job-seeker contacts/advice

[Invader3K]

Game05, sorry the job didn't work out. Not sure of specific advice, but planning on a career making around 30k a year doesn't sound like a great option.

[thumperden]

Hello Brewerfan folks.

 

I think it's wonderful that there is a forum here to help look out for each other regarding job advice.

 

I could use some assistance in my job search. I have around 18 years of experience working primarily as either a mortgage loan officer or branch manager for broker firms.

 

I want to break free from broker firms and work with a company or bank where I can really grow roots or make a switch to financial planning, where I have previous experience.

 

Unfortunately, my life path does not include a Bachelor's Degree. I do have some college, that was geared toward a broadcasting degree. That led to some work in radio in all facets of the profession.

 

I am a young 45 year-old guy, who can still play center field and hit lead off for my wood bat baseball league and have a lot of experience as an umpire and referee in other sports.

 

My resume' looks rough because of many brokerages closing during the "housing bubble burst" and that has led to many banks not allowing me an opportunity to show what I can do.

 

My passion is to help people accomplish their financial goals and I would be a good fit for a company where I can utilize that passion with the skill set I have.

 

I apologize if this is too lengthy.

 

Kind Regards,

 

thumperden

[nodakfan17]

 

I want to break free from broker firms and work with a company or bank where I can really grow roots or make a switch to financial planning, where I have previous experience.

 

thumperden

 

I have some experience working in financial services. I presently work as a statistician for a large regional bank, but my first job out of college was a sales role with a large insurer. I actually enjoyed the work quite a bit, but I found working on straight commission to be difficult for an aspiring family man. I followed my supervisor at the insurance company to the operations department of the bank where I presently work.

 

The role of a "financial adviser" is typically sales-oriented. It's actually quite easy to break into the profession, but much more difficult to enjoy sustained success (that requires networking, prospecting, studying, and a bit of luck). You're resume doesn't have to be perfect, either. Most companies just want to know that they are hiring a decent man or woman with an excellent personality and work ethic.

 

No doubt, it's a difficult path; however, I have a few former colleagues who absolutely enjoy their work (and are well compensated). I'd encourage you to pursue this route. Start out my submitting your resume to some of the larger insurance companies or broker-dealers like Northwestern Mutual, Thrivent Financial, or Edward Jones. As long as your resume is clean, I can all but guarantee that you'll get a hit. The industry experiences high turnover and recruiters are always looking for new advisers.

[GAME05]

Go figure. So I just accepted a conditional offer to a law enforcement Park Ranger position. It'll take 4-6 weeks of paperwork and background investigation and then Police Academy (which I assume is exactly like the movie) before the "conditional" goes away. I can't pretend I've been a choir boy, but I've admitted my worst crime to an officer I work with and he said "You should be ok."

 

Downsides to this job like any other, but I considered my next-best option was being almost 40 years old and selling tickets to take boats on a lake.

 

Anyway, you've all been patient with my whining over the years, a couple of you in particular. So thanks for putting up with me.

[Invader3K]

Congrats, Game. Hope it all works out for you.

[TooLiveBrew]

Go figure. So I just accepted a conditional offer to a law enforcement Park Ranger position. It'll take 4-6 weeks of paperwork and background investigation and then Police Academy (which I assume is exactly like the movie) before the "conditional" goes away. I can't pretend I've been a choir boy, but I've admitted my worst crime to an officer I work with and he said "You should be ok."

 

Downsides to this job like any other, but I considered my next-best option was being almost 40 years old and selling tickets to take boats on a lake.

 

Anyway, you've all been patient with my whining over the years, a couple of you in particular. So thanks for putting up with me.

Congrats, man! Talk about patience... your patience looks to finally be paying off!

[RobDeer 45]

Congrats Game05! Glad it is finally working out!

[young guns]

I know they say to never say anything negative about previous employers in an interview, but what should you do if you were fired from you last job and the interviewer asks why you were fired and the explanation requires you to say negative things about that employer. Basicly, is it worse to not expand on why you were fired or potentially bad mouth a previous employer?

[jerichoholicninja]

Is it an acceptable practice for an interviewee to bring notes to a job interview?

[adamb100]

I would think it would be a great thing to bring notes because it shows the employer that you did your homework/research.

[Blancofan1]

Coming from an HR manager who's done about a thousand interviews, bringing notes is a great signal to start with. Shows you are prepared and care enough to be a serious contender. Some of the best candidates I have ever sat down with had notes and questions prepared ahead of time and several of them left my office with a job offer on the table. The interviews I dread are with people who just don't even seem to want to be there. It's so painful to try and pry information out of someone who only gives two or three word answers.

[jerichoholicninja]

I found a job that says I need to "apply in person" for. This is for a position and company that should at least provide an email for you to send a resume. But I digress. I've never done this before. Should I dress up like I'm going to an interview?

[JimH5]

I would dress appropriate for what the job would be, or maybe slightly better. Try to match how you think the best employees in that job would look.

[superfly]

I found a job that says I need to "apply in person" for. This is for a position and company that should at least provide an email for you to send a resume. But I digress. I've never done this before. Should I dress up like I'm going to an interview?

 

Advantage you in this scenario if you're a courteous, well-kept charming person. Sending to an email just lumps you in with tens (hundreds?) of other faceless resumes. Deliver it with confidence, i've even had a couple friends ask if they could speak to the manager & walked out with a job. Not something I can do, but some are good at it.

[jerichoholicninja]

I found a job that says I need to "apply in person" for. This is for a position and company that should at least provide an email for you to send a resume. But I digress. I've never done this before. Should I dress up like I'm going to an interview?

 

So a month and a half after posting this, here is where things stand:

 

I went in dressed business casual, believe anything more would have been overdressed as I was the only person in that office wearing pants and sleeves, and asked about the job. They gave me an application and filled out my contact info and such and got to the back of the sheet where they asked for my work history. I asked if they wanted me to fill it out because I had my resume with me. They said I needed to fill it out so I copied all the information that I had just spent the whole morning typing up into the tiny spaces on the sheet.

 

When I finished, they looked it over and asked me a few questions and told me some things about the job. They seemed genuinely interested and while talking said "We will probably start you out at..." and then proceeded to look at my salary history and gave me a number that was higher than the starting salary in the job posting which seemed like a good sign to me. They said they would call me later in the week to set something up.

 

I went in on Monday and didn't hear from them the rest of the week. I called the following Monday and they seemed upset that I called but asked if I could come in on Friday. My interview went great. They showed me around the place. It seemed like we did more chatting than actual "interviewing" and I asked lots of questions about the job and the company. They said they would call me next week and I felt good about it, but I feel good about every interview.

 

A week goes by and I don't hear from them. I finally call them Wednesday the week after they said they would call me. They tell me they've been very busy and haven't had any time to think about it. Also, one of the people who is involved in the hiring process is on vacation on this week and next so they will call me on Monday (1 and a half weeks from now) when she gets back and included the word promise.

 

Well that Monday comes around and guess what? No call. I figured it's a Monday, things got busy, I'll call on Tuesday. I call on Tuesday and they tell me they are very interested in me, they want to bring me on board, they're very busy and need the help. Great. But they also say they need to speak with their accountant (who is very busy) because they need to "get some things in order" before they bring someone else on. Give us a few days they say and we'll get back to you.

 

The last time I spoke with them was August 17. They are a very successful business, been in business for over 30 years. My aunt does a lot of business with them and has said they are usually very slow with things because they have so much work. They have a two person office staff. I can somewhat understand what is taking so long but it also sort of feels like I am getting the run around. If you don't want me, just tell me. I'll be upset but I can move on then. I'm sure some of you might be wondering why I would want to work at a place like this but I hate my current job, I can pretty much make my own work schedule, and I would actually being doing something I enjoy for a change.

 

I was thinking about this a few weeks ago but I have basically been in a continuous 7 year job hunt since I finished college. My only real big boy, grown up job I had lasted all of 4.5 months before I was laid off. So I wish I could say that I'm used to dealing with this type of crap but I'm not. And it doesn't get any less frustrating.

[FVBrewerFan]

I know that type of company all too well. From what you're saying, I get the sense they're not trying to give you the run-around, it's just that it's obviously not a high priority to fill the position quickly.

 

My advice would be to call the person there you are most comfortable with. Be honest, yet professional, and just tell them this is important to you, you know you'll do a great job for them, and it's been difficult to handle being in limbo for this long. You understand these things take time, they're dealing with other issues, etc. but can you please let me know when we can pick up where we left off? That's about all you can do at this point. Anything more and you look desperate or unprofessional.

[LouisEly]

To me it sounds like it is a matter of whether they think it will be financially worthwhile to fill the position, not a matter of you as a candidate. Behind the scenes, that's why a lot of these decisions get put off - they aren't sure of their financial situation and whether they need someone in that role. I think the question to ask is, how important is the position to that company's success and continued operation?

 

Had this a couple of months ago - they really liked me, things got put off, things got put off some more, then they decided to eliminate the position.

[umphrey]

If it was me I would press a little bit and float the idea that I have other prospects in the works. Say something like "I would really like to work for your company, it is my first choice, but I don't intend to stay available on the market for long". Showing confidence in my abilities has always worked in the past. Make sure to time it right, maybe it's best to do that kind of thing early Monday morning rather than later in the week and if you have any feel for the flow of their business try to do it during a positive time.

[Invader3K]

To me it sounds like it is a matter of whether they think it will be financially worthwhile to fill the position, not a matter of you as a candidate. Behind the scenes, that's why a lot of these decisions get put off - they aren't sure of their financial situation and whether they need someone in that role. I think the question to ask is, how important is the position to that company's success and continued operation?

 

This...this is exactly what they're dealing with. I would keep making contact, or say something like umphrey posted. I wouldn't hold my breath that this company will get around to actually offering the job anytime soon, though. I think you're best off continuing to search and trying to schedule interviews at other companies.

[GAME05]

I can't add anything to the thread, but especially for someone who's been searching for so long, I hope you wind up with everything you've been hoping for. Wishing you the best.

[jerichoholicninja]

Called this afternoon and got the so and so just stepped out they'll call back in a few minutes. Never happened. Called again before they closed and was told they are still trying to figure out the pay rate "so that it is fair for everyone" and they will talked with so and so on Tuesday when they are back in. When I called this afternoon I spoke with that person. You couldn't have talked about it after that? I really wish I didn't have the combination of hating my current job so much and loving so many things about this potential job so I can tell them to just forget it. They also said they would call me back on Tuesday. So far their track record for calling me back AT ALL when they say they will is 0 for every time.

[jerichoholicninja]

Tuesday has passed and no call. Can't say I'm surprised.

[Invader3K]

Tuesday has passed and no call. Can't say I'm surprised.

That stinks. I'd be looking at other prospects.

[jerichoholicninja]

Has it always been this damn hard to get a job? Literally every place I've dealt with has been this same crap. I'm sick of getting lied to, ignored, jerked around.

[LouisEly]

There is a point where time spent pursuing this could be used for searching for another opportunity. Your time is your most precious resource. The unemployment rate has (supposedly) dropped to the low 5% range; things will start opening up.

 

If you are running into "experience" concerns from potential employers, an idea might be to find a charity to do pro-bono work for in your field. They are always looking for professionals to help with running their charities, and you can make a lot of connections working with charities too. Build your experience and make connections, that's the best thing you can do for yourself.