The job hunting support thread
- Thread starter Cloo
- Start date
xes
F.O.A.D
well, quite a few of them were probably me shooting for the stars, but you got to be in it to win it. I've been told by 3 people who write CVs for a living, that my CV is pretty strong. I'm aiming high, possibly too high, but I'll get there!
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
Yes, I know that it was partly my own fault that I didn't get this one, because I don't think I interviewed very well at all, and the presentation was, frankly, crap.
But that doesn't make it any less depressing.
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
Well done! Are you going to accept it?
chilango
Hypothetical Wanker
Yeah. Just sorting out the paperwork etc.
Still in education but away from schools, won't go into too many details as its a fairly unique role!
It's a potentially very exciting job, challenging, rewarding and something I'll be able to really get my teeth into. A bit of a tangent from past roles, and a bit of a pay cut too, but I'm not too worried about that.
It's still sinking in tbh.
Chuffed to bits, but I'm gonna miss all those leisurely mornings playing with daughter!
Thanks for everyone's words of encouragement over the last year or two. It was appreciated. Hopefully that's it for a while now.
Still in education but away from schools, won't go into too many details as its a fairly unique role!
It's a potentially very exciting job, challenging, rewarding and something I'll be able to really get my teeth into. A bit of a tangent from past roles, and a bit of a pay cut too, but I'm not too worried about that.
It's still sinking in tbh.
Chuffed to bits, but I'm gonna miss all those leisurely mornings playing with daughter!
Thanks for everyone's words of encouragement over the last year or two. It was appreciated. Hopefully that's it for a while now.
Guineveretoo
Mostly bewildered
Massive congrats and well done for persevering and staying positive! 
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
Huge congratulations! It's an amazing feeling of relief, isn't it?
existentialist
Tired and unemotional
I'm coming to the realisation that I am not going to find a better job than I'm in right now - not around here, anyway. That's OK, because I've thought for a while that the only real options I have are self-employment and freelancing type stuff: I'm not really a round peg, employment skills-wise - too diverse, and probably a bit original for the likes of local authorities and health trusts.
So I'm off to a "networking breakfast" with a bunch of local businesses tomorrow, to see if I can scare up some interest on the business training or IT-related fronts...I don't expect to come back with a handful of orders, but I'll put myself on show.
Hell, I might even fling on a suit.
So I'm off to a "networking breakfast" with a bunch of local businesses tomorrow, to see if I can scare up some interest on the business training or IT-related fronts...I don't expect to come back with a handful of orders, but I'll put myself on show.
Hell, I might even fling on a suit.
I have a job interview this afternoon. In many ways it's a brilliant post and I've a lot of ideas about what I could do with it and what new opportunities it could open up. It's also in this neck of the woods, which would save me a great deal of cash in flying up and down to London, and potentially having to move back there (which I'd really rather not do) if things in my present job go the way I think they might. I fear my current position could soon become untenable, or at least change to the point where I don't want it any more. On the debit side, it's a near-50% pay cut and a definite step back in career terms, and might possibly foreclose other options in the future. I'm in two minds about it even now. And it's going to be a difficult interview, because two of the people on the panel have known me for the best part of fifteen years, know the situation I'm currently in and probably have an inkling about my doubts. I shall be glad when this afternoon is over. Wish me luck...
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
hope the interview goes well and you're in a position to consider all the implications from the position of an offer.
would the travel savings and the pay cut balance?
No. I'd still be significantly worse off, although frankly I earn very well now, and I'm not going to be left on the breadline either way.
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
dunno really
i guess you're not alone in seeking jobs at a lower level than you have worked, in the current climate - although there is a chance you'll be rejected for being "overqualified"
they might or might not ask a question along the lines of "wtf are you applying for a job at this level for?" - there is a risk of coming across as seeing this job as a stop-gap (which if it's a temp post might be OK, but not otherwise) or giving the impression this job is really beneath you.
would the new job offer scope for advancement within a reasonable time?
(As i think i said somewhere on this thread) some organisations welcome people with potential, others seem to fear them.
May Kasahara
take me to the feeling
Woohoo chilango
Good luck Roadkill - if the people on the panel are likely to know your doubts, might that put you in a good position to possibly raise and discuss them? (Not today, perhaps
)
Well, my skills assessment yesterday went fine and they want to interview me on Monday
The HR woman yesterday said there had been an 'overwhelming response' to the job ad, so feeling pretty proud of myself either way.
A couple of Qs: if I want to raise things like flexibility of working hours and where on the payscale I'd be likely to start, when is the right time to do so? Wait till they offer (if they do) or ask a question at the interview? More the hours than the money - I wouldn't mention that till any possible job offer, but I would ideally prefer not to do full time, which this job is. Am open to jobshare/compressed hours/fewer days etc. Will do f/t if they insist, and if the money vs childcare costs stack up ok.
Good luck Roadkill - if the people on the panel are likely to know your doubts, might that put you in a good position to possibly raise and discuss them? (Not today, perhaps
)Well, my skills assessment yesterday went fine and they want to interview me on Monday
The HR woman yesterday said there had been an 'overwhelming response' to the job ad, so feeling pretty proud of myself either way.A couple of Qs: if I want to raise things like flexibility of working hours and where on the payscale I'd be likely to start, when is the right time to do so? Wait till they offer (if they do) or ask a question at the interview? More the hours than the money - I wouldn't mention that till any possible job offer, but I would ideally prefer not to do full time, which this job is. Am open to jobshare/compressed hours/fewer days etc. Will do f/t if they insist, and if the money vs childcare costs stack up ok.
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
I would be inclined to leave the money questions until such time as an offer is made. Although some employers will ask you as part of the interview process something like "where would you expect to start on the payscale?"
As for the hours thing - guess it depends on the organisation. Have they given any indication so far that they are flexible about hours / family friendly or that sort of thing? If full on job-share was an option, I'd be inclined to think you should have mentioned that at the application form / letter stage not wait until the interview.
If there are clear indications they do this sort of thing, then perhaps worth raising at interview. If there aren't clear indications, then some employers will regard this as a negative thing. In which case I'd say best again to wait until an offer is made.
May Kasahara
take me to the feeling
It's a college for people with learning difficulties and disabilities, so possibly more inclined to family-friendliness than your average corporate cocksucking capitalist concern.
I probably won't say anything unless they make me an offer, but I worry a bit about getting to that stage and then breezily saying 'yeah cheers, btw I want to work less hours, that ok with you?'
I probably won't say anything unless they make me an offer, but I worry a bit about getting to that stage and then breezily saying 'yeah cheers, btw I want to work less hours, that ok with you?'
cesare
shady's dreams ♥
I would wait for an offer. That way they'll listen to what you want and can only say no. Otherwise it might sway them in another direction if there's not much between you and another candidate.
existentialist
Tired and unemotional
The trouble with this neck of the woods is that "thinking big" is a dirty word. People don't want to improve things or develop their business if it means spending ANY money at all. Talking to consultancy types and training providers, the general feeling is that if you're offering something to local businesses and it's not free, they just don't want to know.
Which makes getting a business going a rather tricky prospect. I think I need to be going to networking breakfasts in Cardiff and Swansea
But it was nice to chat to other businessy types, and there are a few vague leads it might be worth my while developing.
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
news here -
got a polite "no thanks - very high standard of applications - would welcome hearing from you again - now fuck off" letter following last thursday's interview. Not entirely surprised, not worked in that field for 20 years. Suppose I wasn't wasting my time completely since I got shortlisted, but wonder if there is really any point in applying for anything where I haven't done that exact job before and in the last year (which rules most things out)
of the three agency things, got a "we're sending your CV to the client" for one then nothing, nothing at all for the other two. Maybe I need to dumb down the CV even further for routine admin stuff, and maybe knock off jobs more than 10 years ago, to make my age a bit less obvious. And would it be wrong to describe O-levels as GCSE's (similarly)?
have got as far as stage 2 (online test sort of thing) with one of the meh jobs.
8 applications to do.
Including the one that sounds worth applying for (although I'm trying to come up with a sensible answer to "describe a difficult situation you have dealt with / how did you keep motivated / what would you do differently next time?" sort of question that's got to go with the application...
got a polite "no thanks - very high standard of applications - would welcome hearing from you again - now fuck off" letter following last thursday's interview. Not entirely surprised, not worked in that field for 20 years. Suppose I wasn't wasting my time completely since I got shortlisted, but wonder if there is really any point in applying for anything where I haven't done that exact job before and in the last year (which rules most things out)
of the three agency things, got a "we're sending your CV to the client" for one then nothing, nothing at all for the other two. Maybe I need to dumb down the CV even further for routine admin stuff, and maybe knock off jobs more than 10 years ago, to make my age a bit less obvious. And would it be wrong to describe O-levels as GCSE's (similarly)?
have got as far as stage 2 (online test sort of thing) with one of the meh jobs.
8 applications to do.
Including the one that sounds worth applying for (although I'm trying to come up with a sensible answer to "describe a difficult situation you have dealt with / how did you keep motivated / what would you do differently next time?" sort of question that's got to go with the application...
chilango
Hypothetical Wanker
Yeah.
I did.
I played down my management experience, got rid of a lot of dates and so on to distract from the potential costs of my experience, ditched anything over 10 years old, or irrelevant to the post.
Focused a lot more on doing a functional rather than chronological CV.
You could fudge the O level thing by either describing it as "GCSE level", Key Stage 3 or leave it off all together. I don't talk about about any qualifications pre Uni now. They're good. I've a lot of As but utterly irrelevant and very old.
Match the Cv to the job spec specific examples, (STAR framework)
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
2 applications done this evening, 2 ditched (one very meh, and one didn't think i stood much chance at all - just about met the 'essential' stuff but don't think that's anything like enough - might just do it tomorrow if I have the energy.)
and did the online test thing mentioned above.
4 applications to do next week.
Thanks - will try to reconstruct the CV next week as well. Although think I need to keep the GCSE / O Levels in, the 'professional qualification' doesn't cut much ice in the relevant profession, and will either be seen as irrelevant or a sign I'm overqualified in anything else...
I was expecting something like that question, and it didn't really materialise. The whole interview was rather more structured than I expected, in fact - perhaps precisely because it was pitched at a lower level - and that threw me a bit. A couple of obvious questions came up that I hadn't considered and wasn't prepared for. Tbh I feel as if I fluffed it, and I'm kicking myself, but I'll know next week.
I might do exactly that if I get an offer. On the other hand, the fact it's a step back of sorts did come up in the interview, though not in quite the form I expected, and the chair did say a couple of things about future plans and promotion prospects that interested me, and which I suspect he didn't say to the other candidates. Tbh the interview - and a pub conversation I had with an old colleague in the same place afterwards - served to convince me finally that I really do want the job. Which is why the feeling I might have arsed it up is rather depressing!
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Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
existentialist
Tired and unemotional
Lavatory dynamiters of the world! An opening exists, somewhere in Thrillerland! Form an orderly queue...
What was wrong with the job, thriller?
Just didn't like it. Not as good as I had hoped. Shame. People where nice. Still in two minds if I should sign on again as I only signed off in January 6th. Could tell them it was a sales job and I couldn't do sales though they may then check up with the company.
May Kasahara
take me to the feeling
Got the job!
!!!!!
!!!!!
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