuing a diverse workplace, and you'll have a job in no time. :)

ETA - I meant to say as well, often the big retailers recruit less often but in big batches. So they might screen & interview 100 people in one hit, then offer jobs over a few months afterwards. So sign up for job alert emails for the ones you're really interested in and have your applications ready to go when those rounds do come up.

It really sucks. I want to return to work not only for financial reasons but for my own sanity! :lol: I miss working. I think my availability is good compared to resumes I have dealt with in my previous job. How are mothers supposed to get back into the workforce if no one will hire them? I would prefer part time at this stage, not sure I am ready to put dd into care full time :( I would miss her

:

---

I'm not sure that they are hard to get into - rather, they have very high volumes of applications so they can pick & choose.

If you have a retail background, have you considered applying for other types of customer-service jobs? I'm thinking things like post office, chemist, medical reception, even call centre work, etc. Try to think about all the other skills you have, and what employers need those sorts of skills, eg, I took a banking background into a library job, because my application emphasized client-service skills, information retrieval, and good ability to learn new IT platforms and processes quickly. Throw in a few sexy words like flexible, keen to learn, and valuing a diverse workplace, and you'll have a job in no time. :)

---

Haha, yeah I just redid my resume and added a few fancy things like that. But i have to be careful with the 'flexible' part because I am now not so flexible. But my main experience is hospitality so I really play up the 'exceptional customer service skills' as to avoid being put in the 'no retail experience' box. I just looked into some courses and no retail courses are government funded. The lady on the phone said I probably wouldn't need it anyway considering my experience in hospitality (10 years)

Would working on weekends when your DH could look after her be a possibility?

:

---

Would working on weekends when your DH could look after her be a possibility?

---

Yes I have put Sunday as an available day because DH sometimes works on Saturdays. But he doesn't usually find out till the Friday and one days work from him is way more than one from me! :lol:

Have you thought about family day care as they are usually more flexible with hours.

I have thought about it, but I'm not entirely comfortable with the idea. I know they are triple checked and everything, but I just don't like the idea of one person and one pair of eyes. It's sad really that you just can't trust people these days. A friend uses FDC in my area, maybe I will ask her what she thinks. Mind you her kids are 3 years +

Could you work afternoon/evening shifts, so DH can mind bub?

:

---

Could you work afternoon/evening shifts, so DH can mind bub?

---

Dh sometimes gets home at 4pm, sometimes 7pm. Just depends on the job. Plus he leaves at 6am. I would need to be home before midnight to be able to function properly when dd gets up in the morning! :lol: And then I would never see DH :(

I just fixed a new resume and submitted online (again) Plus I will go in store and hand one in. Something has to come up somewhere! But until then, I will keep hassling people haha :)

I know our local target hires a large batch of people for their Christmas rush, they are all hired as casual workers, after that Christmas period no one gets called in anymore. My best friend is now on the search looking for another job yet again. Its hard when there are so many people out there all trying for the same job. I hope you don't have too long before you're successful :)

Have you called the local stores themselves, not just online? Our local (admittedly remote) prefers you to drop your resume into them.

Kmart are happy to have you come in, but Target and Big W refuse to take resumes. So off to kmart once I fill in their application form. I hate the whole online application process. I would much rather meet face to face with somebody. I am presentable and confident, which doesn't show on an online application.

Have you tried the supermarkets? Better for longer term.

:

---

Have you tried the supermarkets? Better for longer term.

---

Yeah, the big W site is for woolworths too. Do supermarkets accept resumes? Not entirely keen on working a grocery checkout, but if I can't find anything else....or I'll go back to hospitality.

When I was in uni, I applied to Target, got to the interview, they asked me my name, then told me I didn't have the right 'personality' to fit in their team!!

Have you looked on Gumtree? There are lots of ads in my area wanting babysitters, nannies, cleaners etc...many are happy if you have a child in tow.

:

---

Yeah, the big W site is for woolworths too. Do supermarkets accept resumes? Not entirely keen on working a grocery checkout, but if I can't find anything else....or I'll go back to hospitality.

---

Depends on the supermarket. Get to know the staff at your local and be consistent in shopping there. Mum did that and they're forever offering her a job (not just in jest either). She's even friends with a few of the girls on FB.

The reality is that in the current economic market employers have a large potential employee market to choose from. There is nothing wrong with working in a supermarket, lots of human contact and due to retail hours you may end up with really suitable hours.
I think having realistic expectations is key, if you expect to re enter the workforce in a perfectly suitable job you will probably struggle, unfortunately you are entering at the bottom rung again if you don't have particular experience or qualifications (mind you that's no guarantee of anything either)
Have u thought of registering with some employment agencies and seeking some advice about what's out there that might suit your situation?

I worked for Myer, started when I was 15, through til when I finished Uni. I loved it and have often thought about returning now that the kids are a bit older but I expect that yes it'd be hard to get a foot back in because they tend to hire a huge bunch of Christmas casuals around September/October and then only hold onto a few once the sales finish.

I've looked at our local target and thought the same thing, but a friend from playgroup managed to get a Kmart position relatively easily. So I'd definitely suggest giving Kmart a go.

ETA flexible doesn't have to me with your shifts and hours, it can also mean flexible in a work situation, ie you will turn your hand to anything and you'll work well with anyone sort of thing.

I agree with supermarkets! There are many different departments that you could get a job in.

I am at Woolworths and I started out doing checkouts and then after babies I went to nightfill. They really like when you go in and if possible talk to the store manager or the duty manager at the time.
You just need to be very confident and chatty and you are on your way!

:

---

The reality is that in the current economic market employers have a large potential employee market to choose from. There is nothing wrong with working in a supermarket, lots of human contact and due to retail hours you may end up with really suitable hours.
I think having realistic expectations is key, if you expect to re enter the workforce in a perfectly suitable job you will probably struggle, unfortunately you are entering at the bottom rung again if you don't have particular experience or qualifications (mind you that's no guarantee of anything either)
Have u thought of registering with some employment agencies and seeking some advice about what's out there that might suit your situation?

---

I had an appointment with an agency on Monday to try and organise some short courses or similar. Unfortunately they weren't much help with that. But I e-mailed a copy of my resume to them and she will contact me if something comes up.

Thanks ladies, I actually contacted my old work and they said they were happy to give me a couple of shifts with set days. So if i can't find anything I will take the offer up. The pay will be crap because i will no longer be supervisor, but it's better than nothing and close to home :)

I work as a disability support worker, and its great. I do Tuesdays and every second Saturday, plus fill in shifts, and work around DHs hours and my uni (DH is the full time parent)