Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

I can't find a job due the way how I look :(?

I'm 26 years old African-American female and I'm really having a hard time looking work(since middle of 2009 ugh!) and been on unemployment benefits since October 2009 and benefits going to be exhausted on this July coming up :( . I'm also still in school currently working on my B.A (graduating end of May) I hope this help me get hire quicker .

I believe the main reason why I'm not getting hire is do to my appearance ; I'm little cubby on the side but however when I go look for work I'm always dress professional attire, my hair's neat, etc.

Oh BTW I'm from Miami, FL and the job market here sucks here. Can some please tell me what I'm doing wrong?

4 Answers

Relevance
  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Not really, based on the info you've left. I don't know what "cubby on the side" means...assuming you mean you're overweight or short? I also can't tell if you're applying for jobs online and getting interviews, going into places to drop off resumes/fill out applications or what.

    First things first--anyone who says appearance has nothing to do with getting hired doesn't know what he/she is talking about. And it's not just about professional dress. Race, gender/sex, weight, appearing friendly, height and all sorts of things affect interviewers because everyone has their biases. You never know what about how you look is affecting your chances, and some of that stuff you can't do anything about.

    Second, the job market sucks where you are, not to mention everywhere else. You can't do anything about that, either, and that will make it harder for you to get hired regardless.

    Third, if you're going on interviews and consistently not getting jobs after interviews, then that could very well speak to your interviewing skills or lack thereof. You might need to find out how you can do mock interviews with someone who can give you feedback on how you interview and/or reconsider the kind of answers you're giving to questions you're being asked as well as your speaking skills. If your school has a career center, career counselor or any other resources for interviewing, you should take advantage of those. The schools I attended used to give mock interviews. Or you could ask family members or friends to mock interview you and give feedback. You could also ask for feedback from employers who didn't hire you.

    Fourth, if you're in college right now, it makes me wonder how much work experience you have. It could be that you're not getting the jobs because you're competing with other people who are seen as "more qualified" than you are. Hate to break it to you, but a college degree is not what makes you qualified for most jobs; previous experience doing that job or similar jobs is what employers prefer. Those people get the job offers almost every time.

    Finally, what kind of jobs are you applying for? Your standards might be too high, whether you realize it or not. Someone who doesn't have a lot of work experience is going to have a hard time getting good jobs, especially in this economy.

  • 1 decade ago

    Consider talking to a professional career coach who can look at your "employment presentation" (everything from your resume and attire to your speech and grammar). Because there are so many variables in a situation like this, it's all but impossible to give you specifics without sitting and meeting with you. A career coach can do that. And you might have resources at the career center at your college that can help you.

    Source(s): I'm in HR.
  • 1 decade ago

    wow, so much spam!

    Anyway, I'm doubtful that it has much to do with the way that you look. The market out there is tough ESPECIALLY if you are trying to get into a finance position. Maybe your resume isn't up too par? maybe you don't have the necessary work experience? maybe you are applying for positions that are a little out of you league? There are many different things I would look into before you assume you are not getting calls back because of your appearance.

  • Walama
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago

    The reason you're not getting hired is that the job market really is that bad. People don't care about their appearance, but they care if your low self-esteem makes you come across as defensive or withdrawn.

Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.