I literally just discovered that this was a thing yesterday, and I've been job hunting for 4 months now.
Seriously everyone, turn it on.
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Applying for jobs is exhausting and soul-crushing
- Thread starter Moofers
- Start date
Seriously everyone, turn it on.
Happy New Year GAF. I booked my new year Japan trip one week before my boss fired me. I asked him if I could stay there for two weeks and he said yeah sure :/
Well turned out to be a happy mistake as I am going to be doing my 2nd, 3rd rounds with 4 companies here the next two days. Hope I can spend my last days celebrating.
Good luck to the rest of GAF!
Well turned out to be a happy mistake as I am going to be doing my 2nd, 3rd rounds with 4 companies here the next two days. Hope I can spend my last days celebrating.
Good luck to the rest of GAF!
Had a phone interview this morning. Completely lost my voice mid sentence. I think I salvaged what I could towards the wrap up portion of the interview. For anyone else out there, looks like recruiters and hiring managers are picking up now that the holidays are over and its a new year.
Auxiliary Bro
Member
Didn't know this thread existed but boy, have I been feeling this. Been at a job agency for just a little less than half a year after graduating in July. You've probably heard it all before; graduated with a bachelors degree (journalism) that feels useless, not getting a lot of replies and when they are, they're negative.
I actually had a promising radio internship opportunity a while back and I got along with everyone there on my trial day. They seemed to really like me, so I was a bit surprised when another intern edged it over me but that's how it goes. Last month I had an interview and drug test with an agency that were lending hands to Amazon for warehouse operation. Passed it all fairly easily, but then I never actually got any shifts from them and was told around mid December that the earliest work they had was in April!
It's been rough ride, though today I've gotten a job interview for another warehouse operation place that's a lot closer to me tomorrow, and a PR internship interview on Monday! I'm a lot more interested in the latter role, but on the phone it sounds like its an expenses paid type thing for three months until the actual job role at the end of it, and I really need actual money now. They said they have roles which do pay, but my pessimistic mind is saying it's unlikely to happen. Crossing my fingers for it still, or maybe the chance that the warehouse job can give me weekend hours to do the internship while still getting paid.
I actually had a promising radio internship opportunity a while back and I got along with everyone there on my trial day. They seemed to really like me, so I was a bit surprised when another intern edged it over me but that's how it goes. Last month I had an interview and drug test with an agency that were lending hands to Amazon for warehouse operation. Passed it all fairly easily, but then I never actually got any shifts from them and was told around mid December that the earliest work they had was in April!
It's been rough ride, though today I've gotten a job interview for another warehouse operation place that's a lot closer to me tomorrow, and a PR internship interview on Monday! I'm a lot more interested in the latter role, but on the phone it sounds like its an expenses paid type thing for three months until the actual job role at the end of it, and I really need actual money now. They said they have roles which do pay, but my pessimistic mind is saying it's unlikely to happen. Crossing my fingers for it still, or maybe the chance that the warehouse job can give me weekend hours to do the internship while still getting paid.
Had no idea about this. Definitely keeping in mind, thank you!
I don't know others experience but I haven't gotten contacted by a single recruiter using this lol
SynthFetish
Member
2 months into the new job and I have an interview for a lead position today. What a turn around this ha been compared to past few years.
privitsan02
Member
I agree. I had a phone interview yesterday and immediately have an interview later today. Seems like they want to fill the position quickly and maybe I left a good impression, who knows. Hoping it goes well given the short notice, its unfortunate that I feel a little under the weather this morning. Feel better as time goes on, so hopefully I don't screw up and power through.
GuitarGuruu
Member
I have just graduated with an associates in business management. I'm not quite sure where to start.
I've been utilizing sites such as indeed and others but a ton of jobs all want years of experience. Any tips GAF?
I've been utilizing sites such as indeed and others but a ton of jobs all want years of experience. Any tips GAF?
Are you tailoring your resume when you submit for jobs? Hiring managers may worry that you're applying there but want to do something else based on the width of your background. I would be sure to emphasize your interest in the position either by tweaking your resume if possible or with a cover letter type message.
opticalmace
Member
Had an interview today, I think it went well but won't know for a couple weeks.
I hate applying for jobs.
I hate applying for jobs.
Yup waiting sucks.
Specially when they get back to you with a polite generic "no" so you remain clueless what your problem is.
Or they get back to you with a "yes" but "wait some more for x"
And you sit around like... do I go for more jobs? Do I wait and rely on them?
And its a never ending loop.
Mine should be ending soon, finally getting some results and nearing the end of the timelines, but its been so long I'm rather apathetic about it all.
Its one thing to look for a new job, get some stuff and be all bright eyed and bushy tailed, but a month or two, or months later... its like 'who fuckin cares, pay me, I'll not care, you'll not care, we will all not care.'
I envy you guys who are at least, seemingly pursuing things you love or fields you love, I'm trying to start, god it sucks.
opticalmace
Member
Can't argue with any of that. What field are you pursuing?
IT.
Which don't get me wrong I've read plenty of horror stories here and how cramped and competitive its getting.
But since I messed up my education (never got one beyond high school) and spent years working for companies going no where, and considering a lot of my friends who are in basically the same boat, but have "IT" kind of jobs making decent money or great money with at least a prospect of a future. I figured it was high time I just make the switch and at the very least get a dead end job in that area, so I could some day have some kind of experience to get a different or better job.
I can't tell you how horrifying it is, to spend years in a generic "office" kind of job, and realize that all this experience is basically worthless, nobody is really impressed or like DAMN gotta snatch up this guy!
So knowing myself I just jumped ship lest I get complacent, and I'm pretty well into getting that foot in the door, end stages of the process.
But it's been terrifying and eye opening as hell.
Its the first time I've really started to worry about stuff like age and age discrimination or it being a mark against you.
Wondering what you are going to do long term and how you will do it and make it work, not fun. Not fun at all. Even to the point where you really start to wonder if you should keep that dead end, easy, stuck in a rut job, just to have some illusion of stability.
Do you currently have any specific IT experience you're looking to build on? I'm doing pretty well in IT with no relevant education (I do have an unrelated degree though). For me it's been working to keep learning new things and expanding my knowledge.
I have a year and a half or so stint in tech support and my jobs have been office stuff lately so I have that base and still pretty well versed with computers generally, and trouble shooting isn't so hard (anybody can mess around with options and google and ask valid questions) so I'm not quite at square one, but pretty close.
Call me YHWH
Member
God, do I hear this on a real, fundamental level.
Last night I put in my two week notice at my current position; I'm a Unit Director of a Boys & Girls Club.
Tomorrow I'm meeting with the Area Director about it. I may end up trying to get my job back simply because the idea of facing being unemployed again is panic attack inducing. This is especially worse because I live in a very, very small city in northern California. The only real decent paying jobs around here are medical. Everything else is part-time, minimum wage, unless you get into City or County work.
I've been pacing back and forth all day about it.
Last night I put in my two week notice at my current position; I'm a Unit Director of a Boys & Girls Club.
Tomorrow I'm meeting with the Area Director about it. I may end up trying to get my job back simply because the idea of facing being unemployed again is panic attack inducing. This is especially worse because I live in a very, very small city in northern California. The only real decent paying jobs around here are medical. Everything else is part-time, minimum wage, unless you get into City or County work.
I've been pacing back and forth all day about it.
Apply anyway. Most of those requirements are there just to limit the number of applicants.
NeOak
Member
If you can, always leave a job when you have another lined up with an offer in writing.
They know that you want to bail already. Who knows.
Is signing before handing in your notice vital? At the moment I have my offer and, subject to satisfactory references, the job is mine. I haven't signed anything and I have given my last employer as a reference, but I also haven't told my current employer.
Should I insist that they have my signed contract before resigning from my current role?
Cute Dragon Here
Member
Hmm... I suppose I could also say something in this thread.
After discussing with my high school classmates about my current situation - I currently have a job, but it's rather... well, not quite something that would make full use of my skills, or be something I'd be happy in.
I'd like to move to greener pastures and perhaps, even overseas. It's pretty difficult to find jobs locally where I can be a software or game developer, or a 3D modeller that accepts new people and stuff - I'm winging it in my current job because not having a job tends to make your finances more difficult than it should. Apparently this degree in computer science, multimedia, and game development isn't something too many people are looking for right now.
The funny thing is, after said discussion above, we pretty much arrived at trying to look for jobs that have the potential to become a long-term carrier... in the United States of America. You read that right. Must be the king of bad timing, but still... should I try? Where should I start?
After discussing with my high school classmates about my current situation - I currently have a job, but it's rather... well, not quite something that would make full use of my skills, or be something I'd be happy in.
I'd like to move to greener pastures and perhaps, even overseas. It's pretty difficult to find jobs locally where I can be a software or game developer, or a 3D modeller that accepts new people and stuff - I'm winging it in my current job because not having a job tends to make your finances more difficult than it should. Apparently this degree in computer science, multimedia, and game development isn't something too many people are looking for right now.
The funny thing is, after said discussion above, we pretty much arrived at trying to look for jobs that have the potential to become a long-term carrier... in the United States of America. You read that right. Must be the king of bad timing, but still... should I try? Where should I start?
I would never turn in my notice without a settled offer from a new company. For me it's not a signed contract per se, but we'll negotiate things like salary/vacation, come to an agreement on everything, and set a start date. Once I have that information I feel comfortable turning in my notice at the old job.
Ah ok. Well I have an official offer letter as well, so I know my salary, start date, PTO, work hours, bla bla bla. I've already accepted the offer and now just need to sign the contract.
Woffls
Member
That's good advice, thanks. I guess I should focus on steering conversations rather than trying to figure out how disingenuous I can get away with being. My natural inclination is to avoid it entirely because I assume people will see right through it. Perhaps I overestimate people.
I apply for jobs in all industries, I just picked oil and finance as two industries that are probably 95% full of people that aren't passionate about it.
Generally I just find it staggering that so many people could understand this and still expect me to feign interest. I would care about my work and that of those around me, but I don't give a shit about arbitrary corporate targets.
Welcome to the world. Nobody gives a shit about anything. Its 99% pretend at least, along with the usual "I'm competent, confident and the cock of the walk" bullshit act people put on.
Its always interesting that impression you have interviewing or first starting at a job, and then a bit later when you are an employee and everyone is like "I hate this place, I hate this job, this guy is an idiot, its run by idiots, this is all pointless" etc etc.
Granted I've never worked in anything but jobs that are basically open to everybody and require no specific skills and training really, but I assume this holds for every job and industry ever.
We live in a world where people have to work to get money and that involves doing things we don't care about. Lies. It's all lies.
Woffls
Member
What about skills? Do people actually spend their spare time researching new JS libraries and shit like that? When an interviewer asks "how do you keep up to date with new technologies" are they ever expecting a genuine answer?
The problem with this one is that it's actually reasonable to expect this behaviour from someone, but I just don't think anyone does it.
The problem with this one is that it's actually reasonable to expect this behaviour from someone, but I just don't think anyone does it.
anonymous_abc
Member
I think that is something where there is a wide breadth of difference in the population.
Among programmers I am sure there are more than a hand full that genuinely spend their free time coding their own pet projects and staying on top of what is new.
Most however I doubt do that to a meaningful extent.
What is perfectly reasonable to expect from any professional is to at least read industry magazines, relevant blogs, know the general course and trajectory of the industry its tools and technologies, and go to trade shows (on their employers dime).
I should probably find a systems engineering forum to spend my time on rather than GAF. ;P
Confusion Illusion
Banned
I'll starting off 2017 by job hunting. I've been at my current job for 5 years now and I'm eager to move on because I've become very unhappy there. I like what I do, but I just don't like where I work and who I work for...not to mention its dead end.
I just finished revamping my resume(version 1.0 I call it) that I'm going to start to field test in the coming weeks/months. I'm going be patient and optimistic because I know it's not going to be easy.
I just finished revamping my resume(version 1.0 I call it) that I'm going to start to field test in the coming weeks/months. I'm going be patient and optimistic because I know it's not going to be easy.
Two job interviews I have upcoming are not looking so great. After some quick Google searches, both have articles in the Toronto Star for not paying employees (on time and at all). I accepted interviews for both organizations by phone without really knowing in-depth about them in the moment. Should I feel bad about cancelling or avoiding these types of companies? They aren't high on my interest list and it's something I was considering just for the sake of an income.
Interview for funsies.
If you don't care and dont want to work there, this is your chance to practice, and then go full Costanza and grill them about shady dealings.
Yeah for a change it'd be fun to have the power (or feel of) in an interview. One conflicts with a better opportunity so I am cancelling/suggesting a rescheduling. The other I am using tomorrow to "warm up" for a more important one later in the day. I usually have some jitters and I think it could help that way.
I agree definitely interview for the experience. I know Biske was joking but just in case: don't go full constanza on them. It's a small world out there and burning even the most inconsequential bridge isn't a good idea.
Happy to say I'm finally out of this rollercoaster.
I landed a job that's as good as I can dream of.
The job fits me perfectly skillwise, pays really really good, and a very stable and profitable company.
The interview could not have gone any better. It was a really tough programming interview, but that gave me a great opportunity to showcase, and I impressed the fuck out of the lead programmer, and he brought me to the CEO who gave the "yes" on the spot.
Compared to all other offers, this one is unbelievably good, and I still can't believe how smooth that interview went.
So I'm gonna be working in Japan soon!
On the hindsight, it was harder to interview for companies who ain't as good technically, as they ask very generic questions that doesn't give the candidate an opportunity to shine.
I landed a job that's as good as I can dream of.
The job fits me perfectly skillwise, pays really really good, and a very stable and profitable company.
The interview could not have gone any better. It was a really tough programming interview, but that gave me a great opportunity to showcase, and I impressed the fuck out of the lead programmer, and he brought me to the CEO who gave the "yes" on the spot.
Compared to all other offers, this one is unbelievably good, and I still can't believe how smooth that interview went.
So I'm gonna be working in Japan soon!
On the hindsight, it was harder to interview for companies who ain't as good technically, as they ask very generic questions that doesn't give the candidate an opportunity to shine.
More motivated to find something early in this year. I really underestimated the time it would take to find a job after graduating in June. Have had multiple interviews, but all came back with the "other applicants are more suitable for this position" rejection.
Now I have an interview at this gaming company next tuesday for a marketing position. Already went through their CV selection and did an assignment which they were enthusiastic about. Keeping my fingers crossed for it.
I know this feeling. I was interviewing for a traineeship at Microsoft during my final weeks of my master study while in Sweden. Went through numerous applicstion rounds and had personal talks with this recruiter in London and she said she was really enthusiastic etc (traineeship is in The Netherlands). i noticed she stopped mailing me and the dates for the assessment day was coming up and i had set money aside to fly home and all that. I find it weird and end up finding her on LinkedIn, turns out she changed employer and is not working for MS anymore. A different recruiter contacts me weeks after and tells me she read through my original recruiter's notes and they decided to move along with other candidates... Man i was pissed -_-
Now I have an interview at this gaming company next tuesday for a marketing position. Already went through their CV selection and did an assignment which they were enthusiastic about. Keeping my fingers crossed for it.
I know this feeling. I was interviewing for a traineeship at Microsoft during my final weeks of my master study while in Sweden. Went through numerous applicstion rounds and had personal talks with this recruiter in London and she said she was really enthusiastic etc (traineeship is in The Netherlands). i noticed she stopped mailing me and the dates for the assessment day was coming up and i had set money aside to fly home and all that. I find it weird and end up finding her on LinkedIn, turns out she changed employer and is not working for MS anymore. A different recruiter contacts me weeks after and tells me she read through my original recruiter's notes and they decided to move along with other candidates... Man i was pissed -_-
I agree definitely interview for the experience. I know Biske was joking but just in case: don't go full constanza on them. It's a small world out there and burning even the most inconsequential bridge isn't a good idea.
Yeah I knew it was not meant to be re-enacted. I took it as going in to a place where it's not about success/failure. People can definitely move around to better jobs or companies and they'll remember. The morning interview was a definite pyramid scheme door to door sales type job, which was not as advertised on the posting. They drew out the pyramid or organization chart (lol) and explained how new recruits work on a "trial" basis (for free). It was a good learning experience because they asked weird out of the blue questions like what animal would you be. I also just wanted to know what it's like to be in that sort of sales pitch (outside of a Always Sunny episode).
I did know beforehand it was an unlikely path to take. Red flags included: day before email and scheduling, office being in a townhouse basement, no one had my resume or information on file (I learned to always print and have copies ready back in high school). To others reading this, if you're in a rut, sometimes it feels good to go somewhere and interview guilt/desperation-free.
JeTmAn81
Member
I listen to programming podcasts and browse the programming subreddit every day. It keeps me up to date.
Speaking of programming podcasts, there's one for Software Engineers that I find very interesting. Soft Skills Engineering - https://softskills.audio/
Focus is not technical stuff, but stuff more like office visibility, when and how to go over your boss' head, whether or not getting certifications are worth getting.
Focus is not technical stuff, but stuff more like office visibility, when and how to go over your boss' head, whether or not getting certifications are worth getting.
RepairmanJack
Member
Anyone have any experience with a third party like Apex Systems contacting you for a job? Little weary of contract work and it's the first I've been contacted for a job before I applied for it.
I'm updating my resume again, and trying to find a decent template to use for my resume.
Any recommendations?
The success rate is going to be completely random, but every little thing helps.
Any recommendations?
Just got contacted by one today
The success rate is going to be completely random, but every little thing helps.
Syphon Filter
Member
I'm updating my resume again, and trying to find a decent template to use for my resume.
Any recommendations?
Just got contacted by one today
The success rate is going to be completely random.
google docs has good one's.
Once you have your resume out there floating around, temp agencies will get a hold of it and contact you. In my experience they range from really nice to really shady and dodgy, so it's hard to judge.
A lot of companies hire through temp agencies in my experience so it's more and more common to deal with a middleman first.
One benefit is their business is getting you a job so they really pull for you and try to make you get it.
When I was looking recently I got tons of calls from recruiters (I have a few marketable skills like SCCM/VMWare/etc). I feel like the job prospects I got from them were generally not great. Maybe one email out of 15 was worth my time getting back to them.
My advice: don't be afraid to dump recruiters who aren't doing you any good. There are some who work very hard to try to find the right match for both you and the companies they serve, but in my experience the majority just spray and pray you all over the place. A few random thoughts:
- I had more than one recruiter tell me he/she was good friends with the hiring manager of the company they were sending me too. This appears to be a meaningless phrase they use to convince the job seeker that they're not the spray-and-pray type.
- Some recruiters ask for references way too early. I had one contact me about a pretty interesting job that I'd be able to interview for in a few weeks, then ask for references. She called my references, but then I never heard back from her. And yes I know my references would only say good things so that's not the problem.
I was miffed though that she wasted my contacts' time without anything more solid on the table. - Tell-tale sign of the spray-and-pray recruiter is offering something you're clearly not interested in, then offering it again later. I had one guy contact me about a job with an MLM company, where I'd be expected to work every night until 9 PM. I said no thanks but he ended up asking me about it two more times. >__<
- You may feel obligated if they get you an interview and explain a bunch of stuff, but remember it's just business. The second you tell them you got a job somewhere else they'll blink out of existence never to be seen again.
Specifically talking about contract work, make sure you do and then re-do the math to make sure you understand how much you'll actually be making. I had a couple prospects that were contract positions and the salary number was "OMG" level high until I realized how much everything else will cost. Figure out insurance, taxes, and a couple weeks vacation and see what the number is after paying for all that.
Syphon Filter
Member
what field are you in?
Information technology.
Besides having the LinkedIn contact recruiters on, it also helps if you change your Title to show that you are looking for jobs, I actually had one recruiter contact me because he saw my title.
Having cleared my job search, I realized how important recruiters are. If I applied manually it might have 6 months and longer, but because I had a recruiter assigned to me, I was able to do a lot of interviews really fast with very fast responses.
Having cleared my job search, I realized how important recruiters are. If I applied manually it might have 6 months and longer, but because I had a recruiter assigned to me, I was able to do a lot of interviews really fast with very fast responses.
My update: I had one phone interview a few days ago, and today I had a in-person interview! I don't know if I got the position yet, but the pathology manager and the lab tech seemed pleased to meet me. I liked the lab tour. I'm crossing my fingers that this will work out. Does $14 an hour in Michigan seems decent for someone who just graduated and with no experience in the field except for college labs? In Kansas, without degree, I used to make $11 an hour, and had no benefits whatsoever.
Also, for anyone in this state having trouble finding jobs: make sure you go to your nearest "Michigan Works!". I'm lucky that I have one right by me, and they've been helping me a lot with networking, especially the volunteering vets in the department. I was also extra lucky that there's a Brazilian working there! It really lifts up your mood when you start meeting new people that has a lot in common with you.
I hope you guys are keeping it up with the applications. And thanks again for the previous advice.
Also, for anyone in this state having trouble finding jobs: make sure you go to your nearest "Michigan Works!". I'm lucky that I have one right by me, and they've been helping me a lot with networking, especially the volunteering vets in the department. I was also extra lucky that there's a Brazilian working there! It really lifts up your mood when you start meeting new people that has a lot in common with you.
I hope you guys are keeping it up with the applications. And thanks again for the previous advice.
Bluemongoose
Neo Member
How do you turn on "contact recruiters" on Linkedin? I don't see it.