Keep failing job interviews

[The Stig]

Sounds good to hear, although it's nice to feel good, I find it easier to not get your hopes up or listen to what they have to say about you being "good". I find too many people/interviewers bullshit about that and just do it out of politeness, then never call you back.

However, if you felt you have done good (without being told so in an over the top way, for example the interview that got my job they never said I was good or whatnot) build on that and the impressions you get out of the interviewers. Don't build on their "fake words" just used to make you not feel so bad.

I've gotten a couple of times where I felt I was genuinely good:

3 interviews within the same office, 2 of them for 1 position (first interview, second interview, but failed) and the other 1 never got back to me. It wasn't the people in the office but the security at the reception lobby. Basically the few guys there said to me "so you got the job?" (when I went back for the 3rd time they remember me despite the 4 week gap, but the 3rd interview was for a different position), I laughed and told them no and that I was there for a different position. They (in a serious way, I'm normally good at picking up casual postive comments (that mean nothing) or proper comments when people actually mean it) said "That's a shame, you make a good impression".

I guess from that he meant my overall image and person (smiling, broad/sharp, etc) and that reception/security staff rarely get much conversation in from anyone, while I was there saying hi, chattering away (small talk) in a neutral way, general people skills really.

I didn't get the previous job at that place because the other guy they interviewed (it was a 50/50 chance) had 3 months more experience than me, that's what the interviewer (also manager) told me, although I suspect I'm lacking something they aren't telling me which after a thorough think through I believe I answered a few questions in an incorrect way or a way not favoured by them (but not necessarily wrong).

But anyway, hope to hear from you Ratatapa.

[Ratatapa]

Sorry to ask again but i got these choices.

As more experience Tech then me i would like your tips.


Atm i got 2 choice of jobs i will explain both of em.

First job : Company called me, i got the job and they want me to start Monday.

They pay 17.50$/h + Social Advantage.

The company is international in mining call Areva.

My job there is simply to support the PC they have, The servers for User accounts, Email, firewall and all is administrating by saskatchewan so i do not have power there.

So each time we got big problem on user accounts Email or w/e i have to call there.

For formation they will need me to go to saskatchewan on some occasions and all. They also have a small office at 30min car from home that they will need me to go there on some occasions. Once again all network relied to saskatchewan that i cannot touch unless icall them.

They also give me a cell phone to keep 24/7, since the have people on the road in helicopters, for the mining site i need to be rdy to support their PC by phone or internet 24/7.

The good in that is that it'S at 5min from home in car

i am on contract until the real tech comes back from beeing Prego so, i will have that job until January 2010. and another con is like i said i have 0 control on the servers. i am like a simple local tech there


Job 2: i have an interview tomorrow.

No idea of salary yet and if we have Social advantages, all i know is that it's a small companie that is at 30min car ride from home.

The job would be to answer problem on Phone, and go on road to install/support client companies directly on the road (so i dont stay always on phone) and the schedule is 9-17. and would be permanent

THe first job want the answer tomorrow. So i'm gonna have to ask the interview some more info like salary and when i would start and all.

But by reading these which one is better in your opinion, both seems exiting but yeah.

[Norelco]

I'd go with job #1. At the very least it would be a resume builder, and if you do a good enough job there they may plan to keep you on full time.

[Brill Weave]

Honestly Rata I would accept job number one while I still went to the interview tomorrow. This way should they decide they would like to go in another direction, you still have the first job to fall back to. If you get the second job and it has better benefits then all you have to do is tell job number one that a better option has come available to you and while you thank them for the opportunity, this job is too much for you to pass up.

[Ratatapa]

I'm not passing it up they are the one who asked me to call them back tomorrow.

I plan going to the interview telling them i got a post offer and see what they offer and then judge.

But my plan was if job #2 says we can't tell you for like 1 week then i take #1

If job #2 tells me you can start Friday or Monday then i take the offer and think about both and choose tomorrow.

Unless i'm beeing foolish

[Mizango]

I'd still go to the interview, even if for courtesy purposes. Seeing as how it is a second interview they may opt to go over what you are looking for compensation wise, hour wise etc..

Keep job on in your pocket, especially considering it's Wednesday and they want you to start on next Monday. No matter which one you choose let me tell you again congratulations and use this as a platform for future jobs. Go in and learn as much as you can and do everything hands on. The one thing that shoots people in the foot, especially in the computer field is everyone likes to turn their smarts into a pissing contest, go in and ask questions, learn and try to retain info from the people that have been there longer.

17.50 is nice starting pay, I remember my first job out of college was 21.00 @ 40 hours a week and I thought I was fucking ballin', not. If nothing else this is a good resume builder and gets you working and much needed experience in the corporate world. I know you were excited about job 2 from my gtalk offlines, so I would definitely go and atleast see how it goes, if not job 1 is waiting.

Congrats again man Welcome to the rest of life....

[Brill Weave]

If number two offers the job as well, I would check out how the benefits compare etc. Permanent versus temporary should weigh pretty heavily as well. Even if you take number two for slightly less money you're trading the money for a consistent permanent job. You're not being dumb about it at all.

[Mizango]

ilu Weave, right on the money.

[The Stig]

First job, hands down. Assuming it's: AREVA - Solutions for nuclear power generation and electricity transport <-- I cannot find Canada on there though assuming you are from Canada? (As we established a page ago)

Security/big company, yes yes yes hell yes. Fuck the tiny companies. They'll make you work like a horse and you're unlikely to benefit as much no matter what they offer you, and no job security.

Although Job #1 wants you to start awfully quick, it's not a temporary (3-12 months) position is it? Anyway, with Job #1 references baby! As Norelco pointed out.

[Skjie]

I would definitely pick job 1. You're still resume building and having a job where you have the backup for difficult problems is very helpful.

[Dak Rey]

Didn't read beyond the first couple of psts so I don't know if this has been mentioned:

1. Wear something smart.
2. Research the company you are applying to before the interview - it shows that you have an interest in the job, more than it being "just another job", even if thats all it it to you. 9 times out of 10, the interviewer will ask, "So what do you know about us?", the more you can impress here the better.
3. You will be questioned on anything vaguely negative on your resume. Spin the question around to show yourself in a positive light. Using myself as a (pretty lame) example (inb4 people critise me for the choice too), I dropped out of university after one year. All interviewers ask about this as if it was a bad choice but I sell myself in a positive light. "I felt I was just following what my parents and the education system expected; not what I actually wanted to do. I wanted a more hands-on approach in a team environment but the path I was taking through university wasn't leading to that. So I decided to make my own choice, and not follow along the pre-set route through life I was on and do something I actually want to do." I can't think of a better way to word it right now, but you get the idea.
4. It's okay to be nervous. In fact, its pretty impossible not to be nervous and anyone who says they aren't nervous before an interview is either lying or so overconfident that they are stupid. The problem is, you can't let them know quite how nervous you actually are. A few light puns will lighten the interview very quickly and relax you - however, it's pretty hard to forsee the sort of things that will pop up in conversation in an interview that would lead to such opportunities so you have to improvise that on the spot. While you don't really have any control over this, a good interviewer will be able to make you feel both comfortable enough that you can answer freely, but still have you under enough pressure to feel like you need to work to impress them.

[Ratatapa]

First job, hands down. Assuming it's: AREVA - Solutions for nuclear power generation and electricity transport <-- I cannot find Canada on there though assuming you are from Canada? (As we established a page ago)

Security/big company, yes yes yes hell yes. Fuck the tiny companies. They'll make you work like a horse and you're unlikely to benefit as much no matter what they offer you, and no job security.

Although Job #1 wants you to start awfully quick, it's not a temporary (3-12 months) position is it? Anyway, with Job #1 references baby! As Norelco pointed out.

It is a temporary job, The job is until January 2010 with no chance of longer contract unless something happens.


I am replacing the tech that does Parental off for having a baby



edit and yes that is that companie here is link for the canada one

http://www.arevaresources.com/

[The Stig]

Ok good temporary is fine it's still 6-7 months situation might change so take it. Just be sensible and use it also to save a bit of money.

I thought it'd temporary, since they asked you to start, well, next week.

#2 might know you're playing games and will try to screw you over, see what they say...

[Ratatapa]

Well i took job 1.

Job 2 didn't paid well and were annoying today, so i'm happy and starting monday :D

[wyrmtung]

Congrats. Although it is temporary at least it is something to pad your resume with for the next job. I would however continue looking well before your expected end date of Jan 2010. You do not want to miss out on any juicy job offers in November or December.

You should not feel guilty about leaving early from your current job if a better job comes along. But I would not leave one temporary job early to get another temp job. You should only leave early if it is to secure a permanent job.

[Mizango]

Congrats man! I was on messenger all day, I was waiting on word about what happened.

I'm happy for you man.

[Ddz]

Congratulations! Consider yourself lucky, there is a ton of competition for any employment right now.

[Brill Weave]

Congrats Rata. Just work hard and bust your ass. They may take notice and decide to keep you on after she returns from maternity leave.

[The Stig]

Yeh, who knows, especially with women, she may feel emo/obsolete and just kill herself/wants to dedicate more time for her child, which whatever happens, is your gain.

[rekie]

Congratulations landing the job, especially in a time like this!