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Applying for jobs is exhausting and soul-crushing

Aceun

Member
Well glad I followed up, got a call today saying they're gonna extend the offer to me shortly. This will be the 2nd company I've ever worked with in my 5 years out of school so this is really exciting for me (and gonna be a new experience turning in my 2 weeks notice).

Nice one! Congratulations!!
 
I'm full-time employed right now for a company I hate working at, and started looking for other jobs a few weeks ago. We're hoping to move out of state by the end of the summer and finding a new job would be part of that transition.

This is the first time I've ever tried looking for another job while also being full time somewhere else, and it's exhausting! I stare at a computer screen all day at work, and motivating myself to come home and stare at a computer screen some more and spend 1-4 hours on an application that might not even get looked at is super hard. Especially when I have a family that I want to spend time with.

I know I should count myself lucky to even have a job in the first place while I'm applying, but this process is grating on me and it's only been a month.
 
Nice one! Congratulations!!

Excellent congratulations! Wish I could tell you how to write a good letter, I've only ever worked part time or contract prior to the full time job I have now.

Glad that you can move forward now.

Thanks! I work remotely, so I've never actually seen my boss in person, haha. Think I'm going to call him and tell him and then send an e-mail after.
 

MoodyFog

Member
I'm full-time employed right now for a company I hate working at, and started looking for other jobs a few weeks ago. We're hoping to move out of state by the end of the summer and finding a new job would be part of that transition.

This is the first time I've ever tried looking for another job while also being full time somewhere else, and it's exhausting! I stare at a computer screen all day at work, and motivating myself to come home and stare at a computer screen some more and spend 1-4 hours on an application that might not even get looked at is super hard. Especially when I have a family that I want to spend time with.

I know I should count myself lucky to even have a job in the first place while I'm applying, but this process is grating on me and it's only been a month.

What field are you in?

I'd say put yourself out there as much as possible (use all the jobboards you can like monster and the likes, indeed, glassdoor etc), you're more likely to get contacted by a recruiter that way. The good thing is you're much more appealing to recruiters when you're employed :)
 

Aceun

Member
What field are you in?

I'd say put yourself out there as much as possible (use all the jobboards you can like monster and the likes, indeed, glassdoor etc), you're more likely to get contacted by a recruiter that way. The good thing is you're much more appealing to recruiters when you're employed :)

All of this. The other thing I'd say is bolster that Linkedin profile. You'd be surprised how much hits you can get off of that with a few tweaks to that profile.
 

jey_16

Banned
so need some advice GAF, been in the same role for over 3 years, not many opportunities internally

was lucky enough to get an interview at one of the largest companies in the country, still in the Finance Department but in a different and interesting area which would look good on the resume and obviously more opportunities moving forward considering the size of the company

they came back today with an offer and the issue is that the total salary package is not that much more than what i'm on now which is giving me pause. Money is not a massive issue for me but it would be have been nice to get a bump in salary and the commute is going to be a lot worse as well

not sure what I should do
 

Aceun

Member
I think it's appropriate to negotiate.

Be gracious and ask if there is an opportunity to negotiate.

I imagine part of the reason you want to leave your current company is because you're looking for growth, not just in terms of opportunity but also in terms of pay. A company who wants to hire you should at least be willing to have the conversation.

Be thoughtful about what number would make you sign today - something realistic. And then bump that up a smidge. Something along the lines of:

"I'm super excited about this opportunity and the only thing I'm hesitant on is the overall comp package. Is there an opportunity to negotiate? If the total comp was [XX number], I know I would accept today."
 

dskillzhtown

keep your strippers out of my American football
so need some advice GAF, been in the same role for over 3 years, not many opportunities internally

was lucky enough to get an interview at one of the largest companies in the country, still in the Finance Department but in a different and interesting area which would look good on the resume and obviously more opportunities moving forward considering the size of the company

they came back today with an offer and the issue is that the total salary package is not that much more than what i'm on now which is giving me pause. Money is not a massive issue for me but it would be have been nice to get a bump in salary and the commute is going to be a lot worse as well

not sure what I should do

So you are happy with your current position, but seems like there isn't much room for upward movement? I do think that getting a large company on your resume would be great for your future. Staying there 5 years or more would look great. In a larger company there may be more room for personal growth as well.

Only you can answer what the best decision is for you. Without knowing the specifics of your current situation hard to give much advice. Just think about what is best for your future, not your present. Seems to me that the commute is the main issue, not the money.
 

DonShula

Member
so need some advice GAF, been in the same role for over 3 years, not many opportunities internally

was lucky enough to get an interview at one of the largest companies in the country, still in the Finance Department but in a different and interesting area which would look good on the resume and obviously more opportunities moving forward considering the size of the company

they came back today with an offer and the issue is that the total salary package is not that much more than what i'm on now which is giving me pause. Money is not a massive issue for me but it would be have been nice to get a bump in salary and the commute is going to be a lot worse as well

not sure what I should do

Are there any skills or experiences you can point to and say "hey, most of the applicants probably don't have this?" Highlight any of those you can find when you counter the salary offer. The worst they can do is come back and say they can't move on it, so absolutely broach the topic. Just be reasonable.
 

dskillzhtown

keep your strippers out of my American football
I'm full-time employed right now for a company I hate working at, and started looking for other jobs a few weeks ago. We're hoping to move out of state by the end of the summer and finding a new job would be part of that transition.

This is the first time I've ever tried looking for another job while also being full time somewhere else, and it's exhausting! I stare at a computer screen all day at work, and motivating myself to come home and stare at a computer screen some more and spend 1-4 hours on an application that might not even get looked at is super hard. Especially when I have a family that I want to spend time with.

I know I should count myself lucky to even have a job in the first place while I'm applying, but this process is grating on me and it's only been a month.

Looking for work can be a full time job in itself. Because of the automated nature of many of the application processes, alot of times you just have to spray and pray. Put in a bunch of applications, some you may not be qualified for just in hopes that you get a call back. I used to put in only my dream jobs, but I abandoned that strategy. You have to increase your chances.
 
Today I have a phone interview with one of the largest companies in the world and one that GAF users use regularly. This is my 1st interview with this company but 3rd interview overall since being released from prison on Feb 6th. Hope I do well - it's a great company - seems a bit overwhelming though.
 

Flux

Member
Today I have a phone interview with one of the largest companies in the world and one that GAF users use regularly. This is my 1st interview with this company but 3rd interview overall since being released from prison on Feb 6th. Hope I do well - it's a great company - seems a bit overwhelming though.
Taco bell? Sony? Jokes aside all the best and keep your confidence up.
 

dskillzhtown

keep your strippers out of my American football
Today I have a phone interview with one of the largest companies in the world and one that GAF users use regularly. This is my 1st interview with this company but 3rd interview overall since being released from prison on Feb 6th. Hope I do well - it's a great company - seems a bit overwhelming though.

Pornhub? Overwhelming is good. That means you won't get bored. Stay positive and keep looking until your first day of work.
 

mhi

Member
I am spot similar to jey_16 and could use some advice as well.

My current position is in a Fortune 500 company's Marketing dept. which is notorious for not paying well relative to the position. I got an offer from another company for a 30% raise but it would be considered a "lateral" move in the sense that I don't get a title upgrade and the day to day responsibility is a downgrade compared to my current role. The offering company's department is also smaller (20 vs 150ish) but it's a reputable company so there isn't risk of layoffs.

My current company is pushing me to start managing folks, which I've resisted for a while but recently agreed to. It would another number of months after some internal training course, and would likely only amount to a 10% raise, which is why I've resisted; it's more responsibility for little monetary reward. The other "pro" to this current role is that they throw so much your way (being a big company) that you pick up a ridiculous amount of varied experience that could launch you down a lot of different paths.

Thoughts or perspectives are welcomed!
 

Flux

Member
I am spot similar to jey_16 and could use some advice as well.

My current position is in a Fortune 500 company's Marketing dept. which is notorious for not paying well relative to the position. I got an offer from another company for a 30% raise but it would be considered a "lateral" move in the sense that I don't get a title upgrade and the day to day responsibility is a downgrade compared to my current role. The offering company's department is also smaller (20 vs 150ish) but it's a reputable company so there isn't risk of layoffs.

My current company is pushing me to start managing folks, which I've resisted for a while but recently agreed to. It would another number of months after some internal training course, and would likely only amount to a 10% raise, which is why I've resisted; it's more responsibility for little monetary reward. The other "pro" to this current role is that they throw so much your way (being a big company) that you pick up a ridiculous amount of varied experience that could launch you down a lot of different paths.

Thoughts or perspectives are welcomed!
Go with the the big raise,honestly look out for yourself first. If you want to pursue management, it still can be possible at the new place. Then you keep building up from there.
Department size doesn't really play a role in anything does it? I work in a department of 5,I guess it limits moving up but I'd look externally once I earn some experience.
 

Bacon

Member
I am spot similar to jey_16 and could use some advice as well.

My current position is in a Fortune 500 company's Marketing dept. which is notorious for not paying well relative to the position. I got an offer from another company for a 30% raise but it would be considered a "lateral" move in the sense that I don't get a title upgrade and the day to day responsibility is a downgrade compared to my current role. The offering company's department is also smaller (20 vs 150ish) but it's a reputable company so there isn't risk of layoffs.

My current company is pushing me to start managing folks, which I've resisted for a while but recently agreed to. It would another number of months after some internal training course, and would likely only amount to a 10% raise, which is why I've resisted; it's more responsibility for little monetary reward. The other "pro" to this current role is that they throw so much your way (being a big company) that you pick up a ridiculous amount of varied experience that could launch you down a lot of different paths.

Thoughts or perspectives are welcomed!

It's gonna definitely have to be a personal decision because of all the factors at play but it's not often you can get a 30% raise, you gotta take that when the opportunity presents itself imo.
 
I'm hoping I could do with some advice. It's not that long, but I've broken it into bullet points to be as concise as possible, which may make it seem pretty lengthy:

Background:
-Maths BSc student in my penultimate year. My course is equivalent to the Masters in Arts in Mathematics at my university.
-Grades aren't bad, but they're not great. I've a Second Class Honours Grade One (for people in America, that'd be between a 3.08 and a 3.68 GPA, and a First Class Honours Grade One would be over a 3.69). I have the second best GPA in my course in my year (of 18).
-I'm interested in a PhD in Maths but not certain.

Situation:
-I've been offered a Summer Maths Research project. It's one of the only research projects in the country in Maths, and has less than five positions, open to applicants from any university. It's for half the summer and not particularly well-paid. It's in a topic (Abstract Algebra) I'm quite interested in and the supervisor I've had before but don't know particularly well.
-I've interviewed for, and may be offered, an analytics position in a technology and consulting company. It's fully-paid and is for the entire summer. The position requires coding and statistical experience, both of which I have, but I do not have a huge amount of coding experience in projects. It would, I believe, be focusing particularly on machine learning which I think would be very cool. The company is an extremely large business, and could be good for getting into larger firms (particularly one of the Big Four) in the future.

My list of positives for each:

Summer Maths Research Project:
Positives and Negatives:
+I've an interest in a PhD, and this would be very good to have. It might mitigate my okay grades.
+It's paid, even if not particularly well.
+It's one of the only (if not the only) undergraduate research projects in the entire country.
+I could get an academic reference if it goes very well (uncertain).
+I'd learn a lot.
+I'm interested in the topic.
+It's at a very convenient location extremely near my house.
+It'd look good on my CV.
+I'm guaranteed this position.
+It'd be something I could take home with me and focus on for hours, which is something I would enjoy.
-I'm not very familiar with the supervisor.
-If I was to do this, and eventually do a PhD, I'd earn considerably less money in ten years time than in industry.
-There's much less job security if I were to do this and go on to academia.
-There'd be a lot of pressure to get results in the period we have.
-I don't know if I'd get funding for a PhD with my grades.

Company

Positives/Negatives
+It's paid well, better than the Maths internship but not as much as a job I've previously had over summer.
+Excellent on my CV (in conjunction with what experience I already have).
+Most interns get offered a job for after they complete their degree, providing security that I'd have my job once I finish my BSc (was planning to do a Masters)
+If I was to do this, it'd be much easier to leverage my way into a well-paying job in one of The Big Four and make considerably more money in ten years time than if I was in academia.
+Much higher job security taking this as it'd be easier to get into positions which this on my CV.
+Much more pressure, I've heard it's an intense internship program.
+I'd learn a lot, particularly relating to coding which I enjoy, but have not done very expansive projects.
+I'm interested in Machine Learning.
+If I do well and stick with the position after college, I may be able to leverage myself into a company willing to pay for a Masters.
+Much better for networking, it works with a lot of companies in the Fortune 500.
+Probably better if I wanted to work in Google or Facebook.
-I'd need to do a lot of preparation to bring my coding up to scratch.
-I've done a lot of statistics, but I don't necessarily enjoy it.
-The more corporate culture is not necessarily what I'd prefer to academia I think.
-It's a much further commute.
-I'd need to travel much more which is not something I'd necessarily enjoy (and I don't have a car).
-Would be unlikely to ever get the opportunity to complete further study in mathematics if I did this and went into industry.
-Not necessarily something I'd enjoy (neither is the Maths Project, to be fair, but I'm more uncertain as to how well I'd like it).
-It'd be more expensive (wearing suits would be expected and I'd need to buy some, cost of travel would go from 0 to 40 euro a week minimum, cost of lunch, social events with colleagues which are expected, travelling to other locations, etc.)
-Longer hours actually in work and taking much longer to get to work and from work.
-Not even guaranteed to be offered this, it's still up in the air.

Question:
Which would people recommend if I was offered the latter too? I'm going to speak to one of the university professors I really like if I hear back from the company (as I don't know yet if I'll even be offered both) asking for advice, but I'd like to hear from as many people as possible pre-emptively, so I know roughly what to do as soon as I am either offered (or declined from) the company's internship.

At the moment, one sets me up somewhat for a PhD and academia, while the other sets me up much better to go into industry, and I don't know what I really want to do.


EDIT: I accepted the maths one
 

jey_16

Banned
thanks for the feedback guys, after a lot of sleepless nights, I think i'm going to take the offer. They ended up negotiating a bit and even though the money is not exactly where I would like it to be, I feel like I just need a change in my career and it's not often that a company you don't work for offers you the opportunity in a new area. Nearly all the previous jobs I have gone for have just been a continuation of what I am doing now which did not seem that exciting. Just think that I need to take a chance and go for it

commute is going to be bad but just going to have to suck it up

also, I am just a bit over the endless amount of interviews that I have had. It is just exhausting meeting with so many recruitment agents, then 1st round interviews and 2nd round interviews etc

now comes the weird part of resigning from my current role, don't think they are expecting it at all and will definitely leave them a bit understaffed for a while considering how long it normally takes to replace people here!
 

Agent Icebeezy

Welcome beautful toddler, Madison Elizabeth, to the horde!
Had a physical interview in a prestigious Chicago Hospital yesterday, with the executive director and his manager. Position is in finance and analysis. Anyways, talking talking budget, the head guy stopped the interview and was showing me figures and shit that they use on the daily. Great interview and of course, I send the email of courtesy for the email. Both people replied too. I'm not putting too much into it but nice nonetheless.
 

Flux

Member
thanks for the feedback guys, after a lot of sleepless nights, I think i'm going to take the offer. They ended up negotiating a bit and even though the money is not exactly where I would like it to be, I feel like I just need a change in my career and it's not often that a company you don't work for offers you the opportunity in a new area. Nearly all the previous jobs I have gone for have just been a continuation of what I am doing now which did not seem that exciting. Just think that I need to take a chance and go for it

commute is going to be bad but just going to have to suck it up

also, I am just a bit over the endless amount of interviews that I have had. It is just exhausting meeting with so many recruitment agents, then 1st round interviews and 2nd round interviews etc

now comes the weird part of resigning from my current role, don't think they are expecting it at all and will definitely leave them a bit understaffed for a while considering how long it normally takes to replace people here!
Glad you made the choice that suited you. Don't worry about leaving. I'm in the same situation where if I left there wouldn't be a biostatistics or scientist on staff. Not something you have to deal with, just do the polite thing of a two week notice letter.
 

Mr. F

Banned
yo that catch-22 of not getting hired because you don't have enough experience but you can't get more experience because nobody will hire you because you don't have enough experience.
 

Flux

Member
I have a question for anyone in a position where they have a current job and are seeking a new opportunity, or have done so in the past.

For context, I am basically a fresh graduate in my first job. Reading more threads and general articles about how it's good to always keep an eye out for better opportunities has motivated me to keep looking up (my position also seems fairly limited in terms of long-term promotions or raises). I want to know how to best handle seeking a new job and handling interviews while employed. My manager is stingy and pries heavily into anyones requests for time off, and I can probably only get away with so many "appointments" when they come up. Is asking potential interviews to talk outside of business hours acceptable?

Any words of advice would be appreciated.
 
It is. Most companies' application processes are ass. Having to re-write everything down is annoying, especially when they ask you to fill out 20 pages of application forms just for something entry-level. Lucky for the time being that I have a temp job.
 

mhi

Member
I have a question for anyone in a position where they have a current job and are seeking a new opportunity, or have done so in the past.

For context, I am basically a fresh graduate in my first job. Reading more threads and general articles about how it's good to always keep an eye out for better opportunities has motivated me to keep looking up (my position also seems fairly limited in terms of long-term promotions or raises). I want to know how to best handle seeking a new job and handling interviews while employed. My manager is stingy and pries heavily into anyones requests for time off, and I can probably only get away with so many "appointments" when they come up. Is asking potential interviews to talk outside of business hours acceptable?

Any words of advice would be appreciated.

You won't find too many people looking to schedule calls outside of business hours and what your manager thinks of your days off shouldn't play a big factor in your scheduling.

For the initial calls, you want to schedule them during your lunch/break hours. Then for the in person interviews, you want to use the combination of sick (aka unplanned days off) vs vacation (planned days off) to your benefit. Depending on the flexibility of your company, there is a litany of excuses that you can use for both unplanned and planned days.

  • House repairs (AC, water heater, plumbing, cable installation etc) that you need to be present for.
  • Doctor, dental, or vision appointment
  • Car trouble/repair
  • If you have a pet, then an appointment for them
Hope that helps.
 

Munti

Member
I have a very 1st world problem and I don't know what to do.

As I am unhappy with my current job, I looked for another job very long for 2 years.
I then find out that there is a field in study in Human-Computer Interaction. I am very interested in this subject and actually planned to start a masters in this field this winter. With this degree, I would like to work as an interaction designer or Usability Engineer, as it contains both technical and creative elements, what it is higly missing in my job.

Suprisingly, today I "finally" got accepted for a job as an expert user for eDMS in a pharmacy company. The salary is very good, and the tasks are much more interesting and better then what I do now. Also the team seems to be nice. But it would still be the same area of job what I do now, working with documents and systems, what I personally find a bit dry. But at the end, I would maybe like it?

I have now no idea what to decide for and tomorrow I have to reply. My heart says to go to university, but I fear that this would be the wrong decision as many people would wish to work in such a place.
 

Flux

Member
You won't find too many people looking to schedule calls outside of business hours and what your manager thinks of your days off shouldn't play a big factor in your scheduling.

For the initial calls, you want to schedule them during your lunch/break hours. Then for the in person interviews, you want to use the combination of sick (aka unplanned days off) vs vacation (planned days off) to your benefit. Depending on the flexibility of your company, there is a litany of excuses that you can use for both unplanned and planned days.

  • House repairs (AC, water heater, plumbing, cable installation etc) that you need to be present for.
  • Doctor, dental, or vision appointment
  • Car trouble/repair
  • If you have a pet, then an appointment for them
Hope that helps.
Thank you for all the great advice. Going to look into a quite spot to take calls nearby. My boss has revealed her ugly side and is incredibly verbally abusive for small issues that don't warrant that type of reaction. I've also felt uneasy the whole time I was there with the workplace environment. It's my first job out of grad school and I haven't even hit half a year, but I feel like I need to start looking.
 

arm812

Member
Hey guys, I thought this would be a good place to post and see if anyone can give me any pointers on what I can change about my resume. I'm currently applying for jobs and with my experience which is well over 10 years of customer service and processing positions, I feel as if I'm not getting nearly enough hits with my resume. Any criticism is welcome. Currently in a call center position and looking desperately to get out of that environment. Thanks guys!


ARMartin <--(No this is not on my resume lol)


CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE:
Maintains a professional, courteous, and positive attitude when interacting with customers
Interacts with a diverse population of customers and provides excellent quality service
Placed orders for items customers wanted that were not available in store
Directed customer to necessary department to be serviced with their specific needs
Provides telephone support and problem resolution to customers
Answered inquiries and assisted customers in selection and purchase of merchandise
Purchased software from consumers

CALL CENTER EXPERIENCE:
Receives and services inbound customer service calls and Voice Credit card calls.
Made outbound telephone calls to insurance agents and companies to obtain information needed for input
Input collected information into servicing system to disburse premium payments from escrow accounts
Input notes for follow up with insurance companies if renewal premiums were not received
Mailed necessary documents to clients
Ensured all items were processed in a timely manner to meet or exceed established standards

CLAIMS PROCESSING EXPERIENCE:
Gathers pertinent information for filing and submitting disputes for fraud claims
Contacted insurance companies to retrieve premium payment amounts that are outstanding
Issued payments to insurance companies
Processed foreclosed properties for conveyance to a government agency
Checked with property preservation companies to ensure upkeep of foreclosed properties.
Contacted attorneys’ offices to check status of legal documents
Faxed legal documents to attorneys’ offices
Copied documents for files

MANAGERIAL EXPERIENCE:
Opened and/or closed the store
Reconciled vault, cash drawers, and credit card receipts
Reconciled and made bank deposits
Supervised sales staff
Prepared defective products for return shipment
Received and unloaded incoming merchandise
Ensured delivered merchandise was accounted for
Maintained a thorough and accurate inventory of all store stock
 
Taco bell? Sony? Jokes aside all the best and keep your confidence up.

Pornhub? Overwhelming is good. That means you won't get bored. Stay positive and keep looking until your first day of work.

Amazon.

I got past the phone interview. They're scheduling three interviews in person this week. Hopefully they go well. Staying positive and praying that when my conviction comes up, that I can talk to them about why and how it happened and shine a light on my rehabilitation and transformation.
 

Aceun

Member
Amazon.

I got past the phone interview. They're scheduling three interviews in person this week. Hopefully they go well. Staying positive and praying that when my conviction comes up, that I can talk to them about why and how it happened and shine a light on my rehabilitation and transformation.

Good stuff! Best of luck!!
 
Does anyone else feel like they haven't learned anything in school? I've studied very hard in my life. I'm 26 and I have a double degree BA, and a Masters degree and I've been struggling to find a long term job since October. I had some luck in December and did some maternity coverage for a couple months but since then...nothing.

I definitely understand the feeling of applying, writing cover letters, filling out questionnaires and not even getting an email back let alone a call to let me know I didn't get the job. I don't know what to do, it just feels like my skills and experience don't count for anything, it feels like even with what is supposed to be a really hard to get degree, nobody gives a shit.
 

dskillzhtown

keep your strippers out of my American football
Does anyone have any opinions on LinkedIn's ability to submit for jobs?

IE: does applying via LinkedIn work?

It definitely is a place HR groups look. It's also free, so there is no downside to using it. I used the paid services on the site to directly email HR reps and get information about other people who applied to the jobs as well. But I felt it wasn't really worth the $$. I have heard that if you write about so best practices in your field, you will get more response as well. It makes you seem like more of an expert.


Does anyone else feel like they haven't learned anything in school? I've studied very hard in my life. I'm 26 and I have a double degree BA, and a Masters degree and I've been struggling to find a long term job since October. I had some luck in December and did some maternity coverage for a couple months but since then...nothing.

I definitely understand the feeling of applying, writing cover letters, filling out questionnaires and not even getting an email back let alone a call to let me know I didn't get the job. I don't know what to do, it just feels like my skills and experience don't count for anything, it feels like even with what is supposed to be a really hard to get degree, nobody gives a shit.

It really depends on the organization. I know some companies won't even look at a resume if they don't have a degree. I know some companies who value experience more than a degree. You have to keep putting yourself out there until you find something. I know on Linkedin they are now matching people with jobs where there are alums from your school, so that may help you.
 
It definitely is a place HR groups look. It's also free, so there is no downside to using it. I used the paid services on the site to directly email HR reps and get information about other people who applied to the jobs as well. But I felt it wasn't really worth the $$. I have heard that if you write about so best practices in your field, you will get more response as well. It makes you seem like more of an expert.




It really depends on the organization. I know some companies won't even look at a resume if they don't have a degree. I know some companies who value experience more than a degree. You have to keep putting yourself out there until you find something. I know on Linkedin they are now matching people with jobs where there are alums from your school, so that may help you.

Yeah I've been trying LinkedIn, made an account, paid for premium for a couple months but it didn't have a huge impact so I gave up on using linkedin for a bit because I thought it wasn't working at all for me, it felt like a waste of time but recently I'm trying again so maybe I'll get some results. It feels like a lot of what is out there either requires a ton of skills I don't have, or the skills that I do have and experience and knowledge is not what they're looking for. I thought I could do this all on my own but I'm thinking now that I will probably go to an employment agency to get some help(Ironically, part of what I have studied is how to help people find employment).
 

Flux

Member
Does anyone else feel like they haven't learned anything in school? I've studied very hard in my life. I'm 26 and I have a double degree BA, and a Masters degree and I've been struggling to find a long term job since October. I had some luck in December and did some maternity coverage for a couple months but since then...nothing.

I definitely understand the feeling of applying, writing cover letters, filling out questionnaires and not even getting an email back let alone a call to let me know I didn't get the job. I don't know what to do, it just feels like my skills and experience don't count for anything, it feels like even with what is supposed to be a really hard to get degree, nobody gives a shit.

I have the same educational background as you. But you have to remember to hold your head high because that education is important, even of it doesn't directly show. What kind of skills do you have and what do you want to do? Sometimes it just takes a new approach or rewording of what your skills are to match job application requirements.

If it helps, I had a few cover letter templates styled towards different general categories (academic, laboratory, corporate) and slotted in the necessary skills or information.

Those questionnaires suck. I would create a master word bank style document of any question you have to answer. Keep them and recycle them as needed, or make updates. It'll cut down on the monotonous process.
 
I have the same educational background as you. But you have to remember to hold your head high because that education is important, even of it doesn't directly show. What kind of skills do you have and what do you want to do? Sometimes it just takes a new approach or rewording of what your skills are to match job application requirements.

If it helps, I had a few cover letter templates styled towards different general categories (academic, laboratory, corporate) and slotted in the necessary skills or information.

Those questionnaires suck. I would create a master word bank style document of any question you have to answer. Keep them and recycle them as needed, or make updates. It'll cut down on the monotonous process.

I got a masters of social work, so I know a lot about mental health, counselling, social policy and community development. A lot of people don't know that people with social work backgrounds can be good with project management and policy analysis as well. I'd primarily like to work in government, healthcare or non-profits as a policy analyst, community organizer or a counselor but I've been broadening my scope and trying for a lot of different jobs. I've tried to basically emphasize everything that I know and tailor my resume for each type of job that I want. The wordbank idea is a good suggestion, I'm going to use that :)
 
What happens when you finally get an interview but it's for a job you really don't want, but you haven't heard back from anyone else and you kind of need a job?

And this isn't a job where you could just do it for a little bit while you wait on others. It's a long commitment.
 

Flux

Member
I got a masters of social work, so I know a lot about mental health, counselling, social policy and community development. A lot of people don't know that people with social work backgrounds can be good with project management and policy analysis as well. I'd primarily like to work in government, healthcare or non-profits as a policy analyst, community organizer or a counselor but I've been broadening my scope and trying for a lot of different jobs. I've tried to basically emphasize everything that I know and tailor my resume for each type of job that I want. The wordbank idea is a good suggestion, I'm going to use that :)

No problem. Government of Ontario drops like a long form 12 question bomb at the end of every application submission so I got the idea from that.

Open up to universities perhaps? Many of the ones near me hire mental health counsellors to help students 1-on-1 and run seminars etc.
 

MC Safety

Member
What happens when you finally get an interview but it's for a job you really don't want, but you haven't heard back from anyone else and you kind of need a job?

And this isn't a job where you could just do it for a little bit while you wait on others. It's a long commitment.

You should take every interview. It's good practice, and the experience will come in handy when you interview for a job you want.

An interview should be a feeling out process on both sides.
 

brerwolfe

Member
Yeah I've been trying LinkedIn, made an account, paid for premium for a couple months but it didn't have a huge impact so I gave up on using linkedin for a bit because I thought it wasn't working at all for me, it felt like a waste of time
I've never gotten a job through LinkedIn directly, but I've probably gotten jobs because I have a LinkedIn account.

I use LinkedIn as a breathing resume-- I update it occasionally, throw some status updates about what I'm working on, and then get people to throw some recommendations on there for me.

When I'm cold-emailing someone, or responding to an email, I throw a link to my account down and say something like "feel free to browse my LinkedIn profile and also see what my colleagues have said about working with me."

My field is different than most of the people in this thread (television/video), but I think using LinkedIn this way could be a better way to approach it. I think.

If anyone wants to see and maybe figure out a way it could work for you:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brerwolfe/
 
Man as person with English as second language my writing skills are not the best. I hate writing cover letters lol. Also wassup with companies looking for 2-3 years experience for entry level software engineering jobs? I mean I have some internship but for some companies apparently that's not even good enough. Atleast give me an interview. I know my skills are good enough to have a decent shot of passing any interviews sigh....
 
One of the places I applied to required a funny video about myself for fucking part time work. I really hate places that try to be cute like that.
 

dukeoflegs

Member
I have an interview in a couple hours, having a bit of anxiety. I think I'll do well because of my experience and job history matches the position well. I know a bunch of people at the company that put in a good word for me. Its a lead position so I won't be doing grunt work which is great, but the industry I'm in has burned me out and I conflicted if I really want to continue working in this industry.

I'm probably over thinking it like I always do.
 

Slo

Member
Flipped on the "looking" switch on LinkedIn and one recruiter sent me a message full of cheesy jokes and promises that the interview process will be fun. Ugh.

Here's one gem (Computer Science related) :
Oh and one more thing..... Could you tell me what's the object oriented way to become wealthy? Hmmmm....Inheritance maybe? &#55357;&#56842;
 
Got the call. I start Monday.


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