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Applying for jobs is exhausting and soul-crushing

G

GKSilKamina

Member
Guess I'll join the party.

Anyone here have experience with an office/administrative job? I applied for an entry level office assistant position, and am scheduled for an examination in a couple of days. Like, an actual exam. With paper and pencils and stuff. I've been researching what to expect, but would appreciate hearing about others' experiences if possible.

Thanks, and good luck to you all in your ongoing hunt.
 
S

sooperkool

Member
Cth said:
So, Cliff Notes are in order..

- Laid off 4 years ago.
- Eventually found 2 PT jobs.
- 1st PT job laid me off 3 months ago.

I'm down to one PT job now, and the hours are sporadic. This past month, 5 positions opened. Some FT, but most PT. Outside of management, I've been here longer than anyone else (1.5 years). I'm looking to move up, for the bump in pay, additional responsibility, and to show future employers I didn't just sit around content.

5 interviews. I was their "second choice" for each one.

This last one was the worst, as it was the first to go to a 2nd round of interviews. The frustrating part? It's an assistant retail manager position. Of the final 3 candidates, I'm the only one in retail "full time".. the other two are in different departments.

The company likes my ideas, having solicited them and implemented multiple ideas. I'm the top salesperson. I've been there the longest. And yet, they went with one of the other two.

The frustrating part is that both of them are friends with the manager (going on vacations together). The manager wasn't involved in the decision, but the appearance is what's frustrating to me.

I'm not the type to give up, but honestly this is starting to get to me. I just want to be able to contribute to my family financially. I don't want to keep scrambling to somehow make house payments. To stop going to the food bank each month because we can't afford food.

Anyways, thanks for letting me vent.
Click to expand...

It's time to move on.
 
E

EmptySpace

Banned
starting to apply to jobs again, after some days after my last interview. sunday night gah, is when i actually have the motivation to apply to jobs. yep, i gotta instill that discipline>motivation thing i read a couple of pages back.
 
R

Roland_Gunner

Member
Blasian Persuasion said:
I feel like I'm wasting my time when I fill out a job application that asks for a Driver License and I don't have one. That'll probably be an instant ignore.
Click to expand...

This may be a dumb question, but can you get a driver's license? If you can't for a health reason put that on your application. Most larger companies have special programs for employees with issues covered by the American's with Disabilities Act.
 
I

ISWThunder

Member
Blasian Persuasion said:
I can't because I don't have a job that I need in order to pay for insurance that's required to have it in the first place.
Click to expand...

Why do you need insurance to get a driver's license?


Anyone that has struggled through a long-term stretch of looking for a job deserves my respect. I have a job, but applying for jobs is so infuriating. So many times, I've found job postings that seem to fit my skill set perfectly and then I never even hear a response.

Are there really that many people who fit their criteria so precisely that I didn't even make the first cut? It's crazy and I don't even know what steps I could take to put myself in a better position, outside of developing better networking skills, but that's hard when you are already working full-time and trying to do side work, too.
 
entremet

entremet

Member
ISWThunder said:
Why do you need insurance to get a driver's license?


Anyone that has struggled through a long-term stretch of looking for a job deserves my respect. I have a job, but applying for jobs is so infuriating. So many times, I've found job postings that seem to fit my skill set perfectly and then I never even hear a response.

Are there really that many people who fit their criteria so precisely that I didn't even make the first cut? It's crazy and I don't even know what steps I could take to put myself in a better position, outside of developing better networking skills, but that's hard when you are already working full-time and trying to do side work, too.
Click to expand...

Networking is crucial. Too bad they don't teach you this in HS/College.
 
T

theepicoftyler

Member
Looking for some fresh eyes to look over my resume before I start putting it out there again. Appreciate any constructive criticism anyone can offer. PM?
 
I

ISWThunder

Member
Blasian Persuasion said:
Y'all waiting to see me end up in a jail cell aren't y'all, but yeah you do need car insurance to get a license.
Click to expand...

Are you in the US? What exactly would you be insuring?

You need insurance to register a vehicle in the US, but a good percentage of people with a license don't own a car or have insurance. There are plenty of people that have a license but live in NYC and have no need for a car or insurance.
 
J

J.EM1

Member
GKSilKamina said:
Guess I'll join the party.

Anyone here have experience with an office/administrative job? I applied for an entry level office assistant position, and am scheduled for an examination in a couple of days. Like, an actual exam. With paper and pencils and stuff. I've been researching what to expect, but would appreciate hearing about others' experiences if possible.

Thanks, and good luck to you all in your ongoing hunt.
Click to expand...
I was an office tech for the Dept. of Justice for 5 years while I was in college. Exam is high school level arithmetic and reading comprehension. Not very difficult.
 
C

CrispyGoomba

Member
I have a job interview in about an hour. People say that if you make it to the job interview, you already have the job. Let's hope that saying doesn't fail me today. But I'm feeling confident either way, I've already talked to the Vice President of the company and my cousin worked with his connections to get me this far.

This is to be a bank teller...I have 2 months of work experience and they wanted 2 years. We'll see.
 
M

Mad Season

Banned
CrispyGoomba said:
I have a job interview in about an hour. People say that if you make it to the job interview, you already have the job. Let's hope that saying doesn't fail me today. But I'm feeling confident either way, I've already talked to the Vice President of the company and my cousin worked with his connections to get me this far.

This is to be a bank teller...I have 2 months of work experience and they wanted 2 years. We'll see.
Click to expand...
that saying is ridiculous and providing you with false expectations. There could be a lot of ppl going for same position and they all can't be hired. Just go in, be professional and courteous. It's all you can do. Don't over think things
 
M

mackattk

Member
Cth said:
So, Cliff Notes are in order..

- Laid off 4 years ago.
- Eventually found 2 PT jobs.
- 1st PT job laid me off 3 months ago.

I'm down to one PT job now, and the hours are sporadic. This past month, 5 positions opened. Some FT, but most PT. Outside of management, I've been here longer than anyone else (1.5 years). I'm looking to move up, for the bump in pay, additional responsibility, and to show future employers I didn't just sit around content.

5 interviews. I was their "second choice" for each one.

This last one was the worst, as it was the first to go to a 2nd round of interviews. The frustrating part? It's an assistant retail manager position. Of the final 3 candidates, I'm the only one in retail "full time".. the other two are in different departments.

The company likes my ideas, having solicited them and implemented multiple ideas. I'm the top salesperson. I've been there the longest. And yet, they went with one of the other two.

The frustrating part is that both of them are friends with the manager (going on vacations together). The manager wasn't involved in the decision, but the appearance is what's frustrating to me.

I'm not the type to give up, but honestly this is starting to get to me. I just want to be able to contribute to my family financially. I don't want to keep scrambling to somehow make house payments. To stop going to the food bank each month because we can't afford food.

Anyways, thanks for letting me vent.
Click to expand...

Tops salesperson? Probably too good at your job to promote. :(
 
S

Smokey

Member
MrNelson said:
So, I'm graduating in just a few weeks with a B.Sc in Management Information Systems. It took me a bit longer to get here than I expected, and partially because of that, my GPA isn't exactly stellar (I spent about 2.5 years bouncing between majors, got some mediocre grades before I found the one that I really enjoyed). I've spent the last 4 years working part-time in retail to help pay for expenses (I live at home, commute to Uni), I have no experience in the field outside of my studies. The closest thing to relevant experience I have is some remote QA testing, which is mercenary work at best, considering I can go weeks/months without an assignment, I'm really considering just removing that from my resume because I feel it will be more of a hindrance when I reveal that it only entails looking at games for 2-4 hours every few weeks/months.

A lot of the jobs I have been looking at are asking for GPAs of 3.0 and higher, and while my major GPA fits that with no issues, my overall GPA is lacking. What worries me is that some of these jobs are requiring me to only put my overall GPA, and I fear that I won't be able to find a job because I'll keep getting passed up just because I fucked up classes not even relevant to these jobs.

So far I've only had 2 "successes". I got two phone interviews back in February, the first said to get back with him in March to get the ball rolling on the job, but he seemed to just dodge my emails until I got a response saying the position was filled (the guy was from a staffing firm, so I think I dodged a bullet really). The second one went all the way to a 4 hour in-person interview. They said they would contact me by the next Tuesday with an answer. That Tuesday came and went without a word, so I shot them an email the next day and didn't get a response until Thursday that I wasn't a fit for the job. I asked for tips and they said it was against policy to elaborate on hiring decisions (fair enough)

This past Tuesday I participated in a "Virtual Career Fair" and submitted about 7 applications. I haven't heard anything back yet, but I am hoping for the best.

Is there any advice that Career-GAF can impart on me?
Click to expand...


Congrats on your upcoming graduation! I also graduated with a Bachelor's in MIS. When I went through the process, employers were more concerned about my major GPA. I got lucky and got an internship summer of my senior year, and I have been working with that company every since.

I would tell you to be open to other tech areas outside of MIS. My first assignment with my company was a networking position. I had zero experience in that field during my studies, but that is where they put me. My second assignment also had nothing to do with my degree. The degree to a certain extent doesn't really matter all that much. It's just a piece of paper proving that you were able to successfully complete and get over a major "obstacle" in your life.

The tough thing about IT is they always want someone with experience. So that should be goal number one. Don't think of it as trying to necessarily find a job that will turn into your career. Think of getting that experience first and go from there. As I mentioned if that means looking for roles outside of what was taught in MIS, then so be it.
 
N

NipplesAndToes23

Member
numble said:
You can get a license without insurance but will have a restriction on your ability to drive anything but company cars.
Click to expand...

When I actually went to the DMV both times they told me to come back when I have proof of insurance. I was desperate the second time and asked if it was possible to get it later and told me she couldn't do that. If I walk in their tomorrow I guarantee they'll say the same thing.

numble said:
Better than thinking that you aren't eligible to get a license without insurance and you'll be put in jail for trying to apply for a license without insurance.
Click to expand...
Nah fam, I was thinking by some miracle somebody would let me slide and then when I'm trying to make my way to work some shit drops and somebody demands to see them docs that I lack and when I'm unable shit will collapse on me and I'll be another statistic.
 
T

Thorgal

Member
My issue is a bit different .

I graduated and spend the next year jumping from one job to another .

I finally ended up on my current job which i have been doing for 3 years .

It is not a bad job by any means and i love doing it , but on the other hand it is also not the kind of job i see myself doing all the way to retirement .

My mother is terrified ( and it also worries me ) that the moment i decide to leave ill go right back to being out of a job for months to a year or more.
 
F

fluffydelusions

Member
Time for me to hop on in this thread. I was self employed making Android apps since 2010 until last month when my app was removed from Google due to a DMCA complaint from Apple about my icon/font being too similar. So basically all my income was gone overnight. Anyway I've been looking for a job ever since with no luck. I also have a degree and was even in the military which apparently a lot of employers like or so I hear. I have a feeling when people see self employed for the past 5 years in a resume they don't really believe it lol. I was hesitant to post my resume on places like monster, careerbuilder, indeed etc but finally decided to do it the other day and as expected I'm getting all kinds of spam b.s.
 
entremet

entremet

Member
fluffydelusions said:
Time for me to hop on in this thread. I was self employed making Android apps since 2010 until last month when my app was removed from Google due to a DMCA complaint from Apple about my icon/font being too similar. So basically all my income was gone overnight. Anyway I've been looking for a job ever since with no luck. I also have a degree and was even in the military which apparently a lot of employers like or so I hear. I have a feeling when people see self employed for the past 5 years in a resume they don't really believe it lol. I was hesitant to post my resume on places like monster, careerbuilder, indeed etc but finally decided to do it the other day and as expected I'm getting all kinds of spam b.s.
Click to expand...

Just bring your app and documentation to interviews. Also state this on your resume and cover letter.

Also discuss what your learned running a home based business. You probably wore many hats--customer services, marketing/sales, QA, product development. That's a good thing.
 
B

brerwolfe

Member
Blasian Persuasion said:
When I actually went to the DMV both times they told me to come back when I have proof of insurance. I was desperate the second time and asked if it was possible to get it later and told me she couldn't do that. If I walk in their tomorrow I guarantee they'll say the same thing.
Click to expand...
Then show them the link ISWThunder posted and ask how your situation is different.

http://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/driver/license/

Empower yourself.
 
F

fluffydelusions

Member
entrement said:
Just bring your app and documentation to interviews. Also state this on your resume and cover letter.

Also discuss what your learned running a home based business. You probably wore many hats--customer services, marketing/sales, QA, product development. That's a good thing.
Click to expand...

Yeah I have my Google store page linked in my resume that shows all my apps and mentioned that I handled tech support. bug fixing etc. The only legit job offers I had were from Prudential and Aflac but just a quick google search tells me both are commission based and the prudential one you have to pay out of pocket to get a license I believe. Sorta sad I moved from NYC to south jersey last year now. So many more jobs there. Also it's weird seeing entry level positions with required years of experience...
 
P

PBY

Banned
CrispyGoomba said:
I have a job interview in about an hour. People say that if you make it to the job interview, you already have the job. Let's hope that saying doesn't fail me today. But I'm feeling confident either way, I've already talked to the Vice President of the company and my cousin worked with his connections to get me this far.

This is to be a bank teller...I have 2 months of work experience and they wanted 2 years. We'll see.
Click to expand...

people say that?
 
entremet

entremet

Member
peterb0y said:
people say that?
Click to expand...

Thats fishy.

As someone who has helped hiring people. That's categorically untrue.

But this seems like retail banking, which may be different, since they probably have the Taleo front end that basically collects thousands of applications.
 
K

Kieli

Member
entrement said:
Thats fishy.

As someone who has helped hiring people. That's categorically untrue.

But this seems like retail banking, which may be different, since they probably have the Taleo front end that basically collects thousands of applications.
Click to expand...

It's kind of true for medicine. 40% of the people who get interviews get a spot at any school. If you apply to about 3 schools, you're likely to get into one of them.

Unless you can't act and flunk the interview, or you are the rare candidate who is JUST borderline that you qualify, but can't make the final cut (which is rare, considering how cut-throat it is to even get an interview).
 
F

fluffydelusions

Member
fluffydelusions said:
Yeah I have my Google store page linked in my resume that shows all my apps and mentioned that I handled tech support. bug fixing etc. The only legit job offers I had were from Prudential and Aflac but just a quick google search tells me both are commission based and the prudential one you have to pay out of pocket to get a license I believe. Sorta sad I moved from NYC to south jersey last year now. So many more jobs there. Also it's weird seeing entry level positions with required years of experience...
Click to expand...

OK this is weird. Just as I post this today I get a call from Apple lawyers that they will try to work with Google to reinstate my app if I change my icon.
 
S

Sora_N

Member
Hollywood Duo said:
Had a phone interview today. It's so hard to get a read on these things. I'm trying to make a move overseas so I really hope it went well.
Click to expand...

I found that if you want a quick shot sometimes if you send a thank you email right after they'll respond with a rejection or the next stage. Happened to me twice. Once I got rejected right away and once I was invited to a networking event.
 
S

Skellig Gra

Member
Sora_N said:
I found that if you want a quick shot sometimes if you send a thank you email right after they'll respond with a rejection or the next stage. Happened to me twice. Once I got rejected right away and once I was invited to a networking event.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip. It's worth a shot.
 
V

Vicetrailia

Banned
Man so I recently got a new job and I was baited and switched. Like damn they got me.

I left a 10 hr day 2nd shift job in manufacturing for a 10 hr day1st shift job with on call bullshit.

They said I was a Water Technician, but I turned out to be just another Sewer Maintentence and Repair Guy.

Sure I get benefits but I wanna finish school, not deal with this shit. Should I target sales jobs? I need to make 1800 gross. Man I'm so upset.
 
S

sdijoseph

Member
If an application asks if you are "immediately available for an internship", how literally should I take that? I ask because I will be available in 3 weeks, and I don't want them to ignore my resume by checking no.
 
T

ThLunarian

Member
I'm graduating in 3 weeks and I'm waiting to hear back from an interview I had last week. I felt like it went very well, but I've dealt with many rejections in the past year so I'm bracing for the worst. I should hear back soon after this week is over.

I hate the possibility that I'll be forced to go back to Domino's Pizza when I have a Master's Degree in Accounting, even though it would just be temporary, but you have to do what you have to do, I guess.
 
B

brerwolfe

Member
sdijoseph said:
If an application asks if you are "immediately available for an internship", how literally should I take that? I ask because I will be available in 3 weeks, and I don't want them to ignore my resume by checking no.
Click to expand...
Just say you're available and deal with it as it comes up. Then you can list "dealing with adversity" as a strength.
 
A

Aylinato

Member
ThLunarian said:
I'm graduating in 3 weeks and I'm waiting to hear back from an interview I had last week. I felt like it went very well, but I've dealt with many rejections in the past year so I'm bracing for the worst. I should hear back soon after this week is over.

I hate the possibility that I'll be forced to go back to Domino's Pizza when I have a Master's Degree in Accounting, even though it would just be temporary, but you have to do what you have to do, I guess.
Click to expand...



Go to career services, they have connections
 
A

Assanova

Member
To those having issues with networking, have you not utilized your school's alumni network? I have had really good experiences at both colleges that I went to, and had job offers through both of them.
 
S

Skellig Gra

Member
Just got the call for an in person interview for a Scrum Master position. I haven't gotten past the phone/skype stage in years. I don't know what to wear!
 
I

ISWThunder

Member
I got a call back from a company like 20 minutes after I posted here, but I didn't hear the phone ring.

I called back, no response, left a voicemail.

Called later, no response.

Called today, no response.

Got in contact with a sales rep, had her transfer me to HR. No response, left a voicemail, no call back.

WTF!!!!!!
 
S

Skellig Gra

Member
MC Safety said:
Shirt and tie. Khakis. Shoes. When in doubt, overdress.
Click to expand...

Yeah I hear ya. I have no idea what kind of IT shop it is though. Some places are super super casual where as others are suit and tie affair. I'm going to go with a suit but I have the little doubt in the back of my mind that I'll be turning them off by being so formal.
 
S

Syphon Filter

Member
Hollywood Duo said:
Yeah I hear ya. I have no idea what kind of IT shop it is though. Some places are super super casual where as others are suit and tie affair. I'm going to go with a suit but I have the little doubt in the back of my mind that I'll be turning them off by being so formal.
Click to expand...

Would you want to work for someone that strange that worries about stuff like that? Just put a shirt and tie with black pants and shoes.
 
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