Job Interviewing - Do's and Don'ts

[Stadler]

And unless I'm misunderstanding big time, while I'm sure they wanted the prints for something benign, like a plaque or something, why do that?  What if down the road there was a more serious reason to need the prints?  I could see - MAYBE - taking them from another cadaver, but I'm not giving mine.

[Nick]

And unless I'm misunderstanding big time, while I'm sure they wanted the prints for something benign, like a plaque or something, why do that?  What if down the road there was a more serious reason to need the prints?  I could see - MAYBE - taking them from another cadaver, but I'm not giving mine.

A lot of places, mine included, partner with companies that make jewelry out of fingerprints, and that's 99% of the reason why they are needed. If it's for investigation or identification that's done by police/medical examiner/coroner before things get to us.

Geeze, that's pretty fucked up too.  Like why even do that instead of just waiting until he has the body?

Honesty is really important IMO.  Finding some lie like that would immediately turn me off from someone.

From what I understand there was some plan in place to take the body straight form the MEs office to the crematory, meaning the body would have never gone to the funeral home (which is weird to begin with), and so unless this guy was the one doing the transport he would have never had direct access to the body. These details are fuzzier and might not be completely correct, but it's the jist I got.

[axeman90210]

Well, almost four months into the new job. Pros: the paycheck. Cons: the team I've come into is a large scale dumpster fire and the head of the team may have a drinking problem

[Stadler]

Well, almost four months into the new job. Pros: the paycheck. Cons: the team I've come into is a large scale dumpster fire and the head of the team may have a drinking problem

Aren't you the head of the team?!?   I'm kidding.   Hopefully it's not something that touches your ability to perform.

Is this the job in Orlando?  Are you still up here?

[axeman90210]

I'm still up here, currently they're not planning on reopening offices before September 1st so I won't move down there until then. The head of the NY team/de facto head of pricing in North America is who I was talking about (it's still not entirely clear to me whether I'm formally meant to report into him or directly into the global head of pricing in Dublin). It's probably just jitters thinking about making the move down there, but I'm starting to think that I might be better off getting an apartment rather than buying a house right away.

[Stadler]

I'm still up here, currently they're not planning on reopening offices before September 1st so I won't move down there until then. The head of the NY team/de facto head of pricing in North America is who I was talking about (it's still not entirely clear to me whether I'm formally meant to report into him or directly into the global head of pricing in Dublin). It's probably just jitters thinking about making the move down there, but I'm starting to think that I might be better off getting an apartment rather than buying a house right away.

That's not the worst idea anyway, man.  I've done that move now a bunch of times, and if you can afford it (meaning, two moves, banking the proceeds from your house here to use for the down payment, and any provisions to get out of a lease early if you find something you love) it's the right way to go.  You can't possibly know the exact area you want, etc. etc. without SOME recon, and this allows you to do that without the pressure of weekend trips and/or your shit in storage.   

I know some people down that area, if you want any info (my wife's cousin is there; they are close).  Let me know.

[axeman90210]

Well I'm still living home with the parents, so it's just about finding a place down there. I had always wanted to go right into owning so that I was always paying into equity in something, that's why I haven't moved out yet. My larger concern at this point is if I'm down there six months and decide the job's just not for me.

[jingle.boy]

Well I'm still living home with the parents, so it's just about finding a place down there. I had always wanted to go right into owning so that I was always paying into equity in something, that's why I haven't moved out yet. My larger concern at this point is if I'm down there six months and decide the job's just not for me.

Or (as is being discussed in the home ownership thread), the housing market takes a nose dive.  That is just as (if not more) likely.

[millahh]

I heard ya missed me, I'm baa-aaack!

Don't: Wear a "Thin Blue Line" cowl in lieu of a mask for interviewing at a racially/culturally diverse company
Don't: Have a arrogant attitude like you know everything already when I'm telling you something that I am quite sure that you don't know
Do: Have a good answer about why you are interested in working someplace beyond "it seems like a hot industry"
Do: Be able to remember what systems you are using in your current job (especially for IT positions)
Do: Remember to enunciate clearly when wearing a mask if you have a thicker accent, the interviewer no longer has the benefit of being able to see your lips move to help in understanding what you are saying

Axeman, what's your latest?

[Stadler]

I heard ya missed me, I'm baa-aaack!

Don't: Wear a "Thin Blue Line" cowl in lieu of a mask for interviewing at a racially/culturally diverse company
Don't: Have a arrogant attitude like you know everything already when I'm telling you something that I am quite sure that you don't know
Do: Have a good answer about why you are interested in working someplace beyond "it seems like a hot industry"
Do: Be able to remember what systems you are using in your current job (especially for IT positions)
Do: Remember to enunciate clearly when wearing a mask if you have a thicker accent, the interviewer no longer has the benefit of being able to see your lips move to help in understanding what you are saying

I'm extremely grateful that I haven't had to interview (yet) in a mask scenario.   I think it's a huge disadvantage for both sides, and unless one or both parties is an exemplar of verbal communication - and most people are not - it's going to lead to poorer decisions in an area that is already fraught with peril.   (I don't think people realize how arbitrary and failure-prone the hiring process really is.  There's only so much you can do in the time allotted to really get the measure of the person you're interviewing.  It's also, IMO, a problem when the manager/boss is also the hiring manager.  GE used to have a separate person come in and be "hiring manager", to provide context and perspective, and to make sure the "boss" wasn't just hiring a "boss clone", one of the more common mistake.)

I know for me, I love to read faces.  Micro-expressions, reactions, whatever.   I'm a face guy.  I like seeing people smile.  I like smiling at people.  There are other emotions that can be sent as well, and those are lost behind a mask.  It's very limiting.

[Orbert]

My sister is HR for a university and in the past year or so they've conducted interviews virtually.  Still not ideal, but closer to "face time" than sitting in the same room yet not seeing each others faces.

[cramx3]

My sister is HR for a university and in the past year or so they've conducted interviews virtually.  Still not ideal, but closer to "face time" than sitting in the same room yet not seeing each others faces.

Same with my company.  And considering we are trying to hire someone in Amsterdam, it would have been all virtual anyway.

[lordxizor]

Need your thoughts.

Current job: Sr. engineer, 5 direct reports. Promotion upcoming to manage a new service offering. 12-15 direct reports in the new role. In the office 2 miles from home, possibility of 2 days a week from home. Timing of promotion and future salary TBD, but I suspect they'll offer 10% raise.

Interviewing for new job elsewhere, didn't search it out, they contacted me. Was initially a principle engineer role, but I didn't fit all of the desired qualifications, so they said they'd consider me as senior engineer. I said no. They call back several days later saying they've retooled the role and would like to proceed with principle engineer. No formal offer yet, still one more round of interviews, but clearly the hiring manager likes me. 25 mile commute, 2-3 days a week from home. Salary and benefits TBD, but I suspect a 15-20% raise with loss of 1 week of PTO.

I can't decide if I want to continue with the potential new company. I like the upcoming role at my current company. It's a nice step up and I'll be formalized as the expert I my company in a specific area. I'd also feel crappy leaving right now given that they're building this role for me. I plan on trying to negotiate the salary since I think they'll low ball me a bit. And I'm going to push for the promotion soon rather than towards the end of the year as I suspect they're planning. However, the other job will have more variety and present a new challenge. I suspect it will offer more money, at least initially. There are some other advantages as well in long term career terms. For now I plan to continue with interviews and see if I get an offer. I don't like the idea of leveraging an offer from the new company to get more money at my current job, but that is one possibility.

Thoughts? Considerations? Advice?

[cramx3]

I like the upcoming role at my current company.

This has value which you can't put a $ amount on

[lordxizor]

I like the upcoming role at my current company.

This has value which you can't put a $ amount on

True. I don't like how they're delaying the promotion and I suspect they'll offer me well below market value. I'm already 10-15% below what I could be at in my current role. Part of it is definitely a devil you know versus the devil you don't too. The new company sounds like a good role too though.

[JayOctavarium]

I asked this in another thread but figure I'd ask here too.

Am I just old fashion or does anyone else think it's unprofessional for a potential employer to reach out via text instead of calling + email in response to an application.

I'm still job hunting, and things are getting down to the wire. My Plan B is to work at an Amazon DSP (Delivery Service Partner- the companies that Amazon contracts for their Prime Deliveries).  I've heard back from several of them, including one right now inviting me to interview, but it's mainly been through text.

When I was hiring people, I would call, and if there was no answer, leave a Voicemail, and then email them. I wouldn't communicate via text unless it was later to confirm something or relay the address, etc.

[Orbert]

I think it's a sign of changing times.  To me, email is still more "official" or professional, but text is more immediate, and sometimes more immediate is more important.  But not important enough for a call.  Actual voice phone calls don't happen anymore until they actually offer you the job, and not always then.  The official offer could still come via email or text.

[Chino]

I asked this in another thread but figure I'd ask here too.

Am I just old fashion or does anyone else think it's unprofessional for a potential employer to reach out via text instead of calling + email in response to an application.

I'm still job hunting, and things are getting down to the wire. My Plan B is to work at an Amazon DSP (Delivery Service Partner- the companies that Amazon contracts for their Prime Deliveries).  I've heard back from several of them, including one right now inviting me to interview, but it's mainly been through text.

When I was hiring people, I would call, and if there was no answer, leave a Voicemail, and then email them. I wouldn't communicate via text unless it was later to confirm something or relay the address, etc.

Amazon employs 1.3 million people. I don't know what their turnover rate is, but I imagine it's greater than most industries depending on the department. The amount of applicants Amazon must have to sort through per year has got to be astronomical. You'd need a small army of Amazon employees just to personally call and email every person hoping to apply. It's a huge waste of money. Professionalism is nice, but it adds little to no value to the bottom line when it comes to these types of positions.

[jingle.boy]

I'm willing to bet it's a mere 1% (probably less) of applications at Amazon actually see a set of human eyes.

[cramx3]

I don't know what their turnover rate is, but I imagine it's greater than most industries depending on the department.

It's extremely high

[JayOctavarium]

Interviewed with them today. Went well, I think.

I've also applied to a propert management company that I've worked with in the past when I was working security. Working with HOA violations. Something I actually have unique experience with

They'll either see my name and go "Oh it's Jeremy!" Or... "Oh... It's Jeremy..."

We shall see.

[JayOctavarium]

I know I said I think it went well, but I received my "Fuck off" text from the dude who interviewed me. It's strange..
I haven't failed an interview since I was 18 and interviewed at Target. I've turned down more job offers than I've been denied in my life.

I just had another one of the delivery contractors I applied to reach out to me. A much more professional message (via email and the Indeed app). Much more professional sounding. Going to set up an interview for Tuesday.

I also received an invite to test for a job with the county for the animal shelter. It's a long shot but there's a chance there : JayOctavarium:

[JayOctavarium]

Another interview with an Amazon contractor in a few. Wish me luck!

[JediKnight1969]

Don't

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4Zg1jX75m0

[JayOctavarium]

Interview went much better than the last one. Much more professional. I'm pretty sure the last dude I interviewed with (who wasn't wearing a mask indoors with me btw... Against county mandate) saw fat me and figured I wouldn't be cut out for it... Didnt really ask me much, just went on about how physical the job is.

The guy who interviewed me for this company today actually conducted a damn interview.

[JayOctavarium]

Alright... so neither of the Amazon interviews panned out.

Right now I have my hat in the ring for a good paying 40hr a week security job with a shitty company that offers no benefits (Interview tomorrow via video) and a courier position for a national diagnostics lab, which doesn't pay as much but seems like a good start with the a company I could work my way up in... the biggest problem is the pay PLUS it only being 32 hours a week. I've done a recorded phone interview thing with them, as well as an online assessment.

I also have done a virtual recorded video interview with Target... for loss prevention. far from my first choice, but it's work. Waiting to hear back from them.

The wildcard is a local mattress chain that I applied to, starting pay is fine, plus commission. I keep getting notifications from Zip recruiter that they keep pulling my application and resume up... so maybe I'll get a call? I have no sales experience, but I enjoy learning about shit and regurgitating facts to people.. so maybe I can put that to good use and sell people beds

[JayOctavarium]

Had another interview with another Amazon Delivery contractor. Video Interview. With the owner.

And Hired

[axeman90210]

Huzzah!

[Orbert]

Congratulations!

[jingle.boy]

Awesomesauce!

[JayOctavarium]

So I don't remember if I posted about this in this thread, but I am interviewing for a a huge (for me) job working Loss Prevention for a new Amazon Fulfillment Center opening near me. It's a tier 4 position within Amazon, meaning great benefits, great pay, and sign on bonus.


Just finished my second virtual interview, which is the first of four today. WISH ME LUCK YA'LL!

[Lonk]

First of 4? sounds intense, good luck!

[JayOctavarium]

First of 4? sounds intense, good luck!

Second one down. I think the first one went well. Second one... I think went... Fine. Next one starts in 10 minutes.

[jingle.boy]

First of 4? sounds intense, good luck!

Second one down. I think the first one went well. Second one... I think went... Fine. Next one starts in 10 minutes.

Go Jay, go!!!

[JayOctavarium]

Done. That was an intense 4 hours.

I'll know the results in 3-5 days.