Support NeoGAF

[The Shadow]

You know you have severe job burnout when you have a couple projects due in a week, you haven't worked on them at all, browsing NeoGAF, and you still just don't give a fuck. If I worked for a private company, I'm pretty sure I'd be fired by now. :/

 

[Charcoal]

Hey gaf, quick question. I just scheduled a phone interview for an internship at a major corporation.

I have experience in my field from the military and previous jobs, but I've never done a phone interview. Does anyone have any advice or tips that I should know beforehand?

 

[SynthFetish]

Phone interview for Customer/Community support at a tech startup in about half an hour.

Wish me luck JobSeekingGAF!

Hey gaf, quick question. I just scheduled a phone interview for an internship at a major corporation.

I have experience in my field from the military and previous jobs, but I've never done a phone interview. Does anyone have any advice or tips that I should know beforehand?

They usually review your resume and ask some questions to see if you'll fit in with the company culture. They do this to decide to move onto next round interviews.

 

[Roland_Gunner]

Congrats! I would follow up after 1 week. If you don't here back, email or call again with 2 weeks before the start date.

Yeah reaching out a week or two before the start date to make sure everything is okay is smart.

 

[Royal_Phalanx]

I'm trying to get a junior web dev job. Applying to all the listings that provide training that I can find. I've gone to a tech meetup recently where they teach each other to code and one of the hosts there got a junior front end dev job at a startup after 6 months of learning programming by himself. Are personal projects like making random webpages helpful (trying to make a Skyrim mod page listing all my personal favorite mods and posting the code on github)? Looking for advice from devs on here, I really need to do something that isn't retail.

 

[anonymous_abc]

I'm trying to get a junior web dev job. Applying to all the listings that provide training that I can find. I've gone to a tech meetup recently where they teach each other to code and one of the hosts there got a junior front end dev job at a startup after 6 months of learning programming by himself. Are personal projects like making random webpages helpful (trying to make a Skyrim mod page listing all my personal favorite mods and posting the code on github)? Looking for advice from devs on here, I really need to do something that isn't retail.

Personal projects are helpful no matter what, as you're getting out there and learning new stuff. Once you have the basics down you might consider volunteering to a worthwhile cause, help them maintain or improve their websites. That would look good on a resume.

 

[lord]

I'm trying to get a junior web dev job. Applying to all the listings that provide training that I can find. I've gone to a tech meetup recently where they teach each other to code and one of the hosts there got a junior front end dev job at a startup after 6 months of learning programming by himself. Are personal projects like making random webpages helpful (trying to make a Skyrim mod page listing all my personal favorite mods and posting the code on github)? Looking for advice from devs on here, I really need to do something that isn't retail.

What's your stack?

 

[RoKKeR]

Currently drafting an email to turn down an offer from one company (my first full time offer as a graduating senior) while I wait to hear back from another company that I would much rather work for almost two weeks after my final interview date. This is excruciating... "a bird in the hand..."

Unfortunately, they already extended my offer and today is the last day. I don't think I would be able to feel good about taking this offer while there are still other things on the table, but saying no just feels weird. Best ways to most appropriately say "no"?

 

[B-Dubs]

Currently drafting an email to turn down an offer from one company (my first full time offer as a graduating senior) while I wait to hear back from another company that I would much rather work for almost two weeks after my final interview date. This is excruciating... "a bird in the hand..."

Unfortunately, they already extended my offer and today is the last day. I don't think I would be able to feel good about taking this offer while there are still other things on the table, but saying no just feels weird. Best ways to most appropriately say "no"?

Considering you've not heard from the other place for two weeks, you aren't getting that job.

 

[Ogodei]

Considering you've not heard from the other place for two weeks, you aren't getting that job.

Take the offer unless you feel like you'd be uncomfortable working there. With a job offer a bird in the hand is worth literally 100 in the bush, unless you spit hot fire or are in an industry dying for talent.

The Alexandria job wants me in for a second in-person interview, which is kinda blargh but perhaps this is the end of it. Now i'm waiting for them to get back to me on an interview time. They kind of have to call me tomorrow if they want me by Friday though. Short notice and all.

 

[RoKKeR]

Considering you've not heard from the other place for two weeks, you aren't getting that job.

Take the offer unless you feel like you'd be uncomfortable working there. With a job offer a bird in the hand is worth literally 100 in the bush, unless you spit hot fire or are in an industry dying for talent.

Ffffffff. I contacted someone I interviewed with there at the end of last week and he said their campus recruiter would be reaching out to all of the candidates in the near future with a status update. There were only 4 of us total after making it through 3 different rounds of interviews/tests prior to that... Maybe I'm just being naive...

My big issue is that I like most everything about Company A with the exception of the work itself... (HR software implementation) It's just not in an industry I'm terribly interested in and doesn't hit some of the areas I want to develop more skills in. Maybe I'm being dumb to psych myself into not taking a position, but this is my first time doing all of this.

 

[xezuru]

Tech company is coming down for a job scout thing, anyone have tips on how to make the most of this kinda of singular company job fair thing?

 

[Aomber]

Just had the most terrible interviewing experience with a company.

The first person who called me for an interview kept trying to call me out of the blue at bad times when we both said we would arrange a specific time and day to speak. Once I finally spoke with them, they told me a second person would call the next day simply to give me details about an assessment day they wanted to bring me into their city for.

Second person calls me the next day, asks me what the first person went over with me. Starts asking me the same interview questions the first person asked me, felt very text book like he was reading from a pamphlet. He told me what the salary would be, asides from the fact that you don't usually discuss salary at this stage, the pay was pretty bad for the type of work. They also were not going to sponsor my trip to their city for this assessment, I had to come on my own dollar, so I said I would have to get back to him on that whether it was financially feasible. He then kept pressuring me to do this 15 minute interview on the spot which first of all I found weird because we had already been interviewing for 30 minutes, plus the 30 minute interview from the day before. Second of all I thought this was supposed to just be an information call about the assessment.

I knew I was disinterested due to pay and I was getting really weird vibes at this point, so I just said I had to run, emailed him shortly after saying I wasn't interested in the position anymore and was withdrawing my app. He emailed back acknowledging the withdrawal.

So today I get a call from Manchester in the UK. I live in the US so I figured it was a spam caller and ignored it. They left a voice mail - turns out it's the same company, a guy from their UK office knew by name the guy I had spoken to last, saying that my details were sent to him by the exact people I had spoken to previously in the US offices. He wanted to speak to me about the exact same job. Bear in mind this is several days after the previous call I had and several days after the acknowledgement that I had withdrawn my app.

Talk about a train wreck. I emailed the guy saying to let their US team know their communication was terrible and it looks bad on their company.

 

[B-Dubs]

Ffffffff. I contacted someone I interviewed with there at the end of last week and he said their campus recruiter would be reaching out to all of the candidates in the near future with a status update. There were only 4 of us total after making it through 3 different rounds of interviews/tests prior to that... Maybe I'm just being naive...

My big issue is that I like most everything about Company A with the exception of the work itself... (HR software implementation) It's just not in an industry I'm terribly interested in and doesn't hit some of the areas I want to develop more skills in. Maybe I'm being dumb to psych myself into not taking a position, but this is my first time doing all of this.

There's no rule saying you can't accept your current offer then quit if the other one comes through.

 

[RoKKeR]

There's no rule saying you can't accept your current offer then quit if the other one comes through.

Other than not keeping my word? I'd accept knowing that if the other company comes through I would 100% pick them, and I'm not sure I can do that in good conscience. Also my brief Googling on this topic says that's usually not a good call haha.

I suppose I could beg Company A for just a few more days but at this point it sounds like they need to continue with their process and they'd probably just think I'm trying to extend while waiting to hear back from another company. (which is obviously true, lol)

Arghghhghgughghughggh.

 

[dallow_bg]

Other than not keeping my word? I'd accept knowing that if the other company comes through I would 100% pick them, and I'm not sure I can do that in good conscience. Also my brief Googling on this topic says that's usually not a good call haha.

I suppose I could beg Company A for just a few more days but at this point it sounds like they need to continue with their process and they'd probably just think I'm trying to extend while waiting to hear back from another company. (which is obviously true, lol)

Arghghhghgughghughggh.

What word?
You've promised them not to quit?

You don't owe them anything.

 

[B-Dubs]

Other than not keeping my word? I'd accept knowing that if the other company comes through I would 100% pick them, and I'm not sure I can do that in good conscience. Also my brief Googling on this topic says that's usually not a good call haha.

I suppose I could beg Company A for just a few more days but at this point it sounds like they need to continue with their process and they'd probably just think I'm trying to extend while waiting to hear back from another company. (which is obviously true, lol)

Arghghhghgughghughggh.

Dude, they don't give a fuck about you. Unless you think you'll be applying for a job with them in the future it doesn't matter.

 

[Roland_Gunner]

Dude, they don't give a fuck about you. Unless you think you'll be applying for a job with them in the future it doesn't matter.

So much this. If they lose some sales or funding the company would drop you in a heart beat. Say yes and if something better comes through tell them you aren't starting and to hire someone else.

 

[dragonflys545]

Other than not keeping my word? I'd accept knowing that if the other company comes through I would 100% pick them, and I'm not sure I can do that in good conscience. Also my brief Googling on this topic says that's usually not a good call haha.

I suppose I could beg Company A for just a few more days but at this point it sounds like they need to continue with their process and they'd probably just think I'm trying to extend while waiting to hear back from another company. (which is obviously true, lol)

Arghghhghgughghughggh.

LOL, company doesn't give a crap about anyone. They can fire anytime they want, you don't owe them anything. Just start the position and if the other company comes back with an offer, take it and leave your current job.

 

[Royal_Phalanx]

What's your stack?

Front-end for now, though am interested in going full stack in future.

 

[Nepenthe]

I'm in the process of applying for the first job in my field (animation), and while I'm not super starry-eyed about it, I am in a productive mood right now. Been constantly tightening up my resume' and portfolio site, beefing up my profiles on job sites, getting back into contact with my personal network on LinkedIn and personal sites (many of which are working and can maybe hand me the name of a person to call), noting when I've applied for jobs and researching hiring managers, all of that. I'm going to keep the mind that a little bit of work a day is better than sitting on my ass and moping about my perceived chances or the so-called uselessness of my degree. Planning on taking a trip back to SCAD's career center on Thursday to dive further into my support system. Wish me luck!

 

[SolidSnakeUS]

I still have nothing. I even got an overqualified status for position that I really wanted because I wanted a job. I even emailed them back (talked to then a few weeks ago) and asked if there is ANYTHING that can done about getting into that job. They said a level 2/3 job will open next year and what better way to get ready for it internally than to have someone do the lower level and then go right up into that job when it's available.

 

[Punchy4486]

Maybe I'm just being naive....

You are being naive.

And best case scenario, you can just tell the company you say yes to now that a better offer just came in and you're going to take it. They'll either say "Ok, see ya" or offer you more money to stay.

 

[dskillzhtown]

I still have nothing. I even got an overqualified status for position that I really wanted because I wanted a job. I even emailed them back (talked to then a few weeks ago) and asked if there is ANYTHING that can done about getting into that job. They said a level 2/3 job will open next year and what better way to get ready for it internally than to have someone do the lower level and then go right up into that job when it's available.

That is the worst. I got a few of those. I understand in their position they don't want to hire someone who is overqualified because they will be there only until something else comes around or they will get bored. But the fact is I need money coming in and I frankly don't care about all that.

 

[March of the Crabs]

This post is really just me wanting to whine to people but still: I took a 6 month leave from my work so I could do a 2 month contract job that would look amazing on my resume before I start a 4 month co-op job for school in January. It was all set up, I got my leave, and now the employer for the 2 month contract job simply has stopped responding. All correspondence has been through e-mail and they just flat out stopped. My work has already scheduled around my leave so now I am unemployed for 2 months! Yay!

 

[SolidSnakeUS]

That is the worst. I got a few of those. I understand in their position they don't want to hire someone who is overqualified because they will be there only until something else comes around or they will get bored. But the fact is I need money coming in and I frankly don't care about all that.

I need three things: income, more experience and to show other possible job opportunities/companies that I'm currently working. All 3 are very necessary right now, especially since I've been out of work for over a year.

 

[lord]

Front-end for now, though am interested in going full stack in future.

Frontend devs are very hot right now, especially if you can do one of the many hot frameworks. It's also really good since you can work on a large variety of projects and transfers really well to all kinds of suff.

If you do go backend I would recommend going with a very specific framework or technology. What that does is it reduces the availability of developers that have your skills, decreases competition for jobs, increases job security, and income grows a lot more relative to experience since the demand for devs on that specific technology with X number of year of experience in your area will be smaller (helps if it's a hard to learn technology). On the other hand it also reduces job prospects and if you don't work on your skills after work then you will have something like skill tunnel vision. It's a double edged sword, but I just would like to share it with you since this has served me very well in my career as a web dev.

 

[RoKKeR]

You are being naive.

And best case scenario, you can just tell the company you say yes to now that a better offer just came in and you're going to take it. They'll either say "Ok, see ya" or offer you more money to stay.

Can confirm, got the no today. Sucks. Short term bummer. Appreciate the responses, even though y'all make me feel like I fucked it just a bit, ha.

Did a lot of thinking and soul searching yesterday about the other opportunity on the table, and today's no doesn't change how I feel about that other offer and the work itself. I still have a lot of options to work through, so I'm just going to keep at it. Trying to take the things I learned and experience I got from the process and move forward.

 

[Royal_Phalanx]

I have another question-how do you build up and take advantage of a professional network? Got into contact with a couple of professional developers who run the tech meetup group which actually meets at their workplace on weekends (they're trainee software developers who have worked on front-end and back-end web development as well as mobile apps for a fashion retail company). Also I'm currently being bombarded with calls by recruiters when I apply for jobs as a lab technician via recruitment agencies, which is good I guess.

 

[Rebel Leader]

Still nothing. I hate my life at the moment

 

[NipplesAndToes23]

I wish I wasn't so limited by jobs by not having a license. It's fucking frustrating!

I've been feeling so sick and fed up lately. I can't even perform like I should. I can't concentrate.

 

[SynthFetish]

The good vibes helped!
Did the technical writing interview and have an in person one on Friday! Keep those good vibes coming and I'll keep sending!

 

[NeOak]

I've been only been sending applications since two weeks ago. Every day I try to send a few at least.

Hoping someone calls soon ;-;

 

[ZackieChan]

I have another question-how do you build up and take advantage of a professional network? Got into contact with a couple of professional developers who run the tech meetup group which actually meets at their workplace on weekends (they're trainee software developers who have worked on front-end and back-end web development as well as mobile apps for a fashion retail company). Also I'm currently being bombarded with calls by recruiters when I apply for jobs as a lab technician via recruitment agencies, which is good I guess.

That's pretty much it. You need to press the flesh, be engaging (someone they could see themselves working with or recommending) and not weird. Lots of meetups, I suppose, but the thing about these meetups is that they're full of people like you. People who have jobs and are successful aren't going to these meetups, for the most part. There are exceptions, of course.

I'm not in software development, per se, so maybe others can chime in on the usefulness of meetups in that field?

 

[half a moon]

So pending charges show up on a background check?

We go back to court in a month to discuss my required therapy and medication.

I guess I'm fucked until then. Hopefully it gets removed from my record.

 

[Jpop]

So,

I have a job at a start-up in San Francisco. Pays well, benefits yadayadayada.

I also just got another job at a Membership Only club bar/restaurant. This job pays $30/hr + tip, full benefits and paid time off. There is also room for a salary increase up to $45/hr within the first year.

My dilemma is do I put in my notice at the start-up and take this other job or not. Tis the question. With tip I could be looking at
$60/hr+ which is good pay....

Edit:

The job at the club also has weekends off so there is that too, plus I get a complimentary membership and I'll make a ton of connections....

 

[Slo]

So,

I have a job at a start-up in San Francisco. Pays well, benefits yadayadayada.

I also just got another job at a Membership Only club bar/restaurant. This job pays $30/hr + tip, full benefits and paid time off. There is also room for a salary increase up to $45/hr within the first year.

My dilemma is do I put in my notice at the start-up and take this other job or not. Tis the question. With tip I could be looking at
$60/hr+ which is good pay....

Edit:

The job at the club also has weekends off so there is that too, plus I get a complimentary membership and I'll make a ton of connections....

We'll, do you actually want a career in the new industry or are you content in the service industry? No judgement from me either way, but you're either going to make the leap or you're not? You're pursuing6 that industry for a reason, aren't you?

Shit or get off the pot.

 

[numble]

Can confirm, got the no today. Sucks. Short term bummer. Appreciate the responses, even though y'all make me feel like I fucked it just a bit, ha.

Did a lot of thinking and soul searching yesterday about the other opportunity on the table, and today's no doesn't change how I feel about that other offer and the work itself. I still have a lot of options to work through, so I'm just going to keep at it. Trying to take the things I learned and experience I got from the process and move forward.

You can still always take a job that you don't like and keep searching. The option is not either take the job and throw out all other options, it is to either get paid and get experience while looking for other options, or be unemployed while looking for other options.

 

[Jpop]

We'll, do you actually want a career in the new industry or are you content in the service industry? No judgement from me either way, but you're either going to make the leap or you're not? You're pursuing6 that industry for a reason, aren't you?

Shit or get off the pot.

I'm interested in my start-up job, applied to it more for the pay. But I'm a writer and photographer in my free-time, so that's me.

I also found out I get 3 weeks paid vacation after my first year, 2 weeks my first year and a 401k that the club matches...


I think I'm going to put my notice in at my other job.

 

[Mr. F]

Got down to the final two after a month of interviews and they went with the other applicant.

SO CLOOOOOSE

 

[NeOak]

Received some rejection emails and suddenly a request for an interview for one. Replied with Monday since I do want to prepare a bit for it and I can't do that until friday afternoon.

 

[Weetrick]

Received some rejection emails and suddenly a request for an interview for one. Replied with Monday since I do want to prepare a bit for it and I can't do that until friday afternoon.

Congrats and good luck!

 

[Philippo]

Yeah, i'm fresh out of college (actually i just moved back home but i still have one exam left), and i'm starting now looking for a job that suits what i studied.
But i don't really know how to do it: i've asked a couple of people i know that have connections in these fields, but its nothing that sounds too solid or that it begins much further down the line; i've set up my CV and sent it to a few offers but i'm not expecting any replies. But other than this i don't know where to look or what to do...

It's just the beginning so i guess that some confusion is normal, and money wise i'm safe for a few months, but i'm already stressed out by this :/

 

[SweetDonuts]

After getting an amazing job for 2 months etc, looks like I'm back to square one and looking for a new job. Sucks but I'll just have to deal with it.

 

[SapphiCine]

I've been partly relying on a former instructor to find job leads, and he's fucking terrible at it. Almost every goddamn time, it's something I'm not qualified for or the job is not what he says it is. I swear the fucker only hears what he wants to hear before he passes it along to me. /vent

 

[NeOak]

Wow, I missed a call earlier this morning because I went to sleep really late working on an essay that was due today. Recruiter left a VM asking for a phone interview ASAP. Called as soon as I had submitted the essay. Left a VM with the info, apology for the delay and that I am available tomorrow. Now to wait.

A few more rejection e-mails from other places too lol.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

A got a question, what yall think of this..

So I had a phone interview, and face to face interview last month for social media in corporate clothing store. They ultimately send me a automated rejection email that was dissapointing but I thought I did the interview well. They even told me they had two spots open..

Anyways on Sunday I saw the posting again on indeed and re-submit my application. Yesterday at around 4 the HR lady from before just straight up calls me.. I was at work so I couldnt answer and listened to her voicemail she tells me to call back to discuss the position.. not sure if she remembers me but she probably does since she just straight up called from her office phone and previously sent me an email to set up a phone interview. When I got off its too late for anything so now im gonna call her today.

What do yall think she wants to tell me?

 

[Astarte]

So it turns out I was the top person to choose for the internship because of my resume and my interview going along so darn well.

"Do you have a car"

It was at that instance when I knew that I won't get the job. Whoops.

 

[Slo]

A got a question, what yall think of this..

So I had a phone interview, and face to face interview last month for social media in corporate clothing store. They ultimately send me a automated rejection email that was dissapointing but I thought I did the interview well. They even told me they had two spots open..

Anyways on Sunday I saw the posting again on indeed and re-submit my application. Yesterday at around 4 the HR lady from before just straight up calls me.. I was at work so I couldnt answer and listened to her voicemail she tells me to call back to discuss the position.. not sure if she remembers me but she probably does since she just straight up called from her office phone and previously sent me an email to set up a phone interview. When I got off its too late for anything so now im gonna call her today.

What do yall think she wants to tell me?

You're not getting that one, sorry man.

 

[SynthFetish]

Well, I got the job at the tech startup. Yay me!

I'd like to thank the Rocky movies for getting me through the hard times, and GAF for being a continuing source of amusement.

Keep your heads up job seeking GAF, it'll happen.