The Job Hunt Thread

[emma1420]

Oct 12, 2015 8:50:38 GMT -5 swamp said:

Oct 12, 2015 8:43:53 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Got complimented on Friday. I was told they were surprised at how efficient I am and they appreciate it. I am one of the better technicians they've hired.

I appreciate that. At the same time though it's really NOT that hard to be efficient at this job, especially now that I have access to the animal room. It makes me wonder what they expected out of me and what they've hired in the past.

Makes me feel guilty a bit about going on this interview on Friday and still looking.  Dh told me get that thought out of my head right now, I have to do what is best for ME and our family.   He's right of course.

I used to think that everything I did well wasn't that special and assumed everyone else can do it too. I've since learned otherwise.

This.  The longer I work the more I realize that showing up and doing the work reasonably well is actually less common than I thought.  There are a lot of people who either aren't capable of the job they were hired to do, or are capable but do things half-assed.

[ArchietheDragon]

Oct 12, 2015 8:50:38 GMT -5 swamp said:

Oct 12, 2015 8:43:53 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Got complimented on Friday. I was told they were surprised at how efficient I am and they appreciate it. I am one of the better technicians they've hired.

I appreciate that. At the same time though it's really NOT that hard to be efficient at this job, especially now that I have access to the animal room. It makes me wonder what they expected out of me and what they've hired in the past.

Makes me feel guilty a bit about going on this interview on Friday and still looking.  Dh told me get that thought out of my head right now, I have to do what is best for ME and our family.   He's right of course.

I used to think that everything I did well wasn't that special and assumed everyone else can do it too. I've since learned otherwise.

yup.   even a strategically shaved monkey could do my job.   most people aren't as capable as a monkey, though. 

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Hmm maybe DH is right and I should emphasize my perfect work attendance during interviews.

Course according to YM that isn't true, I had kids and took 8 weeks off with each so I am the scourge of the work world.

But other than that I rarely miss work. I had so much vacation/sick built up at UNMC I didn't know what to do with it.  I was able to take 8 weeks of maternity leave off paid and STILL had a positive balance when I came back.

[wvugurl26]

Oct 12, 2015 8:50:38 GMT -5 swamp said:

Oct 12, 2015 8:43:53 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Got complimented on Friday. I was told they were surprised at how efficient I am and they appreciate it. I am one of the better technicians they've hired.

I appreciate that. At the same time though it's really NOT that hard to be efficient at this job, especially now that I have access to the animal room. It makes me wonder what they expected out of me and what they've hired in the past.

Makes me feel guilty a bit about going on this interview on Friday and still looking.  Dh told me get that thought out of my head right now, I have to do what is best for ME and our family.   He's right of course.

I used to think that everything I did well wasn't that special and assumed everyone else can do it too. I've since learned otherwise.

Isn't that the truth!! And I tend to get annoyed by those who can't juggle as well as me.

[flamingo]

Oct 12, 2015 10:58:17 GMT -5 wvugurl26 said:

Oct 12, 2015 8:50:38 GMT -5 swamp said:

I used to think that everything I did well wasn't that special and assumed everyone else can do it too. I've since learned otherwise.

Isn't that the truth!! And I tend to get annoyed by those who can't juggle as well as me.

So much this! I used to think like Swamp, but as I've gotten a little older and little wiser, I've come to realize that some people just don't have "it". And by some, I mean most. So take the compliment and feel good about yourself You've earned it!

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Yeah that is part of what is driving me crazy here.   I am trying my hardest to be "less" efficient and just sit back collecting a paycheck but that's not in my nature. As such I am outpacing the workload as far as animals goes and there seems to be no need/desire to keep up with me. You'd think they'd want to make the most of the 2 years they have me if they've realized I'm as efficient as I am. Instead I sit here collecting tons of control data that doesn't seem to be doing much besides collecting dust.

[mojothehelpermonkey]

I just heard back from the recruiter, and one of the companies she works with would like to schedule an on site interview.

Things working for me:
The disease that this company makes devices for was the subject of my dissertation.
The day to day type of work I would be doing is similar to what I did at my lost job.

Things working against me:
It would be a big step down from my previous job in terms of pay, and I would be going from managing to being managed. This isn't necessarily a problem for me, but I can see why it could be a red flag for the hiring manager.
This company sells FDA regulated products, and my previous industry experience is in a much less regulated environment.

I am willing to take a pay cut if it will help me bust out of the limited field I am in now. Fingers crossed.

[MJ2.0]

DQ looks like you were right about most imaging jobs being less than full time. I'm about to go back to my original ORIGINAL plan of a Master's in architecture... that's only 2 years, less math, and more art/design (which I prefer). I don't think artistic talent can be learned but I do have some already. Maybe more studying of art and architecture will help me be more creative. Either way, between that or engineering I still need math and physics before I apply. I can't enroll in spring classes yet so I guess I'll have to play the waiting game.

[tcu2003]

MJ, what's your undergrad in? Is it architecture or something else?

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Found another job to apply for. This one got interesting in that not only did they want a cover letter but they had specifics they wanted me to include it.  So these people read them apparently and I am figuring will be used to eliminate people.

I had a hard time with the "share your long term goals". Right now my long term goal is stay employed till at least July 2017.   Next goal is "find another job".   Hell if I know what I'll be doing 5-10 years in the future.  Figured they don't want that as an answer. 

I also had a hard time with "tell us why you are in research".  B/c nobody wanted to hire me in private industry and I have to do something to feed the kids?  

I decided to modify answers I would have used back in 2006 before everything went belly up and I developed a withering case of cynicism when it comes to academia.

[MJ2.0]

Oct 14, 2015 13:19:01 GMT -5 tcu2003 said:

MJ, what's your undergrad in? Is it architecture or something else?

Philosophy... I planned to attend law school.

[MJ2.0]

But I looked into it - you can apply to a MArch program as a non-arch major, but you're expected to do all the necessary prereqs to get in (calc, physics, art/architecture class, compose a portfolio).

[Pants]

Have you looked into the job market for architects? I read once (a while ago) that it's fairly low demand.

[Cookies Galore]

Oct 14, 2015 16:06:29 GMT -5 Pants said:

Have you looked into the job market for architects? I read once (a while ago) that it's fairly low demand.

And very competitive. A friend of mine just got his Masters in Architecture in the spring and he was in school mode morning, noon, and night while he was in the program. I literally work 10 minutes from the architecture building (my office is between two college campuses) and I saw him once a year for lunch. He may end up moving cross country.

[muttleynfelix]

Oct 14, 2015 16:38:31 GMT -5 Cookies Galore said:

Oct 14, 2015 16:06:29 GMT -5 Pants said:

Have you looked into the job market for architects? I read once (a while ago) that it's fairly low demand.

And very competitive. A friend of mine just got his Masters in Architecture in the spring and he was in school mode morning, noon, and night while he was in the program. I literally work 10 minutes from the architecture building (my office is between two college campuses) and I saw him once a year for lunch. He may end up moving cross country.

That has been my impression too. The husband of a friend of mine was an architect in NYC (they lived in NJ), not only did he work crap hours, but the pay was about $70k a year (and he worked on some high profile projects). They moved to NC for a little bit more affordable lifestyle. In contrast, with the same experience as a Civil Engineer, I make more than that in a LCOLA and while there are times my hours stink, I average 10 to 15 hours less a week than he put in in NYC (not to mention my commute was better).

[MJ2.0]

Sigh, fiiiine.... Piss all over my "lazy" dreams then! Lol

Kidding... Was just trying to save myself 2 years of schooling. Oh well, CE it is! Just keep smacking me if I start waffling again - the sloth in me can't always focus on the long term over the short term. ☺

[tcu2003]

I'll ditto muttley's experience. I'm an mech engineer in the building consulting engineering industry, so we work for/closely with architects. I definitely make more money than most of their staff architects at the firms I work with.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Bah, I got an email today asking if it might be possible to reschedule my interview for this afternoon instead since the person that emailed me has to go to a conference tomorrow.

Unfortunately I can't, I have two mice I must complete today otherwise I'll lose the data point.  This isn't a job that lends itself well to leaving at a moment's notice unlike my last one.

I'll meet with a Co-PI tomorrow if I can't make it today.

I did give her my cell phone number and said I can be easily reached by phone all day if she wanted to do a quick phone interview with me.   It's the best compromise I can offer.

[andi9899]

If I see a few different job postings at the same company that I could think I would be good at for various reasons, does it look bad if I apply for all of them? Or should I just apply for one and eliminate the others somehow.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I don't think it looks bad. You might end up being a better fit for one position than the other.

I interviewed for two positions at one company. They suggested the second during my first interview.  They felt I might be a better fit for the coordinator position than the sales position.

So I'd apply for all of them and see what happens.   You might not fit one but they'll see your application with the other department and maybe recommend you  now that they've put a face to the application.

[andi9899]

Ok. It's a health insurance company and that's always been my thing. Of course, I haven't done health since obamacare started. I've been looking at life insurance companies too since I am good at that too.

[mojothehelpermonkey]

I don't think it's a bad thing. They may not notice or they may take it a sign that you really want to work for their company.

[mojothehelpermonkey]

I just got a LinkedIn message from a recruiter who works at a fairly large company. She said she liked my profile and sent me a job description for an opening they have. The job description lists my area as the location, but her email mentions that it would involve supervising an east coast team. I can't imagine they would wanted me doing that from their west cost office. I would consider relocating, but that would involve a lot of discussion with my SO. We have already talked about it, and he will go where I do if that's what needs to happen. At the same time, I know it will be hard for him to quit his job and follow me somewhere.
I also have gotten a couple of emails trying to convince me to open some sort of insurance franchise. It's obviously a scam, but the emails are fairly well written. I wish I knew where these guys got my email. A friend of mine who has been looking for a new job had a recruiter post her resume with full contact information online even after she explicitly told her not to. At one of my previous jobs, I had a recruiter leave a message for me with my current employer. That made it hard to keep pretending that I wasn't planning my exit.

[suesinfl]

Ok, I applied for a position today that I’m not sure if I really qualify for, but I’m taking the chance. After posting my resume, I realized that my resume was put into their “system” and may not be considered for the actual job. At the end of the process, they asked if I wanted them to do a complete background check.

While I really don’t care if they do the criminal background, I do have a problem with the fact that they want to do a credit check before I even have an interview/offer. The position is for a buyer position which has many approvals to go through before the actual transaction.

 I don’t want any dings to my credit and I don’t think that it is necessary at this point in the process. Am I wrong?

[midjd]

I'm pretty sure the pre-employment check is a soft hit and shouldn't impact your score (like credit karma and similar sites). I would definitely be annoyed by the request at the pre-interview stage, but I don't think you need to worry about any effect on your credit.

If they do a hard pull for all applicants, run away as fast as you can!

[mojothehelpermonkey]

I have noticed that a lot of companies want you to agree to jump through all of the hoops (background check, drug testing, etc...) just to complete the submission your resume. However, most places don't actually bother to do any of this until they make an offer or you are at least one of the top candidates.

[Wisconsin Beth]

Drama?  How'd the phone interview go yesterday?  Did it happen? 

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

She didn't call, she said really wanted to speak with me but she didn't want to disrupt my experiments. I appreciate the courtesy since it seems like a lot of times with potential employers it's all about them and heaven forbid you have a conflict.

I have the in person interview later this afternoon.  If I am able to get to the computer when I get home I'll post how it went.   Otherwise you'll have to wait till Monday.

[Wisconsin Beth]

I don't get online much during weekends so I'll probably be waiting until Monday anyway. 

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Oct 16, 2015 9:45:06 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

She didn't call, she said really wanted to speak with me but she didn't want to disrupt my experiments. I appreciate the courtesy since it seems like a lot of times with potential employers it's all about them and heaven forbid you have a conflict.

I have the in person interview later this afternoon.  If I am able to get to the computer when I get home I'll post how it went.   Otherwise you'll have to wait till Monday.

Actually, something like this may have worked in your favor, Drama.  If you were willing to give your current employer all of your attention in spite of doing something that would benefit you, then you would likely do this for any new employer.

I'm glad she recognized this.