How to get a job (or not)

[BvBPL]

You should take the job that works best for you.

However the better way to handle it would have been to reach out to your internship once you had an offer from the other employer but before accepting it. Tell them That you have an offer and they need to give some indication as to whether or not they may have a job for you.

Standards of behavior may well be lax in the tech field but the misbehavior of others does not excuse your own.

 

[Birdjaguar]

Listen to BvBPL.

I would take the offer you have and let the intern company know they can approach you in a year. You'll be even better qualified then. Be patient. Accept your good fortune in having a suitable offer. take advantage of it and build your skill set.

 

[Zelig]

Always look out for number one.

After oil tanked, there were O&G firms here that retracted their offers for their entire engineering internship programs.

 

[whyidie]

Will it be a problem if I get a considerably better offer from them and accept it even though I'd be stiffing the people who I've already accepted an offer from?

Always look out for number one.

After oil tanked, there were O&G firms here that retracted their offers for their entire engineering internship programs.

I have no hard feelings if someone gets a better offer and leaves. Its all about how you leave. If you left without ample notice and the reasons were vague/suspect (better fit, work life balance) that wouldn't get too great.

However, if you gave ample notice had relatable reasons (lots of money, closer to home, better schedule, lots of money) then the ball is in their court. They can try to convince you by addressing your needs or they can wish you luck.

If your reasons are sound and they don't try to accommodate you they have no right to be upset.

 

[Zelig]

Not sure why work life balance would be a suspect reason when lots of money isn't.

I'd give notice at my job tomorrow if someone offered me double the vacation time and a 10% paycut for equivalent work.

 

[GenMarshall]

I've been looking at my wardrobe and I have a hunch that even my good clothes aren't helping in my interviews. What sort of clothes do I need for an interview? Dress pants and a dress shirt with a tie? I'm kind of clueless on what to get for an interview outfit that would give me more of a chance for a job offer. Of course, within reason pricewise since it's only going to be used for interviews.

Also, do interviewes care if I use a clip-on tie or do I have to use a traditional tie. If I have to wear a traditional tie, how do I tie one?

 

[BvBPL]

Wear a suit if you can. If you can't afford one you can wear dress slacks and a sport coat. Wear a tie, a real one. Ppl can spot a clip on. You don't need to fe a fashion plate, but putting the effort in to dress well for an interview suggests you will put in the effort for the job itself. Always dress better than you need to, it makes it appear that you have so e place better to go afterwards.

 

[Birdjaguar]

^^^ what he said. At a minimum match your attire to the expected dress code for the position you aspire to. One step up is better.

If you are interviewing for a customer service position without face-to-face contact, nice slacks, dress shirt and real tie. Make sure your shoes are not raggedy.

Office job: dress slacks, dress shirt, tie, blue blazer or sport jacket, nice shoes.

Higher profile business or sales position: suit, dress shirt, tie nice shoes. If you don't have a nice, well-fitting suit, in most situations dressy grey slacks, blue blazer, nice dress shirt and dress shoes will get you by. Add a tie for better positions.

Always bring at least one copy of your resume with you and a pad to take notes. The pad should also have a list of questions you want to ask.

 

[Zelig]

If I'm the interviewer, I don't care what people wear. If I'm the interviewee, I wear a suit, because I don't expect everyone to be as enlightened as me.

 

[Birdjaguar]

If I'm the interviewer, I don't care what people wear. If I'm the interviewee, I wear a suit, because I don't expect everyone to be as enlightened as me.

As an interviewer, I don't care either, until I do and it is obvious that the candidate has made a mistake in their appearance. when they demonstrate bad judgment by under dressing, it will work against them. As a candidate you don't want stupid stuff to distract from the interview and what you bring to the job. Dressing poorly for an interview is like allowing spelling mistakes in your resume. Why take the chance?

 

[whyidie]

Not sure why work life balance would be a suspect reason when lots of money isn't.

I'd give notice at my job tomorrow if someone offered me double the vacation time and a 10% paycut for equivalent work.

Too vague. Whats work life balance mean in this specific case ? Give examples they can work with. The schedule (you don't like nights), no on-call duty, no weekends required. Giving specifics gives them a chance to counter as well as reasons they can probably relate to.

 

[Zelig]

As an interviewer, I don't care either, until I do and it is obvious that the candidate has made a mistake in their appearance. when they demonstrate bad judgment by under dressing, it will work against them. As a candidate you don't want stupid stuff to distract from the interview and what you bring to the job. Dressing poorly for an interview is like allowing spelling mistakes in your resume. Why take the chance?

I think we're in agreement.

Too vague. Whats work life balance mean in this specific case ? Give examples they can work with. The schedule (you don't like nights), no on-call duty, no weekends required. Giving specifics gives them a chance to counter as well as reasons they can probably relate to.

I would never accept a counter-offer to remain with an employer after I'd given notice.

If my former employer wants advice on employee retention, I can provide that for my standard consult rate.

It's a two-way street - I'm prepared to give about as much information if I'm leaving an employer as employers typically give when getting rid of employees.

 

[whyidie]

I think we're in agreement.

I would never accept a counter-offer to remain with an employer after I'd given notice.

Good for you.

If my former employer wants advice on employee retention, I can provide that for my standard consult rate.


It's a two-way street - I'm prepared to give about as much information if I'm leaving an employer as employers typically give when getting rid of employees.

Hooray for you.

I'm addressing the poster who is concerned about leaving on sour terms with his current employer, giving him ideas about how he can leave his current job on positive terms.

 

[ls612]

I'm addressing the poster who is concerned about leaving on sour terms with his current employer, giving him ideas about how he can leave his current job on positive terms.

It isn't even my current employer yet. I'm graduating from college in May.

 

[Atticus]

As an interviewer, I don't care either, until I do and it is obvious that the candidate has made a mistake in their appearance. when they demonstrate bad judgment by under dressing, it will work against them. As a candidate you don't want stupid stuff to distract from the interview and what you bring to the job. Dressing poorly for an interview is like allowing spelling mistakes in your resume. Why take the chance?

I'd find it misleading to put on fancy clothes when I have no intention of using them in the work.

It also feels like an insult to the interviewer's intelligence, something like "I'm going to fool you with a tie while I'm not qualified for the job".

By dressing up like normally (a little less hobo like though), I'm giving the message that I'm here for the real business, not for posing.

It may be a job related thing though, if I was applying as an economist to a bank or something else where the posing is part of the job, it would maybe be a different thing.

 

[Zelig]

Is it misleading to wear a different beard/haircut to interviews when you have no intention of using them in the work?

 

[Samez]

If you work as model probably yes
IMHO it matters how much contact you have to the outside/customers during your work and how much different the style is- in most cases it probably does not matter.

 

[Flying Pig]

I'd find it misleading to put on fancy clothes when I have no intention of using them in the work.

It also feels like an insult to the interviewer's intelligence, something like "I'm going to fool you with a tie while I'm not qualified for the job".

By dressing up like normally (a little less hobo like though), I'm giving the message that I'm here for the real business, not for posing.

It may be a job related thing though, if I was applying as an economist to a bank or something else where the posing is part of the job, it would maybe be a different thing.

It's not quite like that: at least in part, wearing a suit to an interview and generally doing all of the other, slightly over-formal things expected of you communicates that you're willing to 'play the game': by contrast, turning up dressed casually, slouching in your chair and so on might give the impression that you don't have much regard for fitting in with expectations placed upon you by others. That might give somebody pause for thought, or it might work in your favour, depending on the sort of job you're going for. When you turn up for selection or interview as a potential soldier or officer, you do so in a suit, even though you'll never wear one of those at work: the point isn't to see what you look like in a tie, but to see how willing you are to smarten yourself up, how much attention you pay to things like having your hair neat, your tie done up properly, your top button fastened, and so on. Conversely, I suspect an internet startup or another modern, low-hierarchy business would be quite turned off by a candidate appearing in beautifully ironed formal dress and polished shoes, because they're looking for exactly the opposite state of mind.

 

[rah]

You can do it, but it's bad form. Once probably won't kill your reputation but it can affect it. I personally wouldn't do it. But that doesn't mean you can't work there for a year and then move.

And CIV General, don't give up hope. One of the guys I played civ IV MP worked in retail. I knew he was a programmer so I hired him even though he had no experience in the language I needed him to use. One of the best hires I ever made. After 5 years he moved on to another company for really big bucks.

Yeah, and wear a suit unless SPECIFICALLY told before hand that it's not necessary.

 

[Atticus]

Is it misleading to wear a different beard/haircut to interviews when you have no intention of using them in the work?

It can be. Some places may require that you have a certain kind of look.

Moreover, I want the interviewer to think that I'm honest. By wearing a suit and tie I'm already sending a message that I'm not.

When you turn up for selection or interview as a potential soldier or officer, you do so in a suit, even though you'll never wear one of those at work: the point isn't to see what you look like in a tie, but to see how willing you are to smarten yourself up, how much attention you pay to things like having your hair neat, your tie done up properly, your top button fastened, and so on. Conversely, I suspect an internet startup or another modern, low-hierarchy business would be quite turned off by a candidate appearing in beautifully ironed formal dress and polished shoes, because they're looking for exactly the opposite state of mind.

Military, government, business and such of course do require that you're able to wear a suit and/or to conform. In some other jobs it may be overdressing. It can be also a good way to pick your employer. I wouldn't want to work in a place where people put emphasis on such things. Is there a better way to avoid that than to look like you normally do in the interview?