Job search strategy discussion thread

So, I have a job interview tomorrow. This is the first job interview I ever had while I still have a job. I am expecting they will ask why I am leaving my current job. My prepared answers are:

I don't think my current job is secure by next year.

I like their materials way more than the materials I'm currently working with.

Their materials also tap into my other talents that are unused with my current job.

The commuting distance is shorter.

Any comments?

I'd use answers 2 and 3.

2 and 3 are the best, yeah. Don't tell them about how they can help you, tell them about how they're awesome and you can be more useful among them.

So I've finally landed a job interview on Thursday with a company that does small electrical engines.

I've also spent the last couple weeks reading up on men's fashion and on job interview questions. The Art Of Manliness has been invaluable in that regard.

As they say, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

I've also been going to my school's alumni organization's seminars on job interviews, psychometric tests, linked-in usage... It's great stuff, frankly. Would you guys like me to make you a summary?

edited 17th Feb '15 12:05:34 PM by TheHandle

Sure, why not?

What I wore for the interview at the company where I did an internship at was fairly simple: blazer, shirt, tie, jeans and lawyer-style shoes. My friend and colleague from college who also did it alongide me arrived in regular casual clothing.

Then again, it helps that the company is fairly casual and small.

edited 17th Feb '15 1:44:56 PM by Quag15

Lawyer-style...? Are those, like, Oxfords?

Yup, kinda like those black shoes (but more thin).

edited 17th Feb '15 2:34:16 PM by Quag15

Classiest shoes in the world. Screw Derbys and Loafers. Oxfords is where it's at.

Derbys are fairly ok. But yeah, screw the Loafers.

edited 17th Feb '15 2:38:23 PM by Quag15

Guys are so lucky when it comes to dress clothes.

I hate being a woman going for an interview. Do I wear makeup or not? Pantsuit or skirt? Hair up or down? Blah.

Most of the time it's easy because you can scope out the place a little early and see what the other women are wearing so you're not in competition with them, but in sync with them. You also have to worry about being too feminine or not because that's easily misinterpreted.

Indeed. Women do have to work a bit harder at being presentable and comfortable, sadly. It's another side of the sad sexism still prevalent.

If I was an employer, I would hire people based on their skills, not on their appearance or way of dressing.

edited 18th Feb '15 8:48:29 AM by Quag15

Story time!

Many years ago, I was a temp in the office of a small window washing firm. The previous secretary had quit, and indicated this by pulling all the company paperwork out of the files and dancing on it. My job was getting all that paperwork refiled.

At the same time, the firm was searching for a new secretary. At one point a very attractive woman came in, wearing a tight blouse, a skirt that was just a teensy on the short side for office work, "sexy" hair (for the 1980s) and makeup, high heels...very much looking the stereotype of the Sexy Secretary. I did not, of course, see or hear her interview. But I did hear the argument between the bosses later, during which one of them said, "No! We hired on looks last time!"

They also had a running need for window washers, so I got to see a few of those applicants. Over half of them failed the "watch me clean a window. now you try it" test.

I'm currently applying for veterinary jobs. I've had two interviews so far, both of which seemed to go pretty well but weren't successful.

I tend to assume that what you should wear for an interview is basically on the upper end of what you would expect to wear to do that job. So I haven't been dressing up that fancy, because, well, I want to wear clothes that you could feasibly wrestle large dogs in. Does this seem reasonable? I'd hate to think I could be hurting my chances by not being dressed right.

I would wear a nice shirt and khakis with boots, a business casual kinda thing. You want to be professional, but also like you said, show that you're not afraid to work.

Or maybe scrubs? Not sure. That maybe technically right, but not professional enough? Not sure. See how crappy I am at this?

edited 19th Feb '15 6:35:37 AM by Gabrael

Going country smart casual might be a plan: smart enough to enter a fairly pricey gastro-pub, but looking like, yes: walking a pack of dogs is feasible at a moment's notice, with only a change into wellies/ work boots/ walking boots.

edited 19th Feb '15 7:20:20 AM by Euodiachloris

Yeah, so far I've mostly gone for a nice cotton button-up shirt and dressy slacks. Scrubs would definitely be too casual, I think, even though half the vets in practice seem to live in them (I don't blame them, they're very comfortable...)

Edited due to phone double posting

edited 6th Mar '15 3:22:45 PM by Gabrael

I had a job interview today for a different section of the same agency. This would be a promotion including supervising. It would also be a secure position regardless of how the laws change or grants.

That is the big carrot. A raise is always a plus but I could have this position until I die. Security is my big deal now.

Anyway, I was the only one who came in to interview today. I am the first person to interview. It was supposed to take only 30 minutes and they kept me for an hour and 15 talking to me. He said he would have adecision by the end of next week.

Even if I don't get this job, I was one of only probably 10 selected for an interview when 55 people applied. I consider that alone a win.

I hope third time's the charm (I've only read on your previous two attempts to get a promotion). Security is so rare, nowadays, that it will be like getting a gold medal if any of us truly achieves it.

So, once more, I'll wish you good luck.

edited 6th Mar '15 3:52:34 PM by Quag15

From a book I read I do remember women having more options, but more responsibilities for interviews in professional environments.

From what I remember a good, safe choice for women were wool gabardines as they are flexible enough to allow use in most kinds of weather. Heels not beyond two and a half inches, flats allowed, and they have a better chance with more flexibility on shirt colors if they go for something else. whereas men basically only have navy blue beige and white, women have that, more tones of blue, also subtle tones of pink and whatnot.

Rules are a complicated mess. Oh and generally you want to avoid black.

At least according to that one book I read. It is pretty good, or at least I liked it if you guys are interested, it is like 15$, and it is called "Knock em dead", the author was some Martin Yates or whatnot

What about grey shirts (I usually wear white or grey shirts beneath the blazer)?

I did well then. Instead of cold or potentially stuffy black, I wore a warm brown pair of pants with a straight line, a cream undershirt with pearl detail on the collar and a lightly textured jacket I dyed a soft, subtle green. It had originally been cream so all the stitching, lining, and buttons are still cream.

No jewelry except my two rings: my silver band for my son on my right ring finger and the pearl ring in the silver setting on my left ring finger. Family woman, but not vain. Very light makeup, only mascara, powder, and bronze eye shadow. Only something most other women would notice or maybe a married man.

Brown heels, but the quiet kind with the small leather bow. Any age wears them.

Thank you for the well wishes! I am really hoping that I will get this call. Our funding expires in June. I cant afford to be without a job. And I just really hope that they think I am capable enough to learn the specifics that I lack already.

Pweese to all that is holy and good in the universe! Pppppwwweeeeeesssseeeee!!!

Certainly narrowing down your competition helps!

I am looking at late April/Early May for the end of this assignment it appears. Hoping I can hop into a permanent job at Tennant, but it's not a dead cinch.

I don't even know what a gabardine is?

I'm kind of disappointed that I've had a few practices simply not get back to me after interviews. They say "We're still interviewing people, we'll get back to you soon", and then simply nothing.

I thought it was usual to send people at least a brief "Sorry, the position has been filled by another applicant" email.

Nope. The Black Hole of Zero Communication is normal, I'm afraid. If you really want to know, you have to make a pest of yourself.

This is one of the functions of the "thank you" note; a follow-up that reminds them you exist.