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[Fonds]

Going for a job interview in an hour.

I just graduated as an occupational therapist this summer. This would be my first steady job besides freelance work I'm doing now. I sent them my CV and letter and got a reply within 15 minutes.
The job is for an occupational therapist that is to be schooled as a specialised hand therapist. Awesome job, really hope I get it.

Any last minute tips?

Got the job! It's even better than I hoped it would be. I start part-time in January so I can wrap up my freelance work. Then in February I start full time.
I'm starting on a great pay, 28 days off a year besides holidays, all courses and training for hand therapist specialism are paid for.

Whoop!

 

[Roland_Gunner]

I need some advice. I have bsc in biology and I want to get my foot in the door at pharma/biotech companies.

I applied for a marketing internship at AMGEN (world's largest independent biotechnology firm). Sadly this position was already filled, but they really liked my application and offered me a 6 month paid "corporate affairs" internship. Basically helping with internal and external communication.

If they liked you enough to offer a position it's definitely worth pursuing. You are much more likely to impress people inside the org than as a candidate. If something better opens up you can always move on to that. As you note, Amgen is a huge company so loosing one intern won't exactly kill them.

 

[Tesser]

One of the biggest mistakes you can ever make when looking for work is to stop when you've finally found employment. Maybe my local region's economic/social/political situation is different to that of everybody else's - hence, my argument here could very well be moot - but nothing is certain now. The economy may be improving (slightly) but the situation in my part of the World is that it doesn't feel like it's getting any better.

My advice is to always have a back-up should/when things go wrong; sure you're not exactly gaining anything from spending what might be considered new-found free time looking on employment and job agency sites, but at the same time, you're not losing anything either. It's always best to be prepared...and believe me, I've had a fair number of surprises on the job front in the past two years alone - sending me subsequently back to square one - and I've always regretted never having anything to fall back onto. I'm genuinely appreciative of the fact I am FINALLY back in full-time employment now and have a 'decent-to-good' wage to help support not just the necessities, but also my hobbies/interests (of which I'm trying to push to more than just a hobby), so I know all about the vicious circle of thoughts that crops up when you're going months and months without any luck.

I can empathise with ANYONE who's gone through such a long period with not even an interview and I urge anyone to speak up, even if it is for help; I've lost track of the number of weeks I'd send out CV's and applications to not even get an appreciative 'thanks, but no thanks' response and wind up spiralling into a pit of low confidence and self-esteem. I myself went through (in my last spell) a whole year unemployed and I'm still lingering on the belief I could lose my job for a

Spoiler

forth

time in as many years, because as I've said, the economic situation here (the North of the UK) is far from prosperous.

What annoys me the most about all this is the complete disconnect between the youth of this generation and the local/national seats of power. Youth unemployment is a major problem here and while I'm not one to defend youth culture, job agencies and government-run bodies still don't get, imho, you can't just treat this issue as a quota-meeting check-list of sorts. The root of the problem is far more wide-spread...but I'm venting here and starting to go off-topic.

 

[Captain Tuttle]

Got the job! It's even better than I hoped it would be. I start part-time in January so I can wrap up my freelance work. Then in February I start full time.
I'm starting on a great pay, 28 days off a year besides holidays, all courses and training for hand therapist specialism are paid for.

Whoop!

Nice!
Congratulations!

 

[badboy78660]

Quick question for those who have applied for and gotten work outside of their home states: is it a good idea to leave your home address off the resume completely? I got some advice like this recently from a few friends. Living in TX looking to transplant to the Sacramento area.

Thanks in advance!

 

[nampad]

I haven't posted in this thread yet, so here is my siuation:

Last year in December I graduated with my Master degree in business chemistry and since then I was looking for jobs. During my university time I concentrated on graduating within the planned 5 years for the Master and wasn't able to get any work experience (big mistake).

After writing over 170 applications I finally was invited to two job interviews, the second one this Monday for a consulting position. It seems the interview went really well, since I got a positive feedback only a day later and now I have a written out job offer, which I will take. The first interviewers took there time to give feedback and today I got their negativ one.

After one year of unemployment, over 170 applications and 2 interviews I have finally found a job. It was a very frustrating time, because no one even was willing to give me a shot of showing of my personality and knowledge in person. I' very happy I can start my job in January.

There is hope for everyone, so don't give up GAF

Just got offered the job, I'm going to be a copy editor for a climate change journal!

Congrats.

 

[TheOfficeMut]

Just got offered the job, I'm going to be a copy editor for a climate change journal!

Congrats. Now please confirm you also believe in climate change. lol

 

[Tyreese Victoria]

Congrats. Now please confirm you also believe in climate change. lol

Nah, there's gonna be some changes round the office once I start. Let's put it that way.

Edit - Nobody's replied but I'll clarify that I am joking haha

 

[dukeoflegs]

I got laid off from the game studio I worked for on Wednesday, I'm really dreading look for a new job this time of the year, and cleaning up my resume. The did connect me with a company that will look over my resume, cover letter, and help find jobs.

 

[User 463088]

I need to vent to help myself calm down and relax.

I was laid off about 2 years ago. Been working sporadically as an independent contractor since then while still going to school. Few months ago, got a shit tier job that, literally, lasted 3 days. (I just couldn't stand it).

On a laugh, I applied for this job that, although not in my area of interest, pays so freaking well I knew I didn't have a shot. I had to do all this testing, which I thought I did badly on. Two days later, they sent me an email asking for a virtual interview. I heard nothing from them for a few days. They called and wanted a phone interview immediately. It went super well. The guy and I had really good chemistry and he said that I was one of the few people that he was actually excited about recommending me for the position. I now have a final web interview tomorrow. This job would make every difference to me in the world. Like....if I got this...my life would be so much better. (We're talking triple what I've ever made in my life....)

And I'm a nervous wreck. I usually do well on interviews, but I just know my anxiety and shit is going to rear its head. If it was just phone interview, I'd be fine, especially since its a virtual position.

Ugh.

Anyway, wish me luck. I definitely freaking need it!

 

[Septic360]

I need to vent to help myself calm down and relax.

I was laid off about 2 years ago. Been working sporadically as an independent contractor since then while still going to school. Few months ago, got a shit tier job that, literally, lasted 3 days. (I just couldn't stand it).

On a laugh, I applied for this job that, although not in my area of interest, pays so freaking well I knew I didn't have a shot. I had to do all this testing, which I thought I did badly on. Two days later, they sent me an email asking for a virtual interview. I heard nothing from them for a few days. They called and wanted a phone interview immediately. It went super well. The guy and I had really good chemistry and he said that I was one of the few people that he was actually excited about recommending me for the position. I now have a final web interview tomorrow. This job would make every difference to me in the world. Like....if I got this...my life would be so much better. (We're talking triple what I've ever made in my life....)

And I'm a nervous wreck. I usually do well on interviews, but I just know my anxiety and shit is going to rear its head. If it was just phone interview, I'd be fine, especially since its a virtual position.

Ugh.

Anyway, wish me luck. I definitely freaking need it!

Relax bro. You'll smash it. You did the telephone interview well and of course the guy must have spoke highly of you based off of that so carry that over to the Web interview.

Don't worry about you getting /not getting it. Worst case scenario, look how far you've made it. Plenty of opportunities are blatantly available to you.

Best case scenario, you obviously get the job Mate seriously don't get nervous. Be yourself and most importantly, harness the power of the falafel.

 

[User 463088]

Relax bro. You'll smash it. You did the telephone interview well and of course the guy must have spoke highly of you based off of that so carry that over to the Web interview.

Don't worry about you getting /not getting it. Worst case scenario, look how far you've made it. Plenty of opportunities are blatantly available to you.

Best case scenario, you obviously get the job Mate seriously don't get nervous. Be yourself and most importantly, harness the power of the falafel.

Thanks man. I'm one of those people that loves to sabotage myself. So, I keep coming up with ways I'm going to fail. I gotta be calm and just be me and see what happens.

 

[LaNaranja]

This job would make every difference to me in the world. Like....if I got this...my life would be so much better. (We're talking triple what I've ever made in my life....)

The lead up to those interviews is the worst. Hope you get the job.

 

[Chaos17]

I just wish there was a better, more streamlined option to handle the 'evaluation' questions. Like you're ALL gonna ask me the stealing question, and I'm ALWAYS gonna have the same answer. I thought it would stop with 'degree' jobs, but it's still there! And It's still worded the same!

I hate those questions.
Basicly that moment, interview : you've to seduce the other party so they feel that they need you.

I hate it so much.
I'm bad at talking/charming to strangers but it doesn't mean I can't do the job.

 

[User 463088]

The lead up to those interviews is the worst. Hope you get the job.

Thank you! Well, until 10 minutes ago we didn't have electricity.

A drunk driver drove his car into a transformer knocking power out for half the city. It's back on now, thank goodness. My interview's in an hour.

I just want it to be over so I can get the disappointment out of the way, get completely drunk and enjoy Christmas.

 

[gwailo]

So after a couple of months, I finally got hired by a contractor to work as a application analyst in a hospital.

Interview went really well and the pay is well above what I earned before but the job is only 6 months.

Of course, they told me they can help me find work and "redeploying me" but its hard to be excited cause what if I'm back to square one after six months?

Asking GAF on how jobs like this goes? Still gonna look for work in the meantime but stuff like this keeps me on my toes for the wrong reason (job is easy but can't relax cause I might need to look for work again soon)

Yes, keep looking for work and don't be shy about taking time off to go to interviews. I did temp/contract work for almost 10 years and almost every job was promoted as "temp to hire". I ended up working for Target's HQ for about half of that and they would just shuffle me off to another position and never actually hire me on. Apparently I was "overqualified" to be hired permanent, but they were perfectly content to keep me as a contractor. Best Buy had me jump through a ton of hoops, only to have the position ended 6 weeks later. Temp/contract stuff worked for me for a while, but it's really a grind/hustle and I got sick of it.

 

[User 463088]

That interview was pure shit. If I get this, I'd be dead on the floor. The woman obviously hated me.

: sigh :

 

[Ogodei]

Got an interview rejection in record turnaround time. Interview ended at 4:00 Friday, got my rejection at 10:00 Monday.

Stupid thing made me late for my Star Wars showing and i missed the opening crawl just for that? Fuckers.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

The company I really wanted to work for sent me an email with a pre-job offer, basically telling me that the process takes a bit but that if I want to start looking at it to see if everything looks good to you.

Being laid off my first concern was that the salary was a bit lower that I expected and whether I had wiggle room to negotiate, but talked with a friend of mine that works in HR and he told me that there is NO problem with asking if the possibility to increase the base salary in the job offer. The worst that happens is that they tell me that no there is no wiggle room. Even if they say no I'm taking the job offer as it's doable and more than enough pay for a single guy, I'd just like to be paid something closer to what I previously had.

Thanks for the moral support guys. It ain't easy.

 

[RustyNails]

Gaf I have a seemingly stupid and straightforward question but trust me it's really difficult for me as someone who has crazy amount of anxiety.

So I got accepted for a job at a new company and I have to inform my current company/manager and give them 2 week notice. My manager sits in a cubicle in the corner and I sit one cube down from him (with walkway/open space on my left). Fhree of us sit in cubes front of three other people from a different team who also report to my manager. I never had a relationship with my manager where we're close or have spoken work-related stuff in conference rooms. Nor have I ever gone up to him, sat in his corner and shoot the shit. We are very curt with each other. Now I have to give him a two-weeks notice

Please dont laugh. I know it sounds dumb as fuck but it's driving me crazy. I hate that feeling. Options:

1) Send an email. No need for drama. Least desirable option as far as job professionalism is concerned. I'm not an ass.

2) Walk up to him and drop the news. But everyone will hear it and I will be on the spot. I can wait for people around to leave but that moment might never come and time is running by.

3) Book a conf room and invite him to it, but he will know it and the walk to the conf rooms on different floors will be worse than anything anxiety-inducing for me. I cant!

Gaf only you understand. Please help. Anyone have good advice for my situation?

 

[Admiral Woofington]

Gaf I have a seemingly stupid and straightforward question but trust me it's really difficult for me as someone who has crazy amount of anxiety.

So I got accepted for a job at a new company and I have to inform my current company/manager and give them 2 week notice. My manager sits in a cubicle in the corner and I sit one cube down from him (with walkway/open space on my left). Fhree of us sit in cubes front of three other people from a different team who also report to my manager. I never had a relationship with my manager where we're close or have spoken work-related stuff in conference rooms. Nor have I ever gone up to him, sat in his corner and shoot the shit. We are very curt with each other. Now I have to give him a two-weeks notice

Please dont laugh. I know it sounds dumb as fuck but it's driving me crazy. I hate that feeling. Options:

1) Send an email. No need for drama. Least desirable option as far as job professionalism is concerned. I'm not an ass.

2) Walk up to him and drop the news. But everyone will hear it and I will be on the spot. I can wait for people around to leave but that moment might never come and time is running by.

3) Book a conf room and invite him to it, but he will know it and the walk to the conf rooms on different floors will be worse than anything anxiety-inducing for me. I cant!

Gaf only you understand. Please help. Anyone have good advice for my situation?

1. tell him you need to talk with him privately and ask when he has time so you can book a conference room. he gives you time, find one and then send him the info via email as a reminder.

2. get to the room and then be straight forward. Thank him for your time there and tell him that unfortunately you have a job offer from another company and that you're gonna take it, so you're putting in your two weeks.

3. Be extremely humble and grateful, answer any questions he may have, once the conversation is at an end just promise to him your workload won't decrease and that he has nothing to worry about for the next two weeks.

An email is too informal and not personal enough for what basically means you're leaving him without an employee in his team, and doing it out in the open means you have people listening it.

 

[RustyNails]

1. tell him you need to talk with him privately and ask when he has time so you can book a conference room. he gives you time, find one and then send him the info via email as a reminder.

2. get to the room and then be straight forward. Thank him for your time there and tell him that unfortunately you have a job offer from another company and that you're gonna take it, so you're putting in your two weeks.

3. Be extremely humble and grateful, answer any questions he may have, once the conversation is at an end just promise to him your workload won't decrease and that he has nothing to worry about for the next two weeks.

An email is too informal and not personal enough for what basically means you're leaving him without an employee in his team, and doing it out in the open means you have people listening it.

I'm stuck on the bolded part...email him to book a conf room? Peek over his cube? He will know something's not right, but that's almost inavoidable I guess.

 

[BreakyBoy]

I'm stuck on the bolded part...email him to book a conf room? Peek over his cube? He will know something's not right, but that's almost inavoidable I guess.

As someone who has been on both sides of it, of course he will know that something is wrong. People don't ask for a private meeting for something good. But that's OK. If he's in charge of your team, it is his job to help figure all that out. Be professional and it will be fine.

No one is really comfortable in those situations, but if he's good at his job, he'll know it's a normal thing. And if he's great at his job, he'll be genuinely happy for you all while being upset about losing you.

Take the above advice and send an email asking for a scheduled 1-on-1.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

I'm stuck on the bolded part...email him to book a conf room? Peek over his cube? He will know something's not right, but that's almost inavoidable I guess.

yeah like the post above said, nobody asks for meetings like this unless shit is wrong or serious. You aren't friends so he's going to expect the worst.

But that's ok. He's a manager, he should be used to or at the very least know what the tone of the meeting should be. It's gonna be shitty but trust me most managers know there's no going around it.

As to the means of conveying to him the meeting it depends. If he's usually out and about in other cubicles or talking with people and not one to check his email often, then don't do email. If he's usually in his cubicle going at it for work, then do so.

But at the end of the day it's up to you. You can tell him you need to talk with him in a normal/casual tone and that if he minds meeting with you in a conference room.

If someone hears you they'll start rumors but rumors were gonna start anyways. If after you tell him someone close to you at work asks what's up let them know.

 

[Estellex]

Do you guys recommend some relevant unpaid internships just to learn and add stuff to your CV?

A lot of people discourages, but if you have the funding and with how competitive the job market is, would you do it?

 

[Admiral Woofington]

Do you guys recommend some relevant unpaid internships just to learn and add stuff to your CV?

A lot of people discourages, but if you have the funding and with how competitive the job market is, would you do it?

if you can afford living with the unpaid internship why not. Many of them, depending on the position, could end up offering you a fulltime position after the internship is done.

 

[Syphon Filter]

nm

 

[Syphon Filter]

if you can afford living with the unpaid internship why not. Many of them, depending on the position, could end up offering you a fulltime position after the internship is done.

Yea, how do you feel about "virtual" positions? It's basically not working in the office and at home, do you think that it's worth looking into? Also I am going back to my old college to see if I can get any advice or the career center there. I hope they can help me out.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

Yea, how do you feel about "virtual" positions? It's basically not working in the office and at home, do you think that it's worth looking into? Also I am going back to my old college to see if I can get any advice or the career center there. I hope they can help me out.

I couldn't tell you as I'm not familiar with them. I'd go with what the career center at your university advises.

Having said that if I had to answer as is the virtual position might sound great on paper but depending on the amount of work they expect out of you and the pay it might just be too much work for little return. And if you ever plan to move out of this virtual position into an office/field based one I don't know how good it looks on paper if you're essentially doing internet surveys.

Now if you're talking about something similar to an IT position where you happen to work from home that might be a bit different. In that regard it sounds like you'd still have to clock in the hours, do whatever is expected of you, and there's a company with an HR, maybe a manager that oversees the team, etc...

 

[Septic360]

That interview was pure shit. If I get this, I'd be dead on the floor. The woman obviously hated me.

: sigh :

Ah shit really? Why what went wrong?

Chin up bud. Be active and keep applying.

 

[RustyNails]

Thank you for the support Gaf. I spoke to my manager and handed in a resignation. Guess what. They then counter me with an offer thats $10k more in base pay! Have anyone of you accepted a counter? Is it a good idea?

 

[Pastry]

Thank you for the support Gaf. I spoke to my manager and handed in a resignation. Guess what. They then counter me with an offer thats $10k more in base pay! Have anyone of you accepted a counter? Is it a good idea?

I'm of the opinion that counters typically don't end well as your company knows you're looking outside. If you're comfortable with it then go for it, 10k is a lot.

 

[RustyNails]

I'm of the opinion that counters typically don't end well as your company knows you're looking outside. If you're comfortable with it then go for it, 10k is a lot.

10k is quite a lot...

 

[LaNaranja]

I just finished up an interview with a few people that I think went very well. They were still going to interview a few more people today but I felt really good about my answers to their questions and their facial responses. I was the very first person they called and they allowed me to chose my interview time (I picked the first available slot) so that has to be a good sign right? They said they should have there decision made by next week. Christmas will either be fantastic or ruined.

Christmas is going to be fantastic.

Only took 6 months after getting my degree and a bit of my soul working minimum wage at retail but I finally have something. I am close to tears.

 

[Kieli]

Thank you for the support Gaf. I spoke to my manager and handed in a resignation. Guess what. They then counter me with an offer thats $10k more in base pay! Have anyone of you accepted a counter? Is it a good idea?

In the ideal world, they would have given you that 10k as a raise already. But it's not the ideal world. :'(

 

[Glass Shark]

Any pointers on applying for jobs out of state? I'm ready for a change and willing to relocate. Should I mention that in the cover letter or just assume that they understand it?

 

[Camp1nCarl]

I need some advice. I have bsc in biology and I want to get my foot in the door at pharma/biotech companies.

I applied for a marketing internship at AMGEN (world's largest independent biotechnology firm). Sadly this position was already filled, but they really liked my application and offered me a 6 month paid "corporate affairs" internship. Basically helping with internal and external communication.

Do you think this is a good first step to get into the business side of things? Or should I continue to search for internships at a marketing position.

I am trying to get out of the laboratory into the business side of things.

As someone in the exact same position, I would definitely take it. I just graduated with a BSc in Cellular and Molecular Biology, and have been looking to get in the business side of Pharma/Biotech companies as well. It seems a lot want quite a bit of experience as an industry Research Associate before you can switch to the business side.

Tell me how you like it though if you do decide to take it, I actually just applied for a position at Amgen as well. Best of luck!

I've been applying for simple Research Associate/starter lab jobs all over the States without any luck at all. Seems kind of hard to get my foot in the door anywhere, especially because I don't really have any friends in industry to point me in good directions or help put in a word for me somewhere too.

 

[The Wall]

I've never really been able to find work that is suited to me when I had my nose to the grindstone, looking for a job.

I believe I was just offered one when I wasn't exactly looking, was just casually asking. Weird.

 

[Shy Fingers]

Any pointers on applying for jobs out of state? I'm ready for a change and willing to relocate. Should I mention that in the cover letter or just assume that they understand it?

They will just assume that you're willing to relocate, but expect them to probably ask during the first phone screening anyway.

Since everything is done online these days, the actual applying part is the same. Expect Skype interviews after a phone screening. Depending on the type of job and if they really like ya, they'll spend the money to fly you out. Which is nice because then you know you're at least in the top picks.

The detrimental thing is that not being in the area you might get overlooked more easily as the above is a bit more hassle on their end than someone locally.

 

[Husker86]

Thank you for the support Gaf. I spoke to my manager and handed in a resignation. Guess what. They then counter me with an offer thats $10k more in base pay! Have anyone of you accepted a counter? Is it a good idea?

I received a counter as well, after getting nowhere when I previously asked for a raise. I laughed at my manager inside my head and politely declined.

 

[RustyNails]

I received a counter as well, after getting nowhere when I previously asked for a raise. I laughed at my manager inside my head and politely declined.

Did you come to regret it later? Was the counter more than the new company's offer? What if they threw in retention bonus too?

 

[maxcriden]

Christmas is going to be fantastic.

Only took 6 months after getting my degree and a bit of my soul working minimum wage at retail but I finally have something. I am close to tears.

That's so great! I'm so happy for you. Congrats!!

 

[User 463088]

Ah shit really? Why what went wrong?

Chin up bud. Be active and keep applying.

HOLY HELL I GOT IT.

They called while I was at the doctors and said they want to make an offer. I called them back, but he wasn't in at the moment. I'm legitimately shocked. This is...this is a life changer. I mean....Triple what I've made in any position I've ever had.

I'm legit....I started sobbing in the middle of the grocery store when I realized they called me. They said I'd hear within 48 hours but his message said they couldn't wait to extend the offer. I was their first choice.

Why won't he call me back!? I want to blow up his phone....but I won't.

 

[cwmartin]

Did you come to regret it later? Was the counter more than the new company's offer? What if they threw in retention bonus too?

I think you need to be prepared to leave once you tell them your leaving. Staying is a poor look on you and on the company (in my humble opinon).

Personally, I would regret not taking the risk of a new job, new environment, and new people. Especially when you were already ready to leave.

 

[RustyNails]

I think you need to be prepared to leave once you tell them your leaving. Staying is a poor look on you and on the company (in my humble opinon).

Personally, I would regret not taking the risk of a new job, new environment, and new people. Especially when you were already ready to leave.

Yep you are right. I declined the counter. They were very adamant and persistent. I could have demanded a work from home 5 days a week and they would've obliged. But some roads are best left untraveled especially when everyone now knows you're a flight risk.

 

[Commander Jameson]

HOLY HELL I GOT IT.

They called while I was at the doctors and said they want to make an offer. I called them back, but he wasn't in at the moment. I'm legitimately shocked. This is...this is a life changer. I mean....Triple what I've made in any position I've ever had.

I'm legit....I started sobbing in the middle of the grocery store when I realized they called me. They said I'd hear within 48 hours but his message said they couldn't wait to extend the offer. I was their first choice.

Why won't he call me back!? I want to blow up his phone....but I won't.

Congratulations! Sounds like a really good opportunity.

 

[Pancakes]

Got a pre-offer of employment from an big engineering company and now I need to worry about passing the security clearance they want. I really hope this works out as it would be the highest paying job I've ever had and can jettison me to a 6 figure career quite easily after 5 years. I haven't done any drugs or been arrested so I should probably be okay, hopefully.

 

[Wilsongt]

I was hoping Christmas would bring a job offer. Lol nope

 

[The Wall]

Got a pre-offer of employment from an big engineering company and now I need to worry about passing the security clearance they want. I really hope this works out as it would be the highest paying job I've ever had and can jettison me to a 6 figure career quite easily after 5 years. I haven't done any drugs or been arrested so I should probably be okay, hopefully.

I don't think I've known an engineer who hasn't done drugs. '_'

Seriously though, good luck on this. I hope everything goes smoothly for you!

 

[Syphon Filter]

Anyone know of any good job ideas to apply for while still applying for my main job goal?