How to get a job (or not)

[GenMarshall]

On the part where they ask you if you have any questions in an interview, is it alright to ask them if there is anything that would make them feel hesitant on hireing me or is that just shooting myself in the foot.

Also, one of my earlier question has gone unanswered:

I've been having no luck at trying to land a better job. I'm starting on debating on going into a temp agency like ManPower. Is it possible for someone who already has a full time job switch to a temp agency? Even if it's a way to change careers?

 

[Mise]

The HR paradigm is "cover management's butt from liability." Not "foster a healthy productive workplace." It's infected the industry at a deep foundational level. Few HR consultants have the courage to train rank and file that fostering happy healthy workers is actually the safest protection from lawsuits. Also HR consumers (employers) actively seek out the guys who offer the so called tips and tricks to avoid lawsuits because they think that is what they need.

Not saying I disagree necessarily, but as a lawyer, you might only be seeing HR departments in which this is true. There could be thousands of HR departments that really don't care about reducing liability, and really do care about fostering a healthy productive workplace, but you'd never see those because those companies wouldn't need protection from lawsuits.

Of course I'm making a lot of assumptions about your particular line of work, which may be totally off the mark.

 

[galdre]

On the part where they ask you if you have any questions in an interview, is it alright to ask them if there is anything that would make them feel hesitant on hireing me or is that just shooting myself in the foot.

Also, one of my earlier question has gone unanswered:

I would not ask it that way. Best thing to do is ask for feedback after the interview process if you do not get the job. They likely will not answer, however, and if they do they likely won't have anything negative to say. Often interviewers are selecting from a group of good candidates, any one of whom could do the job.

If you can find someone who works in HR or who is a hiring manager to sit down informally to talk with you and give you some honest feedback, that could be helpful.

Having spent quite a length of time unemployed (after working without a gap for nearly 25 years!), I started looking into why I suddenly was having such a hard time finding work. Part of it was that I was "over qualified", but part of it was that there is a growing trend for companies to hire either from within or referred candidates only, which makes it very difficult for someone like me who has never been comfortable with "networking".

As for your other question, switching to being a temp is very risky. I've gotten some good jobs starting out as a temp, but I'd never give up a stable job to be a temp unless I really hated my current job. Temps are just that: temp. A lot of companies will not keep a temp beyond a certain time, so all you are really guaranteeing is that you no longer have a set job.

 

[hobbsyoyo]

I've been having no luck at trying to land a better job. I'm starting on debating on going into a temp agency like ManPower. Is it possible for someone who already has a full time job switch to a temp agency? Even if it's a way to change careers?

This is purely anecdotal so take it with a grain of salt -

My current employer uses a ton of temp workers because they don't want to 'staff up' or whatever. However, they get to a point where they can't avoid hiring full-timers and often the first people who get hired are people from the temp agencies we use (if other current employees don't take the job first as internal people get priority).

So it may not be a bad idea but think long and hard on it. If you are in the industry you want to be in, then I probably wouldn't go to temp agency because you could wind up anywhere unless you find a temp agency that specializes in your industry.

The HR paradigm is "cover management's butt from liability." Not "foster a healthy productive workplace." It's infected the industry at a deep foundational level. Few HR consultants have the courage to train rank and file that fostering happy healthy workers is actually the safest protection from lawsuits. Also HR consumers (employers) actively seek out the guys who offer the so called tips and tricks to avoid lawsuits because they think that is what they need.

But does that attitude bleed over into hiring practices? If so, how and why?

 

[Leonel]

I interviewed for another position, this time in Portland, OR. I really felt good about this one and unlike the last time I interviewed in downtown Seattle, I didn't immediately think "Oh crap I could have answered that question better!" at the end. The interview went on for an hour and the interviewer specifically mentioned I was the first person to come to them with demonstrable experience in the engineering industry, which only means I beat out the first two people that came that morning with 5 others (I assume there was 7 others from the 8 time slots they offered me). I also asked what the next step of the process was and she gave me a pretty specific plan, like we'll contact you by the end of the week or at the latest early next Monday and we'll have to figure out when to bring you in next.

Of course it's not all set in stone but I like my odds for at least a final interview.

 

[illram]

But does that attitude bleed over into hiring practices? If so, how and why?

Depends how heavily involved HR is in hiring. Ideally, little to none.

@Mise: you are probably right, my insight is mostly gained from coming in after they have screwed up or from being a spy at their conferences, which are fascinating.

 

[ParkCungHee]

On the part where they ask you if you have any questions in an interview, is it alright to ask them if there is anything that would make them feel hesitant on hireing me or is that just shooting myself in the foot.

I find, asked confidently, it's one of the questions employers love to hear. You might want to phrase this as a positive though.

"Is there anything that might make you feel more confident hiring me?"

If there's a problem, they'll still be inclined to address it, but it emphasizes the fact that you're looking to improve.

 

[really]

Well after ten years in the same company I finished on Tuesday so I am looking for work.

Thankfully I have a strong network and skills that are somewhat in demand so I am already talking to a company about a maternity cover contract.

I have a second interview this afternoon and am a bit nervous as it is a long time since I have been interviewed by a stranger. I will let you know how it goes.

Other than that I am happy to have finished - the uncertainty of my last job was draining. I am looking forward to having some time off for projects.

 

[Zelig]

I don't like maternity cover contracts, companies always want to hire as regular FTE except only for the length of the maternity cover.

Now I insist on my regular short-term contractor rates.

 

[really]

I've been offered the job - it has a strong chance of being made permanent so I am very happy to get it.

I'll only have a few weeks off though before I have to start back to work.

 

[GenMarshall]

I just had a phone interview. Is it normal for the interviewer asking why, based on my education, I applied for this specific job instead of the one based on my background? It felt a bit jarring and a bit insulted that they'd ask that question.

 

[really]

It's normal - I was asked something similar in a first and second interview, why I wanted x role as my experience over the past few years was in y.

The interviewer wants to know what your motivation is, make sure you are not just applying as its a job, make sure you won't jump ship when a more suitable job comes up...you need to have a short line ready for this.

 

[Old Hippy]

I just had a phone interview. Is it normal for the interviewer asking why, based on my education, I applied for this specific job instead of the one based on my background? It felt a bit jarring and a bit insulted that they'd ask that question.

chalk it up to experience but you should have ready answers to some questions, one being "why do you want this job"

I recently applied for a job and got thrown by " would you be happy working for a lower rate of pay"

well yes, I did read the job description, but I did not have a ready answer to it...
I should have

 

[Flying Pig]

They want to check that you didn't just apply for the first job you saw - if you're genuinely interested in the work you'll be more likely to stay on and be happier and more productive around the office. Also, if you're seemingly overqualified, they might be worried that you're only looking for something temporary and will jump ship at the first chance.

 

[GenMarshall]

This suddenly cropped up to mind. Is there a possibility that someone could be too old for an apprenticeship? I'm asking since I'm thinking of a career change since my pathway hasn't been so fruitful.

 

[Kennigit]

Maybe in the 40s, but i see even 28-35 year olds graduating with a bachelors or associates for the first time and competing for "entry" level slots all the time. So you got a leg up on them.

Now I dont want to be rude to anyone, but have you ever considered teaching Civg? It can be a thankless job for sure, and I know you have a strong education yourself and may not have thought of it, but that can be an asset (education background) rather than the weird HR world that might randomly dub you as under or over qualified due to trying to pin your years of experience/age to education level. Of course, I have 0 familiarity with teaching as a profession, but it seems white collar educated people could break into it without as many of the struggles. Certainly better than night shifts you had going iirc

 

[GenMarshall]

Maybe in the 40s, but i see even 28-35 year olds graduating with a bachelors or associates for the first time and competing for "entry" level slots all the time. So you got a leg up on them.

Apprenticeships are a different ballgame than getting a college degree. I'm not seeking out another degree just for the sakes of getting another useless degree that won't help me break into entry-level office work (If they exist).

but have you ever considered teaching Civg?

I found that education is not for me. Plus in the state that I live in, one must obtain a master's degree within a certain time frame or you'll lose tenure.

 

[Kennigit]

i just meant some people start way later at "the game" than you have (i.e. also suffer from unemployment, chronic underemployment, or just working a part time jobs at best voluntaries, but less experience than you do), so don't be too discouraged

 

[Whomp]

CivG--what will this do for you? What kind of office work are you looking to do?

 

[GenMarshall]

CivG--what will this do for you?

Get me out of being perpetually underemployed and underpayed and enter into the American Middle Class standard.