How did you get your last job?

[Glenda]

Poll question: How did you get your last job?

And how did you like it?

[bigwillq]

1. Newspaper Ad

:hi:

[Left Is Write]

2. Knowing the right people.

My husband had a client who was in sales at a radio station that was looking for a part-timer, which suited me fine. They asked me to apply.

[Deja Q]

3. Newspaper ad... I got the job ONLY because I'd mentioned

"OS/2" in my resume. They were using OS/2 at the time...

[Orsino]

4. Usenet

I liked it well enough to excel in it, and to learn the skills that qualified me for a better job with the same company.

In November '01, though, the economic woes caused my company to eliminate my job. In the same phone call, though, they offered me my current position, which has worked out even better. I replaced someone who was laid off--incidentally the son of a former sergeant major of mine, who was also let go at about that time.

[SoCalDem]

5. I was forced into it..

The guy was my friend, and he was the most un organized person on earth.. He once lost out on a $38,000.00 lawsuit payoff because he could not find the paperwork, and he eventually just "let it go"..

His "filing system" was cardboard boxes on the floor of his office. I berated him about it, so he more or less cajoled me into "setting things straight" for him.. I did that off an on for years, until I had had it .."up to here" with his nonsense.. I would quit..and then a few months later he would con me back.. He paid me $15 an hour, but the stress was enormous. for ME..(not for him):shrug:

I once found $400 mixed in with all the paperwork bullshit, and pushed way back into a corner of one of the offices, was a HUGE bag of coin.. I could not even lift it..

[Glenda]

14. So basically you organized everything for him?

Or what was the job exactly?

Also, any tips on how to improve my "filing system?" :) Maybe I need a filing cabinet

[SoCalDem]

21. That was about it.. and then I would get frustrated and quit

and a few months later I would feel sorry for him and he'd draw me back in..

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

6. A friend told me about it

I was proctoring her exam on the last day of exams last year, and she was graduating and moving out of state. I'd interviewed at a few firms for summer positions and didn't get them, and I thought I would just take the summer off. She worked at Neighborhood Legal Services doing protection from abuse orders and encouraged me to apply. I called them, interviewed and got the job. I have loved this job; the hands-on experience with clients has been invaluable to me. I worked full-time last summer and am working part-time through the school year. My colleague and I will be recruiting our replacements soon, which is very hard to believe. I'd like to work in legal services after graduation (provided I pass the bar).

[notadmblnd]

7. I only ever had one job

It was co-op through highschool Jr. year. Was downsized last August after 28 years. I've decided I'm not going to work again until bush is out of office. We're lucky in a sick sort of way I guess. My husband died in 2003 and my son and I qualify for SS survivor benefits. I'm going to stay home with my son and live off the gvt for a while.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

8. Temp to Hire...

It's worked for me several times. I've been offered 8 permanent positions and accepted 3 of them that have worked out very well. The ones I didn't accept, I knew wouldn't be right for me but it pays the bills, adds to your reference list, and I wouldn't have gotten the great jobs I have without the knowledge I gained on all those Temp. jobs. I've been payed by Temp services a total of about 3 years out of the last 15, but there were some times when even the Temp. Agency's weren't hiring. I spent 6 months driving cars thru an auction 3 days a week! Everything from Porshes to the kind of heap of crap you have to double-pedal to keep it running and there's black smoke coming out of the back end! LOL! THAT job could suck! then again, I drove every model of car out there, and I can put - Professional Driver on my Resume!

[skygazer]

9. Walked in and asked if they were hiring

Filled out an app and they said they'd call. I called a couple of days later and asked about it. Stopped in a couple of times to ask about it. They finally got sick of my persistence and gave me an interview.

Almost every job I've had resulted from me approaching the employer rather than an ad or something else. I've had good luck, though - almost always it's been the right place at the right time. I've been at my present job for over 6 years now and I like it a lot. I manage the wine and liquor department at a Safeway. It's located in a wealthy wine drinking town so I get a lot of business and meet a lot of interesting people (plus I get invited to wine tastings and winery tours which is a nice perk).

[Glenda]

13. Wow! It seems like a lot of people contact the place directly!

I don't even know what kind of place I'd like to work for. Or if I am persistent enough to do what you did.

It can't hurt though, right?

[skygazer]

18. Well, I've never worried about who I'd like to work for

I just like pulling in a paycheck - in fact, I need to. I will quite literally do any kind of job whether it's pumping gas, serving food, doing office work, manual labor or farming. I'm not picky.

I've never believed you have to like your job, though it's always nice when you do. I've found that I'm able to find something enjoyable about just about any kind of job but the main thing is the fact that I'm working. So when I'm looking for a job, I'll walk into any place and ask if they're hiring, regardless of what they do. I've never been without a job for longer than a couple of months.

[HEyHEY]

10. Had a guy on the inside

Told me they had just wrapped up a meeting and adjusted the budget with plans to hire someone for a new position.

Got my ass over there before they even had time to put out an ad.

[HawkerHurricane]

11. Connections

I got a job on Monster.com because I had a security clearance (no other qualifications, really), when that job ended my boss put me in touch with someone else who needed my skills (and security clearance).

[SarahB]

12. Contacted the company directly.

It took me a few times and a few months (and I had a few "ins" with people there), but I got exactly what I wanted and needed. At first, I was a bit glum because I only got 24 hours a week, but I still get benefits, decent pay, 12 hour shifts, and in another month I should be able to pick up as many hours as I want or need. I like what I'm doing, and once my nursing clinical work begins, I can work as few (as long as it's at least my 24) or as many as I can handle without having to take vacation time.

[madison2000]

15. Recruiter contacted me

[Glenda]

17. How do you feel about dealing with recruiters?

I have a hard time - I find most of them annoying, but some ok. But rarely do I actually get a job through a recruiter.

[Patiod]

20. It probably depends on the industry

I've gotten two good ones through recruiters, including my current job. I think certain industries it's more standard than in others - I'm in market research.

We also have some great industry websites with a good selection of jobs posted - they're usually REALLY specific ("qualitative researcher - pharma experience only")

[Glenda]

22. What are the industry websites?

I'm in marketing/market research - quantitative, not pharma. Would there be anything for me? :)

[B Calm]

16. My transportation manager and I use to work for another company.

He gave me a call when he heard I quit and offered me a new job.

[forgethell]

19. Word of mouth.

I have also had a lot of success with headhunters. Never got a job from Monster.com, although I came close, the company offered me a ob after I had already accepted another one elsewhere.

Last job, I had contacted all my contacts. One of them mentioned that a friend of us both had left his job, and that it was open. It was within my commuting range (75 miles), so I applied. Bingo!!

If you're looking for a job, and take this from a man who has had to look more than once, use all the methods: contacts, recruiters, ads, cold calls, etc. Buy a good book on resume preparation and follow its advice. Check back. Keep good records. Treat your job search like a job and work it 8 hours a day.

[KG]

23. casting couch

it was good.