Job search strategy discussion thread

This week's Job Club was on what to do if you discover you've been hired by a dysfunctional organization, or more likely the corporate culture suddenly changes after you have been there a bit.

I'd actually be really interested to hear more about that.

Yeah: I'd've liked something like that before I walked into a den of actually illegal iniquity with a shiny, squeaky clean surface. <_< (I ratted them out anonymously after being lucky enough to have the chance to scoot out the door after less than two weeks, as the position I was given had been accidentally double-hired — long story.)

If they hadn't been quite as incompetent with their hiring as they were... I'd've been in a bind. -_-

edited 6th Jun '14 9:00:00 AM by Euodiachloris

PM me your emails, and I'll send you the notes someone took at the meeting and put into a Word document.

One of the relevant things is to start planning your exit strategy as soon as you recognize something is wrong, even as you try to find other ways of dealing with it.

Before I do, are we talking about places that have explicitly illegal and unethical business practices, or just ones that have unhealthy and dysfunctional work environments and aren't necessarily doing anything against the law per se?

Both, but mainly the latter. If you are in a place that is actually breaking the law, documentation is a huge priority so you can whistleblow as necessary.

From what i've heard, an exit strategy is always good whether you're in an essential position at a rock-solid company or a hemorrhaging department in a flash-in-the-pan firm. Always know what your next move could be, should you need to make it.

I'd settle for being able to identify these kinds of situations in the first place. Nothing underhanded goes on at my current job, but things are kind of run poorly in general. I feel like my direct coworkers and I constantly are dealing with unrealistic expectations and an overall lack of support and respect from management.

we added new jobs, but they pay poverty wages

"Exit strategy", to me, seems to mean "plan to find work elsewhere", which is a pretty obvious step to take in that situation. Is there anything you're specifically supposed to do that wouldn't apply if you were trying to leave a job under different circumstances?

so I'm applying for my first "real" job, should I bother including a resume on online applications? most don't seem to require one and I don't really have a lot to put on them in terms of experience. Was a cashier maybe 3 or 4 times at church sales and I've done work with my uncle and dad, but not even kind of retail stuff.

So I haven't really followed this thread in like, forever. But I've kept it in my feed.

I've gone back to school for a master's degree because, uhhh, bananas I guess. Man, going to a private online university was a huge waste of money. But anyway, by going back to school, I've managed to get around two of my three biggest hurdles (aka lack of experience, lack of references, and-the one I haven't gotten around-lack of transportation, which isn't relevant because I can walk to campus), and am working student jobs.

It pays minimum wage and is only 19 hours a week but eh.

I managed to snag a job with my school in a clerical/receptionist position, 20 hours a week for the coming school year.

Perfect timing, as the gas station is getting a little rocky. I got scammed by a quick-change artist (fast talker who gets you to make a lot of change for them, and pockets it almost as quickly, leaving you holding the bag, in my case $150), and so was given my "final warning."

Just have to make it through 13 more shifts without stepping on any landmines, the first 7 of which are more important, as after that i'll have issued my two weeks, which changes the dynamic.

so, uh, opinions on doing a resume/not? I've really got next to no worthwhile experience.

Joesolo, if there is a space for a resume, you should send one in on general principle. And you should create one for practice, even if you don't need it right now. Since you don't have a lot of paid job experience, make a "skills-based" resume that emphasizes skills you've used or learned and where you learned them.

Be sure to include any extracurricular activities or awards, phrased in terms of the skills used/learned.

Make one, make it look good. SKJAM's advice for a skills-based resume is excellent. There's plenty of decent resume-writing tips online.

Also, be sure to take advantage of any services your state government provides. You pay taxes, and getting a job will allow you to pay more taxes.

It's amazing what skills extra curricular activities can provide, and online resources will help identify them. If you're a chess player for example, that can give you analytical and problem solving skills. Just being a part of most clubs is enough to be able to claim teamworking ability, etc.

Once you've got a basic resume up, let us know and we can talk about job fairs.

Went all the way out to Brooklyn Park to talk to a Career Services person, only to find out my appointment is next Tuesday.

I'm going to start an internship in September. However, there's another company that I'd like to be accepted in, in order to stay closer to home.

The thing is, I have to elaborate a project proposal, with ideas, work chores that I could do and so fort. Has anyone ever done one of those things? Or does anyone know how to do them?

It is a lot like a grant proposal. Basically, you just tell them what project you want to do, explain how it would help them to have you, what you need from them to accomplish it, and have a plan of action to build from once this is a success. At least 3-5 pages of actual text probably with any charts or visuals you may need.

Since my project would deal with audiovisual and multimedia, would I have to specify the technical elements (type of camera, software to be used...)?

Also, since it's about sports, can I bring comparisons with other programs?

edited 31st Jul '14 10:08:58 AM by Quag15

Yep. An internship is basically an apprenticeship or a sponsorship. You're selling yourself to them through your idea.

Lay a basic blue print of your project from start to finish, then where you can take it after completion. Explain why this is superior to what the status quo is now and why they should care to invest in it, and by default, you.

Ok. Thank you very much.