To think its really difficult to get any job these days

[sprinkleyumnut]

Worked at mcdonalds nearly 2 years. They won't have me back for a reason I don't know. I went to another job but that fell through. They said apply online, even had colleagues offer to put a word in for me, they did, still the same advice. I keep getting rejected online for even a crew member role which I applied for as well as customer care (I did both at different points at mcdonalds). Even the new mcdonalds opening next month keeps rejecting me. I'm putting in the right answers, saying I'm available anytime, I can start now. I can't help but think it is personal- I rarely took sick days, and worked my bum off there! Even kfc won't take me on-apparently I need more experience 🤔 it's hard to get a job these days! It's made me feel awful. There is no feedback. AIBU in thinking it's difficult getting even what's seen as an "easy" job these days?

YANBU. But then I read loads of posts on here saying their places of work are screaming out for workers. I guess it depends on location and qualifications and experience etc

I think when that happens something must have happened that could result in word of mouth that you shouldn’t be re-employed but they don’t have to tell you why.

I employ a team, and I’ve had people leave and ask for their job back and I’ve had to professionally refuse and it could be for various reasons, bad business fit, poor work ethic, attendance, burnt bridges, and sometimes it’s maybe not that obvious to the person that it’s their own bad attitude/perception within the team. Employers cannot give a bad reference but they absolutely do not have to re-employ you

I’ve had people who simply were just argumentative for the sake of being argumentative or mood hoovers that would complain all day to anyone who would listen - not someone I would re-employ once they’ve left.

Could you look at other companies rather than returning to McDonalds? Still in hospitality but what about pubs or restaurants if you have experience? Then if there is any issues you eradicate them as employers cannot give a Bad reference.

A friend’s 16 year old son got a job at McDonalds last month, no interview or anything, no previous experience, he just applied online and the called him and asked him to start the following week.

Maybe it just depends on where you are?

They want 16 year olds they can fuck about

Maccies and KFC can't be the only employers around your way. What about pubs, or proper restaurants, or retail? It sounds as if the manager at McDonald's really doesn't want you back, for whatever reason, so I would just give up trying. You're spending a lot of effort to get back into a bad job, try putting that effort into getting something different and I bet it will pay off for you really quickly.

Employers cannot give a bad reference

This is a common misconception.

They aren’t allowed to give an untruthful reference. They can give a bad reference, as long as they don’t say anything that isn’t true.

Recruitment softwares are even more ‘intelligent’ now. It means we can screen applicants far easier. If they’ve worked for a previous department, multiple applications (a big no no), issues when they worked previously etc. Makes it easier to decline candidates who, on paper, aren’t what we want. It makes it far more difficult to judge on a human level about reasons for previous issues when working etc.

That's really odd. I agree with @Tilly18101 fromy experience, experienced workers would be wanted.
Are you sure you don't have anything on a cv what can look wrong way?

@AelgenVsPreDator

Employers cannot give a bad reference

This is a common misconception.

They aren’t allowed to give an untruthful reference. They can give a bad reference, as long as they don’t say anything that isn’t true.

Appreciate your wording, what I mean is an employer cannot give a bad reference such as ‘I didn’t like blar blar because they complained too much’ or ‘X did not fit our company values of working together’

What they can say is ‘X was dismissed due to gross misconduct for X’ or ‘X left X and had 4 occasions of absence on their record within a 12 month period’ which is factual but could still be considered a bad reference.

It appears OP thinks their old employer should have them back so one would assume they believe they left on good terms and would be reemployed. Sadly people sometimes do not realise they are not a good fit for that business but cannot see it, so think they would be re-hired for example.

On a personal note and from heavy experience, employers tend to err a side of caution on all references, particularly big names and generally would only confirm job title and dates employed. Majority won’t give a reason for leaving and/or salary.

Honestly they probably want under 18s who they can pay less.
Are you able to consider care work? Always hiring around my way, but I appreciate not for everybody.

The likes of McDonalds want 16 year olds because it’s easier to take advantage of them.

I’ve never seen anyone over the age of 21 in McDonalds.

I would look at pubs etc.

I’m not buying that pubs etc are crying out for staff. Everywhere you go people say they’re looking for work and can’t even get into pubs/restaurants, and yet the restaurants are staying short staffed.

It is hard to get work though. I have a disability which goes against me, I had a job offer just under 2 years ago which was withdrawn 6 months later due to my disability, but now when I look at jobs online their criteria are very tight. Asking for references of paid work within the past 2 years is incredibly common for instance.

And putting in essential criteria such as “must have experience of dealing with refreshments” is one I saw on an admin job this morning.

I can’t apply for bar work or supermarket work because I am visually impaired and tills aren’t accessible so I’m limited already, and then these criteria etc limit my chances even further.

I'm inclined to agree with Tilly .

If you've worked somewhere, and left for something else that didn't work out, and there are vacancies at your old place of work, then there is going to be a reason why they don't want to re-employ you. If you were great, then they'd employ you again. It is only common sense.

However, many areas do seem to be crying out for people in the hospitality and service industries, so it isn't the experience of people round here that it is currently difficult to get work.

Are you under 25 and on universal credit? If so look at Kickstart jobs in your area. They're government funded and there are some really interesting ones out there. They're mostly entry level so no experience necessary.

How many sick days did you take?

I wouldn't expect a healthy young person to take any sick days in only 2 years of employment tbh.

I think it's difficult to find a 'good' job. There's such a high demand and turnover in certain industries that there's always work going, so to speak, but then it depends on your location/skills and availability. Are you able to sustain yourself on e.g. a waitress' wage?

It’s probably because they want 16 year olds that they can pay less tbh.

I had the same previously with Primark. Worked for them when at college, quit to go to uni. In year 2, I applied to the Primark in my uni town and was rejected due to 'lack of experience'.

@felulageller

How many sick days did you take?

I wouldn't expect a healthy young person to take any sick days in only 2 years of employment tbh.

I don't expect people not to take sick days. Even healthy people get colds, flu, pain, etc. Especially working with food.

I am sure if you leave MDs they won’t rehire you until at least six months has passed
I can’t remember where I read that but I’m sure that I did

@felulageller

How many sick days did you take?

I wouldn't expect a healthy young person to take any sick days in only 2 years of employment tbh.

This is really weird attitude in uk. If you are sick, you are sick...

@felulageller

How many sick days did you take?

I wouldn't expect a healthy young person to take any sick days in only 2 years of employment tbh.

What a ridiculous statement to make and even more ridiculous during a pandemic.

Setting aside the last 18 months, young healthy people can and do get sick and should not ever feel the pressure to attend work when unwell, A) because their health comes first before any employer and B) they would spread any infection.

Sickness should be monitored, and employers generally have an attendance management policy with trigger points and sick pay entitlements. A good employer understands that people get sick, a good employer considers a sickness record on an individual basis and works with an individual to resolve it.

A bad employer uses the two year ‘industrial rights’ limit to sick people based on 2 occasions.

No wonder a younger generation are burnt out and stressed by employment putting their own health and well-being at risk for an employer who would easily replace them in a month if their were hit by a bus.

According to Maccies' website, they rehire but you have to go through the process and references. Which brings a question of... Why did the new job fell through...

Sack people not sick people above - typo!

I’m not buying that pubs etc are crying out for staff. Everywhere you go people say they’re looking for work and can’t even get into pubs/restaurants, and yet the restaurants are staying short staffed.

IME they are short staffed - but not actively recruiting for anything other than casual staff (I've done a few shifts for a mate who owns a pub who needed extra staff on some days) for few hours. I think that's because the businesses lost so much they're wanting existing staff to work twice as hard so they pay out less on wages and draft in casual staff for really busy times. Plus, it's coming to the end of the season now, most places don't recruit going towards the quieter months unless it's a role like manager or chef that's always needed.

I would look at different sectors as there are lots of jobs about - pubs, cleaning, supermarkets. Maybe get some advice on your application or your interpersonal skills if you think that there could be any issues there, there might not be. It's a numbers game, keep applying and one day you'll be top of the pile when they are emailing or texting candidates.