Here is your reason to not do it. If you can't get with it for what it is, there really is no reason to bother.
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Applying for jobs is exhausting and soul-crushing
- Thread starter Moofers
- Start date
Here is your reason to not do it. If you can't get with it for what it is, there really is no reason to bother.
Complete bullshit, but that's already been covered. You should feel embarrassed.
Skills/experience will only get you so far. Sometimes, yes, your skill set alone will land you a job if a company is in dire need of a qualified candidate ASAP, but more often than not, you need to be able to gel with the company culture.
At my engineering firm, we have a formal sit down interview with the principals first, then an aptitude test a few days later if we think the guy/gal would be a good fit at the company. Most important though? The first interview with the owners of the company. They've passed on more highly skilled candidates in favor of others who needed more training.
EDIT: Obviously I am referring to professional jobs, not unskilled jobs like retail/service industry/etc jobs. Knowing people does help, yes, but it only gets you so far in the professional world. I'm talking "real" jobs here, where you earn a good living. For the unskilled jobs, sure, just knowing someone who works at the place, and having a good attitude is all you need to land the job.
In the professional world, chances are you won't know someone at the company you're applying to.
megarockexe
Member
So basically that means "get good at making friends" because you need them to get in and you need to be able to make some to stay there.
No. It means that networking can help, but it's not the end all be all for landing a job.
I was recruited away 4yrs ago by my current company, and I didn't know a single person at the firm.
I think it's probably best to avoid discussing salary at an interview unless the interviewer mentions it specifically. Once you get the job, you can usually negotiate.
And I've found you can either accept an inadequate salary and be miserable, or you can fight for a decent wage and start off on a positive note.
CreepingFear
Member
She brought up the salary stating at $14 and a lower position than what I had applied for. I was stressed and nervous so I forgot myself. Now I'm regretting it because I want the job to get out of my current job. I can't even fucking remember her name so I could look her up and try to contact her. I hate myself right now.
What good is beating yourself up going to do?
I understand you wanted the job, but the employer didn't think you were qualified for the one you sought. And it didn't seem interested in your discussion about a higher pay rate. Those are warning signs.
You're meant to be stressed and nervous during interviews. Interviews are designed to put you on the defensive. You have to sell yourself in a very short period of time, and it's tough to do. Beyond that, an interviewer is looking for reasons not to hire you. But the thing is, the interviewer doesn't even need a reason. It's just this horrible, wholly arbitrary process that doesn't serve anyone very well.
CreepingFear
Member
You're right, I'm beating myself up too much when it's out of my control at this point. I've decided to take a week off from doing applications for health reasons. I'm losing too much sleep and stress eating.
I wouldn't put much stock in linkedin. Most of the profiles on there are prob from highly networking oriented individuals, especially the profiles you can view if you don't have a paid membership. So they got the job prob based on who they knew in many cases. I was looking at high level Brand Managers on there and saw tons of profiles of people with liberal arts degrees and little experience prior to them getting these jobs. That has to be a result of networking and can be misleading.
ZackieChan
Member
You should go to the dating thread and read that advice. Don't put the job on a pedestal, don't overthink it.
I would suggest listening to Joel Osteen speeches on youtube if anyone is feeling down. He runs a church but is basically a motivational speaker and talks a lot about not letting things get you down, focusing on the positive, etc. He is a very talented speaker if nothing else.
CreepingFear
Member
Easier said then done, but I'll try.
This is me. I'm a glass half empty type of person.
anonymous_abc
Member
Speaking of which we should all consider networking via linkedIn.
http://de.linkedin.com/in/christopheralainjones/
ZackieChan
Member
Easier said then done, but I'll try.
This is me. I'm a glass half empty type of person.
Well, you know where to start. I understand that shit jobs and job hunter for other shit jobs can take a lot out of you. I had one summer with 40 apps to jobs like Target and McDonald's that didn't even get me an INTERVIEW. Luckily I got a research position for a professor at school that paid like $12.50 an hour and lasted for 2 years. She saved my ass; I was down to counting change just to eat at that point.
So I sent a job application to a company where I didnt really matcht the requirements. Its about order transactions. Probably just PC work. Has nothing to do with my Bachelor degree. Told them in my application that I may not have all dem requirements but that im still interested in doing this.
Cant believe they actually called me back now. I have an interview on Monday.
Anyone who underwent a similar situation? What special question will I encounter?
Cant believe they actually called me back now. I have an interview on Monday.
Anyone who underwent a similar situation? What special question will I encounter?
SixMachine
Member
I used to work in a comic book store before I work at my current job (I work in IT and have to monitor systems and manage backups now). It was a job that paid under the table but I was honest with them and even though I left it off my resume, I explained to them what I was doing in the time after I graduated. The company will definitely ask you what you have been doing during the two and half years you have been on the market. The way they see it, I was still trying doing something during the time while I was trying to find a new job, even though I wasn't really putting my Math and Comp Sci degree to use in a comic book store.
On the plus side, working at the store was one of the best jobs I ever had even though the pay was low, I met a lot of interesting people from all walks of life there. While you are working you also will find you have time to study. I researched a lot of things and picked up a couple hobbies when I started working. Think of it like this, the time you used to spend in school, is now time you spend trying to get paid. You still have the time after you come home for some R&R (and no homework to really worry about too, but honestly you make your own homework after your graduate, especially if you are trying to study up to get into the field you are aiming for).
With many professionals, you wouldn't believe where they started off from. One of my seniors and team leader was telling me stories about Nam when he was 18 years old and how he contracted Malaria, suffers from PTSD, and a whole host of problems. But he kept moving himself up through life slowly over time and is doing very well for himself. Try to keep yourself motivated and moving forward, even if it looks like you are taking a detour. the worst thing that can happen is stagnating because that definitely can make you feel depressed and getting nowhere. Even if you get a better offer after accepting a low quality retail job, you can easily quit it and move on up, since it's not like you are signing it in blood (or at least I hope not).
I'm the same way, not a good thing honestly and try to work on it daily.
Watching the "Trust God's Timing" video by Osteen just brought everything back into perspective for me.
bigwinnerx
Member
"So why did you apply to a job where you do not fit all the requirements?"
Not in a jerk way, just a general question. That's where you can say because you like the goals of the company, looking to get into a new line of work, etc.
I applied at a job at Orbital (pre-rocket crash) because hell, that'd be way cool, even though they didn't really have any Systems Engineer jobs. Explained in my cover letter how I'd like to join their team, this test engineer isn't exactly my experience, but, I have done testing. Didn't hear back.
Also congrats below. Hope they asked your favorite robot.
CreepingFear
Member
I received a call this morning. I got the job at $14 an hour! As you might know, I make $9.50 currently. I'm also going from part time to full time hours. It's a start in the IT industry and they say I can move up within the company. Never give up guys and never get as negative as me. Thank you everyone for the support. You kept me from killing myself.
"So why did you apply to a job where you do not fit all the requirements?"
Not in a jerk way, just a general question. That's where you can say because you like the goals of the company, looking to get into a new line of work, etc.
I applied at a job at Orbital (pre-rocket crash) because hell, that'd be way cool, even though they didn't really have any Systems Engineer jobs. Explained in my cover letter how I'd like to join their team, this test engineer isn't exactly my experience, but, I have done testing. Didn't hear back.
Also congrats below. Hope they asked your favorite robot.
thanks brah
Awesome, congrats! Now change your username from CreepingFear to CreepingOptimist or something and change your life hahaha
My LinkedIn account is essentially my resume. It's an all-in-one place I can send potential clients to look at my work history, read some updates, look at (professional) videos I've posted and see what my colleagues have said about me (the endorsements feature).
You can view my profile here (I think more stuff is shown if you have a LinkedIn account already): https://www.linkedin.com/in/brerwolfe
I think it's a good resource and it's free. It also allows you to have a platform to publicly network with your professional peers outside of something like Facebook, where everything should be private. Speaking of privacy, many employers will check an applicants Facebook before/after an interview. Make sure your shit is set to private. I had a manager tell me once that if an applicant's Facebook was public he'd take them off the list immediately.
You can view my profile here (I think more stuff is shown if you have a LinkedIn account already): https://www.linkedin.com/in/brerwolfe
I think it's a good resource and it's free. It also allows you to have a platform to publicly network with your professional peers outside of something like Facebook, where everything should be private. Speaking of privacy, many employers will check an applicants Facebook before/after an interview. Make sure your shit is set to private. I had a manager tell me once that if an applicant's Facebook was public he'd take them off the list immediately.
gaming_noob
Member
Is this IT helpdesk? If so have you done any of that type of work before?
Huw_Dawson
Member
Might be worth pointing out I have a humanities degree, which is why I'm applying to testing jobs.
BTW you guys might like to hear about my experience with the new Universal Credit system that's replacing all the other unemployment benefits:
1. "Universal" Credit actually doesn't include Council Tax benefits. You apply separately. All the council tax benefits forms have not been updated.
2. Universal Credit is paid to you five weeks after you apply for four weeks of actual money, so you are always a week behind and you will wait over a month for any financial aid. During this time you can also not claim Council Tax benefits.
3. Universal Credit requires you to hunt for jobs for 35 hours a week. If you don't do this, or if you for any reason don't jump through any of the hoops the UK government wants you to jump through, you can get all your benefits docked. If you refuse mandatory work periods, which are forced work experience weeks, you can be barred from claiming any UC benefit for three years.
4. The ideas your Jobcentre Plus advisor has to fill those 35 hours includes the following:
4a: Read job websites
4b: Apply to absolutely any job you can do on those job websites
4c: Update your "Linked-In" (sic) profile (added in haste when I mentioned the site).
4d: Stressing to you that you need to record absolutely everything you do down on a glorified timelog on a government job board.
5. If you quit your job after you get it within 6m, you're barred from UC benefits for at least three months.
6. If you're supposed to be spending 35 hours a week finding a job, you don't have enough time to actually try and improve your CV other than by taking unpaid work.
Basically, the new benefits system for job seekers is designed to force you into any random job, regardless of suitability. It is founded in an absurd notion that jobs are obviously best found advertised on online jobs boards.
If you enter the UK benefits schemes soon, AVOID UNIVERSAL CREDIT IF YOU CAN.
Where are most of you looking for opportunities, outside of the obvious major route of networking and finding unposted positions? Indeed seems to be the major aggregator. It's rare I see a job posted anywhere that isn't on Indeed.
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Goin' a little nuts playing the waiting game on an outcome. I guess I got really used to hearing super fast about other positions (whether yes or no) so this is intense, haha.
I'm still confident that I have a great shot at this role. Two really solid interviews (1st much better than the second).
Hasn't been wonderful applying for more roles all week though; been disappointed before and not stopping the search while I wait, just in case.
Congrats man! Love hearing great news in this thread.
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Goin' a little nuts playing the waiting game on an outcome. I guess I got really used to hearing super fast about other positions (whether yes or no) so this is intense, haha.
I'm still confident that I have a great shot at this role. Two really solid interviews (1st much better than the second).
Hasn't been wonderful applying for more roles all week though; been disappointed before and not stopping the search while I wait, just in case.
Congrats man! Love hearing great news in this thread.
This is my problem, why would someone in HR want to be in your life. I don't use any social networking websites. I remember being asked why I didn't have any web presence by someone who didn't have one herself.
bigwinnerx
Member
Depends on the field. HR, sales, marketing, communications type jobs, LinkedIn is borderline essential. Anything else, not so much.
2 things I love about LinkedIn.
The day my old job was told we'd be sold in 6 months and my LinkedIn connections went through the roof that afternoon.
The day you put in your last day email (like say, today) and you get 6 requests for connections from people you barely know.
2 things I love about LinkedIn.
The day my old job was told we'd be sold in 6 months and my LinkedIn connections went through the roof that afternoon.
The day you put in your last day email (like say, today) and you get 6 requests for connections from people you barely know.
It's not that someone in HR wants to be in your life (Is HR your field? Who said anything about HR?).
The point of LinkedIn is to connect with your peers. I work in television, so a large majority of my connections are people I've met on jobs and/or worked with at one place or another. We network.. Occasionally someone I know has worked with someone I wanna know (someone that might have influence or has the ability to make hiring decisions), or the opposite. In my case, I've seen that someone is working a gig that I'm interested in, I message them and see if we can make something happen. I'll also treat LinkedIn like a professional facebook and post when I'm hired for a job, where I'll be (because I travel across the U.S. for what I do), and sometimes little tidbits from that specific gig.
LinkedIn is my breathing resume, meaning, it's always being updated. It's less messy than sending a cover letter/email with 10 different links and references. I can include a link to my profile in an email and they can see all the pertinent information. It also lets me know who and when someone was reading up on me. And the networking aspect is pretty helpful, too.
Syphon Filter
Member
Congrats, happy for you man. What was the position again exactly? Also what did you have in terms of degree? And that cert you mentioned before, how is it structured and what does it usually look for when it comes to computer skills? I might have to expand and look for things in that field if i can't find a web dev job.
unholyrevenger72
Banned
What? you literally agree with everything i say.
I start with that also
I say that too
Now we're just repeating ourselves
I'm sorry that you live in the lucky bubble, the bubble where somewhere early in your career when you had no experience, some one chose you over another person and which allowed you build up the experience and strengthen your resume. The only time I get call backs from employers is when i know somebody from that employer. How do I know some one from that employer? From Class, i take classes with people who are looking to expand their skill set, from there i build up my contacts.
Absolutely. I get contacted regularly (about once a month/every other month) by recruiters looking to hire via LinkedIn. IMO, LinkedIn is essential in the professional world.
But experience/skill set isn't 'ultimately' irrelevant. I mean, unless you're going for an entry level position. Otherwise, your experience is crucial to getting your foot in the door. Yes, being nice/social may land you a job over a more experienced person, but it's not like a company would go with a candidate with little to no experience when they are in need of someone at the 'senior' level. Experience matters.
Maybe I'm just out of touch being an engineer. Like I said above, recruiters contact me regularly about open positions based off my experience. Rarely do I know anyone at the company. I also make it a point to keep my resume updated on LinkedIn/CareerBuilder/Monster.
And luck had little to do with where I'm at professionally today. I applied myself in college by earning good grades, took advantage of the career fairs there to land internships, and was able to graduate with (career) experience.
megarockexe
Member
When I'm told they have more interviews planned, that's code for "we didn't pick you", right? It seems to be all too common.
Not necessarily. A week ago I finally got the call letting me know I got the job I've been wanting that will hugely elevate my career. I was ecstatic, that's after 5 days of waiting impatiently and worrying because the final interview involved speaking with the head of the department who after an hour long phone call and telling me he likes me for the position, ended it with saying they are going to interview a few more people first. The crux is the agency assisting me through this told me I was the only one who made it to the final round of interviews, so that made my heart jump out of my chest when I heard it.
At this point I figured that's just something they tell you because they can't simply hire you on the spot at that time. So stay positive, may end up like me and get that call days later.
Bright Side of Life
Member
Tomorrow's my last day of work (put my two weeks in last week) at working at Wal-Mart. I originally started off as a cashier but transferred to the bakery dept which wasn't bad at first until they started dumping all the work load on me once I knew how to bake, prep, and bag (took me a few days to do everything solo) then expected me to do the work of three people (this department was and is severely understaffed). I think the breaking point was when the assistant manager berated me for not baking donuts ON TOP OF baking 14 racks of bread and rolls in the morning. Donuts baking and packaging=5 hour job if you know what you're doing (I was NOT trained to be a donut person), bread baking, packing, and prepping=7-8 hours. She expected me to do everything in an 8 hour (I have an hour lunch) shift AND not accrue over time (I'm scheduled 40 hours a week soooo not possible). This accompanied with the constant callouts from one coworker and the slowness of another one (her exact words: "I like the bakery dept because you can take it easy and work at your own pace" yeah because I'm busting my ass off to get everything done on time)
One of the cake decorators said that once I leave, the place will crash and burn, my dept manager said the same thing and even asked to rescind my resignation.
Pros: I got 40 hours plus overtime, seldom dealt with customers, put money and food on the table
Cons: another damn retail job, barely above minimum wage, doing 90% of the work all the time,
It's a strike against me because I have bipolar and people aren't willing to take a chance on that. Plus I think I'm in the wrong state for my degree (Bachelors in Cartooning in the midwest, good luck with that) or maybe I just made a shit load of bad decisions. Who knows. Best I can do is now apply for slightly better retail jobs and keep drawing and hope for the best.
One of the cake decorators said that once I leave, the place will crash and burn, my dept manager said the same thing and even asked to rescind my resignation.
Pros: I got 40 hours plus overtime, seldom dealt with customers, put money and food on the table
Cons: another damn retail job, barely above minimum wage, doing 90% of the work all the time,
It's a strike against me because I have bipolar and people aren't willing to take a chance on that. Plus I think I'm in the wrong state for my degree (Bachelors in Cartooning in the midwest, good luck with that) or maybe I just made a shit load of bad decisions. Who knows. Best I can do is now apply for slightly better retail jobs and keep drawing and hope for the best.
CreepingFear
Member
It is a help desk position. No, I haven't.
Thanks man. I appreciate you and everyone else's support in this thread. It got me through tough times.
It's the help desk position. I have no college degree. I plan to go back to college some day when I can save some money or if President Obama can get me free community college. I have the CompTia A+ certification. I was told that too many certifications and no experience is a waste anyways, so that's the reason I don't have more certifications. I'll send you my resume and cover letter if you'd like. The key is to tailor your resume to the specific position you are applying for. I didn't really lie, but I might have told half truths. I have networking experience for instance, just not in the enterprise environment. I wouldn't put that I'm a programmer if I don't know any programming languages for instance.
Monocle
Member
Good post, especially the part about continuing to move forward.
Syphon Filter
Member
Yea i would like to check out your resume and CV if you can pm me it. I probably should tailor my resume to the specific position. All i do now is send the same one to many related positions. Although wouldn't some things stay the same anyways like experience in that current field? So is it only certain things like maybe the objective part of the resume?
NipplesAndToes23
Member
Yeah, It's just been one month since I've graduated, but things are a little frustrating. I want to get the names of the people who are doing the hiring so I won't just use the basic To Whom It May Concern, but no one is replying to emails or answering phones.
Most of the jobs in my career field are looking with people with 2 or 3 years with experience, so the choices are slim. I haven't applied to many shit jobs, but the whole point of me getting this degree was so that I won't have to work shitty jobs anymore.
Most of the jobs in my career field are looking with people with 2 or 3 years with experience, so the choices are slim. I haven't applied to many shit jobs, but the whole point of me getting this degree was so that I won't have to work shitty jobs anymore.
The Noble N00b
Banned
This may sound vain but this thread makes me grateful of my situation.
Working in a large investment bank; I am subject to excruciatingly long hours but at least I have a lot of disposable income and a secure career.
Working in a large investment bank; I am subject to excruciatingly long hours but at least I have a lot of disposable income and a secure career.
CreepingFear
Member
I'll send you a PM or something for further details.
Be careful. I accidentally sent my resume to the main email address of a company and since the position was a secret, I pissed the hiring manager off and was immediately disqualified.
Apply for these jobs anyways. If every fucking entry level is asking for 2-3 years experience, how can they call it entry level? 2-3 years is their lazy ass preference because companies don't spend shit on training these days. If you write a good enough cover letter and resume, you'll get an interview. Then your job is to charm the fuck out of them. Good luck.
anonymous_abc
Member
Congrats man. Just one good job offer can really turn everything around for all of us. We just have to keep at it.
CreepingFear
Member
Exactly. I was filling out 6 applications a day for some period. I'm sure a lot of the jobs I applied for I was inexperienced or immediately disqualified for my lack of college degree, but there was something out there. It's like I had two jobs. During the day I served food and bused tables, at night I was Professional resume man! Now I need to figure out how to stop those damn Insurance spam emails. Help me Gmail, you're my only hope!
bigwinnerx
Member
You're right, it did!
I can't remember the actor, but there an actor that talked about perseverance when trying to get hired for jobs. They said you gotta get 99 no's before you get a yes.
Obviously things can happen sooner, but that's how the actor dealt with rejection.
Sending out 100 resumes is probably exhausting, but eventually someone has to see it. Eventually you're gonna get a yes.
Obviously things can happen sooner, but that's how the actor dealt with rejection.
Sending out 100 resumes is probably exhausting, but eventually someone has to see it. Eventually you're gonna get a yes.
AlimNassor
Banned
Am I right or wrong in that having any amount of retail experience will doom you to never getting a real job? Employers will ask me "You're 26 and only worked retail?" and throwmy resume in the trash but, if I take it off I have no experience.
SixMachine
Member
I say keep it on. They will ask you what you have been doing during that time frame if you have gaps in your resume. I left my comic book store job off my resume because it was under the table (and the fact the owner evaded taxes till the day he died. His sister had a surprise from the IRS when she inherited his stuff. He hated her though so it was somewhat intentional.) But at the interview I explained what I was doing the year I was there and even provided my manager's contact info for reference. The company I worked for now says they do like a people person, which is how I got the job because they actually hired someone ahead of me but they didn't "fit the company" ( my coworker said she came off as a jerk and agitated the boss with some remarks about running the system).
AlimNassor
Banned
That's good because my management experience should give me a leg up over everyone, right? Employers will see I wasn't just a grunt and actually a manager and will be interested?