Job interview tips, advice, help, etc.

[Metallover]

I wish I had seen this thread a little earlier!

A big new casino was built just across the boarder. I applied and after a few days I called set up an interview. I went in on Monday, 3 days after it opened.

I wore a new pair or khaki shorts and a nice new shirt. Maybe should have worn jeans??

Today's Wednesday, two days later, and I haven't heard back just yet..

I said I could work mornings and into the afternoons, and the guy said they were kinda looking for someone who could work mornings and evenings.

I'm probably sol

[BP-Revo]

Originally Posted by Metallover

I wish I had seen this thread a little earlier!

A big new casino was built just across the boarder. I applied and after a few days I called set up an interview. I went in on Monday, 3 days after it opened.

I wore a new pair or khaki shorts and a nice new shirt. Maybe should have worn jeans??

Today's Wednesday, two days later, and I haven't heard back just yet..

I said I could work mornings and into the afternoons, and the guy said they were kinda looking for someone who could work mornings and evenings.

I'm probably sol

Did they tell you when they would let you know?

If they did, wait until the day after they said they'd get back to you, and if you haven't heard anything, call the next day (e.g., if they said they'd tell you Wed and you heard nothing, call Thursday). On the other hand, if they didn't say anything I'd say give them a call back tomorrow (err, today, I guess). Thursday makes 3 days and that's a reasonable follow up time.

Dressing to meet the job is important. Obviously you don't want to apply for a typical janitors job in a full Hugo Boss suit but as a general rule it's better to be over-dressed than under-dressed. To my interview I work black dress shoes, black slacks, a light blue dress shirt, a dark blue tie, and a black leather belt. I also had a leather folder with a few copies of my resume and some other stuff relating (basically renderings of things I've drawn on solidworks and the finished product). I was applying for a mechanical engineering internship.

As Jerry said, there are a lot of ways they try to weed out people who are just blasting off resumes trying to find a job just cause they need the money. I mean, granted, most people getting a job are in it for the money one way or another, but you have to show the people you have an interest to work there and are motivated.

For me, I was referred by a friend (MetalMan on here, actually, though he hasn't logged on here in a while), and I sent in my resume. The HR lady said thanks for applying, and we will let you know. I immediately replied that I was looking forward to the next step. The next day she asked me to schedule a convenient time for me to interview. I gave her the times that worked for me and let them choose the exact time. She told me the time and I replied in the email confirming I would be there and that I was looking forward to meeting everyone. Went in for my interview (went great), and a few hours after I emailed my interviewer thanking him for his time and saying I look forward to contributing the company. They said they'd let me know early next week, and sure thing, by 10am Monday I got the call with them offering me the job, and I've been as prompt as possible with everything since. I start in a week and a half or so.

So, as you can see, following up and being persistent (but not pushy) is very important.

[TexasSP]

Originally Posted by Metallover

I wish I had seen this thread a little earlier!

A big new casino was built just across the boarder. I applied and after a few days I called set up an interview. I went in on Monday, 3 days after it opened.

I wore a new pair or khaki shorts and a nice new shirt. Maybe should have worn jeans??

Today's Wednesday, two days later, and I haven't heard back just yet..

I said I could work mornings and into the afternoons, and the guy said they were kinda looking for someone who could work mornings and evenings.

I'm probably sol

Unless you are applying for some type of outdoor job or athletic type place where shorts are the normal dress shorts are a no no to interviews.

Being it was a casino my bet is that the have a semi formal dress environment. Most casinos I have been in have some kind of uniform where the base for men is probably white button down and black slacks then they supply a vest or similar.

Always at least wear pants and a nice polo. Slacks and a button down is best for most jobs. A suit and tie can be necessary for certain jobs however most offices don't dress quite that formally any more.

Every man should have at least two pair of slacks (one black, one khaki) and two to three nice button downs, a nice pair of shoes, and belts. None of this has to be expensive, you can find most of it at Target if needed for less than much of the casual clothing costs now days.

I hate dressing up and despise suits and ties, however, I still have dress clothing for when I need it. I mean, I wear shorts and sandals to church if that tells you anything.

[PBO]

Originally Posted by Metallover

I wish I had seen this thread a little earlier!

A big new casino was built just across the boarder. I applied and after a few days I called set up an interview. I went in on Monday, 3 days after it opened.

I wore a new pair or khaki shorts and a nice new shirt. Maybe should have worn jeans??

Today's Wednesday, two days later, and I haven't heard back just yet..

I said I could work mornings and into the afternoons, and the guy said they were kinda looking for someone who could work mornings and evenings.

I'm probably sol

Coming in a little late however....

I employ 10-20 new staff each year into a variety of positions. We have a casual work environment by virtue of the industry but I wouldn't employ somebody who wore shorts to an interview...to me it says the person isn't going to take the job seriously. You only get one chance at a first impression

To change the perspective a little but still relevant to the interview scenario; I also have employees who ask for pay increases on the basis they have been in the job a while. I never give an increase for this reason alone. My advice to those who ask is...

Consider your self as a business person & the business you are representing is you. You are the business. You are working to improve your business & increase it's turnover. You may be looking for a new client (employer) & you need to attract the 'client' to you. You may be looking to put your prices up (pay increase) & you need to able to justify the price increase......if you think commercially, you work commercially. Most employers will appreciate this & work with you to help improve 'your business' - why wouldn't they? you're benefitting their business

In respect to wearing casual (albeit clean & neat) clothing to your interview, your 'customer' can't see your 'product' displayed to it full potential & you risk the 'customer' moving on to the next 'product' that catches their eye