Author Topic: Jobs and stuff  (Read 53944 times)

Peter Ahlstrom

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Re: Jobs and stuff
« Reply #120 on: November 01, 2008, 11:46:51 PM »
Stacer, how many jobs have you applied for? Do you...have some magical way to get an interview at companies that haven't asked you for an interview? >_>
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AvalonDreamer

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Re: Jobs and stuff
« Reply #121 on: November 13, 2008, 05:53:18 AM »
Yes, do tell, please.

I'm looking for ANY job dealing with Technical Support or Programming... Computer Scientists are like what lawyers used to be. Honestly, I know a guy working at Chuck E. Cheese who has a Bachelors in Computer Science, an associates in Software Development, and certifications across the board.
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The Jade Knight

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Re: Jobs and stuff
« Reply #122 on: November 13, 2008, 01:58:21 PM »
Do you care where?
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AvalonDreamer

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Re: Jobs and stuff
« Reply #123 on: November 13, 2008, 06:13:36 PM »
Northern California, or Iowa/Illinois are my optimal locations, unless they (doubtfully) do relocation.
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The Jade Knight

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Re: Jobs and stuff
« Reply #124 on: November 14, 2008, 05:18:28 AM »
I know there are a lot of tech jobs in California, though I haven't paid too much attention as to whereabouts in particular.
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Peter Ahlstrom

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Re: Jobs and stuff
« Reply #125 on: November 18, 2008, 03:42:54 AM »
I just applied for a job at a New York company where I know someone. I hope that at least gets me an interview.

Sigh.
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stacer

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Re: Jobs and stuff
« Reply #126 on: November 18, 2008, 07:19:28 PM »
Stacer, how many jobs have you applied for? Do you...have some magical way to get an interview at companies that haven't asked you for an interview? >_>

I haven't applied for many jobs because my freelancing + severance has kept me afloat so far (though this month it's been tougher). I went to NYC last week and just networked, networked, networked. Over the last few years while I was at Mirrorstone I've made a lot of NYC editor friends and I've been able to contact them and ask them about openings, and they've been really helpful to get me on freelance lists, too.

But making a trip to NYC really made the difference. I applied for a bunch of jobs at various houses and never got a response, but when I planned the trip I got three interviews at houses that weren't even currently hiring. Now, that doesn't mean I'll get a job, but it does mean that when openings come up they'll know who I am and have personal contact with me.

As it is, I think I'll have enough freelancing to get me through the next month or so, and if not I will go to the local temp agencies and apply at B&N for holiday help. I have a friend here who thinks she can get me in for a temp day job, too. Just to get me by until the right opening comes up.
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stacer

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Re: Jobs and stuff
« Reply #127 on: November 18, 2008, 07:22:16 PM »
Also, we're approaching the holiday slowdown, so I'm not sure that a lot of positions will be opening up for the next month and a half or so. But come Jan., the houses that aren't cutting back (Scholastic, HarperCollins) will hopefully start replacing people who have left.
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Peter Ahlstrom

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Re: Jobs and stuff
« Reply #128 on: November 18, 2008, 08:45:45 PM »
So basically, you were able to get interviews at those houses (that didn't have openings) because you knew someone there already?

When I lived in New York right after graduating, I had a grand total of five interviews in the year I was there, four of which were from knowing someone or knowing someone who knew someone. The other was from sending a resume through the supposed standard job application process. Anywhere else wouldn't talk to me. In my first month there I got suited up and went down to Random House to drop off a resume at the HR department; security didn't let me past the ground floor lobby and I ended up taking it to the post office.

A year of a very few rejections and a plethora of absolutely-no-responses made me very cynical about the whole job application process. The idea of getting an interview somewhere that doesn't even have a job available is mind-boggling.

I have a partial handle on networking at a convention like Worldcon, but outside of a convention? No clue. How can I go network if they don't even let me in the door?
« Last Edit: November 18, 2008, 08:48:54 PM by Mok Apple Pie »
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Re: Jobs and stuff
« Reply #129 on: November 18, 2008, 09:54:04 PM »
What about Conventions?  Not just fan conventions, but professional ones.  Isn't there some union or group you could join that would allow you access to your peers, and more importantly, their bosses?
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stacer

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Re: Jobs and stuff
« Reply #130 on: November 18, 2008, 10:18:27 PM »
For HarperCollins, yes, I knew an editor at one of their imprints because we were guest editors together last summer at BYU Writing for Young Readers. I asked her who in HR I should address my email to and then mentioned her name. At Tor, well, I'm not sure if it's because I mentioned my former boss's name (who is friends with the person I emailed, but I'd also met her at shows before too) or because I worked for one of their rivals and she knows the kind of quality stuff we put out. Then she sent me down to the MacMillan HR dept, where she'd already sent my resume to. I know editors at almost every major house because I've been going to editorial retreats, making sure to have lunches with editor bloggers when I went to conventions, and in general just trying to network with other editors as much as possible.

Now, this is harder outside of the children's book world--people in the adult industry, honestly, aren't as nice, I've found--but yes, you talk to every editor you meet at cons, you go to lunch and compare notes, you ask to pick their brains on work issues ("did you ever run into an author who....?" kind of stuff, no specifics of course), you ask them how they got started. A blog helps, too--I've met many editors in the virtual world who are now real-life friends.

And yes, from my experience, the only way you get an interview, even with my experience, is by knowing someone in the house. I applied for four or five other jobs and asked for several more interviews before I went to NYC (mentioning "I'll be in town next week," etc.) and never heard back from those houses, including one I was sure I'd hear from because I know one of their high-profile authors well.
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Spriggan

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Re: Jobs and stuff
« Reply #131 on: November 18, 2008, 10:59:40 PM »
It's alwayse who you know and not what you know.

I can only think of two jobs I've ever had that I got without knowing someone at the place I interviewed at.
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Peter Ahlstrom

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Re: Jobs and stuff
« Reply #132 on: November 18, 2008, 11:41:03 PM »
Well. I just got off the phone with an HR person, and I have a phone interview Friday morning. Next goal is not screwing it up.
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stacer

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Re: Jobs and stuff
« Reply #133 on: November 18, 2008, 11:59:56 PM »
Congrats! It's a start!
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Re: Jobs and stuff
« Reply #134 on: December 01, 2008, 10:03:50 PM »
[I wrote this post and realized it's way too late, but maybe it will help someone in the future.]

With phone interviews, make sure when you talk to them on the phone that there is mirror near by so you can see what your facial expression is. If you're smiling, it will come across in your voice. A lot of what people look for isn't just what you know, but whether you'd be a pleasant person to work with.

And of course think about how you'd answer the standard questions:

Why do you want to work here?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Tell me a little about yourself. (I hate that one. I never know what to say.)
What makes you stand out from other candidates? (Or why should we choose you and not someone else?)

Also, if you have a description about what the job entails, make sure you bring out what they're looking for in that position, and have examples of how you have what they're looking for. For example, if they want someone experienced in InDesign, make sure to talk about when you've worked with InDesign in the past, and be specific. Make sure to have an example of each point in your mind so you're more likely to draw on those experiences throughout the interview.

Also, LDS employment (http://www.providentliving.org/channel/0,11677,1703-1,00.html) has really good tips including "Me in 30 Seconds" statements (http://providentliving.org/content/display/0,11666,5946-1-3039-1,00.html). These can really sound impressive in an interview. I hope that helps someone!