An update to this. I got the job.
The interviewer actually had me perform an impromptu teaching session right there at the table to see how I handled it. Initially awkward but it went great.
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Applying for jobs is exhausting and soul-crushing
- Thread starter Moofers
- Start date
An update to this. I got the job.
The interviewer actually had me perform an impromptu teaching session right there at the table to see how I handled it. Initially awkward but it went great.
Got an offer! It's to be a javascript developer in the city. Somehow managed to nailed all four interviews despite being an awkward motherfucker.
A few questions:
The offer, which was just emailed to me, says it expires tomorrow. I have other companies I'm interviewing at, and would prefer to finish the interview process at those places. Is this normal? Seems a bit sketchy.
I received the offer by email, and had no real chance to negotiate salary. Their offer is very competitive, but when I got my internships, I was told the salary during the final round of interviews and negotiated it in-person. Should I call to negotiate, or is that considered to be poor form? Also, is it normal to not give an applicant a real chance to negotiate?
A few questions:
The offer, which was just emailed to me, says it expires tomorrow. I have other companies I'm interviewing at, and would prefer to finish the interview process at those places. Is this normal? Seems a bit sketchy.
I received the offer by email, and had no real chance to negotiate salary. Their offer is very competitive, but when I got my internships, I was told the salary during the final round of interviews and negotiated it in-person. Should I call to negotiate, or is that considered to be poor form? Also, is it normal to not give an applicant a real chance to negotiate?
entremet
Member
Every company is different. There is no set procedure that all companies follow religiously.
But, they never discussed salary at all? I would contact your recruiter or lead hiring manager.
smokeandmirrors
Banned
got an interview next week and the company sent me a little exercise that i would've done during the interview to do at home instead which looks laughably easy.
Had an interview today that went well outside of going to the wrong HR. Confusing AF building layout and lack of clear instructions on where to go once I got there. Hopefully it didn't negatively impact my interview. Good news is that I seem way more qualified for the position after I talked to the actual manager over the position.
Is it standard for an employer to send you their Arbitration, Health Plan, and PTO forms prior to an interview? Seemed real odd to me, though I've only interviewed one other place in the past year.
Is it standard for an employer to send you their Arbitration, Health Plan, and PTO forms prior to an interview? Seemed real odd to me, though I've only interviewed one other place in the past year.
Shy Fingers
Banned
Not standard, no. It is really nice when they do that so that though.
My current gig I was sent that stuff after I scheduled an in person interview so I could ask questions about it if needed.
silenttype01
Member
Hey guys, I have a question about Orange Tree Employment.
I recently applied for data entry position at a company and they require a background check, like everyone else. They use Orange Tree for background checks and I was wondering if any of you had any experience with them.
Does the required information have to be accurate? One part asks for my previous living address: the date I moved in there and the date I moved out. I don't remember so I don't know if that would look bad on the background check.
It also asks to list my last three jobs or my last ten working years. I've had two jobs total and my first one was an arcade that shut down a year after I left. Should I put the corporation's information instead?
I'm calling HR for the new job for clarification on this, but I would like to hear any experiences from other users here.
I recently applied for data entry position at a company and they require a background check, like everyone else. They use Orange Tree for background checks and I was wondering if any of you had any experience with them.
Does the required information have to be accurate? One part asks for my previous living address: the date I moved in there and the date I moved out. I don't remember so I don't know if that would look bad on the background check.
It also asks to list my last three jobs or my last ten working years. I've had two jobs total and my first one was an arcade that shut down a year after I left. Should I put the corporation's information instead?
I'm calling HR for the new job for clarification on this, but I would like to hear any experiences from other users here.
It's impossible to find a job in London (England). Work experience! Work experience! Work experience. What was the point of studying architecture (or anything for that matter)? They won't even look at you, I got a reply once that said, "Your CV is really nice but you have no work experience. I'm sure you'll find work elsewhere". 6 months have gone passed and nothing. I guess its time to slowly get prepared for the life of homeless hobo.
cpp_is_king
Member
It's not uncommon for the offer letter to be the point at which negotiations begin
SpookyFries
Member
I've put in for about 48 jobs since October and have had maybe 5 different interviews (each one usually resulted in a second interview)
Still not getting picked which is unfortunate. The IT field is really saturated right now and most people seem to just want to hire kids for cheap and train them on the job. This shit is stressing me the fuck out
Still not getting picked which is unfortunate. The IT field is really saturated right now and most people seem to just want to hire kids for cheap and train them on the job. This shit is stressing me the fuck out
CreepingFear
Member
Update: I got the job. At 18, not 20 an hour like I wanted.
One of the questions ppl always ask if your future goals in your career or where you'll see yourself be in the 5-10 years. Anyone have any tips on answering that question? Im having an interview for a level 1 drafting for the property tax department for my city. I want to work and move up naturally but don't know how to make it sounds more interesting.
Darryl M R
Member
Wishing everyone applying for jobs luck and success.
Within my firm I am applying for my next new project (it's only been a week since I rolled off my last project, my longest time "on the bench" has been 3 weeks), it's a great experience getting to know people that do great work but also humbling to see a role I really want but knowing that I need to gain specific experience for it.
Hoping for the best for my next project. Staying positive but I know my scenario is very different from those applying for a job.
Within my firm I am applying for my next new project (it's only been a week since I rolled off my last project, my longest time "on the bench" has been 3 weeks), it's a great experience getting to know people that do great work but also humbling to see a role I really want but knowing that I need to gain specific experience for it.
Hoping for the best for my next project. Staying positive but I know my scenario is very different from those applying for a job.
Syphon Filter
Member
What is your field? Also are you talking about freelance?
TBiddy
Member
"I'll be your boss in 3 years"
Unfortunately, not everyone thinks that is funny. It's a great answer, but you might run into people, who actually feel threatened by that.
Instead, you could answer something like: "I fully expect to grow, both personally and professionally, in order to maximize my potential here at XY company. I hope there will be options to further progress my career, but it's hard to put a set time limit on that."
ViewtifulJC
Banned
"I find that long-term goals are best achieved when broken down into short term ones. Right now, my goal is to acquire a position in a company that will best utilize my particular set of skills, education, and experience, and allow me to grow, both as a person and a professional. I have plans, but they are fluid and can move with the company's demands."
Darryl M R
Member
Consulting, so I'm still employed but when I'm not working with a client or a specific team my metrics go down.
This is a really good response wow.
If you have t accept the offer but let them know you have previous commitments for whenever your interviews are (obviously don't tell them why) if your interview goes will and you get a better offer just quit.
Guess I will be needing to search for a new job too, as last Tuesday my employer told me and 9 others we are not needed anymore.
After 15 years of service with only positive reviews each year I get put aside like a full trashbin.
And why? Cause they decided to outsource a department of the company so my job just vanishes.
After 15 years of service with only positive reviews each year I get put aside like a full trashbin.
And why? Cause they decided to outsource a department of the company so my job just vanishes.
They discussed salary a bit during the second interview, but only by asking me the salary ranges of the other companies I interviewed at. The offer was in the upper range of that, so I guess it doesn't really make sense to get greedy here. I accepted the offer last night.
TBH I'm mostly just annoyed by the 24-hour exploding offer.
This is excellent, thanks. I can't even write or speak as good, if I say that they might think I read that phrase from somewhere.
Casanova
Member
So, if the deadline is 3/1 and I put my application in today, does that make me seem lazy and unorganized?
On another note, applying for jobs really is exhausting and soul-crushing... I just spent 8 hours revising my résumé, putting in the application, and writing up a C.V. for a little internship at my University Library - and it is only 10 Hours per week. It'll be worth it if I get the position, but I can only imagine how many dozens of applicants there are.
Ugh, I feel like I'll never have a decent job opportunity in my life. I never get internships and I never get job offers that aren't entry-level shit positions.
On another note, applying for jobs really is exhausting and soul-crushing... I just spent 8 hours revising my résumé, putting in the application, and writing up a C.V. for a little internship at my University Library - and it is only 10 Hours per week. It'll be worth it if I get the position, but I can only imagine how many dozens of applicants there are.
Ugh, I feel like I'll never have a decent job opportunity in my life. I never get internships and I never get job offers that aren't entry-level shit positions.
Darren870
Member
Umm? How old are you?
Of course entry level positions are shit, but how do you expect to start?
HarryHengst
Member
Looking for work really is soul-crushing.
Today i received a rejection because i said during the interview i preferred spending my evenings and weekends doing my own hobbies and sports and rather not continue working. The company preferred someone who was ''more motivated'' than me, because the current employees do work for free in their own time. They did explicitly say i nailed everything else, had great technical skills and relevant working experience, was a likable person and all, but i guess someone else was willing to work for free.
I also had a rejection a few months ago because ''they were looking for a perfect candidate'' and i lacked some experience in using a specific piece of software (even though i have experience using three competitors of said software, all of which are extremely similar). The job of course is still open.
And i got rejected a few times because i lack a STEM-degree (got a BA and MA in history), but i do have 7 years of working experience. Those were really shitty, especially because every time that happened i got invited for an interview, so they knew i didnt have a relevant degree, and afterwards rejected because of that. I know its a dumb excuse but ugh, just say why i was rejected instead of this nonsense.
Today i received a rejection because i said during the interview i preferred spending my evenings and weekends doing my own hobbies and sports and rather not continue working. The company preferred someone who was ''more motivated'' than me, because the current employees do work for free in their own time. They did explicitly say i nailed everything else, had great technical skills and relevant working experience, was a likable person and all, but i guess someone else was willing to work for free.
I also had a rejection a few months ago because ''they were looking for a perfect candidate'' and i lacked some experience in using a specific piece of software (even though i have experience using three competitors of said software, all of which are extremely similar). The job of course is still open.
And i got rejected a few times because i lack a STEM-degree (got a BA and MA in history), but i do have 7 years of working experience. Those were really shitty, especially because every time that happened i got invited for an interview, so they knew i didnt have a relevant degree, and afterwards rejected because of that. I know its a dumb excuse but ugh, just say why i was rejected instead of this nonsense.
Seems like this is a bullet dodged though. I hate places that try to wring free work out of employees. Beggars can't be choosers and all that but I'm tired of places that are understaffed.
You might have messed up. You should have highlighted the fact that you're flexible, but in a nuanced way.
I don't think they were honestly planning to have you 'work for free'. More likely, they were testing your flexibility as an employee and whether you'd be able to handle a schedule that's not entirely set in stone. It's a valuable asset to have. It does not mean that they actually intend you to work continuous graveyard shifts for no payment, and if they did, you're better off anyway. (Even though I doubt that's even legal?)
But presenting yourself in a way that basically conveys that you're unwilling to go the extra mile for the job is a surefire way have recruiters lose interest. It sucks, but you got to roll with the punches and be prepared for questions like these.
HarryHengst
Member
No, they really did expect me to work for free in my own time. It was literally what was said during the interview, and they repeated it to the recruiter that got me the interview. "We have dedicated people working here who love to continue to work on our data warehouse in their spare time and we expect a new hire to match that attitude" was the feedback.
Schweinehund
Member
Yeah forget that. I think you dodged a bullet as much as it sucks to not be working.
I have a job interview scheduled for Wednesday, I think it's likely I'll get it since it's through a friend of a friend but I'm far from being cocky. Still, Computer Science isn't a golden opportunity that everyone likes to paint it out to be, many of the local small city locations want experienced candidates, and even the JR positions are competitive (any amount of professional experience will give you a huge advantage). I just want something to get my foot in the door, I may end up doing an internship if nothing comes up soon.
So I was let go from my job a few weeks ago for performance reasons. This is the first time in my career of 12+ years this has happened. I made a relatively minor mistake, but it was still a mistake and was let go because of it. I owned up to it immediately and I even stayed hours past my shift to test things and see if everything was OK and it was. But I was still let go saying nothing I did could be used that day. Sorry if this is kind of vague, what happened pretty technical and not sure if everyone would understand the details
I feel like I did everything correctly, but I'm worried about how to explain this when it comes up in an interview. (I have one today).
I am so nervous it will become the focus of the interview, I know I should highlight my honesty about the situation, because if I had said nothing, no one would've noticed. And I want to steer the conversation to my accomplishments.
Has anyone else had experience with this? How much do they tend to focus on why you were let go? Every interview I've had my previous or current job was only ever talked about for a couple minutes at most.
I feel like I did everything correctly, but I'm worried about how to explain this when it comes up in an interview. (I have one today).
I am so nervous it will become the focus of the interview, I know I should highlight my honesty about the situation, because if I had said nothing, no one would've noticed. And I want to steer the conversation to my accomplishments.
Has anyone else had experience with this? How much do they tend to focus on why you were let go? Every interview I've had my previous or current job was only ever talked about for a couple minutes at most.
Commander Jameson
Member
Why would you even mention the reason? You could just say it was time for a change at your old place, your career wasn't progressing there as much as you'd like, etc.
The position I have is very specialized and those types of reasons wouldn't make much sense, because this potential job would be very similar to my old job. It might look like I wouldn't be happy there either.
I am planning on asking about how the supervisor provides feedback and their role with the employees. My last supervisor didn't have much technical knowledge and would cause a lot of unnecessary work redoing things and she tended to have a more punishment based system for feedback.
I'm also a really honest person and I suck at lying. Also, because it's specialized someone might eventually have contact with someone that knows me through a convention or another employee that moves over. I can prove my work is excellent if they give me the opportunity, so they would just potentially hear someones different option of me, but if it came back that I lied, you can't recover from that and I'd lose trust with a new employer
I am planning on asking about how the supervisor provides feedback and their role with the employees. My last supervisor didn't have much technical knowledge and would cause a lot of unnecessary work redoing things and she tended to have a more punishment based system for feedback.
I'm also a really honest person and I suck at lying. Also, because it's specialized someone might eventually have contact with someone that knows me through a convention or another employee that moves over. I can prove my work is excellent if they give me the opportunity, so they would just potentially hear someones different option of me, but if it came back that I lied, you can't recover from that and I'd lose trust with a new employer
Pantaghana
Member
I received my bachelors degree in mechanical engineering only a few days ago, about the enter the job marked and nervous as all hell.
I can understand that if some deadline is coming up that employees are politely asked to put in some extra hours over the course of a work week and a weekend or two.
But wanting you to work for free on a regular basis on weekends? Fuck that.
I can understand that if some deadline is coming up that employees are politely asked to put in some extra hours over the course of a work week and a weekend or two.
But wanting you to work for free on a regular basis on weekends? Fuck that.
Unless the position is salary or a commission based job, working off the clock is illegal in the US. There may be other circumstances that it's legal, but in general is it not OK for an employee to ask you to perform work off the clock that you aren't paid for. It sounds like you're much better off not being there if they think they can expect that of someone
So I am currently filling out an application for a digital marketing internship however one of the questions on the application is stopping me in my tracks and I want to know if any of you can help me understand what it's asking me. The question is: "Until when are you available to work full-time?". Is it asking me when I'm availiable to begin working or when I'm willing to stop working for them if I get the offer?
Blackleg-sanji1
Banned
Sounds like another way of asking will you ever have to stop working full time
So if it's like that how should I answer that? Should I write down "until I'm needed at the company"? Or something else?
Blackleg-sanji1
Banned
If your available full time just write something like " My availability is consistent and will not change in the foreseeable future, therefore I am available for full time until the company decides otherwise"
Thank you so much for helping me.
Blackleg-sanji1
Banned
Hey no problem man good luck hope you get it
TBiddy
Member
In my opinion, you should never lie at a job interview. You can choose not to tell the full truth, but you shouldn't lie.
If they bring it up, I'd have choosen to be honest about it. Everyone makes mistakes, and if they aren't willing to hire you because of your mistake, it's probably not a place worth working anyways.
Of course, it depends on what the mistake was. If you're a doctor and you accidentally removed a penis instead of fixing a knee, they'll probably not hire you though..
PS. Well written Blackleg-sanji1!
Blackleg-sanji1
Banned
Haha thx man. Didn't wanna steer him wrong so I'm glad someone else liked it too!
That said everyone keep trying!! Just recently got promoted to a tier 2 chef, so just wanted to come in the thread and lift some spirits and help
Ugh. I want to start casual relief teaching but I am having trouble contacting my reference. The agency sent an email but she hasn't responded to their or my email. I got a response from my other reference (her co-worker) saying she replied to the agency. Two days ago, I sent another email to her to ask if her co-worker's email address has changed but she hasn't responded to that message.
Now I am getting paranoid and think she is intentionally ignoring me because she doesn't want to be my reference any more. Which is strange considering I had a good placement report last year, she offered to be my reference, and I was volunteering in her class for the remainder of the year. Surely she must be checking her email daily, so I have no idea why she is not responding
Now I am getting paranoid and think she is intentionally ignoring me because she doesn't want to be my reference any more. Which is strange considering I had a good placement report last year, she offered to be my reference, and I was volunteering in her class for the remainder of the year. Surely she must be checking her email daily, so I have no idea why she is not responding
TBiddy
Member
Congratulations!
And yeah, helping one another is always a good idea. Getting that crucial first job can be hard at times. Once you have your foot in the door, things get much easier from there on out.
Blackleg-sanji1
Banned
Thx came right on time as I'm expecting(plz be a boy).
Definitely and I know first hand how hard it is looking sometimes you wanna give up
Ventilaator
Banned
The website I've used to do all my applying will tell you when and how often your application was looked at. Yesterday, one of my application emails was apparently opened 17 times.
Huhwhat?
EDIT: Now it says 23
Huhwhat?
EDIT: Now it says 23
I had a potential employer ask me about lunch.
I knew I lost the job, but I wasn't going to lie to the guy. I told him I liked lunch, I liked taking it, and was looking forward to exploring New York City during my lunchtime.
He told me, deadly serious, that most of the employees liked to eat lunch at their desks and work on stories.
I want every job I apply for, but as I grow older I understand that some positions are just not a good fit.
I feel like we interviewed at the same place. I had an older guy ask me the same exact question when I first moved to NYC a few months ago and I gave him the exact same response.
There are some days I'll totally eat at my desk, but fuck that. Unless I get to leave an hour early, I'm taking an hour to myself.
Now I've been working a temp job for the past 5 months and I'm trying to get hired on permanently, but it's a slow-ass process. Interviewed with 2 people for the job and might be meeting with a 3rd at some point. My last day on contract was supposed to be yesterday (the 29th) but another department asked if I could stay on for 2 more weeks. I said yes, so long as it doesn't interfere with my interview process--so I'm still here, but I just wanna get hired and on a more stable salary. Ugh. I shouldn't complain because 2 weeks is basically $1000 in my pocket, but still.
The sad thing is we probably didn't interview at the same place.
Good luck with your search.