Looking for a Job?

[Vio&Juni]

I have been interviewed quite a few times and I interviewed a few also. Selecting a few out of a hundred was a pretty difficult task. But I think the most difficult was to listen why they wanted the job - so many of them had no idea what the job was about.

It is important to be dressed properly, to have the proper make-up, and so on, and I try to stick to these rules when I am being interviewed, but I have to say that the most un-professional and the worst colleage I've ever had (who I was against hiring) had everything a good candidate should have: proper outfit, proper hair colour, good looking CV, she even had a Master's degree, but boy she was stupid! And lazy! And apparently very impolite. So, keeping this in mind, I will try to give people a chance to open their mouth. The one she was hired over was dressed a little too "pretty" (she was another employee we had at a lower paid job), and anyway she kept doing a big part of the job of the "proper" one. How's that for a lesson how to dress for an interview?

[Barbara]

So here are my five cent:
The question why you want to be hired by especially that company is important to answer: of course you may apply by different companies that appear fairly similar - e.g. two different publishing houses tat both publish travel guides. In any case you should have an answer in front of company A why you chose it. (And a different one for company B).
And : if you sent printed materials (and not e-mails): make sure it is good clean white paper ( a little heavier maybe than your average printer paper), there are no typos, there is not too much design (unless you are in advertising or something artsy) and you sign it properly. It is what first gets the attention.

[smokey the elder]

When I relaunched my career into pharma from nearly 15 years of polymer analytical, I went the temp route first. Ironically, I was hired because of my polymer background, was able to train up in all the stuff needed to work in a regulated industry, and became full time after 2 years. This was all after turning 45, fwiw.

What kind of resume are you using? If you want to change paths or careers, it's better to use a "functional" (skills oriented) resume rather than the traditional chronological model. Also, the functional resume has the potential to hide one's age.

Good luck!

[Edwina's Secretary]

When I relaunched my career into pharma from nearly 15 years of polymer analytical, I went the temp route first. Ironically, I was hired because of my polymer background, was able to train up in all the stuff needed to work in a regulated industry, and became full time after 2 years. This was all after turning 45, fwiw.

What kind of resume are you using? If you want to change paths or careers, it's better to use a "functional" (skills oriented) resume rather than the traditional chronological model. Also, the functional resume has the potential to hide one's age.

Good luck!

Smokey...I totally agree with you on the temp to hire route! It is a great way to break into to some different.

I have a different take on functional resumes. As the screener...I know you are trying to hide something so I look for it. Also, functional resume take too long for me to read. Sounds silly I suppose but when you are looking at a couple hundred resumes...

[slick]

So Sara:
I've been with my employer for 23 years. If I apply for other jobs, who in the heck to I use for a reference?

I know you said that experience speaks volumes but gee....who would hire a 56 year old diabetic cancer patient?

[K9karen]

So Sara:


I know you said that experience speaks volumes but gee....who would hire a 56 year old diabetic cancer patient?

I would. This gray haired, 1- 1/2 handed, limping old heifer.

[kitten645]

I left my last job of 19 years and found a new one based on my reputation in the industry. I would hope that anyone reading a resume that included a 23 year stint ANYWHERE would realize you are good at what you do! It's a pity that loyalty and hard work are seen as less desirable these day than they were. However, there's no loyalty or job security on the employers side either so it's expected people change jobs more often then they used to.
As for your medical issues, they can't be factored into employment situations. Legally I'm refering to.

[Edwina's Secretary]

So Sara:
I've been with my employer for 23 years. If I apply for other jobs, who in the heck to I use for a reference?

I know you said that experience speaks volumes but gee....who would hire a 56 year old diabetic cancer patient?

References - haven't there been some people who worked there with you and have left? And I'll let you in on another secret. References don't mean alot. Most employers (and I am sure this is true in Canada as here) don't give much in the way of reference and If I think someone is mart enough to hire they are smart enough to give me references who will say they are the second coming.

As Kitten645 points out - the interview is not about your health -- nor should it be discussed.

And let's see -- an experienced 50 something year old who knows what to do in an emergency, is stable and dedicated and understand that accepting a job is to make a commitment or.....a wet behind the ears kid who thinks it is their right to text message any time and any where they want, surfs the web for hours and parties 4 out of 5 nights a week? (Spoken with hyperbole so please -- no flaming emails that I am picking on anyone...)

But...you must believe in yourself and your value in order to sell it to an employer!

So shoulders back - smile on....go get 'em!

[kitten645]

"But...you must believe in yourself and your value in order to sell it to an employer! "

Oh so very true! YOU are the only one in the world that knows your true worth! Go out there and TELL THEM !!! Dwell on the positives! Tell them why you'd hire you!
I also agree about references. You'd have to be a big time loser not to be able to tell someone to say something good about you or pretend to be someone else.
I must say I've been wanting to hire someone for a while. Nights and weekends. Didn't put an ad up and was only half heartedly supported to get another body in. Low and behold, a former part timer/student came in to keep in touch with friends and off handedly said "I want to work here again!" I met with her briefly and got such a good vibe off her that I put paper work thru for her right away. Everyone she worked with previously has told me how fantastic she is so I'm very pleased. Usually, you just KNOW who's right.
Claudia