How to find a job with zero working history?

Question

I am 32 years old, and i have never worked in my life. My husband always took care of me, and now that my little girl is little bit bigger, i find myself being bored to death while she is in school and hybby is working.
I applied to whole bunch of stores for a part time position, most of the applications i filled online, but no one ever called. My husband told me i need to actually call those places and inquire about application, proving them that i care. Could that be a reason no one called me?
I just need 4 hours a day, to kill the boredoom, and so far i haven`t been able to find anything. Worst thing of all is that little box on the application where you need to put your work history, and i need to leave entire box empty, becayse i don`t have any. On the other hand, what`s up with all the kids working at the stores? It`s not like they had working history before.
Any advice would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Your husband is probably right about the lack of follow-up being part of the problem. You do need to follow up.

There are other issues:

* You also need to have a better idea of what you have done. I bet you have helped out at your daughter's school, maybe helped with the Girl Scout troop, etc. If you manage your family's finances, then you are familiar with using a checkbook, keeping records, etc. Those may not be "official" work, but they are tasks you have done and are capable of doing.

* What skills do you have? MS Word? MS Excel, etc.

* What kind of job do you want? It's hard to successfully find a job when you don't know what you want to do. And, no one will be able to help you find it because they won't recognize an opportunity for you if they find one.

Suggestions:

* For someone your age with truly no work history at all, I'd try volunteering for a charity or some other organization that needs volunteers. When they aren't paying you, they aren't really picky. And, it will give you some "work history" to put into those boxes.

* Register with a temporary staffing agency (Adecco is a big one). They'll probably give you some tests to figure out what your skills are and what level skills you have. Then, they'll start sending you out on assignments. You'll get paid and gain more experience for the "work history" box. You might even land a permanent job. Or, you might find that you like the variety of assignments that "temps" usially have.

That work experience should enable you to figure out what you like to do and don't like to do. Get advice, feedback from those you are working for and with, and written recommendations to use for your applications.

Good luck!

Answer 2

How do you feel about waiting tables? Because honestly, that is probably the first thing you should try to do. Most restaurants hire wait staff regardless of their prior experience. It only pays like $3 an hour, but with the tips you get, you could potentially make like $100 a day. Also, the hours are very flexible. You could work only the lunch shift (generally from 10-2) and still be home in plenty of time to pick your girl up from school. Also, since it sounds like you really don't need the money and this would be more just to get you out of the house during the day, I think being a server would be an ideal position. Oh, by the way, your husband is partly right- calling back to inquire about the status of an application is sometimes a good move, but if you act too persistent, you can pretty much kiss that job goodbye. As far as the kids working in the stores without experience- I think it is mostly because the high school and college kids are generally more willing to work more hours than just 4 a day. Most companies don't want to hire a woman who only wants to work 4 hours a day, except restaurants, that is. I'm serious- try waiting tables. It's quite fun and challenging!

Answer 3

Retail and grocery stores, and also fast food places, need all the help they can get, but they still want employees that want to work there. Calling them back is most likely what you need to do. Ask for the hiring manager and if they got a change to go over your application. Allow for them to respond and then ask if they were currently looking to hire anyone. If they say they'll get back to you, wait a few days for them to call, and if they don't call back. This is what I had to do for my first job, I think I must have called 3 times and they finally said they were going to set me up for orientation (training), I was only 17 and had no other experience except for baby sitting. Just remember to be polite.

If they're curious about your work history, you can breifly explain you had a daughter to take care of. As for skills and hobbies, you can list things that you do in the home (if you haven't already done this). I'm not sure if online applications have a section for this, so you may be better off going in the store and filling out a paper application if they have them available. Some stores that have online apps don't have paper ones in store. So go in the stores in person.

Answer 4

Don't shoot for high paying jobs. Do you like animals? Try working at a veterinary hospital. I worked there wiht animals. now while it didn't pay way, it was easy job and i got to feed, bathe, clean and play with dogs all day. It is always 10 times better to actually go into a store and fill out an application than online. and if you do fill it out online, go into the store a few days later and ask if they received it and possibly talk to a manager. With no work history you are more likely to be getting a job in a grocery store or something like target. If your just looking to fill boredom, i highly recommend doing a vet. Also, most substitute teaching jobs only require a HS diploma or the equivalent. Good luck

Answer 5

My advice is: DON'T GIVE UP! Keep applying online because they will call you eventually. You just have to file a lot of applications so your chances will be bigger. And it takes a while for the employer to call so be patient.
We all have to start at some point, don't worry, you will find something. But I would recommend that you write homemaker in the work history box, it's relevant information, it's not something that should be left aside.

Answer 6

Find a job you think you would be good at and pursue it passionately. O n your applications put homemaker as work history. A job is just that,have you thought about your own business? Its much more rewarding.

Answer 7

Instead of leaving the work history box empty, tell them what a responsible person you are. Decribe how you've had to manage a household and children, budget, take resposibilty for decisions, manage your time etc.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

Walmart and McDonalds are always hiring. Work at either of these places for a few months, get some experience then go from there.

Answer 10

Check the box and put "Homemaker" because that experience qualifies you for a whole lot more than you think.