entremet
Member
You mean you applied and were rejected?
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Applying for jobs is exhausting and soul-crushing
- Thread starter Moofers
- Start date
You mean you applied and were rejected?
Wulfric
Member
Hi everyone, I'm currently gearing up for another job search and was looking to brush up my resume. I am still going to school, so my resume is oriented towards entry level positions. I've been at my current job (retail) for more than 8 months and wanted something closer to the university. Work study on campus is not an option for me this year, so I am searching in the nearby neighborhoods.
This is what I have right now:
Student, City Institute of Art
Scholarship Recipient, Summer 2013
Enrolled in an intensive two week arts program to advance my illustration skills. Worked after classes to continue working on projects in the studio. Program resulted in several new portfolio and design pieces.
Math and Reading Tutor, Anytown University
October 2013-March 2014
Guided middle school students to their classrooms, as well as help the instructor throughout class. Led group discussions and lesson reviews. Ensured students were picked up by an authorized guardian. Coordinated award distribution at the end of program.
Customer Service Associate, Hardware Store
October 2014-ongoing
Operated front end cash register and customer service desk. Promoted credit and loyalty cards, and offered warranties on eligible products. Guided customers in store and on the phone. Replenished shelf merchandise and informational booklets. Performed necessary store opening and closing procedures quickly and accurately.
Education
University of College
2013-ongoing
Currently studying information technology.
Skills
Fluent in Spanish
Experience building and maintaining desktop PCs, and related hardware.
Proficient with common Windows applications
I'm sending this out to Starbucks, Nordstrom, and a couple other mid-tier retailers. Ideally, I'd like to get an IT gig to tie in with my major, but I don't know how realistic that is with my current work experience. I'd greatly appreciate any feedback and insight any of you might have.
This is what I have right now:
Student, City Institute of Art
Scholarship Recipient, Summer 2013
Enrolled in an intensive two week arts program to advance my illustration skills. Worked after classes to continue working on projects in the studio. Program resulted in several new portfolio and design pieces.
Math and Reading Tutor, Anytown University
October 2013-March 2014
Guided middle school students to their classrooms, as well as help the instructor throughout class. Led group discussions and lesson reviews. Ensured students were picked up by an authorized guardian. Coordinated award distribution at the end of program.
Customer Service Associate, Hardware Store
October 2014-ongoing
Operated front end cash register and customer service desk. Promoted credit and loyalty cards, and offered warranties on eligible products. Guided customers in store and on the phone. Replenished shelf merchandise and informational booklets. Performed necessary store opening and closing procedures quickly and accurately.
Education
University of College
2013-ongoing
Currently studying information technology.
Skills
Fluent in Spanish
Experience building and maintaining desktop PCs, and related hardware.
Proficient with common Windows applications
I'm sending this out to Starbucks, Nordstrom, and a couple other mid-tier retailers. Ideally, I'd like to get an IT gig to tie in with my major, but I don't know how realistic that is with my current work experience. I'd greatly appreciate any feedback and insight any of you might have.
Wulfric
Member
I will try the bullet points for this next draft. Right now the job descriptions are blocks of text on the right side of the page.
Accomplishments are things I should be able to quantify, right? For example, I could instead write "Achieved 15% loyalty card monthly attach rate" or "Year to date merchandise loss prevention: $500 at point of sale". Would that work?
Accomplishments are things I should be able to quantify, right? For example, I could instead write "Achieved 15% loyalty card monthly attach rate" or "Year to date merchandise loss prevention: $500 at point of sale". Would that work?
sonikokaruto
Banned
Got a Psychometrics test tomorrow and a second interview in one company, and the third interview with another company.
I actually had a question for you guys: If I get the job in the second place, but wanna wait for the answer of the 1st one (it has better benefits, better pay and less workload), would i sound like a douchebag if i say "can we hold the signing until friday so i can make the best decision i can"? or will that raise red flags all over them?
I actually had a question for you guys: If I get the job in the second place, but wanna wait for the answer of the 1st one (it has better benefits, better pay and less workload), would i sound like a douchebag if i say "can we hold the signing until friday so i can make the best decision i can"? or will that raise red flags all over them?
flaxknuckles
Member
I'm steadily working towards a System Administrator job but even though the responsibilities go up with each job, the pay stays weirdly low. I wish I could get into another field but I have no idea where to start and already have a few years of IT experience.
IT is a trade that's very much about who you know, unless you happen to have some strong development skills - particularly specialized. Then you can just go private contractor and bill out doctor-type wages. But I got my six figure salary (after bonuses....) and so did many other people I work with because we knew someone someplace. Word gets around a town quickly who can actually do the work and who just has a splendid-looking resume but lacks the tangible skills and knowledge to match.
As a guy in his mid-thirties who has worked a plethora of IT jobs, in corporate America to the state to now not for profit healthcare, I can say that taking sys admin and net engineer jobs that pay low but get you experience while young really pays off. Interning in some capacity as a developer while in college looks really good too (if you happen to have schooled for CS like me). It can easily add another 10-20k to your salary down the line.
Edit: and for some reason the VMware VCP-DCV cert is highly desirable all of the sudden. I took some banal class with a community college and aced the test 100% without studying, started getting offers for $70k-$90k. SO that's a cheap and easy cert to look into. But you have to pass an approved course first, or if you already have years of experience write the VMware CEO and ask for permission.
Jason's Ultimatum
Member
Is it possible to learn data mining online? Seems like good skill to learn for Intel jobs.
Whats people's advice for trying to nab a job in a new industry? It's weird because I feel like I'm a jack of all trades kind of guy and my work history/experience and skills are all over the map. I'm currently studying Game Audio Production at Berklee College of Music and graduated years ago with a Bachelors in English (Creative Writing) but I can never seem to land any kind of writing jobs because my writing is all personal and I have very little professional writing experience. It just sucks knowing you could do many jobs but have no proof. It makes it discouraging to even want to apply because I know I'm just going to waste time and never hear back.
4th job I have been interviewed for and didn't get the job, stay strong man.
FilthyLies
Member
Start a blog and build a portfolio. It's absolutely the best thing you can do to start selling yourself as a writer. Additionally, the practice will help you improve your writing, which will make it easier to eventually get a job.
I have my degree in creative writing as well! Here are my thoughts on getting a job with an English degree. Although I'm employed I still enjoy keeping up the blog, just as a personal outlet. Plus it shows Internet-savvy, which is necessary for all types of writers today.
If you haven't begun one yet, I highly encourage you to do so. Experimenting with SEO isn't a bad career move, either (although I think that industry is slowly dying, it is still relevant at the moment).
Thanks, I appreciate the advice. I did have a video game/film/music pop culture blog for a while which I have those writings saved, but had to shut it off because I couldn't pay for it anymore. I do have a personal portfolio website with my music and poetry. I guess I'm just wondering what kind of job will make me decent money with my skills. SEO is interesting but I weirdly don't understand it really.
The_Darkest_Red
Member
Glad to hear your interview went well, my friend! Superintendent of an operation like that is no joke, I'm sure it would be a lot of work but it would also be a great move for you. I hope it works out.
I appreciate your help but thankfully I got the job I interviewed for last Friday! I am supposed to get an official offer sometime today. Needless to say I am pretty excited about it.
The whole job search process is so awful. I applied to at least 30 jobs, many of which I was very qualified for, and never got a single interview. I was contacted by a recruiter about the position I'm getting an offer for and was able to land it through a couple solid interviews. I guess LinkedIn really is more important than applying for jobs online.
Captain Tuttle
Member
In my experience you have to get in front of people, talk to them and sell yourself. That doesn't mean waiting for a call about an interview, network, go to job fairs etc.
It's tough though, an employer will most likely wait until they find a candidate that fill the role. I was never able to make the switch and I still want to.
Yeah, it's definitely all face to face communication and connections for sure. I'm usually pretty introverted until I'm around people and then I can kind of pretend that I'm extroverted. It's not a bad skill to have. I've been waiting to hear back about an internship at Harmonix. I'm easily qualified for it and a friend of mine who knows the recruiter there. She forwarded my resume and cover letter to her and put in a good word for me. It's been like a month and I haven't heard a thing. It's like what else do I need to make my dream come true?
Antiwhippy
the holder of the trombone
Finally, after months of intermittent freelance work with unsuccessful applications for a full time role, I finally found a most likely full time position as a graphic designer.
They'll start me off with a part-time trail and the pay will most likely be shit because I low balled the hell out of myself in order to be more appealing, but I'm just glad I got a way into an industry that values experience a lot. Also an industry that I love.
Also a roughly 4 hour commute each day but I strangely don't mind that. I tend to prefer longer commutes if anything. Gives me time to myself.
They'll start me off with a part-time trail and the pay will most likely be shit because I low balled the hell out of myself in order to be more appealing, but I'm just glad I got a way into an industry that values experience a lot. Also an industry that I love.
Also a roughly 4 hour commute each day but I strangely don't mind that. I tend to prefer longer commutes if anything. Gives me time to myself.
DiddysKongQuest
Member
The interview today was pretty much perfect and the people were even nicer than in their mails. There was mutual sympathy from the start.
The only downside is that they also want me to do trial work for 3 days next week.
The only downside is that they also want me to do trial work for 3 days next week.
anonymous_abc
Member
See the upside of it you can get a feel for whether the colleagues and workplace are a good match for you.
DiddysKongQuest
Member
Yeah, I really shouldn't complain about that. I'm just tired of doing trial work and getting rejected afterwards.
Will work my ass off for them next week though. I want to work at that place more than anything.
Agent Icebeezy
Welcome beautful toddler, Madison Elizabeth, to the horde!
Phone interview to be an assistant controller in Chicago. Pay is outstanding. Call is at 11 am CST. Its a step up from my current gig but many of the same tasks as my current gig. I feel good and I've already printed my cheat sheet for call.
Agent Icebeezy
Welcome beautful toddler, Madison Elizabeth, to the horde!
Call was great, lasted 25 minutes. Now the waiting game to see if I'm called in for a real interview.
Another day, three different stock rejection emails for three different positions in the same company within the span of 3 hours.
Beginning to really, really believe I am worthless and I wasted my time in grad school.
Time to apply for retail, because it's not like I'll get a job this way.
Beginning to really, really believe I am worthless and I wasted my time in grad school.
Time to apply for retail, because it's not like I'll get a job this way.
smokeandmirrors
Banned
I got a call about a job that I missed. The woman left a voicemail but I can't properly hear what her name is... I need to return the call but my anxiety is off the charts due to not knowing who to ask for...
At least you're getting interviews. Always a step in the right direction. Doesn't hurt to ask for pointers from the interviewers.
Rose of Eternity
Banned
It's her direct number or a general number?
Simply give your name and explain you're returning a call but don't know the name. They'll put you in touch with someone and you can confirm their name. Or if it's their direct number just ask to confirm their name again. You can spin it that you want to confirm the spelling or something if it bothers you that much.
smokeandmirrors
Banned
It was a general number, but I finally figured it out after listening to the voicemail like a billion times.
But yeah I ended up approaching it first by giving my name and telling them I was returning a call from someone so it all worked out in the end either way.
Agent Icebeezy
Welcome beautful toddler, Madison Elizabeth, to the horde!
Didn't have to wait long. Face to face interview next Friday.
Captain Tuttle
Member
Nice, good luck!
Got my second interview with a company I mentioned before, I think the job is mine if I want it, the recruiter seems to think so. I've never used a recruiter, I guess they handle all salary negotiations right?
Anyway, I've heard alot of crap about Monster but since I've put my resume on there I've been getting tons of interest. You never know I guess.
Edit: I know it sucks to hear but hang in there to everyone who is struggling. I was a stay at home Dad for 5 years before I started to look for work...took three years to get back in. I had more rejections than you could imagine and gave up multiple times. All it took was getting in front of people who had a need that I could fill once and I had a job. It happens and you'll get through this.
How many job applications do you guys send when you're unemployed?
I got laid off at the end of july and I've sent out like... 137 so far. Probably average 20 a day when I apply. Normally alternate days (spend one day finding jobs to apply for, leave them open in tabs. then apply for them the next day)
I got laid off at the end of july and I've sent out like... 137 so far. Probably average 20 a day when I apply. Normally alternate days (spend one day finding jobs to apply for, leave them open in tabs. then apply for them the next day)
Agent Icebeezy
Welcome beautful toddler, Madison Elizabeth, to the horde!
Monster, careerbuilder and others get crapped on for some reason or another. I honestly have no clue. This application was done directly through the website.
Also, thanks and good luck to you as well.
Agent Icebeezy
Welcome beautful toddler, Madison Elizabeth, to the horde!
I did this while working. Finding a job in a job itself.
I was doing that for the last month or so of my job until I got laid off. I was only able to get like... 15 or so out a week then
User 463088
Banned
Haven't posted in here before, but I felt like posting the good news.
I've been out of work for about two years now due to some health issues. Finally feeling up to getting back into the workforce. With the huge gap in employment, I kinda applied for things below my skill level, but that's fine.
I applied for the job on Friday. They called me on Tuesday. I interviewed (phone) on Wednesday. Had a Skype interview today which actually wasn't an interview but an offer. Filled out all the paperwok, and I start on Tuesday. I also get to work entirely from home. The pay's a little less than what I was making before, but hey, gotta re-start somewhere, right?
I've been out of work for about two years now due to some health issues. Finally feeling up to getting back into the workforce. With the huge gap in employment, I kinda applied for things below my skill level, but that's fine.
I applied for the job on Friday. They called me on Tuesday. I interviewed (phone) on Wednesday. Had a Skype interview today which actually wasn't an interview but an offer. Filled out all the paperwok, and I start on Tuesday. I also get to work entirely from home. The pay's a little less than what I was making before, but hey, gotta re-start somewhere, right?
How should I go about applying at the place where I worked for 4 months as a co-op in 2012? Specifically, should I message my old supervisor on Linkedin? I talked to him last christmas but there hasn't been any communication other than that.
Should I email my applications the regular way, or apply through him, or what?
Should I email my applications the regular way, or apply through him, or what?
fluffydelusions
Member
Grats! Yeah man, gotta do what you gotta do to pay the bills
HP_Wuvcraft
Banned
"Tell me a time when you provided bad customer service. No, go ahead, I'll wait."
why the fuck is this even a question?
At least you nailed the phone portion.
why the fuck is this even a question?
At least you nailed the phone portion.
Finished an interview a couple of hours ago for a position I desperately want. It would be a managerial position in IT for a huge company. Everything went well and my potential hiring manager had nothing but positive things to say. She even said, "Expect to hear from me next week." We already went over salary stuff and when I would be able to start too. This could be it GAF. My dead-end job of 9 years might finally be coming to an end!
theepicoftyler
Member
They're seeing how you answer a hard question. They might not care about what of the answer so much as the how in your response.
I got a similar question in one of my recent interviews that was basically like "describe one of your biggest failures", or something to that extent. I don't even remember the question exactly because I was so taken off guard by the question.
entremet
Member
Interviewers can be dumb. They are human after all. As someone who has interviewed many people, there are ways to ask a negative question without being so obtuse.
Also interviews are mostly bullshit, be we have to play that game.
I've help hired really great interviews that flamed out and really poor interviews that became stars.
FilthyLies
Member
SEO basically entails writing short pieces on X subject, and managing to cram the targeted search query ("buy cheap cocaine" or whatever) into the copy as much as possible. Not very creatively fulfilling but there are a TON of jobs in the field. Generally are titled "Content Writer" or something similar. It's pretty easy to learn the basics by Googling around. Here, again, the blog helps, as you can practice and see what works and what doesn't.
You can host a blog for free on Wordpress, which is also a great platform to get to know. Having an understanding of the Wordpress CMS is definitely a skill employers are looking for right now.
In my (paid) internship right now I am actually basically building simple Wordpress websites, a skill I learned by maintaining and working on blogs. I can't recommend Wordpress enough. The Wordpress platform is used by a number of major publications, including some I'm sure you'd like to write for. Having a basic understanding of web-based CMS is essential for aspiring writers today.
EDIT: just realized this kind of reads like SEO copy, lol. I'm not marketing, I promise.
The hiring manager I interviewed with today actually asked me if she walked into a subway restaurant and didn't know what she wanted to order, what would I do? I was like, "The fuck does this have to do with anything?" I played it off well and got a good chuckle out of her. Bottom line is a lot of those random question are mostly just to see how you respond.
So it's been just over a week since that phone interview I had. I decided to call up the HR girl today so I'm not left wondering over the weekend, and she said my interviewer thought I was great and wants to arrange a face-to-face, then she asked me when I'm available. I wasn't sure if she was just giving me some lip service, but when I got home I received an email from her confirming Friday 28th as my interview date 
I know the know the phone thing was just a screening process and the real hurdle will be the face-to-face (where they'll be two interviewers), I actually feel more excited than nervous.
I only had a single evening to prep for the phone interview, so with two weeks to prep for the real thing I'm feeling super confident!
I know the know the phone thing was just a screening process and the real hurdle will be the face-to-face (where they'll be two interviewers), I actually feel more excited than nervous.
I only had a single evening to prep for the phone interview, so with two weeks to prep for the real thing I'm feeling super confident!
Gabriel_Logan
Member
Speaking of phone interviews what are some good tips? Got one on Monday.
xKilltheMx
Member
-Have your work history with job descriptions and experiences written down.
- Think of hard times at work/school and write them down
- Write down anything you may forget.
- Make sure you have a quiet area, if you live with somebody tell them to leave you alone during it.
- WRITE. DOWN. Trust me, stumbling over your words makes you feel like shit during it. Answer " I dont know" makes you look unprepared.
- Dont stress out, which you wont because you'll have taken my advice and written everything down so when you get asked a question you know you have it written down.
- Oh be personable. If you can get your interviewer to laugh good. All business may be nice but they want somebody they can like too.
Make sure you are in a quiet environment with no distractions. Prepare some talking points beforehand for common interview questions (strengths, weaknesses, etc., etc.) - brief notes are fine, no need to write an essay. The most important thing, I think, is being well-rested and having your wits about you.
Edit: Beaten, and more thoroughly, too. Great advice from M.
I'll be made fun of for saying this but really, after a certain point it feels like you've been rejected by society and all your dreams/aspirations/desires have come to a halt. It's time to think of new life and new possibilities than the ones that made you work hard all these years. I guess I'm being a tad over dramatic but I think at this point I'm going to have to revise my career goals and what I want out of my life.
I don't you're going to be made fun of by anyone here. Staying grounded can be sobering, but it's definitely something you should do. Don't worry too much about it - (most) everyone has a realization at some point that they are not going to do what they thought they would be doing when they first set out. It's all well and good to spout "do what you love" nonsense, but reality is rarely so rosy.
Agent Icebeezy
Welcome beautful toddler, Madison Elizabeth, to the horde!
I teach part time at a university and have been doing it for almost 4 years, I have confidence in my speaking abilities. I interview well so I'll definitely have my A game on Friday.
We will sometimes be thrown curveballs at work where you have to think on your feet. That question, however weird, is designed to see what type of action you'd take because it'd be based off of traits and pure instinct.