Support NeoGAF

[Cosmic Bus]

Have an interview this morning (at 6:30am on a Sunday? Err, okay.) with a previous employer but at a different location... the downside being that they asked me to interview for a position that runs from 3am - 11am, which definitely does not work with my upcoming school schedule, but I'm going in anyway just to see if they might have something else available. :\

 

[33-Hit-Combo]

Sure am... Just out of university and have a fair number of rejections so far. Still waiting on one reply. I was only given an interview a few days ago, after waiting 8 months (it's a graduate job though).

 

[electroshockwave]

This may be a dumb question but I wasn't sure where to ask, but what the hell are you supposed to put in an application form when it asks about hobbies and interests? It's just a sales assistant job at a pharmacy so unless my interests are working at a pharmacy I don't see what they have to do with anything.

 

[Zoe]

This may be a dumb question but I wasn't sure where to ask, but what the hell are you supposed to put in an application form when it asks about hobbies and interests? It's just a sales assistant job at a pharmacy so unless my interests are working at a pharmacy I don't see what they have to do with anything.

I have always left that blank. You'd only want to put in what's relevant or at least interesting.

 

[bangai-o]

This may be a dumb question but I wasn't sure where to ask, but what the hell are you supposed to put in an application form when it asks about hobbies and interests? It's just a sales assistant job at a pharmacy so unless my interests are working at a pharmacy I don't see what they have to do with anything.

put Anime. Your boss may be an Anime fan.

 

[33-Hit-Combo]

I have always left that blank. You'd only want to put in what's relevant or at least interesting.

That's an interesting approach. Surely that's worse than putting generic answers.

 

[Cosmic Bus]

If you had an interest in something related to a job (reading a particular genre of book if you were applying at a bookstore, keeping up with fashion blogs if you were applying at a clothing store, etc) obviously you'd want to mention that, but in this case, it's a pretty innocuous question that you should just answer honestly and briefly: movies, photography, hiking, etc.

 

[ThisWreckage]

This may be a dumb question but I wasn't sure where to ask, but what the hell are you supposed to put in an application form when it asks about hobbies and interests? It's just a sales assistant job at a pharmacy so unless my interests are working at a pharmacy I don't see what they have to do with anything.

Employers shouldn't even have that garbage on applications.

 

[Eljay]

This may be a dumb question but I wasn't sure where to ask, but what the hell are you supposed to put in an application form when it asks about hobbies and interests? It's just a sales assistant job at a pharmacy so unless my interests are working at a pharmacy I don't see what they have to do with anything.

Interviewers (myself included) usually use this field as an icebreaker and also to get a better understanding of the client's mentality. For example, if I'm looking at a resume and see someone is a musician like I am then I'll ask them a question about it and hope it leads to a couple follow-ups that gives me a better understanding of what really motivates them in their day-to-day life or what they spend their free time on. If I'm going to be working with this person for forty or fifty hours a week I want to make sure that not only can they do the job but that they'll be enjoyable to work with.

 

[DM_Uselink]

I just moved to San Francisco after the place I worked at for more than 5 years went out of business back in southern Cali. I mostly have retail experience and have done a few freelance art gigs (which is what I'd like to do professionally). Please welcome me to the unemployed club. Hopefully not for long.

 

[MC Safety]

I guess the phone interview has become the new first step in the hiring process.

Also, there is nothing more infuriating than to have a phone interview and be told the position in question is not full-time, but on a contract basis. Especially when no mention of this is made in the original ad.

 

[TheSeks]

Not sure how "giving up" could be perceived as a good idea...

It's either that, or keep wasting my time filling out applications for 30-60mins a pop and not hearing anything back. Or a "sorry, no, we need someone that is hearing or experienced

Also, don't worry about those experience pre-reqs... apply to the jobs asking for 2 years of experience anyway if they really strike a cord with you

Sure, or they see I'm more than a year unemployed and then just throw my resume aside. :/

 

[ThisWreckage]

Interviewers (myself included) usually use this field as an icebreaker and also to get a better understanding of the client's mentality. For example, if I'm looking at a resume and see someone is a musician like I am then I'll ask them a question about it and hope it leads to a couple follow-ups that gives me a better understanding of what really motivates them in their day-to-day life or what they spend their free time on. If I'm going to be working with this person for forty or fifty hours a week I want to make sure that not only can they do the job but that they'll be enjoyable to work with.

It's completely superfluous. A lot of what you listed can easily be accomplished during a person to person interview.

On another note, I applied for grocery store chain and the application process took 90 minutes. It was for a part time position. I really hate how almost every company has completely gotten rid of paper applications. Also, is it really necessary to know every place I've lived in the past five years?

 

[Aesius]

I may have to end up going back to Best Buy. I quit there in June because I hated it, and because I had (or so I thought) a much better job lined up. Well, now that job fell through for the time being as the company is going through a hiring freeze.

I've been applying for tons of jobs the past few weeks and haven't even received a callback. I have a college degree and a good resume. All the jobs I've been applying for have been "real jobs" but it looks to me like they are all completely unattainable for the average joe. I guess I'm gonna be the guy with a degree who is stuck in retail until he's 35.

 

[Phoenix]

If you're a computer scientist, can architect large enterprise systems, and have a fair amount of experience - PM me as I have some positions open for people with those skills. Looking for exceptional talent and people that are type A "go getter" personalities. If this doesn't describe you, best not to PM.

 

[ThisWreckage]

I may have to end up going back to Best Buy. I quit there in June because I hated it, and because I had (or so I thought) a much better job lined up. Well, now that job fell through for the time being as the company is going through a hiring freeze.

I've been applying for tons of jobs the past few weeks and haven't even received a callback. I have a college degree and a good resume. All the jobs I've been applying for have been "real jobs" but it looks to me like they are all completely unattainable for the average joe. I guess I'm gonna be the guy with a degree who is stuck in retail until he's 35.

You shouldn't feel ashamed because most of the people I graduated with are working part time in retail. Educated people upselling random bullshit to customers that don't have money so the companies can pad their pockets even more.

 

[Cyrillus]

Entry Level Remote IT Position Available!
Requires:
3-years IT Support experience
A+ or MCP Certification

Feels bad man :-/

 

[Mushroom021]

Yah I quit my job in June so i could have the last summer before I get a real career job to do anything I want...but I'm running out of money.

 

[SolKane]

It's completely superfluous. A lot of what you listed can easily be accomplished during a person to person interview.

On another note, I applied for grocery store chain and the application process took 90 minutes. It was for a part time position. I really hate how almost every company has completely gotten rid of paper applications. Also, is it really necessary to know every place I've lived in the past five years?

90 minutes for a grocery store? That's fucking unreal. I remember when I did a Starbucks app, it was like doing a Myers-Briggs test with the amount of absurd questions they ask you.

 

[ThisWreckage]

90 minutes for a grocery store? That's fucking unreal. I remember when I did a Starbucks app, it was like doing a Myers-Briggs test with the amount of absurd questions they ask you.

Yep, complete with a math assessment test that featured word problems.

 

[CyReN]

Get to put in my 2 weeks tomorrow morning, so excited/nervous..

Any advice for quitting in a small office with only 4 people in there?

 

[plc268]

Wow... just found this topic and glad to see I'm not alone. Well, "glad" may be the wrong word, but you get my drift.

I've been unemployed for going on 15 months now, and I can't even get a response from local retail stores. I may not have many marketable skills, but I feel like there's no room for a guy like me who's just trying to get a foot in the door.

The real kick in the gut came a few weeks ago when I applied for work at Target (online) and was denied. Later that day, after the rejection email, I stopped by there for a few things, and I saw a "Now Hiring" sign.

Really hoping I can find something soon. I'm eager to move out of my parent's place and move on with my life.

 

[Ripclawe]

Problem getting hired at retail stores is they go out of their way not to hire someone who is obviously overqualified for the job because they will up and leave at a moments notice.

 

[goomba]

Get to put in my 2 weeks tomorrow morning, so excited/nervous..

Any advice for quitting in a small office with only 4 people in there?

"later suckers !"

Have u got another job lined up?

 

[Kentpaul]

pre interview FREAKOUT

is black trousers and a white shirt, with a black jacket over the top for a production line type job

im i better going with the white shirt and black toursers, fuck i look like something out of Reservoir Dogs

help, interview is in 45 minutes

edit freaking the fuck out,

going with the white shirt and black dress trousers, slight pin striped.

 

[CyReN]

"later suckers !"

Have u got another job lined up?

Yep.

What's the best time to quit? Towards the end of the day? I'm nervous..

 

[Kentpaul]

I got the job, One of they jobs were u choose the times you want. (can also work agents me if they ain't got much shifts one week)

I'm very happy. it was lots of testing and shit i had to do, then once i got home i had to wait on the phone call coming in, got a medical on Thursday (this company doesn't drug test thank god)

All in all i'm so fucking happy.

Making some cash money, 1 days work is pretty much what i would get just now on wellfair for an entire week.

Fuck man life be good today

 

[ZombieFred]

got a medical on Thursday (this company doesn't drug test thank god)

Word of warning, they normally say this and actually do drug tests (they only say no just to not scare you) so you might be in trouble there. I hope they're telling the truth though!

 

[Nocturnowl]

Let it be known that UK job centres do indeed take place in some kind of alternative universe, one where upon putting you on a work placement they also stop your benefits because you were at the work placement that they put you on instead of at the job centre for a 5 minute signing on process, and they didn't mention this little detail either upon putting me on the placement.
Last time I had a work placement earlier this year they ignored the usual bi weekly/fortnightly signing on process because I was.....well working so logically it wouldn't really make sense. But this time the rules have changed seemingly for no reason. Now I have to go the job centre tomorrow morning and fix things (after already having spent the last half an hour on the phone with them) and then I arrive late to work.

Not that this situation is really too much of a problem for me, I just felt I had to highlight the ineptitude of England's Job Centre system.

 

[Amagon]

Reapply unemployment, hope everything works out on that end. I have a buddy of mine that wants to start a business getting contract work to deliver and install appliances. He wants me to help him out so I got that going on. And if anything, my sister told me they are hiring at her workplace, Trader Joe's, so by the end of this month or maybe sooner, I can finally get some income coming in

Spoiler

I hope

. Being poor and unemployed is the worst thing that ever happen to me so keep on fighting my brothers and sisters.

 

[Soma]

Well over the weekend I made an application for a Teller position at Bank of America. I've been interested in working at a bank for a while and it's interesting that the position just opened up recently too. I've got roughly 3 years experience in retail and register experience, very flexible availability, good experience with customer service and computer programming so yeah.


Just hoping and praying that it works out as it'd be really convenient for me and just damn, I need a job. Sick and tired of sitting on my ass. Been unemployed since November of last year. It sucks that most of the other jobs in this town are fast food places and I really don't wanna have to resort to that...

 

[Drealmcc0y]

I got the job, One of they jobs were u choose the times you want. (can also work agents me if they ain't got much shifts one week)

I'm very happy. it was lots of testing and shit i had to do, then once i got home i had to wait on the phone call coming in, got a medical on Thursday (this company doesn't drug test thank god)

All in all i'm so fucking happy.

Making some cash money, 1 days work is pretty much what i would get just now on wellfair for an entire week.

Fuck man life be good today

How does this burnout get a fucking job?

 

[Cosmic Bus]

Well over the weekend I made an application for a Teller position at Bank of America. I've been interested in working at a bank for a while and it's interesting that the position just opened up recently too. I've got roughly 3 years experience in retail and register experience, very flexible availability, good experience with customer service and computer programming so yeah.

Just hoping and praying that it works out as it'd be really convenient for me and just damn, I need a job. Sick and tired of sitting on my ass. Been unemployed since November of last year. It sucks that most of the other jobs in this town are fast food places and I really don't wanna have to resort to that...

Good luck! I've gone through the Bank of America process twice (and rejected both times for not having enough experience despite 10+ years retail and two years running the cash office of a $2mil store) if you have any questions about it. They always do group interviews to start, and if you're approved beyond that, you'll get a 1-on-1 interview with the branch manager.

I completely know what you mean about being tired: we've been out of work for almost the same amount of time. :\ Been hoofing it for the past couple weeks, getting my resume out at every goddamn business I can find, but as usual, no nibbles. Fast food is the one thing I haven't gone to yet, and I'm dreading the day it comes to that. I'm so much better than flippin' burgers... if only the city would stop shitting on my head long enough to give me a chance.

[edit] Just followed up on several of the places I applied at, and got a series of resounding NO answers. Ugh.

 

[ThisWreckage]

I've started looking into teaching English overseas or maybe in Costa Rica. It's pointless even trying right now. With the stock market shitting on itself yet again things aren't going to get better.

 

[SolKane]

I've started looking into teaching English overseas or maybe in Costa Rica. It's pointless even trying right now. With the stock market shitting on itself yet again things aren't going to get better.

This may be what I do too. I'm getting pretty desperate for a job at this point, and I'm really tired of the bullshit that the US government spews on a daily basis.

 

[BlueSummers]

Okay, time to post my scenario because I've been really stressing the last couple of days.

I have a criminal justice degree from a local college (Richard Stockton College of NJ) which I obtained December of last year. I've been unemployed since Sept 09' after I worked as a dockhand in Atlantic City for the summer. Great job with tons of tips.

Once my final year at school started I wanted to really finish strong and since I was taking my 3000 lvl classes and I didn't think Id have the time for school and work. Well I finished with a 3.77 GPA, but in my final year I realized law enforcement was just not for me.

Entering my freshman year I was CERTAIN that's what I wanted and declared my major from jump street. Bad idea. To make matters worse I started having some bad signs of depression and started smoking weed that same year. Bad idea #2. I'm in the process of quitting now, but since my law enforcement agencies hair test, I still have awhile to wait before I could even apply to be a cop.

I've been looking for crappy jobs at supermarkets, big lots, wawa, etc but NONE OF THEM WILL EVEN CALL BACK. I'm really starting to feel like I'm "overqualified" and it's getting even more depressing. I'm 23 years old with no direction and no idea what I really want from my future. I don't even really want to pursue criminal justice but I just feel like I don't have a choice anymore.

Sorry for the long post but I just really needed to get that off my chest.

tldr; I'm struggling.

 

[BeautifulMemory]

Okay, time to post my scenario because I've been really stressing the last couple of days.

I have a criminal justice degree from a local college (Richard Stockton College of NJ) which I obtained December of last year. I've been unemployed since Sept 09' after I worked as a dockhand in Atlantic City for the summer. Great job with tons of tips.

Once my final year at school started I wanted to really finish strong and since I was taking my 3000 lvl classes and I didn't think Id have the time for school and work. Well I finished with a 3.77 GPA, but in my final year I realized law enforcement was just not for me.

Entering my freshman year I was CERTAIN that's what I wanted and declared my major from jump street. Bad idea. To make matters worse I started having some bad signs of depression and started smoking weed that same year. Bad idea #2. I'm in the process of quitting now, but since my law enforcement agencies hair test, I still have awhile to wait before I could even apply to be a cop.

I've been looking for crappy jobs at supermarkets, big lots, wawa, etc but NONE OF THEM WILL EVEN CALL BACK. I'm really starting to feel like I'm "overqualified" and it's getting even more depressing. I'm 23 years old with no direction and no idea what I really want from my future. I don't even really want to pursue criminal justice but I just feel like I don't have a choice anymore.

Sorry for the long post but I just really needed to get that off my chest.

tldr; I'm struggling.

If I may...

1. Being 23 is the beginning of beginning. Unless you were super conscious of your career paths when you were in college, be prepared to start low, work hard and learn life lessons hard. Enjoy your life in the meantime, we all go through it. I have worked miles and miles away without a car, living with cockroaches, and so on. It's par of the process, BUT THE IMPORTANT THING IS YOU KEEP ON WORKING ON YOURSELF AND YOUR LIFE

2. Okay you have second thoughts about your degree. Totally fine. Happens to a lot of us at a young age AND once we are more established. People change careers all the time. What you want to think about and get some Idea about where you'd want to go with your life. You'd want to build on your work experiences rather than having bunch of unrelated ones.

For example, I wanted to be in the mental health field...well this is definitely a field where you need at least a masters to be paid well. O accepted that and just aimed for experiences, and I worked for any hours I could. Now it wouldn't too wise to move to a completely different field so all those experiences become unimportant, you know?

3. Think of your degree as skills...in earning that, what are you good at? Then take those skills and see where else they can be applied. Think broadly of your skills. You have it obviously because you are competent and skillful at certain things. Be kind to yourself

 

[Cosmic Bus]

Just got a call from Yellow Leaf Cupcakes and they want me to come in for an interview with the two owners tomorrow afternoon. He mentioned wanting me to demonstrate some decorating skills, and that makes me nervous as all get out. I get very, very jittery when people watch me work on a cake, not to mention I haven't really practiced much since last fall. I should really whip up some frosting and mess around with it tonight.

Dropped off a resume at Boulangerie Nantaise, as well, and I was given the impression they're after someone more experienced in breads than I am, but who knows. The owner was pretty nice, and I made the implication clear that I'd happily just sling coffee and ring people up if that's all that was available.

 

[TheSeks]

:lol at looking at previous application sites and seeing the position I applied for still isn't filled. Oh well, filled out the application for another position to never hear back about. Yay. :/

 

[Old Gimlet Eyes]

Going to be finally working again after a year of being unemployed. My brothers painting business has taken off over the last few months and he needs an assistant. I have painted with him before and for other companies, so nothing new to me. Not a fan of it though, especially when my last job was a nice, cushy accounts receivables office job. I'll take anything at this point though and it could be worse. My bro will at least treat me right and we work well together. First up is painting a KFC this weekend, gonna be fun.....

 

[JCX]

Summer job ended on Friday, so I'm back on the hunt. Anyone do well with a blind move to a new place? I live in Michigan, but I want to move to Chicago soon.

 

[1stStrike]

Summer job ended on Friday, so I'm back on the hunt. Anyone do well with a blind move to a new place? I live in Michigan, but I want to move to Chicago soon.

Why the hell would you want to move to Chicago? Don't do it lol

 

[KevinCow]

I finally became employed and I'm kinda starting to regret it.

 

[pje122]

I got the job, One of they jobs were u choose the times you want. (can also work agents me if they ain't got much shifts one week)

I'm very happy. it was lots of testing and shit i had to do, then once i got home i had to wait on the phone call coming in, got a medical on Thursday (this company doesn't drug test thank god)

All in all i'm so fucking happy.

Making some cash money, 1 days work is pretty much what i would get just now on wellfair for an entire week.

Fuck man life be good today

Congrats.

 

[Cyrillus]

So, after pretty much all summer of applying to places and getting not so much as a call back, I have two interviews set up tomorrow at different places. One for a local telecom, and one for a local computer manufacturer. Both are pretty much entry-level IT support jobs.

For the computer manufacturer, it's weird because I applied there in May for an internship position, and never received a response. I got a call from them last week saying that they had a full-time position they thought I would be qualified for, and wanted to put me in the running for that position. I of course said yes, and now I have an interview with them tomorrow, and the guy I've been talking to said I will be meeting with the Customer Support Team Leader, but to make sure I allocate at least 2 hours for this interview "should [they] wish to have additional individuals meet with [me]." I'm trying not to hype myself up too much for this, but does this sound like they're at least serious about considering me? Here's hoping anyway!

Any tips, IT-GAF?

 

[Aesius]

How many apps/resumes are you guys sending out per day?

Also, where do you go to look for jobs? Job boards? Or just Google some relevant companies in the area and send resumes directly?

I think the second approach has gotta be the better option, unless you are just extremely qualified for the position on the job board. Each opening has to have thousands of applicants applying as it's the first place everyone is going to look.

Also, do you rewrite most of your resume/cover letter for each position, or do you just plug in relevant information for each company?

 

[SolKane]

I applied for two positions as a cashier at a grocery store yesterday, and they had the gall to ask for a SSN on the application. I could hardly believe they would ask that on a simple application (I put in 000000000). Anyway, I got a prompt rejection letter from them today. Then again I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable working for a place that could be so unprofessional.

 

[Trumpet909]

How many apps/resumes are you guys sending out per day?

Also, where do you go to look for jobs? Job boards? Or just Google some relevant companies in the area and send resumes directly?

I think the second approach has gotta be the better option, unless you are just extremely qualified for the position on the job board. Each opening has to have thousands of applicants applying as it's the first place everyone is going to look.

Also, do you rewrite most of your resume/cover letter for each position, or do you just plug in relevant information for each company?

I looked at Careerbuilders, USA Jobs and then mostly looked at company websites. Most major companies have their own part of the website where they post their available jobs, where you sign in and create a username, etc. A lot of the times I would look and see which companies were posting jobs up on the job boards, then I would go directly to that company as well and see if they had anything else listed, or if I could apply to them directly.

I did a mostly standard cover letter, basically a short "elevator" speech where I can switch out the job position and company.

 

[Cyrillus]

How many apps/resumes are you guys sending out per day?

Also, where do you go to look for jobs? Job boards? Or just Google some relevant companies in the area and send resumes directly?

I think the second approach has gotta be the better option, unless you are just extremely qualified for the position on the job board. Each opening has to have thousands of applicants applying as it's the first place everyone is going to look.

Also, do you rewrite most of your resume/cover letter for each position, or do you just plug in relevant information for each company?

For my part, I looked at CareerBuilder website, Craigslist (be cautious with this one, I ended up going to an interview for some vague position that ended up being door-to-door vacuum salesmen), and another local paper that had an online classifieds section. I will trumpet what Trumpet909 said, in that if you find a job on the CareerBuilder site, you should try to find their company website and see if you can apply through there.

Anecdotal evidence, I know, but the two places I've received interviews for I applied to through their company websites.

 

[Cosmic Bus]

My interview at the Yellow Leaf bakery went very, very well. Over an hour talking with the two owners, toured the place a bit, did some pastry bag shenanigans for them, etc. Trying not to get my hopes up considering how many times I've been disappointed this year, but it really felt good.