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Applying for jobs is exhausting and soul-crushing
- Thread starter Moofers
- Start date
Practice commonly asked questions out loud.
I left on very good terms. I left because technically I couldn't keep both jobs at the same time as it was a conflict of interest. That and I WAS sure I got the job. The cell phone sales position told me that they would start me working within about a week and a half or so and I had already signed all the tax paperwork. I was literally hired, they just never followed up with me after they confirmed my employment.
Just lost my job. Last day is the 20th. To be honest, this place has been a major burden for me for the past 6 years of my life. Midnight shift rotations, incredibly difficult people to work with and for. And almost zero career growth. I honestly feel a huge burden lifting off my shoulders.
I'm already putting in apps, and inquiring about jobs left and right. Hopefully it all works out for me. Wish me luck, GAF. I will need it.
I'm already putting in apps, and inquiring about jobs left and right. Hopefully it all works out for me. Wish me luck, GAF. I will need it.
Good luck man.
How are you other job seekers staying positive?
Its so fucking hard. I have been spending my lack of shifts job hunting and working out. It helps me balance out only...
Updated my CV on the back of some advice from an old colleague and applied for a couple more jobs.
Got an interview on Tuesday
15k more for a less senior job then I'm doing now (the role is infrastructure Project Manager - in my current role I've got 3 or 4 infrastructure project managers working for me)
Got to do some interview prep now and have a read up about the company.
Also got to think of some questions to ask in the interview, I've always struggled trying to find something decent to ask.... Anyone got any examples of questions that go down well?
Got an interview on Tuesday
15k more for a less senior job then I'm doing now (the role is infrastructure Project Manager - in my current role I've got 3 or 4 infrastructure project managers working for me)
Got to do some interview prep now and have a read up about the company.
Also got to think of some questions to ask in the interview, I've always struggled trying to find something decent to ask.... Anyone got any examples of questions that go down well?
Yep!! Already on it.
I know my strengths and my weaknesses. I know the company and my background. I have motivation and passion.
The time is now.
Hey guys, I have a cover letter related question. What do you think, is it a good idea to add a custom header/footer design? Something like in the attached image. The bar is a place holder at the moment. I used open source clip art which I reworked to compose the logo.
The design would be matched with the colors used in the CV.
Something like these:
P.S.: I would also like to thank FliXFantatier, who helped me with my CV with his suggestions and provided very useful additional info.
The design would be matched with the colors used in the CV.
Something like these:
P.S.: I would also like to thank FliXFantatier, who helped me with my CV with his suggestions and provided very useful additional info.
Are you the BigMastadon from IGN?
Darren870
Member
Looks tacky to me, but I suppose it depends on the field of work you are in...
BigMastadon
Member
NipplesAndToes23
Member
TellTale Games finally replied to me, but it was a rejection. I was really hoping I could work for them.
Escape Goat
Member
if you had the choice if working/living in Denver or Houston which would you choose?
Updated my CV on the back of some advice from an old colleague and applied for a couple more jobs.
Got an interview on Tuesday
15k more for a less senior job then I'm doing now (the role is infrastructure Project Manager - in my current role I've got 3 or 4 infrastructure project managers working for me)
Got to do some interview prep now and have a read up about the company.
Also got to think of some questions to ask in the interview, I've always struggled trying to find something decent to ask.... Anyone got any examples of questions that go down well?
The best questions I feel are ones that show you've researched the company, and are interested in learning more about it/have thought about it. Should be/best if it's directly relevant to the position.
Then there's asking simple technical questions. E.g. asking about available equipment for a position that is affected by what's available and what's there can vary between companies. These are fairly simple responses for them, so not so great. They at least give you something to ask at any rate.
They're hit and miss. You're dealing with local branches when it comes to the big guys and sometimes you can get someone who is nice and will really work to get you a job. Other times, not so much. And if you have one where you have to call or email a recruiter every now and then in order to get some sort of response because you've gone weeks at a time without hearing about a position they submitted you for. They're probably not working in your best interest. But, don't tell them to fuck off because you never know. Maybe a great position opens up soon or maybe they add some new people who are good at their job.
I lived in Colorado for a couple of years. Great state. But I heard Texas is doing really well employment-wise. Both cities cost about the same but without knowing what opportunities you're looking for I can't say which is better.
The Broken Ska Record
Member
I've been trying to find a job in Austin the last few weeks, and it's damn hard. I just want an entry level data entry position or office/clerical work to get away from retail, and nothing's happening. I've just been using indeed.com so far though. I've tried going through a recruiting site locally, but nothing.
Indeed
Haven't brought my Obama icon here yet ;p
Cheers m8.
A lot of temp agencies, even for Data Entry, use Craigslist as well. I'm in Dallas, but got into the Data Entry/Clerical frield through a temp agency called Kelly Services in Dallas. Job was for Allstate, became a permanent hire after 3 months.
Try checking Craigslist and careerbuilder.
Black Republican
Member
face to face interview with 2 branch managers for a financial advisor job.
2 phone interviews lead to this, hopefully they like me alot now lol
2 phone interviews lead to this, hopefully they like me alot now lol
The Broken Ska Record
Member
Thanks! Craigslist is what I'll probably be using by the end of the month. I'm going to try careerbuilder right now and just put my resume up there.
Sometimes I wake up in the morning and wonder why I ever decided to go for my Masters in Education. Now I sit here day in day out, looking for something not in the teaching field (since it is impossible to get in at all - unless you have 3-5 years to waste) that pays well to live solo, but everything with minimal or "no experience" is almost unlivable.
Can't get a job without experience, and can't get experience without a job in the teaching field. And I really don't want to teach abroad. I guess I just have to be lucky.
Can't get a job without experience, and can't get experience without a job in the teaching field. And I really don't want to teach abroad. I guess I just have to be lucky.
Out of curiousity, where do you live?
Fellow Masters graduate myself, from my experience, a Masters degree will make you stand out from other applicants but it doesn't gaurantee you a great job instantly. You either do some networking and find the connectionz to squeeze you into a role or you go down the "apprenticeship/internship/workforpeanuts" route in order to get the experience.
My current situation: I'm super rusty when it comes to technical exams during interviews and - thankfully - my job seems to be secure until the end of the year so I'm gonna take a few weeks to brush up my knowledge and retry applying elsewhere. Been looking into web development and mobile app development. Prep myself up. Get a portfolio laid out and see where it goes. Good thing is that all these interviews I've had makes for good practise. I'm not a nervous wreck when it comes to face to face interviews anymore.
Eastern Canada.
I feel so undervalued when considering internships; it's like here pay us thousands of dollars for your undergrad and postgrad, but when you finish, here is the kicker, you have to work for free for a few years for your piece of paper to mean jack shit - what's the point of working all these years for what amounted to a further nothing. I already did enough placements during my Masters program in classrooms. Everything I do is free. I don't exactly have the luxury of 2 years of internship while I live with family. Everyone wants you to work for free, I feel like internships are the biggest bullshit concocted by North American society.
That's good! Assuming you haven't done so already, put that down as experience on your CV. It counts.
I'd pick Denver all day. Great city.
I can maybe come up with three things I like about Houston-- one is that I like that I don't live there.
Syphon Filter
Member
Dam i have only gotten offers from deep places nowhere near me. Strange that is has been that way for the past few months.
Pancakes
hot, steaming, as melted butter slips into the cracks, drizzled with sticky sweet syrup OH GOD
My friend works at all an apple store as a sales person. She says it's a pretty easy job and the products usually sell themselves. Only problem is that she works as part time and they have over 100 sales people (I think) so the hours are slim pickings. It's usually okay if you're full time or a genius.
Photolysis
Banned
No.
If you correspond again for some reason (e.g. you're chasing up on an application), then it never hurts to put a brief thank you for the opportunity in there. But an email for the sole purpose of that? Nein.
EmptySpace
Banned
i can sympathise.
there were barely any openings when i was at uni because of the recession and because of personal matters i couldn't get a fulltime job/internship.
now i am stuck with an entry lrvel job that is braindead and ending next month, hack to job hunting and so far no calls. don't have network because i came here on my 12th grade and don't have a lot of friends.
this seriously sucks. feel like no one is giving me a chance at all. ba in econ and i can't even get a customer service rep job at a bank (i don't even want to work at banks). asked a person from canadian western bank and she's like, "no we're not hiring econ grads." are you for real.
it seriously sucks.
can't even get into brain dead jobs let alone jobs that will actually challenge me.
I feel you. No bank ever even let me pass screening when I finished my BA Econ...4 years ago. I did an accounting diploma recently too and it's almost the same thing except I got a few interviews. Still no luck.
chancellor
Member
Managed to land myself a job after my interview on Friday, I was so nervous about a potential grilling beforehand but they were really nice and were just wanting to know my motivations and me as a person in general. I wasn't sure if I came across that well but I'm delighted they offered me a job and I can't wait to start working for them, they even want me to start early! Two more years of hard work and I'll be a qualified solicitor
It shouldn't be a regional thing.
A thank you note is a good way to restate your interest and emphasize your strengths. It shows a willingness to follow up. In short, a brief, polite thank you can't hurt.
Google questions that they are likely to ask you in the interview and have answers for them? Having questions of your own also helps. Write them in a notepad and have it with you if that helps you.
Thanks, I actually forgot to prepare questions...gonna do that now.
Don't feel too bad about the 'mistakes' you made. Everyone makes mistakes, and with interviews it can be just what your competition is like.
Remember that staff at a company can always think of something to tell people who ask for feedback. It may not have actually been a big deal, and could even be complete nitpicking or total bs. They may just have had another person in mind already that they know and like, and were just going through the motions to look like they're making a considered choice.
I sort of believe what he sent me as a response, but I can't disagree with you.
He did a really unprofessional thing by giving me a background check sheet after the interview, should have given it to me after he gives the job offer I think.
Could be why he took 2-3 days to respond back, with believable reasons. Regardless, his reasoning was sound since I actually did make those two mistakes he mentioned in the email.
Like I said, even if you made those mistakes (and they will always mention something that actually happened), it doesn't necessarily mean they were actually a big deal. They almost certainly had candidates who made more/bigger mistakes than that.
Going the opposite way, I semi-recently bombed an interview pretty badly with poor answers to numerous questions....and was still awarded a position. Most likely due to them wanting me for a particular special/rare qualification I have.
You do not need to do a flawless interview to get a job. Context factors into everything.
I was curious, can I mention on a cover letter if I've applied to a company before (I'm applying to the same company I had an interview with last year, but I didn't get it). The reason wasn't because of the interview or my qualifications, but rather the time it took to complete the background process (I answered yes to a question that required further background investigation. I was eventually cleared, but it was too late for that position). Just wondering what the etiquette is in that case.
Also have to add that you may be right, since the job I got a few years ago I had a referral and I really didn't think I did well on the interview, but apparently my friend who worked in IT crept the emails and found that they were really impressed so I was hired a few days later.
Unfortunately my interview around 2 hours ago, I think it went okay but it was a different tone than I expected. The HR person talked a lot more than the actual person who I will be reporting to, and afterwards I gave them my business cards. The woman said oh I will grab mine for you after, so after the interview I waited for her for a minute and she gave me one. The man didn't say anything, so I didn't expect him to do anything...and I had just gotten into the elevator when I saw him walk out toward the reception area, I think he was about to give me a card.
Now, I don't think or know if I should even bother sending thank you emails since I only have one of their emails, I couldn't google to find his email.
I may try harder, what do you guys think? I don't think it was a huge mistake but I felt really stupid after and then I went to shop for food cuz I felt bad.
Another part where I messed up was talking about the CPA designation, I do have plans to do it but I think they expected me to already be enrolled so I kind of BSed it during the interview. Yikes. :x
I just don't expect to hear back from them, but they were honest and I think the reason why they spoke more is because they want to make it crystal clear what is this position for exactly (It's Accounts Payable and Data Entry). Another few things to add to my list of crap not to do I guess.
EDIT: I'm very creepy and managed to find the interviewer on LinkedIn, I will just go ahead and send a message even if he doesn't check or whatever. I just won't mention anything about business cards lol.
EDIT2: You know what I realized? The manager that rejected me after the second interview literally took pieces from the interview and analyzed it back as a way to explain to me, that is kind of good feedback but also kind of weird to just piece his notes back together and regurgitate them to me.
I wouldn't waste the space recounting jobs you didn't get.
If HR wants to call you in on this new job, it'll probably have records of your previous application.
So 3 weeks have gone since my interview and still haven't heard back anything although they said they wanted to call me back after a 5 days.
Not that I care much for the position anymore as I just signed my contract somewhere else but being treated like disposable shit isn't nice. Yeah, could have called them back and asked but I already had a new job and was busy getting things started for that.
Anyway, finally got a new apartment so all the big hurdles are taken. Now moving and getting started in the job.
Just to put it into perspective for some of you having a difficult time:
-Graduated -> 1.5 years unemployed -> 4 month unpaid internship -> 5 months unemployed -> good job at big 4 company.
-Triple digits applications, not even an interview for 1.5 years.
I know it is way easier to say to stay positive. I had my fair share of feeling down and losing motivation.
Not that I care much for the position anymore as I just signed my contract somewhere else but being treated like disposable shit isn't nice. Yeah, could have called them back and asked but I already had a new job and was busy getting things started for that.
Anyway, finally got a new apartment so all the big hurdles are taken. Now moving and getting started in the job.
Just to put it into perspective for some of you having a difficult time:
-Graduated -> 1.5 years unemployed -> 4 month unpaid internship -> 5 months unemployed -> good job at big 4 company.
-Triple digits applications, not even an interview for 1.5 years.
I know it is way easier to say to stay positive. I had my fair share of feeling down and losing motivation.
HOMEBOY OVER HERE
Banned
going to start applying for a new job
current job sucks and the managers are idiots
will stay positive and hope to find something to hold me over till I move or summer comes, which ever comes first.
current job sucks and the managers are idiots
will stay positive and hope to find something to hold me over till I move or summer comes, which ever comes first.
Ultimadrago
Member
Serious, what are the purpose of phone interviews? I have one tomorrow morning. Any tips?
I had one last week, don't think I did that well but I sent him a thank you email right after and he invited me to the company networking event that's tomorrow night...
I'm not good at phone interviews but here a few things i've done or read:
-print out your resume and have it in front of you
-print out the job description
-if you researched the company, have some of your notes out too (they might ask what you know about the company and HAVE QUESTIONS READY
-try to find some sample questions, phone or regular interview specific, and maybe make some notes on how you'd answer them (ie "Tell me about yourself" if you don't have a good answer in your mind already)
Optional: dress up
Basically it's like an in-person interview but you can cheat a little bit, it will be more brief. Should watch your tone, if you have the name of who might interview you then try looking them up on LinkedIn (I did this last week and actually had his LI page opened during the interview)
I hope this helps...good luck. Also watch your tone when you speak?