To Interview..or not to interview

When you know that you are overqualified for a job, what should you do? Lots of job boards will advise you to take the interview and convince the interviewing manager that hiring you is an investment in the future.

But what if the job you are overqualified for is not an investment in YOUR future?? Last week, I interviewed with a company for a job for which I was way overqualified. At the end of the very short interview, the company officer and I both decided this was not a match.

It felt right to walk away from this, even though I liked what the company was doing and what it stood for. Despite what everyone else advises, I think you still have to keep your eye on the prize and find the job that is right for you.

The Numbers Game

How many job applications is enough? How many is too many? How many till you don't actually remember what you are applying for anymore?

Whatever the answer, I think I'm there and today confusion reigns.

The Russian Mafia & Me

The other day, I had an interesting email inquiry on my posted resume. Company "A" was looking for individuals who could work part-time by internet reviewing business transactions of client companies. Training was provided, salary plus commission during training was excellent. No selling involved, just a commission on the number of transactions reviewed.

After a month of training, the salary plus commission, for part-time work, was really, really good. Too good to be true?

I googled the company....they had a very nice website with several pages of information. But as much as I read and re-read the material, I couldn't figure out exactly what they did.

So I googled the individual who had sent me the message. No luck.

I have to tell you that I honestly considered contacting this company. I mean, a part-time job, at home, that would allow me to continue my job search or give me the security to start my own business...too good to be true?

Maybe it was my Irish pessimism, but I kept looking for information and finally a story popped up about the company...and the fact that it was a scam, allowing the Russian Mafia to launder money....and for a good, maybe 30 seconds, I was thinking, "does that still mean I could make this money???"

09-09-09

I've always been fascinated by dates like this. They hold special vibrations or something.



My newest "I can't believe someone is making money from my situation" issue is the job spam emails have been getting. All the experts on job hunting tell you to do everything....network, check job boards, call former associates, post your resume....what they don't tell you is that now that your information is out there, you are subject to people you don't know telling you how much better your resume would be if you let their experts review and upgrade it....for a price, of course. In fact, one individual emails me every couple of days about my resume "problems."



For now, I'm going with what I have and hoping that the 5 versions of the resume I have, actually represent me.

To Hire, or not to Hire....

A current job posting on a major career site has actually stated, that they would prefer to interview candidates who are currently working, in preference to those who have been laid off. (I paraphase to protect Company X for making what I consider a very bad judgement call with this wording.)

At first, I found this statement insulting. In the current economy, people are laid off for all manner of reasons and one cannot assume they are poor performers.

But then I started thinking about my own experiences as a hiring manager and it's true that I gave preference to candidates currently working. That is, until I interviewed an individual who had been laid off who was, perhaps, the most interesting and qualified I had ever met. While the opportunity to hire her never materialized, she was terrific and I sincerely hope she found the job she deserved.

So here's what I'd like to say to Company X:

OK, I am in your less desirable category, but even if I were employed, such a statement would make me think twice about working for you. Those of us who are "laid off and looking for work" are qualified, motivated and capable. To assume we are "second-rate" and eliminate us from consideration is to give up the possibility of meeting the most interesting and qualified candidate for your job.

Finding Work and keeping my sanity

How hard can it be for an experienced professional to find work in New York City? After two months of searching, post layoff, I have to say it's been pretty impossible! So to perserve my sanity and connect with other people like me, I'm starting this blog.

I know you are out there having the same experiences. If you are, share your stories and ideas and I'll share mine.