In an effort to follow-up on my job hunt, I must tell you that I was not offered a job from either company for which I interviewed.
The first company I visited actually had me come back again. I saw this as a good sign. It is generally accepted to inquire about the status of the position a week after interviewing, which I was prepared to do. They couldn’t wait until Thursday and sent me a ‘dear john’ letter on Wednesday.
The second company I was pretty sure wasn’t going to make me an offer. When I walked out of the office (after the interview) I just felt like they were looking for someone I’m not. Officially, the owner said he would have a decision made before Friday but, like I said, I’m not holding my breath. He said he had 4 or 5 candidates and – unless all of them decline – I’m not expecting to hear from him.
Finding a job is tough. I spend a couple of hours a day looking through all the online postings, waiting to find one for which I’m qualified. It’s almost like begging, which I dislike, asking someone for something they have that you want.
Most days, even after two hours, I am still without any prospects. I spent 3 hours today rifling through many more listings (found a few more online sites to look through) and still only came up with 1 job to apply for.
I figured with getting two interviews in the span of a few days meant things were picking up but the best I can say is that things are ‘hit or miss’. Before all this I got several calls (telephone interviews) where the caller would say “we’ll call you back with our decision” or something like that. They never called back.
These days I also tend to read all those sites with tips for job-seekers. You know the kind, that talk about resume tips and things you’re not supposed to mention in an interview. One of them mentioned that not only are they interviewing you but you are also interviewing them – evaluating whether or not you want to work there.
Obviously, I’ve thought about this aspect but never had quite heard it put that way. Of course it’s true but most people looking for a job don’t think of it this way unless they already have a job and are looking for something different. Being out of work, the employer is the one with the money therefore they have the power.
I get a certain sense of paranoia when I go to an interview. There’s a part of me that wonders if they’re just bringing me in to give them solutions to their problems for free. For instance, in one of the interviews the Vice President I was talking with asked me how I’d handle the problem of spam. I asked whether he was looking for a hardware solution or a software solution. I inquired about what kind of budget he was looking at or if he wanted to outsource the problem.
His response: “Doesn’t matter”. So, basically, I ended up talking about a solution for each of the options while he was taking notes on what I was saying. He asked about a couple other scenarios like this while taking notes and at the end I was almost convinced he was using me for some free advice. Maybe the other candidates were doing the same thing and he was trying to figure out what the most popular answer was and will go with that solution. Either way, it made me feel a little weird.
I heard a new question in one of the interviews: “Tell me something that’s not on your resume”. It’s a step up from the typical “tell me something about yourself”. The first thing I wanted to say was “The pin number to my ATM card is not on my resume”. I made up some bullshit answer but wasn’t real happy with the question. Why? Because we all know there are certain questions that an interviewer cannot ask a potential employee and I feel this vague question tries to get around that. That’s why.
So the searching continues. It bugs me that I don’t have a fall-back position. Usually when I get into some sort of trouble I have a safety net… something that might suffice until I get out of trouble. Most of the time it’s not the best thing in the world but it’s an answer. Right now, I don’t have any cushion to soften the blow when the money runs out. Once this iceberg melts, I’m going to be doing the dog paddle until I sink into the icy water and drown.
(wow, that was really dramatic)
In all honesty, my parents have offered their support until I get back on my feet but there’s a matter of pride that won’t let me take that offer until it’s absolutely necessary – which I sincerely hope doesn’t come to that.
Someday I’m going to re-read this entry and just laugh, laugh, laugh. I hope that someday is soon.
The first company I visited actually had me come back again. I saw this as a good sign. It is generally accepted to inquire about the status of the position a week after interviewing, which I was prepared to do. They couldn’t wait until Thursday and sent me a ‘dear john’ letter on Wednesday.
The second company I was pretty sure wasn’t going to make me an offer. When I walked out of the office (after the interview) I just felt like they were looking for someone I’m not. Officially, the owner said he would have a decision made before Friday but, like I said, I’m not holding my breath. He said he had 4 or 5 candidates and – unless all of them decline – I’m not expecting to hear from him.
Finding a job is tough. I spend a couple of hours a day looking through all the online postings, waiting to find one for which I’m qualified. It’s almost like begging, which I dislike, asking someone for something they have that you want.
Most days, even after two hours, I am still without any prospects. I spent 3 hours today rifling through many more listings (found a few more online sites to look through) and still only came up with 1 job to apply for.
I figured with getting two interviews in the span of a few days meant things were picking up but the best I can say is that things are ‘hit or miss’. Before all this I got several calls (telephone interviews) where the caller would say “we’ll call you back with our decision” or something like that. They never called back.
These days I also tend to read all those sites with tips for job-seekers. You know the kind, that talk about resume tips and things you’re not supposed to mention in an interview. One of them mentioned that not only are they interviewing you but you are also interviewing them – evaluating whether or not you want to work there.
Obviously, I’ve thought about this aspect but never had quite heard it put that way. Of course it’s true but most people looking for a job don’t think of it this way unless they already have a job and are looking for something different. Being out of work, the employer is the one with the money therefore they have the power.
I get a certain sense of paranoia when I go to an interview. There’s a part of me that wonders if they’re just bringing me in to give them solutions to their problems for free. For instance, in one of the interviews the Vice President I was talking with asked me how I’d handle the problem of spam. I asked whether he was looking for a hardware solution or a software solution. I inquired about what kind of budget he was looking at or if he wanted to outsource the problem.
His response: “Doesn’t matter”. So, basically, I ended up talking about a solution for each of the options while he was taking notes on what I was saying. He asked about a couple other scenarios like this while taking notes and at the end I was almost convinced he was using me for some free advice. Maybe the other candidates were doing the same thing and he was trying to figure out what the most popular answer was and will go with that solution. Either way, it made me feel a little weird.
I heard a new question in one of the interviews: “Tell me something that’s not on your resume”. It’s a step up from the typical “tell me something about yourself”. The first thing I wanted to say was “The pin number to my ATM card is not on my resume”. I made up some bullshit answer but wasn’t real happy with the question. Why? Because we all know there are certain questions that an interviewer cannot ask a potential employee and I feel this vague question tries to get around that. That’s why.
So the searching continues. It bugs me that I don’t have a fall-back position. Usually when I get into some sort of trouble I have a safety net… something that might suffice until I get out of trouble. Most of the time it’s not the best thing in the world but it’s an answer. Right now, I don’t have any cushion to soften the blow when the money runs out. Once this iceberg melts, I’m going to be doing the dog paddle until I sink into the icy water and drown.
(wow, that was really dramatic)
In all honesty, my parents have offered their support until I get back on my feet but there’s a matter of pride that won’t let me take that offer until it’s absolutely necessary – which I sincerely hope doesn’t come to that.
Someday I’m going to re-read this entry and just laugh, laugh, laugh. I hope that someday is soon.