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[openrob]

I graduate next month ( well technically August) so have started applying for jobs (I'm UK based). My degree is essentially vocational and I do love the work so I am applying, at least at first I am applying to a very specific type of role, which limits my choices.

At Uni we are given 2 year long work placements, the problem is that my placements weren't the best. I mean I've had great experiences, but they are just slightly different to the role I'm applying for.(example: applying for secondary school teacher, but only had experience in primary school)

I've only sent off 5 applications this week, but heard back from 2 and didn't even get an interview

I could apply to agencies but it's not considered a great idea in your first year as most employers will do an approved first year development programme for new graduates, which I wouldn't get in an agency.


Takes me about 40 mins to do an application.

 

[alstein]

Be careful of trade jobs, one thing people don't tell you is about is the chronic injuries. Just watch the experienced persons. Young folk will go in guns blazing and wind up with all sorts of chronic issues. Make use of your tools no matter what your boss says.

Is there a good trade job to start at 40? Might be in a situation where I need a new career due to mine being destroyed by the government.

 

[NEO0MJ]

So, they sent an e-mail saying nope to me. I feel so pathetic...

 

[Mistah]

Just got a call from Apple Got a job my first job DDDD

Can't say anything else cause of NDA but still A job ! WOHOOOO

 

[vypek]

So, they sent an e-mail saying nope to me. I feel so pathetic...

Don't feel discouraged or pathetic. At the very least you were considered in the first place and had a shot at it. Its tough but you just have to keep trying to push through.

Just got a call from Apple Got a job my first job DDDD

Can't say anything else cause of NDA but still A job ! WOHOOOO

Congrats! That is awesome.


I just had an early process interview and was already told that I'll be making it to the next step and that I'd be a good fit. So hopefully all continues to go well on that front. If it does, my first day would be in a few weeks.

 

[entremet]

Just got a call from Apple Got a job my first job DDDD

Can't say anything else cause of NDA but still A job ! WOHOOOO

Cupertino or retail?

Sounds like Cupertino if you talking about NDAs.

 

[Mashin Haters]

Just got a call from Apple Got a job my first job DDDD

Can't say anything else cause of NDA but still A job ! WOHOOOO

thats awesome. Are you straight out of college?

 

[Synless]

Had a job interview today (looking for new job, still employed) thought it went ok at best. Been trying to get into HR for a long time now. Almost done with an MBA and entry level Hr experimebce. I have had shit luck getting interviews so far, and those I get I haven't nailed the job. I am hoping the one I had today is it.

 

[XiaNaphryz]

So, they sent an e-mail saying nope to me. I feel so pathetic...

It sucks, but you got to keep pressing on. I've had a bunch of rejections the past 9 months since being laid off, including several where I was the second choice. Just got a formal offer today finally after countless applications and interviews.

Learn from your previous interviews to try and improve your chances next time around, but if you're in a competitive field you also have to realize sometimes there's nothing you could really do if the competition has you beat in experience.

 

[CrunchyB]

When I accepted the job, I was told that if I needed to work from home, it wasn't a problem. Then after I start, they tell me "oh no, you can only work from home with special permission."

Haha, same thing happened with my new job. During the interview they mentioned how they were open to working from home and how 2 people work at home full time, we're a very modern company, blablabla. So after 3 months I mention how noisy and crowded the workplace is and that I'd like to work from home one day of the week. Yeah...about that...

I received permission in the end, but getting it was like pulling teeth. You know how people lie during interviews? That goes for companies at well. People may talk fancy, but management in particular can be really stubborn and old fashioned.

 

[Makonero]

I had two interviews in the last few weeks that went really well. Still waiting to hear back from them both, but I'm confident that I'll get at least one offer (still applying in the meantime of course). I got a call today where the HR lady stressed that she was not offering me the job because they hadn't made a final decision yet but that reactions so far were (and she emphasized this) positive. So I may not be jobless much longer (and right after E3! What perfect timing! )

 

[alstein]

It sucks, but you got to keep pressing on. I've had a bunch of rejections the past 9 months since being laid off, including several where I was the second choice. Just got a formal offer today finally after countless applications and interviews.

Learn from your previous interviews to try and improve your chances next time around, but if you're in a competitive field you also have to realize sometimes there's nothing you could really do if the competition has you beat in experience.

My worry is what happens when you have to start a new field at 40 without experience. It's a legitimate possibility right now for me.

 

[entremet]

My worry is what happens when you have to start a new field at 40 without experience. It's a legitimate possibility right now for me.

You must have some transferable skills at 40.

Identify those and highlight them in your resume and interviews.

 

[Mistah]

Cupertino or retail?

Sounds like Cupertino if you talking about NDAs.

Can't say place still this is going to be awesome

thats awesome. Are you straight out of college?

I dropped out of college.

 

[Goodlife]

Fucking got the job

YAY!!!!!!

 

[lordfuzzybutt]

Fucking got the job

YAY!!!!!!

Congrats.

 

[isual]

isn't there someone here who was hiring for an administrative assistant in the East bay in the bay area?

 

[csquared587]

So, I have had my degree for a few years now and have yet to find a job. I currently work retail, but I am ready to move on. One thing I notice is that almost every job search in my field(marketing) returns results for "senior" or "executive" positions requiring 5+ years of experience.

Obviously, I am not qualified for that. Should I just send in resumes for these spots anyway? Hope for an interview and get placed in a more appropriate position?

Also, any tips for people with a bachelors in marketing? At this point I will take almost anything to leave my retail job. I am willing to relocate to almost any part of the US as well, so that is not an issue.

 

[Acinixys]

Been job hunting for a year and a half

Finally got hired today

Yay me

Spoiler

Its only $250 a month but at least thats more than $0 a month

Spoiler

I dont live in the US so this isnt as little as it seems.

 

[blue_phazon]

What are good ways to get your foot in the door for an interview? As much as I apply to job listings online, I can't land a single interview.

I have a feeling that online applications won't work for me because I don't have experience (just graduated) and there's probably hundreds of applicants.

Aside from asking friends, is there a better way?

Edit: I graduated with a psychology degree and am looking for a general office or bank job

 

[NEO0MJ]

Don't feel discouraged or pathetic. At the very least you were considered in the first place and had a shot at it. Its tough but you just have to keep trying to push through.

I try to hold on to hope, but rejection gets more painful each time. You'd think you'll get used to it but nope. Its been two years since I graduated and it taking a toll on me. Can barely muster the will to apply online now or filling up a registration.

It sucks, but you got to keep pressing on. I've had a bunch of rejections the past 9 months since being laid off, including several where I was the second choice. Just got a formal offer today finally after countless applications and interviews.

Learn from your previous interviews to try and improve your chances next time around, but if you're in a competitive field you also have to realize sometimes there's nothing you could really do if the competition has you beat in experience.

I think something that broke me down during the interview is that they made me wait two hours, even though I arrived 15 minutes prior to the appointment.

Been job hunting for a year and a half

Finally got hired today

Yay me

Spoiler

Its only $250 a month but at least thats more than $0 a month

Spoiler

I dont live in the US so this isnt as little as it seems.

Congrats! And I definitely understand you. It might suck not getting the job you want but not having work it all.

What are good ways to get your foot in the door for an interview? As much as I apply to job listings online, I can't land a single interview.

I have a feeling that online applications won't work for me because I don't have experience (just graduated) and there's probably hundreds of applicants.

Aside from asking friends, is there a better way?

Edit: I graduated with a psychology degree and am looking for a general office or bank job

Your only hope is to know someone inside the company. If you don't you'll have to stick to applying online or going to job fares. Most just tell you to go online if you show up to them personally.

 

[alstein]

You must have some transferable skills at 40.

Identify those and highlight them in your resume and interviews.

My career for the last 12-13 years has been stay up all night, make sure a machine is inputting things correctly by looking at it, then fixing the input if it's wrong.

That's it. Not really transferrable. It does take some specialized knowledge and work ethic, but it's not that transferrable.

 

[outunderthestars]

Took 3 months, but I finally found a new job in Little Rock. Happy to be able to move and start my family now.

 

[Bacon]

Lot's of people getting jobs today, congrats everyone!

 

[Goodlife]

Congrats.

Cheers.
Been working in the same company since I was 18... 14 years now.
Big step.
Weirdly though it's a bit of a step backwards in terms of career progression, but loads more money, shorter hours, less responsibility.
Hope I can move up the ranks again quite quickly though.

 

[Bit-Bit]

I just got back from an interview where I was unable to answer about half of the tech questions that was asked. I'm a good tech but I don't have every command line memorize.

However, when the director walked me out, he said that I'll definitely hear back from them.

Cautiously optimistic.

 

[entremet]

Took 3 months, but I finally found a new job in Little Rock. Happy to be able to move and start my family now.

Congrats!

I thought you liked your current job and locale?

Better opportunity I'm guessing?

My career for the last 12-13 years has been stay up all night, make sure a machine is inputting things correctly by looking at it, then fixing the input if it's wrong.

That's it. Not really transferrable. It does take some specialized knowledge and work ethic, but it's not that transferrable.

Volunteer work?

Any hobbies that require skill?

If have nothing nothing, which I doubt. Start looking into online learning, volunteering, etc.

There are always options.

 

[outunderthestars]

Congrats!

I thought you liked your current job and locale?

Better opportunity I'm guessing

I love my current job and locals.

Girlfriend landed a great job and makes 4 times what I do. That means that she determines where we live.

 

[Captain Tuttle]

Lot's of people getting jobs today, congrats everyone!

Yep, the labor market is tightening up. My company is having a job fair tomorrow and we expect a very low turnout, everyone is working (construction trades BTW)

Good luck to everyone

 

[The Handsome Llama]

When I graduated from university, I literally had no experience. Used most of my contacts to land me interviews, which failed completely due to having no experience and having too much competition. Went to so many career fairs and applied to hundreds of jobs and still got rejected.

I was lucky enough to get an office assistant job right on the day of my graduation. It was very basic stuff and nothing related to what I studied in University, but I didn't care. It was also a 4 month term too, so I was still stressing out. Luckily I did an excellent job, went beyond what was to be expected. For example, I tried helping out with some of the major projects by asking the project leads or managers, did a ton of research and put in my 2 cents, asked to be in meetings and be very vocal, and really took advantage of it. I left a very good impression and there was an open vacancy for a real permanent engineering job and luckily enough my supervisor was also conducting the interviews. They interviewed about 20 or so candidates, some with many years of experience and have been within the company much longer than me. In the end I somehow got it. I was commended by the fact that I connected with people very easily and generally had an easy-going but straight-to-the-point personality which edged me above all the other candidates.

Sometimes you just have to rely on your own natural talents and leave a very good impression with the bosses. Heck, during my interview we started talking about cars and basketball when they skipped over most of the questions. Having a good personality, showing off your postive and proving to them you'll work hard will reward you with something in the end.

 

[Necromanti]

Got a phone interview on Monday with a biotech lab. It was the last day for the listing to be active on my school's job portal so I didn't think too much of it, but I got an e-mail from the CSO/VP less than 2 hours after I applied for it. Super nervous and excited.

It is now one week after I had applied for the position, and I have now received a job offer. I haven't fully processed what has happened yet, but I can't believe my luck. It will be my first real job ever. I can't believe I'm at a point in my life where I'm finally allowed to work.

 

[xKilltheMx]

Applied for a govt engineering job in April. Had a phone interview in may.
Had a Video interview in the beginning of June.

It's down to me and one other candidate and they're doing a background check right now I assume after asking for my DOB, full name and social. Does this mean I'm highly considered right now as long as my background check is fine? Do they usually ask for all of that information for background checks?

They said they'll have a decision by the end of June. Does it usually take this long for them to make a decision? I'm desperate for this job and willing to take the low pay and downsides for experience.

 

[GamerSoul]

It's almost been week 2 since my contract pos. ended and it feels like forever. hah. I'm still in the process of getting my resume out there again and damn it's tough trying to find suitable positions for my experience which is still under 1 year. In the mean time, I'm trying to practice more programming (OOP, database connection, clean code, etc) and overall web development. I mean i've got the time.

 

[Vicetrailia]

Applied for a govt engineering job in April. Had a phone interview in may.
Had a Video interview in the beginning of June.

It's down to me and one other candidate and they're doing a background check right now I assume after asking for my DOB, full name and social. Does this mean I'm highly considered right now as long as my background check is fine? Do they usually ask for all of that information for background checks?

They said they'll have a decision by the end of June. Does it usually take this long for them to make a decision? I'm desperate for this job and willing to take the low pay and downsides for experience.

Yeah the government is slow.

So I'm attending school in august. My current job won't work with me on the schedule as most of my core classes are only offered during the day. I need to make 1600 gross a month, but I'm having trouble landing paying 2nd shift jobs. Anyone have advice on what part time I should look for? I have an Interview with cosco coming up but I need more.

 

[Lord Thrappleper The 49th]

Ugh, got a neighbour of mine a job at the resturant I worked at about a month ago. He'd never worked in kitchens before, matter of fact he'd never had proper employment before. Been on benefits his whole life when he wasn't in jail. Real class act I know, sounds like a keeper.
To be honest I thought I'd give him an opportunity, that lucky break you know? To get himself out of that squallor of a life, and work his way up and earn respect. In his mid 30s, so better now than never you know? Besides he was only washing dishes, I even gave him a few lesson on our dessert section. Granted he wasn't very creative, fast, or even good. But they were all skills for him to practice and learn. I know that loads of people don't get opportunities like that, loads of people would do anything to get a job. And he weren't paid bad ever. £6.70 an hour is not bad for dishwashing.

So anyways over the month I get lots of rumours and complaints that he wasn't very good, and had an attitude problem. Got into a few situations with some front of house management. (He didn't like being told what to do by a female manager, it was sorted quite quickly). Anyways, when I hear that, I'm thinking 'oh god what have i done... no no leave it leave it, give him time. He'll adjust. He's never been in a working enviroment, he just needs to learn how it works.

So as he works, he brags about he's an east london tough guy and martial arts master and that he could beat us all up, and we just banter him. Eventually he calls up one saturday and calls in sick because he had 'flu'. Great. I'm sleeping because i do an overnight at a hotel every friday night when I finish in the kitchen, and I get woken up to come in and cover him, which i do. He then calls in sick again for his next shift, saying he's sprained his leg. Now I'm thinking oh fuck, this guys a train wreck.
Come friday night, where we need everyone, he doesn't turn up. Doesn't even bother to call us and give us a shitty excuse. I check steam on my phone and see he's online and playing some game. Needless to say I'm angry, as I have to cover my section and his. Not a fun thing to do in a kitchen enviroment. Within 2 hours of that I have management write up his dismissal letter.

It pisses me off so much that people try so hard to get a job, and so many people would do anything just so that they can get an income/experience, and then there's this fucker who takes an opportunity not many get and throws it back in my face so he can play video games. Fucking benefit scroungers, they really are the some of the worst people england has to offer. Especially when it brings down genuine honest people trying to get out of that life.

 

[PsihoPerihelion]

I applied to an IT job at a local Institute. It went OK I guess. I have a 2nd interview there next friday. Hope it goes well.

 

[BigMastadon]

Just need a little pick me up/luck for my situation. I had to leave Circle K a month ago due to medical issues. I'm a heavy guy and they wouldn't let me rest my foot or anything during a shift. I was even written up for doing so. The expectations of me were higher due to going for an assistant manager position. I would get home and be in so much pain that I couldn't sleep throughout the night. I would jack some of my step-mom's pain killers whenever I'd go see them just so I can make it through a shift.

I was just denied unemployment because they said I could've kept working there and the standards were above the area. Whatever. I've been searching for Customer Service/Data Entry/Admin Assistant positions for the past month and have come up empty. I have close to ten years of retail/customer service experience but am being denied at many places because I do not have call center experience. I think that is bogus.

I have my resume in with Manpower and a bunch of other agencies but am going to run out of money by the end of this month. It sucks as I'm not sure what to do. I'm in a lease until January and really don't want to break it.. and even if I did I wouldn't have anywhere to go.

Does anyone know of any good websites to look at for positions besides the typical agencies/indeed/careerbuilder? Any quick work from home positions I could get in to? Any suggestions would be amazing.

Thanks all.. hope you have a great day.

Edit: I should add that I am in the Champaign, IL area but if I do move it'd be up towards Joliet, IL. Moving is really a last case situation.

 

[Pancakes]

Applied for a govt engineering job in April. Had a phone interview in may.
Had a Video interview in the beginning of June.

It's down to me and one other candidate and they're doing a background check right now I assume after asking for my DOB, full name and social. Does this mean I'm highly considered right now as long as my background check is fine? Do they usually ask for all of that information for background checks?

They said they'll have a decision by the end of June. Does it usually take this long for them to make a decision? I'm desperate for this job and willing to take the low pay and downsides for experience.

Think we might've applied to the same position lol. You doing the PAQ program?

 

[xKilltheMx]

Think we might've applied to the same position lol. You doing the PAQ program?

Wait. Er. Nope. Mine is general engineering... Pms may be more appropriate don't want them to find us talking about them lol.

 

[alstein]

Volunteer work?

Any hobbies that require skill?

If have nothing nothing, which I doubt. Start looking into online learning, volunteering, etc.

There are always options.

I have plans in this area- when I know something definite is happening (Still a chance nothing happens, these threats are yearly) I start those plans. Even then I know it's a big risk. The good thing is I do have savings and education benefits I have left, so I don't have to rush.

If I had a couple more years, I'd even consider law school.

 

[Nightengale]

So yeah, my current employer is going through some restructuring, and sucky as it may, I've affected, though it doesn't really affect the affected until some time later, so in general, there's a reasonable amount of time to get prepared for it.

It's not a headcount cutting layoff per-say, so those impacted can apply for open roles in other areas, etc, but it's still a little bit of a hassle, given that I haven't updated my resume in a long while. So yeah, I'm currently looking at internal openings, but man can't be too optimistic about stuff like that, so I'm doing that... and looking outside.

It's selfish to say this to my parents, but it's actually a bit fun, even if downright exhausting. Never realised how easy I have it when I just came out of school and was unemployeed/job-searching. Reviewing your opportunities, both internally and externally, and thinking things through is hard enough on its own, and I still have my daily work to go through, because well... I'm not 'without a position' until a good few months later.

It's been a long time since I actually went prospecting/made myself a prospect. Let's see if things have changed from back when I was a freshie with no experience, and I'd get rejected by companies wholesale without even an interview opportunity because 'no experience.'

And worst come to worst... I'll just go back to school to take my Masters.

 

[Big-E]

Need to vent. I applied for a job I was perfect for and two weeks ago they contact me wishing to conduct a skype interview as they knew I was temporarily out of the country. They set a time then cancel then set another time then cancel to set up another time. They now tell me they don't want to do skype interviews and won't be giving me an interview. Fucking cunts. Wasted a lot of time preparing for it too.

 

[entremet]

I have plans in this area- when I know something definite is happening (Still a chance nothing happens, these threats are yearly) I start those plans. Even then I know it's a big risk. The good thing is I do have savings and education benefits I have left, so I don't have to rush.

If I had a couple more years, I'd even consider law school.

There's always Youtube, Coursera, Codeacademy.

If you an internet connection, which you do or you wouldn't be using GAF, you can gain skills.

 

[Earendil]

Haha, same thing happened with my new job. During the interview they mentioned how they were open to working from home and how 2 people work at home full time, we're a very modern company, blablabla. So after 3 months I mention how noisy and crowded the workplace is and that I'd like to work from home one day of the week. Yeah...about that...

I received permission in the end, but getting it was like pulling teeth. You know how people lie during interviews? That goes for companies at well. People may talk fancy, but management in particular can be really stubborn and old fashioned.

I know what you mean. These guys lied through their teeth to me. I was told that I would be able to work in multiple languages, that didn't happen. I was told that I would be leading my own team, that didn't happen. I was told that I could work on multiple projects, that didn't happen. Then there is the whole work from home thing. These guys are compulsive liars.

 

[WhiskerFrisker]

Anyone here works for or have worked with Micro center? Last week Monday I did a group interview with the manager and she told us that they'll get back to us. I still haven't heard from them. How long does it take?

 

[entremet]

Need to vent. I applied for a job I was perfect for and two weeks ago they contact me wishing to conduct a skype interview as they knew I was temporarily out of the country. They set a time then cancel then set another time then cancel to set up another time. They now tell me they don't want to do skype interviews and won't be giving me an interview. Fucking cunts. Wasted a lot of time preparing for it too.

It sucks.

But it happens.

Not wasted time since you can use that prep to ace your interviews.

 

[Zunja]

I'm about to risk it with my girlfriend and move down to Raleigh, NC. There aren't any jobs here in WV. I have my bachelors in criminal justice but I'm not picky. I think I have a good work history, I mean I've worked since I was 15.

Between her and me we have about 6 months. No employer wants to set up interviews since I don't live there, which I've been told, so I'm hoping for the best. Should be down there the start of August.

I'm sure someone else has been in this boat did it work out for you? Any tips for a new job hunter moving to a new city?

 

[GoldenEye 007]

Just had a phone interview with a place across the country. We'll see if they want to move forward.

 

[SonicXtreme]

I'm about to risk it with my girlfriend and move down to Raleigh, NC. There aren't any jobs here in WV. I have my bachelors in criminal justice but I'm not picky. I think I have a good work history, I mean I've worked since I was 15.

Between her and me we have about 6 months. No employer wants to set up interviews since I don't live there, which I've been told, so I'm hoping for the best. Should be down there the start of August.

I'm sure someone else has been in this boat did it work out for you? Any tips for a new job hunter moving to a new city?

i'm interested in the idea too. i live in cleveland now with an environmental science degree but i work as a chemist, but for having a bachelor's i really don't make shit and cleveland is ok but i'm at the age where i kinda feel if i don't leave here soon i'll end up with roots too big to ever do it. i've thought about eastern PA/Philly but the hardest part is what you said, you can't really get a job while living out of the area (unless you get lucky with a remote/skype interview but i'd be looking at entry level things for the most part which rarely want to do that)

i have plenty of money to move somewhere. i've thought about getting a new (to me, a beater tho) car to drive for uber in the moving transition to get to know my new area better and to have a little something generating income for the inbetween. but i feel like i could at least find a decent paying temp job ($12-15+) if i moved somewhere but....idk

 

[Kaladin]

So I went and interviewed for a position back on May 4th. This was actually the second tier interview with the HR department. I had already passed the hiring committees interview (by phone) and was told this stage was me and one other person. I was told at the interview they would tell me whether I was hired or not and the decision would be made by the end of the week.

Well, as you can imagine it is now June 16th and I have been e-mailing back and forth with my contact in HR and they keep telling me that no decision has been made on who they're hiring.

It is a job in academics, although a lower tiered job (not Faculty level, but upper level staff) and academics can be slow in hiring but it's getting ridiculous.

I'm still contacting the person I've been in touch with every now and then to see if there is change, but the more I wait the less hopeful I am. It sucks when they dick you around like this and you start to wonder, have they really not made a decision on it yet or have they made the decision but not sealed the deal with the other person yet?