Psycho-Babble Work Thread 815953

Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Sad to Say Back to Job Hunting

Posted by Poet on March 3, 2008, at 13:04:35

I posted on the psychology board that I was downsized on Feb. 22. I base my self esteem on work, so it is a psychological issue, but fear of interviewing and not getting hired seems a better fit here.

I have a long track record of failure to get hired. I do what you're supposed to do: research the company, ask questions, dress professional and get rejected. I have updated my education by completing two certificates including one in the field I would like to work in.

It's like I'm cursed. I've been told I'm the number one candidate and I never hear back and they don't return my phone calls. I have an interview tomorrow and am thinking why bother to get dressed up and go. I applied because the rules of unemployment compensation say I have to actively seek work.

The Queen of Employment Losers is back on her throne wearing her cardboard crown.

Poet

 

Re: Sad to Say Back to Job Hunting » Poet

Posted by ClearSkies on March 5, 2008, at 14:43:47

In reply to Sad to Say Back to Job Hunting, posted by Poet on March 3, 2008, at 13:04:35

I read an article the other day about the lack of good habits on the part of the the interviewers being rampant. That is - they tell people they're the prime candidate for the job, then never call; they never acknowledge receiving your resume in the first place; they do two-on or even three-on-one interviewing - intimidating, much??!! Bad manners all around. And meanwhile, our esteem creeps ever slowly southwards, as we figure that if we were more talented, better at interviewing, had better references, that we'd be treated better - ?

The answer is, probably not. Not that it's much of a consolation, but it's not you. It's not me. It's the Culture we're in, that we're supposed to beg for these jobs so that we can start suffering immediately! that we're not called back is no reflection of how well we interviewed or even looked on paper; it's a reflection on how the person doing the reviewing was raised by their parents (I'm guessing here).

So it's a process to be tolerated and endured; not something we can ever win at. Once in a great while, we trip across an employer who Gets It - who treats the potential employee as a human being right from the initial phone call or read of the resume, and it's a pleasure, from start to finish, to do business with these folks. Can't say that I've found any of them since I moved to the particular part of the country that I currently live in, so some of the experience may be regional.

Good luck on this leg of your journey, Poet.

p.s. the antique business is a lot of hard work and a lot of fun. We're not getting rich but by gum it's satisfying being our own bosses. There's something to be said for being poorer and wiser.

ClearSkies

 

Re: Sad to Say Back to Job Hunting » ClearSkies

Posted by Poet on March 5, 2008, at 15:44:12

In reply to Re: Sad to Say Back to Job Hunting » Poet, posted by ClearSkies on March 5, 2008, at 14:43:47

Hi CS,

The interviewer definitely lacked good habits as at one point he started reading an email. When he realized what he had done he said something like "sorry, I was reading an email from my sister." I just sat there. What's sad is that I was qualified for the job and up until that point he was very professional. I did not send a thank you note, though if I had it would have been via email and I would have entitled it "not from your sister, sorry."

At least I get unemployment compensation in a few weeks when my severance pay ends.

Poet

 

Re: Sad to Say Back to Job Hunting » Poet

Posted by ClearSkies on March 5, 2008, at 16:14:25

In reply to Re: Sad to Say Back to Job Hunting » ClearSkies, posted by Poet on March 5, 2008, at 15:44:12

> Hi CS,
>
> The interviewer definitely lacked good habits as at one point he started reading an email. When he realized what he had done he said something like "sorry, I was reading an email from my sister." I just sat there. What's sad is that I was qualified for the job and up until that point he was very professional. I did not send a thank you note, though if I had it would have been via email and I would have entitled it "not from your sister, sorry."
>
> At least I get unemployment compensation in a few weeks when my severance pay ends.
>
> Poet

I'm thinking that now is a perfect opportunity to reinvent Poet and how you value yourself. These bozos interviewing you aren't going to change any time soon! And while you're in between jobs, you can become - whomever you like. Now, my antique business I happened to fall into, and we're doing this part time (though less so at the moment because it's the "season" here and we're doing shows every weekend). But my point is - don't be confined to what you've put on your resume. Think outside of that box you've put Poet into. Is there a volunteer job you've been wanting to try, but haven't had the time? Maybe a hobby you've wanted to pick up, but couldn't devote the attention to it? Here's your chance to put the work stuff aside, if only for a short time, and do something that you (gasp) actually WANT to do.

Just a thought, that one. You just never know where it might lead, is all.
CS

p.s. I'm glad I decided to post instead of staying under my rock today!

 

Re: Sad to Say Back to Job Hunting

Posted by TexasChic on March 15, 2008, at 19:38:27

In reply to Re: Sad to Say Back to Job Hunting » Poet, posted by ClearSkies on March 5, 2008, at 16:14:25

I also have a history of being close, but no cigar. I think the key is to not give up. I know that sounds trite, but there is something to be said for perseverance. The more times you try, the more chances you have to succeed. If you apply and interview for numerous jobs, you not only give yourself more opportunities, you get interviewing experience, which can help A LOT with confidence. Go to interviews for jobs you don't really think you would want. You will get to rehearse your interviewing skills, and might just accidentally find a job you like!

Also, research research research! Research companies in your area, research interviewing skills, body language, interview answers, research your job skills and what they may qualify you to do. You'll never go wrong with research.

Sorry you were downsized, but try to think of it as an opportunity! Good luck!

-T

 

Re: Sad to Say Back to Job Hunting » TexasChic

Posted by Poet on March 17, 2008, at 11:18:34

In reply to Re: Sad to Say Back to Job Hunting, posted by TexasChic on March 15, 2008, at 19:38:27

Hi TexasChic,

I try and fail, try and fail... this has been going on for over 20 years. I either get jobs where I am bored and get stuck there or in the last two cases I am good at the work, like the work, but am not needed. I know downsizing is not my fault.

I do research before the interview. I have a standard list of questions to ask and when I was in school for a writing certicate met one on one with a career counseling and did a mock interview which was videotaped. She thought I did great. So maybe I just send out "run from this person" signals?

Thanks for your help and for letting me know that I am not the only one who gets interviews, but few offers.

Poet


This is the end of the thread.


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Work | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.