there are a few of us apples hanging delicately on our perch -- looking for a job that will help secure us in place.

i wanted to create a post that supports us in that...

because i'm scared as hell about this. and whew! the process is so tiring...

(i'm still shaking from the interview i just had. it's so hard to know what those people were thinking about me!)

i've applied for about 10 or so jobs in the dc area.
phone interviews suck.

the main site i use to find positions is www.idealist.org. (in public health, you work either for the government or in non-profit.)

Excellent idea Kelly! Yeah, considering I have been out of work (or rather severely underemployed) for over a year now, I would love it if I can be a support to those who are going through the same thing I am going through.

It's tough, and one should not go through it alone – so if anyone needs an ear or whatever on this matter, I am always open.

ok, that was an intense interview. they called me at 1pm, we spoke for over half an hour, AND THEN THEY SENT ME A TEST.

i guess i'm growing up? no one ever told me about this before!
i had to prepare powerpoint slides, a paragraph or 2 about what to say if i were giving those slides in a presentation, and how i'd go about planning a meeting.

i don't think i did a great job...


but as i was doing the test -- i got a call for another interview!! (with the organization i most want to work for!)

If you don't mind a little unsolicited advice, I've just finished interviewing several people and hiring 3. I'm somewhat new to the interview process from this side, but I learned a lot about candidates very quickly. So, if I had any advice from my recent experience, it would be this:

1. Use specific and clear examples when answering questions. If you don't actually have any, make something up that sounds plausible! Don't say, "Um, gosh, that's a good question." or "Well, sure, I do that all the time." Bad answers. Using good specific examples which have a situation, action, and result, will give the interviewer a great idea as to whether you're a good fit for their position. And make sure the example is relevant!

2. Keep your answers thorough, but concise.

3. Don't trash prior employers or coworkers. Have a positive spin for even the worst experiences.

4. Be somewhat animated and personable. You don't have to be PollyAnna, but don't stare at the interviewers like you're half zoned out or not paying attention.

5. Know the job you're applying for and something about the company. Be able to say what kind of path you'd like to follow and where you see yourself with the company in 5 years(in the interviewer's position is not the best answer).

6. Now that you know something about the company, be prepared to ask 3-4 questions about the job and the company that don't immediately revolve around how much money you can make, how much better the benefits are than what you currently have, or how easy it is to move to other places in the country with the job.

7. Don't come across as desperate. Chances are, if you ARE desperate, you'll come across that way. Go into the interview with confidence, but also know there are plenty of other jobs out there, so if this one doesn't work out, you'll be fine. After all, THIS isn't the only job in the world. This should also help you to relax.

8. (and this is a pet peeve of mine) Don't go to the interview if you not 100% sure that you would take the job if they offered it to you on the spot. If someone extends and offer to you, you shouldn't have to ask for time to think about it and get back to them.

Remember too that if you don't get offered a position, it might not be because of anything you did or didn't do. I interviewed a whole lot of people I really liked, but they just weren't going to be a good fit for the job I had to offer. I knew it because its what I do. I could tell because of the past experiences they referenced. So, don't take it personally.

Relax. Enjoy yourself. Get to know something about the companies you're interviewing with. Have some fun with it! And good luck! I know you'll do great!

See if you find anyone you know in this article on interviewing: Keith Interviews Fred ... and Hires Him Anyway!

It was originally published in The New York Times and later picked up by Readers Digest and its Spanish-Language periodical: Selecciones.

I'm looking for a new job right now because my current one (making sandwiches for minimum wage) is unfulfilling and likely to cause injury. My main problem is that I have no idea what I still CAN do with the limitations of tendonitis in my fingers, helter-skelter job history, rusty French, and minimal education. Beyond that, I don't even know what I want to do. *sigh* I'm every employment counselor's nightmare.

One thing that always has worked for me... cut them off at the pass...

Ask them before they ask you... Where could I be within this company in 5-10 years?

~fff

I think Julie is on target with most of her advice, but I can't really agree with all of it, having been at this for some time myself (OK, so hiring Fred is a strike against me). I would much rather have a candidate be candid with me if they have no relevant experience when I ask him [please regard he/him as a gender-neutral pronoun here] a question than for him to make something up. In fact, I'll ask follow-up questions if I suspect a candidate is "bluffing", and if I conclude he's bullshitting me now, I figure he'll probably bullshit me some more after he's hired. Also, there is absolutely no reason you shouldn't interview for a position you're not sure you want, even though it may be a little annoying for your prospective employer if they offer you the job. The most qualified candidates typically have more than one job offer to consider, and I fully expect people to take a few days to consider their options after I make an offer of employment.

And yes, don't take rejections personally. If you can, try to get some feedback on why someone else was offered the job instead of you.

Okay. I'll bite. Just why the hell did you hire my sorry azz?

You successfully bullshitted me into believing you actually knew SAS.

I mix my own essential oil blends and wear them daily. People are constantly asking me how I keep so calm, and I've really never thought about the oils I wear. Yah know, I'm putting 2 and 2 together 'cause I sure didn't used to be this calm.

Cher

[hj]

ok, I'll bite. what exactly is an essance oil and where can I procure some?

[/hj]

essential oils can be found at your local health food store. also know as aromatheraphy. there are certain ones good for relaxation -- like lavendar. energy -- cinnamon ---. you can also go on line and find info on certain oils and their effect on the mind/spirit.

peace,
zayne

ok, I thought that there was something special to it. . . .

thanks, julie and keith!

i have a question for you: how much do you forgive/permit/overlook nervousness in interviews?

and do you both hate the interview process as much as the interviewees do?

i have another interview on tuesday. with an organization that i really, really want to work for. i'm prepared knowing about the org., but i always feel surprised at the questions, even when i've heard them before. (i'm not as quick on my feet as i wish i were.) for example, "what qualifications do you have over the other candidates?" or "tell me three adjectives that describe you." blech. please tell me you hate asking these questions!

fred, keith -- that's awesome!

I know this wasn't addressed at me, but I wanted to chime in.

First, it's important to understand the purpose of interview questions rather than the questions themselves. If someone asks what makes you better than the other candidates, that is your opportunity to "sweeten the deal." The whole application-resume-interview process is your opportunity to sell yourself through a good pitch. I find it doesn't help to guess what the interviewers are thinking, but take every opportunity to share your skills and expertise.

Second, nobody really likes interviews. Everyone feels a little nervous, including the interviewer trying to frame the wording of the next question/response. I found it helpful to schedule in some "bonehead" interviews - for jobs you would never take - just to get in the hang of the pacing.

I am part of an interview committee where I work, as we are constantly hiring staff. Because we are part of a union, the questions are scripted to ensure fairness across all candidates. But I have never made a decision to hire someone or not based on the scores of the interview form. Most nervousness is forgivable and understandable - the uneasiness, the sweaty palms, the hard time expressing oneself verbally, etc. But some nervousness is not okay, and this is usually when a candidate forgets the formality of an interview. I have known some people that are waaaay too casual - laughing a lot, talking as if they were meeting a friend in a bar ("well, you know..."), etc. Remember, interviewers are looking at you as a potential colleague - and they want to know your abilities as well as interpersonal skills. Don't leave any room for ambiguity in your responses or your behavior.

Interviews are by no means foolproof. Some people can blow a lot of smoke and scathe by, while others miss the opportunity by selling themselves short. If you are called in for an interview, chances are good they are already interested in you. Something in your application/resume caught their attention and they really want to know more about *you.*

Ok, here's a question. I am seriously burnt out, and down trodden on the job search thing - mainly because in this city, no matter how much experience and qualifications one has, someone has more, and someone else has more than that! - and all these people are looking for work as well.
Sooooo, how does one get over this? Ok, big question I know, and kind of vague. More of a rant I guess.

Double post, how did that happen?

Again, I'm not in complete agreement with my colleague from San Diego. For one thing, I enjoy interviews (although we're not a union company and I'm free to structure the questions as I see fit, other than steering clear of EEOC violations). I like the opportunity to meet and talk to people who have worked in other companies in my field, or if I'm interviewing someone straight out of school -- not often these days -- better understanding the perspective of someone coming out of a Masters program, even if it becomes clear pretty quickly the candidate doesn't have the right qualifications.

For someone who's interviewing for their first professional job, I expect a lot of nervousness (I haven't forgotten what it's like). I'm focused on whether they know what they need to know to do the job well and if there's evidence of real motivation and an ability to work well with others. For a higher level management or liaison position requiring prior work experience, I would expect a lot more in the way of poise and professionalism.

I do usually ask "What specifically do you think you could bring to this position?" As John says, it's really an opportunity for the candidate to sell themselves and tell me about their strengths, and the responses also say something about the candidate's motivation to do the actual job they're applying for.

Aaron, I think the best advice I can give you is try to take the initiative to do something extraordinary in your current position so you have something impressive to tell the next company you'd like to work for to make you stand out.

I agree with Keith. Interviewing to me is not exactly laid back, but it is casual. I do my best to make the candidate feel loose, crack a joke, etc. And I mostly want to see that his/her personality fits culturally with our team, AND of course that he knows his stuff but that comes out in the Q & A, whatever form it takes.

A friend of mine asked if I'd hire someone who missed a belt loop on their pants and came in. His point, of course, attention to detail, sense of thoroughness, priority, etc., can be seen.

I'd probably told him he missed a belt loop and then laugh about it, promising that if he gets the job it'll be the first thing I tell everyone.

Just for clarification, I never wrote that I didn't like interviews. When I do interview, I do keep my poker expression because I do not want to "tip my hand" either way. My goal is to be objective as possible, by listening to the interviewee without any biases.


I agree. I also believe networking is critical when looking for a new job. The best jobs out there require a "backdoor" approach, as they will not be advertised. If you find your niche, talk to people in your field and let them know what you can do and what you are looking for. Some more sage advice for you - never change jobs because you hate the old one; change jobs because you're moving forward to the new one. Never badmouth a previous or current employer, even in front of competition. It's a matter of saying "hello" to your future than saying "goodbye" to your past.

One of the best books I have read on job hunting and interviewing was Martin Yate's Knock 'Em Dead. Lots of very practical advice and tips.

thanks for your thoughts and advice, everyone! it's really appreciated! i'm going into my interview today stronger and more knowledgeable.

i have an interview at 1pm central (2pm eastern) today! think good thoughts!

(it's with the agency i most want to work for!)

You'll do great, Kelly!

thanks for all your good thoughts, everyone!

Personal references are great, when I can get them.

I'd put a Thank You letter in the mail ASAP. No grovelling, just a few sentences thanking them for the opportunity and confirming your interest in the position.

Best of luck, Kelly -- I'm excited for you!

I'd send an email. To me, it shows courtesy and awareness of protocol, but is not frivolous.

And a verbal recommendation is great, if the source of it is.

Congrats and good luck!
troy

awesome thread!

i just sent my resume out to an organization in downtown seattle.... i'm not counting my chickens before they hatch, but i would really like to land this job.

my cousin's company has connections with this organization, and she knows the manager of this organization personally, and she said that she'd highly recommend me.

on top of that, the job isn't even going to be posted or made available until near the end of may, which is perfect because i'm in the middle of packing up and moving back to the states...

thanks for your prayers on my behalf.

...

i recently found out that my resume had a typo in a phone number... i had copied the # out of the church directory, which was wrong, and failed to double-check it against the phone book.

guess who potential employers (i.e. churches) called when they dialed the incorrect number? VICTORIA'S SECRET.

thankfully, someone contacted me about it soon, but the papers had already gone out all over the country.... oops.

that's pretty dang funny.

Ok, so I've decided to add the wonderful city of Seattle to my job search. Yes, that would mean that if I found a job up there, I would be moving up there.
So.....anyone have any advice on searching for work in a different city than one lives?

if you can add a local contact number to your resume, that always helps. (even if it is just for messages)

i've added in my cover letters that i'm moving to the seattle area around the 15th of may, and that i would be available for interviews after that time. i also put that i am available via phone anytime.

wow, it'd be soo cool if we both ended up in the emerald city, aaron.

this is what i've been doing: my cover letter says when i'm graduating (early may), but then i say, "i'd be more than willing to travel to dc to discuss with you further how my qualifications meet your needs."

ultimately, that's a lie -- i'm not necessarily eager to go to dc before i plan to move, but i think it conveys real interest in the position. and with the 3 interviews i got so far, no one has asked me to do that, thankfully!

but i really, really don't think you can wait for an employer to come to you. my job search has been primarily through a non-profit job board website (idealist.org), but it depends on what you're seeking and where those jobs in the city you want to work in are actually posted.

my first thought: check the classified of the papers online.

good luck!

alright, WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?

i got turned down for 2 jobs, and when the people call to tell me, they tell me how strong of a candidate i was.

the first person told me to contact her when i got into the area and she'd help me strategize for other positions. she hired someone with more experience.

the second person told me of another position that would be available in late summer and thinks i'd be a good candidate for.

so, i'm not totally messing up, but i'm still not completing the deal.
what's the deal?!

(this is more of a rant than actually soliciting advice...)

Here's something I've never gotten before...
A potential employer called me today to see when a good time for a phone interview is. For some reason, he couldn't interview me right there and then.
He called me to see what a good time to call me was, and then when he wanted to call me at a time when I had things I have to do, he said he would call me back again, to see what time a good time to call me is.
I am so confused.

That's fairly common. A good potential employer tries to setup an interview where both of you are at your sharpest and best. I would think twice if some guy called me and wanted to start grilling me without warning.

Okay, so to those of you who don't know, I'm unemployed. I'm looking for a job, and I wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience:

You walk into the building and there's a paper sign printed in black word-processed format taped to the wall (with tape visible) instructing you that interviews are down the hall. There are two folding chairs in the "lobby."

You proceed to the interview room and notice about 10 clipboards with applications laying on the table. There are about 10 folding chairs in this room, and that's it.

The entire office looks as if it was recently abandoned and left in a state of disrepair--ie carpet is stained, the trim and border is peeling or dangling from the walls in places--there is no furniture or art on the walls save a couple of cheaply framed motivational or "starving artist sale" hotel type prints.

Once you get into the interview, you are told about the job and how you get paid commission only and how you need to supply the interviewer with ten names of friends and family in order to be considered for the job. When you question this practice, the interviewer invariably says something like "Mark, if you stumbled into a hole in the ground and discovered tons and tons of gold bricks, too many for you get out on your own, wouldn't you want ten of your closest friends and family to help you get it all out?"

It's almost like you have to read between the lines in the paper to avoid this type of time wasting interview. If the person on the phone is too eager to schedule an interview with you, RED FLAG (I literally had someone ask me if I could make it down at 3:45 yesterday and it was 3:25 at the time). If they are hesitant to tell you what they sell, or what their company does--RED FLAG. If the person answering the phone says "I'm just a temp and today is my first day--I have no idea what they do here." RED FLAG! If the name of the company is vague like "Diversified Technologies" or "Star Systems" RED FLAG!!

I had one of these interviews today. They managed to get past all my radar, but as soon as I pulled into the parking lot, my guard went up.

I was actually led into the "waiting room" where I waited (I even pressed my ear to the wall to hear what an actual interview sounded like--the interviewer was telling some poor captive victim about how "our top seller can do 17, so yeah, it's definitley possible")and then when it was all clear outside I bolted for my car. LOL!

So yeah, I'm still looking for a job...

M

Kelly, my roommate(just received her masters in speech pathology) had a lot of luck with monster.com

I just submitted my resume to the Gainesville Sun for a copy editor position I've been eyeing for months. Now I'm off to Borders to look up books on journalism and AP style so I'll (sound like I) know what the hell I'm talking about if I hear back from them. I also have two leads on newpaper/magazine internships that I need to work up cover letters for. And I'm going to look into a serving job tonight so I can pay the ever-increasing bills.

Wish me luck?

She shouldn't have a problem anywhere. There is a shortage of speech pathologists everywhere, making them in high demand.

Luck. The good kind, that is.

I might start eye-balling a job change myself. This 3 am - 8 am til 11 am phone call nonsense is getting old.

Good luck, Becky!

best wishes, becky!

good luck, becky! have you heard anything?

thanks for the tip, kylie. i checked it out and haven't found anything that would suit me, but the more eyes the better.

i just got an email from an agency that is interested in me. before they get serious, however, they gave me a test (another test! why hadn't anyone warned me that there might be pre- or post-interview tests?! this is new to me.) with some tough but totally-what-school-taught-me questions.

and i have til june 6 to get it in.
crazy, eh?

good luck becky, kelly, and anyone else!

Bump...
Wish me luck, I have a promising interview on Tuesday doing something that would be totally perfect for me.

good luck, aaron! keep us posted!