The job hunting support thread

[Badgers]

Not been here much. Been needing to get back on the full time work wagon.

Had been dithering and procrastinating about getting started properly. On Wednesday I got a call out the blue and given 30 minutes notice for a telephone interview that went really well. Today have an informal face to face 'get to know you' type interview (first in a long time) so fingers are double crossed for starting work Monday

 

[Cloo]

Funny how gsv and I have experienced very different problems in jobhunting. Mine was that there just weren't that many jobs around so I could easily go a couple of months without an interview; he's been getting loads of interviews to the point where it's really exhausting and wearing.

He was disappointed and upset to hear about the job he thought he might be in with, but then went quiet, from a different agent, which means they were being downright dishonest saying they'd talk to him again, and in using one agent behind another's back, and extremely rude in just dropping him when he'd got so far along the process. I thought he'd accepted that role wasn't happening, but I suppose finding out about it like this was very galling.

He was feeling extremely unhappy and hopeless this afternoon just before another phone interview, that he wasn't confident of at the best of times, but he actually pulled it off and has been offered a face to face; in addition to this, the last f2f he had, on Weds, basically said he wanted him to meet some more people, so presumably they will give him a further round next week.

He's got to the point where he really doesn't want to talk about it, and it's been pulled into sharp relief by the prospect of his best mate's 40th on Sunday, which he didn't feel like going to. I kind of think his best response might be a cheery 'I'm in between jobs at the moment, talked enough about it, to be honest' or something similar, so it a) isn't put as a massive downer and b) closes off any discussion in a friendly manner.

 

[sorearm]

well played barney_pig !

Cloo ... grrr must be frustrating. At least he is getting lots of interviews - my experience was similar to yours - hope he keeps his chin up.

 

[Cloo]

Another first interview today, which went well,then a second interview with the guys from last week's phone interview (currently the role he has most interest in)

Talking with his mum last night they agreed maybe he could look more proactively at jobs in the field where most of his recent experience is (broadcast media); this would be a good idea.

He's also vaguely keeping an eye out for anything at a large local employer who are literally 10 mins walk away and are supposed to be amazing to work for, plus have onsite subsidised childcare. I have a feeling all their related work may require experience of a different kind, but it would be so fantastic for one of us to be able to work within walking distance, in terms of quality of life.

 

[xes]

good lord applying for jobs can be a full time job in iteslf.

Not had this much fun, sinse, well, fucking ever!!

 

[Badgers]

Not been here much. Been needing to get back on the full time work wagon.

Had been dithering and procrastinating about getting started properly. On Wednesday I got a call out the blue and given 30 minutes notice for a telephone interview that went really well. Today have an informal face to face 'get to know you' type interview (first in a long time) so fingers are double crossed for starting work Monday

Got it

 

[xes]

Sorted

Good on ya, and good luck!!

 

[Looby]

Got it

Hurrah, well done.

What's the job? Jacket spud advisory service, representative for national sausage week?

 

[Me76]

Still waiting to hear from one where I had a first interview last Thursday and a second on Wednesday. I'm thinking not hearing isn't a good sign.

 

[Cloo]

Just before we left for a mate's wedding in Italy last week, gsv was offered 3 months contract (possibility to extend/go permanent), and he should be starting Wednesday. It's great to have something sorted and now be able to think about things like going out etc, and that he's not going to have too long a gap on his CV, which was starting to worry him. Shame it still leaves us in limbo about moving house. Gut feeling is that it'll probably roll for another 3 months if all goes well, but he says he'd probably rather not do it longer than that.

Interestingly, this firm has some interface with the US based guys just starting out in UK who liked him a lot but didn't have a suitable role, so it could provide an in with them, and I think he'll be letting the US guys know what he's doing and that he might be free in 3 to 6 months' time.

We've agreed he'll probably know which way the wind is blowing within 4 to 6 weeks anyhow; if the work's going OK, if he's getting on with them and so on.

 

[barney_pig]

Big hugs to everyone job hunting today!

 

[sorearm]

Just before we left for a mate's wedding in Italy last week, gsv was offered 3 months contract (possibility to extend/go permanent), and he should be starting Wednesday. It's great to have something sorted and now be able to think about things like going out etc, and that he's not going to have too long a gap on his CV, which was starting to worry him. Shame it still leaves us in limbo about moving house. Gut feeling is that it'll probably roll for another 3 months if all goes well, but he says he'd probably rather not do it longer than that.

Interestingly, this firm has some interface with the US based guys just starting out in UK who liked him a lot but didn't have a suitable role, so it could provide an in with them, and I think he'll be letting the US guys know what he's doing and that he might be free in 3 to 6 months' time.

We've agreed he'll probably know which way the wind is blowing within 4 to 6 weeks anyhow; if the work's going OK, if he's getting on with them and so on.

yay! Great news on gsv being offered something!

Hopefully lead onto something longer term!

 

[Cloo]

As he says, it's a reprieve rather than a solution, but it sure as hell beats no job. Seems to be going really well so far; sounds like a pleasant and relaxed group of people he an feel at ease with, in stark contrast to the last place.

 

[xes]

I've got an interview!!

Thursday 2:30

 

[sorearm]

I've got an interview!!

Thursday 2:30

good luck!!!!!

 

[weltweit]

I've got an interview!!

Thursday 2:30

Yes, Good luck, I don't know if you get nervous about these things, but I always think of interviews as just another chance to meet some people, like one does all the time. Works for me.

 

[xes]

No I'm not a nervous person, I'm lookin forward to it. Haven't had an interview in about 14 years
Do feel a bit strange, but I was working with some nasty resin stuff yesterday, and the whole house smells like a research lab...... (going to throw away all of these clothes)

Thanks for the well wishes

 

[xes]

think it went quite well, got to make a few ammendments to my cv to make it more transport logistics related, but this job is fucking mine bitches!!!

 

[Puddy_Tat]

I went for an interview mid June (having just started the current temp thing which will end before xmas)

Finally got a "no thanks" letter about mid September

Got a phone call today inviting me for a second interview.

I said I was a bit surprised to hear from them but yes I'd go



And what sort of thing happens at second interviews, anyway? I don't think I've ever done one - all the jobs I've been interviewed for, I've either been offered the job or not on the strength of a single interview...

 

[weltweit]

And what sort of thing happens at second interviews, anyway? I don't think I've ever done one - all the jobs I've been interviewed for, I've either been offered the job or not on the strength of a single interview...

In my limited experience, sometimes they just want another look at you to confirm or deny impressions gained at the first interview. Sometimes they might chuck a load of competency based questions at you, if they perhaps didn't at the first interview (note google competency based questions there are lots of tips and tricks online). Sometimes they may trick you into aptitude tests though doing that without warning would be nasty so probably they won't. Often the second interview is a chance for a new person to take a look at you, perhaps their manager / director / the manager you would be working with - whatever.

You could call them and ask them what you can expect at the second interview and if you should prepare anything in anticipation.

 

[sorearm]

good luck to everyone out there

 

[Garek]

I got an interview on Monday. What are the rules about asking about shekels? Job is advertised with no hours or pay which I think is frankly a bit ridiculous as it could be a complete waste of my time.

 

[Cloo]

I assume you're not going through an agency then? If you are, you could ask them (I know I had to a few times). I think in questions at the end, if it's not been raised by them, you'd be entirely in your rights to ask something like 'What is the payscale for this role?'

 

[weltweit]

I got an interview on Monday. What are the rules about asking about shekels? Job is advertised with no hours or pay which I think is frankly a bit ridiculous as it could be a complete waste of my time.

I would have thought you would be within your rights to call in advance and ask for guidance on pay. It isn't something that you would expect to me minimum wage is it?

 

[Puddy_Tat]

In my limited experience, sometimes they just want another look at you to confirm or deny impressions gained at the first interview. Sometimes they might chuck a load of competency based questions at you, if they perhaps didn't at the first interview (note google competency based questions there are lots of tips and tricks online). Sometimes they may trick you into aptitude tests though doing that without warning would be nasty so probably they won't. Often the second interview is a chance for a new person to take a look at you, perhaps their manager / director / the manager you would be working with - whatever.

You could call them and ask them what you can expect at the second interview and if you should prepare anything in anticipation.

thanks.

In this case, it was more the 'chance for a new person to take a look' than anything else

at having spent a few hours perusing their corporate crud on the web in case i got asked more questions about what i knew about the organisation

I has a job offer



subject of course to references and all that sort of stuff

wish i felt more inspired - it's going to mean moving house and not in the direction i want to move, but dunno how many more chances i'll get...

having said that, there's 2 jobs been advertised this week which are closer to what i've done in the past, and nearer home too.

Aaaaaargh.

 

[equationgirl]

thanks.

In this case, it was more the 'chance for a new person to take a look' than anything else

at having spent a few hours perusing their corporate crud on the web in case i got asked more questions about what i knew about the organisation

I has a job offer



subject of course to references and all that sort of stuff

wish i felt more inspired - it's going to mean moving house and not in the direction i want to move, but dunno how many more chances i'll get...

having said that, there's 2 jobs been advertised this week which are closer to what i've done in the past, and nearer home too.

Aaaaaargh.

Yay to job offer

There's absolutely no harm in applying for one or both of the other roles. There's also no harm in accepting the job offer you have right now and seeing how things go. It might not work out, but you'll have been earning for a bit, and in the meantime something else might come along that suits you better.

My experience is that companies move a lot slower than is optimal for this type of thing.

 

[Garek]

I would have thought you would be within your rights to call in advance and ask for guidance on pay. It isn't something that you would expect to me minimum wage is it?

'High' enough job to not be minimum wage, 'low' enough not to be "competitive".

 

[weltweit]

'High' enough job to not be minimum wage, 'low' enough not to be "competitive".

I am afraid some employers do minimise their rates where they can. My current employer knew that I was desperate for a job and offered the bottom end of the range in the knowledge that I would pretty much have to take it.

 

[astral]

I am afraid some employers do minimise their rates where they can. My current employer knew that I was desperate for a job and offered the bottom end of the range in the knowledge that I would pretty much have to take it.

This is such shitty behaviour. I get paying as little as possible to minimise overheads, but in the longterm it doesn't achieve anything.

I paid one of the guys who I hired last year £3k more than he asked for in interview (for a fairly low level job). His skills were worth the extra money, I thought he could use a confidence boost and he is now insanely loyal to me. It also saves me the several thousand pounds it would cost me to recruit again if he left.

 

[weltweit]

This is such shitty behaviour. I get paying as little as possible to minimise overheads, but in the longterm it doesn't achieve anything.

Yes, it is shitty. I needed 5k more and over a year that is not so much but monthly it makes all the difference in relation to my costs. There are not that many jobs around here for me so I will push for a revision upwards but if they refuse I don't have that many options. (not saying there are no jobs, but for my speciality there are not so many)