Feeling blue after Job Rejection

bolliwoodi

ive been out of work for a while-i sent out a million cvs and FINALLY someone gave me an interview! It went very well and I really thought I had the job.I answered all the questions well and I even made the interviewer laugh.I was told Id be contacted back about it today.However I heard nothing at all and now im feeling very down.I really needed the job and I feel so depressed.

My bf keeps saying"Maybe he was ill today and wasnt in work to call you" etc but i know hes just trying to cheer me up.Im so down -im normally a very positive person and after 1 rejection i feel awful!

I have another interview tomorrow but I keep thinking theres no point going cos I wont get it!

I dont know what do do.:(

easyontheeye

hey dont feel so bad, no news is good news! my boss was out today..maybe it was him

and in anyway how long has in been since your last interview?, i look at an interview as a learning experience, take notes on it and improve the next time. dont get yourself down. go for the interview tomorrow, it will build your confidence, soon it will be like water off a ducks back to ya!

Ruu_Old

Go ahead and go for your interview tomorrow and then call the other place yourself. It will show them even more so that you want it. I've been through a heap of interviews over the past year and always thought it best to call (or send a thank you letter) if I wasn't contacted. Anyway, keep your chin up, dust yourself off and try again.

bolliwoodi

Ruu wrote:

Go ahead and go for your interview tomorrow and then call the other place yourself.

i did think of that but Id be mortifed If i was told on the phone I didnt get it

whiskeyman

You can't fear rejection so much. I was out of a job for a while like yourself. I got so many PFOs, but I never let it stop me. I kept a totally positive attitute and something came good eventually. From there, you're on the road to success.... once I got the job, lots of companies starting offering me roles! It's always the case!

dame

You have to go to that interview tomorrow bolliwoodi! I know it's hard but you really have to just shut off today's disappointment and concentrate on tomorrow.

By the way, I think your boyfriend is right, he may just not have had time or been sick or had something else come up suddenly. Don't give up on it yet because you haven't been told yes/no yet. If you've decided yourself that you're not going to get it then people detect that and don't get as positive a vibe from you. I've interviewed people so I know what I'm talking about. Even over the phone you can tell from a person's voice how confident they are and how much they actually do want the job. I'd say ring the man tomorrow after your other interview and just say you didn't hear from him yesterday and you are wondering if they have made a decision yet (something along those lines). Try and sound positive and upbeat and as if you are expecting him to say yes. Nobody wants to hire someone who comes across as a misery guts because they'll be afraid they'll have a misery guts depressing the whole place forever more!

If he does say no then I would suggest saying "OK, thank you very much for your time. Would you mind giving me some feedback? What aspects of my CV or interview technique should I work on?". Most people will be quite pleasant and forthcoming and give you some good honest feedback on what they thought gave someone else the edge over you. Listen gracefully to what you're told, thank the person and then decide whether you think he's right and implement it. You'd be surprised but your good grace and constructive take on a refusal may make him remember you and actually help you if you later apply for a job in the same place. Also, if you're applying for a particular type of job and he gives you advice on how to gear your CV etc for that, then that's great, it'll help give you the edge in your next interview.

But for the moment put that to one side of your mind and instead try (for tomorrow) and just remind yourself of your better qualities and why you will be good at the job and how much you want it. That's easier said than done I know, but I always find that going in there well dressed, prepared and knowing it, you find it easier to walk in there with your head held level and able to sit comfortably and get across what you want to get across, ie how fabulous you really are....

Now, get to bed as soon as possible...you want to be as bright-eyed and fresh as possible tomorrow. Good luck!!!!

(P.S. Remember to ask a question or two of your own that show you are really interested in working there and know a bit about the business....and I don't mean asking how long your lunch-break is! )

LegacyUser

It's either a feast or a famine with this sort of stuff.
And EVERYBODY gets rejected for jobs from time to
time until eventually someone says yes.

Cheer up. Don't U have a 2nd Interview tomorrow.
What's wrong with that ?

Can't be all that bad and practice with the interviews
makes perfect. U can lead the interview a bit too -
just as much as the interviewer.

Also, many people are out sick at the moment.
So, maybe the 1st job will turn up yet. No
news is actually good news.

thebman

I've had the same thing happen recently like in the past couple of weeks.

I felt like crap and I'm usually positive like you but I got in the car and headed to the interview anyway. I was concentrating so hard on preparation for the next interview thinking things over and what I'd say and it kept my mind off the other interview.

Once your focussed on something else, you'll forget all about it and yeah everyone gets rejected all the time. I've been turned down twice so far from good interviews and am waiting to hear back from a third. Pissing me off but what can you do about it? Just have to keep applying.

Chin up!

Just thought I'd also say my older brother spent almost a year applying for jobs when he got out of college first and he ended up creating one of the top jobs websites because he got lucky when one guy leaving a job didn't care and hired the first person through the door. It is just luck of the draw in some cases. All you can do is prepare and hope for the best. Try to get as many of your good points across as possible.

DublinWriter

bolliwoodi wrote:

I have another interview tomorrow but I keep thinking theres no point going cos I wont get it!

Crap! Dust yourself off! Chin up and go for it!

You'd be suprised how things that were meant to be eventually work out!

Best of luck.

Ruu_Old

bolliwoodi wrote:

i did think of that but Id be mortifed If i was told on the phone I didnt get it

Rubbish, you have to confront things at some stage in your life. Let us know how you get on at the interview, if you want to of course.

curehead

what gets me is when you get a job after a tough interview and end up working with a shower of muppets you wonder how the hell they got the job? and what the hell am i doing here? and if they were looking for all those qualities that they spoke of in said interview ' how did they get the job ?

empirix

curehead wrote:

what gets me is when you get a job after a tough interview and end up working with a shower of muppets you wonder how the hell they got the job? and what the hell am i doing here? and if they were looking for all those qualities that they spoke of in said interview ' how did they get the job ?

Quote of the week, no truer words has been spoken!

randylonghorn

Remember, the fact that you don't get a particular job doesn't have to mean that you weren't suitable ... may just mean that someone more experienced or more suited to that particular position applied.

(or, more cynically, the owner's nephew / niece!)

bolliwoodi

I went in for the other interview- and it didnt go well at all! The employer had "misplaced" my cv and was annoyed I hadnt brought a spare one in with me(I didnt think Id have to considering he was ment to have it)

So he spent the interview asking me to talk me through my cv(Which was difficult when it came to remembering my L.C results- I normally write them down from my results page-I dont know them off in my head) and he looked fairly pissed off when I was trying to remember them(Its been 3 years like come on!)

Then he asked me a question anout focusing that made NO sense at all- and I sat there like a lemon trying to make sense of what he said.

Then he said"Oh sorry thats for a managers position- my bad" By then Id gone bright red and just wanted to get out of there!

WORST INTERVIEW EVER!!!

Then on my way out the door the other interview I had called to say i didnt get the job

The weird thing is I did very well in the other interview and I didnt get it

This one was awful-But you never know!!

Black Swan

bolliwoodi wrote:

ive been out of work for a while-i sent out a million cvs and FINALLY someone gave me an interview!

This would suggest to me that your CV is lacking what it takes to get you to the interview? It needs revision? Get help! One approach is to use an employment firm that has a successful record of placing people with your background.

An alternative to simply applying to job ads is to get a list of the corporations that typically hire people with your background, then call the Human Resources (HR) manager or director of those corporations and ask them for their advice on the format and content of your CV. Tell them that you are not applying for a position with their firm but would like a moment of their time (and if someday you could help them, you absolutely will!). Perhaps invite them to coffee or a breakfast or lunch? You can then supply your CV to them a few days before your meeting so that they have a chance to look and comment.

Many will say they don't have the time, or that you should go to an employment agency for such help, but if you are politely persistant (and flatter them a bit when you first ask for a moment of their expertise), you just might get one or two to see you. I know of someone who did this, and believe it or not, the HR person they consulted with called a colleague at another firm, lined up an interview, and she got the job!

hunnymonster

Last time I had to prepare a CV I asked all my friends for their most recent ones and it really helped in putting my own together.

Another tip is not to have a "stock" cv. Try to tailor it to the job you are applying for.

bolliwoodi

Blue_Lagoon wrote:

This would suggest to me that your CV is lacking what it takes to get you to the interview? It needs revision? Get help! One approach is to use an employment firm that has a successful record of placing people with your background.

!

my job faciliator in the fas office said my cv is perfect

BeardyGit

You went to a job interview and didn't bring a FEW copies of your CV? I regularly interview candidates and would dismiss any candidate if they failed to arrive with a couple of copies of their CV. You need to learn how to prepare properly for a job interview, because right now you're just wasting your time and that of prospective employers. I'm sorry if that seems harsh, but it's the truth and you'd better learn to deal with negative feedback and grow from it.

Your time would be better spent learning how to interview properly than moaning about how an interviewer made you feel like an idiot. You did that to yourself and there's no reason for it. Get up off your arse, get down to Easons, and buy a book on interview basics. Look for an Irish or british edition, NOT an american publication. No job = No money? Go to the library. DON'T waste time online - There's too much rubbish out there about interviewing and CV preparation and far too many distractions for the type of person who doesn't bring a CV to an interview.

Oh, one other thing. Your job facilitator in the Fás office isn't going to give you a job. If s/he told you that your CV is perfect, but you're not getting interviews, you'd better start trying to understand what's at fault. Either it's your CV, or your cover letter, or you're simply not working hard enough at getting the interview.

Heinrich

Gil_Dub wrote:

You went to a job interview and didn't bring a FEW copies of your CV? I regularly interview candidates and would dismiss any candidate if they failed to arrive with a couple of copies of their CV. You need to learn how to prepare properly for a job interview, because right now you're just wasting your time and that of prospective employers. I'm sorry if that seems harsh, but it's the truth and you'd better learn to deal with negative feedback and grow from it.

What is the reason one should bring a few copies on a CV to an interview? Perhaps it's because the agency is inefficient. If a candidate is called for an interview based on a CV then the interviewer should have the courtesy (and be efficient) to have said CV to hand.

Employment agencies, based on what one theads on these and other boards are populated by personnel who would not pass their own criteria!

The OP said he sent many CVs and had to date two interviews, one positive and the other negative. On thge basis of the cavalier way in which interviewees are treated I do not think he needs to read up on techniques to circumvent your methods

bragan

Gil_Dub wrote:

You went to a job interview and didn't bring a FEW copies of your CV? I regularly interview candidates and would dismiss any candidate if they failed to arrive with a couple of copies of their CV. You need to learn how to prepare properly for a job interview, because right now you're just wasting your time and that of prospective employers. I'm sorry if that seems harsh, but it's the truth and you'd better learn to deal with negative feedback and grow from it.

Your time would be better spent learning how to interview properly than moaning about how an interviewer made you feel like an idiot. You did that to yourself and there's no reason for it. Get up off your arse, get down to Easons, and buy a book on interview basics. Look for an Irish or british edition, NOT an american publication. No job = No money? Go to the library. DON'T waste time online - There's too much rubbish out there about interviewing and CV preparation and far too many distractions for the type of person who doesn't bring a CV to an interview.

Oh, one other thing. Your job facilitator in the Fás office isn't going to give you a job. If s/he told you that your CV is perfect, but you're not getting interviews, you'd better start trying to understand what's at fault. Either it's your CV, or your cover letter, or you're simply not working hard enough at getting the interview.

Wow, well that seems a bit harsh. I have never brought my C.V to an interview either. Like already stated, the interviewer has already looked at your C.V and approved it, if you are called to interview. They should have it present at the interview. I have never been to an interview where they didn't have my C.V, and from my experience, interviewers usually make a point of printing out and looking over a C.V, before the interview.

bolliwoodi, that place sounds very disorganised, and to be honest that interviewer sounds like a bit of a pr**K. would you really want to work there??

And I would have a look at your C.V again. it's not getting you the interviews, which mean's it isn't selling you, regardless of what your fas faciltator thinks. Keep it short, only include relevant information, and tailor fit your C.V for every job you apply for. Read up on what the emplyer wants, and include those skills in your C.V.

seamus

Gil_Dub wrote:

You went to a job interview and didn't bring a FEW copies of your CV? I regularly interview candidates and would dismiss any candidate if they failed to arrive with a couple of copies of their CV. You need to learn how to prepare properly for a job interview, because right now you're just wasting your time and that of prospective employers. I'm sorry if that seems harsh, but it's the truth and you'd better learn to deal with negative feedback and grow from it.

While it can't hurt to bring a copy, it's by no means required. I've never brought a copy of my CV to any interview, and I've been offered more jobs than I've been refused from. Having provided a CV to an employer, I assume they've run through it at least summarily, and are interested in discussing some of the CV instead of just having me rattle off my CV in the interview while they read through it.

If an interviewer turned up without a copy of my CV, it would give me an impression that the company/management are disorganised, arrogant and/or generally unpleasant to work with, because they're not even interested in who they're interviewing.

Oh, one other thing. Your job facilitator in the Fás office isn't going to give you a job. If s/he told you that your CV is perfect, but you're not getting interviews, you'd better start trying to understand what's at fault. Either it's your CV, or your cover letter, or you're simply not working hard enough at getting the interview.

I'd agree with that. CVs are much like clothes. Just because one person who looks at clothes for a living tells you you're dressed great, doesn't mean that next person to see you thinks you look great too. Get an opinion on your CV from as many people as possible.
As others say, try to modify it depending on who you're interviewing for. Big companies see lots of CVs and candidates, so try to have one where the information can be seen on the first page, and that makes an impact.

It's very easy to get disheartened when you seem to be sending out loads of CVs and hearing nothing at all back. This really only tends to happen when you're just out of college or returning to the workplace as you are. With some experience under your belt, it's much easier to secure interviews for jobs. Particularly if you already have a job, you're much pickier about where you send your CV, so things don't seem quite so frustrating or desperate.

Black Swan

bolliwoodi wrote:

my job faciliator in the fas office said my cv is perfect

Are they qualified to assess your CV? What experience do they have hiring people for private/public sector employment in your profession?

If you are pumping out a lot of CVs and getting only two bites, there is something wrong with your CV, or perhaps your methods of identifying and contacting prospective employers? It could also be your cover letter?

Personally, using an agent and professional networking have worked best for me, and not answering the classifieds or display ads cold.

You use the bolliwoodi boards name. If this means you are looking for modeling, threatre, or film, you definitely need an agent!

Marksie

Gil_Dub wrote:

You went to a job interview and didn't bring a FEW copies of your CV? I regularly interview candidates and would dismiss any candidate if they failed to arrive with a couple of copies of their CV. You need to learn how to prepare properly for a job interview, because right now you're just wasting your time and that of prospective employers. I'm sorry if that seems harsh, but it's the truth and you'd better learn to deal with negative feedback and grow from it.

Your time would be better spent learning how to interview properly than moaning about how an interviewer made you feel like an idiot. You did that to yourself and there's no reason for it. Get up off your arse, get down to Easons, and buy a book on interview basics. Look for an Irish or british edition, NOT an american publication. No job = No money? Go to the library. DON'T waste time online - There's too much rubbish out there about interviewing and CV preparation and far too many distractions for the type of person who doesn't bring a CV to an interview.

Oh, one other thing. Your job facilitator in the Fás office isn't going to give you a job. If s/he told you that your CV is perfect, but you're not getting interviews, you'd better start trying to understand what's at fault. Either it's your CV, or your cover letter, or you're simply not working hard enough at getting the interview.

That is unfair in the context of the second interview. If you look at the fact that the interviewer himself was not prepared, got annoyed at the candidate, THEN asked a question which was not concerned with the position, the interviewer would be the one to require training. Unrelated questions are a big ploy of barristers as in a court situation it can cause the person being questioned to dwell on them. It is really no difference in the stressful situation of a job intreview where a curve ball of a question can cause the person being interviewed to lose the train of thought. Bad Employer interview technique.

I too have given interviews to candidates (and evidence in court) and always make sure that i am prepared.

Dismissing candidates for not having a copy of a cv? What, do you have extra copies of CV? no then get out! Thereby potentially losing a great worker. Hey, you really must tell me your employer then i can avoid it.

OP: Learn from both the interviews, look at questions that you answered well and acknwoledge them. But also look at questions that you didn't answer well and why you didn't answer well and how you should have answered in hind sight. It is a truism that the more practice you get the better you become, so don't get disheartened but learn by it, have a look at appearance, stance, the way you presented things as well as your answers
Already you have learned to take extra copies of CV for interviewers who can't be arsed doing their job

BeardyGit

marksuttonie wrote:

That is unfair in the context of the second interview. If you look at the fact that the interviewer himself was not prepared, got annoyed at the candidate, THEN asked a question which was not concerned with the position, the interviewer would be the one to require training. Unrelated questions are a big ploy of barristers as in a court situation it can cause the person being questioned to dwell on them. It is really no difference in the stressful situation of a job intreview where a curve ball of a question can cause the person being interviewed to lose the train of thought. Bad Employer interview technique.

An inexperienced (3 years out of school and currently out of work is inexperienced) candidate who can't remember their only exam results from just 3 years beforehand is one thing, but one who also hasn't had the foresight to bring a copy of their spartan CV with them for last minute review is quite simply ill prepared. In my case I have many years of professional experience to discuss at interview and can do so very capably. A CV for those of us with more than a short few years experience is nothing more than a formal accessory. But when I was just a couple of years into my career, to turn up at an interview without a very well rehearsed interview technique and a professionally vetted CV to demonstrate I was organised and motivated would have quickly ended said interview. Curve ball questions aren't new either. They're dealt with easily by those of us who have prepared for them though. The typical 'what are your weaknesses' questions would likely be dealt with very poorly by the OP, from what they write. Call that a curveball? You might. I might. But it's nothing to someone who's prepared. And that's half the battle with an interview.

marksuttonie wrote:

I too have given interviews to candidates (and evidence in court) and always make sure that i am prepared.

I can believe it. Both are serious responsibilities. As should be looking for work. Take it seriously and make every effore to prepare. That's the way to do it.

marksuttonie wrote:

Dismissing candidates for not having a copy of a cv? What, do you have extra copies of CV? no then get out! Thereby potentially losing a great worker. Hey, you really must tell me your employer then i can avoid it.

Perhaps if a candidate were truly considered prime recruitment fodder, you'd have a point Mark. But this candidate doesn't sound like someone I'd actually actively set out to recruit. They're the one wanting the job so it's up to them to impress. That's not to say I wouldn't hire them. But without an impressive and recent list of professional achievements, I need something more to decide if they'd be an asset to my company or a liability to me as the person who decided to hire them.

Mark, if I have two suitable candidates for a 'junior' role, the one who has had the wisdom to bring a copy of their CV, just in case, will be the one who has my preference. Simple as that. People who prepare well cost me less in terms of time and effort. They tend to use their initiative and take up less of my energy teaching them the basics, as they're thinking ahead and considering multiple eventualities. I like people like that. That makes them a better prospect in my books. Like it or not, it's the way it is.... Last year I interviewed over 120 candidates for a handful of positions with my company. In a couple of instances CV's were not to hand as I had to step in to cover for another manager for example, at short notice. Candidates who could hand me a CV instead of sitting there while I went to print one out, saved me trouble and earned my favour. It's the way of the world.

marksuttonie wrote:

OP: Learn from both the interviews, look at questions that you answered well and acknwoledge them. But also look at questions that you didn't answer well and why you didn't answer well and how you should have answered in hind sight. It is a truism that the more practice you get the better you become, so don't get disheartened but learn by it, have a look at appearance, stance, the way you presented things as well as your answers

All good. But also learn to play the 'game' of interviewing. There are some things you just have to do if you want to interview with companies where HR departments control and review all steps of the hiring process, you'll have to play along. Marks advice is accurate, just incomplete.

marksuttonie wrote:

Already you have learned to take extra copies of CV for interviewers who can't be arsed doing their job

Interviewers who couldn't be arsed doing their job but who could still give you a paycheck at the end of each month Mark? I'd prefer to get paid by a lazy interviewer than not. Wouldn't you?

Oracle

I've had some disappointing interview experiences and I'm convinced I could do everything right, have a great CV, a great interview and still not get offered the job. There's so many factors influencing who gets the job, many are outside the candidates control.

For example other applicants who have a connection with the company, internal hiring and promotion, "there aren't any vacancies" (sometimes companies, especially agencies, advertise to see who's out there and get candidates on their books), the interviewer simply doesn't like the candidate and interviewers/HR managers hiring friends and relatives.

Then there's the huge area of simple prejudice towards someone who, in the interviewer's eyes, is not the right age, colour, gender, physical type etc....something no candidate can change. While I don't want to paint all interviewers and HR people with this brush, I'm sure it does happen.

So I try not to take any rejection personally, while continuing to improve myself. Handling rejection is tough, but I don't assume that because I wasn't hired by one company that there's isn't a company that would welcome and value my contribution.

Marksie

Gil, in this instance the curve ball question was not "what are your weaknesses" which is a bit non-sensical anyways as it really is just a gap filler. Though anyone with any sense knows not to list a weakness, but turn it into a strength, so it is in fact a useless question. Anyway a digression there, in this instance the interviewer asked a question which was unrelated to the position. A curve ball question would be to ask someone who is applying for a junior clerical position... "how would you deal with conflict between two members of staff" THAT is a curveball.

To be honest Gil i would think twice about taking employment with a company with attitudes like that and would take the opportunity at the end of the interview.."any questions?" to ask them.. after all i am scoping them as an employer. It is not the first time i have turned down a job because the interviewer indicated verbally and non-verbally something about the company i didn't like. How does the question "would you have a heart attack for the company?" strike you.

Similarly, if i was aware that points would be deducted from interview depending upon the multiple copies of a CV, I would also have second thoughts in that it may translate into how staff are treated in the workplace.

But that does come from years of experience on both sides of the table.

The point of extra Kudos for being prepared is entirely valid Gil.
BUT the issue i had with your post is the fact that you would "dismiss". You can bet Gil if you came out with that answer in an interview I would be questioning you over it.

I do agree with you on the preparation both cv and personal apperance and attitude, and its not my intention of mollycoddling the OP. But neither is it to crush them still further by turning what was an incredibly poor interview by the interviewer around on the OP.
We could have a PM discussion about interview techniques and open questions and full and frank answers, never exaggerating what you have done etc. Oh and i agree with not following the latest fad in CV writing.

It is a game, but i will add for the OP benefit, that you felt in the first interview you had perfromed well, you do not know who else was being interviewed.

BeardyGit

Hey again. Okay, I agree with much of what you've said Mark, and Seamus. It's possible the interviewer was arrogant, ill prepared, untrained, inexperienced. There are a host of things outside of ones own experience and suitability for a role that will work against you at interview. In the ideal world these factors shouldn't ultimately impact on your success rate at interview, but they do.

Don't get me wrong on this either - I don't want to 'crush' the OP. I spent 5 months out of work a few years ago and for me it was a terrible experience. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with my CV and why I wasn't getting interviews. The reality was that I just needed to adjust my approach to recruiters. My CV ticked all the boxes, as did my experience etc. It just didn't light a fire under any of them so all I got were PFO's etc.

I woke up one morning, got annoyed about it, phoned a recruitment company who had been fobbing me for 5 months and told them I wanted to come in and meet someone in one hour. They said I'd need to make an appointment, I told them that wasn't good enough, that I'd be there in one hour and would then wait in the lobby all day until I could speak with someone.

That morning I was met by someone who had up to then ignored my applications for interview, because she received hundreds just like mine each week. She spent 20 minutes talking to me and during that time I managed to convince her that I really wanted to work and was determined to succeed in my career and *most importantly to her* understood that my success in getting a role she put me forward for meant she'd get paid. We understood each other after that meeting. She called that afternoon and I interviewed for a job the next day. First interview in almost 5 months and I got the job. That's all because I not only emailed and then called to make sure they had my CV. I told them I was coming to them and wanted to meet someone face to face. You can bet when she was asked for candidates for that role, my name was top of her list. Why? Because I was probably the only person she actually met.

I'm not saying everyone should harass recruitment agency staff just so they remember you, but you have to do something to seperate yourself from the thousands of others all taking the same laid back approach to getting hired. I flick through many perfectly acceptable CV's each month - Most don't pass 'go' because we never actually get a customised cover letter or receive a phone call. Recruiters face the same challenges as employers - Filtering out the mass-mailing applicants from those who are actually interested in a specific role. So, a little personalised tailoring in your approach, and a determined follow up is what is called for. Otherwise you're taking your chances on ever actually getting called to interview for a job you really want. As a first port of call, I'd suggest going to sit down with a recruitment company consultant. It won't cost you anything and if you show them you really are prepared to work, and give them a return for their investment, they'll help you along.

Marksie

Gil_Dub wrote:

I flick through many perfectly acceptable CV's each month - Most don't pass 'go' because we never actually get a customised cover letter or receive a phone call. Recruiters face the same challenges as employers - Filtering out the mass-mailing applicants from those who are actually interested in a specific role. So, a little personalised tailoring in your approach, and a determined follow up is what is called for. Otherwise you're taking your chances on ever actually getting called to interview for a job you really want. As a first port of call, I'd suggest going to sit down with a recruitment company consultant. It won't cost you anything and if you show them you really are prepared to work, and give them a return for their investment, they'll help you along.

We seem to be agreeing a lot now lol. But i generally had one generic CV but god knows how many tailored covering letters depending on whom i was applying for. After all a CV is there to get you to interview stage.
Recruitment consultants do in fact need to be pushed a little.

While the OP may want to review her CV from time to time, I am not sure the issue is the CV per se, its the interview, the CV is doing what its meant to be doing and getting the interviews in the first place.

dame

Bolliwoodi, I had sympathy for you and posted a long piece of advice/help for you the night you posted this thread but I've just read a thread you posted in the Work & Jobs forum where you sad you've been offered a job in Aldi. That post was on 11th Jan.

So you've been out of work for while, have been on Fas, got offered a job and turned it down.....what the hell is wrong with you???? So what if you only get paid once a month there and get your overtime the month after...it's a JOB, the very thing you claim to be looking for! If I were you I'd take that job. It may not be exactly what you had in mind for a career but a job is a job and when you have one you'll feel better about yourself and be more confident in interviews etc, etc.

Also, if I was interviewing you and you were working anywhere rather than doing nothing, then I'd think you at least had a bit of get up and go about you and that you were a worker. To be honest, there is no excuse for turning down any job you're offered if you've been out of work for a good while. You can always leave it when a better one comes along and the longer you're out of work the more potential employers will wonder why it is that you can't seem to get a job.

Yes you should know your Leaving Cert results off by heart - if they are your main/only qualifications to date.

Get off your backside. Get working in the job you've been offered, keep looking for the job you really want and quit feeling sorry for yourself.


One last piece of advice - get extra things to put on your CV, eg do some charity work (since you have spare time anyway), take up a hobby or two, learn to play guitar or something and do a sport of some description. Try and present a picture of a rounded individual. Too many school-leavers have listening to music, socialising, cinema etc as their hobbies.

chump

Never brought my CV to any interview.

Also OP, I once was expecting a call about a job, (not a serious job mind you) and didn't get the call - so I rang and asked to know either way- they said 'yea you got it'. Just a disorganised HR place and they hadn't got around to call me.

chump

Gil_Dub wrote:

Mark, if I have two suitable candidates for a 'junior' role, the one who has had the wisdom to bring a copy of their CV, just in case, will be the one who has my preference. Simple as that. People who prepare well cost me less in terms of time and effort. They tend to use their initiative and take up less of my energy teaching them the basics, as they're thinking ahead and considering multiple eventualities. I like people like that. That makes them a better prospect in my books. Like it or not, it's the way it is.... Last year I interviewed over 120 candidates for a handful of positions with my company. In a couple of instances CV's were not to hand as I had to step in to cover for another manager for example, at short notice. Candidates who could hand me a CV instead of sitting there while I went to print one out, saved me trouble and earned my favour. It's the way of the world.

Way of the world - absolute nonsense.

To think that you'd infer so much from such a trivial thing reflects very poorly on you as an interviewer, and even more so as a person.

LegacyUser

The OP is a human being - and not an asshole.

The interviewer treated the OP at the 2nd interview in a very unprofessional way. He should not have lost the CV which the OP had taken the time to prepare and already sent to him. He sounded completely unprepared for that interview himself. Should the OP have been granted a job offer from this particular company, I would say that the OP would be far better off to wait and NOT to take such a job - it could be a right nightmare to work there and a very unhappy and unhealthy experience.

There should be no need to bring a 2nd CV to an interview - although it is a good idea (even to refresh your own memory).

Gil_Dub - I disagree with practically everything U say. It's utter rubbish.
U are lucky U don't work alongside me. With an attitude like yours, U would be going home to mammy every evening in floods of tears.

BeardyGit

chump wrote:

Way of the world - absolute nonsense.

To think that you'd infer so much from such a trivial thing reflects very poorly on you as an interviewer, and even more so as a person.

chump wrote:

Way of the world - absolute nonsense.

To think that you'd infer so much from such a trivial thing reflects very poorly on you as an interviewer, and even more so as a person.

Is the above to be considered as an intelligent contribution Chump? Whether you like it or not, different people use different criteria to eliminate candidates at interview. To ignore that reality is a foolish move on the part of any applicant. If I'm interviewing similarly qualified and experienced candidates, the one who hasn't bothered to bring a copy of their CV will be eliminated from consideration by me, all other factors being equal. Now like that or not, that's the way it is. You don't agree with me. That's fine of course. But others, including those who conduct interviews as part of their professional remit, will agree with me. The sensible thing to do even if you think it's unnecessary is to bring spare copies of your CV. That way you ensure someone like me (and you should understand that there are many others with the same approach) won't eliminate you from the running for a position you really want. So yeah, that really *IS* the way of the world. Don't like it? Tough.

You might think this reflects poorly on me as an interviewer and as a person in general, but I really don't care. You see, I can be even more fickle when responding to rather poor attempts at personal insult from people I don't know. Hopefully the OP learns something from this.

dudara

OK, Gil_Dub, mark, Chump and others, this is not a forum for discussing the merits of CVs etc. All of you are experienced enough posters to know that this kind of off-topic posting is not allowed here in PI.

Take it to the Work&Jobs forum or to PI, but not here.

dudara

r3nu4l

Thanks Dudara

OP, here's something to do to prepare you for interviews:

Get a hold of a copy of "Great answers to tough interview questions".

I've used it a lot and always re-read some of the sections before an interview.

The book doesn't just provide you with answers to rattle off at an interview. It takes you through the preparation process, what to wear, how to look, how to use body language correctly and effectively, how to get more information about prospective employers etc.

In the "answers to interview questions" section it explains why certain questions are asked and the information that the employer is looking for and also provides hints as to when the interviewer is laying a trap for you. The book also takes you through the rudiments of a good CV. The American way is a one-page summary resumé, common practice in Ireland and the UK is 2-3 pages (perhaps 4), any more and people get bored

Either buy a copy of that book or get one from the library a week or so before any interviews.

Regarding, bringing a few copies of a CV with you...while there is no requirement to do so it doesn't do you any harm at all. Sometimes, interviewers are impressed because you look prepared and organised. At worst, it will leave no impression with them one way or the other. I always bring a few copies as well as a pen and paper to take notes.

Always ask questions of the interviewer. It makes them feel that you are interested. Ask them about benefits, timing of salary review, what opportunities there are to expand your responsibilities in the job, ask about on the job training to increase your skills etc.

An old boss once told me that it was better to be the only guy in the interview room wearing a suit than the only guy not wearing a suit, the same applies to bringing pen, paper and a copy of your CV in my book. Even one copy is fine, if they want more copies, just say you brought one for environmental reasons but are happy for them to make copies.

Chin up! A good friend of mine was unemployed for 14 months after his degree, sent out 187 CVs, no job offers. He sent out ten more, got one interview, got the job and within two years is now a team manager and earning a packet. The first step is the hardest, after that it snowballs

Marksie

dame wrote:

So you've been out of work for while, have been on Fas, got offered a job and turned it down.....what the hell is wrong with you????

Oh!
OP: there is one adage that you would do well to consider, that is is better to look for a job while in a job. Also that work experience will go in your favour.

limklad

bolliwoodi wrote:

I went in for the other interview- and it didnt go well at all! The employer had "misplaced" my cv and was annoyed I hadnt brought a spare one in with me(I didnt think Id have to considering he was ment to have it)

So he spent the interview asking me to talk me through my cv(Which was difficult when it came to remembering my L.C results- I normally write them down from my results page-I dont know them off in my head) and he looked fairly pissed off when I was trying to remember them(Its been 3 years like come on!)

Then he asked me a question anout focusing that made NO sense at all- and I sat there like a lemon trying to make sense of what he said.

Then he said"Oh sorry thats for a managers position- my bad" By then Id gone bright red and just wanted to get out of there!

WORST INTERVIEW EVER!!!

Then on my way out the door the other interview I had called to say i didnt get the job

The weird thing is I did very well in the other interview and I didnt get it

This one was awful-But you never know!!

What did you learn from this experience, Yes it is an experience and every interview is different, different interviewer are looking for different things. You were like me, I was a ship wreak when I started and did not know how to proceed. But I did learnt from every situation and observed and listen to others. I learnt from their mistakes and made minimized the same mistakes. Even though the manager or any person who interview you made a mistake, it is up to you to impress them. Next time take two copies of your CV with you, one for him and one for who ever else is interviewing you. Know it inside out. Therefore, If they do not have a copy, you have one handy to show them. You are been prepared. Ask yourself what can make your CV stand out without overfilling the page in small writing. S/he may be blind as a bat. :eek: Some employers like long impressive CV other want short one page CV. What previous experiences could you put down? Sports/ societies / Projects / volunteer work and length of time. Places of work and duties performed. Do not lie, you will be caught out or cause doubts. Make it relevant and your CV is your advertisement. By the way don't make the mistake of putting down is under education is your primary education. If you have several third level then only mention how many honours and passes for your leaving cert as the last relevant third level results is required.
Research the job you are going for. Even if you do not know much about the job before going in, ask about the duties and talk about your experiences and if you have not, then say I like to do that. But know yourself because you are selling yourself. You know yourself better than the interviewer. Know what you want to be in the future and how to get there. They want to get to know you and they want to be able to trust you in perform the job in a competent manner. Also feel the vibe from your interviewer. Do not be afraid of asking questions of your interviewer/s. Remember they have to sell them self too.
When you meet them first, nice firm hands shakes and look at them in the eyes in confidence. They will require your services and do not be cocky.
Look around before going in and after you leave the interview. Continue data collection; See others in their jobs and their inactions with each other. Feel yourself in that situation and how to deal with it. If you do not like the place then use the interview as a free practice session. If the interviewer is difficult then use the session to learn how to control your behavior. Remember they are selling themselves as well as you. It is ok that you do not know the answers to questions and say you do not know at that moment. And find out the answer, be bold and ask. It shows you want to learn. They want the best person to fit the Job. - It might not be the best person in your eyes or the smartest in the room, waiting to be interviewed.
I had one set of interviewers playing good cop/bad cop. I talk to both in a clam manner and kept eye contact to both. It was difficult and I was nervous going in. I too had bad experiences. One interviewer fell asleep while getting me to work out an answer. I had to think smart to wake him up without embarrassing him. He was very tried and I knew that from the start of the interview. I used a behavior that my grandfather do when excited playing card and wrapped my knuckes on the table when hand the paper back to the interviewer and raised my voice explaining the solution to the problem and lowered m voice as he woke up. He was impressed and I did not embarrass him or acknowledge it.
I got the Job!! And I did not end up working for that interviewer butwe both was involved in teams in some project work. I said to myself at the interview, I need the experience under my belt.

Good luck.;)

bolliwoodi

dame wrote:

Bolliwoodi, I had sympathy for you and posted a long piece of advice/help for you the night you posted this thread but I've just read a thread you posted in the Work & Jobs forum where you sad you've been offered a job in Aldi. That post was on 11th Jan.

So you've been out of work for while, have been on Fas, got offered a job and turned it down.....what the hell is wrong with you????

Get off your backside. Get working in the job you've been offered, keep looking for the job you really want and quit feeling sorry for yourself.


.

How DARE YOU?

i didnt get offered a job in aldi-i was offered an interview in aldi and THAT is what the second interview was for

i have a job now k

Zambia

Getting a job is far harder than actually doing a lot of jobs...

Lot of good advice here I will add to

1: Tailor each CV

2: Find a decent proof reader for CV's someone who actually sees them.

3: Use your free time to learn about the industrys you are going for.

4: Do not walk in to any interview with the defeatist attitude you are reeking of in these posts. Walk in be confident shake a persons hand firmly. Sit down and believe you can do the job you are going for.

5: Bring a small folder with a spare C.V read it while waiting in the room for the interview have a notebook and pen should you need it. Shows you are organised and prepared.

6: If you are failing to get these jobs try up-skilling , courses etc keep busy

Best of luck

DublinWriter

Way back when I was a corporate shil, the best experience I ever had was interviewing people.

It really helps to be on the other side of the fence in terms of knowing what you yourself are doing wrong when you go for interviews. The same goes for CV selection.

It's a well published fact that people make up their mind about you in the first 3 minutes of the interview. Get off to a bad start and you won't recover.

iguana

bolliwoodi wrote:

How DARE YOU?

i didnt get offered a job in aldi-i was offered an interview in aldi and THAT is what the second interview was for

i have a job now k

In fairness to dame you said on this thread that you had the 2nd interview on the 23rd of Jan. On the Work and Jobs thread which you posted on the 11th of Jan you said you had already gone to the interview and had been offered the job.

Glad you have a new job, but why would you come on to this thread over a month after the last reply in order to yell at a poster who called you on an obvious mis-truth in one of your two posts?

wexford12

My god Gill Dub

Dare i ask have you a set of balls or just want some you sound so bitchy the girl only asked a question, didnt need to be kicked around you office "if you have one".I would agree you should bring three copys of your cv one for yourself so no tripping up over dates etc and two to hand out does look good.Now please relax the high powered business woman act went out years ago.No one listens to crap from so called high power tripers.

PS prob be kicked off for saying that oh well

dame

bolliwoodi wrote:

How DARE YOU?

i didnt get offered a job in aldi-i was offered an interview in aldi and THAT is what the second interview was for

i have a job now k

Hmm, lets's see......

From;
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055039526&referrerid=&highlight=

Bolliwoodi wrote:

working in aldi

---

has anyone here ever worked in aldi- or anyone that does ATM

ive been offered a job there-But i have been told by a lot of people that its paid once a month and your only guarnteed 15 hours a week even though your told you will get more(As i was told in the interview) I asked in the interview about the monthly pay and they said its every week-But a girl i know who worked there told me she was told that too - and then after she started they said it was every month

Can anyone shed some light on this?

..... told some porkies somewhere Bolliwoodi, didn't you?


My post re the above;

Dame wrote:

Bolliwoodi, I had sympathy for you and posted a long piece of advice/help for you the night you posted this thread but I've just read a thread you posted in the Work & Jobs forum where you sad you've been offered a job in Aldi. That post was on 11th Jan.

So you've been out of work for while, have been on Fas, got offered a job and turned it down.....what the hell is wrong with you???? So what if you only get paid once a month there and get your overtime the month after...it's a JOB, the very thing you claim to be looking for! If I were you I'd take that job. It may not be exactly what you had in mind for a career but a job is a job and when you have one you'll feel better about yourself and be more confident in interviews etc, etc.

Also, if I was interviewing you and you were working anywhere rather than doing nothing, then I'd think you at least had a bit of get up and go about you and that you were a worker. To be honest, there is no excuse for turning down any job you're offered if you've been out of work for a good while. You can always leave it when a better one comes along and the longer you're out of work the more potential employers will wonder why it is that you can't seem to get a job.

Yes you should know your Leaving Cert results off by heart - if they are your main/only qualifications to date.

Get off your backside. Get working in the job you've been offered, keep looking for the job you really want and quit feeling sorry for yourself.


One last piece of advice - get extra things to put on your CV, eg do some charity work (since you have spare time anyway), take up a hobby or two, learn to play guitar or something and do a sport of some description. Try and present a picture of a rounded individual. Too many school-leavers have listening to music, socialising, cinema etc as their hobbies.

My advice still stands; when you're out of work take any job you're offered, you can still keep looking for the job you really want but it will be easier to find once you are already working (with more to put on your CV) and feeling better and more confident about yourself.


By the way Bolliwoodi, did you actually read any of the good advice in that post of mine or did you just focus on perceived slights and stew on them for weeks until you got a job and then came back to retaliate, imagining you were getting revenge of some sort on someone who doubted you? I really hope that's not the case because if it is then you have a lot of growing up, maturing and learning to stand on your own two feet to do.

Glad to hear you have a job now though. Your tax can now join mine and everyone else's here to pay for services we all use and dole and Fás schemes for anyone else who happens to be looking for a job at the moment. Best of luck to you Bolliwoodi and let's hope neither one of us needs the dole in the future!




N.B., Life Lesson; Lying is never a good idea as it only results in embarrassment for the person who told them when the lies get found out.