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Applying for jobs is exhausting and soul-crushing

entremet

Member
Seems like the opportunity is too good to be true. An ASSURED $100k job after just 6mos at a technical school? No real experience required, just 6mos of schooling and you walk into a $100k job?

I mean, I'm sure that's a lot better than retail. So I'd do it if it's a real opportunity, and not some bullshit sales pitch by a for-profit trade school.

I would agree here.

I'd also conduct an informational interview for the position. What if you hate it too?
 
Seems like the opportunity is too good to be true. An ASSURED $100k job after just 6mos at a technical school? No real experience required, just 6mos of schooling and you walk into a $100k job?

I mean, I'm sure that's a lot better than retail. So I'd do it if it's a real opportunity, and not some bullshit sales pitch by a for-profit trade school.

After talking to people that currently work there and are part of the union, everything I was told is more or less accurate! However, you're more likely to pull down around 70 your first year, as you start at $25/hour. Shifts are 12 hours, but it's 4 on 3 off. I'm already working 11 hours a day at my office, 6 days a week, so it would actually reduce my time at work.

As for the school itself, it's not a for-profit trade school. Just a local community college. The degree I would be getting would be in process instrumentation. The ~6 month thing is what I was told by admissions, as I already have many of the basic classes knocked out. If I was starting fresh, it would be a two year degree.

Believe me, I was really sceptical at first as well until I talked to a few people I went to highschool with who did the exact same thing and are making this type of money.
 

Avixph

Member
So the other day I applied for a summer internship at a marketing firm and today I received an email from their hiring manager telling me that they were impressed with my application and asking me if I would only be available during the duration of the position or if I would open to a position I could see myself growing in at the company. How else would I answer the question without just saying "If given the opportunity to demonstrate myself I would gladly accept a more better opportunity at the company"?
 

Avixph

Member
So the other day I applied for a summer internship at a marketing firm and today I received an email from their hiring manager telling me that they were impressed with my application and asking me if I would only be available during the duration of the position or if I would open to a position I could see myself growing in at the company. How else would I answer the question without just saying "If given the opportunity to demonstrate myself I would gladly accept a more better opportunity at the company"?
Anyone mind helping me out?
 

scitek

Member
I have a phone interview tomorrow, but I don't know what to think of the situation. Here's what happened:


I applied at this company two months ago, and last week - after hearing nothing - I saw the position is still open. I ended up tracking down the guy I'd be working for on LinkedIn and shot him a message basically saying, "Hey, just thought I'd reach out and let you know I'm interested. Here's a work sample."

Next day, he replies, "Have you applied yet? I asked HR to check and they didn't see anything." For privacy reasons (which I explained), I use my first and middle name only on social media, so I told him to check for my last name...next day I got a recruiter emailing to set up this interview.

What's unique here is this is a company I've wanted to work for since I was a kid, and it's kind of blowing my mind I'm even getting this opportunity. I feel like his response of quickly getting the interview process going is a good thing, but at the same time I wonder, did I cross a line?

I guess it's not much different than the days of sneaking mix tapes into pizza boxes when you think about it. Just in digital form.
 
Anyone mind helping me out?

Sounds like they're asking if you'd be available to work only during the summer or if you'd be able to take a permanent position. Are you available beyond the summer? Would you want to potentially work for this company full-time? If so, you can say you'd be available beyond the duration and that you would be interested in a position in which you can grow. You don't need to phrase it as a better (please don't say more better!) opportunity, you can just say that you'd be open to pursuing different positions that'd enable you to grow and learn.

Scitek - that's awesome! Good for you for reaching out to the person directly. If you'd overstepped, you wouldn't have gotten the interview. Don't even worry about that, if anything, it shows more initiative and you did it in a way that clearly didn't annoy the person you reached out to. Good luck with the interview!!
 

Hollycat

Member
After 3 months of applying for jobs and not finding any workwith rent coming up, I'm starting to lose hope. Part of me thinks its a good idea to spend the last few bucks I have on lottery tickets. :/
 
I have a phone interview tomorrow, but I don't know what to think of the situation. Here's what happened:


I applied at this company two months ago, and last week - after hearing nothing - I saw the position is still open. I ended up tracking down the guy I'd be working for on LinkedIn and shot him a message basically saying, "Hey, just thought I'd reach out and let you know I'm interested. Here's a work sample."

Next day, he replies, "Have you applied yet? I asked HR to check and they didn't see anything." For privacy reasons (which I explained), I use my first and middle name only on social media, so I told him to check for my last name...next day I got a recruiter emailing to set up this interview.

What's unique here is this is a company I've wanted to work for since I was a kid, and it's kind of blowing my mind I'm even getting this opportunity. I feel like his response of quickly getting the interview process going is a good thing, but at the same time I wonder, did I cross a line?

I guess it's not much different than the days of sneaking mix tapes into pizza boxes when you think about it. Just in digital form.

Cross what line? The last name thing?

Long as you explained it to him, I don't think it's a problem. It seems weird to me, but hey, who am I, right.
 

scitek

Member
Cross what line? The last name thing?

Long as you explained it to him, I don't think it's a problem. It seems weird to me, but hey, who am I, right.

The reason is I did some work as a game and movie critic a few years back and since I'm named after my dad, internet trolls started harassing him instead of me whenever I trashed negatively reviewed a movie or game they liked.

I felt like tracking the manager down like I did may have crossed some line, but I got the interview, so I guess that's all that matters.


After 3 months of applying for jobs and not finding any workwith rent coming up, I'm starting to lose hope. Part of me thinks its a good idea to spend the last few bucks I have on lottery tickets. :/

Man, please don't give up. I've been there. This might sound random, but if you need cash quickly, have a car and live in the states, I'd suggest hitting up a nearby Chinese restaurant about a delivery job. You get tips and take the cash ones home that night.

I'm not ashamed to admit I worked a delivery job at one for twelve years to help make ends meet. I averaged about $14/hr after tips, and got all the free rice, soup and egg rolls I wanted.
 

Quixzlizx

Member
Question I was asked that I'm curious to hear other answers:

You're asked to choose a role for an upcoming event. Do you:
1) be the person who comes up with the theme for the event.
2) be the greeter at the day of the event.
3) set up the chronological timeline for the event.
4) make the budget for the event.

I mean, it depends on the type of job you're applying for, right?

1) is creative, 2) is about customer-facing positions like sales, 3) is logistics/admin, and 4) is finance/accounting.
 

Vesmir

Banned
I think the one big thing holding me back from getting a better job are my references, or lack thereof. I have no way of overcoming that hurdle. I feel like I am going in circles at my current position and want to do something more inline with my values, but can't afford a drastic pay cut. Ugh.
 
I think the one big thing holding me back from getting a better job are my references, or lack thereof. I have no way of overcoming that hurdle. I feel like I am going in circles at my current position and want to do something more inline with my values, but can't afford a drastic pay cut. Ugh.

Do you have a day you can volunteer somewhere once every week, or even every other week? Volunteering is an excellent way to get references. In college I volunteered at a non-profit that taught computer skills to low-income families. It was great because I'm in IT, so I got to buffer my resume with some experience while being able to make connections with the non-profit's leadership who gave me a recommendation to carry to my eventual employment elsewhere.
 

Hollycat

Member
The reason is I did some work as a game and movie critic a few years back and since I'm named after my dad, internet trolls started harassing him instead of me whenever I trashed negatively reviewed a movie or game they liked.

I felt like tracking the manager down like I did may have crossed some line, but I got the interview, so I guess that's all that matters.




Man, please don't give up. I've been there. This might sound random, but if you need cash quickly, have a car and live in the states, I'd suggest hitting up a nearby Chinese restaurant about a delivery job. You get tips and take the cash ones home that night.

I'm not ashamed to admit I worked a delivery job at one for twelve years to help make ends meet. I averaged about $14/hr after tips, and got all the free rice, soup and egg rolls I wanted.

I'd work a delivery job if I could find one. I'm really scared about what's going to happen to me
 

gwailo

Banned
Are you registered with any temp services? If you have even basic computer skills, you can get a temp job. The pay is low, but it is usually better than minimum wage and they are usually mindless data entry sort of stuff which is easy. Otherwise you might want to look into day labor places. You have to get up at the ass crack of dawn (the jobs are first come first served) and it's usually heavy physical labor, but they will pay pretty decently and the same day. I made $500 in a week doing warehouse work that saved me from getting evicted. I wouldn't do it long-term, but it worked in a pinch.
 

Minamu

Member
Ugh, another application, another denial. I recently applied to a job that had been up for a few weeks I think. I also applied for another position at the same place and I got a pretty quick denial that didn't specify which job it meant. I then saw that the company had put up the same applications online so I contacted the recruiter privately and I actually got my first phone interview in a looong time, probably my first for a job I actually truly wanted! And he liked what I told him, so he sent me along to the right team for some Skype interviews!!

But then I never heard back in a week until I contacted him again today for a follow-up :/ Apparently the team had already found two candidates they liked so they refused to accept any more applicants from their recruiters >_< So my application got stopped dead in its tracks, and there's not even anything wrong with it :( So god damn frustrating...

Felt pretty good that the recruiter had really tried pushing for them to take a look at my profile multiple times though. At least someone believed I was a good fit!
 

Pancakes

hot, steaming, as melted butter slips into the cracks, drizzled with sticky sweet syrup OH GOD
As a degreed electrical engineer going for his PE in October, I have recruiters/companies always contacting me with job offers.

Anyway, a competing company that I tried to get a job with in the past had me come in for an interview & test. Rocked both. But their offer was for only a 10% bump &#128514;&#128514;

Nah, brehs. Nah. Outta my face with that bullshit. No wonder they haven't filled the position in months.

As an entry level EE currently with a decent job in defense you think it's worth it to even bother getting an FE? I should've gotten it senior year but it didn't really seem necessary.
 

Vesmir

Banned
Do you have a day you can volunteer somewhere once every week, or even every other week? Volunteering is an excellent way to get references. In college I volunteered at a non-profit that taught computer skills to low-income families. It was great because I'm in IT, so I got to buffer my resume with some experience while being able to make connections with the non-profit's leadership who gave me a recommendation to carry to my eventual employment elsewhere.

Thanks for your response. I unfortunately do not have much time to volunteer thanks to work, but this may be mitigated with some good ol time management. This is a great suggestion, though it's disheartening since it would take an time investment and I wish I could change jobs now. Oh well.
 

meowmixer

Neo Member
I would avoid staffing/temp agencies unless you are local.

I had one call me this morning and when I said I was moving to the area she went "oh well we actually had a candidate who was already offered the job but we will keep you on file". 4 hours after you called me? I called her out on it and said "Let's be honest here , you only hire local candidates". And she admitted they did. Lied right to my face.

I'm fine with it if they do but it should say "local only" in the job ad and they shouldn't call applicants with out of state addresses. So fair warning.
 

Avixph

Member
Sounds like they're asking if you'd be available to work only during the summer or if you'd be able to take a permanent position. Are you available beyond the summer? Would you want to potentially work for this company full-time? If so, you can say you'd be available beyond the duration and that you would be interested in a position in which you can grow. You don't need to phrase it as a better (please don't say more better!) opportunity, you can just say that you'd be open to pursuing different positions that'd enable you to grow and learn.

Thanks I did what you suggested however I haven't received a reply back since I replied to their email. Should I be worried? Was I too late in responding to their email (they emailed me at 5:40 PM yesterday and I replied back around 12:00 AM today)?
 

Kisaya

Member
I mean, it depends on the type of job you're applying for, right?

1) is creative, 2) is about customer-facing positions like sales, 3) is logistics/admin, and 4) is finance/accounting.

The job is for a Digital Marketing Liason & Career Advisor at an art school's professional development office :/ I figured 2 would be the best option since the job entails engaging and assisting student/alumni job seekers.
 

meowmixer

Neo Member
As a degreed electrical engineer going for his PE in October, I have recruiters/companies always contacting me with job offers.
.

May I ask how are these companies getting your information to contact you? Are you being contacted through your linkedin profile or through a posted resume online?
 

Avixph

Member
Thanks I did what you suggested however I haven't received a reply back since I replied to their email. Should I be worried? Was I too late in responding to their email (they emailed me at 5:40 PM yesterday and I replied back around 12:00 AM today)?
Anyone?
 

scitek

Member
Had my phone interview today. I always feel like they went well, but we'll see. The guy told me next I can probably expect a couple more phone calls, then maybe an assessment test.

He said the team I'm applying for is really short staffed, and despite that, the guys working there still have high morale, so that sounds good. He also called today "a good first step."

Fingers crossed I hear from them again soon.
 
Of course not, I would wait as long as possibly needed.

Those are gaf jokes. You must be new here.


You need to relax. They may actually be doing work and replying to your email isn't their first priority. After a few days, follow up and see if they have any other questions or need further clarification, etc.

You bumped your own post again after around an hour. Jesus Christ - there were like 3 posts in between. If people saw it and wanted to reply, they would. Are you acting like this with potential employers, too?
 
Thanks for your response. I unfortunately do not have much time to volunteer thanks to work, but this may be mitigated with some good ol time management. This is a great suggestion, though it's disheartening since it would take an time investment and I wish I could change jobs now. Oh well.

Well maybe even volunteering just once a month, or even quarterly could be enough. Heck, when I first started volunteering I was just doing simple website updates that took me 5-10 minutes and could be done from home. It's mostly to just get to know someone and show them you're a hard worker, and after that asking if they'd be willing to serve as a reference. It doesn't help you immediately on the job side of things, but it could be possible without a huge sacrifice. Additionally I found volunteer work to be very rewarding with just the feel-goods, especially if it's a non-profit targeting a goal that you're passionate about. I was actually lucky enough to became contracted with the non-profit I volunteered with after a few months, and the money I was making enabled me to quit my dreadful retail job.
 
Thanks I did what you suggested however I haven't received a reply back since I replied to their email. Should I be worried? Was I too late in responding to their email (they emailed me at 5:40 PM yesterday and I replied back around 12:00 AM today)?

Relax. Your anxiety is coming off way strong. Give it a few days and if you haven't heard back then you can follow up.

For example, I was told over a week ago I was being offered an internship and I still haven't heard from their HR department. People are busy and you're not their #1 priority. It happens.

Edit: Yeah, basically, what ZackieChan already said.
 
Sitting in a company's lobby for what will be the biggest interview of my career thus far. Excited!

Edit: It went really well. Fourth round of interviews down, hopefully no more to go. Fingers are massively crossed.
 

Avixph

Member
Those are gaf jokes. You must be new here.



You need to relax. They may actually be doing work and replying to your email isn't their first priority. After a few days, follow up and see if they have any other questions or need further clarification, etc.

You bumped your own post again after around an hour. Jesus Christ - there were like 3 posts in between. If people saw it and wanted to reply, they would. Are you acting like this with potential employers, too?

Relax. Your anxiety is coming off way strong. Give it a few days and if you haven't heard back then you can follow up.

For example, I was told over a week ago I was being offered an internship and I still haven't heard from their HR department. People are busy and you're not their #1 priority. It happens.

Edit: Yeah, basically, what ZackieChan already said.
Thanks so much for the advice you two.
 

scitek

Member
I made it to round 2! They just contacted me about another phone interview next week, this time with one of the guys I'd actually be working alongside. I Googled him and it looks like we're both from the Atlanta area! Maybe that will come up at some point.

This job is for a video producer position - writing and editing commercials, etc. - but it looks like he's more of a graphic designer, which is definitely not my strongest suit. Too often I've encountered places that say they want a producer, but in reality, they're looking for graphic designers who know how to edit.

In my experience, the latter can make flashy videos, but often lack the timing and musical skills to actually edit very well. Hopefully they won't hold my lack of animation skills against me.
 

Rich!

Member
you know whats more worrying than applying for a job? waiting for references.

I got a new job this week - I didn't even apply for it. £25k p/year ($32k for you american folk). Recruitment agency found my CV, phoned me, and I went for an interview and got the job. They literally offered it to me there and then and said "when can you start?"

My current job will give me a very good reference. No issue. But they need two, and the job beforehand is a worry - I was fine, worked well, employee of the month and shit. But I had a metal breakdown due to a breakup and my daughter almost dying due to illness after birth - I was off sick for three months, and I then handed in my notice. I worked there for a year.

It should be fine, but man I'm worrying.
 

scitek

Member
you know whats more worrying than applying for a job? waiting for references.

I got a new job this week - I didn't even apply for it. £25k p/year ($32k for you american folk). Recruitment agency found my CV, phoned me, and I went for an interview and got the job. They literally offered it to me there and then and said "when can you start?"

My current job will give me a very good reference. No issue. But they need two, and the job beforehand is a worry - I was fine, worked well, employee of the month and shit. But I had a metal breakdown due to a breakup and my daughter almost dying due to illness after birth - I was off sick for three months, and I then handed in my notice. I worked there for a year.

It should be fine, but man I'm worrying.

Do you have to give companies, or can you give individuals?

I just use three people from one company I worked at.
 

Rich!

Member
Do you have to give companies, or can you give individuals?

I just use three people from one company I worked at.

Professional references. Three year period.

But either way, I phoned them. They can legally only state how long I worked for, whether I was fired (I wasn't) and whether I had disciplinary measures against me (nope).

They cannot state any illnesses I had, especially if I was in hospital.
 
I had a second in person interview last Wednesday, but I haven't heard back yet. So far I have had two interviews and a background check, and I was really hoping this would be the job for me. Do you guys think I should give them a call? My email scheduling the second interview said I would receive an email 5-7 business days after the interview with results. Nothing yet, and it is driving me crazy. Is it typical to wait so long after an interview without knowing how if you got the job? I felt like I nailed the interview. The job submission status hasnt changed from "interview scheduled".
 
I had a second in person interview last Wednesday, but I haven't heard back yet. So far I have had two interviews and a background check, and I was really hoping this would be the job for me. Do you guys think I should give them a call? My email scheduling the second interview said I would receive an email 5-7 business days after the interview with results. Nothing yet, and it is driving me crazy. Is it typical to wait so long after an interview without knowing how if you got the job? I felt like I nailed the interview. The job submission status hasnt changed from "interview scheduled".

It depends on the company but it's certainly not unusual. They said 5-7 business days, so I'd give them until tomorrow. As I mentioned earlier in the thread, I was told last Wednesday I'd be offered an internship and that I'd hear from HR and I haven't heard anything yet, either. Before that, it took 7 business days after the interview to reach out to me to let me know they wanted me for the internship. People are busy and it really sucks to wait patiently, especially when you're excited about the position. I would follow up with them on Monday morning if you don't hear anything by the end of the day tomorrow. Good luck!
 
It depends on the company but it's certainly not unusual. They said 5-7 business days, so I'd give them until tomorrow. As I mentioned earlier in the thread, I was told last Wednesday I'd be offered an internship and that I'd hear from HR and I haven't heard anything yet, either. Before that, it took 7 business days after the interview to reach out to me to let me know they wanted me for the internship. People are busy and it really sucks to wait patiently, especially when you're excited about the position. I would follow up with them on Monday morning if you don't hear anything by the end of the day tomorrow. Good luck!

Thanks. You're right, I should give them the full 7 business days before getting back to them. I have to work on my patience with this kind of thing.
 

Veelk

Banned
So I got a job as a waiter. Is it normal to feel a bit....nervous about it?

I actually wasn't overly nervous, but during my first training day, I tried to absorb all the information I could, so I was a bit skittish and I tried to look/be aware of everything I could be.

As a result, my coworkers and I think boss perceived me as nervous, which I wasn't until everyone told me that's how they saw me, since I don't want to look like I'm not confident enough for the job.
 
So I got a job as a waiter. Is it normal to feel a bit....nervous about it?

I actually wasn't overly nervous, but during my first training day, I tried to absorb all the information I could, so I was a bit skittish and I tried to look/be aware of everything I could be.

As a result, my coworkers and I think boss perceived me as nervous, which I wasn't until everyone told me that's how they saw me, since I don't want to look like I'm not confident enough for the job.
It's your first day on the job. It's totally normal to be nervous. I wouldn't worry about your coworkers and boss thinking you're nervous on the first day because that will change once you get accustomed to the place.
 

Galang

Banned
Just had a good interview, but the problem is they requested at least 6 references.. is this normal? I've always used the same 2 - 3 supervisors/managers. It's for a receptionist position. 3 of the references have to be peers I worked with previously and they're apparently going to cross reference with the managers. I haven't kept in touch with anyone and deleted my facebook after my last break up. Figures my anti-social behaviour comes back to bite me, but it's also a good lesson to me. I really have to work on keeping in touch with people even if it means just having an inactive social media account.
 

B-Dubs

No Scrubs
So I sent out a resume on whim yesterday and got a reply asking if I could come in for an interview either Monday or Tuesday next week. I replied and two hours passed with no confirmation. I wasn't sure if the e-mail went through since I was on the subway so I sent another out just in case. I'd very much like this job so I'm a bit nervous about this. I wish the guy had called so we could just hash it all out then and there, but oh well. Here's hoping I hear back, I put a fair bit of work into the cover letter.

Just had a good interview, but the problem is they requested at least 6 references.. is this normal? I've always used the same 2 - 3 supervisors/managers. It's for a receptionist position. 3 of the references have to be peers I worked with previously and they're apparently going to cross reference with the managers. I haven't kept in touch with anyone and deleted my facebook after my last break up. Figures my anti-social behaviour comes back to bite me, but it's also a good lesson to me. I really have to work on keeping in touch with people even if it means just having an inactive social media account.

Six references for a receptionist job? That's fucking insane.
 

gwailo

Banned
Just had a good interview, but the problem is they requested at least 6 references.. is this normal? I've always used the same 2 - 3 supervisors/managers. It's for a receptionist position. 3 of the references have to be peers I worked with previously and they're apparently going to cross reference with the managers. I haven't kept in touch with anyone and deleted my facebook after my last break up. Figures my anti-social behaviour comes back to bite me, but it's also a good lesson to me. I really have to work on keeping in touch with people even if it means just having an inactive social media account.

LinkedIn is useful for keeping contacts around without dealing with a lot of the Facebook BS.

6 references is not normal at all and TBH a company that does that much for a receptionist position doesn't sound like a good place to work. Either they are full of corporate/HR bullshit/red tape or they have apparently hired a whole lot of incompetent people in the past and feel the need to over vet any potential employees. Checking references should just basically be that they're confirming that you worked at pace x for time y. They don't need to know your entire history at the company. I would tell them to kick rocks and only provide the 3 references you have myself, but it's up to you how many hoops you want to jump through for basically an entry level job.

This wouldn't happen to be through a staffing/temp agency, would it?
 
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