How to get a job (or not)

[GenMarshall]

I'm at the end of my wit here since I've not gotten any progress on gaining any meaningful employment to make a living off of. I was let go from one job for "not being the right fit" and I'm starting to get a strong push to move out of state for better job opportunities (even going as far as enlisting into the armed forces). There's pretty much nothing for me in the State I live in and each passing month, the urge to look outside the boundaries of my county has grown stronger.

How do I go about getting a job that's outside the state I live in (minus the whole speal of "send application/resume")?

Also before anyone asks, yes I am still employed but in a retail setting in a big box store.

 

[Synobun]

I'm at the end of my wit here since I've not gotten any progress on gaining any meaningful employment to make a living off of. I was let go from one job for "not being the right fit" and I'm starting to get a strong push to move out of state for better job opportunities (even going as far as enlisting into the armed forces). There's pretty much nothing for me in the State I live in and each passing month, the urge to look outside the boundaries of my county has grown stronger.

How do I go about getting a job that's outside the state I live in (minus the whole speal of "send application/resume")?

Also before anyone asks, yes I am still employed but in a retail setting in a big box store.

Highly dependent on the industry. What sort of job are you looking to get out-of-state?

 

[Birdjaguar]

I'm at the end of my wit here since I've not gotten any progress on gaining any meaningful employment to make a living off of. I was let go from one job for "not being the right fit" and I'm starting to get a strong push to move out of state for better job opportunities (even going as far as enlisting into the armed forces). There's pretty much nothing for me in the State I live in and each passing month, the urge to look outside the boundaries of my county has grown stronger.

How do I go about getting a job that's outside the state I live in (minus the whole speal of "send application/resume")?

Also before anyone asks, yes I am still employed but in a retail setting in a big box store.

What state are you in. IIRC it is Nevada, right? Or maybe not.

 

[FredLC]

Found this thread rather interesting.

I never had any experience with the issues here, because I got my job through in a public bank that hold open trials, and the judgement is strictly technical - right answers to legal questions. And it is the only job I ever really had, not long after my graduation (save a temporary one as a student and a few months on a the legal firm of a friend of my mother's while I was studing for public trials).

But it was interesting to read on the experiences here. Who knows; maybe one day I'll be in the position to need an interview? Also I normally replace my immediate boss when on vacation, and I know he is a strong candidate to get a promotion soon. So I might make a move to his position, and this functions more in the lines of a commom job interview.

Though, ironically, this is an instance in which doing good work might actually hinder my chances. I am responsible for the special interest cases of my firm in the state (thouse of exceptionally large monetary risk or with risk for institutional image), and I have no obvious replacement in the office, particularly because I work both labor and civil cases - to my knowledge, I'm the only company lawyer in the coutry that works in both these areas in special interest cases.

It's not the manager's profile to hold on opportunities to his immediate subordinates so he can get outside people. Quite the contrary. But in my particular case, I can totally see him feeling that right now he cannot afford to change my alloted tasks. Which would suck; I live in a small state and the office has only 16 lawyers. This will be the first managerial opening in the last 12 years.

Oh, and CivGeneral, I wish you luck. My wife went through a long dry spell as well, though her situation was not as critical as I was employed all the time. But I know it sucked for her, I can only imagine how much it sucks for you. Hope you get a job soon.

 

[Birdjaguar]

Found this thread rather interesting.

I never had any experience with the issues here, because I got my job through in a public bank that hold open trials, and the judgement is strictly technical - right answers to legal questions. And it is the only job I ever really had, not long after my graduation (save a temporary one as a student and a few months on a the legal firm of a friend of my mother's while I was studing for public trials).

But it was interesting to read on the experiences here. Who knows; maybe one day I'll be in the position to need an interview? Also I normally replace my immediate boss when on vacation, and I know he is a strong candidate to get a promotion soon. So I might make a move to his position, and this functions more in the lines of a commom job interview.

Though, ironically, this is an instance in which doing good work might actually hinder my chances. I am responsible for the special interest cases of my firm in the state (thouse of exceptionally large monetary risk or with risk for institutional image), and I have no obvious replacement in the office, particularly because I work both labor and civil cases - to my knowledge, I'm the only company lawyer in the coutry that works in both these areas in special interest cases.

It's not the manager's profile to hold on opportunities to his immediate subordinates so he can get outside people. Quite the contrary. But in my particular case, I can totally see him feeling that right now he cannot afford to change my alloted tasks. Which would suck; I live in a small state and the office has only 16 lawyers. This will be the first managerial opening in the last 12 years.

Oh, and CivGeneral, I wish you luck. My wife went through a long dry spell as well, though her situation was not as critical as I was employed all the time. But I know it sucked for her, I can only imagine how much it sucks for you. Hope you get a job soon.

Will all the turmoil in Brazil have any effect on you?

 

[FredLC]

Well, there are talks of privatizing the bank I work for.

Personally, I think it will not happen... but if it does, future is uncertain.

As of my writing this, I am adequately secure.

 

[Birdjaguar]

That is good to know.

 

[GenMarshall]

Highly dependent on the industry. What sort of job are you looking to get out-of-state?

Any job that would pay US$20/hr (Or at least live comfortably without having to worrying on living paycheck to paycheck). I'm not picky about what sort of job so long as it's full time with benefits and pays a decent wage that would cover paying off student loans for a worthless degree and cost of living.

What state are you in. IIRC it is Nevada, right? Or maybe not.

I call it East Bumblefudge...

 

[Synobun]

Any job that would pay US$20/hr (Or at least live comfortably without having to worrying on living paycheck to paycheck). I'm not picky about what sort of job so long as it's full time with benefits and pays a decent wage that would cover paying off student loans for a worthless degree and cost of living.

It's tough to approach employment from a non-specialized perspective while expecting a $20/hr wage. There are probably some oil fields in North Dakota or Texas that pay that much or more and would be willing to train you for the work.

 

[luiz]

Random clothing tips for investment banking or management consulting job interviews I learned during my MBA (engineers like me are by nature terrible at dressing for these types of jobs)

-Suits can only be dark navy blue or dark grey (and needless to say don't get them too big nor too small, if you can afford get a tailor-made one)
-Shirts should have no pocket, and can only be white or light blue (same as above regarding size)
-On a white shirt you can use blue or bordeaux ties. On a light blue one go for bordeaux. Ties should end at the beginning of your belt.
-Shoes and belts should always be black.

After you get the job there's more flexibility on how you dress, and as you move up the ladder you can pretty much do whatever you want. But you will seriously fail at an investment banking interview in London for wearing a brown shoe. You've been warned!

 

[Birdjaguar]

Random clothing tips for investment banking or management consulting job interviews I learned during my MBA (engineers like me are by nature terrible at dressing for these types of jobs)

-Suits can only be dark navy blue or dark grey (and needless to say don't get them too big nor too small, if you can afford get a tailor-made one)
-Shirts should have no pocket, and can only be white or light blue (same as above regarding size)
-On a white shirt you can use blue or bordeaux ties. On a light blue one go for bordeaux. Ties should end at the beginning of your belt.
-Shoes and belts should always be black.

After you get the job there's more flexibility on how you dress, and as you move up the ladder you can pretty much do whatever you want. But you will seriously fail at an investment banking interview in London for wearing a brown shoe. You've been warned!

Well wearing one brown shoe would be pretty strange. How about 2?

I'd fail on all but the first. I don't even own any black shoes or belts. Nor do I own any solid color ties. They probably wouldn't like my choice of socks either.

 

[FredLC]

Terrible dresser here. I'm a casual type and frequently goes to work in jeans and short sleeves, and unshaven, despite my job; I usually only dress up for forum work, and these I do about once a month on average.

I kinda feel people underestimate what I can do if I dont appear a killer shark all the time, and this helps get in a surprise shot or two. Also I'm lazy, but I lie that the first reason is the most important.

I know this thread is about interviews, not how you dress up day-to-day, but I'd have to really pay attention in interviews, because it goes truly counter to my style.

 

[GenMarshall]

It's tough to approach employment from a non-specialized perspective while expecting a $20/hr wage.

Well what can I expect if I want a salary that's enough for me to move out of my parent's basement and into my own place?! The clock has been ticking for me for nearly a decade now.

 

[Hygro]

You have to give more of yourself than you get paid.

 

[Synobun]

Well what can I expect if I want a salary that's enough for me to move out of my parent's basement and into my own place?! The clock has been ticking for me for nearly a decade now.

Specialization in a career path that interests you or is at least something you are proficient in. Doing this through school is an obvious choice, but you can also get entry level jobs and work towards more skilled internships, transferring up in a company ladder, and volunteering in related areas.

If you're able-bodied, it is likely that the government in your area has retraining programs available for certain trades that are in demand and you don't pay for them. A trade is a good way to be well-paid while you figure something else out.

 

[sophie]

"I will take/do anything" is not a particularly good starting point. It says to the company that the job and the place are not particularly important. That the job could be replaced with literally any comparably salaried position and it would make no difference to you. Who would want to hire somebody like that?

 

[Birdjaguar]

It takes about 10,000 hours of work to become an expert at something. Experts get the top dollars. CG, you have to get on a path that leads to some kind of expertise. to get on a path you have to have a specific interest. You need to begin with what interests you (besides money). If you cannot decide what interests you, you will not make any progress.
How do you want to be spending your time?
What kinds of activities do you enjoy doing?
Are you hands on or a thinker?
Are you a planner?
Are you arts and humanities or sciences?
Do you work best alone, as part of a team, or with customers?

 

[luiz]

Well wearing one brown shoe would be pretty strange. How about 2?

I'd fail on all but the first. I don't even own any black shoes or belts. Nor do I own any solid color ties. They probably wouldn't like my choice of socks either.

Two brown shoes would also be an automatic failure!

Ties with patterns are fine, even preferred, as long as we're talking of sober patterns.

And speaking of ties, all traditional knots are OK, but the four in hand is the least preferred.

 

[GenMarshall]

Screw this, I'm better off sucking off the Government's bank. Declare disability if I have to.

I just want to make a decent salary that's sustainable to live off of and not worry about having to live paycheck to paycheck.

...work towards more skilled internships... ...and volunteering in related areas...

I cannot take internships/volunteer positions given the fact that they don't pay anything. I need something that would pay money. Again, the clock is ticking for me and I cannot afford to waste time with internships/volunteering at my age. If I were a teenager or in my 20s and still in college, I'd consider it.

 

[Lexicus]

"I will take/do anything" is not a particularly good starting point. It says to the company that the job and the place are not particularly important. That the job could be replaced with literally any comparably salaried position and it would make no difference to you. Who would want to hire somebody like that?

Conversely, who would want to work somewhere where the explicit principle is "do all the crap we ask you to do because someone else can do your job just as well as you can"?

It's interesting, how the same attitude can be taken by employees and employers, in the employer it's seen as desirable or at worst "just business" while the worker is frowned upon as lazy, insufficiently "passionate", or what have you.