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Will they call back?
Published on March 9, 2006 By Jythier In Business
So, during Finals week, also the week that JoeUser shut down due to the GalCivII launch, I completed my degree. But, between finals, all I did was interview! I had two interviews with search agencies, and two with actual companies. The actual companies were Stanley Bostitch and Putnam Investments.

The Stanley Bostitch interview was basically a run down of what the job would be, and then questions about how my experience would apply to it. Since I have no experience, it did not take long. Basically I'm telling people that I can be very easily trained, and am using my GPA to back that up, and I'm using my tutoring to show that I can train new employees once I've learned something. Hopefully that trait is desirable.

The position was basically an Accounts Payable position that had more to do with bookkeeping than accounting. The hours are right, though, and that's hard to find. But, that was two weeks ago and they still haven't called me back. I called them, and they said callbacks should happen this week or early next week. It feels like they're just putting me off. They originally said callbacks would happen the next week! I was on vacation that week though. No message on my machine...

The position at Putnam was a lot better, but the hours would conflict with softball, which is more important. So I won't be taking that job, unless it's all I have left. Anyway, it's a mutual fund accounting position, which I haven't even had a course in. I couldn't even say I knew what a mutual fund was, even though I had a general idea of it. Once they started telling me I said "Yeah, that's what I thought" but anyone can say that. I think I missed big time. Anyway, they are not going to call me back for a bit now because they are re-evaluating whether or not to hire anyone. I wonder if that's just a brush-off comment?

Tuesday of this week, one of the search firms set me up for an interview. Again, the hours would conflict with softball, so it's good that I didn't get the job. But I nailed the interview. It was a list of questions about stuff I had done. "Show an example of a time you..." questions. I hate them! But I came up with good examples most of the time. They said I had done a good job with the interview, but they were afraid that I would quit and go somewhere with benefits. I should've kept my mouth shut about benefits, because it was only a temporary position, and of COURSE there wouldn't be any... but, hey, what can one do? I just spaced the fact that I wouldn't be working there forever because I WANTED to work there. I wouldn't have left once I was hired, though, until the end of the assignment. I finish what I start.

So, perhaps the next interview will do better, or S-B will call me back. I don't know. I need a job to support my wife and baby. Maybe I'll get another job at a gas station until I can get a real career going.

Comments
on Mar 09, 2006
I am President over two companies; the one I actually work in is a multi-branch Human Resources Corporation that specializes in HR consulting issues, management development and psychological assessment testing and executive search. One of my functions aside from leadership and testing assessment is guiding technology executive search teams, which I have thirty four years of experience.

You mention soft ball more then once, and your choosing jobs based on which doesn't get in the way of soft ball, yet you say
I need a job to support my wife and baby.... and use real career going


From what you wrote, you wouldn't be a good trainee hire. Any company that's willing to hire you but, more importantly spend money to "train" you since you have no experience, is going to look hard at the image you present, your work ethic, maybe character and put heavy emphasis on your availability to work with how the position evolves.

Based on what you’ve said, it appears finding a position with real career growth isn't important, which leads me to believe you won't work hard because of your sports calendar is far more important...

on Mar 09, 2006
Yeah, but it's a predictable sports calendar. Same day every week, one day a week. If I wasn't going to play softball, I would be moving to Georgia right now. I also haven't turned down any jobs yet based on anything. It's a church softball league and it's very important for me to have that additional fellowship during the week. I think if I had gotten that job I would've taken it even though it would have conflicted. But that is just speculation.
on Mar 13, 2006
Re: The personal example/anecdote questions.

It's a good idea to plan those out ahead of time. Before you interview, read up on the company and get to know what they're about and what they value. Memorize some things about the company that you can mention in the flow of the interview to demonstrate your interest in the company.

Brain storm the different possible questions they may ask you (the net has some websites with good starting points for that) and write down the answers. Go over them again and again. Even if they ask you questions you didn't practice, you'll still be better able to answer because all those anecdotes and selling point qualities of yours will be fresh on your mind.

Also, prepare a list of questions about the position you're applying for as well as the company. Write those down and memorize them as well.

All these things let your potential employer know that you are sincerely interested in the position they are offering (not just buzzing from interview to interview and hoping for the best), and that you are sincerely interested in the company itself and your place within it. Being highly prepared and confident also make a difference in how you come off.

If you can, have your spouse or a friend do "mock interviews" for you so you can practice answering the questions and projecting the appropriate image.

Good luck!