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Deegan posted:I've been using this OP and thread for my job hunt and it has helped me refine my interview skills a great deal.
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Feb 11, 2014 17:34
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Misogynist posted:You should really be helping to define the role and figure out what they want. I don't even know what industry/field this is, but I can surmise that if the company doesn't know much about what the position is supposed to do, the company is breaking new ground in that area, and the executive leadership doesn't really know much about where to start. In that case, you can't expect a lot of direction. What the company will be looking for in these cases is someone who can align the position with the requirements of the business and be self-directed. What you should be doing is talking to them about the problems they're trying to solve by creating this position, and go into how you would solve those problems. They're hiring someone to solve those problems, not do specific duties. This is good advice giving the situations I've been encountering. I've been a little surprised that they have a employment posting with specific requirements and so little understanding of what they want. They must be tossing a bunch of skill requirements against the wall and see which ones stick. I'm moving from a company with zero direction and no business plan, so my first reaction is: Crap...not again. I think my next step should be to brainstorm a plan to present at my next interview.
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Feb 11, 2014 20:38
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What is the suggested etiquette of asking for a job offer in writing when getting a call back from an employer? I've heard it's a bad sign if they refuse, but I don't know if that's accurate, especially in a more worker-abusing-marketplace in a poor economy. I want to get out of my dungeon, but I also don't want to end up jobless. (Just for the record: I don't actually have a job offer right now, I'm just asking so I know the lay of the land if and when one arrives.)
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Feb 12, 2014 03:31
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Magnetic North posted:What is the suggested etiquette of asking for a job offer in writing when getting a call back from an employer? I've heard it's a bad sign if they refuse, but I don't know if that's accurate, especially in a more worker-abusing-marketplace in a poor economy. I want to get out of my dungeon, but I also don't want to end up jobless. (Just for the record: I don't actually have a job offer right now, I'm just asking so I know the lay of the land if and when one arrives.) Typical protocol is to accept the verbal job offer, but not give notice to your current employer until you've received and signed the written letter. If you have concerns, (politely) make it clear that your employer does not receive notice until you sign an offer letter.
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Feb 12, 2014 05:32
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I had an interview today (still need to send follow up thank-you emails), but I think I may have messed up salary negotiations already (since I've never done it before). During my phone interview last week I gave a pretty broad, like 10k broad, range which I know the pay would have fallen between, but I am hoping to get the higher end of the range if offered the position. Did I screw up my chances for any leverage assuming they extend an offer? Kind of bummed because its a salary position, but I think there might be a chance for some commission based on client churn etc. First interviewer was pretty tough and brief, I feel like he wasn't impressed by anything I said but apparently he's like that - I have a friend who referred me who gave me the scoop on him. The 2nd guy I basically shot the poo poo with for about an hour and he said a lot of really positive things comparing me to other candidates etc. So apparently he liked me a lot. I know from when I interviewed people that you're not supposed to do that because it obviously gives candidates a false sense of hope if they go in another direction so I guess we'll see what happens.
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Feb 12, 2014 05:59
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razz posted:I want to relocate so I pretty much exclusively apply to jobs in different states. I don't think it's been a hindrance at all, what with Skype interviews becoming popular and acceptable and whatnot. It's more likely that you're not being considered because you are applying to jobs 3 months before you can start. You're probably right. I'll start worrying closer to graduation.
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Feb 12, 2014 06:25
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Iron Lung posted:I had an interview today (still need to send follow up thank-you emails), but I think I may have messed up salary negotiations already (since I've never done it before). During my phone interview last week I gave a pretty broad, like 10k broad, range which I know the pay would have fallen between, but I am hoping to get the higher end of the range if offered the position. Did I screw up my chances for any leverage assuming they extend an offer? Kind of bummed because its a salary position, but I think there might be a chance for some commission based on client churn etc. Yeah, that does significantly lowers the chances of getting something on the high end of the scale, unfortunately. Not all employers will completely low-ball you, especially if they have a standard range in mind for that position, but arguing for more would be quite tricky if you already explicitly told them getting x-$10k would be acceptable. Not that it works in the opposite direction, for my first real job I also caved in and provided a range, but overshot it and got offered below my low-end.
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Feb 12, 2014 11:46
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mobby_6kl posted:Yeah, that does significantly lowers the chances of getting something on the high end of the scale, unfortunately. Not all employers will completely low-ball you, especially if they have a standard range in mind for that position, but arguing for more would be quite tricky if you already explicitly told them getting x-$10k would be acceptable. Not that it works in the opposite direction, for my first real job I also caved in and provided a range, but overshot it and got offered below my low-end. Thanks. I know they had a range in mind but it's a bit lower than I'd like, lower than my starting pay at my last big job so I was hoping for more. Think its worth asking at all if they offer or should I just go with it and ask for a raise at six months etc?
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Feb 12, 2014 15:10
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Just tell them that, now that you have seen the benefit package, you believe that the higher portion of the range you discussed would be appropriate given your experience and blah blah.
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Feb 12, 2014 15:44
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A recruiter I was supposed to meet for an interview on Friday just mailed me to ask if I could reschedule for Thursday. Reason being that he has a funeral to attend on Friday. Would it be better to be all business and just say I'm fine with rescheduling, or do I make it a little more personal and offer my condolences, even though I've never met him and have no idea how he's connected to whoever's funeral this is?
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Feb 12, 2014 16:02
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EAT THE EGGS RICOLA posted:Just tell them that, now that you have seen the benefit package, you believe that the higher portion of the range you discussed would be appropriate given your experience and blah blah. Thanks Ricola, I'll do that if the offer comes through. And eat the eggs. And Eques, I think it's always best to be a human and offer condolences briefly and then discuss the reschedule.
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Feb 12, 2014 16:10
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Iron Lung posted:And Eques, I think it's always best to be a human and offer condolences briefly and then discuss the reschedule.
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Feb 12, 2014 16:21
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ya your overthinking, just put one clause expressing sympathy then
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Feb 12, 2014 18:17
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Misogynist posted:Everyone will give you a written job offer. Verbal job offers are typically contingent offers extended before the company runs a full background check, because these checks are expensive and nobody wants to run them on candidates who aren't going to accept the offered package anyway. I assume this is normally done by email now? And do you normally have to send it back to them with your signature?
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Feb 13, 2014 00:25
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Magnetic North posted:I assume this is normally done by email now? And do you normally have to send it back to them with your signature? Yes, except for some very serious high level positions (or those with an employment contract) where there may be heaps of legal paperwork to sign it's done by e-mail, and you e-mail them back confirming you accept the offer. You may or may not have to physically sign it and send it back, just depends on the company.
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Feb 13, 2014 01:22
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prezbuluskey posted:Jesus I just had a long interview. It was intense but I think I did well. I am going to send thank you letters but I never had a chance to get the email of the interviewers, only the recruiter. Is it weird if I find their emails online and send them one? Yes, it's weird to hunt down their email addresses if they didn't offer them. Usually you can email the recruiter, thank them for setting the interview up, and also ask them to pass on your thanks to the team, as well.
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Feb 13, 2014 07:04
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Can i get some opinions on my new generic cover letter?quote:I see you’re looking for a ___, which would be an ideal position that would allow me to capitalize on both my educational and research experience. I am receiving my BSc in Chemical Engineering from Florida State University by May 2014, and I am looking to begin my professional career.
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Feb 13, 2014 17:17
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Xeom posted:Can i get some opinions on my new generic cover letter? My education has developed my technical expertise to a high degree. I am able to grasp complex technical information and communicate these to others without ambiguity. I work in an extremely organized and efficient manner, and can manage and prioritize objectives effectively. I believe I am a  candidate for the position in view of my credentials.Which credentials? Why? This could be anyone's cover letter, you need to actually say something about your resume. Ease off on the adverbs, too. If it were something I'd received (I'm an operation person, not a HR person, so take it with a grain of salt) I would have stopped reading after the first paragraph because you just took three lines to tell me you're about to graduate university and nothing else, and I have things to get to. Also you're allowed to start sentences with other words than "I".
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Feb 13, 2014 17:58
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Is it a bad idea to ask for more information from a job posting before sending over my cover letter and resume? The listing (craigslist) doesn't have any specific company information on it.
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Feb 13, 2014 20:50
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A few brief questions: I'm working on a resume for a career path change (hoping to move out of retail and into IT) and just completed A+ Certification, which is something that I think I should be featuring prominently so I'll probably be putting it in text in any summary of qualifications I go with, but should I include the actual logo in the resume at all? And if so, where? The logo is basically what's featured in the center of this image: My first thought is if I include the logo at all it'd be centered under the education heading; I'd also considered putting it in the header at the very top but I'm not sure cluttering the area where my contact information goes is a good idea. I'm not wed to using the logo so if I should just forego including it for text I'm fine with that, but I'm just not sure. Searching the thread didn't reveal much on certifications and the OP doesn't touch on it too much. e: Also how far back should I go when including related awards / recognition? I got a small scholarship for college on the basis of computer skills but that was 10 years ago now and I feel like including it is padding or reaching at best when I'd be better served leaving it out. Mo_Steel fucked around with this message at 22:02 on Feb 13, 2014 |
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Feb 13, 2014 21:59
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Mo_Steel posted:should I include the actual logo in the resume at all? No, that would be weird.
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Feb 13, 2014 22:14
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Iron Lung posted:Thanks. I know they had a range in mind but it's a bit lower than I'd like, lower than my starting pay at my last big job so I was hoping for more. Think its worth asking at all if they offer or should I just go with it and ask for a raise at six months etc? Read the negotiation thread. Even after stating a range you can do the dance once they make an offer.
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Feb 14, 2014 00:36
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Thufir posted:No, that would be weird. Alright, thanks.
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Feb 14, 2014 02:22
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So, this has been weighing on my mind for a day or so and I'm probably going to sound like a nut, but: I got a call for an interview at a local university. I was kind of stunned, because unlike the other university job interview I'd just had recently, there was no phone screen, just "we saw your application, when can you come here". So, I head down there and talk to the HR guy. "There's four candidates, including you. Three external and one internal--" (alarm bells are going off in my head) "--but don't worry, the team is willing to consider an external candidate" We talk for 30-45 minutes. He took a ton of notes, and it went waaay better than other conversations I've had with HR people (less "let me explain our benefits package until your eyes glaze over", more "tell me about yourself"/just talking about college/the college experience) He never told me anything about what the follow-up would be. He sends me out to wait, the team comes in. There's the department chair, the person who would be my direct supervisor, and the person who's already in my job. This interview went great. We had frank discussions about issues the department was dealing with, I talked at length about my work experience and was well-prepared for all the questions (I think), and generally I felt great about how everything was going. This also ran for a LONG time compared to other interviews I've had (hour and 15 minutes - hour and a half). When I left, the department chair (who had been running the second half) never told me anything about what the follow-up would be. (Of course, I didn't realize this until I was in the car and the adrenaline had worn off) Now, I already sent my thank-you note and everything but I keep flipping between: "They're not going to hire me, they have the internal guy and just have to put on a show that they searched for someone" (evidence: no discussion of follow-up) and "You're worrying about nothing, this was for real" (evidence: time elapsed, why would the HR guy take all those notes on someone he wouldn't hire). I still have no idea what to think.
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Feb 14, 2014 22:01
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If they call, they call. If not, move on. You aren't crazy for wondering/worrying, but there's nothing you can do.
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Feb 14, 2014 22:04
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Mike Danger posted:So, this has been weighing on my mind for a day or so and I'm probably going to sound like a nut, but:
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Feb 15, 2014 08:04
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Preface: Graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, May 2013; had to fulfill some obligations with my current employer up to the end of 2013, so now I'm looking for jobs elsewhere (because there are none at my company). Not sure it matters for this, but I have a ton of work experience in both Customer Service and Manufacturing (I'm 29). I'm looking at the jobs page of a big Fortune 500, and they have double-digit numbers of positions I am interested in, all over the country. How important is a well-crafted cover letter? I have a template that I adjust based on the position and specific requirements, but it is a time-consuming prospect to make one for each position - though I always do it when I have the opportunity to upload a cover letter. This system only allows someone to upload 5 files. I guess I could create a cover letter that will generally cover all the positions I want to apply for with this company, but I'm not sure if something that generic is worth it. Options: 1). No cover letter for any position 2). Generic cover letter for all positions 3). Target 3 of the positions with a tailored cover letter, use a general one for the rest 4). Target 4 of the positions with a tailored cover letter, no cover letter for the rest I read the first few pages and the last page of the thread, and didn't see anything that answered this question. I hope I'm not beating a dead horse here.
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Feb 16, 2014 03:08
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Don't start applying to a dozen positions in the same company (especially if it's the same position all over the country), a lot of places frown on it. Narrow down the ones you are best suited for and most interested in and go for those. If you're at a point where you have to start submitting a generic cover letter or no cover letter, then you're better off not applying to those positions.
Xandu fucked around with this message at 03:22 on Feb 16, 2014 |
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Feb 16, 2014 03:16
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Xandu posted:Don't start applying to a dozen positions in the same company, a lot of places frown on it. Narrow down the ones you are best suited for and most interested in and go for those. If you're at a point where you have to start submitting a generic cover letter or no cover letter, then you're better off not applying to those positions. I was thinking along this line as well. The only thing that made me consider applying for most of them is that they are spread out all over the country, and the company is split up into a lot of different business units, so chances are that all the applications will be going to different people anyway. I will pick the top two or three. Another question about these massive online forms: the work experience sections on these are the worst. I have worked for 5+ years at multiple companies, and was promoted to a bunch of different positions in them. Is it fine to simply put the company name, dates of employment, then in the summary, bullet-point the job titles, state that it was progressively responsible experience, and to please see my resume for more detail? . . . of course, my resume has it all lumped together as well, but I break down the titles with what I did in each. (No dates or anything, though, so at a glance it looks like I was a manager for 5 years, when I really only did it for 6 months ... but I have had so many eyes on my resume, and they say it's good, so eh) gently caress it, I'm overthinking this. If they want nitty-gritty detail they can look at my LinkedIn. The only thing I'm wondering is if I am safe to BRIEFLY summarize these long-term employment companies on the Taleo monstrosities and politely direct the reader to my attached resume for more detail?
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Feb 16, 2014 03:26
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Maybe, there's really no way to tell, but often there's a central group that will review resumes for basic qualifications before sending them out to the hiring managers responsible for each specific position. So a sentence in your cover letter about being interested in other positions (or other areas) will help out in that case. I completely agree about those systems (esp. Taleo); just let me send in a cover letter and resume, don't make me spend an hour filling in your stupid forms. I think your method is fine, but I don't really know. I literally just copy and paste from my resume for those sections.
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Feb 16, 2014 03:30
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Xandu posted:Maybe, there's really no way to tell, but often there's a central group that will review resumes for basic qualifications before sending them out to the hiring managers responsible for each specific position. So a sentence in your cover letter about being interested in other positions (or other areas) will help out in that case. I've tried that in the past, but a lot of times the box ignores line breaks, so it's a giant blob of useless text anyway then. On the last one I tried to sneak in some HTML line break code, and it got mad at me <  >I'm now going to take this moment to be angry about positions that require a very narrow graduation date range; I'm applying for the position anyway, because it would be an amazing job (rotational development program), but it's like "Really? You're going to disqualify me because I already have a degree? It's not even a year old yet, drat."
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Feb 16, 2014 03:37
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With the help of this thread I was contacted by a consultancy company for a phone interview, and have been offered a job. However the job is in a different country and my spidey-senses are tingling a bit. The company seems legit but it seems too easy, and they want an answer on the package and role straight away, and it seems like a big step to give up my nice safe life in London and gently caress off to Brussels based on one phone interview. Having said that I want out of my current job and this could be a good step into industry and international work. Basically, help! This is all going too fast.
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Feb 17, 2014 18:45
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After getting a BA in 2008 I jumped into a Masters program mainly out of fear, just to drop it and go backpacking with a friend. I then went to a community college to give math and science a try. After seeing how hard it was just to get into low level courses I dropped that and went to Europe and started working on organic farms for a good 3 years. While I can definitely convert skills from a farm into those applicable in an office environment, I definitely don't want to list out 15+ farms. Does every other format other than chronological send out instant red flags? Functional seems weak, but combined seems like a good way maybe to ease up on the whole flight risk aspect. Is combined format still going to be an instant red flag? At 28, this will be my first time trying to go for something linked to a bit more stability. Being a not so fresh graduate, should I still keep the education section on top? That plus 3 years in I/T helpdesk (as a student) are the only things keeping this mess all together!
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Feb 17, 2014 19:22
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moflika posted:Does every other format other than chronological send out instant red flags? Functional seems weak, but combined seems like a good way maybe to ease up on the whole flight risk aspect. Is combined format still going to be an instant red flag? absolutely, and absolutely. Sorry, if you're sending anything but a chronological resume you might as well write "I'm trying to hide unemployment/prison/job-hopping/whatever" on it.
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Feb 18, 2014 00:06
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knox_harrington posted:With the help of this thread I was contacted by a consultancy company for a phone interview, and have been offered a job. However the job is in a different country and my spidey-senses are tingling a bit. The company seems legit but it seems too easy, and they want an answer on the package and role straight away, and it seems like a big step to give up my nice safe life in London and gently caress off to Brussels based on one phone interview. This seems pretty strange to me. If they're that serious, I'd see if you can come check out the office (most likely not on their dime) and meet in person to further discuss the position. Seems pretty weird that they'd hire you sight unseen for a job in a different country. Or you just totally killed the phone interview and left all the other candidates in the dust! I had a pretty decent first interview (posted about the situation a page or two ago), but I'm fairly certain I do not want this job at all after thinking about it further. They just emailed me today to set up a 2nd interview with the founder of the company tomorrow which is too short notice for me and my current job anyway. I don't really want to waste their time or mine on the interview but wouldn't mind the interview practice for the future. I'm leaning towards just letting them know I appreciate the opportunity and their time but I'm no longer interested in the position. I think I'm pretty set on going back to school in the fall to pursue a completely different career so I'll probably stick with my current job until it ends in May and starting looking for part-time work. Being an adult is so difficult!
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Feb 18, 2014 01:02
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seacat posted:absolutely, and absolutely. Sorry, if you're sending anything but a chronological resume you might as well write "I'm trying to hide unemployment/prison/job-hopping/whatever" on it. I think you're alright if you are, say, applying to be an engineer and do something like: 2011-Current Detail detail detail 2007-2009 Engineer Detail detail detail 2009-2011 Retail Because gently caress the economy. In other words, focusing on relevant experience and relegate the filler to the bottom because it's filler and only serves to account for your time that you spent doing nothing. If, for example, you spent a summer backpacking (or even longer, maybe, for some people) then write that in too, because it's accounting for your time.
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Feb 18, 2014 03:05
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About applications: Should I put that I am available immediately, as is my gut instinct? I figure that, while I want to give my employer two weeks notice, that will be hashed out in the negotiation phase. Or Should I put that I am available two weeks from the date of application, so that I don't look like I am willing to drop my employer like a bad habit? This is my mother's point of view, and I think it's silly to think this way because the hiring process will most likely take longer than that anyway, so by the time we get around to talking about start dates, I'm going to be asking for an extra two weeks. While I still think I'm right, I agreed to ask strangers on the internet for fun. And also on the off-chance I'm wrong.
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Feb 18, 2014 04:22
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Is this one of those online forms that asks about availability? Either one is fine. No one is going to read too much into either one, they just want to be clear upfront that applicants will be able to start soon after an offer is received, instead of 3 months later. If it's a cover letter, don't even mention it. It's assumed if you are currently employed that you need to give 2 weeks notice, so the only reason to bring it up there is if you need to give more than 2 weeks notice.
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Feb 18, 2014 04:27
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Xandu posted:Is this one of those online forms that asks about availability? Either one is fine. No one is going to read too much into either one, they just want to be clear upfront that applicants will be able to start soon after an offer is received, instead of 3 months later. Ah, yes, sorry, I meant the online application form. Thanks for the input! I'm almost surprised we don't have an "Application Form" thread, these things are so drat complicated sometimes, and you're always wondering if what you said is going to trigger some filter somewhere. Although perhaps I am overthinking things. Wouldn't be the first time.
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Feb 18, 2014 04:45
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I'm applying for a position for the first time in about 10 years. The OP has been very helpful in getting my resume in shape. However I'm a bit stumped on who to provide as references and I didn't see anything in the OP or searching the first and last page of the thread, other than debating whether to include them initially or not. Obviously family is out. What about friends? People I've done a bit of work for a few years ago? Someone I work with in a volunteer organization that is completely unrelated to the type of work I'm applying for?
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Feb 18, 2014 04:57
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