How'd you get your job?

[catnapper]

This job hunting thing is driving me NUTS. I keep getting interviews, even making it to the second or third interview, and eventually told that they "went with a more qualified candidate". Am I just not reaching the right employer?

So I got to wondering, just how do most people get their jobs? Networking? Word of mouth? The newspaper? Internet? Luck? Were you simply at the right place at the right time? Did you fall into it without looking? Is it something you always did, were you trained, or is it something completely out of your comfort zone?

Oooo.... lots of questions, didn't know you were gonna get quizzed, did ya?! :D :p

[Flatcoatluver]

I work at a dog kennel. I have trained (she is a dog trainer) with the owner for 3 years before I started working there. One day I went in their and asked if she wouldn't mind if I put her on my resume'. She said the she was hireing, and the rest is history and it's been 1 year.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

I know how frustrating looking for a job is! Until recently, I was without a job I could really even stand...but luckily I have jobs I like now.

My piano teaching job was sheer luck- and years of piano lessons. But, there are plenty of people who are just as good as I am, but I happened to respond to my bosses ad first, and she liked me. I'm very happy with it- I make a good wage, and it's fun.

I got my teaching assistant job by being very over-qualified. I already have my degree and I'm getting a master's in education. But I work at a private school and everyone there is over-qualified. I guess I'm just willing to work there for experience more than pay. But the teacher I work with is wonderful, and I'm learning quite a lot from her.

[cali]

my best friends mom is a pharmacy manager, she was loosing an employee and needed someone to start right away, I only had one more month to find a job, she knew that so she phoned me, told me to bring my resume and come inanytime the next day, so the next day I came in, she is practicly my second mother so she gave my resume an obligitory looksie and told me I started the next day lol been there over a year now :)

[Vela]

I started out doing medical transcription for my mom, as she is a nurse practitioner and needed someone to do her chart. I had no clue what I was getting into but eventually taught myself. She ended up changing jobs and no longer needed any help so I went job hunting. I tried cold calling, going to offices, nobody needed transcription work, they alraedy had someone, so I went online. Got both of my current jobs there. Mine is easy though in the fact that I work from home, so I can apply anywhere in the country for work, and am not limited to my living location, so that does make it a lot easier to get a job.

Good luck, hope you find a job soon.

[Kalei]

I guess I got lucky. I had decided I wanted to go off to an Institute, a Bible School actually. I got there and after 5 days I wanted to come home really bad and just didn't like all the rules there, anyways I got lucky because just at that time my father (an electrical distributor branch manager) needed an extra worker because it was busier than usual this year. so got employeed by my father at the warehouse and ever since I've been there. And I love it cause I also have weekends off and the hours is always 7:30 to 5:00 with an hour lunch break :D

I know how much trying to find a job can drive you nuts, my bestfriend is still searching for a job and it near drived her to crazy, now she has an interview on saturday which she is very happy about. The main thing is to just keep applying over and over again, the more somebody sees your name in there resume the pile, the more they say "Wow this person really wants a job!"

Good luck, I hope you find one soon:)

[Glacier]

So I got to wondering, just how do most people get their jobs? Is it something you always did, were you trained, or is it something completely out of your comfort zone?



When I graduated from university, I discovered that doing what I actually wanted to do wasn't possible without a ton of experience. I wanted to be a geriatric social worker. The easiest job for a bachelor of social work grad with no experience to get is a child protection worker. I'd always sworn that was something I'd never do, but my only other option was to move back in with my parents. That wasn't happening so I took a job as a CP worker and immediately discovered that I loved it and was, frankly, really good at it.

Fast forward almost 8 years and I realized that I was burnt out. The average CP worker lasts 18 months, so I made it longer than most! I was physically ill from the stress, tired of the constant threats to me, my family and my dogs ect. I realized I had to get out when it suddenly hit me one day that I didn't even like the kids anymore. I'd always enjoyed the kids on my caseload, even the hard core street kids.

So I applied for a job at the Worker's Compensation Board. Came in second on the competition as they hired someone who was already in the organization. The HR director mentioned they may have a short term position in a few months. I contacted him every two weeks from then on, just to remind him that I was still out there and still wanted to work for him! One day he called and said they had a rehab. counsellor position open for a six month term. Walking away from the security of a permanent, full time, loaded with benefits job was very difficult, especially since I am the primary breadwinner in my family. The term kept getting extended and three years later, I got a permanent position, doing the same thing.

Most of my jobs have been gov't positions so I'm not sure that private industry does this, but after an interview in gov't you can ask for a "post-board". You meet with the interviewer and they go over what you did well, what you missed, what you should have said differently ect. Very useful for the next interview.

I hope you find something soon.

[chocolatepuppy]

I work in a factory. Been there 14 years. I filled in an application and went back every month to have them update my application that I was still interested. After many months they finally hired me. I guess they figured if I was going to keep stopping in, I might as well work there. :D

[davidpizzica]

I'm a groundskeeper at my local golf course. I started working there as a caddy in 1962. After 9 years of caddying, they were looking for people to work on the grounds. I started groundskeeping in 1971. This is my 45th year at Longue Vue Club and I'm looking forward to retirement in 6 years. Kim, I wish you all of the luck in the world in finding the right job.

[Catty1]

I'd like to say I slept my way to the top, but I'm nowhere near there! :D

I tried everything, and something worked....reading thru the Yellow Pages can give you good ideas, and about things you never thought of. Apply even if they aren't advertising....maybe they are ABOUT to, and you'll save them the time and money!

[lizbud]

I had a degree in Computer programming and took the only job available
where I wanted to work. It was as a computor operator & I was trained on
the job. Finally moved up to Programming after I'd been there awhile. :)

Oh I did get a heads up as to the open job initially by a friend of a friend.

[critter crazy]

Getting my job was easy! They called me!! It was the Army!!:D

[kuhio98]

Back in the early 90's, I had no job and very few computer skills. I volunteered to work free of charge for 1 month with a computer/publishing firm. They taught me so much and hired me once the month was up.

Could you write the firms that recently interviewed you and offer to work free for a month while they assess you? It could turn out that the person they hired, doesn't work out and you're there willing and eager.

And if they don't hire you at the end of the month, ask them what you can improve upon.

[Kfamr]

Told my boss I wanted a job and I started working the next week. Didn't fill out an application until about 2 weeks later.

I do food prep and customer service. So, I suppose it's something I've always done, but I did have to learn their ways.

[buttercup132]

I just handed in my resume so I would say just luck. I guess I had some previous experience when I was little and worked at the (STUPID) pet store. I was actually not going to hand my resume into this place because I thought they would never hire me. Not only did they hire me but they offered to train me for a career.

[Catty1]

Do remember a follow-up call to "confirm they got your resume". I am sure you do. But it's amazing how many people dump off resumes and don't check back.

This'll help you stand out from the mob!

[Cincy'sMom]

My first job out of college I got through a newspaper ad. I got my currently job when some people I at worked with at first job called me to tell me of an opening and encouraged me to send over a resume.

[cmayer31]

When I turned 16 I was told to get a job or I couldn't use my car. I went down to a local store where one of my friends worked and applied for a stock position. The next day I was in there and the store was short handed, the manager asked me if I wanted to work, and I started the same day. I advanced all the way through the store level positions over the course of a few years and then I applied for to an inventory analyst position at the corporate level and got promoted. That's where I am now a total of 8 years later. :)

[caseysmom]

I took an oral and written test and sat on a list for 4 years, its with the state government. I have been there for 22 years now.

[catnapper]

Do remember a follow-up call to "confirm they got your resume". I am sure you do. But it's amazing how many people dump off resumes and don't check back.

This'll help you stand out from the mob!
That not my problem. I typically get a call within hours of sending my resume to set up an appointment to come for an interview. My interview suit has been drycleaned more in the past month than it has the past 8 years (ooooolllld suit but still looks like a million bucks..... good thing I spent serious money on it years ago.)

A few of the jobs I interviewed for were 100% within my range of experience and expertise (which is why I was floored when they told me they found a more qualified candidate) but the others are VERY different from anything I've ever done. Its frustrating. I'm starting to wonder if I smell or something ;)

All the feedback I'm getting back is they love my personality and how at-ease I am during the interview process. They are all impressed with my design ability, my creativity, people skills, and presentation skills. They just simply go with a "more qualified candidate" *Sigh*

Thanks for everyone sharing how they got their jobs. Its fun to read the replies. Looks like a lot of people sort of fell into their jobs.... and looks like everyone who fell into their jobs are happiest too! :)

[Lobodeb]

I found my job on hotjobs.com. They were looking for an admin. assistant with heavy computer skills. At my previous job, I was a desktop publisher so I thought I'd send them my resume. Thirty minutes later, they called me and I've been there almost 6 years now.

[catlover4ever]

This is the honest truth.....I got my job because I followed up after my interview with a hand written thank you note to my boss.

I was the only one out of 20 people who did that.....I was qualified but there were others who had more qualifications than I did, but because I wrote that small note.....that's what got me the job that I have now.

I interviewed twice with the hospital that I work for now. The first time was for a Secretary in Nursing Education, but they needed someone with a little more experience, but the Director in that dept hand delivered my resume and cover letter to another Director.....she turned out to become my boss.

I think a lot of people forget to do these small tokens.....sometimes that counts more than qualifications.

Hang in there Kim.....it's going to come. (((HUGS)))

[ramanth]

For me I feel it was a little bit of networking, luck, and being in the right place at the right time.

I was looking for an internship for a college course when my at the time boyfriend worked for Cooley Law School.

He mentioned me to some faculty that were looking to put a class online. He told them I was earning a graphic degree with some web making skills.

So I interned here at Cooley Law School in late 2000. When I neared graduation in June 2001, the Law Library was looking for their own in house web tech and asked what they could do to get me to stay. I told them I wanted full time with benefits. They said okay and I've been here ever since. :)

[BitsyNaceyDog]

I guess I kind of lucked into my job (well, previous job). I knew where I wanted to work, but I didn't think they'd have a job available. I went in just on the off chance that they did have something available, they didn't. The job I wanted was at the pet boarding facility. The owner kind of new me because my family dog boarded there on occasion. A week of so later I got a call from the owner saying a position for a dog walker opened up if I was interested, I was! In a very short period of time I worked my way up from a dog walker to an assistant manage and then to manager. I absolutely loved that job and worked there for just shy of 6 years.

Justin also kind of lucked into his job. He was taking a class in college and he was talking to the teachers assistant one day before class. Both Justin and the TA were both web developers. The TA looked at some of Justin's work and told him about a job that he thought Justin would like. Justin got the job. That job was a gateway into him working for himself, which he loves.

[wolfsoul]

I was still in highschool and needed more credit to pass grade 12. I decided to get into Work Experience, which would give me credit depending on the amount of hours I worked. I started at Petcetera and enjoyed it, but I wanted to be a dog groomer. So I started at Furry Friends Grooming Parlor, a place I had an interveiw at the summer before and didn't get the position because I was starting school soon and the hours didn't match up right.

Basically in Work Experience most people go to the job for a day, and then go to a dfferent job. But I came back after school most days, during my spares, I skipped school to go there, I got up early on Saturdays and worked there all day. My boss (one of the best friends I'll ever have) told me that if I wanted to be a groomer she would train me. This was over 1 year and a half ago, and I'm now head bather and spend most of my time grooming. Soon I will be grooming full time and working on commisision.

Later my boss said "it's hard not to hire someone when you just can't get rid of them!" ;)

Persistance pays off!

[Logan]

For me, Kim, it has been connections to the right people (maintaining communication with former co-workers) and having a good track record in the business I am in. I have spent almost 11 years in the same field, but with several different employers. I have finally "landed" in the right place, with people I trust and who trust me.

I have been wondering about you, knowing you had such positive experiences with two different prospective employers. I'm sorry that neither of them worked out. :(

I am keeping you in my prayers and hoping that something perfect will come along for you.

Logan

[Blue_Frog]

Toy Store retail job = walked in and applied, and got hired the same day. Stayed for 5 years until the company went under.

Craft Store retail job = walked in and applied, and got hired to do craft classes, and then started doing some cashier and all the web site design and maintenance. Left when I moved home after college (2hrs away)

Computer Company = had friends that worked there. Applied, did the testing and got hired. Stayed until they closed the division and was downsized.

Computer Company #2 = friends from computer company #1 put my name forward, interviewed and was hired on the spot. Moved from support to Corporate training.

Computer Company #3 = Friends from computer company #2 put my name forward, interviewed and was hired the next day. Now i'm here as a Documentation and Training Specialist.


Soo... to sum it up -- the jobs that paid me minimum wage i got on my own, and the Salary 9-5 type jobs i got a foot in the door because I knew someone who put my name up (networking).


I know that Monster.ca (http://www.monster.ca) and Workopolis.ca (http://www.workopolis.ca) have sections on their sites about pre-interviewing, the interview process, and what to do after the interview that might be helpful :)

[mugsy]

In February of 1995 I got a call from the sub office asking me to go to a local high school. I told the girl that they didn't like me at that school and she told me the only other thing she had was an assignment at one of the middle schools. I told her I loved that school and jumped on the assignment. It turned out to be a 2 day assignment because the guy was sick. Tragically, he was diagnosed with lymphoma. They told him he had an 80-90% chance to survive. He was diagnosed in February and died in November. I was still subbing and they just gave me the contract. I have been at the same school ever since. I hate the way I got my job, but, I do feel someone told me to take that job that morning.

[Twisterdog]

How'd I get my job? I bought the company. :D Now I'm the owner, CEO, the big head honcho! But ... I'm also the poop scooper, the janitor, the maintenance person, the receptionist, the bill collector, the bookkeeper .... ;)

[smokey the elder]

Mostly the brute force, massive ignorance method of sending out resumes online. My latest job was a career shift from polymer chemistry to pharma, so I went through a temp agency. It turned out the project I was initially hired for needed...a polymer chemist!

I got another job from mentioning to someone I sang with that I had lost my job of 11 years. She said they were looking for a temp at her place. I interviewed and was offered the job 24 hours later.