Jobseeking is driving me mad!

therealdessie

Not at all, you take what you can get sometimes, but it's important to make sure you're hitting two points: keeping yourself busy, and keeping your skills up to date. Those are the points an employer will look for, if you were to say "I took the first thing that came along because I had bills to pay" it could go either way... harsh but unfortunately true.

Always make it seem wherever possible that what you did was for the furthering of your career, you never want to seem desperate.

boldaslove

i enquired about a rather fascinating job i found on gumtree yesterday - "balloon artist". i hope it's still going, that'd look cracking on my cv! :rotfl:

i keep finding ones that look suitable but run into september/october. i won't find out the hours and days of my course till july. i know i start the first week in september. do i hold back on telling employers i'm going to be studying? i've put it on my cv because it relates to the stuff i'm applying for (and i count it as an achievement that i got in) but i'm starting to worry it's stopping employers from contacting me

therealdessie

I'd imagine most employers who would be taking on students already know those details, it shouldn't hold you back.

Little_Star_3

I've been to two interviews in the last week, had numerous sorry ur not getting the job letters in between, all getting me a bit down just now, could just do with a luck break.

Bismarck

therealdessie wrote: »

Bold: it's a fine line. As you say you don't want to be aggressive but you want to know you're in the running. Here's why employers don't like it: they don't want to feel pressured, simple as that. If an applicant came to me through an agency and then called me, I'd be wondering why they've contacted me directly as that's a definite no. If I had advertised the role directly I'd understand it, but only after a week had passed.

A general good rule of thumb is: Apply, wait seven days. Don't hear, you didn't get it. Hear and get an interview, write a letter to say thank you straight after the meeting - this is your chance to highlight your skills again (briefly) and answer any concerns they may have had. Again if you don't hear within seven days, move on.

It's always possible that they're waiting for the right CV, which is why they continue to advertise - in which you have to wonder: do you want to work for a perfectionist? They might be on holiday - do you want to work for someone with poor organisational methods? They might just have a lot of people to get through: do you want to work for someone with poor decision making skills?

In all cases seven days should be your limit, and it should never stop you from putting in applications elsewhere: as they say, you have to cut through the jungle to get to the jewels.

just a quick note to say specific thanks for this. Had an interview today for a job I found by myself through jobcentreplus (not through an agency!) and it went really well because the employer/decision-makers on here have helped me see the process more from the hiring point of view...and I could answer to reassure any concerns the employer had...

I may not have got the job but the interview went pretty well so that's a good start.

therealdessie

Fantastic - I'm really glad to hear it went well! Don't forget to send off your thank you letter now, and keep yourself at the front of their minds.

I had an interview today also, so maybe this run of good luck on the board will continue

Bismarck

That's the tricky bit...the Visitors Book indicated there were 6 other people in today and they are interviewing "for the rest of the week".

My application was by email - they replied to it regarding my CV but sent the interview details by post - so should I send the follow up by email or by letter and if so, do I just re-confirm that I want the job or should I do more?

Well, I think the great thing here is I've got more of a sense of community...jobhunting by yourself is no fun at all...you think everyone's getting interviews and you're "Billy no chance!"


How was your interview?

therealdessie

Bismarck wrote: »

That's the tricky bit...the Visitors Book indicated there were 6 other people in today and they are interviewing "for the rest of the week".

My application was by email - they replied to it regarding my CV but sent the interview details by post - so should I send the follow up by email or by letter and if so, do I just re-confirm that I want the job or should I do more?

Well, I think the great thing here is I've got more of a sense of community...jobhunting by yourself is no fun at all...you think everyone's getting interviews and you're "Billy no chance!"


How was your interview?

Definitely letter, and typed not written, on decent paper. E-mail is fine for acknowledging because it can be done automatically, but it's a method of communication that shouldn't be abused. Do you prefer e-cards or paper birthday cards?

Regarding the content, you need to firstly thank them for seeing you and say how you appreciated the opportunity to hear more about the role and the company. You should follow up in the second paragraph either on things they had concerns over (if you know them), or highlight areas that you can bring to them which will be of use - specific skills. No more than two paragraphs in total.

I also check the visitor book and always look at when they checked in/out to see what the average visit time is. There were two in today before me, and they said they had a few more to see - but I've said that when I'm only seeing one person before, because I don't want to give false hope. It could be that some of those other people were recruitment agents, or other salespeople.

You're right about the community aspect too, I hadn't ever really posted here (on the general forums) before because I didn't have anything to offer; I came on here actually to see if I could get any tips! But is great to be able to offer and receive advice, and know I'm not alone in my situation...!

The interview today was good, I got good body language and verbal feedback cues from the two people I saw. Of course I spent ages over-analysing everything that was said to see where I went wrong, but I think I did the best I could. It will be a small stretch for me if I do get the job, but the company had made it obvious that they valued a personality fit over all else. Of course, if I get the "thanks but no thanks" call I'll be crestfallen - but I have to keep on trying. If nothing else then for my JSA meeting next week :eek:

Bismarck

Will send the letter today, first class to arrive tomorrow...

This job-hunting is strange! I was mid-application for a local council job when I stopped to watch the Apprentice last night....gave up to leave it for today and a letter came offering me an interview for a different job that I applied for a month ago - the closing date was 23rd May so I had given up hope...

Now the dilemma is what do I do about the application that's stored but not finished which would go through the same HR people? The job is slightly better with a requirement to study AAT which I'd like BUT it's a trainee role and I suspect it's aimed at someone a little younger!

So..do I abandon the saved application?

Goes to show at the moment that I'm getting far more done myself than through agencies! At least I know the message that's reaching the prospective employers.

boldaslove

fingers crossed for everyone that's had interviews

i contacted manchester dog's home yesterday as they had a vacancy posted, but it seems like they extended the deadline and forgot to keep up the link for the application form to download so i've had to email them and ask if i can do it via CV or online application. no reply yet and it closes tomorrow it'd be ideal as it's just around the corner from the college i start at in september, plus i'd love to work with animals. i'm a bit worried it might be harrowing at times but it'd also be great to have a job i can come home and be genuinely proud of.

i'll give them a ring later if i've not heard anything. no luck with the countless CVs i've handed in yet i'm hoping we're right on the cusp of students breaking up the summer and going home so hopefully something will pop up soon!