Job search strategy discussion thread

That's about the best you can do: phone both, explain... and try to get a reschedule/ compromise going. One might budge. <shrugs> Of course, rule of thumb dictates you try the one that gave you the date last, first.

edited 9th Nov '12 3:16:27 AM by Euodiachloris

Well, if one offered the interview on that time first I'll tell the second prospective employer to reschedule. I think that also shows organisation and "at least you know when you are free and won't get all the meeting times mixed up" which can be important in a job (particularly ones that you need to meet clients and stuff).

The difference between "honors" and a normal degree is that one needs to keep one's GPA over a certain level, do certain "honors experiences", and have a more involved final project. The "honors experiences" are things that I would have/will do anyway; there were certain benefits like taking the honors sequence of calculus which meant I didn't have to take any trig, but otherwise, yeah. Taking a third language, tutoring adult ESL, taking crypto, studying abroad... all things that I would have done anyway.

The problem though is that as I get into the 400/500 level classes, I'm much more of a B student than an A student, especially in the math classes, and that's not good enough.

Also, I think for normal majors one can do a final project OR an internship. I'm not sure if honors students have that option.

edited 9th Nov '12 7:55:55 AM by ohsointocats

Volunteer work as viable experience: good idea or bad idea?

Yes.

Longer answer: Volunteer work has many positive effects, and looks good on a resume regardless of whether it's directly relevant. You are more likely to get "soft skills" that make you generally a better employee than ones that fit your chosen career path.

Very good idea.

Employers like you being proactive about your situation; they recognise that in these tough times with many applicants per job that some people are going to be left in the cold or a while, even talented types. Those who refuse to sit about doing nothing and instead do some positive good for the community with their time will be lauded for it - and that's on top of all the skills you can gain from the activity itself.

Very good idea, for the reasons mentioned above.

Really think I did well on the job interview today. It's for a warehouse position. That sucks, but it's technically a state job so that means set benefits and the hours are great for my son. The guy said that he'll have a decision by next week early, so that's a plus. The secretary was thrilled with me too. Secretaries are so gatekeepers! Hopefully she'll be the bug in his ear to push me up the list.

Ah yes, gatekeepers. Such a fitting moniker.

Has it been mentioned before that giving your CV/resume to the actual decision makers (when possible) increases the chance of getting through the initial filter? And that actually conversing with them increases the chances further?

It probably has actually. Bah!

My dad is tryign to push me into being more outgoing and positive and gain more self confidence, but I just feel overwhelming apathy to it all.

Like I want to sleep my whole life.

I wonder if I should really get help now. Nothing feels exciting anymore. He insisted we go on a walk, which he loves doing I guess, and me I was just sore and tired and miserable the whole time.

I just can't motivate myself to do anything

edited 14th Nov '12 12:44:08 PM by Thorn14

Meh... secretaries are more than gatekeepers. They are Metatron.

Which is why you need to get checked out. Hmm... when you say tired... what kind of tired? (I'm an expert on types of tired: however stupid it sounds to describe it, tell me.) You can PM me, if you want.

Sleepy, want to take a nap, and just do nothing.

4 days ago I spent all day sleeping.

Not much of a description, mate: that can be anything. From depression to SAD to interrupted sleep patterns of various descriptions landing you in sleep debt that periodically spirals out of control... to various physical diseases. I think you're going to have to work on thinking about really describing what's going down, so a practitioner can get a clue what you mean.

It's a bit like trying to answer questions adequately in a job interview: you need to put some thought and self-examination into it, to really come across.

edited 14th Nov '12 2:10:51 PM by Euodiachloris

I think its just depression.

Also I never get job interviews.

Today at job club (The first rule of Job Club is, talk about Job Club) we had a speaker from the Department of Employment and Economic Development, Rachel Vilsack. Among her jobs is releasing the employment figures for Minnesota each month. She talked about various helpful websites, and here's a link to her presentation materials.

http://rachelvilsack.com

Some of the sites are Minnesota specific, but others are national. http://www.MySkillsMyFuture.org is in fact a nationalized version of a program that started here in the land of ten thousand lakes.

So the interview I aced and everyone loved me? Got the rejection email today saying the position has been filled.

Man, that person better have like 50 years experience and can drive and repair every form of machinery.

• bangs head on desk*

I'm sorry Gabe.

@Thorn, when I went through a year and a half unemployed, I too frequently spent days at a time sleeping.

I'm not an expert, but I'll tell you what worked for me. Pretend you already have a job. I know it sounds insane, but hear me out. It's the Christian idea that as you start to think a thing, the world around you starts to take on that cast. Scientologists and Buddhists have a similar thought.

After three straight days of being in bed and only getting up to shower, I decided to pretend I had a job. Easiest way to do that, volunteering. Volunteering makes you get up, hang out with people, report to a place at a set time, etc.

Three months later, I got a temp job. Three months after that I got the job I have now.

Give it a shot.

Hell, no: you know the score. They knew somebody who knew somebody who had the dirt on somebody else. <hugs>

Apparently my job wants to invite me back after study abroad. Yessss.

Cool!

Um... cynical bear says... get that in writing. In triplicate.

Well the original plan was to get an internship somehow...

Hope all of you are making progress.

At the veterans' job club yesterday, one person is heading off to San Antonio, as there's more jobs for English/Spanish bilingual people down there. Also, the military would pay for one last move but she had to use it sharpish.

We also talked a bit about salary negotiation.

Arrived fifteen minutes late at the veterans' job club due to bus shenanigans (It's Minnesota! You know you kneed more buses when it snows!) only to find the funding has been cut for it effective immediately. Still have the general job clubs on Thursdays. Last week the Thursday club watched a couple of films by a National Geographic photographer and talked about job search creativity.

Sigh...went through a mall, looked for any store I felt qualified for, and none were hiring or gave me the run around.

Still shook a few hands and took a few applications though...not confident though.