OT: Career advice Part II

[LokiDog]

Well, my luck has run out. I rushed to accept the last role with a company that turned out to be fairly disreputable with a poor reputation on Glassdoor and the like because the compensation was what I needed and it burned me. I’ve been waiting and bartending my ass off but just learned that - for some unique and otherwise unheard of reason - this brewery is the one restaurant in the world that pays its servers their tips on a bi-weekly basis which means I dont get paid til next Tuesday. I thought we got paid “on Tuesday’s”. So I’m sitting behind the bar for the lunch crowd pissed off because I’ve got $35 to my name until next week and a baby that could decide to pop out any day now - due July 6th.

Luckily it’s just bills, no debt but at this point I am looking into a small loan or we’re not paying cars and rent this month.

 

[NCRanger]

Well, my luck has run out. I rushed to accept the last role with a company that turned out to be fairly disreputable with a poor reputation on Glassdoor and the like because the compensation was what I needed and it burned me. I’ve been waiting and bartending my ass off but just learned that - for some unique and otherwise unheard of reason - this brewery is the one restaurant in the world that pays its servers their tips on a bi-weekly basis which means I dont get paid til next Tuesday. I thought we got paid “on Tuesday’s”. So I’m sitting behind the bar for the lunch crowd pissed off because I’ve got $35 to my name until next week and a baby that could decide to pop out any day now - due July 6th.

Luckily it’s just bills, no debt but at this point I am looking into a small loan or we’re not paying cars and rent this month.

Seeing this, the way I've been treated, other stories here, and even @SnowblindNYR 's recent experience, makes me wonder if there are any even tolerable places to work anymore.

The abject rudeness, ghosting, and just plain actions that aren't the least bit human are worse than I've ever seen them.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I got a very nice rejection email today. Honestly, this was the best I could hope for. I feel so much better that I don't have to wonder if I got ghosted or not. My faith in humanity is restored a little.

 

[LokiDog]

Seeing this, the way I've been treated, other stories here, and even @SnowblindNYR 's recent experience, makes me wonder if there are any even tolerable places to work anymore.

The abject rudeness, ghosting, and just plain actions that aren't the least bit human are worse than I've ever seen them.

Unfortunately the numbers game, IMO, is just massively tilted in the employers’ favor. Unless you are in a specific field that requires a degree/certification, the likelihood is that you’re underemployed or virtually 40-60% of your annual OTE is in the form of commission/bonus. Even if you are in a specialized field like an accountant, it’s easy to see how flooded the markets are; there are 100+ applicants to virtually every job posted on LinkedIn. I was a recruiter, so I’m really familiar with the process. Even when I was hiring engineers with 10-15 years of experience and their PE certification in multiple states, companies consistently made lowball offers to my candidates - because they know someone will take the job for 110k when most engineer’s at that experience range we’re looking for 140k+ as their base. But with the amount of applicants, they know they can get their guy for less eventually. Drove me crazy. My entire adult life I don’t think I’ve ever had a base salary over $60k. I’ve made maybe $90k in a year but it was probably 55/45 split between base and commission. The thing about working on commission though is that you can’t really plan and budget on a fluctuating salary - at least not until you’ve been in the role for a couple of years and managed to put some money aside to accommodate for the low months. This is how I managed to end up in debt in the first place - using credit when I had a poor sales month, or when I took a job with a $40k base that promised OTE of $75-90k but the reality was that for the first 3 months they expect you to basically be living off of a $40k paycheck. It doesn’t work. And now I’m finally out of debt and I have $30 to get me and a family of three until next Tuesday.

 

[Do you want ants]

Unfortunately the numbers game, IMO, is just massively tilted in the employers’ favor. Unless you are in a specific field that requires a degree/certification, the likelihood is that you’re underemployed or virtually 40-60% of your annual OTE is in the form of commission/bonus. Even if you are in a specialized field like an accountant, it’s easy to see how flooded the markets are; there are 100+ applicants to virtually every job posted on LinkedIn. I was a recruiter, so I’m really familiar with the process. Even when I was hiring engineers with 10-15 years of experience and their PE certification in multiple states, companies consistently made lowball offers to my candidates - because they know someone will take the job for 110k when most engineer’s at that experience range we’re looking for 140k+ as their base. But with the amount of applicants, they know they can get their guy for less eventually. Drove me crazy. My entire adult life I don’t think I’ve ever had a base salary over $60k. I’ve made maybe $90k in a year but it was probably 55/45 split between base and commission. The thing about working on commission though is that you can’t really plan and budget on a fluctuating salary - at least not until you’ve been in the role for a couple of years and managed to put some money aside to accommodate for the low months. This is how I managed to end up in debt in the first place - using credit when I had a poor sales month, or when I took a job with a $40k base that promised OTE of $75-90k but the reality was that for the first 3 months they expect you to basically be living off of a $40k paycheck. It doesn’t work. And now I’m finally out of debt and I have $30 to get me and a family of three until next Tuesday.

You should look into the hemp-derived delta 9 segment, especially after the governor vetoed the ban. Texas is a massive market for the category and most of these companies are well funded, financially stable and pay well. The volatility comes on the regulatory end.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

My video interview call with 4 team members went very well today. They asked me back for an in person visit.

This company is 10 min from my house and voted as a top company in my state to work for.

Fingers crossed….

 

[SnowblindNYR]

My video interview call with 4 team members went very well today. They asked me back for an in person visit.

This company is 10 min from my house and voted as a top company in my state to work for.

Fingers crossed….

Is the in person visit final round?

 

[LokiDog]

Is the in person visit final round?

Hopefully - but you never know. There could be the unpaid work assignment they give you and then 2-3 more interviews before the lowball offer.

 

[Takeahnase]

It doesn’t work. And now I’m finally out of debt and I have $30 to get me and a family of three until next Tuesday.

I am sure this situation is scary with a child on the way. You will get through this. I am not in a position to help other than to include your family in my prayers tonight.

 

[NCRanger]

The absolute ridiculousness with my bad luck continues, to the point I do believe I'm just plainly cursed.

Last Thursday, I was contacted by a recruiter for a mid-level business analyst role. A lot less than I had been making, but I just need to work. While I was speaking to this recruiter, another recruiter was trying to call me to let me know that an interview was scheduled for me on Monday. Funny thing, both roles are on the same project at the same company, but different managers.

So, the recruiter for the BA role calls me back and got me an interview for Friday. I also accept the interview for Monday.

As I'm prepping for the interview Friday morning, recruiter calls me and says because the other recruiter submitted me first, they have first dibs, but don't worry about it, just do the Monday interview, and we'll reschedule today's.

Monday arrives. I interview, but it isn't for the role I was submitted for. I was supposed to be interviewing for a PM/BA role specific to a project. Instead, I'm interviewing for a Sr. Systems Analyst role. I'm confused as heck and wasn't exactly prepared.

The second interview for the BA role can't happen until the first interview results are known. The first recruiter hasn't heard anything.

A giant cluster****. Again, I did nothing wrong.

I'm just cursed.

 

[NickyFotiu]

The absolute ridiculousness with my bad luck continues, to the point I do believe I'm just plainly cursed.

Last Thursday, I was contacted by a recruiter for a mid-level business analyst role. A lot less than I had been making, but I just need to work. While I was speaking to this recruiter, another recruiter was trying to call me to let me know that an interview was scheduled for me on Monday. Funny thing, both roles are on the same project at the same company, but different managers.

So, the recruiter for the BA role calls me back and got me an interview for Friday. I also accept the interview for Monday.

As I'm prepping for the interview Friday morning, recruiter calls me and says because the other recruiter submitted me first, they have first dibs, but don't worry about it, just do the Monday interview, and we'll reschedule today's.

Monday arrives. I interview, but it isn't for the role I was submitted for. I was supposed to be interviewing for a PM/BA role specific to a project. Instead, I'm interviewing for a Sr. Systems Analyst role. I'm confused as heck and wasn't exactly prepared.

The second interview for the BA role can't happen until the first interview results are known. The first recruiter hasn't heard anything.

A giant cluster****. Again, I did nothing wrong.

I'm just cursed.

You are doing the right things. Stay ready. That next call may come tomorrow. You aren't cursed. It will happen.

 

[will1066]

You are doing the right things. Stay ready. That next call may come tomorrow. You aren't cursed. It will happen.

But don't count out companies doing stupid shit like letting his first interview for a job he didn't even apply for influence the other role that he actually wants.

 

[NickyFotiu]

But don't count out companies doing stupid shit like letting his first interview for a job he didn't even apply for influence the other role the he actually wants.

Sometimes goofy stuff happens in life but I hope his focus is forward looking since he can't control those circumstances.

 

[NCRanger]

Sometimes goofy stuff happens in life but I hope his focus is forward looking since he can't control those circumstances.

If it happens once or twice, ha ha.

This stuff is NORMAL for me.

I am the living embodiment of Murphy's Law with a constant black cloud overhead.

I am at the point where I would take a job almost anywhere sight unseen to try to escape this nonstop bad luck.

 

[NickyFotiu]

If it happens once or twice, ha ha.

This stuff is NORMAL for me.

I am the living embodiment of Murphy's Law with a constant black cloud overhead.

I am at the point where I would take a job almost anywhere sight unseen to try to escape this nonstop bad luck.

I understand. I say I'm cursed when I travel. I know its just a bunch of bad coincidences in reality but the Im cursed feeling is the same. With that said you just keep doing the right thing. I firmly believe you will catch a break sooner or later. Hopefully sooner!

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Before I touch on anything, I just want to say that the statement of yours at the very bottm of the post that I've bolded, may be the most truthful thing I've ever read in my life and I am in no way being facetious and I don't think it is hyperbole either.

I would say first and foremost, it is a numbers game when it comes to applications. When I landed at my current organization (where I have now been for 9 years), I was in a rut. I worked at a small company, where I was vastly underpaid, completely in over my head, but was obtaining great experience. I had a background in recruiting and so when I decided to look for a new role, I thought it would be easy. I mean, as a former recruiter, I should be able to find a job with ease right?

After two months of applying for roles, I remember sitting at my desk, feeling hopeless. It was actually @Megustaelhockey who came to the rescue. I was texting him because I was borderline depressed (which, if you knew me, I'm one of the most optimistic, glass half full, positive people) that I had not received so much as an interview request after all the applications, all the resume tweaks to ensure my profile aligned with the job posting, all the networking on LinkedIn and elsewhere to try and get my resume directly in front of a hiring manager...

And that is when he reiterated to me that finding a job comes down to two things: either levying a connection you know or just blasting out as many applications as possible. He told me to stick with it and to not stop. So I didn't. I kept applying to everything that I was remotely qualified for and you know what? Nothing happened. But it was ok. Because he and others were there to support me and keep me buoyed... which is my way of saying ensure you have a good support system.

However, two months later, as luck would have it, I had three interview requests in a f***ing week, which ended up in two offers. Numbers game for sure!!!

Stick with it. It may not be easy. It may be difficult. But don't stop. You will find something. Dealing with the unknown after having so much certainty and stability for 20 years, that is the hardest part. The fear of "will this be my reality until I retire"? It won't be. It is a speedbump.

Also, don't blame yourself for feeling complacent in your last role. There is nothing wrong with being happy in a spot, especially if that spot affords you a solid paycheck, good work life balance in terms of keeping up with health and family, etc. That is more than most people get.

Thanks Gardner. I appreciate the words.

You are 100% correct about the job search. It’s a numbers game. You need to cast a wide net and just keep plugging away.

I may or may not land this current gig, and it may or may not be something I want to stick with but I wouldn’t have had this opportunity if I didn’t try.

Case in point - when I applied for this particular role I was at a point of furiously applying for everything out of anger.

I stopped tailoring my resume perfectly or adding cover letters. I was frustrated. LinkedIn premium said I was a low match. I had too many gaps in my experience. I applied anyway because it was a company I was interested in working for and I had nothing to lose but another half second of my life pushing the apply button. f*** it. Apply.

In the call today, they mentioned that my experience with creative software specifically, bridged some gaps they were having with the team.

Not a single mention of creative experience was listed in the job description because they too, are human and likely are figuring “why should we ask for everything when we just want enough to get someone in here to start training?” They seemed excited to find a potential needle in a haystack.

Again, this may not work out for me - but I’m halfway in the door for something I didn’t expect to be.

If you are looking for work don’t rule yourself out of anything. Make it a habit to see yourself succeed in almost anything that interests you. Fish in some holes that you would otherwise walk past and sigh.

And yeah - that bolded statement is unfairly true. But I know with certainty when I’m older and I look back at this time and how crazy it is right now with so much going on, I’ll look back on it fondly knowing it was the best time of our life.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Is the in person visit final round?

I hope so. At the very least ill live to see another day with this opportunity and I’m happy with that

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I hope so. At the very least ill live to see another day with this opportunity and I’m happy with that

You don't have to give too much info but is this an office job?