Probationary period at the new place (90 days) passed this week and the boss told me they're going to do a peer review to see if I can stay. This comes with excellent timing, as we've been waiting on a stack of job quotes with orders and bid acceptance that should be coming 'any time now' for the last few weeks but haven't. Unless things miraculously turn around come Monday, I fear I'll be out looking for work again.
anyone else unemployed?
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The Last Wizard
Member
so I dropped my resume of at a store back on 9/12 and haven't heard anything yet, though they still have the now hiring sign in the window. Should I take initiative and go back or call to check?
if its been 3 weeks, what do you have to lose? I would go back and inquire about it again.
The Last Wizard
Member
Should I just go in and say "Hey I dropped a resume off a few weeks ago and was wondering...?"
don't know what to say after wondering.
Am I the only one who finds it extremely difficult to find out who to address cover letters to?
You can probably leave out that last sentence. But you get idea.
"...if you guys had a chance to look at my resume. I'd love to work, so I'm just checking to see if any decisions have been made in the hiring process."
You can probably leave out that last sentence. But you get idea.
The Last Wizard
Member
Ok cool, so if they ask me to leave another resume it'd be best to leave it with the manager if their available right?
Yeah, I don't see why not.
The Last Wizard
Member
Just got back, asked and was told that 2 people were hired. The manager wasn't there, they said the didn't know if more people would be hired but to try again with manager. So I'll follow up with her and see where I can take this, I'd assume at least 2-3 more people will be hired since they've still got the sign in the window.
Man I'd really love to have that job, I really need to be more responsible and it'd help me in the right direction. Does anyone know some good resources to helping write a cover letter?
Man I'd really love to have that job, I really need to be more responsible and it'd help me in the right direction. Does anyone know some good resources to helping write a cover letter?
How persistent should one be when trying to score an interview? I sent an application to a company I REALLY want to work for about a month ago. A week later I sent an email to the HR Manager asking if the first one was received, he said yes and that he would pass my application along to the leads. Now it's been almost three weeks and I haven't heard anything yet. Should I send a final email or just leave it alone?
Hale-XF11
Member
Three weeks is long enough to wait for an answer. If your app was truly sent up the ladder, then it's in your best interest to do another follow-up ASAP. Sometimes you have to be very persistent to get what you want if you really want it. Besides, what do you have to lose?
I have an interview at Fry's today. I've been hearing some bad things about working there which is making me less nervous about it but its a job. If I get it I can focus more on improving my programming skills and creating more projects instead of worrying about finding a job and my loans accruing interest.
black_vegeta
Member
Exactly, Fry's is "just a job." Although some people can make a career out of it. Good luck and stay focused if you get the job.
Wuthering_Heights
Banned
Any tips or experiences in regards to explaining a large gap in your employment history due to taking care of an ailing family member?
In retrospect, it was pretty stupid of me not to get some kind of a part time night job to make sure I didn't have that gap, but money wasn't an issue and the stress of the entire situation left me with an insufficient supply of motivation.
Now I've been looking for ANYTHING for the last six months and I can barely get anyone to talk to me. I feel like they take one look at that employment gap and into the trash bin my application goes. I can't really blame them, of course, but even if I get to the point where I can actually explain to somebody the situation, it doesn't seem to help.
There's a casino near here having an open house Friday, and they need to fill a ton of jobs, and I hear there's a lot of people going in and walking out with a job. At least there's a good chance I'll be able to speak with someone face to face and explain things. I'm remaining somewhat optimistic.
Doesn't help that I got a shitty haircut today, which will probably end with me shaving it all off tonight, and I look terrible with a shaved head. Bleh.
In retrospect, it was pretty stupid of me not to get some kind of a part time night job to make sure I didn't have that gap, but money wasn't an issue and the stress of the entire situation left me with an insufficient supply of motivation.
Now I've been looking for ANYTHING for the last six months and I can barely get anyone to talk to me. I feel like they take one look at that employment gap and into the trash bin my application goes. I can't really blame them, of course, but even if I get to the point where I can actually explain to somebody the situation, it doesn't seem to help.
There's a casino near here having an open house Friday, and they need to fill a ton of jobs, and I hear there's a lot of people going in and walking out with a job. At least there's a good chance I'll be able to speak with someone face to face and explain things. I'm remaining somewhat optimistic.
Doesn't help that I got a shitty haircut today, which will probably end with me shaving it all off tonight, and I look terrible with a shaved head. Bleh.
Instead of having a gap, why not have an explanation on the resume? Call yourself something like Home Health Aide or some bullshit for that time period
Unknown Fighter Type II
Member
I've been using "Dear Hiring Manager" for instances where I DON"T know who to address my cover letter too. Many of the resources I've found have indicated that this is fine to use.
I recently finished my cover letter. I spent a few days looking at examples on different job resource sites (about.com has samples). It will feel like you're writing a mini paper. The most difficult part is coming up with what you want to say about yourself. Its your introduction to the hiring person.
A simple and effective cover letter I did....3 paragraphs.
Paragraph 1
Dear *blank*, I'm interested in *position*. Write a few sentences about why you feel you're the right fit, and perhaps mention some detail about the company that supports why your skills are right.
Paragraph 2
A lot of ways to go about this. I wrote a personal anecdote about a stressful time at my last employer and how I handled it (I was a banker, stressful days). Doing this makes you stand out more, as it captures the attention of the person reading your CL. It also further supports what you're saying about yourself. You don't HAVE too go this route though. Some hiring managers like anecdotes..some don't. Just make sure you come across as authentic. Try to use slightly less formal language, as you're basically telling a story.
Another way to go for this section is to talk about any accomplishments and/or goals you have. Try to steer clear of rehashing your resume here. It's easy to fall into that...you basically want to TALK here. Its a conversation. Not saying you can't flesh out some of the details on your resume. Just make sure its more a conversation...so to speak.
Paragraph 3
Time to wrap it up. I used this section to add additional skills that I couldn't flesh out in my resume. I closed with again, restating why I was a good candidate, and that I looked further to having the opportunity to further discuss my skills for the position.
Now this is just one example. How you write your CL will depend on your experience, field your applying in, and your goals. Some people use one generic cover letter, or tailor one for EACH job they're applying too. Your goal ultimately is to get an interview. Your CL doesn't have to be top notch. But you want it to be good. So just be authentic, and make sure it paints a clear picture of who you are.
Hypereides
Member
Yup. Currently unemployed. Had a meeting with Hugo Boss. Couldve gone better. Didnt get the job.
Doesnt make me lose hope though...
Doesnt make me lose hope though...
brianjones
Member
anyone know anything about insurance sales?
i keep getting emails about interviewing for these jobs, but i have no sales experience.. they suggest that you could be making 100k salary within 3 years
i read online about how farmers insurance is a big scam and their employees are treated like shit
i keep getting emails about interviewing for these jobs, but i have no sales experience.. they suggest that you could be making 100k salary within 3 years
i read online about how farmers insurance is a big scam and their employees are treated like shit
perfectchaos007
Member
Had an interview on Wednesday and was supposed to find out on Friday if I got the job...nothing. Back to square one on Monday.
Wuthering_Heights
Banned
Well, I got offered a job at the casino I interviewed with.
Can't be excited about it, though, since I still need to be approved for the gaming license that's required to work there.
So worried.
Can't be excited about it, though, since I still need to be approved for the gaming license that's required to work there.
So worried.
I've been getting shot down left and right these past two weeks, even after having a few interviews where I "thought" that things had gone well. Even worse is having gotten absolutely zero feedback as to what went wrong. One of these instances even involved me using "networking" to get me in a good spot, but despite that I still couldn't land the gig. Worse was being left hanging a month just for their final decision of no (even after hearing the manager, hr rep and other team members stressed how quickly they wanted to move along and how they'd be in touch with me "soon")
I keep feeling there's something fundamentally wrong with myself that I am simply incapable of getting a job in my chosen profession, and it makes me question everything I know and how capable I really am. Because after all, if I really was good enough, then I shouldn't be having this much difficulty right?
Now I have to worry about the winter months coming up because companies typically stall their hiring during these times until sometime next year.
I keep feeling there's something fundamentally wrong with myself that I am simply incapable of getting a job in my chosen profession, and it makes me question everything I know and how capable I really am. Because after all, if I really was good enough, then I shouldn't be having this much difficulty right?
Now I have to worry about the winter months coming up because companies typically stall their hiring during these times until sometime next year.
You're competing against a ton of people with likely very similar skill sets, don't need to think this way. It's going to be especially hard if you're trying to find work in desirable areas / limiting yourself to relatively local positions.
Wuthering_Heights
Banned
Ugh, 7-10 days before I find out if I get approved for my license.
Gonna be a loooong wait.
Gonna be a loooong wait.
Hypereides
Member
Update: Got some surprisingly turn-around news. Apparently Hugo Boss is still interested in me.
Hopefully they'll get back to me soon-ish. Would love to work for their fashion house. There's still hope.
Hopefully they'll get back to me soon-ish. Would love to work for their fashion house. There's still hope.
Oh yeah, there's no doubt about that. The pool of talent in this industry is overwhelming and it definitely makes it feel like an incredibly uphill battle knowing you are up against talent that could very well have a decade of experience or more on top of your own. But that's what also makes it feel like I'm sometimes lacking so much in terms of quality, since I look at the level of others and I know I'm nowhere near that, which cements the belief of something fundamentally wrong with myself, that despite all my efforts, my output feels mediocre at best.
I don't really look at overseas opportunities as I don't think I'd manage well moving far away to a completely foreign land. Not to mention I've actually heard its more competitive unless you move to say China or India, which I'd rather not go to.
krameriffic
Member
7-10 days? I just waited 6 months for a TS security clearance. Now that I have it, I start on the 29th. It's been a FUCKING long time coming.
Hypereides
Member
Had a job meeting with SELECTED. Nailed it! Very excited to work for them. Starting next monday.
http://selected.com/
Ditched Hugo Boss. Firm is snobbish as hell. Glad I dodged a bullet there.
http://selected.com/
Ditched Hugo Boss. Firm is snobbish as hell. Glad I dodged a bullet there.
Can anyone explain why an employment gap is so detrimental? Is it because you look, at least in part, unemployable? Or that you might be lazy or unambitious?
Or that it's just a minor thing but an easy one to cull in the first instance?
It kinda sucks.
AlphaTwo00
Member
All of the above, and maybe even more.
Hey guys, I'm back again, cause I'm feeling like shit right now.
It's been 18 months now since I was downsized from a game studio, and it's been infrequent to find any job postings for game designers with ~3 years experience. Today I got another rejection reply from a place, and once again "lack of experience". I'm this close to throwing in the towel for game dev at this point.
Offshoot question: In the last 18 months, I've been doing solo iOS development (on again, off again, with some apps and games published). On my resume, I've always listed myself as 3+ years in game development (for summary), but I've never noted that 18 months as part of that "game development" time. Is that working against me?
Freakinchair
Member
Not sure why you're complaining about being employed in the unemployment thread. A lot of us are just trying to make ends meet and have to work at shitty supermarket/call center positions when we have university/college degrees. I would do anything for a position that let me gain experience at coding in C# - who cares if the work is meaningless; You get paid and you gain experience in one of the most used coding languages.
Gameboy415
Member
This past Tuesday I hit my 90th day of employment at my current job and found out I'm getting a raise! Woo hoo!
....then on Wednesday everyone in my department got called into a meeting to let us know that the company is officially being relocated to Florida (we're currently in Illinois) by the end of March 2013 and we'll have the opportunity to "apply" for our positions in Florida if we choose to relocate.
The worst part is that they randomly dropped this bomb on us ~1.5 months after they assured us that our Tech Support department was staying in Illinois, but might relocate locally.
*sigh*
I love my current job but there's no way in hell I'm moving to Florida so now I have to go through the whole application/interview/90 day process again, assuming I can even find a decent new job anytime soon.
Hooray for corporate America! *rage*
....then on Wednesday everyone in my department got called into a meeting to let us know that the company is officially being relocated to Florida (we're currently in Illinois) by the end of March 2013 and we'll have the opportunity to "apply" for our positions in Florida if we choose to relocate.
The worst part is that they randomly dropped this bomb on us ~1.5 months after they assured us that our Tech Support department was staying in Illinois, but might relocate locally.
*sigh*
I love my current job but there's no way in hell I'm moving to Florida so now I have to go through the whole application/interview/90 day process again, assuming I can even find a decent new job anytime soon.
Hooray for corporate America! *rage*
You were self employed and doing contract work. Can't see why that wont count as experience. Id go further to see how you can dress that up as your own one man company and put it in your work history. You're miles ahead of guys that were twiddling their thumbs for 18 months, and you need to make sure prospective employers know that.
So my new employer is doing a thorough background check and needs me to confirm records of employment for 2 locations. The first one I worked back in 2009 and I might be able to get a hold of my superior there (assuming he still works there) but the second place was way back in 2007. The company has changed names and I'm sure have changed management, so how would I go abouts getting an ROE from there? I don't have any contact information from my previous managers for that store.. Can I just go into the place and ask if they have my record on file?
I threw out all my pay stubs and whatnot
I threw out all my pay stubs and whatnot
So my new employer is doing a thorough background check and needs me to confirm records of employment for 2 locations. The first one I worked back in 2009 and I might be able to get a hold of my superior there (assuming he still works there) but the second place was way back in 2007. The company has changed names and I'm sure have changed management, so how would I go abouts getting an ROE from there? I don't have any contact information from my previous managers for that store.. Can I just go into the place and ask if they have my record on file?
I threw out all my pay stubs and whatnot
It can't hurt to ask. If all else fails, get your return from the IRS (assuming you're an American): http://www.irs.gov/uac/How-to-Get-Your-Prior-Year-Tax-Information-from-the-IRS-
For 2007 it appears as if you will have to order the full return, rather than a transcript, which will cost $57.
Game dev is amazingly unstable and just has such a bloated talent pool. It is a buyers market unless you're an engineer (designers/artists are in great supply, from all over the world, and there is practically no turnover of these, ie. no one leaves their job), so you have to be a prodigy talent to have no issue.
I'm thinking I'm nearing the end of interest in game dev myself. Problem is though is that I don't have any other work experience nor do I have a good college degree. So yeah, not much to be happy about.
Lion Heart
Banned
Alright GAF, after a long stint of unemployement, I have not one but two job offers right at the same time but I'm not sure which to take.
One of the positions is a guaranteed apprenticeship position while the other I'm unsure about but its potentially a 'work your way up to an apprenticeship'. Either that or maybe they start me at an apprentice, I'll definitely find out soon. Also I'm unsure which pays more atm.
One is a hell of a lot closer though to my house (the not guaranteed app position). How should I go about this, should I blatantly tell them about my predicament and also ask about the pay or is that not recommended? I'm cautious about telling them I have another job offer and losing both.
One of the positions is a guaranteed apprenticeship position while the other I'm unsure about but its potentially a 'work your way up to an apprenticeship'. Either that or maybe they start me at an apprentice, I'll definitely find out soon. Also I'm unsure which pays more atm.
One is a hell of a lot closer though to my house (the not guaranteed app position). How should I go about this, should I blatantly tell them about my predicament and also ask about the pay or is that not recommended? I'm cautious about telling them I have another job offer and losing both.
Nizz
Member
I just want to vent a little here but I feel like fucking yelling right now. I applied at a local Target since it looks like they're hiring for seasonal help. I was feeling pretty good when I did the phone interview but didn't have a good feeling somehow when I went to the in-person interview.
Of course I get the "you should hear from us next week" on Friday and today I just checked my email and see one from Target. I fucking knew what it was going to say before I even opened it.
The same bullshit "thanks for being interested in working at Target, unfortunately we don't have a position to offer you". Yeah, you did have a position for me. You basically bent me over and fucked me.
I'm sorry for this post, it just pisses me off that I can't even get a god damn seasonal position to make at least some money for a couple of months. About a month ago I ended up selling a white gold chain I had for years to make some money. Ended up making a decent buck by selling it but I'm now almost used it up completely.
I feel like I'm at the end of my rope...
Of course I get the "you should hear from us next week" on Friday and today I just checked my email and see one from Target. I fucking knew what it was going to say before I even opened it.
The same bullshit "thanks for being interested in working at Target, unfortunately we don't have a position to offer you". Yeah, you did have a position for me. You basically bent me over and fucked me.
I'm sorry for this post, it just pisses me off that I can't even get a god damn seasonal position to make at least some money for a couple of months. About a month ago I ended up selling a white gold chain I had for years to make some money. Ended up making a decent buck by selling it but I'm now almost used it up completely.
I feel like I'm at the end of my rope...
Rebel Leader
THE POWER OF BUTTERSCOTCH BOTTOMS
Still nothing... Getting ridiculous
Though tourist season is about to star but I fucking doubt I'll get anything
Though tourist season is about to star but I fucking doubt I'll get anything
My suggestions to people who have a huge gap in their resume.
Go to a temp agency, and get some work in. You may have to temp for over a year to have your resume look good again.
Basically what happen to me was I was unemployeed for 3.5 years after getting out of college, and nobody would give my resume a 2nd look. So I went with an agency, did about 1.5 years of temping and the place hired me, without looking at my resume.
So give it a try guys.
Go to a temp agency, and get some work in. You may have to temp for over a year to have your resume look good again.
Basically what happen to me was I was unemployeed for 3.5 years after getting out of college, and nobody would give my resume a 2nd look. So I went with an agency, did about 1.5 years of temping and the place hired me, without looking at my resume.
So give it a try guys.
brianjones
Member
im pretty much in the same boat
The Horror the horror
Banned
I know this might not help, but giving up really isn't going to make things better. I've been in those shoes, and I even contemplated doing things a normal-minded person wouldn't, but I knew that doing nothing would simply compound my problems until I would have no choice but to finally entertain those grim options.
Doing nothing simply puts you in a deeper hole -- financially, mentally, and physically. I'm not saying you should keep looking for work at the same, break-neck pace because I'm sure by now you've reached the point of diminished returns, but I'd encourage you to do things that might help to revitalize you, including reading books containing inspiring characters, hanging out with positive friends, or watching some inspiring clips on YouTube.
In relation to my peers, I'm behind them in all facets of the game. Same age, but they've got nice homes while I live in a crap hole apartment that's occasionally visited by rodents. Once you lose money and the bills start stacking up, it's like a never ending catch 22. Being BROKE sets you back. And when you're broke for long enough, it seems like you'll never reach the starting point before all the crap hit the fan. But I knew that giving up wasn't an option because if I chose to sink any further, I'd be dead. Luckily, I have a girl who loves me and we're seeing ourselves out of this predicament. I play games, because, quite frankly, they numb me from the reality of my present circumstances and they bring me back to my more colorful childhood when everything seemed so perfect. Anyway, I'm not sure if any of this makes sense to you, but I just want you guys to know that you're not alone and other GAFers KNOW. Don't give up. Please.
After being unemployed for a good while I finally found a job. It's only a seasonal job but meh it's better than nothing. It was the easiest interview ever too. It was your typical "tell me about a time you did so and so and how did you resolve it" type questions. They usually have a clipboard filled with questions that they have to ask. However the manager that interviewed me only asked me the very first question and for the rest of the questions he just skimmed through them and wrote down "SEE ABOVE." I'm assuming all the questions were fairly similar and he just didn't feel like going through the entire thing. Or he just really liked my answer. Hey i'm not complaining .
We were just chit chatting the rest of the time and he was handing me candy throughout the interview.
I was offered the job on the spot. I already filled out all the paperwork just waiting for the drug test to make it official, which i took this morning.
. We were just chit chatting the rest of the time and he was handing me candy throughout the interview.
I was offered the job on the spot. I already filled out all the paperwork just waiting for the drug test to make it official, which i took this morning.
megamerican
Member
Congrats man!
Liberty4all
Banned
I didn't make it through my probation and got canned on Thursday a week before probation would have ended. A huge blow as it took 10 months to land a decent paying job.
The worst part is it had nothing to do with my work performance persay ... I inadvertently pissed off the director of my department a month in and a political shitstorm followed me for the last 2 months as they "built the case".
It was a pretty bad experience overall made worse as I loved the job. Ugh. On the bright side I needed 595 hours to qualify for employment insurance and I squeezed in with 610 total giving me 18 weeks of benefits. Thank god I worked 40 hours overtime in a 2 week period when I first started to "impress them". If I had not have had enough hours for EI I would have been screeewwwed.
This still really sucks though. It's an even bigger blow as this was a career change. After 10 months of looking I had 3 offers come in at the same time ... 2 in my field and this one that was a chance to make a career change.
The worst part is it had nothing to do with my work performance persay ... I inadvertently pissed off the director of my department a month in and a political shitstorm followed me for the last 2 months as they "built the case".
It was a pretty bad experience overall made worse as I loved the job. Ugh. On the bright side I needed 595 hours to qualify for employment insurance and I squeezed in with 610 total giving me 18 weeks of benefits. Thank god I worked 40 hours overtime in a 2 week period when I first started to "impress them". If I had not have had enough hours for EI I would have been screeewwwed.
This still really sucks though. It's an even bigger blow as this was a career change. After 10 months of looking I had 3 offers come in at the same time ... 2 in my field and this one that was a chance to make a career change.
I've been in the unemployed crowd for a little over a month now. Quit my last job. Yeah, doesn't seem like the best of ideas but considering the commute, it was too hard to work and look for a new job. Fast forward a month - have a Skype interview with a digital marketing company in the coming days. I feel confident. My experience is in line with the requirements and its a small company. Other than a marketing video I wrote for my previous employer, I have no experience in the field. My experience is in writing ad copy. Yet, I feel good about this place. Quick response to my application.
Hopefully, only a matter of time.
Hopefully, only a matter of time.
The Last Wizard
Member
what's some relevant skills I can write down for a clothing store?
The Last Wizard
Member
and would saying not to contact previous employers hurt me?
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