Third and final interview today. Meeting with the President of the company.
I still can't stop thinking about the other job - the one I probably won't hear back from for a few more days. That is the one I REALLY want but at this point, (going on a year of being unemployed) I'll take (almost) anything.
Well, it may take the one your interviewing with TODAY a few days to get back to you, so you may still have some time.
Good luck!
Jen
I am sending good vibes your way!!!
It went well, I guess. I will hear back in a couple of days. They have not asked for references yet though. Strange.
Funny thing though, at the other job interview (the one I really want) I handed over my letters of recommendation and all my references and their phone numbers. I wanted them to read all the wonderful things people had said about me. I wanted that extra leg up right out of the gates. I hope it worked to my advantage.
So, here's a question: do you offer references, or do you wait for them to ask for them?
Some companies these days just do background and credit checks and don't bother with references. So, I would provide references only on request.
Don't they have to get your permission to do that?
ETA: Wait a minute! Why would they do a credit check? What does your credit have to do with a job? I think they would have to have our permission to look into your finances.
Is this an American thing?
Many companies in the USA do credit checks, especially if you'll be handling money or credit. The theory goes, if you can't be responsible with your own money, you won't be responsible with theirs.
I don't agree, of course -- in fact, that's a dumbass idea. When I was young, I mismanaged my money and abused credit, but that's MY money and MY choice -- abusing the company's money/credit would be theft, and that's a different moral ballgame.
I don't agree with it either. The proof would be in prior work experience, not your personal finances.
An initial reference check by the government requires a police check and I think a credit check. Unfortunately I can't remember (it's been a while). They also ask for 3 references.
(09-07-2010 12:07 PM)NKBurlington Wrote: [ -> ]It went well, I guess. I will hear back in a couple of days. They have not asked for references yet though. Strange.
Funny thing though, at the other job interview (the one I really want) I handed over my letters of recommendation and all my references and their phone numbers. I wanted them to read all the wonderful things people had said about me. I wanted that extra leg up right out of the gates. I hope it worked to my advantage.
So, here's a question: do you offer references, or do you wait for them to ask for them?
..a couple of days that will feel like forever, right? Good luck NKB!
I have always written, "References available upon request".
That was the way I was taught years ago, but for all I know, that is an old-school way of using references.
I also totally disagree with checking finances. I mean, health issues can bankrupt a person! It has nothing to do with managing money and what type of employee you will be, IMO.
I think the reason employers in the US do a credit check is because a person's personal finances can have an effect on their work. The obvious is a person who works with cash or merchandise and is in bankruptcy or about to go there. There would be a strong temptation for the person to engage in creative financing options to help themselves. For people working with classified information, the temptation for a bribe is allegedly stronger among a person in financial straits.
The unfortunate thing is that employers are overstepping their bounds and judging a person based strictly on their finances in jobs where it is not relevant. The argument I've heard is that a person with poor finances is more likely to make poor decisions in general and are more likely to be more concerned with non-work issues on work time.
Personally I think it's horrible that there is yet another way to be denied employment that is essentially out of your control. I've probably ranted about the usurious practices of the credit card companies but I liken them to loan sharks for their ethical standards only the difference is that you don't have to rely on a loan shark to get a job, home, or car.
I usually don't give out references / letters of recommendation until asked but in this case, I really want this job and wanted to make a good impression. I thought the kind words on the pages would give me an advantage over the others.
We shall see...
Although I'm bored out of my mind and I'm dying to get back to work, I'm also actually a bit nervous about it.
It's been almost a YEAR since I was laid off. I've basically been confined to my house for that year. Other than social events, grocery shopping - the usual things - I don't really go anywhere on a daily basis. I don't interact with other people.
I'm actually a bit scared of getting back into the work force and having to get up at a regular time every day and having to make decisions other than what to have for lunch.
I'm looking forward to getting back out there but I'm a bit anxious and nervous as well. However, all of this is moot because I don't have a job.
Blecht!
The one place just emailed me for my references. That's a good sign.
Still no word from my preferred job. I did call yesterday and left a follow up message.
Ugh! ICCC just called. She said I am their #1 choice however, with my breadth of experience they figured I would want more money than they are willing to offer. She was right.
She said they are offering $30,000. Fuck me. You're kidding, right?
Granted, it's 10K more than I'm making now on E.I., but it's 10K less than I'm used to making.
She said she's going to fight for $35 for me. In her original email she said the salary range was $30 - $35 so I assumed they'd be willing to pay the $35. I assumed wrong. Why offer a range you're not willing to pay?
Fuck. I don't know what to do. Do I take it and look for something else or hold out for a better offer? I've been out of work since October and I have not had many offers however, things are picking up now that the summer is over. I'm getting more interviews and there are more job postings than there were a few weeks ago. However, Christmas is only three months away and that's not a good time to look either. Plus, the hours of this job suck in that I don't get off until 5:30. This will make it even more difficult to go on interviews especially out of town. If I can't get to Oakville or Mississauga until 6:00 or 6:30PM, are they going to be willing to wait for me?
I know if I ask DH he'll say it's up to me. It's my decision.
ETA: Just spoke with DH. He said it's up to me.
It's a tough call. On the one hand, you've been out of work for a long time. On the other hand, you say you are getting more interviews and seeing more listings.
If it were ME, and the $30k would cover my expenses (in my case, it wouldn't, but in your case, it might,) I would probably take it but keep casually looking. You will (I'm assuming) accrue vacation, so maybe you could save vacation time for interviewing. That's what I'm trying to do right now with my job.
The other thing that I've found is that if you explain your situations to a prospective employer (employed but looking,) sometimes people WILL accommodate you and agree to an evening or weekend (sometimes) appointment. I guess it's a matter of how interested they are in interviewing you.
On the other hand--as I said, for me $30k would not cover my living expenses--I would balk at this salary, too.
I wish I had an easy answer.
Jen M.
No, it doesn't cover my expenses and yes, I have had employers wait for me after hours for interviews but I'm usually there well before 6pm. I guess it depends on how long they're willing to wait.
It may be moot anyway. I told her that because she said the offer was between $30 - $35 (which, even at $35 barely covers expenses) I was expecting to receive the higher end. She said she'd call me back.
I knew at the outset of this process that if I did get this job, I was going to continue to look for something else. This is based on their (advertised) top dollar of $35 and the fact that it's not really the type of job I'm looking for.
I may have shot myself in the foot. We'll see.
(09-09-2010 12:12 PM)NKBurlington Wrote: [ -> ]I told her that because she said the offer was between $30 - $35 (which, even at $35 barely covers expenses) I was expecting to receive the higher end.
I think this was a smart move. They can give you 35k, unless advertising that was just a ploy to get more qualified people to apply. Typical business politics.
I would be miserable and resentful working there for $30K, knowing that they could have just as easily paid me $35K.
I agree with Beachbum.
It's all a crapshoot, NKB, and it sucks.
My fingers are still crossed for you. I think you are close to finding something.
Jen
Here is the question (along with my answer), as it appeared in my email:
Quote:5) What would your salary expectations be? $25,000 to $30,000 or $30,000 to 35,000 or higher ?
$30,000 - $35,000
Even $35K is well below my normal standard of living over the past five years but I'd be will to accept that while looking for another job. I knew this was not going to be my forever job but I was hoping for the higher end of the salary range.
I knew if I answered $35 or higher, I wouldn't even had made it to the first interview. It's pretty obvious that's as high as they're willing to offer. But now that they've met me (3 times) they know I won't accept $30K. She knew that when she called me. She said she told them that given my experience, $30K was too low.
I know what I'm worth. They know what I'm worth. Now, it's just a matter of finding someone who is willing to pay me what I'm worth.
I'm still waiting for my dream job to call me back. Along with being a fantastic opportunity, it is well within my salary requirements.
This is just unbelievable.