Job interview tips, advice, help, etc.

[Metallover]

I wish I had seen this thread a little earlier!

A big new casino was built just across the boarder. I applied and after a few days I called set up an interview. I went in on Monday, 3 days after it opened.

I wore a new pair or khaki shorts and a nice new shirt. Maybe should have worn jeans??

Today's Wednesday, two days later, and I haven't heard back just yet..

I said I could work mornings and into the afternoons, and the guy said they were kinda looking for someone who could work mornings and evenings.

I'm probably sol

[BP-Revo]

Originally Posted by Metallover

I wish I had seen this thread a little earlier!

A big new casino was built just across the boarder. I applied and after a few days I called set up an interview. I went in on Monday, 3 days after it opened.

I wore a new pair or khaki shorts and a nice new shirt. Maybe should have worn jeans??

Today's Wednesday, two days later, and I haven't heard back just yet..

I said I could work mornings and into the afternoons, and the guy said they were kinda looking for someone who could work mornings and evenings.

I'm probably sol

Did they tell you when they would let you know?

If they did, wait until the day after they said they'd get back to you, and if you haven't heard anything, call the next day (e.g., if they said they'd tell you Wed and you heard nothing, call Thursday). On the other hand, if they didn't say anything I'd say give them a call back tomorrow (err, today, I guess). Thursday makes 3 days and that's a reasonable follow up time.

Dressing to meet the job is important. Obviously you don't want to apply for a typical janitors job in a full Hugo Boss suit but as a general rule it's better to be over-dressed than under-dressed. To my interview I work black dress shoes, black slacks, a light blue dress shirt, a dark blue tie, and a black leather belt. I also had a leather folder with a few copies of my resume and some other stuff relating (basically renderings of things I've drawn on solidworks and the finished product). I was applying for a mechanical engineering internship.

As Jerry said, there are a lot of ways they try to weed out people who are just blasting off resumes trying to find a job just cause they need the money. I mean, granted, most people getting a job are in it for the money one way or another, but you have to show the people you have an interest to work there and are motivated.

For me, I was referred by a friend (MetalMan on here, actually, though he hasn't logged on here in a while), and I sent in my resume. The HR lady said thanks for applying, and we will let you know. I immediately replied that I was looking forward to the next step. The next day she asked me to schedule a convenient time for me to interview. I gave her the times that worked for me and let them choose the exact time. She told me the time and I replied in the email confirming I would be there and that I was looking forward to meeting everyone. Went in for my interview (went great), and a few hours after I emailed my interviewer thanking him for his time and saying I look forward to contributing the company. They said they'd let me know early next week, and sure thing, by 10am Monday I got the call with them offering me the job, and I've been as prompt as possible with everything since. I start in a week and a half or so.

So, as you can see, following up and being persistent (but not pushy) is very important.

[TexasSP]

Originally Posted by Metallover

I wish I had seen this thread a little earlier!

A big new casino was built just across the boarder. I applied and after a few days I called set up an interview. I went in on Monday, 3 days after it opened.

I wore a new pair or khaki shorts and a nice new shirt. Maybe should have worn jeans??

Today's Wednesday, two days later, and I haven't heard back just yet..

I said I could work mornings and into the afternoons, and the guy said they were kinda looking for someone who could work mornings and evenings.

I'm probably sol

Unless you are applying for some type of outdoor job or athletic type place where shorts are the normal dress shorts are a no no to interviews.

Being it was a casino my bet is that the have a semi formal dress environment. Most casinos I have been in have some kind of uniform where the base for men is probably white button down and black slacks then they supply a vest or similar.

Always at least wear pants and a nice polo. Slacks and a button down is best for most jobs. A suit and tie can be necessary for certain jobs however most offices don't dress quite that formally any more.

Every man should have at least two pair of slacks (one black, one khaki) and two to three nice button downs, a nice pair of shoes, and belts. None of this has to be expensive, you can find most of it at Target if needed for less than much of the casual clothing costs now days.

I hate dressing up and despise suits and ties, however, I still have dress clothing for when I need it. I mean, I wear shorts and sandals to church if that tells you anything.

[rawfuls]

Figured I'd inform you guys of what has been going on at my work, and have a little "issue".

Been working for 2 weeks now (Started Mon, June 6)..

I've logged 48 hours, and 30 minutes (We log it in QuickBooks up front).

It IS computer repair, and his business is great (for now at least).
We just got slammed with dozens of clients a couple days ago, and it was non stop work to catch up and get these computers out of the shop collecting dust.

Anyways, I wanted to touch base with my boss about pay, but I just don't know how to bring it up.
I obviously don't want to nag him, however would really like to start getting paid, since it seems like I'm doing a lot more hardware intensive work then the rest of the employees (who mostly do software, besides one genius hardware guy); which would probably be much better pay.

However, because of my age, 16, and I guess a "summer intern", he hasn't really gotten to the payroll.

I want to bring it up tomorrow @ work (if I get called in), but not sure how to politely ask...

[TexasSP]

You work and should get paid. It's always best to ask up front but still it's you're right. A job is a business deal, you provide work for money. Very simple, you worked, he owes you. You need to go talk to him about it, be polite, but also stand up for yourself.

Don't let yourself get down the road and take a chance on getting stiffed for your work. Also keep records for yourself of your hours too.

[PBO]

Originally Posted by TexasSP

Very simple, you worked, he owes you. You need to go talk to him about it, be polite, but also stand up for yourself.

This is good advice

He may have forgotten about it, when you're busy these things can happen. Just ask the question

Generally speaking in small business (from the employees perspective) it's wiser to get paid more frequently. This reduces pressure on cash flow for the business & keeps cash in your pocket. Your employer should also understand this

[PBO]

Originally Posted by Metallover

I wish I had seen this thread a little earlier!

A big new casino was built just across the boarder. I applied and after a few days I called set up an interview. I went in on Monday, 3 days after it opened.

I wore a new pair or khaki shorts and a nice new shirt. Maybe should have worn jeans??

Today's Wednesday, two days later, and I haven't heard back just yet..

I said I could work mornings and into the afternoons, and the guy said they were kinda looking for someone who could work mornings and evenings.

I'm probably sol

Coming in a little late however....

I employ 10-20 new staff each year into a variety of positions. We have a casual work environment by virtue of the industry but I wouldn't employ somebody who wore shorts to an interview...to me it says the person isn't going to take the job seriously. You only get one chance at a first impression

To change the perspective a little but still relevant to the interview scenario; I also have employees who ask for pay increases on the basis they have been in the job a while. I never give an increase for this reason alone. My advice to those who ask is...

Consider your self as a business person & the business you are representing is you. You are the business. You are working to improve your business & increase it's turnover. You may be looking for a new client (employer) & you need to attract the 'client' to you. You may be looking to put your prices up (pay increase) & you need to able to justify the price increase......if you think commercially, you work commercially. Most employers will appreciate this & work with you to help improve 'your business' - why wouldn't they? you're benefitting their business

In respect to wearing casual (albeit clean & neat) clothing to your interview, your 'customer' can't see your 'product' displayed to it full potential & you risk the 'customer' moving on to the next 'product' that catches their eye

[rawfuls]

Walked into work today, and was told that I would be getting $1000 at the end of my summer "internship".

Not too happy, but not too upset.

Was hoping for quite a bit more, however at my age, I'm lucky to be getting a job & slight pay at it.

Though, I have put a little over 54 hours within the past 2 weeks, so I guess it's time to dial the hours back.

[PBO]

What was the basis of your employment? did you discuss an hourly rate or anything along those lines?

[rawfuls]

Originally Posted by PBO

What was the basis of your employment? did you discuss an hourly rate or anything along those lines?

Pay was never discussed, seeing as I was told I was being paid an unknown stipend internship.

[PBO]

I don't know your employment laws but if you were in Sydney you'd have recourse against your 'employer'

I agree, wind those hours back to something that suits you

[JERRY2KONE]

Sounds a little bit fishy to me. Considering that you have now worked a full two weeks I would think it is time to have a sit down with your new employer to discuss exactly what your time is worth to you and to him.

[TexasSP]

Originally Posted by rawfuls

Walked into work today, and was told that I would be getting $1000 at the end of my summer "internship".

Not too happy, but not too upset.

Was hoping for quite a bit more, however at my age, I'm lucky to be getting a job & slight pay at it.

Though, I have put a little over 54 hours within the past 2 weeks, so I guess it's time to dial the hours back.

Wow, that's crappy. I own an IT support business and would never follow that philosophy. Internship or not if you signed on as an employee there are certain laws he has to follow.

First in foremost you have to be paid minimum wage including over time when applicable.

It sounds to me like he is taking advantage of you for cheap (almost free) labor.

Even at 20 hours a week for a 10-12 week summer you should make no less than 7.25 per hour which is 1,450.00 at minimum. It sounds more to me like you are at 30-40 hours per week which is 2,175.00 minimum. This is before taxes of course.

As you are you are making less than 4 per hour. Day labor unskilled illegal workers make more than that.

Are you learning skills or using skills you already had?

Seriously, you could come out better working at most fast food joints.

Going back to PBO's posts on raises I wholeheartedly agree.

You earn a raise, you don't deserve it based on employment length or some kind of personal need/desire to have more money. (despite what employee unions see to think)

With my employees in the past if they come to me telling me the need/desire a raise, I send them back out and tell them to come back when they have a list of reasons they deserve and/or have earned a raise.

[brainanator]

After today's events this thread popped in my head, so I'll post what happened. After a totally dry summer of engineering interviews/interest in me, out of the blue an oil drilling company calls saying they got my resume from monster. Well after a couple weeks of waiting I finally did an interview over Skype with them, I didn't think it went particularly well since they are mainly looking for an electrical engineer and I'm civil...but they liked me it seems since they are flying me down to Houston, TX from Great Falls, MT (an expensive air port to fly from).

Don't have a date set yet, will have them book my tickets tomorrow morning. Pretty excited.

[JERRY2KONE]

Hey Brain that is great news. Don't think for a second that this is a lock, but most of the time when they want to spend money to fly you into their neck of the woods to take a closer look at you that means that you are seriously being considered to fill the spot. Especially in these tough times when every company is looking to cut expenses. It sounds like an intrueging position to be in. Good luck with your trip and second interview. Houston is not too bad of a place to be working. Besides the oil business in one place that is still making bank with our economy being so crappy.