OT: Job interview today!

[Cygnusia]

Everyone keep your fingers crossed... I go in for an interview for gainful employment today (finally!!!) and I'm pretty nervous about it! It's not a job in my chosen profession, but right now I'll take what's given since my measly weekly government stipend is almost gone and we're having a baby due within the next month or so.

It doesn't help that I woke up with a stiff, sore neck this morning...

[Pugsy]

Good luck. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you.

[Cygnusia]

Thanks, Pugsy. I've been beefing up on my list of tough interview questions and plan on getting a thank you card out once my interview is done. I just need to find out when I need to follow up so I can start hitting them with calls to show that I am REALLY, REALLY interested in working for them.

[2flamingos]

Cygnusia -

Good Luck! I have several friends that are in search of gainful employement at this time. It's tough for them, so I can understand what you are going through.

Did they indicate when they were looking to fill the position? I would take that as my clue on when to follow-up. While you want to show that you are interested, you do not want to come across as over-bearing or impatient. I know that when I have interviewed people and they were following up before I could complete all interviews, or even really had a chance to review their resume and check references. That was a bit much and did play into my consideration of them. SO, be careful and not too pushy. Again - good luck!

[katherinefulmer]

Good Luck! You can do it! Just show them what we know to be true about you:

Curious mind, compassionate heart and committed member of a team!

[kteague]

Best wishes on this endeavor.

Based on my experience in interviewing and hiring, the thank you card is always good. I always appreciated being asked when I would be prepared to receive followup calls, and I took note if the person did call at that time. And reaffirm in your thank you note that you will call them on the appointed date. Any calls prior to that time might be best as a message for them, not an expectation of them taking time out to speak with you. That said, my persistence did land me a job once. I had been told there were no openings, but my 3rd followup call came in just after someone quit, so my name was the first associated with that unexpected opening. So hard to say what will work, but hopefully after the interview you'll be able to assess the situation, follow up accordingly, and land the job.

A baby on the way?! Congratulations!

Kathy

[Muse-Inc]

Good Luck! Nice to hear someone is getting an interview for a job.

[GaryG]

Cygnusia, so give us an update. How did it go? We're all pulling for you!!

[Cygnusia]

Sorry, it's been a busy day and I've only just now been able to get on!

I think the interview went pretty well! It was pretty informal, as I was being interviewed by someone who actually works in the department that I'm trying to get a job at. I already have been given a packet of paperwork, and now I just have to wait until the offer comes through. The interviewer told me that the position was an immediate opening, so I should hear back any day now.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed, and trying to stay as positive as possible... which has been hard for me to do for a while now.

[jweeks]

Hi,

Congrats on doing well during the interview. I bet being able to stay awake was big help? The funny thing out there is that despite having so many people looking for jobs, it is still very hard to find people who are a good fit for the openings that come up where I work. Once an employer finds someone like yourself who is interested and willing to work, they can move very quickly to make things happen.

-john-

[Cygnusia]

Very interested and very willing, that's for certain! This work may not be within my comfort zone (I'm a graphic designer and this is a jewelry polishing position) but it should fit in with my exactness and attention to detail that I'm used to applying in my field of work. Plus, I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so that should help!

I have my thank-you note ready and will be popping it into the mailbox shortly. I was told that they don't normally give out the candidate packets right then and there, so hopefully that's a good sign...

[Cygnusia]

So much for that.

Apparently I "don't have enough experience". HELLO... entry level position! I don't NEED to have much experience!

[grandmma]

Oh no, sorry to hear that. Have been following this thread, and hoping for a good result for you.

Frustrating re experience for entry level positions, isn't it? Kind of chicken and the egg, perhaps. Can't get the job without experience, can't get experience without the job. Or is that catch 22?

Although it doesn't apply to you, since you did get an interview - I once wrote an application covering letter, stating that if they wanted someone cute, blonde, young, thin, ....you get the drift .... not to bother replying. Wasn't me. But if they wanted someone professional, courteous, on time, reliable, and could perform, give me a call. Amazing how many people wanted to 'meet the person who wrote that letter'. At least got my foot in the door!

Will be crossing my fingers for you for next time - please let us know.

[Muse-Inc]

Ah, I'm so sorry! I got 5 turndowns right after my layoff last March for not enough experience in their particular niche or no knowledge of the right applications...for pete's sake, I gotta learn 'em in the design phase to write about 'em so I excel at learning new software systems/apps fast! Since those turndowns, not even replies to the hundreds of resumes I've sent out...very discouraging. The economy will recover, it's the hanging on 'til then that's the challenge.

Saw an email joke circulated some while back saying we shoulda taken the first Wall Str bailout and divided it up amongst all tax-paying citizens (not companies) because a good chunk of it would have been immediately plowed back into economy as purchases held off, sometimes for yrs, are bought...lately, it sure looks like that woulda been a better investment of those funds.

[Cygnusia]

What can I do? Baby will be here sometime between December and January, and my unemployment dries up in January too. We're late on so many bills right now, it's ridiculous.

I'm considering talking to the recruiter that called me and ask if they could reconsider me for the position...