you have to apply for a lot, you're lucky if one in ten call you back. so just keep trying even if you think you're getting a certain one. and if one calls you back you don't want so much, call the one you want and tell them that you've had an offer, and you wanted to check on the status of your application with them. oh, and read, 'what color is your parachute?' by richard nelson bolles. let it be your bible.
Yes. Apply to all that you're interested in and you feel you are qualifed to do. Other things to do: 1)Keep a record of places/positions you've sent your application. Include any contact names, numbers,title of position etc. Save info in and Excel spreadsheet or something, print it out, put it in a folder for easy access if they call.
2)Contact the company after about two weeks or so to check on the position you applied for and if a decision has been made yet. If they don't here anything, contact in another two weeks.
3)Put the word out to people you know via email or in passing if someone knows someons at company X, ask if they'd be willing to be a point of contact for company info or if a postion pops up. Keep a record of these contacts to refer back to as well.
Another book to check out is "The Interview Kit" by Richard H. Beatty. It helps on prep for interviews, because it breaks things down by method and ways you can go in to an interview rather than just going in cold.
That really helps, because I go through these extreme ups and downs in my mood about interviews... On one hand, I know I'm smarter than the average bear(tm) and should be able to answer anything they ask just fine, but on the other hand, I get paranoid about answering the way they want to hear. Heh. Having a method would be nice.
Yep, apply to as many companies as possible, and take the first job offered.
However, if another company does offer a better job a couple days later then I would go ahead and take it. Let the first company know as soon as possible before your official start date and everything should be cool.
Also, it's always better to have work while looking for that next opportunity. If you're not too crazy about your first job, then you you can always continue to look for something better. Just try to stick with one job for at least a couple months for nonprofessional work, or a year for a professional gig. Job hopping doesn't look to good on the resume.
That's a really interesting point of view! I have heard so many little tidbits of advice on my own job hunt. I'm curious as to why you would reccomend working at a job you're not really interested in, instead of devoting 100% of the available time to searching for something you really want. I consider my job to be finding the perfect job, and I wouldn't want anything to distract me. Anyways, let me know, I'm interested to hear your opinion on the situation.
Well that's not me in the anonymous post but I can answer the simplest way why to stay for myself. Money. As to what Argo's reasons may be, I'm not sure.
As the Baron said, money is always a very good reason. Sometimes finding any job can be a time consuming process, much less the 'perfect one'. Unless one is collecting unemployment, welfare, or have a trust fund then there will be some cold and hungry nights ahead. Money may not buy happiness, but it can put food in your belly, clothes on your back, and a roof over your head. Sometimes it can even buy a smile or two. :-)
However that's not the only reason to become employed as soon as possible.
For starters, an extended period unemployment looks just as bad as job hopping. An old coworker of mine was hiring for his new employer and came across many applicants with long gaps in their employment. The first question he would always ask is "So, what have you been doing since you've been out of work?" Already he suspects this sort of person isn't a hard worker willing to take on any task, and unless the applicant can come up with a good explanation then their job prospects are dim.
I always want to be doing something, especially because I'm eligible to just sit on my arse and collect unemployment. I don't want to become lazy. Currently I'm doing contract work, working contacts, and doing little side projects on my own. I never know when I'm going to run into someone with a lead on a great job.
Especially considering my best job contacts have come from people I know and with whom I've worked. I was hired for my last job because of an inside contact who was a former coworker. I also have a solid lead with another company because I've worked with many of their new hires.
However, they don't all have to be former coworkers. A friend of mine was trying to break into the industry here in Colorado, but had to move back to his hometown because of the collapse of the tech market. He was broke, in debt, and had little choice but to take the first job he could find. It was a low paying sales position for a computer store, pretty much a dead end job, but he busted his ass anyways. He built up several sales contacts, and one of them offered an entry level position at a tech consulting company. Last I heard he was out of debt, looking for his own place, and about to be promoted.
So while it's noble to have high ambitions, I would never let that distract me from my more immediate concerns. I still need to eat, I still need to pay rent, and I still need to do those things that put a smile on my face.
You make some really valid points, but I still don't agree that taking any job as soon as you can is the best route. I think it is the elements of my own personal situation and work ethics that lead me to disagree. Regardless, I liked reading what you had to say.
The important bit is that you expect to finish up your degree in very short order, which would help you land a professional job. However, you may want to come up with an interesting story on why you decided to bolt from Oklahoma before finishing up, or you can remain mysterious and say you suddenly moved to boston for personal reasons. ;-)
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ninetydegrees
no subject
on 11 Jan 2004 10:56 (UTC)no subject
on 14 Jan 2004 11:03 (UTC)no subject
on 11 Jan 2004 13:16 (UTC)no subject
on 14 Jan 2004 11:04 (UTC)no subject
on 11 Jan 2004 14:07 (UTC)qualifed to do.
Other things to do:
1)Keep a record of places/positions you've sent your application.
Include any contact names, numbers,title of position etc.
Save info in and Excel spreadsheet or something, print it out, put it in a folder for easy access if they call.
2)Contact the company after about two weeks or so to check on the position you applied for and if a decision has been made yet.
If they don't here anything, contact in another two weeks.
3)Put the word out to people you know via email or in passing if
someone knows someons at company X, ask if they'd be willing to be
a point of contact for company info or if a postion pops up.
Keep a record of these contacts to refer back to as well.
Another book to check out is "The Interview Kit" by Richard H. Beatty. It helps on prep for interviews, because it breaks things
down by method and ways you can go in to an interview rather than
just going in cold.
Hope this helps.
no subject
on 14 Jan 2004 11:06 (UTC)no subject
on 11 Jan 2004 15:13 (UTC)However, if another company does offer a better job a couple days later then I would go ahead and take it. Let the first company know as soon as possible before your official start date and everything should be cool.
Also, it's always better to have work while looking for that next opportunity. If you're not too crazy about your first job, then you you can always continue to look for something better. Just try to stick with one job for at least a couple months for nonprofessional work, or a year for a professional gig. Job hopping doesn't look to good on the resume.
-Αργω
no subject
on 11 Jan 2004 22:02 (UTC)no subject
on 12 Jan 2004 05:18 (UTC)no subject
on 12 Jan 2004 11:46 (UTC)However that's not the only reason to become employed as soon as possible.
For starters, an extended period unemployment looks just as bad as job hopping. An old coworker of mine was hiring for his new employer and came across many applicants with long gaps in their employment. The first question he would always ask is "So, what have you been doing since you've been out of work?" Already he suspects this sort of person isn't a hard worker willing to take on any task, and unless the applicant can come up with a good explanation then their job prospects are dim.
I always want to be doing something, especially because I'm eligible to just sit on my arse and collect unemployment. I don't want to become lazy. Currently I'm doing contract work, working contacts, and doing little side projects on my own. I never know when I'm going to run into someone with a lead on a great job.
Especially considering my best job contacts have come from people I know and with whom I've worked. I was hired for my last job because of an inside contact who was a former coworker. I also have a solid lead with another company because I've worked with many of their new hires.
However, they don't all have to be former coworkers. A friend of mine was trying to break into the industry here in Colorado, but had to move back to his hometown because of the collapse of the tech market. He was broke, in debt, and had little choice but to take the first job he could find. It was a low paying sales position for a computer store, pretty much a dead end job, but he busted his ass anyways. He built up several sales contacts, and one of them offered an entry level position at a tech consulting company. Last I heard he was out of debt, looking for his own place, and about to be promoted.
So while it's noble to have high ambitions, I would never let that distract me from my more immediate concerns. I still need to eat, I still need to pay rent, and I still need to do those things that put a smile on my face.
-Αργω
no subject
on 12 Jan 2004 13:17 (UTC)-krink
no subject
on 14 Jan 2004 11:15 (UTC)no subject
on 15 Jan 2004 11:35 (UTC)Watching Buffy and playing 3k aren't good answers. ;-)
-Αργω
no subject
on 15 Jan 2004 16:02 (UTC)no subject
on 16 Jan 2004 15:44 (UTC)no subject
on 16 Jan 2004 18:46 (UTC)Hackshaw: Why?
Lovecraft: Personal reasons.
Hackshaw: And they are?
Lovecraft: [stares unflinchingly at Hackshaw] Personal.
no subject
on 12 Jan 2004 05:18 (UTC)Hence the reason I have to slightly alter mine.
no subject
on 14 Jan 2004 11:08 (UTC)So, in an LJ-related question, how do you keep track of what comments you've left, since you can't get response emails?
no subject
on 15 Jan 2004 11:39 (UTC)I really should subscribe, isn't there some sort of code?
-Αργω
no subject
on 15 Jan 2004 11:47 (UTC)no subject
on 15 Jan 2004 12:09 (UTC)-Αργω
no subject
on 15 Jan 2004 12:51 (UTC)Ah well, this will be close enough.