Forgot how bad job searching was :(

[Delvis]

torN:

I wouldn't worry about how you handled it, at the end of the day, if they didn't communicate it properly it's not your fault, they should have given it you in writing or email regardless really...I've heard of having a couple of days on the job to see if you meet expectations, but not just out of the blue

Very odd indeed!

 

[BennyC]

I've an interview this afternoon and also one next Thursday too. I'm currently employed but looking for something closer to the area I'm moving to at the end of the month.

Currently brushing up my excel skills and learning likely processes I think they'll expect from me. I've answers and points prepared for any potential questions.

I have a 40 minute exam covering numeracy, IT skills and relevant legislation which I'm a bit anxious about as whilst I have worked in the area before I know that their processes are very different and legislation isn't something I need to know with my current role. However I have done my homework so fingers crossed

 

[Ev0]

Why are they obliged? How stupid

You turned them down ages ago. And now you've gone direct, its stupid

Sadly it's not as simple as that

As the first company could be seen as the reason the poster knows about the position they have 'dibs' on him

It's the same for things like when you are selling your house, you can't have an agent show someone round your house, then go to the people directly and sell to them cutting out the agent and their fees.

The agent can, and will, sue you for it and win to get their money as they were the people who introduced both parties.

 

[Delvis]

I've an interview this afternoon and also one next Thursday too. I'm currently employed but looking for something closer to the area I'm moving to at the end of the month.

Currently brushing up my excel skills and learning likely processes I think they'll expect from me. I've answers and points prepared for any potential questions.

I have a 40 minute exam covering numeracy, IT skills and relevant legislation which I'm a bit anxious about as whilst I have worked in the area before I know that their processes are very different and legislation isn't something I need to know with my current role. However I have done my homework so fingers crossed

I hate the idea of an exam based interview Never done one

Best of luck though buddy, good on you for looking before you move though, would make things easier

 

[Delvis]

Sadly it's not as simple as that

As the first company could be seen as the reason the poster knows about the position they have 'dibs' on him

It's the same for things like when you are selling your house, you can't have an agent show someone round your house, then go to the people directly and sell to them cutting out the agent and their fees.

The agent can, and will, sue you for it and win to get their money as they were the people who introduced both parties.

Still daft...Depends if it states it in the terms

 

[BennyC]

I hate the idea of an exam based interview Never done one

Best of luck though buddy, good on you for looking before you move though, would make things easier

Ta,

I'm kind of hoping I can be interviewed first and then do the exam so I don't get knocked if I feel the exam went badly. I think it's more to check I'm familiar with the systems rather than needing a particular score.

Hopefully I can blow their socks off in the interview to make up for any shortfall in my exam score. We'll see!

 

[Delvis]

Ta,

I'm kind of hoping I can be interviewed first and then do the exam so I don't get knocked if I feel the exam went badly. I think it's more to check I'm familiar with the systems rather than needing a particular score.

Hopefully I can blow their socks off in the interview to make up for any shortfall in my exam score. We'll see!

Let us know how you get on

 

[Redz]

snip

sounds more like a scam to get free labour than an actual interview.

"I tend to prefer employing people of a younger age because they are more upto date with current trends and standards"

Or should that read, "...less likely to be up to date on their rights regarding National Minimum Wage, Working Time Regulations, etc."

Explains why the vacancy has been available since May, 5 applicants a fortnight and he has the equivalent of full time employee for free.

 

[elmarko]

I have a massive problem with anyone who thinks it is OK to take benefits when they are fit enough to work 40 hours a week to earn the exact same money.

Scum of the earth and attitudes like yours fuel it.

Attitudes like mine?

I don't recall advocating "free money for all!".

I suggested increasing the wages/decreasing the tax of those at the bottom of the pile earning less than 20k PA.

You appear to be one of those "Daily Mail" readers who lack any coherent understanding of the causes of various social issues.

Just keep watching Clarkson & reading "The Sun" & leave the real discussions to the adults.

Paying similar amounts for benefits as low-paid full time work does not encourage those into work who are currently receiving them.

Unlike people like you I have a desire to actually solve these social issues - as opposed to spouting populist sound-bites with little to no substance.

People are animals, with predictable behaviour patterns - most of which are fully known & documented.

I suggest you do some reading on behaviourism, sociology & psychology before you try to peddle that kind of crap here.

 

[torN]

Thanks for the replies guys, to my "twilight zone" interview, I thought I might of been wrong, but It appears I am not. Fingers crossed I find something soon. I graduated in July '11 and have had 4 interviews so far, thats if you count my latest one. First interview was with a very large investment company that has an "in house" web design team, second was with a small company that deals with B2B, my third was with a company in the same city where i went to uni. I was offered the job but only to have the offer postponed for 3/4 months and i doubt I will hear about that job again.

 

[BennyC]

It's good that you're getting the interviews, just unfortunate that nothing has materialsed from them. If you weren't getting interviews I'd be worried, I'd say it's just a matter of time before something comes up that's suitable.

 

[Delvis]

Thanks for the replies guys, to my "twilight zone" interview, I thought I might of been wrong, but It appears I am not. Fingers crossed I find something soon. I graduated in July '11 and have had 4 interviews so far, thats if you count my latest one. First interview was with a very large investment company that has an "in house" web design team, second was with a small company that deals with B2B, my third was with a company in the same city where i went to uni. I was offered the job but only to have the offer postponed for 3/4 months and i doubt I will hear about that job again.

I'm wondering if I should take the web design route or not....But having never really tinkered with the trade properly i'm not sure if it would be for me entirely

 

[torN]

It's good that you're getting the interviews, just unfortunate that nothing has materialsed from them. If you weren't getting interviews I'd be worried, I'd say it's just a matter of time before something comes up that's suitable.

Yeah that is true. I was speaking to my mate who was my housemate and coursemate at uni y'day he has had no luck with any interviews so far (hasnt had a single one yet). He put the idea forward if we havent got full time jobs by the new year would should look at going into business together, which im all for.

I'm wondering if I should take the web design route or not....But having never really tinkered with the trade properly i'm not sure if it would be for me entirely

It seems like a strange industry it really does. It all depends on what you like about it? Design or Development?

 

[Delvis]

It seems like a strange industry it really does. It all depends on what you like about it? Design or Development?

Well I'm currently playing with our internal website, which uses a VLE based system. Also played with other things relating to websites, never got majorly in to the HTML side of things though

So i'm guessing more the design side, but i'm open so development could be an option

 

[BennyC]

So I thundered up the M40 with some questionable driving 'maneuvers' and got there an hour early! So I went over my notes and answers in my head for about half an hour, took 10 minutes to relax and went in about 15 minutes early. I had about a half hour wait before I was seen which I watched their display videos and had a look at their awards and also company days out etc.

I was taken through a small office and in to a board room at the back where she began to interview me. She only asked me about 4 questions in total, what could I tell them about the company (quite a lot!) which she then expanded on, why I was leaving my current position, asked me to describe my current position, if I was easy to get on with and where I wanted to be in 2 to 3 years.

After this I had to sit a series of short tests which were if I'm honest not difficult however I found them a little challenging due to not being familiar with the layout of new office versions I thought to myself '****!' as even the simplest of tasks such as changing the colour of a header can take a while whilst you find the right toolbar. There was a short test on punctuation/grammar, a maths test (percentages, problem solving, number sequences etc) another on excel skills which was mostly based on sums and increasing by percentages and also a short test relevant to the legislation. She said I had 40 minutes and came back in after 20 asking if I was done?! There was actually quite a bit of volume for 40 minutes. I said I did my best but didn't quite get it all done and explained that I wasn't familiar with the newer versions of office but did as much as possible rather than struggling on one particular task.

After that she asked if I had any questions which she seemed impressed with the ones I did ask and seemed to enjoy answering them (why do you like working here, where do you see the company in 5-10 years, is there anything you'd like me to clarify or that was unclear that might lead you to believe I'm not the best candidate for the job). On my final question she told me I was 'in the lead' and she'd like to bring me back for a second interview and to meet the team though she has one more person to interview tomorrow. Looking good but I don't want to jump the gun until something is signed.

Some of the answers to the tests were actually at the bottom of the documents! and there were other candidates folders easily accesible but I resisted temptation for fear of 'recently opened documents' incriminating me! She said one candidate walked out as they had never used excel :S

tl:dr, went well, expecting to hear from them today for a second interview \o/

 

[danielanthony]

Don't get me started on interviews, I must have been to almost 100 since graduating in 2009 and the interview always goes well (well I think it does) then when I attempt to follow up on the interview, I get told, sorry we can't give individual feedback on interviews.

What I read from that is,

"If we told you why we didn't hire you, you might be able to sue us on the grounds of discrimination"

What sort of discrimination have almost 100 employers committed against you?

 

[atpbx]

My brother wasnt having much work getting a job recently, having registered with various agencies and sending CV's off left right and centre.
After 3 weeks of not hearing from any agencies I wondered into one of their offices in town and looked in the window on what they had on offer, warehouse work, forktruck driving, delivery driving, all of which my brother has done, and done well.

So I go home and tell him to get them rung and ask them why he hasnt been offered any of these, "Oh we were waiting for an office position for you in respect of your management background" (he was depot manager for a year at delivery depot)
"Well, thats lovely, I however need to eat at some point in the next few days, where are these warehouse jobs and when do I start".
Started work at a local distribution centre 2 days later.

WTF do these drones think? oh people would much rather starve than actually do the work we have.

 

[Delvis]

So I thundered up the M40 with some questionable driving 'maneuvers' and got there an hour early! So I went over my notes and answers in my head for about half an hour, took 10 minutes to relax and went in about 15 minutes early. I had about a half hour wait before I was seen which I watched their display videos and had a look at their awards and also company days out etc.

I was taken through a small office and in to a board room at the back where she began to interview me. She only asked me about 4 questions in total, what could I tell them about the company (quite a lot!) which she then expanded on, why I was leaving my current position, asked me to describe my current position, if I was easy to get on with and where I wanted to be in 2 to 3 years.

After this I had to sit a series of short tests which were if I'm honest not difficult however I found them a little challenging due to not being familiar with the layout of new office versions I thought to myself '****!' as even the simplest of tasks such as changing the colour of a header can take a while whilst you find the right toolbar. There was a short test on punctuation/grammar, a maths test (percentages, problem solving, number sequences etc) another on excel skills which was mostly based on sums and increasing by percentages and also a short test relevant to the legislation. She said I had 40 minutes and came back in after 20 asking if I was done?! There was actually quite a bit of volume for 40 minutes. I said I did my best but didn't quite get it all done and explained that I wasn't familiar with the newer versions of office but did as much as possible rather than struggling on one particular task.

After that she asked if I had any questions which she seemed impressed with the ones I did ask and seemed to enjoy answering them (why do you like working here, where do you see the company in 5-10 years, is there anything you'd like me to clarify or that was unclear that might lead you to believe I'm not the best candidate for the job). On my final question she told me I was 'in the lead' and she'd like to bring me back for a second interview and to meet the team though she has one more person to interview tomorrow. Looking good but I don't want to jump the gun until something is signed.

Some of the answers to the tests were actually at the bottom of the documents! and there were other candidates folders easily accesible but I resisted temptation for fear of 'recently opened documents' incriminating me! She said one candidate walked out as they had never used excel :S

tl:dr, went well, expecting to hear from them today for a second interview \o/

Nice one Benny

Not sure if I'd go for an office based job that revolves around MS Office, but hey. Good to know they like you already though.

Oh and ta for the info on what questions you can ask them, I always fail to do that.

 

[BennyC]

Nice one Benny

Not sure if I'd go for an office based job that revolves around MS Office, but hey. Good to know they like you already though.

I'll have no reason not to have pr0 office skills. As it's payroll related the company in question out sources with a bureau though may in the future due to expansion process more in office with new systems.

Oh and ta for the info on what questions you can ask them, I always fail to do that.

No worries, the final question, asking them if they want anything clarified or if you've said anything that might make them think you're not the best candidate for the job, is good as it shows a bit of concern and desire for the job but also ,if they're willing to tell you, can get you a little bit of feedback right there which could be useful for future interviews.

 

[Delvis]

I'll have no reason not to have pr0 office skills. As it's payroll related the company in question out sources with a bureau though may in the future due to expansion process more in office with new systems.



No worries, the final question, asking them if they want anything clarified or if you've said anything that might make them think you're not the best candidate for the job, is good as it shows a bit of concern and desire for the job but also ,if they're willing to tell you, can get you a little bit of feedback right there which could be useful for future interviews.

Aye, it's good

So what work are you primarily involved in? Or looking for exactly?