Job Application

[ajoe]

Hiya, I'm just trying to get myself a job but I'm stuck at the first step: filling in the form, and have a few questions...
1) Is it okay to send applications to different places simultaneously? And say all of them call me for an interview. Is it legal to accept all of them? (What if, at the best-case scenario, I got all the jobs but then I have to turn down all but one?)
2) What really do you put when they ask you why you want the job and why they should choose you, especially when you're virtually inexperienced? (The truths are: I just need a job, I'm broke, I need to pay my rents etc, but I don't think these are very good answers.)
3) Do you really need to attach a resume when you're applying to a place such as, say, McDonald's?
4) If they call you for an interview, do you really need to get all dressed up?

Thanks for the answer.

[amuse]

4. be clean, if not gussied up.
3. no resume needed at McDonald's but say a retail place yes, it gives you an advantage.
2. you want experience (in customer experience, etc.). you enjoy working with the public.
1. yes yes, send them everywhere. you can accept all of them, but how many hours can you work? and some places have a conflict of interest thing - say like you can't work at two coffee shops at the same time. or both Burger King and McDonald's.
A. good luck!!!

[papayahed]

what amuse said.

[ajoe]

OK, one more question. Can you apply for the second time from a place where you've never heard from when you applied for the first time? Or they're just gonna butcher you for "not getting the idea"? (I'm so thick-faced, but I'm also desperate.)

[verybaddmom]

definitely re-apply. that's how i got the job that im working right now. apparently when it came to hiring time, they looked at the big stack of qualified people's resumes and said to one another "this one came back again...she's a keener". im not sure i like being called a keener, but i am sure grateful to be working for a living. most jobs that i have ever gotten are from cold calling...i get dressed up nice and clean and professional looking, and just start walking in doors, asking to speak with the managers. once there, i tell them i am looking for a job and that i would be a great member of their team cause....blah blah blah.
then about four or five days later, i do the same round again, just ask if they have had a chance to look over my resume yet, and when would be a convenient time for them to conduct an interview. dont give them room to say no too easily. ask when, not if.
good luck.

[ajoe]

Thanks for the good lucks. Of course, I still have another question, just to be sure... (this is definitely the final one)

Do you really get dressed up when applying for a job at McDonald's? Considering you're probably gonna end up with a job with a minimum-wage payment (e.g. flipping a burger), wouldn't that make a somewhat arrogant impression? Also, what's "be clean" to you? Is it okay to wear a super clean white shirt and my best jeans or what? Are girls supposed to wear skirts on these kind of occasion?

[verybaddmom]

i generally stick to dress pants (slacks) and a clean blouse or pretty top. ironed, of course. of course, it does depend on the type of job you are looking for; when i look for bartending work, i dress a little sexier than if im applying to do food service in a family restaurant.
my mom once told me to wear something that if they wanted me to start immediately, i could. always worked for me. i've never been unemployed for long, if i didnt want to be.....