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[ChaoticBlue]

After getting laid off since May, I finally received an offer letter as an IT technician pending the background check. The job is not so great for me pay and benefits wise that I'm looking for, but I do want the experience and need the money to pay bills.

So today my previous employer contacted me saying a background check company had contacted them to verify my previous employment.

I only consented my previous company to only give out my dates hired, last day worked and my title. They said the background check company wanted more information beyond my dates hired, last day worked and my title. I told my previous company NOT to give out anymore information. I think dates hired, last day worked and my title are good enough to verify previous employment.

Why would a background check company need more information beyond what was given to them to verify employment? I think they are just snooping around for dirt on me. My previous boss and I didn't really get along which I suspected led to my laidoff.

I hope this background check will not hinder the job offer.

 

[Pastry]

Do interviewers cut interviews short? Is that a thing?

They'll do what they can to get your out the door as quick as possible. Not let you ask questions, say they have a meeting, etc.

 

[anonymous_abc]

On Friday morning I got a voicemail from a place I applied at. I called back that afternoon, but it went to voicemail. I left a message with my name and number, but they haven't called back yet. Should I try calling again?

Cannot do any harm, I would always hesitate to leave a voice mail and instead do my best to try and reach a person first.

 

[entremet]

After getting laid off since May, I finally received an offer letter as an IT technician pending the background check. The job is not so great for me pay and benefits wise that I'm looking for, but I do want the experience and need the money to pay bills.

So today my previous employer contacted me saying a background check company had contacted them to verify my previous employment.

I only consented my previous company to only give out my dates hired, last day worked and my title. They said the background check company wanted more information beyond my dates hired, last day worked and my title. I told my previous company NOT to give out anymore information. I think dates hired, last day worked and my title are good enough to verify previous employment.

Why would a background check company need more information beyond what was given to them to verify employment? I think they are just snooping around for dirt on me. My previous boss and I didn't really get along which I suspected led to my laidoff.

I hope this background check will not hinder the job offer.

I thought they couldn't ask anything beyond that? You may want to check with your local employment laws.

 

[Nightengale]

So I managed to get myself a good offer, though obviously still pending background check.

Let's see how that goes.

 

[dan2026]

I don't think I have much soul left.

A string of jobs I have gone though all the games of applying, interviews, trials, only to fail at the final hurdle each time. Don't know what I am doing wrong. Feels like I am just losing a dice roll every time.

Feel like just jumping off a bridge at times.

 

[spuckthew]

In preparation for my interview next Friday, which will be my first for over two and a half years and my first having served a company for more than three months, who's the best person to give as a reference if I'm asked at the interview?

I work in IT and my line manager is really only person who knows my role inside out, but many people reckon HR is sufficient because some companies only require proof of identity, length of service, and job title.

I also help oversee the IT operations at another site, but I am not actually employed or paid by them (I added it to my CV as 'Consultancy'). Should I provide my contact at this site as a reference too? (There's almost no proof that I do work for them otherwise.)

On a separate note, would it be fair to ask my interviewers (in an assertive way) something like "Do I have an offer then?" if asked for references then and there? I'd rather only provide references after a conditional offer.

 

[entremet]

I don't think I have much soul left.

A string of jobs I have gone though all the games of applying, interviews, trials, only to fail at the final hurdle each time. Don't know what I am doing wrong. Feels like I am just losing a dice roll every time.

Feel like just jumping off a bridge at times.

I have a friend that's been unemployed for 3 years. He's not a bum either. He has a law degree and one of the smartest dudes I ever met.

Keep persevering. Use the downtime to learn skills too. Youtube, Udemy, Coursera, Lynda.com.

 

[Grexeno]

I'm thinking about applying to a research technician (I'm a biochem major) position in Cleveland. Want to send a nice cover letter, but I don't have much experience with those at all. Anyone have a favorite resource?

 

[entremet]

I'm thinking about applying to a research technician (I'm a biochem major) position in Cleveland. Want to send a nice cover letter, but I don't have much experience with those at all. Anyone have a favorite resource?

This is a great resource. It's only 9 bucks on Kindle. It has a whole bunch of samples to get your thinking going.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1440536805/?tag=neogaf0e-20

You could also post a draft here and we could help you.

 

[Grexeno]

This is a great resource. It's only 9 bucks on Kindle. It has a whole bunch of samples to get your thinking going.

http://www.amazon.com/Knock-Dead-Cov.../dp/1440536805

You could also post a draft here and we could help you.

Any free resources?

 

[johnFkennedy]

So I got an email last week from a hiring manager saying that he was very impressed with me and would be in touch during the next business week with his decision. It is now Thursday of next week and I haven't heard from him. Should I be worried? I plan on sending him an email tomorrow if I don't hear back by end of day today.

 

[Blues1990]

So I got an email last week from a hiring manager saying that he was very impressed with me and would be in touch during the next business week with his decision. It is now Thursday of next week and I haven't heard from him. Should I be worried? I plan on sending him an email tomorrow if I don't hear back by end of day today.

It wouldn't hurt to drop him a line, as it's better to know if you got the job or not.

 

[entremet]

Any free resources?

Let me check.

Here's a good one:

https://www.reddit.com/r/SocialEngi...to_write_the_ultimate_resumecover_letter_and/

 

[SaskBoy]

Cannot do any harm, I would always hesitate to leave a voice mail and instead do my best to try and reach a person first.

The person that left me a voicemail specifically asked me to call them back. So I'm not sure who else I could talk to. I tried calling again today and the receptionist (I'm assuming) told me she was in a meeting and transferred me to her voicemail again. I left another message and I guess I'll just wait for her to call back.

 

[la flama blanca]

Anyone here experience applying for jobs with a record? Specifically graphic design? It's really stressful to do on top of also only having a work authorization permit.

 

[entremet]

Anyone here experience applying for jobs with a record? Specifically graphic design? It's really stressful to do on top of also only having a work authorization permit.

Like criminal record?

No. But you may want to try smaller companies instead companies with huge HR departments.

Best of luck. That can be tough.

Also, consider offering your services on Fiver, CL, Elance, etc.

 

[la flama blanca]

Like criminal record?

No. But you may want to try smaller companies instead companies with huge HR departments.

Best of luck. That can be tough.

Also, consider offering your services on Fiver, CL, Elance, etc.

It's tricky because I've worked at a large company and have a good portfolio along with the fact that despite it being a federal crime, it's not necessarily one that involves drugs or serious theft. I've never been in jail and was actually given leniency despite the charge. Are these things that a potential employer would be receptive to? I'm not looking to work in a bank or anything, again it's very tricky, but im hoping to just be honest and open about everything with whoever I interview with.

 

[entremet]

It's tricky because I've worked at a large company and have a good portfolio along with the fact that despite it being a federal crime, it's not necessarily one that involves any sort of drug or serious theft. I've never been in jail and was actually given leniency despite the charge. Are these things that a potential employer would be receptive to? I'm not looking to work in a bank or anything, again it's very tricky, but im hoping to just be honest and open about everything with whoever I interview with.

I've noticed that smaller companies and startups don't really ask about your criminal record and such.

YMMV.

I'd consult a lawyer honestly.

 

[la flama blanca]

I've noticed that smaller companies and startups don't really ask about your criminal record and such.

YMMV.

I'd consult a lawyer honestly.

Yeah I've noticed that too, thanks.

 

[unholyrevenger72]

I don't think I have much soul left.

A string of jobs I have gone though all the games of applying, interviews, trials, only to fail at the final hurdle each time. Don't know what I am doing wrong. Feels like I am just losing a dice roll every time.

That's what life is Dice Rolls. People just say work hard and it'll pay off, when in truth, working hard is the act of rolling the dice, and there is no guarantee that all of your hard work will ever pay off.

 

[Darren870]

In preparation for my interview next Friday, which will be my first for over two and a half years and my first having served a company for more than three months, who's the best person to give as a reference if I'm asked at the interview?

I work in IT and my line manager is really only person who knows my role inside out, but many people reckon HR is sufficient because some companies only require proof of identity, length of service, and job title.

I also help oversee the IT operations at another site, but I am not actually employed or paid by them (I added it to my CV as 'Consultancy'). Should I provide my contact at this site as a reference too? (There's almost no proof that I do work for them otherwise.)

On a separate note, would it be fair to ask my interviewers (in an assertive way) something like "Do I have an offer then?" if asked for references then and there? I'd rather only provide references after a conditional offer.

Does your boss know you are interviewing? If so then that's okay. If not then use work friends or just HR.

I never used my company for references when I was interviewing.

You likely won't get asked for references. Usually that would be done during the background check, which by that time everyone should know you are out the door.

 

[spuckthew]

Does your boss know you are interviewing? If so then that's okay. If not then use work friends or just HR.

I never used my company for references when I was interviewing.

You likely won't get asked for references. Usually that would be done during the background check, which by that time everyone should know you are out the door.

Nah. Ideally I'd tell him after the interview on condition of an offer. It just gets awkward if I'm forced to tell him and I don't know if I'm in or not...then my boss knows I want to leave if I'm stuck working there for a bit longer (or maybe I can use it as leverage for a pay rise, because it's mainly the money why I'm wanting to leave - the new position would give me a £10K pay rise).

I presume if I just told my HR department they would have to keep it to themselves if I told them in confidence about my desire to move on and request subsequent references?

I might just use the consultancy place as my reference because my contact there is the nicest lady alive.

 

[Captain Tuttle]

I'm actively interviewing and would never think to give anyone at my current job as a reference. I don't think the companies I'm interviewing with have a problem with that either

 

[smokeandmirrors]

I was going to send a followup email after my interview but I don't quite know who to email it to. The company used an application thing so i can't exactly start an email. Should I just respond to the interview confirmation email?

 

[Captain Tuttle]

I was going to send a followup email after my interview but I don't quite know who to email it to. The company used an application thing so i can't exactly start an email. Should I just respond to the interview confirmation email?

Did you get the business card of the person who interviewed you?

 

[smokeandmirrors]

Did you get the business card of the person who interviewed you?

No. The entire interview was 'paperless' and was more of a technical interview that could've probably been done on the phone. (also i fucked up and completely forgot to ask for one :\)

I think I figured out how to send an email through this webapp so I may just send a quick email addressed to the person since it'll probably just end up in a general notification pool.

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

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.

I hit it out of the fucking park. Interviewed with my potential new boss and HR. Laughing, small story telling and she liked how I vetted her. In my follow up email to her today, I put my best foot forward. She emailed me back 2 minutes later, telling me that since the interview, she vetted me and was also very impressed. Also that HR will be contacting me very soon. I sent a follow-up to HR as well because I had to take a test on excel before I left and I'm sure they were going through the materials I brought with me to support my candidacy while I was taking the test. HR asks me to send her a list of people to call for phone references. I think I will be writing a two week notice next week. If not, back on the grind I go.

 

[mugwhump]

omg omg I have 2 phone interviews next week, any tips? What should I wear

 

[Mr.Mike]

omg omg I have 2 phone interviews next week, any tips? What should I wear

Dressing up nice might not actually be the worst idea, if it helps you feel more confident somehow .

 

[Nathan_Drake]

omg omg I have 2 phone interviews next week, any tips? What should I wear

Sounds weird as shit but dress business casual and look in a mirror lol. I am not sure.if it helped or was good luck but I had 3 phone interviews and they all went awesome. I felt weird and embarrassed but my wife asked that I do it. It was even more weird because I was in my F-150 and brought a little wall mirror ha.

The first interview I did so well that after I got off the phone I received a call back from my recruiter and they were amazed because they offered me a job after the phone interview which they never do because it's the step before an in person interview. But I did so well they said they it was good enough! I didn't take it because it was temporary work until December and only paid 14 an hour which is low for my degrees and military experience.

I then had 2 phone interviews with a Hospital that had a position I really wanted and was related to my experience and degrees. The first one went well and got me in to having an in person interview with the manager and then one with peers. Those went okay but were hard and consisted of showing work using excel and some other programs on a projector in front of the office! After that I didn't hear anything for 3 weeks. I emailed them and they said I was still in the running and it was a long process.

Ugh I am poor and need a paycheck bad at this point (have a wife and kid and no longer getting college loans and GI Bill housing money) so I start thinking I am going to have to take whatever and regretting turning down the 14 an hour... then I get a call back a week later asking for another phone interview with a manager that was gone during the in person meetings. The next day I dressed up and took my mirror. The interview went really well and she said I should feel confident and expect to hear something on Monday (this was a Friday fortunately).

On Monday the boss called and said really nice things and made an offer. Not sure if I was suppose to negotiate but it was a really good salary and I said yes and thanks ha.

So TL;DR
Dress Business Casual.
Have a mirror around and look into it off and on.

I finally got a great paying job with great benefits at a great company. After the soul crushing search that I have shared with many of you I am happy to say I am employed and orientation starts tomorrow!

I wish all of you luck honestly. It is all about persistence and confidence. I started emailing HR Offices directly to ask for meetings (not interviews) to learn about the company and ask what my experience would relate to the best within the company. It's a trick to gain some rapport and maybe preferential treatment. Online applications suck and are so time consuming. Talking to someone is the key so call them. Go to local networking meetups.

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

Sounds weird as shit but dress business casual and look in a mirror lol. I am not sure.if it helped or was good luck but I had 3 phone interviews and they all went awesome. I felt weird and embarrassed but my wife asked that I do it. It was even more weird because I was in my F-150 and brought a little wall mirror ha.

The first interview I did so well that after I got off the phone I received a call back from my recruiter and they were amazed because they offered me a job after the phone interview which they never do because it's the step before an in person interview. But I did so well they said they it was good enough! I didn't take it because it was temporary work until December and only paid 14 an hour which is low for my degrees and military experience.

I then had 2 phone interviews with a Hospital that had a position I really wanted and was related to my experience and degrees. The first one went well and got me in to having an in person interview with the manager and then one with peers. Those went okay but were hard and consisted of showing work using excel and some other programs on a projector in front of the office! After that I didn't hear anything for 3 weeks. I emailed them and they said I was still in the running and it was a long process.

Ugh I am poor and need a paycheck bad at this point (have a wife and kid and no longer getting college loans and GI Bill housing money) so I start thinking I am going to have to take whatever and regretting turning down the 14 an hour... then I get a call back a week later asking for another phone interview with a manager that was gone during the in person meetings. The next day I dressed up and took my mirror. The interview went really well and she said I should feel confident and expect to hear something on Monday (this was a Friday fortunately).

On Monday the boss called and said really nice things and made an offer. Not sure if I was suppose to negotiate but it was a really good salary and I said yes and thanks ha.

So TL;DR
Dress Business Casual.
Have a mirror around and look into it off and on.

I finally got a great paying job with great benefits at a great company. After the soul crushing search that I have shared with many of you I am happy to say I am employed and orientation starts tomorrow!

I wish all of you luck honestly. It is all about persistence and confidence. I started emailing HR Offices directly to ask for meetings (not interviews) to learn about the company and ask what my experience would relate to the best within the company. It's a trick to gain some rapport and maybe preferential treatment. Online applications suck and are so time consuming. Talking to someone is the key so call them. Go to local networking meetups.

Ah, Excel, so glad that I genuinely know it. Also, some good advice to chew on about called HR offices. Trying to cut out middlemen. Also, though I do know the results of my personal interview, I want to take advice from America's biggest blowhard currently, Mr. Donald Trump as it relates to selling yourself. It's called thinking past the sale. Not sounding smug and presumptuous but for example, at the end of the interview, in which I knew that I did well, left with the wording that my history has been vetted in working in a hospital, which I do now, education, as I'm an adjunct instructor as while as child services for my state. Health, education and kids, that's a great trinity of things to have in your back pocket. Basically saying, getting to know who I am has already been done for you, offer me the job so that we can get this rolling. Not to mention saying that my references would be ready whenever you are ready to call them. At the end of the interview, HR caught me on the way out to ask me for references, got home, follow up email, gave them two. I'm hoping for good news from them on Monday.

 

[openrob]

First interview in a couple of hours!
Have to do a presentation - just doing the powerpoint now.
Its only 5 minutes, so have to really carefully decide on content.

Fingers crossed!

 

[Nathan_Drake]

Ah, Excel, so glad that I genuinely know it. Also, some good advice to chew on about called HR offices. Trying to cut out middlemen. Also, though I do know the results of my personal interview, I want to take advice from America's biggest blowhard currently, Mr. Donald Trump as it relates to selling yourself. It's called thinking past the sale. Not sounding smug and presumptuous but for example, at the end of the interview, in which I knew that I did well, left with the wording that my history has been vetted in working in a hospital, which I do now, education, as I'm an adjunct instructor as while as child services for my state. Health, education and kids, that's a great trinity of things to have in your back pocket. Basically saying, getting to know who I am has already been done for you, offer me the job so that we can get this rolling. Not to mention saying that my references would be ready whenever you are ready to call them. At the end of the interview, HR caught me on the way out to ask me for references, got home, follow up email, gave them two. I'm hoping for good news from them on Monday.

Good luck on getting hired. Donald Trump (shiver)... selling yourself and having confidence is great and most people know the line before cockiness is reached ha.

First interview in a couple of hours!
Have to do a presentation - just doing the powerpoint now.
Its only 5 minutes, so have to really carefully decide on content.

Fingers crossed!

Good luck! Be memorable. I went early in the process so I was nervous I would be forgotten. But I was personable and said some.funny shit I guess that he remembered. Followup emails are critical. Also take notes. I had a peer interview so I wrote down the name of everyone that way in my follow up email I included all their names and talked about how I thought I would be a good fit to the team with Bob Suzy and rob ha.

Some other advice I recommend heavily is a great business card. I made online and went to Office Depot or Staples because they do 500 for 9.99 and they are ready same day. The key is standout. I had my head shot take up a 1/3 of my card. It's memorable and they won't forgot who you are. I also used the rest to put education, experience, and skills like a mini resume. Message me if you want to see a picture of it. I got a lot of great comments on it. Great on a budget too. I put on a shirt and tie and basketball shorts ha, then used my beds headboard as a background, and had my wife take a few pics. So headshots and 500 business cards for 9.99 plus tax! Ha it is invaluable.

 

[openrob]

Good luck on getting hired. Donald Trump (shiver)... selling yourself and having confidence is great and most people know the line before cockiness is reached ha.



Good luck! Be memorable. I went early in the process so I was nervous I would be forgotten. But I was personable and said some.funny shit I guess that he remembered. Followup emails are critical. Also take notes. I had a peer interview so I wrote down the name of everyone that way in my follow up email I included all their names and talked about how I thought I would be a good fit to the team with Bob Suzy and rob ha.

Some other advice I recommend heavily is a great business card. I made online and went to Office Depot or Staples because they do 500 for 9.99 and they are ready same day. The key is standout. I had my head shot take up a 1/3 of my card. It's memorable and they won't forgot who you are. I also used the rest to put education, experience, and skills like a mini resume. Message me if you want to see a picture of it. I got a lot of great comments on it. Great on a budget too. I put on a shirt and tie and basketball shorts ha, then used my beds headboard as a background, and had my wife take a few pics. So headshots and 500 business cards for 9.99 plus tax! Ha it is invaluable.

Wankers!!!!!!

Long story short. Turn up EARLY.
They say they have parking on site, but it is full when I arrive. Have to wait almost 30 mins for a space, meanwhile I am in constant contact with them.

Get there and they say interview cancelled because of time constraints. Most likely not rearranging.

Spent all that time preparing and really getting psyched for the role. Exhausting and soul crushing is an apt thread title!

P.s. thanks for the advice though, will do that going forward.

 

[anonymous_abc]

Wankers!!!!!!

Long story short. Turn up EARLY.
They say they have parking on site, but it is full when I arrive. Have to wait almost 30 mins for a space, meanwhile I am in constant contact with them.

Get there and they say interview cancelled because of time constraints. Most likely not rearranging.

Spent all that time preparing and really getting psyched for the role. Exhausting and soul crushing is an apt thread title!

P.s. thanks for the advice though, will do that going forward.

Couldn't you have found a different parking spot within those 30 minutes?
Anyway, live and learn. Turn up even earlier next time.

 

[Randy Solo]

I graduated from a Degree in Game Design (Australia) 18 months ago and have been unemployed ever since. I've lost count of how many positions I've applied for and it has caused depression. I never hear back from applications, and have been applying for jobs in my old retail and hospitality industries but seem to be over qualified now, and my experience is out dated. Even if I got responses from these roles I know I wouldn't be able to fake it through the interviews as I've grown to despise customer service. I've had to move back to my old town that is mostly full of trades and industrial estates which has limited my options even further. I'm not sure what my next move is. Has anyone else recovered from a Game Degree that didn't work out? I've even been through Defence Force recruiting that lasted 6 months which ended with an MRI scan on my back that showed some issues causing a final road block for the positions. Sorry, but it feels good to get that off my chest.

 

[anonymous_abc]

I graduated from a Degree in Game Design (Australia) 18 months ago and have been unemployed ever since. I've lost count of how many positions I've applied for and it has caused depression. I never hear back from applications, and have been applying for jobs in my old retail and hospitality industries but seem to be over qualified now, and my experience is out dated. Even if I got responses from these roles I know I wouldn't be able to fake it through the interviews as I've grown to despise customer service. I've had to move back to my old town that is mostly full of trades and industrial estates which has limited my options even further. I'm not sure what my next move is. Has anyone else recovered from a Game Degree that didn't work out? I've even been through Defence Force recruiting that lasted 6 months which ended with an MRI scan on my back that showed some issues causing a final road block for the positions. Sorry, but it feels good to get that off my chest.

Haven't you learnt all sorts of auxiliary skills you could use?
E.g. Programming, IT, etc...

 

[Pastry]

Sounds weird as shit but dress business casual and look in a mirror lol. I am not sure.if it helped or was good luck but I had 3 phone interviews and they all went awesome. I felt weird and embarrassed but my wife asked that I do it. It was even more weird because I was in my F-150 and brought a little wall mirror ha.

The first interview I did so well that after I got off the phone I received a call back from my recruiter and they were amazed because they offered me a job after the phone interview which they never do because it's the step before an in person interview. But I did so well they said they it was good enough! I didn't take it because it was temporary work until December and only paid 14 an hour which is low for my degrees and military experience.

I then had 2 phone interviews with a Hospital that had a position I really wanted and was related to my experience and degrees. The first one went well and got me in to having an in person interview with the manager and then one with peers. Those went okay but were hard and consisted of showing work using excel and some other programs on a projector in front of the office! After that I didn't hear anything for 3 weeks. I emailed them and they said I was still in the running and it was a long process.

Ugh I am poor and need a paycheck bad at this point (have a wife and kid and no longer getting college loans and GI Bill housing money) so I start thinking I am going to have to take whatever and regretting turning down the 14 an hour... then I get a call back a week later asking for another phone interview with a manager that was gone during the in person meetings. The next day I dressed up and took my mirror. The interview went really well and she said I should feel confident and expect to hear something on Monday (this was a Friday fortunately).

On Monday the boss called and said really nice things and made an offer. Not sure if I was suppose to negotiate but it was a really good salary and I said yes and thanks ha.

So TL;DR
Dress Business Casual.
Have a mirror around and look into it off and on.

I finally got a great paying job with great benefits at a great company. After the soul crushing search that I have shared with many of you I am happy to say I am employed and orientation starts tomorrow!

I wish all of you luck honestly. It is all about persistence and confidence. I started emailing HR Offices directly to ask for meetings (not interviews) to learn about the company and ask what my experience would relate to the best within the company. It's a trick to gain some rapport and maybe preferential treatment. Online applications suck and are so time consuming. Talking to someone is the key so call them. Go to local networking meetups.

Congrats on the offer!

 

[Randy Solo]

Haven't you learnt all sorts of auxiliary skills you could use?
E.g. Programming, IT, etc...

Yeah, but the way the degree was set up you became a Jack of all Trades and a master of none. It was a relatively new degree, and they were still tinkering with the units. I was forced to take an architecture unit as a core that isn't even part of the degree anymore, and in no way helps me to become an architect. Another core unit had us creating a level using the Starcraft 2 editor. Really felt like we were passing time rather than learning real world skills. The major I chose was game design, and hindsight says i should've chosen programming or animation. My minor was sound design, and I've been working on this skill set constantly as I have a passion for recording music. I would happily take an IT position, and am constantly applying for them, and am willing to travel if need be.

 

[Murkas]

Following on from my last post, I got a second interview, never really had one before. In everyone else experience, what separates them from the first interview?

 

[Pastry]

Following on from my last post, I got a second interview, never really had one before. In everyone else experience, what separates them from the first interview?

Depends on what happened in your first interview but typically it's more technical and checking to see if you're a culture fit.

 

[Nathan_Drake]

Following on from my last post, I got a second interview, never really had one before. In everyone else experience, what separates them from the first interview?

Mine was a peer interview. They ultimately picked best team fit

 

[The Cowboy]

Never posted in this thread before, but its been an interesting few months.

I've been unemployed for quite some time (a few years), something that generally i haven't commented on much, however back in April i was suggested to apply for a Civil servant apprenticeship position by my jobcentre advisor, i wasn't expecting anything to come from it but went for it anyways (generally i apply for anything). I did the stage 1 application and managed to get past it, for stage 2 i had to do 2 tests for maths and literacy (timed with working out various things from a bunch of questions), i thought i had failed this big time as i was not confident at all in my scores (you had to get past an undisclosed score to get to the next stage) but to my surprise i got past it (With very high marks). For stage 3 it involved a half day session, this included team exercises, a written test and an interview - after this things went dark until June.

Then it happened, i got a conditional offer, i had to do a number of checks (DBS, Health, ID and references) - this all completed last week and over the past few days I've got all the big info. I start my new job on the 14th of next month, I'm on £9.44 an hour for now and it might increase next April (for those that don't know, UK minimum is £6.50) and this is on an 18 month apprenticeship contract (which if passed goes onto a full time proper contract).

I've been unemployed for a very long time, and it seems not only have i gotten a job but I've gotten into an actual career path job - so very happy right now, and its going to be a great Christmas this year for me and my daughter .

PS.
My position is in the inland revenue (I'm now a tax man) .

 

[Valkerionseven]

Finally caved and started apply to gift shop jobs :/ sucks living in such a small town but it's really the only option while I keep hope for my dream job of teaching english abroad.

 

[Cormano]

Got a Skype interview tomorrow (Country Manager), i've been trying to get a new job for 2 years now and this is far i've gotten, finding a new job really sucks.

 

[SaskBoy]

I wish all of you luck honestly. It is all about persistence and confidence. I started emailing HR Offices directly to ask for meetings (not interviews) to learn about the company and ask what my experience would relate to the best within the company. It's a trick to gain some rapport and maybe preferential treatment. Online applications suck and are so time consuming. Talking to someone is the key so call them. Go to local networking meetups.

Starting to realize this. The only success I've had with getting interviews is when I directly email my application to the HR department. Online applications to these multinational companies with 40,000+ employees is not getting me anywhere.

 

[ZackieChan]

Yeah, but the way the degree was set up you became a Jack of all Trades and a master of none. It was a relatively new degree, and they were still tinkering with the units. I was forced to take an architecture unit as a core that isn't even part of the degree anymore, and in no way helps me to become an architect. Another core unit had us creating a level using the Starcraft 2 editor. Really felt like we were passing time rather than learning real world skills. The major I chose was game design, and hindsight says i should've chosen programming or animation. My minor was sound design, and I've been working on this skill set constantly as I have a passion for recording music. I would happily take an IT position, and am constantly applying for them, and am willing to travel if need be.

Aside from looking for jobs over the past 18 months, what have you done? How many games have you created, using things like Gamemaker and Unity, etc.? Have you learned to use any new software that's helpful for game design? Have you volunteered to be on any mod teams? Have you created a website as a portfolio of your work and a blog to discuss game design topics?

Edit: i missed the sound design part. Have you created enough sound design work to have a portfolio? Have you worked on any mods or indie games? Do you see where I'm going with all of this?

 

[PBalfredo]

Oh, that feeling when you're waiting to hear back if you've gotten the job after an interview and your heart races every time the phone rings, only for it to be telemarketers.

 

[Randy Solo]

Aside from looking for jobs over the past 18 months, what have you done? How many games have you created, using things like Gamemaker and Unity, etc.? Have you learned to use any new software that's helpful for game design? Have you volunteered to be on any mod teams? Have you created a website as a portfolio of your work and a blog to discuss game design topics?

Edit: i missed the sound design part. Have you created enough sound design work to have a portfolio? Have you worked on any mods or indie games? Do you see where I'm going with all of this?

I do have 1 game on the google play store that was created in unity, and have worked on several game design ideas. I've also kept working on my photoshop skills as my role in development was mainly the creation of 2D art assets. I also formed a band and was recording our demos but it's hard to keep people together. I haven't been idle during this time, but I also know that there is more I need to do. I thought I was on track with the defence force and had worked on my fitness for a solid 6 months and was feeling great, but was denied by my back issue just as I'd been offered the choice of two roles. I'll keep working away, but it's been an interesting journey so far.