April 17, 2013
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job hunting experience
You know, I actually wanted to blog about my job hunting experience whilst it happened. But I find that when I talk about it- somehow or other I end up jinxing myself and everything falls through.
I’m superstitious like that
In the end, I went to 2 job interviews, I had a 3rd one lined up today but after getting the letter of offer from my new employer I figured that it wasn’t worth wasting someone else’s time so I told them not to bother.
Job hunting is really tough. I really empathise with those who are looking for jobs, especially if they’re unemployed because it’s disheartening. I did mine whilst still employed so I wasn’t so fazed by the rejection. Rejection does hurt (slightly for me) but it should make you more determined to keep trying.I just applied for a week straight to almost every single job in the roles that I thought I’d enjoy doing (with limited experience in the field). After a week or so, I started receiving the standard:
“Thank you for your application and interest in the position of XYZ
After careful consideration, we regret to inform you that your background and experience does not quite match our client’s specific requirements. We would however, like to thank you for your interest and giving us the opportunity to consider you for this position.
With your approval, your information will be retained on file and if another appropriate position arises, we will contact you to determine your interest and availability. Please be assured that under no circumstances would we submit your details to any of our clients without your prior consent.”
I suspect that THIS is the template that all recruiters/HR have downloaded somewhere off Google because this template(or close enough) was sent to me quite a bit. I just ended up deleting them and not bother to read the email.
Having a great resume is a good start, but exceling in the interview is another thing altogether. Out of the 2 interviews I went to, one liked me (hence the offer) and the other actually ended up sending me a similar email as above. I preferred my first interview (with my new employer) ONLY because it was with the actual employer itself than a recruitment company.
I find recruitment companies although GREAT, can be a bother because they can ONLY ask generic questions but aren’t necessary questions that relate to the role or the company itself especially if the role is complex or can get complex. So, there’s a high chance that those who are skilled at answering basic questions get through and are presented as “terrific candidates” turn out to be duds. Then it’s at the second interview where the employer gets to meet the potential employee (and sometimes it’s the wrong person doing the interview as well) who may not be skilled at identifying duds and then end up employing them.
Sometimes your personality clashes with the recruiter or they may not like how you look/dress or whatever and you’re cut out of the list whereas had it been the employer you had met, you may have hit it off- but you never know because the chance obviously would never be given. But recruitment companies are there because most people are timepoor or don’t have a HR department to sort all of this out.
In the end, it worked out well because the OTHER job offer was going to be outside of the city and would have been a bit of a pain to travel to. There’s nowhere to park and it’s 2 different trains to catch.
Sometimes, things are just meant to be.
