Need some help ->

snadam

sharptech wrote:

Update:

Phone interview was Wednesday, Director said she would call me back Thursday and now we are at the end of business on Friday and no call

I guess I did not nail an interview, which really sucks because I liked the company and the job would of been a great fit.

Should I contact the Director after a week past the interview just to follow up?

no harm and giving them a call Monday and asking what the status is politely. That way both parties can move on if need be.

sharptech

OK I will reach out on Monday, yeah I agree does not look good - I am sure they found who they wanted to interview and just did not call the rest - got to love it.

Will let you know what happens. - Thanks

sharptech

Gave a call to the director, they will be doing a few more phone interviews this week and then calling candidates in for interviews next week, so I should hear by the end of this week. At least I still have a chance ;p

sharptech

Update:

Had another phone interview today w/ a different company. Job will be user support and doing a bunch of different projects. Interview went alright - it lasted almost 1 hour which I think is good - I asked quite a few questions though.

I interviewed with the head of the IT department, he said he was doing more interviews this week and would get back to me sometime next week so we will see.

I am still waiting on the other company to give me a call back, said by the end of the week so hopefully tomorrow or Friday.

sharptech

Well back to the first job that said they would contact me by the end of the week and here we are and no phone call.

Do I follow up Monday again (last time they said they would call and did not so I followed up and said they would call at the end of this week.) or do I just let this one go.

Getting frustrating that I can not even get an in person interview.

networker050184

I'd follow up one more time. If they blow you off again I'd forget about it.

gojericho0

Yup follow up. Worst case they tell you don't have a job. Persistence can really pay off though. It shows you definitely want the position

sharptech

Alright I will follow up again on Monday - thanks guys - will of course update on Monday.

sharptech

Another question -

job I am applying to is asking for salary requirements.

1. Where do I put that (cover letter or in the email)
2. What do you guys do - just give a range that is higher then you want?

Thanks

undomiel

Tell them that your salary requirements are negotiable.

sharptech

undomiel wrote:

Tell them that your salary requirements are negotiable.

Yeah that's what I was thinking, OK cool, I will add something in the cover letter stating that- thanks!

sharptech

Finally nailed an interview - and need to follow up with another company today.

Question - is it OK for me to take notes during the interview? If so what is appropriate. Also any tips you can give would be great.

I usually bring in a folder with a few resumes to hand out, references. I will be meeting with the CTO, director of IT, and Human Resources director.

networker050184

I always bring a portfolio with copies of my resume, awards/certifications and paper and pen. I take notes as people tend to believe you care about something more if you write it down. You want to seem as interested as possible, but don't keep your nose buried in your notes the whole time.

sharptech

networker050184 wrote:

I always bring a portfolio with copies of my resume, awards/certifications and paper and pen. I take notes as people tend to believe you care about something more if you write it down. You want to seem as interested as possible, but don't keep your nose buried in your notes the whole time.

OK great- thanks.

The notes I usually take are for questions I want to ask later on.

sharptech

Interview is set for tomorrow afternoon, lets hope this one goes well ;p

I contacted the other company, no response as of yet.

Going to go prepare for this interview...will let you know how it turns out.

sharptech

I had the interview today - was there for 4 hours - longest I ever interviewed - will give details tomorrow - tired as of now.

One question though - I am going to be moving back to my hometown for personal reasons and when the guys ask why I am moving back I say just that for personal reasons and I feel now is the best time to make the move - is that a good answer or should I say something else?

Thanks

networker050184

You don't have to tell them anything. If it were me, I would just tell them you are ready to come home closer to family.

sharptech

networker050184 wrote:

You don't have to tell them anything. If it were me, I would just tell them you are ready to come home closer to family.

Yeah thats a good idea. I think the personal reasons throw people off, of course the next question will be, why are you leaving your job after 2 years then?

I guess I could just repeat that I feel now is the best time to come home to my family and friends etc.. good one - I will use that next time - thanks for the help.

sharptech

Received a job offer today from the company I spent 4 hours interviewing. When they offered they said it was a unanimous decision across the board.

Pay is what I make now - I am re-locating so that is fine with me. I will be an IT Tech which will include all user support and then project management. I will be able to gain experience with Windows Server (they will be implementing server 200 and a lot of growing opportunities.

So tomorrow I have to go in do paperwork, drug test and then once the background check passes will get the official offer.

Thanks for all the help guys, it was much appreciated and got me through this.

Will update with thoughts on the new job as we go along.

dynamik

Cool. That sounds like a great opportunity. Congratulations!

sharptech

dynamik wrote:

Cool. That sounds like a great opportunity. Congratulations!

Yeah hopefully :P - thanks

networker050184

Congrats!

Make sure you study for the drug test!

sharptech

networker050184 wrote:

Congrats!

Make sure you study for the drug test!

:P lol - had to wait forever when going for the drug test - a ton of people were there.

Went to the office today, got the official offer letter, and once the drug test comes back they will call with a start date.

kripsak

Looks like you should never bank on a good interview. I had an interview today, and the interviewer said I am certainly qualified and I did a good job. But I don't want to bank on that statement, I think I am gonna keep on trucking on with the interviews till I get a offer letter.

Congrats on the persistent work Mr. Blah

sharptech

kripsak wrote:

Looks like you should never bank on a good interview. I had an interview today, and the interviewer said I am certainly qualified and I did a good job. But I don't want to bank on that statement, I think I am gonna keep on trucking on with the interviews till I get a offer letter.

Congrats on the persistent work Mr. Blah

Yeah just follow up with who you interview and hopefully they will get back to you. The first interview I had went very well, but they picked someone else.

Thanks - hopefully tomorrow they call and let me know the start date (just waiting for the drug test and reference check to finish.)

kaspiahn

kripsak wrote:

Looks like you should never bank on a good interview. I had an interview today, and the interviewer said I am certainly qualified and I did a good job. But I don't want to bank on that statement, I think I am gonna keep on trucking on with the interviews till I get a offer letter.

Congrats on the persistent work Mr. Blah

I agree; never bank on a good interview. I did 7 or more interviews until I got my first job offer. Those first interviews, I felt I did great. I knew I had done everything right:
1. Showed up 10 minutes early
2. Dressed appropriately for the job interview(business suit & tie)
3. Answered all questions honestly and as briefly as possible, while keeping eye contact
4. Smiled and showed great interest in the position
5. Thanked the interviewer for his/her time, and followed up with a thank you letter or call

The job that I ended up getting, I felt I did the least favorable interview. I dressed down(polo shirt with/khaki slacks). Most of the questions I answered "no experience, only training". The real funny thing is that I initially turned the job offer down(not enough pay). The HR dept made me a low offer ($11.50 a hour), and then within a hour the IT manager himself called me to offer ($15.35 a hour). I must have made more of an impression than I thought. So don't count those bad interviews out...... may not be a bad as you thought.

sharptech

The official offer came through.

Question - for a 2 week notice, do you guys type something up or just give it verbally?

Thanks

networker050184

Congrats!!!

I'd give the notice verbally and put it in writing also if they request. Just try not to leave on a sour note if possible in case you need to use them as a reference in the future.

gojericho0

I would also put it in writing for HR purposes. Congrats on the new position

learningtofly22

Congrats! +1 to the written notice for the 2 weeks. If you do get into project management along with your normal duties, get ready for some wild, rewarding work! I got thrown into it (well, I volunteered), and it's been INSANE but a really fun alternative to my normal job. It will give you very valuable experience for an alternative to being a tech down the line, google "IT project manager salary" and you'll see what I'm talking about. I'd download the PMP application and start documenting your PM work, so you won't have to 3-5 years from now. Have fun and let us know how it goes!