[Alaiyo Sakuri]

Dazzling the employer or somesuch? How was the application process for you; was it easy to get your job?

 

[Steffide]

usually i just walk into a place, even if you are supposed to do it online. fill out an application there, and most times i get the job from talking to people. I'm horrible at filling out paperwork, so if i just leave the app there then i usually don't get the job, talking to people has been key for me.

 

[viva]

I have been hired at multiple jobs on the spot before. Finding a job has never been difficult for me. If I can get to the point where I speak to them in person, I can usually woo them pretty quickly. Unless, of course, it's an ultra-competitive situation, in which case I may be outshone by someone more prone to sucking up. I'm just really good at connecting with people and most of the jobs I've had deem that important.

 

[Marac]

Today, I actually got a job for the summer. I'm going to work as a paid tour guide in the Norwegian mountains for two months.

What got me the job?

I've worked for free as a guide for a while now and done well (so far I've gotten great rating (they fill out a form afterwards) from the people I've lead on trips), I've been dependable and I'm a nice guy all around.

:happy:

 

[wayupnorth]

I usually get jobs by networking.

My first fulltime job - when I quit university for awhile - I applied to as a joke.
It was for a programmer (I got a D in Java 2) but they wanted a creative cover letter. So I did one, got an interview, wore a blue wig to it and brought some art, and got a job as a graphic artist/web designer!

When the .bomb happened, I went back to school for geology. First job after graduation I got from meeting a geologist on the bus. We were going to the same conference (in a different town - he was from across the country actually!). He introduced me to some people - and hello great job!

Now I just use my networking to source out work since I work on a number of projects. Always open to opportunity - keep those "feelers" out there, and not afraid to take a risk and just talk to people. I don't have a comfort zone - just go for it! Also, big thing is to know what you want/like and TELL people. Squeaky wheel gets the grease.

 

[starri]

My first job I got via a phone interview, and then I sent them a pic and I was in.

Second job I got by a recommendation, then two consecutive personal interviews with management. In that job I did a mistake of promising too much. I was leaving the country in a couple of months, so I thought I would woo them so they would forget that fact. It worked. But the outcome was that I was doing the job of too many departments and they had such high expectations. So my advice; don't oversell.

Third job, I sent a CV by mail and was asked to come in for an interview where I was hired on the spot after a 15 mins demo.

Most jobs where I send CVs by mail, I don't even get a reply.

 

[MuChApArAdOx]

Today, I actually got a job for the summer. I'm going to work as a paid tour guide in the Norwegian mountains for two months.

What got me the job?

I've worked for free as a guide for a while now and done well (so far I've gotten great rating (they fill out a form afterwards) from the people I've lead on trips), I've been dependable and I'm a nice guy all around.

:happy:

Tour guide, fantastic, sounds super fun

I've gotten all my jobs from being myself. When faced with an interview i go in with the attitude " do i want to work for this employer ", kind of a reverse psychology. I think its equally important to connect with the person you might eventually have to answer too, is this person someone you could respect. Anything you have experience with that directly applies to the job, market market market, i can`t say this enough. Know as much as you can about the position available.

Do some research about your employer also, they are impressed to know you have done your homework with the company you want to work for. Ask lots of questions too, you don`t want to be confused about the role you will play and how it fits into your long term goals.

If there is something about the position that you know lots about, market yourself. Make sure the employer knows about your strengths.
It usually goes like this for me. Walk in and get a feel for my environment. Look at the interviewer in the eye, smile and be friendly. Kind of play off of their vibes. If you notice they are personal, get on the same wave length. If you think they are a bid stiff, you can chance saying something fun to lighten the mood, i do. Employers will want to hire people who they feel will also get along with other staff, so be yourself, most important. Try not to look over anxious either, try and show some confidence. If this is a job that has lots of competition, i would go the extra mile to be charming. Yep, i will. If its a job i really want, especially if it also includes things i`m very passionate about, i will do what ever it takes to make sure that job is mine including letting sugar run off my tongue ;XD The way i see it is this, if i don`t , someone else will, so...equal opportunity ;-)

 

[Ace Face]

Getting a job is easy. Fudging the resume perfectly (just a tad) is the most crucial part. After that, it's easy sailing I can sell myself on a phone call and self myself even better in an interview. I'm every employer's wet dream... I have earned that title I've got helpful tips for anyone who wants them. Just hit me up in a PM

 

[Enfpleasantly]

If I was interviewed, I got the job. That's mostly because my field is directly related to people, and people are kinda my thing :tongue:

Oh and I always sent a "thank you for your time" email to the interviewer afterwards...it shows people skills.

 

[Mad Watter]

Lucky all of you. It sounds like you all have great ways of getting jobs and know how to do so very well.

I have completely lost my confidence. In where I used to get jobs easily through filling out a fantastic application, acing personality 'tests', good references, and excellent self-marketing. I'm in a situation now though where I'm looking at more specific careers in my degree field, and that's challenging. I assume there are many other charming, intelligent, interesting individuals such as myself; however, they have the experience.

I am not going to give up, though. I am now volunteering in hoping that my experience will pay later on. I am just grateful I do have an additional paying job and will work my butt off to improve there until I can make a more significant leap into my field interests.

 

[MuChApArAdOx]

Lucky all of you. It sounds like you all have great ways of getting jobs and know how to do so very well.

I have completely lost my confidence. In where I used to get jobs easily through filling out a fantastic application, acing personality 'tests', good references, and excellent self-marketing. I'm in a situation now though where I'm looking at more specific careers in my degree field, and that's challenging. I assume there are many other charming, intelligent, interesting individuals such as myself; however, they have the experience.

I am not going to give up, though. I am now volunteering in hoping that my experience will pay later on. I am just grateful I do have an additional paying job and will work my butt off to improve there until I can make a more significant leap into my field interests.

Without getting into details, i also did some volunteer work in the past that helped me/ influenced the position i have today. Good for you knowing and seeing how volunteering will benefit your future . Sometimes we have to take other steps in order to get where we need to go, by recognizing this we can skip through all that other stuff and get their quicker. I remember the days of zooming past everyone and everything, i kid you not The focus doesn't come naturally, although in the bigger picture it starts to make sense, especially if you have someone beside you to help guide you and make you see the logic in other angles.

Keep that thought, don't give up, hold on to that positive attitude. Someone will take a chance on you this will give you the confidence to keep going after what you love. I believe with my whole heart you have to love what you're doing. I've seen patterns of myself doing different jobs and not talking them all seriously, the ones i didn't feel any passion for, they were short lived. Love what you're doing

 

[Paradox1987]

I got my job through a variety of steps.

Determination and humility

Getting into my field is highly competitive. I would do vacation schemes throughout the uni holidays. This was an opportunity to network and also gain experience. After that, I also did a lot of 'pro bono' work, which is essentially volunteer work. I'd give my time to legal advice centres, human rights organisations and an organisation called the citizens advice bureau. This was also excellent experience and taught me how to handle nutjob clients.

Academia
I worked rather hard, and towards a specialisation. So my grades and module choices reflect this.

A Hint of Nepotism

During my vocational training, I undertook an experience placement in my chosen speciality. I enjoyed my time and so I kept in touch with the boss. After completing my training and consistently offering to help out and conduct free research work etc. So when they advertised an opportunity, I pounced and got my job.

My Future

With the economic outlook looking bad, I'm educating further; and upon completion of my masters will probably undertake a PhD too. I've been developing links with my dissertation supervisor to help me apply for studentships which will give me external funding and meeting other academics in my field of work. This will help me (hopefully) open doors in the academic world in the same way as before.

 

[nádej]

I will echo the "I've gotten every job I've interviewed for," train.

Not that I have gotten an interview for every resumé I've sent out though, by all means.

For me, really, it's just about making my resumé look good enough and stand out enough to get that interview. Once I have an interview, I'm fine. Sometimes I will call the place before even sending my resumé in, because that conversation helps set me apart once I do submit everything.

I got my current job from 2000 miles away because they liked me so much after the initial phone screen that they went out of their way to set up a Skype interview (I couldn't afford to fly out for an in-person). Which also went well.

My big thing is this: I want to appear professional, but I also want to appear ME. I think sometimes letting yourself be yourself in an interview setting can really set you apart. So many times people put on these ideas of what they should be and how they should look and what they should say...and it is important to be cognizant of the requirements of the job, but also...don't mask how you really are. Charm them by being yourself - a likable, responsible, hard-worker. Those are qualities that are valuable in any job, and aren't things that can be taught.

 

[Alaiyo Sakuri]

usually i just walk into a place, even if you are supposed to do it online. fill out an application there, and most times i get the job from talking to people. I'm horrible at filling out paperwork, so if i just leave the app there then i usually don't get the job, talking to people has been key for me.

So do you just persist? Usually when they tell me that, I walk out.

 

[Steffide]

So do you just persist? Usually when they tell me that, I walk out.

not really, being too persistent doesn't work. most times i get the job on the spot, or i get scheduled for an interview.

 

[Alaiyo Sakuri]

not really, being too persistent doesn't work. most times i get the job on the spot, or i get scheduled for an interview.

So just dumb luck, huh?