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[The Lamp]

define social/ professional skill.

Like, before you approach a company you like at a career fair, spend a few minutes googling their products and the latest and greatest about them.

Approach humbly, politely, but optimistically, like you would meet an acquaintance a friend is introducing you to. Converse along the lines of "Hi, I'm so-and-so, I'm studying ___ graduating in ____ and I'm interested in your ____ positions. I have experience in ______ and I have been involved in _____. Can you please tell me more about _____ ?"

In that moment, you've demonstrated that you know how to sell yourself briefly, you gave me the context for who you are, you explained your experiences and interest, and you asked me about my company/products in a way that shows interest. That puts you way above some of the students who come up to me and are literally don't know what company they're talking to, what we do, what we're hiring for, and don't seem to have any intelligent questions for us or the positions we offer.

One kid came up to my division specifically, and in the middle of literally asking us for a job, said they didn't have the "patience" for our type of work.
Another kid came up to me and seemed to be in a hurry. Before I had gotten the chance to ask them anything they shook my hand and took off. At least be polite.
Another one dropped off his resume and said "I only have one question for you. What kind of movies do you like?" and I was like fucking wow.

Some of these are kids with high GPAs and experience, and I'm like what is wrong with you?

 

[nampad]

I recruited at the largest university engineering career fair in the nation yesterday.

The amount of entitled kids that come up to you as a recruiter with zero professional skills is astounding. It's really not hard to stand out as an engineering applicant if you are just humble and have social/professional skills.

I have to say that todays students seem very driven. Looking at CVs for one of our recruiting events, everyone seemed to have studied abroad with several internships.

Might be that some act entitled because they have tailored there CV perfectly, lacking real skills though. Had a pretty bad intern last year which ended with me redoing most of his work. The intern left after some weeks because he thought we have promised him something else in the interview (we didn't).
Considering it was just 3 months, not being able to just sucker through it is also not a good sign.

Hope this years intern turns out better. The interview was rescheduled though because the interviewee was apparently sick.

In the US graduates can be interns, but they don't like you to be too far removed from school. Like 2 or 3 years is the limit.

Here, the big companies won't take graduates. We just had one of these issues even though the candidate reapplied for university for something else as a loophole.
The companies just don't want it to look like they are acquiring skilled work for cheap.

 

[Kieli]

I recruited at the largest university engineering career fair in the nation yesterday.

The amount of entitled kids that come up to you as a recruiter with zero professional skills is astounding. It's really not hard to stand out as an engineering applicant if you are just humble and have social/professional skills.

The amount of students with CVs filled to the brim with experiences has been sky-rocketing. They couldn't have gotten into prestigious universities in the first place without playing the Western academic entrance game.

 

[The Lamp]

The amount of students with CVs filled to the brim with experiences has been sky-rocketing. They couldn't have gotten into prestigious universities in the first place without playing the Western academic entrance game.

You're right. And it's great to look nice on paper, but if you're a chore to work with at the office and you don't handle feedback or guidance well because you're an arrogant little savant prick, then that's a problem.

The two interns we recruited from my school were not given job offers this summer, because they lacked crucial networking skills and they were not good at receiving feedback. These are interns with journal publications, 3.8-4.0 GPAs in engineering, and previous technical internships and extracurricular leadership.

Therefore, in a sea of competitive applicants, it's not hard to stand out among them if you have some basic professional/social skills like networking and humble, polite conversational skills.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

God I hate phone interviews. Just finished one and said I should be contacted by Wednesday to let me know whats up because they are trying to get people in for the holiday. This is for social media in retail corporate offices.

Pray for me gaf

 

[Transistor]

God I hate phone interviews. Just finished one and said I should be contacted by Wednesday to let me know whats up because they are trying to get people in for the holiday. This is for social media in retail corporate offices.

Pray for me gaf

Good luck. Phone interviews are the absolute worst. Most companies I've worked for have gotten away from them in favor of Skype video interviews now, which at least is still more personal

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

Good luck. Phone interviews are the absolute worst. Most companies I've worked for have gotten away from them in favor of Skype video interviews now, which at least is still more personal

Man I hate them. I feel like I do hella better in person

 

[Veelk]

Did I screw myself out of a job or something? I got an email last week saying that there was an opportunity for me at a company if I sent them an updated resume.

I sent this response

"Good Morning, Mrs. (Surname).

I'm pleased to hear from you. I hope you had a good weekend as well.

I am still in the job market, but only just. I recently got an offer, but I'll be happy to hear about the opportunity you have for me.

Hope to hear from you soon!"

I added that "I recently got an offer" in hopes that maybe she'd be more eager to hear from me since I'm limited, but also because it's true and I can't put it off too much so I'd like to hear from her asap. Was that a wrong move?

 

[jwk94]

Starting to lose hope, GAF. I've used LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed to look for jobs for the last month and I've found nothing so far. One person replied to me to say I didn't meet their requirements and even went into detail about why I didn't. I appreciated that a lot, but still I'm feeling down.

 

[MC Safety]

Good luck. Phone interviews are the absolute worst. Most companies I've worked for have gotten away from them in favor of Skype video interviews now, which at least is still more personal

I hate Skype interviews. My inclination is to look toward the screen and not directly at the camera.

I'm sure it comes off as absolutely awful on the other end.

 

[mmazurkiewicz]

I hate Skype interviews. My inclination is to look toward the screen and not directly at the camera.

I'm sure it comes off as absolutely awful on the other end.

how will you see the other person if you're not looking at the screen.

seems silly for you to stare at a camera the whole time.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

Did I screw myself out of a job or something? I got an email last week saying that there was an opportunity for me at a company if I sent them an updated resume.

I sent this response

"Good Morning, Mrs. (Surname).

I'm pleased to hear from you. I hope you had a good weekend as well.

I am still in the job market, but only just. I recently got an offer, but I'll be happy to hear about the opportunity you have for me.

Hope to hear from you soon!"

I added that "I recently got an offer" in hopes that maybe she'd be more eager to hear from me since I'm limited, but also because it's true and I can't put it off too much so I'd like to hear from her asap. Was that a wrong move?

Probably saying you're "only just in the job market" might have pushed it but no, what you did isn't bad. You make it clear you're already being looked over for another job, have an offer and can't wait for them so if they want to make you one they have to hurry.

If they don't have a second candidate that's close to you in qualifications that they could take their time with then they'll likely try to offer you something quick. And you can then being haggling.

 

[dskillzhtown]

Starting to lose hope, GAF. I've used LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed to look for jobs for the last month and I've found nothing so far. One person replied to me to say I didn't meet their requirements and even went into detail about why I didn't. I appreciated that a lot, but still I'm feeling down.

The title of this thread is 100% true. I went 3 months before getting something before. You just have to keep grinding and trying to have some joy to get your mind off of it.

 

[Sectorseven]

Don't suppose anyone has tips for getting a job with local government? Or is it the same as any job?

 

[Admiral Woofington]

Starting to lose hope, GAF. I've used LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed to look for jobs for the last month and I've found nothing so far. One person replied to me to say I didn't meet their requirements and even went into detail about why I didn't. I appreciated that a lot, but still I'm feeling down.

Don't feel down man. I applied everywhere for months and the job I currently have I got with connections and recommendations.

With those you apply to online it's a longer process, that's inevitable.

 

[MC Safety]

how will you see the other person if you're not looking at the screen.

seems silly for you to stare at a camera the whole time.

I don't know how to answer this. If you look at the camera, it appears as if you're addressing the interviewer on the other end. If you look at the person on the screen, it seems as if you're looking downward.

Either way is awkward.

 

[Captin Quacker]

So i've noticed a few positions for massage have started asking for a picture right off the bat

It's odd Cuz I've been doing massage for years and never seen it till recently

 

[SolidSnakeUS]

The in person interview I had today went very well, I think. Place isn't far from me either and seems like a good place to work .

 

[Big Chungus]

I applied for two internal positions (same organization, different city) on july 15th and on august 12th but it still says "applicant selection" on the website.

Can it really take this long to select applicants for an interview or is there a chance they were too lazy to update the site?

Should I contact HR to see if the positions were filled or would that annoy them and ruin my chances in the future?

 

[Ogodei]

Don't suppose anyone has tips for getting a job with local government? Or is it the same as any job?

For big cities the entry-level stuff is the same as any other job, for small towns it's 80-90% nepotism except for police departments.

 

[Gabriel_Logan]

Got this link sent to me over Craigslist. It's totally a scam lol.

http://www.dataentryatyourdesk.com

 

[Fenom]

Any tips for applying for jobs without using recruiters? I've recently graduated this year in the UK, with a degree in Engineering. I've had more phone calls from recruiters than interviews. Finding it almost impossible to actually get in direct contact with companies that have the vacancies.

 

[Podge293]

Didn't know where else to query this (may try the stupid questions thread).

I'm looking to move on from my current job (primarily cuz it's boring. Hired me under false pretences and I can't see much progression)

Anyways is it rude to ask up front before applying for what the expected salary is? Before I moved jobs previously I took a lot of interviews only to find out they were offering considerably less than I was currently on or expected and effectively wasting time on both sides.

I'm based in Ireland by the way and private companies rarely show salary on the job specs

 

[Rked]

Does anyone know if the endorsement shit on linked in is actually legit. I just started using it made my profile and people have not been endorsing me even though i do a very good job. it seems such a stupid system. I endorse alot of people but get nothing in return its infuriating.

 

[gwailo]

Unless they're the ones where people actually write out something, they don't matter much.

 

[Rked]

Unless they're the ones where people actually write out something, they don't matter much.

It does not look nice when you have 2 :/

 

[dskillzhtown]

Don't suppose anyone has tips for getting a job with local government? Or is it the same as any job?

Know someone who works there. I used to work at a job in local government and honestly 80% of the people in the department were either related or had a friend who worked there.

 

[Zojirushi]

Didn't know where else to query this (may try the stupid questions thread).

I'm looking to move on from my current job (primarily cuz it's boring. Hired me under false pretences and I can't see much progression)

Anyways is it rude to ask up front before applying for what the expected salary is? Before I moved jobs previously I took a lot of interviews only to find out they were offering considerably less than I was currently on or expected and effectively wasting time on both sides.

I'm based in Ireland by the way and private companies rarely show salary on the job specs

Hm might be a cultural thing, job descriptions in Germany usually say something along the lines of "Send us your application including salary expectations"

But if you got nothing to lose then why not bring it up towards the end of the first interview? It's not like they're not gonna hire you simply because you brought that up if you're otherwise a perfect fit for the job.

 

[Podge293]

Hm might be a cultural thing, job descriptions in Germany usually say something along the lines of "Send us your application including salary expectations"

But if you got nothing to lose then why not bring it up towards the end of the first interview? It's not like they're not gonna hire you simply because you brought that up if you're otherwise a perfect fit for the job.

Some do some don't here. The thing is I don't wanna waste time doing the interview only to find out after that they're only gonna offer me 10/20k less than I'm currently on which has happened before.

Ah I'll fire them a query just asking. Sure worst case they don't reply and I won't go for it

 

[James93]

Does anyone know if the endorsement shit on linked in is actually legit. I just started using it made my profile and people have not been endorsing me even though i do a very good job. it seems such a stupid system. I endorse alot of people but get nothing in return its infuriating.

No it means nothing. I have some guy who i've never met endorse me for stuff

 

[RoKKeR]

Just starting out all of this as a Senior in college... it's all extremely daunting. Career fair tomorrow – any hot tips, GAF?

 

[Roland_Gunner]

Just starting out all of this as a Senior in college... it's all extremely daunting. Career fair tomorrow – any hot tips, GAF?

Try to get there early. Especially if you don't have any specific interests. If there aren't a lot of people around its easier to chat with the recruiter and get a feel for what they're looking for.

 

[RoKKeR]

Try to get there early. Especially if you don't have any specific interests. If there aren't a lot of people around its easier to chat with the recruiter and get a feel for what they're looking for.

Hmm, unfortunately the start time is right when I have a class that's ending. I am excited to talk to recruiters there but am stressed about all of chaos at an event like that!

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

Sooo she said she would send me something by wednesday either way and I havent got anything yet im freaking out!!!! 😳😳😳😳

 

[Makonero]

Sooo she said she would send me something by wednesday either way and I havent got anything yet im freaking out!!!! 😳😳😳😳

People lie. I've had more people flake on me in terms of job search related things than dating as of late. It's ridiculous.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

People lie. I've had more people flake on me in terms of job search related things than dating as of late. It's ridiculous.

same actually lol.. Hmm idk what going on then. Man I hate phone interviews

 

[Syphon Filter]

Just starting out all of this as a Senior in college... it's all extremely daunting. Career fair tomorrow – any hot tips, GAF?

Bring resumes that are different to apply for different jobs. You will have your main resume that is tailored toward your field and then another one for a job you may want to do on the side and the meantime. Try as much companies as you can and ask if they are looking for people in your field even if the company doesn't seem like they are mainly about that.

 

[Nevasleep]

Any tips for applying for jobs without using recruiters? I've recently graduated this year in the UK, with a degree in Engineering. I've had more phone calls from recruiters than interviews. Finding it almost impossible to actually get in direct contact with companies that have the vacancies.

A lot of companies (in my IT area) are using recruiters for the first stage.

 

[Freeza Under The Shower]

So, I had a lot of fun reading back in that 'it's so easy' thread, but it did illustrate one thing as an impression that I think most people here have been failing to mention (and I was wondering about that for a while), and that is that some if not most of you consider yourself unemployed in your field of expertise of study, not actually jobless. Is that impression correct?

Not trying to be a dick, just clarifying something, since I knew that 'I'm unemployed' is used in a subjective manner by state statistics, but I didn't think that would apply here too.

 

[SoRuffShoNuff]

Any tips for applying for jobs without using recruiters? I've recently graduated this year in the UK, with a degree in Engineering. I've had more phone calls from recruiters than interviews. Finding it almost impossible to actually get in direct contact with companies that have the vacancies.

Why don't you want to use a recruiter. I've found that getting a job from a recruiter is much easier than going through a companies website. The recruiter gets paid if you get the job so you have someone selling the hell out of you and if this is a position they have had another candidate flunk out on they will give you tips on the interview process that is basically a cheat sheet. When you apply on a website you often get weeded out by a computer and a human never even sees your resume.

 

[SolidSnakeUS]

Had a great first interview on Monday and they just invited me back for a second interview on Tuesday! I'm so fucking excited!

 

[RedSwirl]

So is this thing called "job spike" legit? Some Indian-sounding dude cold called he saying he was aware I was searching for a job and that I'd get emails from what sounded like "jobspike.com" or whatever. When I try to type in that address though, Chrome's security filters don't seem to like it very much.

 

[modernmalady]

I'm going in to my local library tomorrow for an interview, wish me luck GAF!! Has anyone here worked as a librarian? Any tips?

Also, should I change up my attitude for interviews? I try to come off like someone who won't be a "bother" or something. I make small jokes (when appropriate) and I try to treat the interview like a conversation between friends. But, some of my friends have told me that I should just stick to being "serious and professional."

 

[Freeza Under The Shower]

So is this thing called "job spike" legit? Some Indian-sounding dude cold called he saying he was aware I was searching for a job and that I'd get emails from what sounded like "jobspike.com" or whatever. When I try to type in that address though, Chrome's security filters don't seem to like it very much.

neither does firefox's, so I'm going to say 'no'. Also, it doesn't show up as any kind of google hit when directly searching for the site, which is obvious trouble.

 

[RoKKeR]

Bring resumes that are different to apply for different jobs. You will have your main resume that is tailored toward your field and then another one for a job you may want to do on the side and the meantime. Try as much companies as you can and ask if they are looking for people in your field even if the company doesn't seem like they are mainly about that.

Thanks for the thoughts, went pretty well. Talked to 13 or 14 companies, passed out a lot of resumes, chatted with some interesting people and got a better idea of the kind of companies I'm looking for. Also got an interview lined up for tomorrow kind of out of the blue... not for a position I'm terribly interested in, but I figure it'll be good practice.

All in all I feel like, though I don't know exactly where I'm headed yet, there are paths out there that makes sense and can be followed with enough determination. Feeling better today than I have yet in the process!

 

[gwailo]

So is this thing called "job spike" legit? Some Indian-sounding dude cold called he saying he was aware I was searching for a job and that I'd get emails from what sounded like "jobspike.com" or whatever. When I try to type in that address though, Chrome's security filters don't seem to like it very much.

Generally most of those sites are BS. Maybe not out and out scams, but definitely wastes of time.

 

[RoadDogg]

So I have never posted in this thread but I have been looking for a new job "casually" for almost 2 years. My current employer made some changes that are going to impact my personal life so I wanted to try and stay ahead of things for when that day comes. Over the first 1.5 years I only managed to get a single interview and was pretty depressed over the whole situation. I think I have a pretty strong resume in my field and I was applying to lesser companies then what I am currently doing so I thought it would have been easier to get through automated screenings.

I limited my search to just a handful of companies I knew of locally, but they always seemed to auto-reject my application. My resume just didn't have the right keywords or something. Then earlier this year I got asked for an interview at a company I applied to months ago and forgot about. That position didn't work out, but I found a similar one a couple months ago and got contacted by HR for an interview within a week or so. I guess my account got added to a shortlist or something. I got an offer for that position last Friday and just gave my notice to my current employer today.

I am excited and scared at the same time. I have been working remotely 3-4 days a week for the last ~10 years so having to be in an office every day is going to be a big change. Especially for my kids who are used to seeing me for more then just dinner and bed.

Not really sure where I am going with this, just wanted to post in here as I had been lurking the thread for awhile during my search to remind myself that I wasn't alone in my experience. Getting your application through screening (automated or not) is a bitch and way more stressful then it should be because you get 0 feedback on why you weren't considered.

 

[ReaperXL7]

I could probably make a new thread for this but I'm just going to ask here, I'm looking at this posting that was offered to me by indeed

http://jobview.doors.dol.gov/getjob.aspx?JobID=172217486&LogGetJobChannelID=6572

It's something that I'd be very interested in potentially pursuing but I'm not 100% on what the requirements are. As an example it says that one of the requirements is a security clearance, but how would one go about getting a security clearance prior to working for the government? Is it something that I can apply for?

Realistically this is most likely one of those pipe dream situations for me since my experience is almost all coming from retail and I have no one who will vouche for me outside of standard references but I would love to have a shot at it if possible so I thought I'd ask if anyone here might have some insight.

 

[RoadDogg]

If I was applying for that, as someone who is not in a government position, I would take it to mean that you need to pass a security clearance screening to qualify. I don't know how they could expect external applicants to come to the table with such a thing.

Edit:
This part makes it sound like they only want existing Federal employees?

Who May Be Considered: All current, federal Wage and Hour employees with competitive status. CTAP eligibles in the local commuting area. Qualified Land Management Eligibles.

 

[ReaperXL7]

If I was applying for that, as someone who is not in a government position, I would take it to mean that you need to pass a security clearance screening to qualify. I don't know how they could expect external applicants to come to the table with such a thing.

Edit:
This part makes it sound like they only want existing Federal employees?

Who May Be Considered: All current, federal Wage and Hour employees with competitive status. CTAP eligibles in the local commuting area. Qualified Land Management Eligibles.

Ahh, I missed that part. I just went straight to the requirements like I normally do to see if previous experience was necessary.

I really got to get out of retail....