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Applying for jobs is exhausting and soul-crushing
- Thread starter Moofers
- Start date
Job boards have their own culture to reduce the number of applicants. Try your favorite companies' career pages.
3-5 years experience I saw for one job on the entry level tab.
I mean I get that its all BS and they are just putting crap out there, but come on. Come on folks.
How many college grads with 5 years experience wanna work a 10 dollar an hour entry level job?
Bluemongoose
Neo Member
Just spent over an hour applying to a job at Goldman Sachs and for some reason it keeps saying that I haven't filled out all the questions. Interestingly, certain job titles only pop up so you will get an error if you don't enter a title that's under their database. This is the crappiest way of telling someone they aren't qualified.
Applied to another job only to find out there was an excel test at the end. Why didn't they just say they wanted an excel expert in the job description!? Man, I'm just gonna play some Dark Souls tomorrow until my soul recovers.
Applied to another job only to find out there was an excel test at the end. Why didn't they just say they wanted an excel expert in the job description!? Man, I'm just gonna play some Dark Souls tomorrow until my soul recovers.
I've never had to have a test when joining a medical plan. You should be fine.
People don't actually apply to those jobs. I saw one for a $12/hour PhD in Computer Science
Syphon Filter
Member
Apply anyways, most will be busy but will get back to it after the holidays. I am waiting on a response for a recent interview.
Blue Ninja
Member
I know the feel. What sucks even more is coming across a vacancy that matches your education, exerience and profile to a T, only to get a mail back saying "we're looking for a different profile". I asked for some feedback but never got it.
At least the crisis is averted for now, since my current job renewed my contract.
Thread's been a bit dry recently (no surprises why) so I thought I'd bring it back to life with a question;
Can the location, or perceived prestige, of a job affect your employment prospects in the future?
What I mean by that is would a future prospective employer look down on your credentials if you gave up working for a much more globally diverse corporation to instead work for a small-scale outfit with no recognition outside of the local community?
For some context, I've been offered a job at a private school. I'm currently a sysadmin for a private charter arliner in London with offices in New York and Hong Kong. I used to work in edu but changed to get a different perception of IT in the real-world, and just to build experience etc. The problem is, while my team and the people are the nicest I've ever worked with, my position has no weight and my role has become stale, and quite frankly I've grown to miss the world of edu. The new job should give me a lot of creative freedom and autonomy, which is what I always wanted from my next position (the position I'm in)...I just got too eager to move on and probably accepted the wrong job.
I also want to move abroad at some stage (somewhere in North America - my fiance is from the States) and I'm not sure if not working for a corporation in London would dim my chances wherever we end up. A company in the States isn't going to know anything about the school, but they might have heard about the arliner and thought that that sounds like a cool job.
Thanks!
Can the location, or perceived prestige, of a job affect your employment prospects in the future?
What I mean by that is would a future prospective employer look down on your credentials if you gave up working for a much more globally diverse corporation to instead work for a small-scale outfit with no recognition outside of the local community?
For some context, I've been offered a job at a private school. I'm currently a sysadmin for a private charter arliner in London with offices in New York and Hong Kong. I used to work in edu but changed to get a different perception of IT in the real-world, and just to build experience etc. The problem is, while my team and the people are the nicest I've ever worked with, my position has no weight and my role has become stale, and quite frankly I've grown to miss the world of edu. The new job should give me a lot of creative freedom and autonomy, which is what I always wanted from my next position (the position I'm in)...I just got too eager to move on and probably accepted the wrong job.
I also want to move abroad at some stage (somewhere in North America - my fiance is from the States) and I'm not sure if not working for a corporation in London would dim my chances wherever we end up. A company in the States isn't going to know anything about the school, but they might have heard about the arliner and thought that that sounds like a cool job.
Thanks!
I have an interview tomorrow for a Development and Activities Coordinator there is a Business Development role I'm also interested in.
My question is should I bring the role up during the interview or send the interviewer an email today about the role?
It's a small company and during the phone interview he did confuse the roles which sparked my search in the Business Development.
I'm currently in a Business Development role
My question is should I bring the role up during the interview or send the interviewer an email today about the role?
It's a small company and during the phone interview he did confuse the roles which sparked my search in the Business Development.
I'm currently in a Business Development role
As long as you can explain your reasoning for switching (like you did in your post), I don't see the move being a major hindrance in the future. And obviously all interviewers are different, but for me personally a "prestigious" company tells me very little about the quality of a particular candidate. We've interviewed a few people lately for a job at my currently company and I've noticed that a lot of candidates from larger companies can sometimes have a lot of "we dids" in their histories, meaning when asked about some technical subject, they'll answer "at my current job we did (whatever)." The concern of course is the lack "I dids" at big companies.
In other words, big companies can have great and no so great candidates like anywhere else. Explain yourself well and I think you'll be fine.
Oh man you're so right, and I've fallen into this trap before. I had to reword my CV before applying to this school because I realised that I didn't specifically talk about anything that I predominantly did myself.
Thanks for the reassurance though. I guess as long as I have a good reason (like I do) and a smart CV/resume, I shouldn't have any problems with regards to the companies I worked for or moved from.
Depends on how much you want/need to make.
Uno Venova
Banned
Tell me more.
What kind of skills do you have that would work in an office setting? Any chance you could move up to office work at your current company?
brianjones
Member
have you tried hooking up with a temp agency?
they get me out of retail a few years back and into data entry
it helps if they can call your current employer and hear good things about you
If you can do data entry, have decent people skills and are ok with making like 10-12 dollars an hr. it shouldn't be to hard. I'd check out your local temp agency to.
Just found out recently that I didn't do well enough on my writing test. They said they would finish up interviews before letting me know, but my doubts are high right now.
I did get contacted for another position out of the blue today though. Still not quite in my field, but its closer so perhaps it's a better fit. Who knows though. I'm back to applying again just in case.
I did get contacted for another position out of the blue today though. Still not quite in my field, but its closer so perhaps it's a better fit. Who knows though. I'm back to applying again just in case.
Same here.
Had my phone interview yesterday and it was very strange. The interviewer would not let me get a word in, he just talked about the company, the culture in the office and the work I would be doing, particularly the first 4 weeks for training. I tried to organically ask all the questions I had about the company (about 4 - 5), but in the end I don't think I really got a chance to "sell myself" Toward the end he asked if I had any questions and I just blanked. It kinda was done and over in about 25 minutes. In the beginning of the conversation I thought I was doing good and he was talking to me as though I already had the job (he talked about benefits, and advancement opportunities once I am done with school), so I didn't really know what to do other than agree with what he was saying and try to be as personable as possible. Either way in the end because I couldn't come up with anymore questions I think I bombed the interview. He said that he would try and let every candidate know by Friday if they can come in for an in-person interview with the lead engineer, so hopefully Ill get a call back and get a second chance.
Also I used some of the advice posted in this thread for phone interviews, particularly how to answer the phone, which I think worked well for a first phone impression.
Also I used some of the advice posted in this thread for phone interviews, particularly how to answer the phone, which I think worked well for a first phone impression.
Hey.
I did this (retail -> desk job).
As long as you have simple computer skills it's pretty easy. More specifically I went into data entry. This allowed me to spruce up my resume so that I was able to land a contract job (more data entry) at a bigger company, and now that contract job has turned permanent.
Basically started at $8 an hour and in a matter of a year and a half I've tripled my income. Just work smart, be professional, and make friends.
From my experience, if an interview goes like that, it means you don't wanna work for that company because they're trying to sell themselves to you, not the other way around.
Somehow those generic rejection letter responses are even more soul crushing.
Just so banal and demeaning, let alone you have no idea what went wrong. There is always the fact of multiple people and only one can get it and one just worked out more and that's fine, but if your trying to "improve" for next time, no help there.
Just so banal and demeaning, let alone you have no idea what went wrong. There is always the fact of multiple people and only one can get it and one just worked out more and that's fine, but if your trying to "improve" for next time, no help there.
I'm sure I am cursed.
So 5 weeks ago I am made an offer for a new job which I accept and I am told you will receive your pre-contract email soon but you've got a Jan 9th start date.
A week later it turns up (this is around 5th December) and on 23rd December I'm wondering what the hell is going on, I have heard nothing in weeks and I was told you'll get some further information about where you're going for training etc so I give them a call.
I get told my contract is with HR and I should have it and all the details before new year.
Nothing
So I check my online job profile and for some very strange and unexplained reason it says my application has been withdrawn at my request and this was made on the 21st December. There was no mention of this on the phone call so I'm hoping its some strange admin error. I go to ring the recruitment team today and guess what, they're on holiday until new year so until then I am totally none the wiser.
As it stands I'll walk out of my job on Thursday on a wing and a prayer unless they sort this between now and then, which means they have a couple of working days to do so but considering this whole rigmarole has been going on since late October it's understandable why I'm concerned.
So 5 weeks ago I am made an offer for a new job which I accept and I am told you will receive your pre-contract email soon but you've got a Jan 9th start date.
A week later it turns up (this is around 5th December) and on 23rd December I'm wondering what the hell is going on, I have heard nothing in weeks and I was told you'll get some further information about where you're going for training etc so I give them a call.
I get told my contract is with HR and I should have it and all the details before new year.
Nothing
So I check my online job profile and for some very strange and unexplained reason it says my application has been withdrawn at my request and this was made on the 21st December. There was no mention of this on the phone call so I'm hoping its some strange admin error. I go to ring the recruitment team today and guess what, they're on holiday until new year so until then I am totally none the wiser.
As it stands I'll walk out of my job on Thursday on a wing and a prayer unless they sort this between now and then, which means they have a couple of working days to do so but considering this whole rigmarole has been going on since late October it's understandable why I'm concerned.
CreepingFear
Member
Just wanted to say that last year around this time, I was jobless for over three months and throwing up potato skins on New Years. A week or two later, I was hired for a temp job and got a permanent job for another company in March for the best job of my life so far. I now have 10 paid holidays a year, 2 weeks PTO, Medical, dental, etc. Stay hopeful.
Uno Venova
Banned
Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'll look seriously into data entry though my typing speed is middle of the pack, I'll definitely work on it if it helps.
So basically they have filled the position I was offered with someone else. Even after the fact they offered it me and confirmed it with a pre-contractual email and offer which I accepted.
I have been told they are going to offer me the same job around 15 mins away.
I am livid over this.
I am cursed.
I have been told they are going to offer me the same job around 15 mins away.
I am livid over this.
I am cursed.
NeOak
Member
Happy New Year jobseekingGAF
One of my professors referred me to a manager at a company. Got the call for the interview on Thursday morning, did the interview Friday at 1pm, was done by 1:35pm, and got the offer by 5:40pm the same day. I feel really lucky.
I wish you lots of luck in your search.
One of my professors referred me to a manager at a company. Got the call for the interview on Thursday morning, did the interview Friday at 1pm, was done by 1:35pm, and got the offer by 5:40pm the same day. I feel really lucky.
I wish you lots of luck in your search.
DeTaInSaMuRAi
Neo Member
What's your degree in?
orthodoxy1095
Banned
Man, there's a job for a social media manager that I feel pretty qualified to work with, but my major issue is not having run actual paid ad campaigns. The application throws half a dozen acronyms at me that I had to look up (ROAS, CPA, CPC, ROI, CPM) and I'm not sure what else to look up now to make sure I actually grasp these metrics.
I absolutely hate feeling super qualified and then realizing I'm missing a major aspect of qualification.
I absolutely hate feeling super qualified and then realizing I'm missing a major aspect of qualification.
Just do your best to learn and brush up on those subjects, but if in the interview and such you don't know something or have experience in that part, don't BS them and be honest and open.
These places know they aren't going to get a perfect candidate every time and many times personality and rapport can matter more than experience and qualifications.
Hey GAF, I recently graduated and got my Biology degree!
I'm now in the same boat as some of you here are. I have read a few pages too see your perspectives.
Except for the Navy, I have never interviewed before for a job that wasn't one through networking. However, I had to move to another state (just moved to Michigan) and the task seems more daunting now because I don't know anyone. I did join Meetup to meet other Brazilians in the area.
At any rate, is there specific advice you can give me as far as resume-tailoring goes? I'm also a veteran and from the applications I've filled so far from job boards, most of them include a veteran's form. What exactly is that for? Do they have to reach a "quota" of some sorts?
I'm interested in being a Lab Technician, and I have been applying for the jobs that require associate's because those requiring a college degree also require experience, which I don't have yet. Should I ignore the experience req. and apply anyways?
I'm now in the same boat as some of you here are. I have read a few pages too see your perspectives.
Except for the Navy, I have never interviewed before for a job that wasn't one through networking. However, I had to move to another state (just moved to Michigan) and the task seems more daunting now because I don't know anyone. I did join Meetup to meet other Brazilians in the area.
At any rate, is there specific advice you can give me as far as resume-tailoring goes? I'm also a veteran and from the applications I've filled so far from job boards, most of them include a veteran's form. What exactly is that for? Do they have to reach a "quota" of some sorts?
I'm interested in being a Lab Technician, and I have been applying for the jobs that require associate's because those requiring a college degree also require experience, which I don't have yet. Should I ignore the experience req. and apply anyways?
Forerunner
Member
Most places have some type of veteran's preference system meaning you have a higher chance of landing the job. When it comes to government jobs you are almost guaranteed to get it. Our HR manager told us they had better people lined up, but they had to pass them up because of veterans. It's kind of bullshit if you think about it, but whatever I don't make the rules. Since you're a vet I'd definitely recommend looking at USAjobs.
As far as resume goes, just keep it as simple as possible. Personally mine looks like this:
Profile
Professional Experience
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Volunteer Work
Thank you for your input! My resume has these topics, but I'm also including 3 references in it. Should I keep it, or should I remove it and only submit them when requested? Two references are from 2 past jobs and 1 is personal.
Forerunner
Member
Personally, I don't put them on it. If the application request them than yes by all means put them on there. Also the amount is fine, 3-4.
NeOak
Member
Don't put references. If they want them, they will ask for them.
So I found a job posting for something right up my alley, a non-profit group that is well known nationally. It asked to just send in an email saying I'm interested, no resume/CV required.
Turns out the job is only possible because of some government social assistance program, I will probably have no chance at qualifying. Even though they just wanted an email of expressing interest I still took the time to write and research. I wish non-profits would be more upfront on this, most have the decency to bury it at the bottom of the job posting at least.
Here is to more success in 2017 jobhuntGAF.
Turns out the job is only possible because of some government social assistance program, I will probably have no chance at qualifying. Even though they just wanted an email of expressing interest I still took the time to write and research. I wish non-profits would be more upfront on this, most have the decency to bury it at the bottom of the job posting at least.
Here is to more success in 2017 jobhuntGAF.
I was in the same boat interviewing for my current job recently. Like Biske mentioned about don't pretend to know something you don't, but if you get an interview go into it ready to emphasize that you have a strong history in the field and you feel like your background has prepared you to quickly pick up anything you don't have previous direct experience with. Definitely read up on those topics so you can at least discuss them intelligently from a high level though.
Feeling anxious about my job situation.
I told my recruiter that I'll accept the job and send a response to the company's HR this evening, which I fully intend to do. I want the job because I know it'll help me build my skills more, but I feel like I'll miss the little things about working in Central London, like saying that I work in London, the ease of going out on Friday nights, being a short walk or tube journey away from literally everything, the casual dress, the people, and the walk from the station to the office. But there are not-so-little things that I definitely won't miss, like the rammed train journeys, the travel costs, and the longer hours.
In terms of my career, I can definitely learn and do more things at this new job, and it pays more, so on paper it's a no-brainer. The reason I'm anxious is because I'm going on a company business trip tomorrow (which was already paid for before I was even thinking about leaving) and I need to tell my boss while we're there. I know that I don't really owe them anything and you've got to look out for yourself, but it also just seems like a shame that I've ended up in the situation because I left my last job after feeling fed up and I'm actually going back into the same line of work. It feels like a slap in my own face and an insult to my old boss who, despite our ups and downs, I really respected.
Well, I think I just needed to rant to type out my thoughts instead of just letting them build up, but any feedback is welcome.
I told my recruiter that I'll accept the job and send a response to the company's HR this evening, which I fully intend to do. I want the job because I know it'll help me build my skills more, but I feel like I'll miss the little things about working in Central London, like saying that I work in London, the ease of going out on Friday nights, being a short walk or tube journey away from literally everything, the casual dress, the people, and the walk from the station to the office. But there are not-so-little things that I definitely won't miss, like the rammed train journeys, the travel costs, and the longer hours.
In terms of my career, I can definitely learn and do more things at this new job, and it pays more, so on paper it's a no-brainer. The reason I'm anxious is because I'm going on a company business trip tomorrow (which was already paid for before I was even thinking about leaving) and I need to tell my boss while we're there. I know that I don't really owe them anything and you've got to look out for yourself, but it also just seems like a shame that I've ended up in the situation because I left my last job after feeling fed up and I'm actually going back into the same line of work. It feels like a slap in my own face and an insult to my old boss who, despite our ups and downs, I really respected.
Well, I think I just needed to rant to type out my thoughts instead of just letting them build up, but any feedback is welcome.
Woffls
Member
How do people decide what they want to do for a career? My tech skillset is really broad, and I'm just utterly lost because I'm not passionate about any industry. Do people just lie about that shit or do they actually care? Like who the fuck cares about oil or finance, really?
Context: 29, London, graduated BSc Hons in 09, done some tech roles from XSLT dev to tech consulting. Made redundant a few months ago. Just hoping to get a temp data analyst role somewhere whilst I figure shit out.
Context: 29, London, graduated BSc Hons in 09, done some tech roles from XSLT dev to tech consulting. Made redundant a few months ago. Just hoping to get a temp data analyst role somewhere whilst I figure shit out.
anonymous_abc
Member
Of course everyone lies through their teeth, but try and find something that you genuinely respect or admire about a given industry.
"I find it amazing how the financial industry gets away with murder."
"Ever since that movie with Jason Bourne about Waterdeep Horizon I've wanted to work in the oil industry."
I'm kidding of course with the examples, but the concept is sound.
More respectable answers might be
More respectable answers might be
You're right, a lot of people don't care about oil or finance, and a lot of people "lie through their teeth" as the guy above said. However, the first thing you have to understand about tech, especially as a data analyst, is that tech is a necessity for every industry. It's so easy to get caught up thinking that those type of industries are the only way, but that's absolutely not the case.
The easiest answer to that question is don't apply for those companies, you don't have to. Keep looking and you'll probably be surprised to find something that sounds a lot more inspiring and interesting that you're just not thinking of right now. I know that's a very vague answer but as broad as the world of tech is, you might find yourself surprised.
The Shadow
Member
So it turns out that my supervisor didn't even fill out any release paperwork to HR. My last day is this Thursday. The only reason this came up? Because I emailed HR myself asking if I needed to fill any paperwork out since my boss hasn't mentioned anything yet.
FML. I pray for my replacement.
FML. I pray for my replacement.
entremet
Member
Are you following up?
Are you on LinkedIn and have the contact recruiters option on?
Are you doing volunteer work and networking?
Don't stay home and wait.
I've lost and gained a job today.
Got a two weeks notice today from my company because the project I was a part of is being closed down due to issues that's been stewing for months (not related to my work), and there's no available positions to move me to.
I let it sit for about a couple of hours and called up my old retail job to see if there's any openings, and they basically asked me when I could start. So, at least I have something to do as I search for a new full-time employment.
I feel equal parts relief and worry.
Relief in that I'm out of a job I didn't particularly like, though I would've preferred leaving on my own terms.
I'm worried because my finances will probably be a little tighter now, but thankfully I have savings and I have a source of income at least with getting my old retail job back. I'm also exploring financial avenues available to me as I look for a new job as well.
I feel a bit defeated, going back to square one with my old job. But I just wanted to stay busy working as I apply. Not that I've had luck the last few months.
Got a two weeks notice today from my company because the project I was a part of is being closed down due to issues that's been stewing for months (not related to my work), and there's no available positions to move me to.
I let it sit for about a couple of hours and called up my old retail job to see if there's any openings, and they basically asked me when I could start. So, at least I have something to do as I search for a new full-time employment.
I feel equal parts relief and worry.
Relief in that I'm out of a job I didn't particularly like, though I would've preferred leaving on my own terms.
I'm worried because my finances will probably be a little tighter now, but thankfully I have savings and I have a source of income at least with getting my old retail job back. I'm also exploring financial avenues available to me as I look for a new job as well.
I feel a bit defeated, going back to square one with my old job. But I just wanted to stay busy working as I apply. Not that I've had luck the last few months.