What is going on?

Navigating the Modern Job Hunt: A Frustrating Experience

For the past year, my girlfriend has been actively seeking employment. Her commitment has been unwavering as she diligently submits applications each day to every job opportunity she discovers. However, the responses have been disheartening, often resulting in either rejections or complete silence.

A glimmer of hope appeared approximately 2-3 months ago when she received a call for a job interview. An interview was coordinated over the phone, followed by an email confirmation.

The scheduled day of the interview eventually arrived, only to be disrupted by an email sent at 6 a.m. postponing the meeting to the following week.

As the next week rolled around, mere hours before the interview, she was contacted again with the familiar refrain of needing to reschedule due to an overwhelming number of candidates to interview.

This cycle of delay persisted for over a month. Finally, just hours before what would have been the fourth or fifth attempt at an interview, she received an email stating that the position had been filled.

It raises the question: what is happening with human resource practices and organizational protocols today? This level of disarray and inefficiency is perplexing and somewhat unprecedented in my professional experience. Is this the new norm in the job market, or is it a temporary phase that companies need to address? The lack of structure and communication underscores a growing concern in the corporate recruitment process.

Will this be a red flag on a background check?

Navigating Potential Red Flags in Background Checks: A Personal Experience

After recently receiving an offer from a new company, I’m eagerly preparing for my start date, which is just two weeks away. My qualifications for this new role are largely based on my current job experience. During the pandemic, I began working towards an associate degree, taking several relevant courses. However, I have yet to complete the program.

On my resume, I have listed this ongoing associate degree with the timeframe “2020 – present,” as I plan to finish it eventually. This detail wasn’t questioned during the interview, nor did the hiring manager address it. Now, as my background check looms, I find myself wondering if this inclusion could raise concerns.

I do have transcripts that clearly document the courses I’ve completed towards this degree, which I’m prepared to present if needed. My intention was not to mislead; rather, to show my continued commitment to education. Nonetheless, I am ready to clarify this aspect if any questions arise during the background check process. Transparency is key, and I aim to provide all necessary information if required.

Why Are Enterprise Developers Penalized for Spending Their Time on Real-World Code Instead of Hobby Projects?

Are Enterprise Developers Being Undervalued for Their Real-World Expertise?

As an enterprise developer, you’ve likely dedicated countless hours to crafting essential production code that powers multi-billion dollar ventures. Your role involves building, optimizing, and sustaining real-world systems that underpin global operations.

Yet, in the hiring landscape, your monumental contributions often seem to be overlooked. Why does it feel like this?

The prevalent issue seems to be that your time isn’t spent populating GitHub with project after project or contributing extensively to open source. Instead, you focused on your primary responsibilities, crafting solutions that remain largely unseen.

This situation raises a pressing question: Why does this make some developers seem less visible, or even less valuable, compared to those with numerous side projects?

Key Points of Frustration:

• Restricted Exposure for Enterprise Work: Your most significant creations are confined within private repositories, shielded by NDAs. Sharing such work openly isn’t a possibility.
• A Misalignment Between Side Projects and Real Enterprise Experience: While contributing to open source is commendable, it doesn’t mirror the intricacies of managing a live system with tangible business outcomes.
• Assessing the True Value of Portfolio Reviews: Are recruiters and hiring managers genuinely prioritizing portfolios, or is this notion a misconception?
• Challenges in the Job Search for Enterprise Developers: The job search process remains a hurdle, with enterprise developers too often overshadowed by generic application methods and applicants lacking enterprise-level experience.

Seeking Insights:

• Enterprise Developers: Are you encountering this dilemma? How do you demonstrate your expertise today? Have you felt marginalized because your GitHub isn’t bustling with activity?
• Hiring Managers and Recruiters: Do portfolios play a significant role in evaluating candidates? If not, how do you assess experience beyond merely considering the duration of employment? What’s your strategy for identifying competent enterprise developers?

Despite the undeniable contributions enterprise developers make to business efficacy, the current hiring practices may not fully recognize the individuals who ensure the seamless operation of these enterprises. I invite your perspectives, frustrations, and suggestions to better understand and address this dynamic. What’s truly transpiring in this space?

Recruiting hell is getting hotter because recruiters are having their jobs outsourced to India.

Title: The Outsourcing Dilemma: How Recruiting Practices are Evolving and What It Means for the Job Market

In recent years, a significant transformation has taken place within the recruitment industry that is leaving many concerned about its long-term implications. With a drive towards cost-cutting, numerous publicly traded staffing firms have chosen to outsource large portions of their recruiting functions to teams based in India. This decision, primarily driven by profit motives, has raised questions about the quality and efficiency of recruitment processes.

The impact of this outsourcing wave extends across the entire recruitment ecosystem. American recruiters find themselves scrambling to remain competitive with their overseas counterparts. The pressure to deliver results quickly has led to a decline in the thorough evaluation of candidates’ resumes. The outcome has been a deluge of unfocused and irrelevant applications cluttering the inboxes of hiring managers and companies.

Indian recruitment teams, leveraging the time zone differences with the U.S., are able to operate around the clock. While American recruiters are off the clock, their international counterparts seize the opportunity to inundate potential employers with resumes. This nonstop cycle creates a significant advantage for the company executives who initiated these outsourcing moves, as they benefit financially in the short term. However, this can often come at the cost of long-term company and market health.

Moreover, large American corporations compound the issue by failing to vet their vendor lists properly. Preferring not to invest in local talent, they allow numerous staffing firms to compete for the same positions. This approach often results in a saturated market overwhelmed by unsuitable candidate submissions, leaving employers frustrated and job seekers disenfranchised.

To make matters more complex, some Indian-based recruitment firms have established minority-owned subsidiaries to gain preferential access to clients. While this practice falls within legal guidelines, it is frequently manipulated. The proliferation of falsified resumes and exaggerated credentials is undermining the credibility of the U.S. IT staffing sector as a whole. As a consequence, American jobs are increasingly being threatened and displaced.

The current trajectory of recruitment outsourcing highlights significant challenges within the industry that necessitate awareness and strategic consideration. As discussions about these changes grow, it is crucial for all stakeholders—employers, recruiters, and policymakers—to collaborate towards a balanced approach that safeguards both economic viability and job integrity.

Back to job hunting after 3 years! !!

Navigating the Job Market: A Return to Job Hunting After Three Years

Embarking on a professional journey once again after three years in academia has proven to be more challenging than I ever anticipated. Reflecting on my initial job search in 2020, I remember successfully landing an internship that transitioned into a full-time role. Thankfully, that role paved the way for me to pursue graduate studies.

As I approach the completion of my degree, I find myself diving back into the job market with the hope of securing a position that aligns with my newfound qualifications. Surprisingly, the job landscape is even more perplexing than when I was fresh out of school. The requirements for some roles seem bewildering; for instance, I recently encountered a job listing that mandated applicants to be at least 27 years old. Such stipulations make me question their relevance to the capabilities that truly matter in the professional world.

The current job market is undoubtedly a challenging terrain, yet I remain optimistic about finding opportunities that not only align with my skills and education but also respect genuine qualifications over arbitrary criteria.

Finally got the offer!

Celebrating Career Milestones: Securing a New Opportunity

It’s with great excitement that I share some wonderful news—I’ve officially received a job offer! This milestone is something I’ve been working towards, and I’m thrilled to announce it on my LinkedIn profile.

If you resonate with this achievement, I would be truly grateful for your support through a like or a comment. Witnessing others succeed brings me immense joy, and it’s important to keep this positive momentum alive. If you’ve recently accomplished something you’re proud of, please share your story in the comments or connect with me by leaving your LinkedIn profile. Let’s continue to inspire and uplift each other on our professional journeys.

Stabbed in the back, then in the heart

Betrayed Twice: My Journey Through Job Rejections

Navigating the challenges of entering the professional world can be a daunting experience, especially for recent graduates eager to jumpstart their careers. My personal journey offers a glimpse into some of these struggles.

Recently, I applied for a position specifically designed for fresh graduates in my field of research. The job posting emphasized the need for candidates to possess at least an honours degree, with a master’s preferred. Having achieved both, I felt confident about my prospects. The interview went smoothly, reinforcing my optimism. However, just a week later, I received the disappointing news that the position went to someone with more practical experience in a specialized technique. This unexpected twist felt like a betrayal, undermining my academic accomplishments.

Despite this setback, there appeared to be a silver lining. One of the interviewers, seemingly impressed, invited me to explore a similar role within the same organization. Filled with renewed enthusiasm, I expressed genuine interest and promptly provided my references when requested. This process gave me hope that my lengthy job hunt, spanning over a year, might finally conclude favorably.

Unfortunately, this was not the case. Today, I received yet another heart-rending email, indicating that I wasn’t selected for the position. After the initial excitement and the encouraging reference check request, this second wave of rejection hit even harder, leaving me with a sense of profound disappointment and questioning the invitation back in the first place.

This series of events has been a challenging test of resilience. As I navigate through these trials, I reflect on the broader journey of finding one’s place in the world. While it may seem at times that others find success and love with ease, my path reminds me that setbacks are part of the journey. Although this chapter was particularly disheartening, it’s an opportunity to reassess and keep pursuing my passion and potential. Life’s challenges will continue, but so will my pursuit of better opportunities.

Review my CV. I used a template from one of the subs here.

How to Enhance Your CV Using Template Resources from Online Communities

Creating a standout CV can be a daunting task, especially in today’s competitive job market. Fortunately, online communities offer a plethora of templates that can help transform your resume into a striking representation of your skills and experiences. Recently, I decided to take advantage of these resources and used a template I discovered on a well-regarded forum.

Utilizing this template gave my CV a fresh, professional look, setting a solid foundation for showcasing my qualifications. However, having a template is just the beginning. It is essential to personalize and tailor the content to highlight your unique strengths and achievements.

If you’re considering updating your CV, exploring reputable online platforms for inspiration can be invaluable. They provide not only the structural aesthetics but also insights into what employers may be looking for in a candidate. Always remember, though, that while a template is a great starting point, crafting a CV that truly reflects who you are requires customization and attention to detail.

For those on the brink of revamping their resumes, this approach might just be the key to unlocking new career opportunities. Have you tried using a template from an online community? What was your experience like? Let’s discuss further in the comments!

Should I have contacted HR? Interview shitshow

Navigating the Interview Process: When HR Needs to Know

A Challenging Interview Experience

Some time ago, I navigated the interview process for a Media Specialist role with a prominent company known for their competitive salaries and excellent benefits. I progressed to the final interview stage, conducted by the company’s “Head of Talent Acquisition,” whom we’ll call Sam, and the “Head of Media,” referred to as Ryan.

The interview turned out to be far from what I had expected. Over the course of an hour, there was a distinct lack of focus on the position or my qualifications. Instead, I was met with peculiar inquiries such as:
– “How do we make sure you’re not working too hard?”
– “If you have complaints about me, how do we know you won’t share them with your coworkers?”
– “You know not to discuss your pay with other employees, right?”

Sam seemed more interested in lecturing me rather than genuinely understanding my capabilities, overshadowing the few job-relevant questions posed by Ryan. The glaring imbalance left me with concerns about the company’s interview process.

Unresponsive Follow-Up

Following the interview, I was asked to provide three references, a request that, in hindsight, seemed to lack sincerity as none of my contacts were ever reached. Additionally, the post-interview communication was non-existent. Insights from a company insider later revealed this approach is typical for them.

Raising Awareness:

I also discovered that during a mock interview, Sam had made an inappropriate, anti-Black remark, which further highlights troubling dynamics within the recruiting team. While I can’t speculate on whether this influenced the hiring decision, it’s distressing to see such behavior in a leadership role.

Conclusion: Considering HR Involvement

Reflecting on the experience, it remains unclear whether contacting HR would have been beneficial. However, when encountering such red flags, especially those involving potential discrimination or unprofessional conduct, it might be crucial to involve HR or a similar authority. Ultimately, while the lack of professionalism was disappointing, it affirmed my decision to move forward and seek environments that uphold respect and integrity.

I FINALLY received an offer!

Perseverance Pays Off: My Journey to Landing a Job Offer

Greetings to all! I am thrilled to share some exciting news that I never thought would come true, especially in today’s challenging job market. After what seemed like an endless search, I have finally received a job offer in my field!

Over the course of my job search, I submitted over 1,500 applications and engaged in only four actual interviews before receiving this wonderful opportunity. It was an incredibly arduous journey, often leaving me in tears and feeling mentally exhausted. There were moments when I was convinced I would have to accept a different path entirely.

However, perseverance has brought me to this significant milestone, and I hope my experience serves as a beacon of hope for others in a similar situation. If you are on a similar journey, please do not lose heart. Persistence in the face of adversity can truly lead to success. Keep pushing forward!