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[Soldiussnaku]

In a bit of a dilemma here workGaf.

I'm currently working, been in the position for almost 2 years now, no promotion chances as they have been filled up recently by people with years more experience them me at the company.

No biggie, I took the job/wage so I could move forward with my life goals.

However it's time for a change. This business is still very profitable and grows quarter to quarter, but they are investing more and more in legal services, and to top it off, the area I work in is projected to decrease in money making relevance over the next 2-3 years. It's time for me to progress with another job.

So I started to apply for jobs a week ago, had 2 interviews so far, one that went extremely well, but I had to reject the position due to time/distance/transport constraints. The other I was turned down, no biggie as the research I did into the company for my prep portrayed the company a horrible place to work with high levels of turnover, poor training and job stress, from multiple sources.

I'm pretty dead set in getting a new job, I reckon in a year or so the department might be in danger of downsizing.

Question is, when/what do I tell my manager? The guy is great and I've made sure I retained a great working/college relationship with him. We get on very well and he has looked to me a few times to help with department work. He is very open to people telling him how it is on the job/personal life, of course in as professional manner.

Thing is though, others are leaving the department as well, and a few of them have told my manager they are planning to leave. Now I took a week of for relaxation/interviews. When I go back, still applying for jobs, there's only so many times I can make an excuse of taking time off so I can attend an interview.

Any advice? I was thinking of telling him once I get a few interviews locked down so I can focus on netting the job, but I don't want to fuck up and create bad blood, since the bridges I avoided burning really helped in my work life so far.


TL;DR- Looking to further in my career, but when do I tell my manager about the job change? Do I tell him before I get the interviews/job, or before?

 

[The Shadow]

Put "references available upon request" if you put anything about them at all. It's really just a courtesy to your references so that if your resume is floating around the internet it doesn't have their contact info on it too.

Jobs sometimes ask for references during the application, or after, but they don't need to be on the resume.

It really depends on how you're submitting the resume. If it's on a job search site, definitely don't put your references on there. If you're applying directly to a job, it's to your benefit to put them on there.

 

[diaspora]

Has anyone interviewed a company to hire them before? I'm being invited by a recruiter to talk to a startup to see if I want to work for them to build a web application within a 40-50 hour window. Not sure how I'm going to approach this tbh since it's being framed as me interviewing the company rather than the other way around.

 

[SolidSnakeUS]

When I get home, I have something to add about my job situation. It's pretty fucked up, but I still have hope that it can be still salvaged and I can still work at this place.

 

[wbsmcs]

Part of my university's curriculum is to find a 12-16 month internship position between your 3rd and 4th year. It's optional but obviously seems like a great thing to have under your belt before you graduate. The school provides a job portal to us ($200 mandatory fee lol) where companies post positions and we apply to them.

I have been searching since October for a position. Applied to ~50 jobs and got called back for 5 interviews. I honestly thought my interviews went well! I believe I come off as confident, know my technical stuff, able to showcase my portfolio, and even shared some laughs with the interviewers. But I still haven't been able to land anything.

My friends have started their internships today. I still have the summer to find a position which starts in September but man...it is soul crushing. I don't know how many more cover letters I could write. The jobs are also dwindling. In January there were roughly 150 positions on the portal, but now it's down to 20-25 with maybe 3-5 relevant to my area (Mechanical Engineering). New jobs are posted periodically, but I'm honestly preparing to go back to school in September, and then...*gasp*...start the process again next April to find a full time position.

 

[BeforeU]

Has anyone interviewed a company to hire them before? I'm being invited by a recruiter to talk to a startup to see if I want to work for them to build a web application within a 40-50 hour window. Not sure how I'm going to approach this tbh since it's being framed as me interviewing the company rather than the other way around.

lol wow, do update us. Sounds interesting.

 

[unholyrevenger72]

Part of my university's curriculum is to find a 12-16 month internship position between your 3rd and 4th year. It's optional but obviously seems like a great thing to have under your belt before you graduate. The school provides a job portal to us ($200 mandatory fee lol) where companies post positions and we apply to them.

I have been searching since October for a position. Applied to ~50 jobs and got called back for 5 interviews. I honestly thought my interviews went well! I believe I come off as confident, know my technical stuff, able to showcase my portfolio, and even shared some laughs with the interviewers. But I still haven't been able to land anything.

My friends have started their internships today. I still have the summer to find a position which starts in September but man...it is soul crushing. I don't know how many more cover letters I could write. The jobs are also dwindling. In January there were roughly 150 positions on the portal, but now it's down to 20-25 with maybe 3-5 relevant to my area (Mechanical Engineering). New jobs are posted periodically, but I'm honestly preparing to go back to school in September, and then...*gasp*...start the process again next April to find a full time position.

Don't limit yourself to the College Portal

Here's everything i check daily

Craigslist
Monster
Indeed
Workpop
ZipRecruiter
Glassdoor
Careerbuilder
Startwire
LinkedIn
Civicjob
Volunteermatch.org

 

[Bubbavelli]

So I found a job through my college department's newsletter. I've applied and my interview was scheduled for today. I was offered the job.....


Except the job looks mad fake. Their website is filled with stock images, they dont have an office space (which they attributed to being relatively new), all of their numbers are google voice, and I just get a really off vibe from them. I found one of their guys on LinkedIn but he's attributed to another company. Although it is similar field so it may just be attributed to the fact it is a start up or something. Then again all of my qualms with them could be attributed to that.


Idk what to do. I have till the 5th to email their Chief Managing Officer all my infor such as i9, W4, direct deposit, etc.

Am I trippin or should I be this cautious

 

[Darren870]

In a bit of a dilemma here workGaf.

I'm currently working, been in the position for almost 2 years now, no promotion chances as they have been filled up recently by people with years more experience them me at the company.

No biggie, I took the job/wage so I could move forward with my life goals.

However it's time for a change. This business is still very profitable and grows quarter to quarter, but they are investing more and more in legal services, and to top it off, the area I work in is projected to decrease in money making relevance over the next 2-3 years. It's time for me to progress with another job.

So I started to apply for jobs a week ago, had 2 interviews so far, one that went extremely well, but I had to reject the position due to time/distance/transport constraints. The other I was turned down, no biggie as the research I did into the company for my prep portrayed the company a horrible place to work with high levels of turnover, poor training and job stress, from multiple sources.

I'm pretty dead set in getting a new job, I reckon in a year or so the department might be in danger of downsizing.

Question is, when/what do I tell my manager? The guy is great and I've made sure I retained a great working/college relationship with him. We get on very well and he has looked to me a few times to help with department work. He is very open to people telling him how it is on the job/personal life, of course in as professional manner.

Thing is though, others are leaving the department as well, and a few of them have told my manager they are planning to leave. Now I took a week of for relaxation/interviews. When I go back, still applying for jobs, there's only so many times I can make an excuse of taking time off so I can attend an interview.

Any advice? I was thinking of telling him once I get a few interviews locked down so I can focus on netting the job, but I don't want to fuck up and create bad blood, since the bridges I avoided burning really helped in my work life so far.


TL;DR- Looking to further in my career, but when do I tell my manager about the job change? Do I tell him before I get the interviews/job, or before?

You tell him when you have a solid job offer that you can sign. ONLY then do you tell him. You are opening yourself up to a world of hurt if you tell him you are looking. Do NOT do it.

 

[SolidSnakeUS]

So basically the story is this.

The guy I've been talking to (not the original guy that got me this job though, someone that picked up my case after the weird first Monday thing) was fired on Friday. Found out that he was bullshitting and lying about not only myself and the place I'm going to work, but also with other clients and companies. The guy fucked with his company for a month (the IT recruiting company) and was fired on not good terms, as in no heartbreaks from anyone. Anyways, back to the first guy who got me the job initially and told me all this and now we're trying to salvage everything we can. We're going to try to get on a call between me, him (the IT recruitment guy, the original guy), the guy who interviewed me and wanted me, and with that company's HR to salvage this job. I was actually promised that there would be a Help Desk Level 2/3 job somewhere down the line and we're not even sure that exists because of this asshole. We're not even sure this guy has been in contact with the company I was going to work for at all. So yeah... that's the kind of shit I'm in right now.

 

[Yeezus H. Christ]

So I found a job through my college department's newsletter. I've applied and my interview was scheduled for today. I was offered the job.....


Except the job looks mad fake. Their website is filled with stock images, they dont have an office space (which they attributed to being relatively new), all of their numbers are google voice, and I just get a really off vibe from them. I found one of their guys on LinkedIn but he's attributed to another company. Although it is similar field so it may just be attributed to the fact it is a start up or something. Then again all of my qualms with them could be attributed to that.


Idk what to do. I have till the 5th to email their Chief Managing Officer all my infor such as i9, W4, direct deposit, etc.

Am I trippin or should I be this cautious

Their website looks cheap and ridiculous. I wouldn't go for it if I was you.

 

[diaspora]

lol wow, do update us. Sounds interesting.

I don't think it's really long term. More that they want to hire me for a short term contract for a project of theirs and the interview is I think supposed to have me suss out whether the project is viable for me to even do in the timeframe they're going to request.

 

[Dreamwriter]

Man, I *so* hate programming tests. I've taken a few programming tests over the last 3 months since the company I worked for shut down, do you know how many of them tested the skills that would be used on the job?

One.

My worst experience, I took four technical whiteboard tests in one day at a 4-hour interview. The job was to do something I have five years of commercial experience in and a number of shipped titles. I fit the job description perfectly, and during the interviews I verified with the interviewers what exactly the job would be, and it's what I expected, what I know I can do very well. But none of the technical tests had anything to do with the job at all, and later I was told the reason they didn't choose to hire me: because I failed a DirectX test. DirectX! When given that test at the interview I was sure they were trying to see what I would do when introduced to something I wasn't used to - apparently I was wrong.

It doesn't help that programming tests aren't a skill I'm good at - I don't program arcane algorithms in front of people on the fly with pressure to finish within an hour, while discussing what my thought processes are. It just sucks because I know I can do these jobs well, help the companies and they will be exceedingly happy with my work - that's been my experience at my last 3 jobs. But nope, they only want people skilled at whiteboard tests.

 

[JeTmAn81]

Man, I *so* hate programming tests. I've taken a few programming tests over the last 3 months since the company I worked for shut down, do you know how many of them tested the skills that would be used on the job?

One.

My worst experience, I took four technical whiteboard tests in one day at a 4-hour interview. The job was to do something I have five years of commercial experience in and a number of shipped titles. I fit the job description perfectly, and during the interviews I verified with the interviewers what exactly the job would be, and it's what I expected, what I know I can do very well. But none of the technical tests had anything to do with the job at all, and later I was told the reason they didn't choose to hire me: because I failed a DirectX test. DirectX! When given that test at the interview I was sure they were trying to see what I would do when introduced to something I wasn't used to - apparently I was wrong.

It doesn't help that programming tests aren't a skill I'm good at - I don't program arcane algorithms in front of people on the fly with pressure to finish within an hour, while discussing what my thought processes are. It just sucks because I know I can do these jobs well, help the companies and they will be exceedingly happy with my work - that's been my experience at my last 3 jobs. But nope, they only want people skilled at whiteboard tests.

I've been reading a lot of articles lately about how much people hate whiteboard tests. What other kinds of things did they ask you to do, and what does your normal job have you doing?

Technical interviews and whiteboard tests are their own challenge and need to be prepared for accordingly. I've been reading this book lately:

Cracking the Coding Interview, 6th Edition: 189 Programming Questions and Solutions https://www.amazon.com/dp/0984782850/?tag=neogaf0e-20


Also check out this post:

https://medium.com/@mrjoelkemp/an-a...al-interview-questions-40b0bbb1d6f#.j4iijwmqs

 

[diaspora]

Man, I *so* hate programming tests. I've taken a few programming tests over the last 3 months since the company I worked for shut down, do you know how many of them tested the skills that would be used on the job?

One.

My worst experience, I took four technical whiteboard tests in one day at a 4-hour interview. The job was to do something I have five years of commercial experience in and a number of shipped titles. I fit the job description perfectly, and during the interviews I verified with the interviewers what exactly the job would be, and it's what I expected, what I know I can do very well. But none of the technical tests had anything to do with the job at all, and later I was told the reason they didn't choose to hire me: because I failed a DirectX test. DirectX! When given that test at the interview I was sure they were trying to see what I would do when introduced to something I wasn't used to - apparently I was wrong.

It doesn't help that programming tests aren't a skill I'm good at - I don't program arcane algorithms in front of people on the fly with pressure to finish within an hour, while discussing what my thought processes are. It just sucks because I know I can do these jobs well, help the companies and they will be exceedingly happy with my work - that's been my experience at my last 3 jobs. But nope, they only want people skilled at whiteboard tests.

I've largely stopped doing them unless they're a massive bank or Microsoft/Google tier company. I don't ever have to do that shit in managerial, financial or other roles so fuck that.

 

[Dreamwriter]

I've been reading a lot of articles lately about how much people hate whiteboard tests. What other kinds of things did they ask you to do, and what does your normal job have you doing?

For the last 5 years I've been a generalist/gameplay Unity programmer working in C# (though I've done C++, C, even Assembly before). For the most part I've been limiting my job search to Unity programming jobs. One common thing I'm asked on tests for these Unity gameplay positions: create a linked list in C. Or what C++ data structure would you use to hold a file list with over 10,000 files, now write a program to search through that list and print all duplicate filenames. Followed by the question "Why did you choose that sort algorithm, what is its Big-O complexity, what are its advantages/disadvantages compared to other sorts?" Write an algorithm to take a binary number and output the smallest new number that is higher without changing the number of 1s in the number.

The best programming test I've ever had: "At home, recreate a simple version of this game in Unity following these simplified rules, replicating animations and effects from the game as closely as possible. Submit the Unity project and executable within 3 days." If I don't get a job because of that test, then I feel fine, I know that they were testing my real work skills and programming style and found them lacking (at least compared to other candidates).

Note that all these are after I've already passed technical screening phone calls.

 

[Mysterious]

Part of my university's curriculum is to find a 12-16 month internship position between your 3rd and 4th year. It's optional but obviously seems like a great thing to have under your belt before you graduate. The school provides a job portal to us ($200 mandatory fee lol) where companies post positions and we apply to them.

I have been searching since October for a position. Applied to ~50 jobs and got called back for 5 interviews. I honestly thought my interviews went well! I believe I come off as confident, know my technical stuff, able to showcase my portfolio, and even shared some laughs with the interviewers. But I still haven't been able to land anything.

My friends have started their internships today. I still have the summer to find a position which starts in September but man...it is soul crushing. I don't know how many more cover letters I could write. The jobs are also dwindling. In January there were roughly 150 positions on the portal, but now it's down to 20-25 with maybe 3-5 relevant to my area (Mechanical Engineering). New jobs are posted periodically, but I'm honestly preparing to go back to school in September, and then...*gasp*...start the process again next April to find a full time position.

PM me your resume.

 

[-Silver-]

Guys, is it wrong of me to put down an experience on my CV even though I haven't started the job yet? I'm about to start a job but another one, which I'm more interested in, popped up and I don't think I stand much of a chance if I don't put something down.

 

[Roland_Gunner]

Guys, is it wrong of me to put down an experience on my CV even though I haven't started the job yet? I'm about to start a job but another one, which I'm more interested in, popped up and I don't think I stand much of a chance if I don't put something down.

So what would you put as the start date, 2016? Because putting May 2016 would make you look like a big time job hopper.

 

[UnluckyKate]

Started new job today. First day. In local university. Didn't think it could be so politicized. And very socialist too most of you guys in the US would be outraged at how much communism and unions are in there

 

[-Silver-]

So what would you put as the start date, 2016? Because putting May 2016 would make you look like a big time job hopper.

Er... yea. I was going to go with May 2016 as simply putting down 2016 means I'd have a lot more experience than I actually do. Although I was never going to write that I have done XYZ at the current job, rather XYZ will be expected of me. Also, does it really show that I'm a big time hopper if it's only once?

 

[Roland_Gunner]

Er... yea. I was going to go with May 2016 as simply putting down 2016 means I'd have a lot more experience than I actually do. Although I was never going to write that I have done XYZ at the current job, rather XYZ will be expected of me. Also, does it really show that I'm a big time hopper if it's only once?

I mean its better than not having any job experience at all but many recruiters will wonder if you're going to start looking for something else as soon as you get there. It would be better to spend six months or so at the first place and then look elsewhere but can't hurt to try I guess.

 

[Blackhead]

Started new job today. First day. In local university. Didn't think it could be so politicized. And very socialist too most of you guys in the US would be outraged at how much communism and unions are in there

That sounds like any university anywhere tbh. You wouldn't complain if you saw what untenured adjunct TAs at US unis have to go through.

 

[UnluckyKate]

That sounds like any university anywhere tbh. You wouldn't complain if you saw what untenured adjunct TAs at US unis have to go through.

This is a public uni. Founded up to 79% by the government. Tuition is basically free for students. It's a' amazing system for education but very hard to balance budget wise.

 

[Kisaya]

Holy fucking shit I'm an idiot.

I got an email SIX days ago with a request for a phone interview for another position I really wanted. I don't know how I never fucking saw it because apparently it was opened.

Today I got another email to follow up with me if I was still interested in the position and when would the best time for me to speak with them.

God is fucking real.

So I have a phone interview tomorrow morning, not a lot of time to start prepping but I'm starting now. Unfortunately the job posting is gone so I don't have much to reference to. Going to look back at the the job I previously interviewed for because it's a similar position.

I'm so upset that I almost messed this up. Definitely becoming more religious now.

 

[BlackGhost]

Anyone here have experience using USA jobs and familiar with its format for federal employment?
-If so how often are you actually including a cover letter if at all?

 

[wild_fire987]

Anyone here have experience using USA jobs and familiar with its format for federal employment?
-If so how often are you actually including a cover letter if at all?

I got my current job through USA jobs, but I was already a federal employee. Anyways, I've always included a cover letter, but I even do that when I was applying for jobs outside of the federal govt. I figure that it can't hurt and it helps me get some of my personality across that a typical bullet point resume might not be able to do. But in my line of work including a cover letter is pretty standard practice, so it might vary from department to department.

 

[BlackGhost]

I got my current job through USA jobs, but I was already a federal employee. Anyways, I've always included a cover letter, but I even do that when I was applying for jobs outside of the federal govt. I figure that it can't hurt and it helps me get some of my personality across that a typical bullet point resume might not be able to do. But in my line of work including a cover letter is pretty standard practice, so it might vary from department to department.

Thanks. I usually always include Cover letters. I just wanted to make sure I'm not initially wasting my time doing this on USA jobs. The majority of the Required documents for postings I've browsed don't ask for Cover letters. And dosent USA jobs pick up resumes by finding specific Key phrases in resumes?
Thanks again for the response

 

[wild_fire987]

Thanks. I usually always include Cover letters. I just wanted to make sure I'm not initially wasting my time doing this on USA jobs. The majority of the Required documents for postings I've browsed don't ask for Cover letters. And dosent USA jobs pick up resumes by finding specific Key phrases in resumes?
Thanks again for the response

Yeah it can't hurt. But I think you're right on it seeming like they search for key phrases on peoples applications. For example I work in a relatively small agency within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and when our office has to hire/promote people it's usually always from within our small department because we're a very specialized group. Anyways we have to go through USA jobs and they send the resumes off to some other group that is in charge of vetting candidates for the entirety of NOAA! Which is asinine because we use special programs and terminology and techniques described in our resume that this 3rd party group couldn't possibly understand. But the word on the street here is that when using USA jobs to always spell out acronyms and be blatantly obvious about your skills and don't ever assume the person doing a simple ctrl+f on your resume has any clue what you're talking about. Now with that being said, this could be a very specific problem for my agency, but I figure that extra info couldn't ever hurt!

Good luck friend!

 

[Fatal Futanari]

Bombed an interview just now. Or at least it feels like I did. *sigh*

 

[Syphon Filter]

Bombed an interview just now. Or at least it feels like I did. *sigh*

what makes you think that?

 

[Fatal Futanari]

what makes you think that?

The interview for the position went well. But then they started asking about my pentesting background (havent touched it in 3 years though - position is in a different area), if I am doing any side projects, what app security standards do I know, do I use reddit (lol), and other question related to a different field. I get they were just probably getting a feeler to see if I could be possibly matched up for different position but man did it make me feel stupid when I fumbled some questions. Made me feel like I bombed the interview.

 

[Shadybiz]

One thing you might consider is to highlight what those Excel skills did, like "helped the department go 10% above Q1 2016 projected sales goals by steamlining the customer contact process". Plenty of people know Excel; you need to separate yourself from the pack and show you can get positive results with it.

Whoop, sorry I missed this before. Yes, very good advice. Anyone can be taught to plug 'n' chug numbers; not everyone can actually create/innovate. I have a couple of examples of how I redesigned certain reports and ended up saving many hours per month for whoever did the reports, so that's something to talk about.

 

[entremet]

The interview for the position went well. But then they started asking about my pentesting background (havent touched it in 3 years though - position is in a different area), if I am doing any side projects, what app security standards do I know, do I use reddit (lol), and other question related to a different field. I get they were just probably getting a feeler to see if I could be possibly matched up for different position but man did it make me feel stupid when I fumbled some questions. Made me feel like I bombed the interview.

Reddit is huge in the tech community. At least with keeping abreast with career stuff.

People, especially in the OT here, tend to paint Reddit as this huge broad brush, but it's very useful for keeping current with fast moving tech fields.

If you're in IT, this subreddit is a gold mine of info.

https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin

Programmers definitely should be involved in open source projects and have stuff on GitHub. But just use this as a time to learn. It's good feedback and gives you info on how to prepare for your next interview.

 

[TaterTots]

I was going to make a new thread about the "interview" I just had, but I'll just post my experience here because it was really odd.

I met the Pharmacist and she brought me behind the counter and shown me step by step of how they do things. Anytime I tried to open my mouth and make a comment or ask a question she would just keep going. We immediately go to meet the store manager so he can conduct a interview. Instead, we stand there and she tells me a 5 minute story about how the manager kicked someone out of the store. She then tells me another person is coming in for a interview, but we both have the same amount of experience working in a pharmacy, which is 0. She tells me everything is done by email.

The only question asked was about my availability which I said it's extremely flexible. Then we shook hands and parted ways. I spent a good chunk of yesterday and this morning reviewing the kinds of questions they ask and putting together- well thought out answers. I was prepared to hell and back for this interview and this is what I got lol.

The only thing I can come up with is that the store manager did not like the way I dressed or something. I was appropriate(button down collar shirt tucked in etc. etc.) but while the pharmacist rambled I kept catching him looking at me odd. Giving weird looks at my shirt and such. The whole thing was uncomfortable and I know for a fact I do not have this job, which is a shame.

 

[Fatal Futanari]

Reddit is huge in the tech community. At least with keeping abreast with career stuff.

People, especially in the OT here, tend to paint Reddit as this huge broad brush, but it's very useful for keeping current with fast moving tech fields.

If you're in IT, this subreddit is a gold mine of info.

https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin

Programmers definitely should be involved in open source projects and have stuff on GitHub. But just use this as a time to learn. It's good feedback and gives you info on how to prepare for your next interview.

Yea I get that, was just my first time being asked that. I do use reddit but I dont check Sysadmin or NETSEC on a daily basis, just a few times a week. They were basically asking if I check tech blogs and subreddits on a daily basis.

 

[entremet]

Yea I get that, was just my first time being asked that. I do use reddit but I dont check Sysadmin or NETSEC on a daily basis, just a few times a week. They were basically asking if I check tech blogs and subreddits on a daily basis.

Part of learning to interview is to flip the intent of the question.

Don't focus on them literally asking if you visit Reddit, focus on providing concrete examples beyond actual question.

For example, saying "I do visit relevant subreddits frequently to keep on top of the field" would be an acceptable answer to that question.

Visiting everyday doesn't matter as much as the intent--staying abreast of your field. Many times interview questions are worded dumb and you need to use your intelligence to parse out the intent.

 

[obijkenobi]

Had an interview yesterday for a job I'd really like. Won't know if I got it or if I need to do a second interview for a week and a half or so since they are interviewing through next week. I know they are looking to schedule the position fast since I was emailed on Sunday which days/times I could interview and then 2 days later was in the office.

I'm taking it as a positive sign that the interview went a hour and I was asked quite a few "personal" questions. The last question I was asked was how I thought the position could help my own personal development and I think I really nailed it, especially since I had already been thinking about that.

God, I hate waiting on hearing if you have the job.

 

[Yawnier]

Had a job interview today and think it went well, took about 45 minutes or so.

Has anyone here ever had the interviewer bring up the salary and benefits and talk about them in depth in the first in-person interview? I've only ever had several job interviews in my lifetime but I was a little surprised by that since it hasn't happened to me before.

 

[TaterTots]

Funny story....after the weirdest "interview" of my life I received a job offer 10 mins ago. The world is weird.

 

[ItIsOkBro]

Part of my university's curriculum is to find a 12-16 month internship position between your 3rd and 4th year. It's optional but obviously seems like a great thing to have under your belt before you graduate. The school provides a job portal to us ($200 mandatory fee lol) where companies post positions and we apply to them.

I have been searching since October for a position. Applied to ~50 jobs and got called back for 5 interviews. I honestly thought my interviews went well! I believe I come off as confident, know my technical stuff, able to showcase my portfolio, and even shared some laughs with the interviewers. But I still haven't been able to land anything.

My friends have started their internships today. I still have the summer to find a position which starts in September but man...it is soul crushing. I don't know how many more cover letters I could write. The jobs are also dwindling. In January there were roughly 150 positions on the portal, but now it's down to 20-25 with maybe 3-5 relevant to my area (Mechanical Engineering). New jobs are posted periodically, but I'm honestly preparing to go back to school in September, and then...*gasp*...start the process again next April to find a full time position.

Is it U of T. It sounds like U of T.

If it is then you're open to finding your own internship beyond the career portal. Also, try and do a relevant summer works-study (or whatever it's called at your university if it's not U of T). Because it's more experience, something to put on your resume that's actually active, another thing to talk about at an interview, etc

 

[Magna_Mixalis]

Funny story....after the weirdest "interview" of my life I received a job offer 10 mins ago. The world is weird.

Congratulations!

After re-reading your story, I think it was less "I hate your shirt" than "oh my god, how in Cthulhu's name can he stay straight-faced, let alone professional, during all this?!"

 

[wbsmcs]

Is it U of T. It sounds like U of T.

If it is then you're open to finding your own internship beyond the career portal. Also, try and do a relevant summer works-study (or whatever it's called at your university if it's not U of T). Because it's more experience, something to put on your resume that's actually active, another thing to talk about at an interview, etc

Hahaha it is UoftT actually. And yea I'm checking all resources and not being picky towards only summer work.

To everyone else who replied, thank you for the help!

 

[obijkenobi]

Had a job interview today and think it went well, took about 45 minutes or so.

Has anyone here ever had the interviewer bring up the salary and benefits and talk about them in depth in the first in-person interview? I've only ever had several job interviews in my lifetime but I was a little surprised by that since it hasn't happened to me before.

In my experience, that happens when the salary/benefits aren't listed on the job posting. When you get to the point where you are interviewed, they will tell you the salary to see if you are going to bolt if its too low

 

[Fatal Futanari]

Part of learning to interview is to flip the intent of the question.

Don't focus on them literally asking if you visit Reddit, focus on providing concrete examples beyond actual question.

For example, saying "I do visit relevant subreddits frequently to keep on top of the field" would be an acceptable answer to that question.

Visiting everyday doesn't matter as much as the intent--staying abreast of your field. Many times interview questions are worded dumb and you need to use your intelligence to parse out the intent.

I said basically what you said, but he was gauging to see how frequent I visited reddit and blog sites (He even asked, "did you go visit NETSEC today? Anything interest you?".) I didn't make it seem like the questions shook me but yea. I expanded by saying some of the tech subreddits I look at, in addition to some tech blogs and LinkedIn groups. I kinda get he was looking to see what my niche was but still caught me a little off guard. Maybe because I've been so used to the same boring questions I've been getting in interviews lately. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the interview.

 

[TaterTots]

Congratulations!

After re-reading your story, I think it was less "I hate your shirt" than "oh my god, how in Cthulhu's name can he stay straight-faced, let alone professional, during all this?!"

Well, there was another person that was suppose to interview. My guess, is that the person either didn't show or looked like a drug user lol. They gave me a tour of the pharmacy and shown me what is where. That other person had to drop the ball HARD, but I'm not complaining. I start school in the fall fro pre-pharmacist. It works out great.

 

[NEO0MJ]

Well, looks like I'm bailing on my current job to a different one. While not amazing it's still better than what I currently have, plus more secure.

 

[esmith08734]

Had an interview this morning. First round. As a software developer, it was strange. I interviewed with the VP of the Engineering Firm first and then his plan was for me to meet the team.

I dunno. I thought it went pretty well. He eventually went off the books and was like,

"Hey man, what's your deal? I know programmers and they're usually incredibly socially awkward. What's something I have to know about you? You seem really well-spoken and presentable." He started laughing. I mentioned how I understand that communication and being able to clearly explain your solutions is just as important as executing them. And that I put a lot of effort and time into trying to speak casually for very technical stuff. He seemed to like the answer.

Got to the point where he asked me if I was excited for Captain America: Civil War. I dunno. I think it went well.

 

[SolidSnakeUS]

So that job I was going to have, which would of paid well for what I was going to do is now completely dead. I have to get back to finding jobs now... fuck this shit man. I had everything where I wanted it and now nothing...

 

[radjago]

I really like Liz Ryan's articles and her point here, but she doesn't go as far as to propose how to fix hiring. She just suggests doing your best at getting around it.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan...ine-job-seeker-its-recruiting-that-is-broken/