[questions987]

So I went on an interview yesterday and I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing.

I got there 20 minutes early, in a suit. The person was a younger person.

He told me about the position. Asked me what I do at my current job. told me about the salary, gave me a tour of the office and then said he'd be making a decision within a week and wants the person to start by June 1.

He only asked me one question: what I currently do. nothing else. I don't know if thats good or bad?

[Hax]

So I had two interviews. One phone interview and one other interview. The latter interview was harder because he tested me on practical concepts from accounting but I've learned mostly theory. The former interview, my answers were not that good.

I dont get why but lately my interview skills have disappeared or something. Maybe I'm rusty. I usually ace interviews.

[mstar]

Didn't read through all 51 pages, but noticed people were talking about interviews.

Not sure what jobs, nor your qualifcations, but this generally works:
If after the interview, and they offer you the job, tell them you'll think about it. Next day, come back and ask for 10% more, or certain benefits, or whatever your realistical demands are. They'll most likely accept, rather than go through the whole interview process again, or pick second best.

Now of course, this really depends on what job you're applying for, and the size of your company.

Sell yourself, they are interviewing and picking to get: the best product on the market. Seems only right that they should be willing to pay a bit extra for the best.

[Tuxedomask]

^ Turning down a job at the interview is a bad idea.

No offense but I do interview many people on a weekly basis and I would be seriously offended if I offered the person a job and their reply is "I'll think about it." If they came back and tried to renegotiate their benefits and wages I would probably tell them to go back home. You are the interviewee, you are the one asking for the job and if it is offered it to you, you better damn well take it in this economy. Saying you'll think about to me personally is very unprofessional, it's basically like helping someone up but instead of a thanks you get a slap to the face.

Usually if I offer someone the job on the spot, out of respect and proper business etiquette I negotiate the terms before any paper is signed and hands are shook. In a professional environment everything is scheduled so your interview is on scheduled time, what makes you think you have the right to walk in to their environment, take up their time, turn down their job offer and expect to just walk back in again to renegotiate. IF...somehow the job offer is still up and they really do want you then you can negotiate, but there is a slim chance that will happen in today's economy.

Everything should be negotiated at the time of the interview.

[Pogichinoy]

^I've done my fair share of interviewing as well, and being interviewed too and found that its ok to think about it, but couple that excuse with a reason for thinking about it, i.e. schedules, family, etc.

But I do agree with negotiating on the spot.

If people were really passionate about working there, then they'd make the decision quicksmart, only if they didn't need to discuss the offer with their family, etc.

[Lil'Hazel]

I have done quite a lot of aptitude tests recently and I am so sick of being rejected straight after the tests. I don't know what these IQ aptitude tests does to candidates profile but I really think it's so tough atm to pass these tests. I'm just wondering whether anyone been on the same boat as me and seems to struggle with these aptitude tests. I've done a lot of practice with these things but with the short time limits they have, it's so hard to answers all those maths and manipulative questions. I just did one today of which I'm mini cooperless scared now since I've done two parts interview and to not get this job after one test, I'll be really really disappointed. Yet I know I didn't really go on well with the test just then. They had like 20 maths questions to do in 4 minutes!!! and others are so tricky I have to jot something down rather than leaving almost 3/4 of it blank and it's negative marking too. Gosh. I think I'm going mad. Anyone here have experience with aptitude psychometric tests???

[YUNA!]

I'm recently working as an nursing assistant in the children's hospital. It's very fun and laidback (though more times than none, you'll find me running around..haha) and seeing all these cute babies make my heart feel warm and fuzzy, although they are in the hospital for reason. I got hired right after my co-op, so I got lucky~~~~^9^

[Midnight Dreams]

not sure if posted in the right place.

i am planning to do some volunteer work during the summer. any suggestions? the only place i can think of is the library.

[gisbiz]

^
check out the elementary schools around your area. (or contact you current school right now to get more info)
they usualy have programs set up for teens and college students.
like, peer tutoring, reading, helping w/ homework, after school actitivites.. & etc..
(background check will be required)

also you can always check out the children hospitals.

[Temoin la Nuit]

I have done quite a lot of aptitude tests recently and I am so sick of being rejected straight after the tests. I don't know what these IQ aptitude tests does to candidates profile but I really think it's so tough atm to pass these tests. I'm just wondering whether anyone been on the same boat as me and seems to struggle with these aptitude tests. I've done a lot of practice with these things but with the short time limits they have, it's so hard to answers all those maths and manipulative questions. I just did one today of which I'm mini cooperless scared now since I've done two parts interview and to not get this job after one test, I'll be really really disappointed. Yet I know I didn't really go on well with the test just then. They had like 20 maths questions to do in 4 minutes!!! and others are so tricky I have to jot something down rather than leaving almost 3/4 of it blank and it's negative marking too. Gosh. I think I'm going mad. Anyone here have experience with aptitude psychometric tests???

If the issue is with math questions, then just drill yourself.

Psychometrics and personality assessments, tho.. are really easy to spoof. There's usually questions, and then control questions. If you don't identify the same way for both ones, you lose marks or cancels the result.. if you identify in a method that displays behaviour that they aren't looking for, you lose marks.

All you need to do is cohesively switch your mindset and "become" the target that would fit their corporate culture. Using this, as long as you identify their ideal employee, you can pass any psychometric assessment. The key is consistency and identifying correctly.

[Millou]

If I'm going to stop my education now, how do I explain it to my future employers?
I already have a BA, but 2 years ago I have enrolled myself again to get a MA. But now I kinda regret and want to work and earn money.

I am writing a cover letter to a school in HK and I am not sure if I have to mention it. And how do I put it in my cv? Will they see me as someone who gives up?

[loudlaugh]

I was recently hired as a legal assistant to a lawyer and one of my jobs include translating client interviews and letters in english (from korean). He called me a day after i submitted my resume and said something about 15/hr. and i didn't really know how to respond, so i said oh okok...

the commute is about 35miles, it's a fulltime position and he needs a person right away (so i don't think i'm in any danger of getting replaced...maybe)

I haven't started working the job, yet, but I was wondering if it was wise for me to try and negotiate a higher pay? I was thinking possibly $18? $20 too much? haha
If so, how do i go about the means of doing it?

THANK YOU!

[HSuke]

^ Dang, legal assistants are really a dime a dozen these days huh? Even though you're unemployed, you should try for $18. If they're paying you $15/hr, they shouldn't be surprised when you leave the moment a better opportunity comes up.

The most important thing is to gain experience and learn how you can become a successful advocate. Then later on, you can change jobs or ask for a higher pay. Since you'll actually be changing titles, your future pay will less-likely be influenced by the pay you accept now.

[Millou]

Is it ok to apply for 2 jobs at the same firm?

There are currently a few openings at the school I want to apply to. I am interested in 2 of the openings, is it ok to apply for both of them? Or do I have to pick 1?

[Hax]

I was recently hired as a legal assistant to a lawyer and one of my jobs include translating client interviews and letters in english (from korean). He called me a day after i submitted my resume and said something about 15/hr. and i didn't really know how to respond, so i said oh okok...

the commute is about 35miles, it's a fulltime position and he needs a person right away (so i don't think i'm in any danger of getting replaced...maybe)

I haven't started working the job, yet, but I was wondering if it was wise for me to try and negotiate a higher pay? I was thinking possibly $18? $20 too much? haha
If so, how do i go about the means of doing it?

THANK YOU!

I wouldn't do it if I were you. If you have nothing else lined up, it is fairly easy for them to hire someone else and that would leave you unemployed.

[spikeyhair91]

I am in sales. I am selling life insurance to pay for my tuition fee. What do you people think about sales job ? I know a lot of people hate sales.

[Temoin la Nuit]

I am in sales. I am selling life insurance to pay for my tuition fee. What do you people think about sales job ? I know a lot of people hate sales.

Sounds like MLM. Is it?

Schemes like that usually run dry once you've exhausted your initial list of clients.. in any case, a normal minimum wage job might end up paying better in the end.

[HSuke]

I wouldn't do it if I were you. If you have nothing else lined up, it is fairly easy for them to hire someone else and that would leave you unemployed.

On second thought, $15 is in the ballpark of what legal assistants typically make. I'll have to agree with Hax on this issue.

[ayahuasca]

I wouldn't do it if I were you. If you have nothing else lined up, it is fairly easy for them to hire someone else and that would leave you unemployed.

Not necessarily, i think given the distance of your commute, you may have an opening to ask for a small increase in the hourly rate, even a $1 or $2 more per hour stacks up nicely.

@Millou
In writing CVs never add anything in that may be detrimental to your application. You could suggest that you're deferring your studies for the time being or leave it out all together. What they don't know to begin with won't hurt you and what you didn't tell them they won't check. I worked for a car wash at one point, that's not in my CV since it's not relevant to any future jobs I might apply for.

The simplest advice I can give is keep it simple and relevant. Anything more than 2-3 pages in bullet points is too long.

[shotamerican]

What are the chances that a foreign national (who has a permanent visa in america) that is fluent in english, japanese, portuguese, and spanish can get a decent job related to translating and/or interpretting with 3 years experience up his sleeve?

I would think he would have little trouble, but I don't know with the economy nowadays..