Submitted my opt application. A milestone on job hunting.

8/4/2012 3:02:56 PM

Interviewed last Thursday and was offered the job on Tuesday. I'm going in today to make it official and starting at the end of the month. I haven't finished my thesis or publications yet so I'll have to pull double duty for a couple months but that's a good problem to have.

8/10/2012 11:39:05 AM

If anyone has any FC/Storage networking experience and is looking for a job in the RTP area send me a PM

8/10/2012 12:31:55 PM

Back to job hunting after finishing class work.

8/15/2012 4:15:06 PM

Oh man, this is just horrible! I have had one unofficial job offer, an official job offer and I have a feeling I will have another by the end of the week. I guess its good news to have something to choose from, but I feel its so wrong to lead companies to think I would accept their offer if they gave me one.

1) The unofficial offer: Been working with a guy since April and pretty much this position was tailored to my resume. I was oked for the salary I wanted too. But the position hasn't been posted and I have been waiting a few months for that to happen.

2) The official offer: I am pretty excited about because its where I have been wanting to take my career since I graduated. So somehow the clinic I volunteer for found out (which shouldn't be a problem), but I feel I need to talk with them to see if they can offer me something. They did give me the opportunity to get some experience and make some great contacts. I just hate "forcing" companies to battle it out. I don't know. I am just going to be as professional as I can about it and hopefully not burn too many bridges.

3) The upcoming offer: is a given: its part time with the potential to go full time. Its tempting because these guys really like me, and like them. The environment would be ideal: small, but very educated and professional people. I would be able to make amazing contributions.

4) I just wanted to throw in there: I had a phone interview I totally bombed. It was great when a company didn't ask me about my last recent company, because I didn't even have to try to pretend everything was good there. Well, this guy asked. And I tried to take a terrible situation and turn it into something positive and he saw through that BS LOL. So I wrote him a thank you letter, and said I understand and respect if you decide not to move forward. ooops... At least the company is out of state.

SO can anyone give me suggestions that might make things easier for me to communicate with the places I decide to turn down?

8/22/2012 11:02:00 AM

Just tell them you've already accepted an offer elsewhere.

8/22/2012 12:04:02 PM

^ This.

And don't bank on the unofficial offer.

8/22/2012 3:27:55 PM

Yeah, at this point, its hard to bank on the unofficial offer. And at some point the guy even said something about being understanding if I found something else. But it's pretty exciting for me. I am hoping to see if an old coworker of mine would want the part time job just because I know she'd be good at it. I don't know if I would be stepping over boundaries giving them her name. And I know she would enjoy it because I got a good gut feeling meeting them.

8/22/2012 3:33:59 PM

^^ This.

I've been given three such "unofficial" offers before. Each time was through a friend or professional contact and I was told that after they get through closing out whatever project they were working on and things slow down a little, then they will bring me on. They even brought me in and told me what I would be paid and what not. But each time whenever the project ended, they just decided to not hire anyone else right now and to just stay with what they have.

8/22/2012 4:32:09 PM

Liar

8/22/2012 4:35:17 PM

me?

Not in this case

8/22/2012 6:03:00 PM

The employer.

8/22/2012 6:26:21 PM

Ugh. Job interview at the competitor of the place i am currently interning. Shitty thing is that like 5/8 of the people i work with now used to work there and quit that place to start the current one. Lol I wish i could just get hired where I am. I like what i'm doing even though its not technically what I should be doing.

I'm Krallum and I approved this message.

8/22/2012 7:02:42 PM

get some experience and you'll be able to find somewhere better. a shit job is better than no job

8/22/2012 7:11:57 PM

idk if you're talking to me, but the competitor job isn't necessarily at a shitty place, the new one is smaller and just a more laid back enviornment (not that the other one is cutthroat). For example my boss spent the last hour of work telling me about racing cars he modded in high school and how much better college was when the drinking age was 18.


Regardless if i get it i'm going to take it because the alternatives are shittier jobs. I just feel like i'm dating a friends ex gf.

I'm Krallum and I approved this message.

8/22/2012 7:23:58 PM

Quote :

"I've been given three such "unofficial" offers before."

Its frustrating to me. Go ahead, dude, just get my hopes up and keep them up until they fall pretty hard. Its crazy, and I get all grades of confounding feedback. I am just ready to be done with the whole job searching. I do know that once I get the experience in the field I'll be in, clinics will come search for me is what I have heard anyways. We shall see.

8/23/2012 10:08:13 AM

I have been with my current employer for a little over a month after leaving the a job I had for 7ish years. This is a promotion and will give the experience to hopefully land the dream job down the road. The one I had didnt give me that sort of experience.

8/26/2012 6:12:59 PM

Strange interview today. They didn't ask me anything at all other than asking me if i knew revit immediately after saying that they were taking classes themselves and would have to send anyone they hired to revit school anyways...

Like literally not a single question except about like non job related stuff. I can't tell if they're grasping, weren't interested at all (if so why bother having me come in and not ask questions to clarify what you thought sucked)

I'm Krallum and I approved this message.

9/13/2012 1:01:30 PM

I resigned from a stagnant job last month after 3 years there. Did some traveling. Came back and got a low ball offer to do some contracting for them.

So...currently unemployed, but self-inflicted. I had been working so much that I never had time/energy to look for something else (finding a job can be a full time job). It's been nice to have time to work on my portfolio and aim high on some of the things I am applying for. If I land something I am content with, I know this will have been worth it, but right now it is an uneasy feeling.

If worse came to worse I'm pretty sure I could go back to my old company (on numerous occasions they have brought back people that rage quit or were fired).

9/17/2012 1:54:12 PM

I'm sort of in the same boat as everyone on this page. Quit a job and took a better position "on paper" and realized nearly immediately that it was not better. "Worked" at it for a little over a month, and then got fired. (thank God actually) Been told I am a shoe in for a job, then they passed on me. Had 3 interviews with another, then got passed. 3 interviews with another, haven't heard from them in 3 weeks. (Not incredibly interested anyways) 3 interviews with another, supposed to follow up with the main contact Wed... but followed up today with one of the interviewers and got a nearly immediate response that seemed positive.

ALSO, been talking to a colleague/friend for about 8 months about a job that isn't there yet. It will be. Everything, of course, is lining up time wise. It's the perfect situation, perfect structure, perfect everything. Supposed to talk to his execs this week about the help he needs...so this is a monumental week for me coming up.

Also, not getting unemployment.... so it really is down to selling off my belongings or getting a job. PS...unemployment letter came today... they ruled both ways... qualified and not qualified... truly a testing time in life.

Good luck fellow Wolf Webbers in search of work and those who are new to their positions.

9/21/2012 9:26:26 PM

I've been unemployed for a while now. However a couple weeks ago I started a job on a probationary basis that was supposed to last a couple of weeks and then they would officially offer me the job. It wasn't an ideal position as it was in retail, but it was a specialty shop that I was very interested in and the pay was better than most retail places and offered incentives. However after the first week they told me that one of their PT guys that had been with them for a long time lost his FT job so they were going to "take care of their own" and offer him the FT slot I was supposed to get. So back to being unemployed again.

It sucks since I hadn't worked in a while and was really doing well and having fun with the position, but am kinda glad since the pay was considerably lower than other positions I'm looking for and most likely would have left whenever a better offer came around.

But it would have been nice to have some kind of a paycheck until that offer comes

[Edited on September 21, 2012 at 10:18 PM. Reason : .]

9/21/2012 10:18:06 PM

low pay > no , especially in this job market

[Edited on September 22, 2012 at 3:40 PM. Reason : w]

9/22/2012 3:38:24 PM

People applying for engineering related jobs how do you decide attire? My current boss told me he laughed at college grads who wore suits but had obviously never had interviews before. Luckily my old roommate told me he worked there and that they wouldn't give a shit if i dressed up or not. Idk if this is normal but every place i've ever been to has been casual attire (not even business casual). Suits make me sweat and honestly they're uncomfortable and interviews are already annoying enough.

What do you wear and for what type of job?

I'm Krallum and I approved this message.

[Edited on September 24, 2012 at 12:37 PM. Reason : ]

9/24/2012 12:35:09 PM

At least wear slacks, a buttoned shirt, and a tie. My workplace is pretty casual but we still laugh at idiots that show up to interviews in blue jeans and a t-shirt.

9/24/2012 12:40:00 PM

See I got called to meet for an interview today and if I would've been able to I would've had no choice but to roll in there in jeans and a polo type shirt, but I think that would've been okay since I would've been interviewing on 2 hours notice... However now that i'm going in on a different day even in the middle of my shift i think it would be weird to not at least wear a button up shirt and tie. Idk shits weird.

I'm Krallum and I approved this message.

9/24/2012 12:43:03 PM

We wear jeans and shirts around here...management gets collars I guess...but we still laughed at the kid who came in for the interview wearing cargo shorts and a polo.

At least wear slacks and a nice shirt.

9/24/2012 1:29:06 PM

Had an interview for a job that I really want today, I'm going to feel like shit for the next two days until I find out if I made it to the next round.

9/24/2012 1:58:13 PM

I still wear a suit to interviews. Better to be overdressed than under dressed.

9/24/2012 2:27:29 PM

^

9/24/2012 3:31:28 PM

agree ^^


My opinion:
also when you get a suit for an interview, try to be as standard as possible. Carefully select the tie and color of the suit. Nothing too trendy and avoid things you may deem as newly fashionable. also do not wear any jewelry (besides wedding ring if applicable) or a large gaudy watch. Think standard.

9/24/2012 3:42:15 PM

Agree with the above--it's very hard to overdress for an interview and that's better than underdressing. I think every dude should own at least one suit, in a dark color (gray is probably best, navy is very traditionally conservative but can be a little boring, black has served me well though some say it's too severe). A subtle pattern to the fabric is ok but nothing too noticeable. Keep the tie conservative, no super-bright colors or flashy patterns. And you don't have to spend a lot of money to get a decent suit. I recently picked up a new suit at Belk, 100% wool, on clearance. Was $500, marked down to $125. A little patience and you can find a good deal like that. While it's not Brooks Brothers, you're likely to get a better suit that way than shopping Kohl's etc, though their suits are acceptable for the recent/soon to be graduate as well. At that level it's more about the care you put into the outfit than how much you spent.

As far as jewelry, a class ring is also good if you have one. Probably nothing beyond that, wedding band, or non-gaudy watch.

Make sure your shoes are polished. Lint brush your suit. Iron your shirt or get it pressed. Wear matching socks. Etc, etc, etc.

9/24/2012 5:21:58 PM

I hate that you dress up for an interview and they roll in with a polo and jeans. Makes me feel like a tard. And they know it.

9/24/2012 5:29:18 PM

http://theoatmeal.com/pl/minor_differences5/suit

9/24/2012 5:34:54 PM

There is no such thing as overdressing for an interview unless they specifically tell you to dress casual or if you're a dumbass and wear a tux or something lame like that. Example: I had an internal company interview for a plant manager position and I already knew the people I would be interviewing with, knew they would be dressed casually, but I still went home, broke out the suit and tie and did the interview.

Once I got the job, I talked with my new boss about it and he said that one thing that made me stand out from the other candidates was that I took the time to actually dress up. Made it obvious to the panel of interviewers that I was serious about the position. Just my two cents on this subject.

9/24/2012 5:39:27 PM

I agree with what most people are saying:

Quote :

"wear a suit to interviews. Better to be overdressed than under dressed."

9/24/2012 5:46:11 PM

NCSU Engineering Career Fair at the McKimmon Center next Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:30am - 4:00pm

http://students.engr.ncsu.edu/careerfair/

Open to the general public.

[Edited on September 25, 2012 at 11:48 AM. Reason : wear a suit to this thing if you really want to... you'll fit right in with all the undergrads]

9/25/2012 11:27:40 AM

If it's a suit that is tailored and you feel comfortable in it, you won't be that out of place even if they are casual. I think a lot of things that people blame on suits is really about the way people uncomfortable in suits act all stiff and proper when they wear one. Get a suit, have it tailored, wear it around some in normal situations so you get confident with the look, and go for it.

9/25/2012 11:45:20 AM

Btw if you're a student don't bother going to the career fair unless you've had previous internships / research or your gpa is a 3.0 That is pretty much the consensus from every engineering student I know lol

I'm Krallum and I approved this message.

9/25/2012 12:50:03 PM

While I had to drop out this year, I've worked this NCSU Engineering career fair for my company at least once a year for the past 5 years and see absolutely nothing wrong with wearing a suit. Doesn't seem out of place in the least.

9/25/2012 1:15:00 PM

Suits aren't really expected at the career fair, I don't think attire can really hurt at the career fair as long as you're neat don't show up dressed out for your PE class LOL. Friends of mine have gotten internships, future interviews from going in a wide range of clothes.

Let me restate my original claim. I wasn't saying that you can overdress for interviews, I was just saying that if you have no experience professionally then you need to make up for it by having practical knowledge. I think my boss said he laughed when mechanical engineering grads in suits didn't know what rivets or calipers were.

I'm Krallum and I approved this message.

9/25/2012 1:24:13 PM

If someone is having this fucking hard of a time picking out what close to wear, why the hell would I want to hire him?

Clothes are really low on the list of things that cause you not to be hired. At best, it's a tie breaker, and on average it's meaningless. Anywhere that places undue emphasis on clothes will most certainly be a dumb place to work.

Just fucking worry about how to confidently express why you want the job and what you can do exceptionally well. Jesus christ.

[Edited on September 26, 2012 at 2:09 AM. Reason : .]

9/26/2012 2:03:12 AM

you can't even spell close, why would I want to work for you?

9/26/2012 10:31:09 AM

Quote :

"Clothes are really low on the list of things that cause you not to be hired. "

I think that varies HIGHLY depending on the type of job. If you're in consulting, sales, or anything where you have clients if you walk into an interview not knowing how to dress yourself or appearing sloppy that's a big turn off no matter how smart you are.

[Edited on September 26, 2012 at 10:43 AM. Reason : s]

9/26/2012 10:42:47 AM

Dressing properly for an interview shows respect. Taking time to make sure you're dressed well exhibits not only the fact that you have respect for whoever is interviewing you, but also that you have attention to detail, and that you're serious about the job. I interviewed at a very casual media agency 2 weeks ago, and I still wore a suit even though everyone else was in jeans and t-shirts. Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

9/26/2012 10:51:08 AM

Great advice. Plus if you know how to wear a suit and it fits you'll never looked over dressed no matter where you are. Think James Bond. Haha.

9/26/2012 10:53:01 AM

Quote :

"If someone is having this fucking hard of a time picking out what close to wear, why the hell would I want to hire him?"

Because some people (ie. everyone else in this thread) makes this trivial subject into some big fucking deal for no real reason. Honestly if i'm not going to get hired for a job where i sit in the same office with the same 10 or so people wearing casual clothes 95% of the year because i wore the wrong color tie to an interview then those aren't the kind of people I want to be around...

I'm Krallum and I approved this message.

[Edited on September 26, 2012 at 11:01 AM. Reason : fuck all the other shit i was gonna type ]

9/26/2012 10:57:59 AM

Quote :

"Honestly if i'm not going to get hired for a job where i sit in the same office with the same 10 or so people wearing casual clothes 95% of the year because i wore the wrong color tie to an interview then those aren't the kind of people I want to be around..."

Yeah but you're assuming everyone is interviewing for that type of job. There's plenty of other jobs that involve seeing new people all the time and having to wear a suit 3-5 times a week.

9/26/2012 11:12:13 AM

Quote :

"People applying for engineering"

is how I began this whole discussion.

Actually I was assuming people were applying for typical engineering jobs. Not sales, training or management jobs. I'm aware that engineers go to trade shows, give lectures and often travel / need to wear suits, but that is not the image that comes into mind when someone says "engineering job" without any specificity.

I'm Krallum and I approved this message.

9/26/2012 1:17:15 PM

Here's the thing...

Whether its an interview for an engineering job or a position with a hedge fund...you're not going to lose the job if you overdress. There might be some guys that snicker when you walk by on the way to the interviewer's office or whatever...but it's not going to cost you the job.

But you can definitely hurt your chances if you under dress. Even if it's a "jean and a t-shirt" type work environment...what if they interview 5 guys and you're the only one that doesn't come in with at least slacks and a tie...and you're all pretty similar candidates?

Better safe than sorry.

9/26/2012 1:31:24 PM

K.

Im krallum and i approved this message

9/26/2012 1:37:11 PM