As a unemployed person, when asked on a interview when can you start

[january2011]

Having recently gone through a recruitment process and having experienced recruitment in various forms on both sides of the table, I'm actually surprised at how quick it can be.

 

From uploading my CV to starting the role, including one meeting, it took exactly two weeks.

 

Perhaps I've been lucky or it's just tougher and a much longer process across the pond.

[Art_Critic]

Having recently gone through a recruitment process and having experienced recruitment in various forms on both sides of the table, I'm actually surprised at how quick it can be.

 

From uploading my CV to starting the role, including one meeting, it took exactly two weeks.

 

Perhaps I've been lucky or it's just tougher and a much longer process across the pond.

 

You were wearing a short skirt, weren't you ?

 

Seriously.. sometimes when a company finds a fit, they run with it... we always have...

[january2011]

You were wearing a short skirt, weren't you ?

 

Seriously.. sometimes when a company finds a fit, they run with it... we always have...

 

Black skirt-suit - skirt was at the knee and not a tight fit - anything but sexy, unless you like that sort of thing!

 

Anyway, I agree Art, when it's a fit, it just all falls into place.

[IcedEarth]

Having recently gone through a recruitment process and having experienced recruitment in various forms on both sides of the table, I'm actually surprised at how quick it can be.

 

From uploading my CV to starting the role, including one meeting, it took exactly two weeks.

 

Perhaps I've been lucky or it's just tougher and a much longer process across the pond.

 

My 2 month experience was a government job, so it's slower than the private sector but still.

 

I went out for a sales job years ago and was referred by a friend. Interview went well, I wasn't nervous and thought they'd pick me.

 

They ended up picking someone else that they fired 6 months later. How's that for bad luck on my end?

 

I mean you can do poorly at an interview just being nervous. I had to face a panel interview once, and I couldn't get my hand to stop shaking. They asked me to write a short paragraph about something and it looked like a madman wrote it.

 

I probably didn't get the job for that reason, and if that's the case, is that right?

 

What I'm saying is the entire process sucks. Jobs suck, bosses suck, everything sucks

[PhillyDude]

My 2 month experience was a government job, so it's slower than the private sector but still.

 

I went out for a sales job years ago and was referred by a friend. Interview went well, I wasn't nervous and thought they'd pick me.

 

They ended up picking someone else that they fired 6 months later. How's that for bad luck on my end?

 

I mean you can do poorly at an interview just being nervous. I had to face a panel interview once, and I couldn't get my hand to stop shaking. They asked me to write a short paragraph about something and it looked like a madman wrote it.

 

I probably didn't get the job for that reason, and if that's the case, is that right?

 

What I'm saying is the entire process sucks. Jobs suck, bosses suck, everything sucks

 

 

 

I was asked to write a sample last week at a interview and haven't heard back since. So the only thing I can think of is the reason is the writing sample which could be the hand writing or the actual sample.

 

If I was able to turn back the clock I would have asked her could I email it to her once I get home. But nothing I can do now

[CarrieT]

Does anyone else think it's just way too much bull**** to go through to get a job most of the time?

 

I mean I went through a TWO MONTH process for a job I really wanted, got down to 3 people and didn't get it. I basically wasted two months of my life, and time I could've been looking for something else.

 

Part of it is that during that two month process, you continue to looking for something else.

 

I got laid off from a temp-to-perm position during the last week of July (I was only there two months). I immediately started the process again and found what looked like a great job during that last week in July.

 

And, just today, I signed the offer letter to start October 16th - almost three months... In that time, I interviewed with no less than eight people at that company (and countless others at other companies), background checks, references, etc.

 

I worked with an Career Transition Company (who filmed me and critiqued my interview techniques, re-wrote my resume, and had me meet with a career counselor) and that company suggested six to eight months is not too long of a stretch to find a new career. Note I said CAREER and not JOB.

 

I could have had a "job" in a day or so, but it took months to find a career-like position. And, before that 2-month job that didn't work out, I was unemployed almost four months.

 

The offer I signed today - I hope - will be the last job I'll have...

[IcedEarth]

Part of it is that during that two month process, you continue to looking for something else.

 

I got laid off from a temp-to-perm position during the last week of July (I was only there two months). I immediately started the process again and found what looked like a great job during that last week in July.

 

And, just today, I signed the offer letter to start October 16th - almost three months... In that time, I interviewed with no less than eight people at that company (and countless others at other companies), background checks, references, etc.

 

I worked with an Career Transition Company (who filmed me and critiqued my interview techniques, re-wrote my resume, and had me meet with a career counselor) and that company suggested six to eight months is not too long of a stretch to find a new career. Note I said CAREER and not JOB.

 

I could have had a "job" in a day or so, but it took months to find a career-like position. And, before that 2-month job that didn't work out, I was unemployed almost four months.

 

The offer I signed today - I hope - will be the last job I'll have...

 

Good job!

 

I don't think it will ever be that easy for me, as I tend to despise jobs (not work, jobs) and have no idea what field I even want to be in any more.

[PhillyDude]

Part of it is that during that two month process, you continue to looking for something else.

 

I got laid off from a temp-to-perm position during the last week of July (I was only there two months). I immediately started the process again and found what looked like a great job during that last week in July.

 

And, just today, I signed the offer letter to start October 16th - almost three months... In that time, I interviewed with no less than eight people at that company (and countless others at other companies), background checks, references, etc.

 

I worked with an Career Transition Company (who filmed me and critiqued my interview techniques, re-wrote my resume, and had me meet with a career counselor) and that company suggested six to eight months is not too long of a stretch to find a new career. Note I said CAREER and not JOB.

 

I could have had a "job" in a day or so, but it took months to find a career-like position. And, before that 2-month job that didn't work out, I was unemployed almost four months.

 

The offer I signed today - I hope - will be the last job I'll have...

 

 

 

Try not to celebrate too much because remember the key date is January 17th. That;s the day you still want to be working so try and wait until the 90 days is over to celebrate. I know from experience and other people who started a new job and didn't make the 90 day probation.

 

So as of now, just be blessed you have a opportunity to stay on path to permanent employment

[CarrieT]

Try not to celebrate too much because remember the key date is January 17th. That;s the day you still want to be working so try and wait until the 90 days is over to celebrate. I know from experience and other people who started a new job and didn't make the 90 day probation.

 

So as of now, just be blessed you have a opportunity to stay on path to permanent employment

 

This is nonsense. It is an at-will job so I could be let go at any time and the 90-mark means nothing.

 

In California, you can be let go for any reason with no warning, before or after 90 days...

[PhillyDude]

This is nonsense. It is an at-will job so I could be let go at any time and the 90-mark means nothing.

 

In California, you can be let go for any reason with no warning, before or after 90 days...

 

I know that which is why I said Jan 17th LOL

[PhillyDude]

My crew's about to head home after a quick brew but (and thanks for providing entertainment after a hard day's work) needs to know what you mean. If the lady you're talking to says that CA is an at will state so the probationary period means zilch, why you bringing up Jan 17th again with that LOL? I got 6 guys here and me wanting to understand.

 

Because you have to make the AT WILL first. The first 90 days is a feeling out period. If you make it past 90 days then even in a at will state you only are let go for two reasons

 

Unlikable

Poor Performance

 

So I like my chances to stay employed even in a AT WILL state

[Almond_Joy]

Hi everyone,

 

I got laid off about two weeks ago. I had come across a one-day conference being hosted in my city for administrative assistants a couple months ago, and was going to attend to get some professional development under my belt and put it on my performance review for my job.

 

The conference sounds interesting, and I still want to go....but not if it won't help me professionally while searching for a job. How much clout is given to stuff like this, particularly for administrative workers? I don't hear about them often so I'm not sure what kind of edge having this conference on my resume would give me you know?

 

I'm also looking into volunteer service with a couple of organizations to keep me busy, so I'm not sitting at home most of the time. Would it be weird to list myself as a volunteer on my resume? I'm not really volunteering so my resume will look better, but if that's an advantage of volunteering I'd certainly like to utilize it.

 

Thanks for reading, looking forward to hearing some perspective from seasoned professionals .

[goldengirl11]

I'm volunteering too and when asked for my current employer on new applications I put the organisation I'm 'working' for, so as to give a better impression that I'm currently working, otherwise there would be a 6 month gap. When asked what my salary is though I tend to put there voluntary, but is that going against me?

 

Hi everyone,

 

I got laid off about two weeks ago. I had come across a one-day conference being hosted in my city for administrative assistants a couple months ago, and was going to attend to get some professional development under my belt and put it on my performance review for my job.

 

The conference sounds interesting, and I still want to go....but not if it won't help me professionally while searching for a job. How much clout is given to stuff like this, particularly for administrative workers? I don't hear about them often so I'm not sure what kind of edge having this conference on my resume would give me you know?

 

I'm also looking into volunteer service with a couple of organizations to keep me busy, so I'm not sitting at home most of the time. Would it be weird to list myself as a volunteer on my resume? I'm not really volunteering so my resume will look better, but if that's an advantage of volunteering I'd certainly like to utilize it.

 

Thanks for reading, looking forward to hearing some perspective from seasoned professionals .

[PhillyDude]

I'm volunteering too and when asked for my current employer on new applications I put the organisation I'm 'working' for, so as to give a better impression that I'm currently working, otherwise there would be a 6 month gap. When asked what my salary is though I tend to put there voluntary, but is that going against me?

 

 

Volunteer work does not goes on a job application

[goldengirl11]

Volunteer work does not goes on a job application

 

Thanks. I wasn't sure if was doing the right thing! Does it go in the Training part then?

[PhillyDude]

Thanks. I wasn't sure if was doing the right thing! Does it go in the Training part then?

 

 

I meant to say it doesn't go where you would state your job. Only in the additional skills section if the volunteer work was related to the job you were applying for

[goldengirl11]

Thanks PhillyDude.

 

I meant to say it doesn't go where you would state your job. Only in the additional skills section if the volunteer work was related to the job you were applying for

[pink_sugar]

Thanks. I wasn't sure if was doing the right thing! Does it go in the Training part then?

 

You wouldn't put it on a job application...but you can put it on a resume if it's related to what you are looking for. My brother volunteered somewhere related to his work field of interest to gain experience and it turned into a paid position later on.

[123321]

You wouldn't put it on a job application...but you can put it on a resume if it's related to what you are looking for. My brother volunteered somewhere related to his work field of interest to gain experience and it turned into a paid position later on.

 

It's all experience if the tasks were related to the job in question. We hire interns all the time and they use that on their resume as well.

[Almond_Joy]

So I went to a staff agency advisor. She noticed that I have extensive experience in certain skills that spanned over all of my jobs, so she advised that I format my resume to emphasize functional competency vs. employment history.

 

This is one way you can put experience from your volunteer service on your resume. if you use Microsoft word they have a very nice functional resume template to use as a sample.

 

Also - my staff agency advisor recommended that I make a separate addendum listing all my honors and awards and volunteer service. When I land the interview, I can then use that "icing" to gain leverage in the interview, or at least provide fodder to sell myself to the interviewer.

 

This perspective was a revelation to me - I figured you should lay all your cards on the table when you're applying online, since you're not getting the chance of a face-to-face meet. But saving your finer points for the interview is a really great approach, I think. I like the idea that my resume shows competency, and then when the company gives me a nod by calling for an interview - I have another opportunity to wow them with all this extra stuff on top of my professional experience .

[missgangrene]

Whenever I've been unemployed, I always respond to the "when can you start" question by saying "immediately." I've noticed that some employers have been pleasantly surprised with that response, which I thought was weird. Maybe they've come across their own PhillyDudes? LOL

[Fugu]

I don't get why someone without a job wouldn't say "Immediately" when asked to start - next week at the latest. I could see it if you had a wedding planned or something like that, but otherwise...what the hell?

[Almond_Joy]

I don't get why someone without a job wouldn't say "Immediately" when asked to start - next week at the latest. I could see it if you had a wedding planned or something like that, but otherwise...what the hell?

 

A lot of people adjust to a different standard of living during unemployment - they may have given up their car or have to make arrangements for transportation. That's a common reason I've seen.

[ON MY OWN]

Was reading this thread and was wanting to know how the job situation is going for you PD?

[Emilia]

So I went to a staff agency advisor. She noticed that I have extensive experience in certain skills that spanned over all of my jobs, so she advised that I format my resume to emphasize functional competency vs. employment history.

 

This is one way you can put experience from your volunteer service on your resume. if you use Microsoft word they have a very nice functional resume template to use as a sample.

 

Fully agree, especially with the bolded part

 

Also - my staff agency advisor recommended that I make a separate addendum listing all my honors and awards and volunteer service. When I land the interview, I can then use that "icing" to gain leverage in the interview, or at least provide fodder to sell myself to the interviewer.

 

This perspective was a revelation to me - I figured you should lay all your cards on the table when you're applying online, since you're not getting the chance of a face-to-face meet. But saving your finer points for the interview is a really great approach, I think. I like the idea that my resume shows competency, and then when the company gives me a nod by calling for an interview - I have another opportunity to wow them with all this extra stuff on top of my professional experience .

 

I disagree with what I bolded here because it sounds like you were told you should withold certain information until the interview? What if another candidate lists everything and get the interview because their CV stands out more than yours?? You are in competition with others at the application stage, don't forget!

 

You should put awards and volunteering work on your CV at the time of application, not just hope you have something extra to share during the interview. They might not give you the chance to talk about that anyway, there are lots of competency based interviews where there is no chit chat.

 

You should put everything on the CV and elaborate at the interview