Job search strategy discussion thread

In the long run of things as I'm looking for jobs back in Canada, I've also considered seriously working in the Canadian Forces as a reservist. My BA (and perhaps Masters if the application is not junked) allows me to be an officer.

Since I'm a dual national, my other nationality won't take it kindly if the government finds out...

Looks like someone reached out via Linkedin and is offering a chance to work for handling social media stuff.

Thing is I'm looking at research (think tank/university-based) stuff and I'm waiting for a Masters application to go through.

I'll say no, but is there a way to do it nicely?

Edited by Ominae on Feb 29th 2020 at 12:33:58 PM

With the coronavirus going around, I'll say that my biggest worry is not finding a job despite my dad working at the stock exchange firm he owns since the 1990s.

My folks are in their 60s and I still don't have a job in the Philippines. I fear that if a job offer comes/Singapore for the Masters, I'm not sure if things will be stable soon, depending on which comes first.

Looks like I'm due for an online interview via Google with Indo-Pacific Command as a remote intern this Tuesday (UTC + 8) in the wee early morning.

Finally did the interview.

Even when I talked to the interviewer in my laptop without seeing his video feed (He maybe could see mine despite having audio), it was a bit nerve wracking.

Doing remote intern with a company that reports on counterterrorism issues from Washington DC.

Sadly, my dad thinks me (and a bunch of other interns) are being fooled around for doing unpaid work...

With the "threat" of being made to move out of the house soon enough (Which is why I applied for Masters and got it), I am pissed, but I didn't feel like arguing.

Can anyone give me advice on how customer service works? And how I can do it online? I had never held a conversation with anyone and I usually let other people do the talking while I ask questions and respond. I cannot hold a conversation for the life of me and I much rather do some type of job that lets me focus on my own thoughts. Are there virtual jobs for introverts like myself?

Customer service is a job that requires several transferrable skills. You need a good memory to learn all of the data and rules of your particular company's product line and services, and the best way to look up anything you don't know. (Especially at the beginning, it will seem like you don't remember anything and customers will pounce on that.)

You need a soothing demeanor that is simultaneously calm so you sound professional but warm so it sounds like you care about the customer's issue. Many customer service folks develop a "customer service voice" that is distinct from their normal way of talking.

Also, you must have an excellent temper. Many customers are rightly upset, and will take it out on you in one way or another. Others are actively toxic and will attempt to provoke you in an effort to get their way, especially if they know what they want is illegal or against company policy. And to a large extent, you have to take it and keep giving good customer service.

Doing it "online" usually means working through chat systems or email. You'll need fast and accurate typing skills.

Saw some private intel jobs that I can handle, but a secret clearance is required...

Dammit. At least it doesn't say I have to prove that I have American citizenship.

I do not even half the skills I need for remote work as most of it is either customer service or some type of programming. What should I do? What would be a good job for an introvert like myself?

What skill sets do you currently possess? Have you done any sort of job or volunteer work?Do you have any hobbies>

Is it sensible to specify lower salary expectations when one's need to get employed is urgent?

As in, "I don't care if it pays like crap, I'm in a hurry to get employed and any salary is better than no salary".

That might hurt you depending on whether the company expects the applicant to stick around for the longer term - it would flag you as over qualified and liable to jump ship once the current crisis passes.

For context, I've been unemployed for eight months (cut loose by the company after three years due to financial reasons) now and used up all my cash reserves during this time (at my previous job, I earned the equivalent of 500$ per month despite working in IT). It's urgent because if I don't get employed within a few weeks, I won't even be able to commute to work for the simple reason that I won't be able to pay the fares and nobody's hiring purely for home office.

Edited by amitakartok on Oct 21st 2020 at 5:50:54 PM

If the position you're applying to is a short-term (or even medium-term) temporary gig, that wouldn't be a problem from their POV, I think. Could possibly parley it into a permanent position with them if it turns out you and the office culture mesh well.

I guess it depends on whether you're applying for a specific position that was posted or if this is more "please keep my resume in your HR files".

Applying for a specific position. I actually applied to it all the way back in July but never got any feedback, so I reapplied two weeks ago and got a near-instant response to arrange an online interview, which took place yesterday. They're simultaneously interviewing 6-8 other people out of ten times as many applicants. Which doesn't fill me with confidence about my chances at all, having been turned away from over a dozen applications now with "we're looking for someone more senior who requires zero training".

That and they explicitly said that they can't provide any non-salary benefits alongside the job because they recently got a venture capital investment whose conditions prevent them from doing that.

Edited by amitakartok on Oct 21st 2020 at 6:14:38 PM

You seem like you weren't really looking to bargain for better pay up front anyway because of your situation. I don't know exactly how the position being financed by venture capital will affect things going forward (the only full-time job I've ever had is the public sector one I'm currently in), but I don't imagine this particular position is meant to be a permanent situation one way or another so I don't think you mentioning your current financial situation would hurt in this case. The "we don't want to have to waste time training you" thing is concerning, but I don't think your financial situation would tip their thinking about that one way or the other.

At any rate, I hope you get something soon.

Edited by megarockman on Oct 21st 2020 at 12:23:02 PM

And I indeed did! About four hours ago, I got an official offer from them to work a three-month trial period for the salary I specified, after which we'll negotiate about my final salary. Their office isn't very far away from my preferred commuting railway station either (especially now that the metro line under said station is under reconstruction and thus unavailable), though I might also have to go travel a couple dozen kilometers further on occasion.

noice. congrats

Awesome, dude! Glad it worked out this time.

I had mostly worked in Warehouses part-time. My skills include picking, receiving, sorting and typing (to a degree). I used to help with putting up signs for voting I think.

Among the jobs I applied for in the diplomatic community in Manila included a three month gig under a service provision contract for 900 bucks a day (18.53 USD). A week’s salary would be 4,500 (92.69) and a month is around 22,500 (463.46).

This doesn’t have taxes deducted and whatnot... don’t know if I’ll get accepted.

I had never been able to get even entry-level jobs outside of warehouses. How do qualify for the more 'advanced' stuff?

Typically advanced stuff requires either additional experience in that area or qualifications of some kind