opticalmace
Member
I would at least wait for those few days if your interview was yesterday. Maybe if you don't hear by the end of Friday inquire?
That said I don't know much about all this stuff anyway.
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Applying for jobs is exhausting and soul-crushing
- Thread starter Moofers
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I would at least wait for those few days if your interview was yesterday. Maybe if you don't hear by the end of Friday inquire?
That said I don't know much about all this stuff anyway.
Khalifa Jayy
Banned
Interview lined by up for Friday... Wish me luck!
Yes, it is a combination of amazing and nervousness. Thank you.
It really is. I didn't think I was going to get it with how hard they grilled me in the interview process. Thank you.
Hypereides
Member
I just wanted to chime in and say i sympathize with those who are currently seeking and struggling to find employment.
I'm in a similar boat, but applying for internships. Expectations of the market for interns are paradoxical themselves being that employers now expect applicants to have a large amount of experience prior to be considered for an internship.
I have a loose agreement with an acquaintance in the gaming industry, but I'd prefer going through an internship elsewhere and see it as a last resort.
I'm in a similar boat, but applying for internships. Expectations of the market for interns are paradoxical themselves being that employers now expect applicants to have a large amount of experience prior to be considered for an internship.
I have a loose agreement with an acquaintance in the gaming industry, but I'd prefer going through an internship elsewhere and see it as a last resort.
Intheflorsh
Banned
I went to a career fair today and somehow managed to get a job interview with an IT company for tomorrow. I'm a computer science major so this is a bit out of my wheelhouse, anyone have any tips?
entremet
Member
Entry level IT is dead easy. Take one of those sample Compia A+ test to check your skill level, which you should pass given your background.
What does the job spec say? That would be your guide.
Intheflorsh
Banned
Thanks, I'll check out that test. The position is "data integration specialist" and there's no posting online so that's all I have to go off on. I'll google around.
Sectorseven
Member
I just tried a lab simulator and they were asking stuff like "Arrange the color codes of T568B connector to a proper order."
Do they really ask things like that on the test?
entremet
Member
Some of the sample tests are super outdated, but I told the poster more so he can get an inventory of his Basic IT skills.
Sectorseven
Member
Do you know a good source for practice questions? I've watched some videos and they seem pretty straightforward, but then I try practice questions like this and it doesn't feel like anything I really saw covered.
There's other questions like "Enable MAC Address filtering in the WAP device, so that the machines matching the MAC addresses are permitted to communicate using the wireless network." or "Drag and drop the functions or features corresponding to the OSI layers" and that's, well, more advanced than the way a lot of people describe this test.
entremet
Member
Check Udemy. They cost money but not too much.
I've been getting a lot of emails from Udemy saying they moved course to YouTube. So check YouTube for free training.
I decided to wait until Monday morning. Figure you give them the whole window they quoted, and then if they lag beyond the window inquire politely.
Battle Litany
Banned
Hi, I'm not sure if this is the right thread for this but I'm in desperate need of some advice.
I'm a college senior in my penultimate semester and I've really started to panic. I'm a non-STEM major (finance & econ) at a mediocre university (#82 usnwr ranking) and most importantly I failed to acquire any internships or legitimate professional experience during my time in Uni. (I went to CC for 2 years before transferring so I really did not have much time to establish connections on campus before most places already finished their recruiting for summer positions. Also commuting to campus and working 30 hours a week at my part-time job didn't help much either in terms of being able to make it to a lot of networking events)
I feel like I screwed up massively and completing my degree would just be a waste of time and money as my chances of finding gainful employment after graduation seem almost nonexistent. I have 12,500 in student loan debt if I withdrew right now and about 20,000 if I stayed in school and finished my degree.
Tuesday is the deadline to withdraw and have most of my tuition and fees refunded. I need to make a decision fast but I'm still unsure.
I'm a college senior in my penultimate semester and I've really started to panic. I'm a non-STEM major (finance & econ) at a mediocre university (#82 usnwr ranking) and most importantly I failed to acquire any internships or legitimate professional experience during my time in Uni. (I went to CC for 2 years before transferring so I really did not have much time to establish connections on campus before most places already finished their recruiting for summer positions. Also commuting to campus and working 30 hours a week at my part-time job didn't help much either in terms of being able to make it to a lot of networking events)
I feel like I screwed up massively and completing my degree would just be a waste of time and money as my chances of finding gainful employment after graduation seem almost nonexistent. I have 12,500 in student loan debt if I withdrew right now and about 20,000 if I stayed in school and finished my degree.
Tuesday is the deadline to withdraw and have most of my tuition and fees refunded. I need to make a decision fast but I'm still unsure.
Lactose_Intolerant
Member
The degree will be worth more than $7500
Battle Litany
Banned
I guess I just feel like I already blew it and that it would be better to just cut my losses.
I'm talking to a career advisor on Monday but idk if I can really trust anything he says given he works for the university.
Liljagare
Member
Don't quit your degree before you are finished. Put it into perspective. Would you rather be paying off half a degree (since you never finished it) that you can never use anywhere? I have friends that talk about how they are only a few credits away from being a lawyer, a teacher, blah blah..but in the end, they are neither of those things. They can't use all they learned because they don't have the finished product.
Best to finish and go from there. Tons of people finish their degree and don't end up in the field they studied for or end up pursuing something that interested them more while they were working to pay off their student loans. A degree doesn't define you, you do. Kudos to you that worked and got your degree at the same time. Many people don't even do that.
Forerunner
Member
Im going to echo what everyone else is saying. You need to finish it. If you drop out now, youll have a $12.5k debt and nothing at all to show for it. Youre in your senior year, so just finish it out. The degree will pay off in the long run. Sure it doesnt look like that at the moment, but it's all about the bigger picture. I highly recommend you finish it.
GreenMonkey
Member
I make 6 figures in IT security and I have a history degree. Took me 14 yrs. Skipped a few semesters, half time school + full time work + babies and such. Kept moving it along, bit by bit.
Minor was Computational Math (remnants of my other major - engineering / computer science major originally).
I couldn't have gotten my first decent IT job without the 2 yr degree equivalency (I had a lot of credits) nor my first salary security position without the 4 yr degree requirement being met. It was absolutely a requirement.
A lot of big companies are sticklers that you have some sort of degree. It doesn't often matter what. I had a boss at one point with a music degree, and another with a criminal Justice degree.
Finish your degree. Whatever it is.
For fucks sake, finish your degree. There will be a multitude of opportunities available to people who have a 4 year degree that are simply closed off to those that don't, including Master's degrees in STEM-ish fields.
$12,500 and the last 3 years are a sunk cost. It's gone. You can't get it back. The choice that is immediately in front of you is "would you spend 1 year and $7500 for a Bachelor's degree."
Anyone would take that deal 100 times out of 100.
entremet
Member
Guys, don't put so much focus on degrees. Yes, a good degree will set up you nicely. But today you can learn so much online for free. Besides, graduating is the beginning. You will learn new things your entire career if you want to remain relevant.
A tech lead at my former company was a Biology major. He coded on the side.
But like Slo said, finish your degree if you're close. If anything it will help you check that box of degree completed on job applications.
A tech lead at my former company was a Biology major. He coded on the side.
But like Slo said, finish your degree if you're close. If anything it will help you check that box of degree completed on job applications.
I agree that too many people view degrees as a permission slip to work, like it's a forklift operator's license or something. If that's how you think of your degree, you're working on an outdated model.
On the otherhand, actually accomplishing a degree is a 1000x better than flaking out on one, unless you dig so for a specific purpose like founding your own business. I'll agree with entremet's statement that people aren't necessarily locked into their original focus of study. Just look at LinkedIn profiles for people in high profile positions. Some of them have a STEM background, some of the have some sort of Business/Finance degree, and some others come from a background of underwater basket weaving.
It's all part of your personal journey.
Eliciel
Member
fully agree to all guys/girls whowere out there looking for jobs for >12 months. It has been one of the hardest, most self-confidence losing and depressive times of my life. In the end I made it after 14 months....I am full employed for more than 3 years now and happy with my job.
never stop believing in yourself and someone will believe in you and your endurance. Most importantly you will grow your inner self and people will respect you for it.
never stop believing in yourself and someone will believe in you and your endurance. Most importantly you will grow your inner self and people will respect you for it.
DriftingSpirit
Member
I'll be graduating this fall with an English degree (creative writing concentration) and a minor in psychology.
While I know it will take me a while to get to where I really want to be (writing in the entertainment field), I hope I'll at least be able to considerably expand my options in the job market as mentioned above.
While I know it will take me a while to get to where I really want to be (writing in the entertainment field), I hope I'll at least be able to considerably expand my options in the job market as mentioned above.
CanUKlehead
Member
Finish it up, dude. If only cause it sounds like you're sooo close!
Edit: For me, I look to the future--do I think I would regret not spending the 7500 (and having a loan anyway) and having that degree?
CrazyHorse
Junior Member
Is there any way around this mess? I can find jobs quite easily because I am lucky enough to be in a field where there is a lot of demand, but I do remember the days where it would be soul crushing.
Why should we be in an economy where your future depends on the whims of others?
Why should we be in an economy where your future depends on the whims of others?
so in a dilemma right now GAF, received two job offers within a few days and not sure what to do:
Job A: Good pay, permanent full time, similar to what I have done in the past but will now have a direct report. Medium size company, apparently high staff turnover so not sure on the culture
Job B: Just received the offer a few hours ago, will be a different role compared to what I have done in the past, one of the biggest banks in the country with apparently a good work culture and they have amazing offices. Issue is that the pay is $20k less than Job A and it's on a 12-month fixed term contract so there is no guarantee that I keep the job past 12 months
I had already verbally accepted Job A as I was not expecting to hear back from Job B, but now i'm kind of torn. My head says to stick with Job A, the money is great and it would be good to have people management experience with a direct report but my heart says take a chance with Job B since it would be good to have that type of experience on the resume and the work seems more interesting
really unsure, most of my friends and family say take the security and cash and go for Job A but I really don't know
Job A: Good pay, permanent full time, similar to what I have done in the past but will now have a direct report. Medium size company, apparently high staff turnover so not sure on the culture
Job B: Just received the offer a few hours ago, will be a different role compared to what I have done in the past, one of the biggest banks in the country with apparently a good work culture and they have amazing offices. Issue is that the pay is $20k less than Job A and it's on a 12-month fixed term contract so there is no guarantee that I keep the job past 12 months
I had already verbally accepted Job A as I was not expecting to hear back from Job B, but now i'm kind of torn. My head says to stick with Job A, the money is great and it would be good to have people management experience with a direct report but my heart says take a chance with Job B since it would be good to have that type of experience on the resume and the work seems more interesting
really unsure, most of my friends and family say take the security and cash and go for Job A but I really don't know
dskillzhtown
keep your strippers out of my American football
Good question. I had a similar decision in the past. Make 20k more with a new job, or stay where I was which offered all kinds of security and I had been there for years. I jumped for more cash and within 4 months found myself in a layoff. My thought is to go where there is more security. Job A sounds like it is permanent, but with high turnover you never know how good that security is. My advice would be to ask Job B what the probability of you becoming permanent is if you do a kickass job in those 12 months. After you get that info, then make your decision.
entremet
Member
Be grateful and help others. Simple as that. I'm pretty much in this thread to help others after going through a long unemployment/underemployment stint in my past. It was soul crushing, but weirdly one of the best things to happen to me. It helped my develop perseverance and grit.
Kotetsu534
Member
I just finished my first day in a "real" job after more than two years stuck in low-paid retail work. I felt utterly worthless and pathetic at the lowest point. I'd more or less given up. But I made it in the end. I'm proud that I remained resilient and fought back from the despair. No matter how hopeless it can seem, you have to keep playing the law of large numbers - that if you keep making good quality applications to suitable roles you'll eventually get a chance.
I got a couple of questions for those that work in IT.
Would it be easy to get an entry level IT jobs even though I don't have any certs? I graduated a couples months ago with a Bachelor degree in Information Systems. The degree is more of data analysis, design, database and coding. I don't care much for those thing tbh. I just want to work with the PCs hardware/software and taking care of them. I know how to fix them, install OS, and replace the hardware already.
What would be the best place to look for entry level IT positions online?
Also if someone happens to work in IT in the Southern California location, what would be the best place to look for entry level IT?
Would it be easy to get an entry level IT jobs even though I don't have any certs? I graduated a couples months ago with a Bachelor degree in Information Systems. The degree is more of data analysis, design, database and coding. I don't care much for those thing tbh. I just want to work with the PCs hardware/software and taking care of them. I know how to fix them, install OS, and replace the hardware already.
What would be the best place to look for entry level IT positions online?
Also if someone happens to work in IT in the Southern California location, what would be the best place to look for entry level IT?
Another day of waiting for my phone to ring and going back and forth with an HR rep by email who seems determined to get me to interview at times when i've already scheduled interviews.
I sent the followup email last night, just asking about the status of my application and repeating back to them where we stood when i left (that they were either ready to make a decision, or i needed to talk to somebody else in the company, she wasn't sure). No reply, but it is 9/11 and i am job-hunting in the DC area, so maybe she took a day off?
At this point it's a race to see who will give me an offer first. Then there's the two week window while i wind down my current temp job to see if i can get any counteroffers brewing.
I sent the followup email last night, just asking about the status of my application and repeating back to them where we stood when i left (that they were either ready to make a decision, or i needed to talk to somebody else in the company, she wasn't sure). No reply, but it is 9/11 and i am job-hunting in the DC area, so maybe she took a day off?
At this point it's a race to see who will give me an offer first. Then there's the two week window while i wind down my current temp job to see if i can get any counteroffers brewing.
kevo_huevo
Member
You also look into Business Systems Analyst-type positions, which would give you kind of a blend of both soft skills (like critical thinking, data analysis) and some lower level coding/report writing. Also, don't limit your search to just IT--HRIS is also becoming a growing field which bridges the gap between technical knowledge and institutional knowledge, just centered around HR.
MissDeviling
Member
Had an interview with a large accounting firm that I really wanted to work for, only to get turned down today. I'm absolutely crushed, because it would have been a place I'd likely stay at for a long time.
I was also offered a position at another company, and the pay is quite a bit better than at my current job, but I wouldn't be able to pursue public accounting. It's alright, I guess, but I'm just frustrated that I couldn't present myself well enough in such an important interview. I'll go ahead with this company though, since my current company is shit.
Waiting on a response from a third company as well.
I was also offered a position at another company, and the pay is quite a bit better than at my current job, but I wouldn't be able to pursue public accounting. It's alright, I guess, but I'm just frustrated that I couldn't present myself well enough in such an important interview. I'll go ahead with this company though, since my current company is shit.
Waiting on a response from a third company as well.
nicoga3000
Saint Nic
Not sure if this is "allowed", but if anyone out there is in the Civil/Structural field and having a hard time finding work...You should hit me up.
Thanks, I am going to check it out. I have been looking for something new to do.
I have some questions. I was recently hired at a company (well, the process to be hired. I finished the paperwork and on-boarding today). The training starts on Monday, which is suppose to last 8-10 weeks. The topic of relocation has come up, both in the interview and afterwards.
What should I look out for? What questions should I ask? If they want me in city X, can/should I make a request for city Y?
It is a big change and I want to make sure I know all of my options.
What should I look out for? What questions should I ask? If they want me in city X, can/should I make a request for city Y?
It is a big change and I want to make sure I know all of my options.
Nasty day. I cracked under pressure and called the job that i interviewed at last week for an update, which was probably a mistake, but they didn't even reply. Now being ignored by two people at this place.
Normally when you get into "ghosting" mode, you think you're screwed, but my last permanent job jerked me around like this too before they hired me. You just have to stay on their radar, but i'm not even sure who my boss would be at this place so it's hard to find the right person to talk to.
Normally when you get into "ghosting" mode, you think you're screwed, but my last permanent job jerked me around like this too before they hired me. You just have to stay on their radar, but i'm not even sure who my boss would be at this place so it's hard to find the right person to talk to.
Well, I met with a couple other senior members of the team. Again, I think it went fairly well. They barely asked any questions, they mostly just wanted to hear what questions I had, then we just chatted for a bit about the job.
As I was leaving, one of them showed me around a little bit. I asked what the next steps were and she said that she'll pass her notes and thoughts on to the hiring manager and I should hear back in a week or so. That was last Thursday, so hopefully I hear something before the end of the week. HR contacted me last Friday and asked how it went and told me she'd call me as soon as she hears something.
These seem like good signs, but I know nothing matters until you have the offer.
This whole process (besides this last company) has been fairly soul-crushing, indeed.
Forerunner
Member
I had the phone interview today. It was supposed to be last week, but it got changed to today. It went well enough. On to the next part of the long process.
That went even better. A few hours later I got my invitation for the main panel interview and test. It's out of state, so they fly and house us for free. This is still over a month away, but I'm nervous already. This is easily the most important interview I will ever have in my life. Nothing will come close.
That went even better. A few hours later I got my invitation for the main panel interview and test. It's out of state, so they fly and house us for free. This is still over a month away, but I'm nervous already. This is easily the most important interview I will ever have in my life. Nothing will come close.
killer rin
Member
Well, i've finally hit the point where my school's coop office is beginning to post jobs for the next semesters coop term. I am both excited for and dreading this. Got my first two applications in yesterday and a couple more postings that i'm interested in are ending soon. So I'm going to get a couple more in today or tomorrow.
I just hope I end up getting some bites or it'll completely end up killing my motivation. *Fingers crossed*
I just hope I end up getting some bites or it'll completely end up killing my motivation. *Fingers crossed*
Decided it is time for me to move on from my current company so I'm back to the job hunt. I try and do like an application a night or something along those lines.
I'm quite a bit more advanced in my career than I was when I found my current position over two years ago. Curious how that affects the job hunt or if it's going to be the same usual bullshit I hate about this process.
I'm quite a bit more advanced in my career than I was when I found my current position over two years ago. Curious how that affects the job hunt or if it's going to be the same usual bullshit I hate about this process.
Be confident, but be transparent about what you do and don't know. You're going to make mistakes, that's normal. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and be honest about the progress (or lack thereof) that you're making on assignments.
The worst thing you can do when you're stuck on something is to cover it up, lie about it, and have to come clean later when people find out. Because they will.
ss_lemonade
Member
So I had an in-person interview for a Fullstack Software Engineer position. I'm guessing this was more of a screening type interview (no technical phone interview, went straight to on-site) since I only talked to the recruiter + one engineer. Anyway, the interview with the engineer sort of went well I guess, but I'm not sure. See, we only had like 20-30 minutes and I was asked to solve an algorithm-type problem. My initial answer was wrong but I did at least figure that out after running a few test cases with the interviewer. I eventually got what I believe was an optimal answer to the problem though, but only after a bit of thinking out loud and back and forth conversing with the interviewer (she gave me some vague hints that helped) and going through some edge cases. I feel like I did well, but I also feel like I might have wasted too much time finding an answer to the problem. I don't know, I just wish I passed this one because my past technical interviews with other companies were horrible (I used to do silly mistakes like keeping quiet while thinking of an answer, or diving straight into the whiteboard and writing stuff that wouldn't work). I did prepare quite a bit for this one, gave myself 3 weeks to brush up on algorithms, data structures, etc. and tried to keep calm and composed throughout the whole session. I can only hope I hear some good news soon from the recruiter
Kotetsu534
Member
I just started this week from exactly the same position as you - new to office and professional life. As the above poster said - don't hesistate to ask questions about anything you don't know. Nobody will expect you to be knowledgable on day one. And that includes the housekeeping stuff like "What do I need to do to make sure I get paid?"
Try to remember people's names. This saves the embarrassment when you go up to ask them something. Once you find out someone's role it's usually easy to put them together (i.e. "Cameron looks after the relationship with client D. He's currently working on their claim for losses in respect of X". I don't know how big your workplace is, but mine is large - about 10 people I'm working directly with on my team and tens of others who I've met in a building of over 1000.
Take every networking opportunity - something I'm bad at. Have lunches and coffees with everyone you can and pick their brains about their role/ask for advice/make small talk. Take contact details from people and don't be afraid to ask for a chat if they're not busy.
Stay late. I've had a couple of chats with more senior employees who usually keep to themselves because I stuck around doing stuff when it was quiet.
But go out for drinks with people if you're offered. Obvious networking opportunity in a more relaxed environment.
Pay close attention to everything and you should start to get the hang of the workflow after a couple of days.
Basically sure the job from last week passed on me, but the fuckers are too discourteous to even send me a rejection email or reply to my queries.
Had an interview yesterday and today and made sure to get clearer response timelines from both of them. Today's interview was especially relevant to my background and they're only interviewing one other person, so there's my best shot.
Had an interview yesterday and today and made sure to get clearer response timelines from both of them. Today's interview was especially relevant to my background and they're only interviewing one other person, so there's my best shot.
King Mystery
Member
If anyone is desperate for a job, try applying to USPS. They're ramping up hiring because the mail volume starts to go up this time of year, peaking at Christmas, and because of the high turnover rate, they'll hire anyone who can pass a drug/background check.
The positions you should look for are "PSE Mail Processing Clerk" and "Mail Handler Assistant", in that order, and to a lesser extent, "SSDA".
If the job listing says "Plant Operations" next to it, it means it's in a large factory/warehouse-type of processing facility. Those are the best because you can get a crazy amount of hours.
Also, you have to check the listings every day. When they post job listings for the positions I mentioned, they only stay up for a few days at a time before the application window closes.
The positions you should look for are "PSE Mail Processing Clerk" and "Mail Handler Assistant", in that order, and to a lesser extent, "SSDA".
If the job listing says "Plant Operations" next to it, it means it's in a large factory/warehouse-type of processing facility. Those are the best because you can get a crazy amount of hours.
Also, you have to check the listings every day. When they post job listings for the positions I mentioned, they only stay up for a few days at a time before the application window closes.
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