Four job interviews and did not get a single one :(

Guys I am desperately in need of a good job. I have had four interviews within last few months and turned down for them all. Anyway my question is when I have to write down work references for where I worked, how in the world do I do that when the last three jobs I had all went out of business? Well the previous job I had before I lost my last one was 8 years, and it closed and went over seas, and the one before that was 5 years and the same thing happened.
I never kept in contact with my supervisors, and why would I? Anyway I can provide references for my last job, but the previous ones I cannot. I have been using friends I have who are doctors, teachers, and business owners. I was just wondering, even though I do not think it was a factor in me not getting the jobs, because I never got far enough to have my references checked.
Answer #1
References are getting harder to get even if your previous employer is still in business – many just offer a confirmation of employment for legal reasons (an unsupported bad reference can equal a lawsuit).
In any case, if your references aren’t work related, or they are just unavailable, I tend to look for people that can provide:
– evidence / statement of why work references are not available (so for the ones that closed, any documentation of termination / news stories / company policy re confirmation of employment only)
– related samples of their work so that I can make my own determination of their qualifications.
References don’t get you the position. Who in the world provides references that could be negative. From Harvard and other studies, the decision is made within 2 minutes of meeting a person – personal presentation is king; I have to say that these studies are accurate.
Answer #2
You know you make a good point about “Who in the world provides references that could be negative.” I mean I guess if references were everything than everyone would be getting the job, because no one applying for a job is going to give a interviewer a reference that is negative.
Friend of mine kept trying to make the point with me that since I could not provide references from those places that I worked that closed down, than to the employer they could think I was just making it all up and lying.
Answer #3
To be honest, the best thing to do if you do not have a history, is to make one up. I had the same issue going from self employed to trying to get hired at jobs that all required experience. Since I had the experience bust could just not prove it, I simply made it up ftw.
Dont lie.
If you’re going to get caught, then no; don’t do this. I actually know the laws as to what can be looked up and made sure they could not find anything on me.
But I only recommend doing this as a last resort.
Answer #4
To be honest, the best thing to do if you do not have a history, is to make one up. I had the same issue going from self employed to trying to get hired at jobs that all required experience. Since I had the experience bust could just not prove it, I simply made it up ftw.
Thats what the CEO of Yahoo did never did hear where he ended up at. to the original topic, dont you have reports that your supervisors had on you
that you could share? Provided they were outstanding results. But I dont
know what you actually did.
I also had a job for a buddy of mine, he lied about his college education, and the employer could not confirm his college degree. he didnt get this job that
was handed to him. Dont lie.
Answer #5
I dont think your problem is with references, its probably what you did or didnt do in your interviews.
It doesnt matter if you have 5 references or 1 (which is still in business as you say).
Good luck mate.
P.S search for jobs outside the city you live in, you might have a better chance maybe?
Answer #6
even though I do not think it was a factor in me not getting the jobs, because I never got far enough to have my references checked.
And why do you think that is exactly? Got any theories?
One obvious possibility is that whoever got the job/s were found to be more qualified or better experienced than you, But how bout the less obvious ones? Sometimes people tend to overlook
the obvious (Especially when it concerns themselves) you gotta realize that when you apply to a job your not just selling yourself as an employee but as a person as well! Which is why you gotta
make a good impression, Here’s some pointers:
1. Get a haircut if your hair has gotten too long
2. Make sure you get enough sleep the day before, Otherwise your gonna look like hell!
3. Shave & Shower
4. Be well dressed (not saying suit and tie, but wear something nice and avoid baggy cloths)
5. Put a perfume on (but not too much, and preferably a light one that doesn’t have a too strong scent)
6. Don’t be late!
7. Try to be positive, But if you can’t, At least put a fake smile on.
8. Always maintain eye contact.
9. Introduce yourself once you enter the room. Say something like “Hi, I’m NAME, Nice to meet you”
And if the employer is standing right next to you, Shake his hand too!
10. Don’t be shy! Talk with confidence about you as a person and your past work experience (and try not to stutter) also, keep it clean and don’t use any “bad language” Following the above guidelines should improve your chances. Unless your heavily tattooed that is.
Answer #7
Some great tips above. You should also try to do some research on the company / job your applying for and think of a few questions to ask the person interviewing you. Also have a little section after each job you done. “Reason for leaving :” or something along them lines and just put the company went bankrupt. That won’t surprise many people with the recession we are going through.
Answer #8
Contact them and ask for feedback on your interview – most people will tell you where you performed badly.
Unless your heavily tattooed that is
That would be a bonus if applying for a job in a tattoo parlour