Is there anything I should bring...

[phrasemuffin]

... in which David has to build himself a new disposition.

This week I've been looking for a new job. Harry's only been able to give me one shift a week, so it's been pretty bad lately for me, especially with the crazy numbers of 21sts I've had/will have soon. I still can't believe I spent $500 in one week... I just don't do that! Well, not usually; clearly I have done it. But that is a slight detour - I have been looking for a job, and therefore have been handing out resumes.

To be accurate though, I have actually only given out two, and one of them was given back to me. The first place that was accepting resumes was my localest Angus and Robertson; it was the first place I hit, and I was completely unprepared mentally, which I didn't realise until I was there talking to the girl behind the desk. It didn't help that she just popped up as I was walking up to her - I'd thought I'd have at least a minute to figure out what I'd say while she walked over from whatever dark corner she'd been lurking in. But no. Still, she took the resume and it actually looked promising.

Then I hit EB Games. I think I said something like "Hey, um... ... I'm looking for a job... I was just wondering if you guys have a... special way of doing that..." (as in hand in a resume, application form, or online, but I didn't say that) (and yes, that double ... was an exceptionally long pause); clearly I was still unprepared. Dude Behind Desk was cool though, and told me that I should come back the next day when the manager was in and hand in my resume directly to him. Also told me I should wear shirt and tie to look confident (I'm pretty certain that was because I didn't SOUND confident AT ALL).

Next hit was Dick Smith Electronics, where the guy I spoke to was as much a noobescently bumbling fool as I. Apparently they only work with online applications. I still didn't explain that question, but at least this time when I asked it made me sound like I knew what was may or may not have been going on... sort of. Online, I found that there aren't actually any jobs there anyway, despite Nooby Guy referring to the job I was looking for as 'the' job; not 'a' job, 'the' job.

Everywhere else was kinda lame, and there was no way I'd get a job there anyway; they're all family-run or similar.

Next day I went back to EB and gave the manager my resume. Was completely prepared, and was in shirt and tie, and I have a group interview tomorrow. The idea of a group interview still sort of irks me - mainly because i don't really know how it's going to work - but I have it nonetheless. I asked what I should bring, and Manager said nothing except a copy of my resume, and then handed mine back to me. I found that really really odd, but there you go. Also said I should bring a bright, sunny disposition, but where the buggery am I going to find one of them?

Yesterday and today I was going to go to Burwood and hand out more resumes/applications, but to be honest, I really don't want to. I might go next Monday afternoon. I should; I know that the interview isn't a guarantee that I'll get the job, but I'd like to see how it goes before I move any further in the hunt. It's probably stupid, but there you go.

Tuesday, I might pop down to the Marly to check out their function room after uni. I really need to get on top of my 21st. I might have a chance to check it out tomorrow after the interview, seeing as it's at Broadway and the Marly is Newtown, but I have work at 2 so... we'll see how it goes.

Comments

[metaphoroflife.livejournal.com]

In my (slightly limited) experience, group interviews involve one interviewer/recruity-type-person asking questions about the company (yay background reading!), and group activities with things like problem solving in relation to customer service, prioritising, safety etc. The point seems to be to weed out the annoying twatwaffle who will NOT SHUT UP nor let anyone get a word in edgewise, and then ferret out anyone else with two brain cells to rub together. And there are my rambly words of wisdom. Use them well.

[phrasemuffin.livejournal.com]

Background reading? I don't like the sound of that. But about the group activities: did you get broken up into smaller groups, or was the whole thing just as one big group of however many?

[kayloulee.livejournal.com]

Since I haven't actually have had a job interview myself, feel free to take this with a grain of salt (or, I dunno, a BUCKET), but if it was me I'd go on the website and poke around the corporate section, and then ask them questions about the practical application of all their blather about who they are and what they want to do. Apart from SELL STUFF AT HIGH PRICES TO NERDS.

At least you're in the same place as the place you need to get a job in - I've been trying to hunt up Christmas casual jobs at home, and it is such a bitch to job-hunt long distance. Especially when I suspect what I need to do is wander around Mullum and Lismore looking for Help Wanted signs in windows.

[phrasemuffin.livejournal.com]

This may be my answer to everything, but I suggest a webcam mounted to either a roaming sentry or perhaps a family member. My other suggestion is calling google maps and asking them to (temporarily?) augment the magnification abilities of their spy satellites map-making space cameras, so that you can search the shop windows from college.

[kayloulee.livejournal.com]

I like the sound of the webcam. My sister would totally go for that, because she would weasel her way into getting to keep the webcam.

[metaphoroflife.livejournal.com]

Basically just what kayloulee said, a quick perusal of the website would, I think, be sufficient. Just so if they ask anything (it was about as specific as 'does anyone know anything about this company?' for mine, so don't fret) you have something to say once or twice.

And we got broken up based on what tables we were sitting at for the activities. It was between four and six, your usual group-activity group size.

[phrasemuffin.livejournal.com]

Oh awesome! That makes the first comment seem WAY less scary :p

... not that I was scared, or whimpering or nothing. Ahem.