150 replies to this topic

[TerraPrime]

Eponine, on 11 July 2012 - 05:14 PM, said:

Is it appropriate for me to reply and ask more about the jobs even though I'm not currently looking?

Well, I don't know the etiquette for this, but yes, I'd feel odd querying about a job that I have no intention of taking. That'd be like asking a real estae agent for a showing but knowing that you won't buy.

If those positions interest you, I'd instad do a initial contact saying "I saw this listing on X and the job description sounds very exciting because blah blah blah about my background and expertise. However, I will not be graduating till next summer. If you come across similar job listings in the future near that time frame, I would greatly appreciate it if you can think of me and drop me a line again. Thank you."

[Eponine]

Well that's the odd thing - there's no job description. Each person who has contacted me has given a very vague "I have a great opportunity that matches your background" type thing. I would like to know what kind of jobs are being offered to someone with my background, even though I'm not interested in programming forever. One of them mentioned it was in oil and gas, which I'm interested in. But the actual job description is a mystery.

[TerraPrime]

Hmm... in that case, I am not sure that there's a right way to approach it. I guess something along the lines of "Thank you for thinking of me forthis job opportunity. I will not be able to accept any full-time job offer until X, but I am interested in finding out more about what types of jobs are available for people with my background, so if you can give me a brief description of these jobs I would really appreciate it."  ?

[kalbear]

Usually you ask them to contact you again after x occurs or at some later date. That's what I do an I have a few recruiters that regularly contact me every 6 months just to check up.

[Mudguard]

I don't see a problem in requesting more information about these jobs, especially since they are the ones who contacted you first.  How can you know whether you would be interested in the job unless you get a better description of the job?  I would just tell them that I might be interested, but that I would need more information about the job.  There's no point in saying that you aren't interested in applying right now, unless you want them to stop contacting/bothering you.  If you lead with that, I'm guessing there's a good chance the recruiter will just delete your email without responding back.  Also, if the job is absolutely fabulous and the recruiter thinks you've got a good shot, isn't there a chance that you'd apply?

[A wilding]

Eponine, on 11 July 2012 - 06:03 PM, said:

Well that's the odd thing - there's no job description. Each person who has contacted me has given a very vague "I have a great opportunity that matches your background" type thing.

In the UK this would mean that they are the sort of dubious IT recruitment agency best stayed clear of. The supposed jobs would not actually exist. Their purpose would be to build up a database of CVs that they can then hawk around in an attempt to get their foot in the door with companies that are recruiting. If you let them have your CV this can actually harm your job prospects, especially if they make alterations to it (not unknown).

Still it may be different in the US, and there would be no harm in just asking for more details.

[Arbor Goldson]

It's kind of fun, reading over this thread with three additional years of experience under my belt.  Since my last post I have spent a fair amount of time on the other side of the table, and I learned that being the interviewer isn't as easy as I first thought!  Turns out, it requires a fair amount of prep work on my part in order to not waste both the candidate's time and my own.

It's also fun being involved in the post-interview dinners.  One candidate recently fucked this part up (in my view) by ordering the most expensive appetizer and entree and saying, "Might as well, right?"  When we discussed him later, I said that I disliked his arrogance and I expressed concern for possible lavish spending on the company dime.  We ultimately decided to go with someone else.

[TerraPrime]

Arbur Goldarelli, on 12 July 2012 - 11:55 AM, said:

It's also fun being involved in the post-interview dinners.  One candidate recently fucked this part up (in my view) by ordering the most expensive appetizer and entree and saying, "Might as well, right?"  When we discussed him later, I said that I disliked his arrogance and I expressed concern for possible lavish spending on the company dime.  We ultimately decided to go with someone else.

Heh. He reminds of me that one dude I met in the grad school interview at Hopkins: the night out where they took you to dinner, he ordered like 4 drinks. Then later on, I heard that he went out with the grad students and got totally smashed. He made it to the morning round the next day but he was looking like shit, and I doubt he couold rub two neurons together to make a spark for the entire day.

So yes, you're still "on" even at the dinner. You're done when you board the plane (or get in your car) to leave the interview place, and not before.

[IheartTesla]

On the other hand humans are sh*t at making decisions, so the best way to decide who to hire is to use an algorithm.

[Arbor Goldson]

  What a dumbass.  That being said, I like the candidate who orders one drink (at dinner, never ever at lunch).  It demonstrates a willingness to loosen up a bit, but also an ability to control one's self.

[Triskele]

Arbur Goldarelli, on 12 July 2012 - 11:55 AM, said:

It's also fun being involved in the post-interview dinners.  One candidate recently fucked this part up (in my view) by ordering the most expensive appetizer and entree and saying, "Might as well, right?"  When we discussed him later, I said that I disliked his arrogance and I expressed concern for possible lavish spending on the company dime.  We ultimately decided to go with someone else.

That does sound like an incredibly stupid move.  i would have said the same thing.  It sort of speaks of an attitude of entitlement in addition to arrogance.