A to Z Challenge: Job Hunting Mantras
Apr. 11th, 2015 11:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
livingdebRobin's job hunt has gotten me thinking about job hunting mantras. Here are some of mine.
Don't Stop to Admire Your Work
I first learned this one playing ultimate frisbee. After making a pass, you want to see how far it goes and if the disc gets caught (by the person you were aiming for), but it's not good just standing there admiring your work. You should continue running toward the action.
Then I found this also applies to ballroom dancing. When the leader raises his arm to lead the turn, he can't just stand there watching his partner make the turn--he needs to keep dancing on the beat, perhaps adjusting his position, and definitely also figuring out what to do next.
And in job hunting, it's very tempting to wait around to hear back when you apply for a really good job. But it's best to take a few notes in case they call you back, and then move on looking for and applying for new jobs.
Some people say that even when you have a job, you should continue keeping your resume polished, your LinkedIn profile updated, and your contacts fresh because you never know what's going to happen.
Don't Judge the Job Based on HR
I first learned this about advertizing. It's pretty easy to realize that ads have very little to do with whatever they're advertizing. Sometimes they even claim that a product's worse feature is it's best feature. (Example: "Ryder. We're there when you need us." Unless someone making a long-distance move wants the truck you've reserved for a short-distance move.) Generally the advertisers are from some other company that knows very little about the reality of the company they're working with and cares even less. It's not a good idea to judge a whole company by their commercials.
Similarly, it's easy to get frustrated or annoyed with HR, but it's generally not a good idea to judge a whole company, let alone the specific atmosphere in the area where you're applying for a job, by what HR is like. I find there's basically no correlation (except in tiny companies where, for example, HR is perhaps just one of your future boss's many job duties).
They Might Not Know What They Want
I used to apply for jobs only when I had the requested qualifications; certainly the required qualifications.
Wrong answer.
I saw someone get hired at my last employer who did not have one of the required qualifications (at least a Master's degree), even though I know that the application process there required signing a statement that you meet all the required qualifications. I'm pretty sure they weren't looking for a liar, but based on the applications they received, he looked the best anyway.
Therefore, if you want the job and think you could be good at it, apply for it. Similarly, if you can't tell whether you'd like it, apply for it to find out more. Applying is not accepting.
Better Odds than Playing the Lottery
The odds seem pretty horrible when you're job hunting. Certainly when I'm job hunting. But the odds are still better than playing the lottery. Okay, that's not reassuring at all, but it's something I couldn't help thinking recently.
Don't Stop to Admire Your Work
I first learned this one playing ultimate frisbee. After making a pass, you want to see how far it goes and if the disc gets caught (by the person you were aiming for), but it's not good just standing there admiring your work. You should continue running toward the action.
Then I found this also applies to ballroom dancing. When the leader raises his arm to lead the turn, he can't just stand there watching his partner make the turn--he needs to keep dancing on the beat, perhaps adjusting his position, and definitely also figuring out what to do next.
And in job hunting, it's very tempting to wait around to hear back when you apply for a really good job. But it's best to take a few notes in case they call you back, and then move on looking for and applying for new jobs.
Some people say that even when you have a job, you should continue keeping your resume polished, your LinkedIn profile updated, and your contacts fresh because you never know what's going to happen.
Don't Judge the Job Based on HR
I first learned this about advertizing. It's pretty easy to realize that ads have very little to do with whatever they're advertizing. Sometimes they even claim that a product's worse feature is it's best feature. (Example: "Ryder. We're there when you need us." Unless someone making a long-distance move wants the truck you've reserved for a short-distance move.) Generally the advertisers are from some other company that knows very little about the reality of the company they're working with and cares even less. It's not a good idea to judge a whole company by their commercials.
Similarly, it's easy to get frustrated or annoyed with HR, but it's generally not a good idea to judge a whole company, let alone the specific atmosphere in the area where you're applying for a job, by what HR is like. I find there's basically no correlation (except in tiny companies where, for example, HR is perhaps just one of your future boss's many job duties).
They Might Not Know What They Want
I used to apply for jobs only when I had the requested qualifications; certainly the required qualifications.
Wrong answer.
I saw someone get hired at my last employer who did not have one of the required qualifications (at least a Master's degree), even though I know that the application process there required signing a statement that you meet all the required qualifications. I'm pretty sure they weren't looking for a liar, but based on the applications they received, he looked the best anyway.
Therefore, if you want the job and think you could be good at it, apply for it. Similarly, if you can't tell whether you'd like it, apply for it to find out more. Applying is not accepting.
Better Odds than Playing the Lottery
The odds seem pretty horrible when you're job hunting. Certainly when I'm job hunting. But the odds are still better than playing the lottery. Okay, that's not reassuring at all, but it's something I couldn't help thinking recently.
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no subject
on 2015-04-12 04:38 am (UTC)A possibly strange mental trick I like to use when interviewing (even phone interviews) is to pretend to myself than I am meeting with/talking to a person(s) I already know and like and who already likes me (in a professional setting). I find that it's easier to for me to turn up the warmth and approachability and dial down the nerves when I play that little game with myself. (I am not at any great risk of seeming too friendly and personable when I play this game, heh.)
Sally
no subject
on 2015-04-12 07:09 pm (UTC)Nice trick. And it's great to know which direction you're likely to err in!
Over the years I've learned that most interviewers dislike and are terrible at interviewing and that they really are scared also (of getting someone horrible). I don't really get nerves anymore.
What I get is the problem of how to answer stupid questions without rolling my eyes or being too much of a smart-ass. Describe myself in one word? Multi-dimensional. What is my worst flaw? Argh. I did like the advice I read somewhere to do sort of what politicians do. Figure out ahead of time what they really need to know about you, and for each question, figure out which of those things to tell them.
I also had a plan for the illegal questions, though I never got one. I would have said, "I don't think you're allowed to ask that, but I don't think that's your real question. If your worried about [related legitimate worry], then I can assure you that [whatever I can assure them of].
My main trick was try to figure out a way to make the interview not be a complete waste of time. For example, if the interviewee is doing things on the computer, I like to point out any keyboard shortcut I know about for something the person is doing.
no subject
on 2015-04-14 05:12 am (UTC)no subject
on 2015-04-16 02:23 am (UTC)