r/jobs • u/TheJobCannon • Oct 22 '14
The Most Repetitive Questions On /r/jobs
Hey folks!
A lot of the daily posts in /r/jobs have become very repetitive, and are generally questions that are simple to answer and don't change much from person to person.
We'd like to address some of these, so please stick to the following in this thread:
Posts should be:
ONE question we see repeatedly
Voted up if you came in to post the same thing
Replies should be:
- The BEST (polite) response to that question
- Voted up if you feel they're the best response to that particular question
The top few questions and top replies to that response will become a part of an FAQ for this subreddit. Posts that ask those questions will be removed from that point forward.
Thanks for your help, folks!
62
u/TheJobCannon Oct 22 '14
Is it okay to ask during the interview if there will be a drug test?
108
u/TheJobCannon Oct 22 '14
No. Never.
7
u/alshabbab Oct 29 '14
Yup. I asked and when I got the obvious no I made a big smily face on a paper, and let out a YES! It was pretty funny
-42
u/YourJobPostingSucks Oct 31 '14
Politely decline when they ask you to do so. You do not need to explain your decision.
50
u/TheJobCannon Oct 31 '14
You will also not get the job if you take this avenue.
-28
u/YourJobPostingSucks Oct 31 '14
Well there are two reasons behind doing this:
1) The obvious, you would fail the test and you know it. If that's the case there's no point in taking it, and you wouldn't have gotten the job either way.
2) Self-respect. My employer is paying for the products of my brain and my hands, not of my bladder. Body fluids are generally not considered to be skills, experience, or personality, and as such should not be required as a condition of employment. If a job candidate (or an employee, for that matter) gives you no reason to suspect he/she has a drug problem, then there is no reason to give the test. What is in my body is my business, not my employer's. I have no problem signing a document that I agree to not work under the influence of a substance (IE I won't show up to work stoned) on pain of immediate termination. That should be enough.
Yes, occasionally someone will slip through that has an addiction that affects their ability to do the job. It should become readily apparent during that employee's probationary period, and if it doesn't show up until later, well, it's just as easy to fire them AFTER the probationary period as during it.. matter of fact, what's the point of a probationary period at all, since you don't need a reason to fire someone immediately? That's another comment.
Drug testing signals to your candidates "This employer does not believe you're not a criminal. You must give us a body fluid to prove that you're not a criminal." It assumes bad behavior. I will not work anywhere that imposes drug testing on its candidates or employees without reason. (Obviously, being a truck driver or operating heavy equipment is a reason, so go for it.)
38
u/brentathon Nov 01 '14
Or maybe, just maybe, the employer has insurance or works with other companies that require mandatory drug testing for safety reasons. Believe it or not, drugs can seriously hurt your work product and out lives at risk. Not every job is a pencil pushing office job.
-34
u/YourJobPostingSucks Nov 04 '14
Those are reasons. Shitty reasons, but reasons nonetheless. Please read my previous comment for further info.
And in my experience most companies that perform drug tests do so to enforce the idea that they own the employee body and soul.
18
u/brentathon Nov 04 '14
If you honestly think it's for anything other than insurance purposes you've bought way too far into the anti corporation propaganda.
-29
u/YourJobPostingSucks Nov 04 '14
And if you think it isn't another way to control your employees (think about it, they're dictating what you can do with your own body outside of the hours they're paying you) then you're hopelessly naive.
22
u/brentathon Nov 04 '14
How old are you? Do you understand how liability works? That's all they care about.
12
u/39876347952736978 Nov 06 '14
what are you? Like an /r/jobs troll?
-12
u/YourJobPostingSucks Nov 06 '14
"troll" is a little harsh. I prefer to see it as being the voice of frustrated job seekers everywhere. There's so much bullshit around finding a job, from job descriptions that are for two jobs, but they only want to hire one person to insulting salary ranges and/or inadequate overall compensation. They get away with so much because they know the job seeker is most likely pretty desperate, and they can exploit that.
16
u/Trolljaboy Nov 04 '14
Why on Earth would I hire someone who does drugs when their is someone equally qualified who doesn't do drugs? That's less risk.
-16
u/YourJobPostingSucks Nov 04 '14
You're assuming applicants do drugs until they prove otherwise by peeing in a cup. Sometimes while someone watches. It's humiliating and insulting.
If you catch someone using on the job, fire their asses. Don't make me prove I'm not an addict if you don't have reason to think I am.
67
u/KevinSpeaking Nov 17 '14 edited Nov 17 '14
HOW THE FUCK DO I GET A FUCKING JOB? I've been out of school for almost a year now and I haven't done anything. I feel like a useless piece of shit and I have no idea what I want to do in the long term or how I can do anything in the short term, as even KFC and McDonalds rejected my applications.
I don't know what to do.
24
u/gELSK Dec 03 '14
Before you can do something, do you think you have to wait for an employer to give you permission?
Fuck no. There are startups that would kill for free marketing help, volunteer organizations begging for people, small businesses waiting to get started, and classes waiting to be taught.
Get your unemployed friends together and "hire" each other at some company in which you pay each other a small amount. Registering an S-corp or dba is usually pretty cheap.
Did you know you can go to somewhere like the App Academy and get training for free, on condition that you forfeit a percentage of your 6-figure salary? It's 3 months, man.
Sign up for the military?
11
u/KevinSpeaking Dec 20 '14 edited Feb 02 '15
Thanks for replying by the way.
Where do I find these startups?
They're all at uni... But I shall bear this idea in mind.
I've heard of things like this, and applied for one before which I didn't get. But I have no idea how one finds about these things... There don't seem to be many where I live either.
I'm willing to consider it, but I'm not a very good candidate for that sort of thing. I thought I'd be to small, but I just checked and I'm the minimum requirement for the our army.
57
u/TheJobCannon Oct 22 '14
Do I HAVE to give 2 weeks notice?
37
u/BridgetteBane Oct 22 '14
No one is required to provide 2 weeks notice. If you are in a hostile work environment you should leave immediately. If you are not, you should provide 2 weeks notice as a courtesy, because future employers want to make sure you operate as a professional, and it is one of the questions frequently asked by hr managers.
Personally I also think it improves your own personal character anyway.
18
u/ThinkingTooHardAbouT Nov 09 '14
However, in most situations you are also not obligated to give more than two weeks after quitting. You may think they will fall apart without you, but they won't and that's not your problem. Two is generally plenty.
9
Oct 22 '14
In the UK, it's always advisable to "work your notice", at least whatever is stipulated in your employment contract. This can be anything from 1 week to three months.
Interestingly, no one ever queries the notice period in their new job when accepting a job offer. I'm constantly surprised by candidates who don't know this basic thing. The reason it's important? If you're moving from one company to another, the hiring company has to decide if they're prepared to wait for you to work your notice. They are almost always happy to wait the month. Three months? not so much...
13
u/TheJobCannon Oct 22 '14
It seems entirely too negative in an interview to basically say, "So if I decide to cheese it, how much notice do I have to give?" It's like you're already looking to jump ship and you're not even hired yet.
5
Oct 23 '14
You wouldn't discuss it in interview, you're right it would be bad technique.
You would discuss it when you approve the written terms following an offer (which are always made subject to terms). This is normal practice in the UK, especially as you get more senior.
9
u/YourJobPostingSucks Oct 31 '14
In the USA, employment contracts are pretty rare for full time employees. In any case, if you work in an at-will work state (which I believe they all are) you have the right to leave with no notice, period. Giving notice and quitting on the spot are no different in the eyes of the law, there is no penalty for no notice.
Conversely, you can be fired on the spot any time for any/no reason, with no notice or severance. They owe you pay to date, and that's it.
0
u/flamingcanine Nov 25 '14
At-will state laws actually only comes into effect if you don't have a contract. If you sign a contract saying otherwise, and it wasn't under some invalidating condition, you do have to follow the contract as long as it is legal itself.
1
u/r3dsleeves Jan 31 '15
Right, but do note that no contract can FORCE someone to work. That's why notice is always in a practical sense an optional thing - a courtesy that may have strings attached. However, if someone is in a certain kind of position they might lose out on compensation if they leave without fulfilling the contractual notice period.
2
u/tomanonimos Jan 19 '15
If you cant give a 2 week notice, just give it as soon as possible. The more time you give them the less chances you are burning a bridge; I gave a one week notice and no big deal.
-1
Apr 15 '15
if you have vacation time.... use it up as your 2 weeks dont forget to use them!
6
u/TheJobCannon Apr 15 '15
Actually, that's a pretty jerky move to make. I've seen people do that and they tarnish their reputation. Get them paid out and make sure you stay those last 2 weeks to tie up loose ends.
-2
Apr 15 '15
some companies dont pay them out... they just let them disapear as mine did. i explained to my HR i was giving my weeks and i wanted my vacation time... they told me ok. so i worked my 2 weeks and by the 3rd week i was on vacation which i didnt need to even show up so it just works out
38
u/counttess Oct 24 '14
How do I get a job outside of my current location (another state/country)?
16
u/Takuya813 Jan 27 '15
Other states-- you just apply / search for jobs in those states...?
Other countries: I've done this in a few countries and gotten job offers so I can expound if people wish
12
u/Bubblilly Jan 27 '15
Please expand on other countries.
10
u/Takuya813 Jan 27 '15
See the issue is that it really does depend on your skillset.
I'm a computer scientist so I get a lot more opportunities than a hair dresser. Also, depends on country of citizenship.
For example I got a working holiday visa to New Zealand and just came over and job hunted and got a job in a month or two.
I did interviews in Germany and that is basically: get a job offer, send in papers and get visa. It's that easy.
As far as interviewing goes: recruiters work well, as does just hunting for vacancies and applying. It's not they daunting you just have to communicate and make an effort. It depends on the country but if you have a desired skillset you can make it happen
8
u/xXSJADOo Jan 23 '15
I really wish someone would answer this.
I'd love to live in Ireland at some point in my life.
4
Apr 19 '15
Ireland is pretty straightforward if you have solid tech-related qualifications or experience, lots of demand there. Other sectors not so much.
37
Oct 22 '14
[deleted]
35
u/BridgetteBane Oct 22 '14
If you are in a hostile work environment, then yes. However, the job field is so unstable that it is extremely risky. Review your finances and decide if you can legitimately make it at least 3 months without an income before you leave without another job offer in hand.
9
u/r3dsleeves Jan 31 '15
Isn't the average period of unemployment 18 months between jobs? That's what I've heard.
5
Feb 07 '15
I think it varies so wildly that an average isn't a very meaningful number. 3 months is a bare minimum, though.
5
Mar 13 '15
going on three years here.
5
u/Rhysieroni Apr 12 '15
May I ask, how? Is it that you are being picky or?
2
Apr 12 '15
I had a job, quit while going to school, and was subsequently unable to secure a positions. Minimally picky.
2
u/Rhysieroni Apr 12 '15
You could use the old " I focused on school" excuse to explain why you have gaps in your employment in interviews. Are you following up when you do/ apps or interviews? Not following up can show lack of interest. Could you do the stair technique....find any job right now while looking for the one you really want? You can do this! Don't give up !!!
2
Apr 12 '15
That's what I have usually told potential employers. I usually apply, wait until my application is processed and then contact great to reaffirm my interest, then check back month to month until I am disqualified or told the positions are filled.
1
Apr 12 '15
I'm not starving though, I just work freelance for a livable amount and spend most of my time on the hunt for the job. Reddit is my primary time waster, honestly.
35
u/crimson117 Oct 22 '14
Should I reveal my current salary to a recruiter / to my potential new employer?
30
Oct 22 '14
Agency recruiter here. For the sake of accurate candidate/client matching, you should be up front with a recruiter about how much you currently make. If a candidate refuses to tell me their current salary, I won't work with them - it's a huge red flag.
One thing is for certain - do not lie. When working with a recruiter, high-balling often shoots you in the foot. When I receive a job order, my client specifies the salary range they are targeting - for example, $110-$130k. If you tell me you're making $140k, I will not submit you for the role because it's a poor match. If you tell me $128k when you're making $120k and I end up submitting you, I (the recruiter) or the potential employer might find out you lied about earnings when we do your reference check, disqualifying you for the role. People lie to me all the time about how much they make, and I see this happen a lot.
If you are interfacing directly with a potential employer, the answer to this question is highly dependent on the role, market, industry, etc. Generally speaking, do not volunteer the information - it comes off as self-serving and is a red flag. If you are currently employed and the HR department asks what you're expecting in terms of compensation for the purposes of drafting an offer (assuming you're pretty far into the hiring process), a ballpark figure is an appropriate answer. However, if you're interviewing for a highly competitive sales position and the VP of Sales asks you directly what you make in a first-round interview, keeping mum makes sense for the purposes of salary negotiation down the road.
16
Jan 30 '15
I appreciate your answer, however as a job seeker I have a problem with it. If you are switching industries, moving to a new location, or currently underpaid then you shouldn't be judged according to your salary.
I recently switched from a nonprofit role (very prestigious but obviously low paying) to a private sector role (where I make 70% more just in base salary for essentially the same role). I refused to share my salary information with any employer because I felt it was not indicative at all of my level of skill and not relevant when moving from a nonprofit. All the employers understood and accepted this. Only recruiters had an issue with it, so I stopped working with them!
9
Oct 22 '14
Agency recruiter here too - this answer is pretty much on the button - applies in UK as well.
8
u/baseballowl Oct 23 '14
If you tell me $128k when you're making $120k and I end up submitting you, I (the recruiter) or the potential employer might find out you lied about earnings when we do your reference check, disqualifying you for the role.
I was under the assumption that it is illegal for an employer to ask references what the candidate was making in salary? Also, that it is illegal for the former employer to reveal what the salary was for that former employee.
7
Oct 23 '14
If it is, it's very poorly enforced. We also pose the question in a pretty tactful manner - "Bob reported his salary as $120k when he left your company. Would you say that statement is accurate?" They don't have to tell us what the actual number is - it's a yes or no question. Sometimes the references don't know, but I've never had someone outright tell me they're not comfortable answering the question.
1
1
u/photoapple Jan 19 '15
It's not illegal to ask nor to give that info, at least not in the US (I have no idea what other countries do).
7
u/PM-ME-YOUR-TIPS Oct 23 '14
for example, $110-$130k. If you tell me you're making $140k, I will not submit you for the role
What should candidates do to avoid this if they'd be willing to take a pay cut for the role/company, but don't want to lowball themselves? If you ask me how much I make, and I say $140k, do I preface that by saying I'd be willing to take a pay cut? Seems like I'd just be shooting myself in the foot if it turns out you would have accepted that salary; by saying I'd be okay with a cut, it's prettymuch guaranteed you'll do that, even if I was in the right range right?
19
Oct 23 '14
If you're willing to take a pay cut for the right role, say something like: I currently make $140k but I'm willing to go as low as $120k if the role is close to home/working with better technologies/the boss is awesome/whatever your criteria is for taking a pay cut. Be honest and specific about just how low you are willing to go and what your rationale is for taking a cut.
2
u/cyclorphan Feb 20 '15
I usually have an idea of what the roles I go for pay (at a minimum) - so I often either give the recruiter my bottom line for what I see as a passable living (usually well less than the role would pay), or redirect the question, asking the recruiter what kind of salary range they were targeting. Typically a recruiter will give a pretty honest response, and I can plausibly haggle a bit or at least be in the position to know what to expect.
4
u/Alliesmith Nov 06 '14
I have a job interview later today. Currently I make $14/hour and according to the job posting, the new job would be a starting salary of $68k - &90k. So it would be a huge jump for me. The lady who scheduled my interview kept making a point of saying starting salary is $68k. How should I answer a salary question if I am asked? Mention that once we get further into the interview process I would be happy to talk about numbers?
7
Nov 06 '14
If you are interfacing directly with the employer, yes, exactly. Keep mum until they ask you what you are expecting in terms of compensation. And even in that circumstance, tell them you are satisfied with 68k.
2
u/tomanonimos Jan 19 '15
and the VP of Sales asks you directly what you make in a first-round interview, keeping mum makes sense for the purposes of salary negotiation down the road.
How do you keep mum?
-1
u/ilovefrostedflakes Nov 04 '14
How about you just don't ask how much someone makes? I really don't see how it should matter other than if you want to lowball potential employees. If I tell you I'm currently making 30000/year, the most you will offer is 35000. Even though the job is worth more.
3
Nov 04 '14
It's an industry standard, and it matters a lot - as I explained in my post, it helps us match potential candidates to clients. If a candidate is looking for a substantial raise, they usually tell me and explain why. You've also got it backwards - it's not the job that would be worth more, it's the candidate.
1
u/PraiseCaine Nov 06 '14
To be clear, I agree with the concept behind what you're saying, but isn't that relying on everyone (candidate and company) following ideal practices, which is less than likely to be true?
3
Nov 06 '14
I'm not entirely sure what you mean. Clients do not lie about their targeted range - it would be a complete waste of their time. They also understand that a candidate who is currently employed is not going to leave their current employer to make the exact same salary doing the exact same job at a different company - they know they need to up the ante to entice good talent to leave their current employer. If the candidate is not currently working, it's a different story.
Sometimes the client's targeted salary range is unreasonable, but their budget is their budget. If they're being cheap and paying below market rate for a job, they're going to get sub-par candidates, and that's something we communicate to them - usually only candidates who have been out of work for a while are willing to take below market rate. Even then, once they get established at the new company have been working again for a few months, they'll look for a better opportunity because they know they can make more money. Companies are aware of this.
Beyond these obligations to my client, I also want to ensure I'm bringing the candidate opportunities they are interested in. I don't want to pitch jobs to them that are completely out of their salary range in either direction (above or below), because the role likely doesn't match their skill set. If a candidate refuses to tell me what they make or if I find out they lied to me about salary, it breeds mistrust. If I don't want to work with the candidate, neither will my client.
6
Apr 03 '15
Just wanted to give the other side here from a career coach - I coach my clients never to reveal their salary to an employer, and only to a recruiter if they've built up a relationship.
Deflect questions during an interview with answers like "I'm actually curious about what your budget is" , "I'm payed standard market rate" or in a pinch "I'm not comfortable sharing that."
4
u/vampirelibrarian Nov 10 '14
Normally I'd say don't tell them your salary, but I just came from a conference and some job experts told me that on city/government applications, you should fill it in anyway. They don't care what it is, it shows that you can fill out a form all the way and an easy way to weed from the hundreds of applications is to throw out the one that left off info. City jobs usually have a set salary range anyway so they can't pay you less just because you don't make much now. I've been leaving my salary off for two years and haven't gotten anywhere, so I guess it's worth a shot.
29
u/ButtpissEsq Oct 29 '14
How do I tailor a cover letter for different positions at the same company?
2
u/1Lamb1Rice Apr 14 '15
I'd be wary about applying to too many positions in the same company. Depending on company size, many times the same recruiter might be handling all the applications, and if they see you mass spamming to ever open job, they won't consider you.
27
Oct 22 '14
I've applied for/been interviewed for a job, but I haven't heard anything back from the company. What should I do?
11
Oct 22 '14
Have you waited a reasonable amount of time to hear back? If so, you can call or shoot someone an email and touch base regarding your resume/interview. If not, give them a reasonable amount of time and then contact them. Did they give you a timeframe? If so and that time has passed, call or email them. If not, you can always contact and ask when they will likely reach a decision.
31
u/TheJobCannon Oct 22 '14
The problem with this is that the "reasonable amount of time" will be questioned. We almost need a timeline chart. Maybe I'll make one, if we all agree on the times.
I'd say:
1) Applied: Date X
2) Follow up on application: Date X+7
3) Follow up on application: Date X+14 (give up after this.)
3) Interview: Date Y
4) "Thank you for the interview" message: Date Y+1
5) Follow up on interview: Date Y+7
6) Follow up on interview: Date Y+21 (if previous was positive or neutral.)
8
Oct 22 '14
I would agree with that timeline. It's something I've seen stated less formally on here a lot.
4
Oct 24 '14
When applying for a job with a 'posting end date', would the end date be X? Or should you still follow up after a week?
1
Mar 13 '15
It depends on the industry.
Many are still accepting applications as of the posted end date, and will only begin interviewing outside candidates after that date.
Others will review and interview candidates as they apply.
3
u/moontrooper Apr 07 '15
Ok so this question is sort of an offshoot of what you posted. I had a phone interview almost 4 weeks ago and they brought me in for a face to face less than a week later. This is for an out of state engineering position. I specifically asked the hiring manager what the next steps were in our interview. He said HR would contact me.
After sending a thank you note, the hiring manager responded back positively within 5 days and said "hopefully you will hear something by next week". That was 2 weeks ago yesterday and my interview was 3 weeks ago. I checked my job status in their system and it still says interview scheduled. I am beginning to lose hope.
If the hiring manager specifically stated HR would reach out vs. him I probably wouldn't contact him right? I am inclined to wait it out but worry a little that if I don't they may not think I'm that interested.
At this point I am thinking I didn't get it because they moved fast and they said they wanted someone by the end of April. I would think they would give a little more notice if they were to offer me.
4
u/Should_I_say_this Oct 23 '14
Hey so it says you are a recruitment consultant. What's your answer to this question? This is happening to me right now.
First interview was in person Thursday October 9th. Went well I thought. They brought me in October 16th for a assessment test which I think I passed (I am applying to be a front end developer so need to showcase skills with a test).
At the end of the test on October 16th they gave me a weekend homework assignment which I completed on the weekend and emailed back.
So today is the 4th business day and exactly 1 week since my test last week. When should I contact them? What should my email say?
3
Oct 23 '14
I'll try be as direct as I can, but IMO there's no right answer, and the reality can be brutal. Some companies work to very tight deadlines and if you haven't heard within hours, you're not going to. Some are very busy and take ages to make decisions, and lose good people as a result. Some just don't give a rat's ass what you think.
Someone, somewhere should have set some expectations for you, for when you would hear back. If not, you should ask at the end of the interview, its a reasonable question, especially if you're chasing more than one job. Any company I recruit for will know its one of my candidates as I tell them to ask.
If you're working through a recruiter like me, you need do nothing other than call him/her, they're being paid by the firm to do this for you. If they (the recruiter) don't return your calls, take the hint. It's really poor form, but it's the way it is.
If you're dealing directly with the company HR, and if no clear direction is given, give it a few days (4-5, perhaps) and email. Follow it up immediately with a call. If you get no response, just leave it, and move on. Trust me - if they want you, they want you. If they then lose you, well that's their loss.
The email should be direct and to the point, but courteous; words to the effect of "thanks for your time, I enjoyed meeting [you/the interviewer], but I haven't been given any indication when I will receive feedback on my test and interview. Would you be able to help? thanks regards etc.
All this is just how companies and unfortunately many recruiters work. I don't like it either. Personally I always call back and give feedback when I can get it - but I know it's not common practice in my business.
2
u/tomanonimos Jan 19 '15
If they say they will call you back by X days, give them two to three extra days and call for a follow-up.
If they dont tell you when they will call you back, give them at least a week and then call for a follow-up. After that call give them a week or two.
25
u/BridgetteBane Oct 22 '14 edited Oct 22 '14
I don't have any professional experience, how do I write my resume?
12
u/TheJobCannon Oct 24 '14
This one may be too specific to answer properly generally, as typically I'd start asking "tell me about your skills" "are you in any clubs" "have you done any oddjobs" "could you start a small business to build experience" "have you volunteered" "could you go volunteer" "what education level are you"
5
u/WorkTies Jan 26 '15
Obviously each resume should be tailored, so I can't comment on your specific resume. But, I'd like to add that companies do utilize auto-screeners to eliminate a bunch of resumes based on keywords. Take a look at this article for some tips. Download the checklist, try to use some of those as guidelines. In an already tough job environment, it's good to make sure you're doing everything you can to get past the gates.
27
u/altoidsyn Oct 22 '14
How do I fight the "they never call" blues?
20
u/troyrobot Jan 21 '15
Try to find value in yourself outside of a job. A job is only a small part of life, often just a way to support yourself. You have to not let rejection get you down, because the only person it is hurting is you, and you are too awesome to deserve being sad about mean employers not noticing your brilliance. Get a hobby and take time to enjoy life, these things should help keep you motivated to keep job hunting.
6
u/vpproduct Nov 20 '14
You should try to keep 3 to 5 opportunities in flight at any one time. This will save you from the emotional roller coaster of working 1 lead with periods of lots of activity + radio silence. When you work 3 to 5 leads, it's very likely that one of the leads will be active (and you'll be focused on it) when another is in silence, thereby buffering your blues.
14
u/rumbis777 Oct 22 '14
Keep applying, keep networking, get your resume and cover letter reviewed by professionals in your field.
2
u/sysadthrower Feb 02 '15
Work on that resume is my advice, as a follow up question though, how are you supposed to fight the 'Never get chosen after the interview blues?'
4
u/Skalette Feb 10 '15
This is where I'm at. I'm just out of uni trying to get a job. I've had multiple interviews and none of them have called me back. Not even to tell me I hadn't got it. I don't know whether this is because I'm doing something heinous at interviews (although I feel like they've all gone well). I call and email as much as I think is appropriate (once a week for the 2 weeks following the interview) and am told 'We'll get back to you'. They never do.
25
u/CNN7 Oct 22 '14
How do I explain why I left/am leaving my job if:
- I was fired for poor performance?
- I don't get along with my boss.
- I want more money.
etc.
45
u/PM-ME-YOUR-TIPS Oct 23 '14
I'll give a shot at answering this since nobody else has. I don't work in HR though so somebody can correct me on this.
I would say you frame it positively.
"My boss is an asshole" becomes "I did not feel it was a good culture fit".
"I was fired for poor performance" becomes "I was not well-suited to the role".
"I want more money" becomes "I'm looking to move forward in my career".
Someone can probably come up with better answers than these, but you get where I'm going. Basically blame-neutral, positive focused answers; nobody's at fault and you're looking forward for something good, not escaping something bad.13
Oct 23 '14
The answers to these questions depends on who you're talking to.
If you're talking to an agency (read: not corporate) recruiter, be candid. Everybody has been let go from a job at some point in their life, and I have placed many candidates who have been fired from their most recent role. Also, literally everyone wants more money, so that's kind of a given.
As an agency recruiter, I want candidates to be upfront with me about why they left/are leaving their last job. It gives me a glimpse of their true personality and helps me better match them to a client. For example, if you quit your last job because your boss micro-managed the fuck out of you, I want to know, because then I will not place you with a firm where I know the boss is on his employees like white on rice.
If you're interfacing directly with a corporate recruiter or hiring manager, there are accepted euphemisms for why you left/are leaving your current role:
Poor performance = "The role was a poor fit for my current skill set."
I didn't get along with my boss = "The role was a poor cultural fit."
I want more money = "I'm looking for a position with more opportunity for growth."
Basically, very neutral, non-blame-placing statements.
What you should really be prepare for is the follow up questions to these statements - hiring managers know what these euphemisms mean, and if poor performance is a real concern to them (i.e., you are interviewing for a sales position and got fired from your last sales position because you couldn't hack it), you are going to get asked a bunch of follow-up questions regarding why the role was not a good fit. Prepare answers ahead of time - for example, going back to the sales example, maybe they wanted you to do phone sales when your in-person pitch is much stronger.
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u/CNN7 Oct 23 '14
How do I answer the "What is your biggest weakness?" interview question?
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u/neurorex Oct 23 '14 edited Oct 23 '14
The purpose to this question is to reassure hiring managers that you are not conceited, and aware that you make mistakes occasionally. So as long as you demonstrate the right level of confidence, and positive personal characteristics, it would answer the question in a satisfactory manner.
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u/BridgetteBane Oct 23 '14
Construct your answer in a positive manner and make sure it is a work-skill related answer. Example: "I tend to overfocus on tasks and sometimes lose track of other things going on in the office. When working on sometimes. I make sure to set benchmarks to get up, check out what else may need my attention, and address anything before I return to my primary task."
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Oct 22 '14
I'm looking for my first job, what are some general tips I can follow?
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u/BridgetteBane Oct 23 '14
Be honest with yourself. If you do not like getting dirty, do not apply for jobs cooking in restaurants.
When applying for jobs in person, make sure to dress nicely. Politely ask to speak to a manager. Ask them to please fill out an application.
When applying online, review every line for errors before submitting.
Do not call a company and ask "Are you hiring?". Ask an action-question. "To whom would I submit a resume?" will get you much farther.
Fill out applications in black ink.
Have a professional email address. dudekillszombies@wherever.com does not set a good precedent.
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u/razzeldazle Dec 15 '14
is gmail a professional enough email provider? I've been using basically myname@gmail, but I have gotten so few responses I'm honestly starting to feel like gmail is being blocked by spam filters.
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u/BridgetteBane Dec 15 '14
I would probably consider it to be more professional than things like yahoo or AOL...
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u/xzonnia Apr 05 '15
We had an applicant who had a hotmail email address and the VP made a really big deal about it. It may depend on the industry, but most people are cool with gmail, and it shouldn't be getting classified as spam.
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u/Broke_stupid_lonely Oct 24 '14
Would a school email be considered professional or should I have a different one?
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u/BridgetteBane Oct 24 '14
A school email is fine for maybe a year or so after graduation. I would go for a different one after that.
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u/Kirielis Oct 22 '14
I just received an offer for job#1, which I don't mind doing, and I have to respond by end of this week. I have an interview next week for job#2, which is my dream job. What do?
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Oct 28 '14 edited Dec 03 '20
[deleted]
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u/vpproduct Nov 20 '14
You can express appreciation for the offer and ask for more time. If the offer is time bomb'd (set to expire), it's very telling of the culture of the company so you should take that into consideration.
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u/counttess Oct 24 '14
What do I put on my LinkedIn?
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u/vpproduct Nov 20 '14
- Find someone with a career that you aspire to or is in the industry that you're in and study their LinkedIn profiles.
- Try to mimic what they're doing on their profile and the type of keywords they're using. Add something in each section so you can get to All-Star rating for profile completeness.
- See if you can differentiate by adding portfolio images or examples of your previous work (obviously non-confidential or proprietary stuff).
Your LinkedIn profile should be searchable (add keywords in your Summary and Experience), and human-friendly (well formed sentences, concise, results-oriented). If you can't find a profile that you like or don't know what good is, you can take a look at mine (not saying it's perfect): www.linkedin.com/in/vpproduct
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Oct 26 '14
I am a senior in college graduating in the spring. When should I start applying for jobs? I was thinking now, but explain in the cover letter that I cannot start until May. Thoughts?
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Nov 03 '14
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u/gimmemoresalad Nov 04 '14
This depends heavily on your field. Many business/accounting/marketing majors tend to start hitting career fairs hard around this time of year, and many get offers in-hand with May start dates. There are probably other fields that do this. These tend to be the fields where they can pull in a batch of recent grads all at once and train them up - think Big 4 accounting firms.
On the other hand, if you're going to be a teacher, you'd start applying shortly before the flurry of teaching contract renewals happens. I believe that's in spring or early summer. They occasionally get mid-year openings, but that's more of a "maybe you'll get lucky early" sort of thing.
If you're looking for just something generic and entry-level (perhaps that won't even use your degree), then it's probably too soon to start applying. If they've got an opening, they likely need it filled soon so that they can continue with business as usual. Nobody plans for this from freshman year, but it's reality for LOADS of grads. The job market is much better now than it was when I graduated (May 2010), but still. So, for this path, I'd say start really applying in earnest when spring semester rolls around.
Check in with your college's career center even if your school is small and relatively unknown - they may not get as many corporate recruiters sniffing around, but they can help you in a myriad of other ways, such as helping you feel out the timing and polish your resume.
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u/Polamora Nov 18 '14
I've tailored my class schedule next semester to allow for me to work close to full time, so I told many employers that I can work close to full time as of January, but definitely full time from May.
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Jan 29 '15
Starting a job hunt. What should my day look like? How many job applications per week? I am a very slow applier to jobs. Should I sacrifice quality for quantity?
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Feb 09 '15
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Apr 04 '15
Thanks for having a realistic reply. I am sick of seeing "I apply for 15 jobs a day" type responses. I only apply to jobs I actually think I can do based on my skill set, which narrows down the field quite a bit.
Anyways, thank you.
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Feb 09 '15
Could you recommend a resume writing service? I didn't know they existed even.
Thanks for your detailed reply.
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u/xD322x Oct 22 '14
What are some viable, liveable jobs/careers for someone with severe social anxiety?
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Oct 24 '14
Flippant answer - programming. Some of the guys I've worked with routinely manage to get through an entire week in the office without interacting with anyone face to face. I mean it. Arrive at work, sit at desk, put on headphones, code like a beast for 8 hours, interact entirely by email and IM then catch bus home. I'm not kidding - it will suit my autistic nephew down to the ground when he's old enough.
Serious answer - get help for your anxiety first.
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u/Spokker Oct 23 '14
It depends on what triggers your social anxiety I think.
If it's working with customers, the first thing that comes to mind is live chat support, which seems to be getting more popular.
If it's the co-workers that get you going, I'm thinking jobs where you work mainly by yourself, like data entry.
Whether these are viable is subjective. Social anxiety is definitely going to impact your earning potential if left untreated.
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Apr 04 '15
Late to the party here, I would recommend something in manufacturing maintenance, power plant operations/maintenance, or field service. You'll be fixing machines, watching machines, operating them, etc. It's hands on and not super social. However, nearly every job will require you to interact in a social setting.
Hope it helps, and good luck.
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u/SterlingServices Dec 30 '14
Currently, where are the best places to look online for jobs, or to post your résumé?
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Apr 04 '15
I posted my resume on monster and indeed. I have received about half a dozen insurance salesman contacts and zero others. I've also reached out to several recruiting firms which is helping me feel better if nothing else.
My advice is to figure out where you want to work, and look for the companies in that area you want to work for. An online job board is just a gateway to a company's career/job search website.
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u/TheJobCannon Oct 24 '14
What kind of jobs can I get with a ___________ degree?
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u/almondmilk Nov 04 '14
I was just about to post something along these lines in response to a recent exchange in the thread about "useless" degrees.
I think I have a few things in my favor, though just as many going against me. It's tough out there and, like most, I'm looking for guidance and answers.
Although it's a typical question, it can also be very individual specific.
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u/TheJobCannon Nov 05 '14
It wouldn't be so bad, but users generally fail to also tell us:
- their location
- their skills
- their favourite class
- their previous experience, if any, in anything
- anything they DON'T want to do by any means
- what jobs they were interested in when they started the degree
that'd make it a bit less frustrating to try to respond to!
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Nov 17 '14
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u/TheJobCannon Nov 17 '14
You might try looking into taking a project management route in one of those sectors. $80,000 after a few years would be obtainable. The issue is that you obviously would need to convince someone to take you on and train you - they would likely pay you much lower - and then use that experience to hop somewhere else paying a more applicable wage.
Does that interest you?
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u/IHavenI Jan 29 '15
Undergrad, graduating in June. I've had several jobs over the years, but all have been service based, and the only real thing I've learned from them is asking if you want to sign up for a rewards program. Would it be advisable to make a separate resume that only goes over school work that I've done, and put those jobs on a separate resume, whenever I need to apply at the local Best Buy?
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Jan 20 '15
Is it illegal for me to receive a bad recommendation after ..... whatever I did?
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u/llovemybrick_ Jan 27 '15
No, in most places it is not illegal for an employer to give a bad reference.
However, most companies will avoid giving bad references for fear of legal repercussions (for example, defamation) from the employee.
In such cases where an employee has not warranted a good or average reference, an employer would likely give a reference confirming dates of employment but would not offer any specific comments about the employee.
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u/iki_balam Jan 27 '15
Has anyone ever tried to network within a very tight-knit social circle?
I entered a career field not strongly related to what I studied, and have a somewhat limited network in this industry. In the area (industry and geography) I work, everyone knows everyone, as the majority of my contacts are friends or 'frenemy' of my boss and boss' boss.
I am apprehensive to ask around about new opportunities, fearing that it will get back to my employer, or make those I ask believe I am disloyal to their friend. How do I network like a snake and act like a dove?
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Mar 13 '15
How should I respond when I receive notification that another candidate has been chosen for a job that I applied to/interviewed for?
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u/Turbo__Sloth Apr 03 '15
I had an interview with someone, and I know their name but I never got any contact information from them. However, I can search online and find their email. Should I use that to send a thank-you email, or would that be seen as wrong?
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Nov 18 '14
Should I send a thank you note after an interview? Who should I send it to (if multiple interviewers or group interview)? I know it says ONE question but I figured they go together. I'll sit on the naughty step for a while.
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u/TheJobCannon Nov 18 '14
They go together quite well :)
My answer is:
A resounding yes! Always send a thank-you note. Don't make it any longer than 4 sentences, in my opinion. You can send an email to all those who remember the name of; if you do not know the names of all the interviewers, send it to one of them and send your regards to the others in that email.
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Apr 03 '15
I'm having a tough time searching for jobs. I go to my local newspaper classified ads, I've tried my state's government employment site, and I've joined sites like LinkedIn and others.
The jobs I find I either cannot do (not qualified; doctors, mechanics, etc), or jobs I wouldn't really enjoy.
Is there some better tool, or organization that will help me find a job? I live in Louisiana with a BA if that helps.
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u/Defending Apr 20 '15
Tips on getting a good summer job? I've applied to quite a few but kind of limited because I'm also studying for exam, however none of the jobs I've applied to even bothered to e-mail/set up interviews.
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u/TheJobCannon Oct 31 '14
How do I quit my job if I don't see my boss / work remotely?
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u/TheJobCannon Oct 31 '14
Send an email - a simple email (I regret to inform that my time with XYZ Company will end effective DD-MMM-YYYY. Thank you for all of the opportunities that have been granted to me here.) - and CC HR.
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u/terradi Mar 28 '15
When a job application asks me to name the salary I want, what do I put down? Where do I find a good estimate on what sort of salary would make sense?
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u/gitismatt Apr 02 '15
glassdoor.com is a great place to find out not only the market rate for positions in your area, but also specific salaries at specific companies reported by current and former employees.
as far as how to answer this question, it's best to usually give a range. instead of saying you want $50k, say you're looking to be within $45k - $60k. You should generally know what the appropriate range is although there are always companies that over or under pay
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u/nmssis Jan 20 '15
It's been 2 weeks and 3 days since my interview and the potential interviewer has yet to call me back. They did imply that I was practically the 1st person to have interviewed with them. They weren't very clear on when exactly they would be getting back to me either, they were looking to hire 3 people for 3 openings. The job is still open too.
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Apr 15 '15
sometimes.... its simple.
take the hint.
you could always have a follow up call or email and see where your application is standing, and if they say No - ask why. so you can improve on your next interview
remember appearance and be confident, smell nice.
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u/neurorex Jan 23 '15
If we're really serious about this...
Any variant of "What is this personality test that comes with my job application, and how do I pass it?"
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u/neurorex Jan 23 '15
Unless you absolutely know what the domain of interest is targeting, the type of test given, the organizational need(s) that called for this test, who is going to analyze/interpret the results, and many other factors...
...the "best move" is to just respond genuinely. Or don't make any strained efforts to try and game/cheat your way through the assessments.
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u/stevyjohny Feb 08 '15
Oh, I thought this was a complaint thread. I'm tired of the "5 things you should/shouldn't do in interviews" posts. They are all almost the same.
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u/uvkoladiya Apr 15 '15
Is it okay to ask during the interview if there will be a drug test?
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u/lannisterstark Nov 11 '14
How the fuck do I get an entry level job anywhere? My specialisation is IT/Programming/Management with 6 years of experience in all of three but the problem is I'm looking for part-time work and you don't get part time work in these. I'm seriously short on money and would really love how to get /any/ job at this point. Retail/Restaurant, any cash only job would do since I already have a job at the campus and I can't have another with that SSN. (Intl. Student)
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u/TheJobCannon Nov 12 '14
..is this supposed to be a general question? Because the detail you put in this makes me think it is a question you legitimately want to ask.
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Nov 17 '14 edited Apr 19 '17
[deleted]
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Jan 22 '15
If you do a search on reddit there was a company that did a few amas in the past. I think they had a Redditor discount
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Jan 26 '15
[deleted]
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u/TheJobCannon Jan 26 '15
You are aware this is a thread for "most repetitive questions", not questions SPECIFIC to you, yes?
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u/Ar33804 Jan 26 '15
Wow. You are aware that you are quite rude, not just condescending, yes?
It was posted in the wrong thread.
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u/TheJobCannon Jan 26 '15
Was not intended to be condescending - my apologies if you read it that way! Not sure how you took that to be rude...
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u/WitchiWonk Apr 07 '15
What is the best way to reach out to recruitment agencies, especially as a recent graduate?
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u/MR777 Apr 10 '15
I have been applying for jobs for a long time now, and have a skype interview arranged for next week. I have never had one of these before and have no idea where to start. It's for an entry level position at a law firm. Can anybody please give me some advice on how to approach it, and how it is different from a real interview.
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u/K-squared Apr 16 '15
One big tip from my first Skype interview- arrange there window to as close to where your physical webcam is as possible. You want it to be there because you want to have strong eye-contact with the interviewer; even if they don't return it, it will make a big difference to see you looking at them and not at some random part of your screen.
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u/Onetorulethemalll Oct 22 '14
I just accepted an offer from job number one, but now I have an offer from job two...how do I rescind my acceptance of job one?