A retail job on weekdays only? how to start without US reference?

[Athena13 10]

HI I have 2 topics of questions

1. is it possible to get a part time retail job only on the weekdays?

For quality family time, i only want to work part time from Mon-Friday. Are there any retail jobs that allow you to do that? I've asked Payless Shoes, Office Depot, they said I have to work weekend shifts too, maybe once in a while there will be an exception. What about Petco, Petsmart, Michael's those kind of chain? should I not try a chain? I know if I work in an office it's probably no weekends but it's hard to find those jobs in my area.

2. How to find jobs without US reference?

because I did only contract professional jobs in Australia (2005-2008), China (2008-09) and UK (2011, through 3 agencies) and I'm looking for a non-professional job now.

I only have a simple written reference from one of The UK agencies. The other 2 places, I can't contact the direct supervisor as they are retired.

I have a good 2 page written reference from the volunteer job in China.

I don't have any written reference from Australia, the last one I worked for in 2008 refuse to be my referee, she said it's too long ago.

So many workplaces or job searching websites want to call or email referees directly, (less interested in written references), what can I do? can the recruiter consultant be a referee?

or should i do volunteer jobs first in US to get a recent referee/reference?

Thank you guys~

[Darnell 8,478]

i suggest starting with 4 or 5 temp agencies in the USA. Go in person, apply.

[Aya820 33]

HI I have 2 topics of questions

1. is it possible to get a part time retail job only on the weekdays?

For quality family time, i only want to work part time from Mon-Friday. Are there any retail jobs that allow you to do that? I've asked Payless Shoes, Office Depot, they said I have to work weekend shifts too, maybe once in a while there will be an exception. What about Petco, Petsmart, Michael's those kind of chain? should I not try a chain? I know if I work in an office it's probably no weekends but it's hard to find those jobs in my area.

2. How to find jobs without US reference?

because I did only contract professional jobs in Australia (2005-2008), China (2008-09) and UK (2011, through 3 agencies) and I'm looking for a non-professional job now.

I only have a simple written reference from one of The UK agencies. The other 2 places, I can't contact the direct supervisor as they are retired.

I have a good 2 page written reference from the volunteer job in China.

I don't have any written reference from Australia, the last one I worked for in 2008 refuse to be my referee, she said it's too long ago.

So many workplaces or job searching websites want to call or email referees directly, (less interested in written references), what can I do? can the recruiter consultant be a referee?

or should i do volunteer jobs first in US to get a recent referee/reference?

Thank you guys~

When my husband was job searching, references were asked for as well. Since he didn't have much job experience and had recently arrived here, he didn't have any professional references, and those he had were overseas. So we just put family (not living in the household) and friends that were living here in the U.S. as references.

Editing to add: As far as part-time work on weekdays only, I have never worked retail, but guessing that it would be hard to find any. Most retail you have to have been there awhile to get no weekend work days (senority). This is based on where my husband works (retail) and he had to be there over a year before they would start giving him weekends (1 day) off. But it wouldn't hurt to try.

Edited July 16, 2013 by Aya820

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

We don't use pre-written references in the US. We use what I have learned the Australians call "referees." "Referees" are references in the US: a phone number for someone who can vouch on your behalf. Some jobs may ask for a "letter of recommendation" which is a letter, but is not a pre-written thing. (That won't happen in retail anyway). In retail, since the prior work history should have your old work phone numbers, a reference would be a person who knows you in some professional capacity, but who isn't necessarily your old boss (those are on the work experience list). Put someone who knows your work, like an old co-worker or something, and put their phone number in. If the workplace wants to call them, then they'll just have to dial international. They can manage that if it's important to them (it's not hard to dial international).

As for schedule, it sounds like you are looking for what we call "mother's hours." You can find it, but maybe not in the big chain retail. What about a mom and pop shop? Any around where you live? What about Starbucks, if that is something on your radar? That might work since students and others will want to work weekends.

Good luck.

[Athena13 10]

Hi thank you

i tried some temp agency (one just filled out a simple online form. the other 2 don't even return my call or email), but haven't walked into one, since i live kinda remote.

i suggest starting with 4 or 5 temp agencies in the USA. Go in person, apply.

[Athena13 10]

HI Thank you

if it's personal reference (to describe me as a person, my personalities etc), i can get quite a few people from US and Australia to be in touch (phone, email). But I think many places want 'former boss/supervisor' kind of reference.

Yes it seems there is not weekday only retail jobs.

When my husband was job searching, references were asked for as well. Since he didn't have much job experience and had recently arrived here, he didn't have any professional references, and those he had were overseas. So we just put family (not living in the household) and friends that were living here in the U.S. as references.

Editing to add: As far as part-time work on weekdays only, I have never worked retail, but guessing that it would be hard to find any. Most retail you have to have been there awhile to get no weekend work days (senority). This is based on where my husband works (retail) and he had to be there over a year before they would start giving him weekends (1 day) off. But it wouldn't hurt to try.

[Athena13 10]

Hi Thank you Harpa

maybe i need to ask former co-workers then.

Yep mother's hours. what is a mom and pop shop? Starbucks is good, should I apply in the shop or online? will the 'availability' question come up during the 'apply stage'? otherwise i can mention it after I got hired?

We don't use pre-written references in the US. We use what I have learned the Australians call "referees." "Referees" are references in the US: a phone number for someone who can vouch on your behalf. Some jobs may ask for a "letter of recommendation" which is a letter, but is not a pre-written thing. (That won't happen in retail anyway). In retail, since the prior work history should have your old work phone numbers, a reference would be a person who knows you in some professional capacity, but who isn't necessarily your old boss (those are on the work experience list). Put someone who knows your work, like an old co-worker or something, and put their phone number in. If the workplace wants to call them, then they'll just have to dial international. They can manage that if it's important to them (it's not hard to dial international).

As for schedule, it sounds like you are looking for what we call "mother's hours." You can find it, but maybe not in the big chain retail. What about a mom and pop shop? Any around where you live? What about Starbucks, if that is something on your radar? That might work since students and others will want to work weekends.

Good luck.

[Darnell 8,478]

Hi thank you

i tried some temp agency (one just filled out a simple online form. the other 2 don't even return my call or email), but haven't walked into one, since i live kinda remote.

Walking in, is the important bit. Through the door...

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Hi Thank you Harpa

maybe i need to ask former co-workers then.

Yep mother's hours. what is a mom and pop shop? Starbucks is good, should I apply in the shop or online? will the 'availability' question come up during the 'apply stage'? otherwise i can mention it after I got hired?

A "mom and pop" shop is a term for a local business, stereotypically owned by an aging couple, the "mom and pop." I think the availability will come first thing, you should say up front what schedule you are looking for. Then you get over that hurdle quickly. A shop won't hire you without agreeing in your schedule first, so you better just be open about it. Applying in person is always better.

[vaneskygh 1]

Unfortunatedly, any retail job would required you to work on weekends and also have a flexible schedule, this means anytime (yes, I had to work at 5 am and next day I was schedule to close the store) anyday, otherwise your chances to be hired are low or even impossible. If you have experience in another field just give it a try and send your resume.