Bix

Yes, of course that is possible but according to my insider it was an old pals act and already decided. She met none of the criteria. The job advert was going through a formality to make it look legit.

My insider was not close enough to it to help me.....although I don't really want a job because I know someone.....but it's looking more like that's the only way I will get one.

SillyOldBag

Glad I didn't put anyones nose out of joint and thanks all for the reassurance.

Man I'm getting paranoid - perhaps I should put that on my resume. "Certificate III in paranoia, cynicism and bitterness".

Sorry about the job moneypenny - you are clearly destined for greater things! You were probably thrown by the fact that the role wasn't the one that was described in the job advert, it is unnerving but not necessarily uncommon. I applied for a job a couple of weeks ago and then got a phone call to say the advert was for the wrong job did I want to proceed, but they were totally different roles and whilst I was only a bit unsuitable for the one I applied for, I was totally unsuited to the real job! Even I could see that

A friend of ours was telling me the other day about his s-i-l who phoned about a job at a school, was told that the applications had closed but then they realised who she was and said hold on.... called her straight in for interview and offered her the job. Didn't even interview anyone else who had applied by the right date and all because they knew her. I don't doubt that she had all the necessary skills but it did seem a bit off to me to not even consider anyone else.

I'm still keeping my fingers crossed, it will probably be a tad uncomfortable by Monday! Thanks again for all the kind wishes and whatnot. I have no idea whether I'm ambitious or not anymore - only time will tell.

One thing though, I was in a supermarket this morning and saw some shelf fillers doing their thing, I think the work will kill me

SillyOldBag

Somewhat bizarrely, I just checked my email and I have been rejected for a job I didn't apply for! I don't know whether to be disappointed or not

Kooky.

Just think yourself fortunate they bothered to tell you, SOB

SillyOldBag

That's true. I reckon only about 10%, if that, bother to reply to applications beyond, if you're lucky, an acknowledgement of receipt, and those are generally only if it's an automated system. Perhaps there is a business opportunity there, I could be a rejection letter specialist

TiddlyPom

You'll sure ache for a few days but think about how fit you'll be. ; ) I wore a pedometer in a ten hour shift the other week, just for curiosity sake. 25000 steps.

@Bix... get more friends.

SillyOldBag

I think it's useful friends we lack. Clearly we need to work on in depth interviews for potential friends where contacts and connections are paramount. I think I'm going to have to sack some of my friends - but then I'll be billy-no-mates

TiddlyPom

I guess there's a difference between networking and just having friends. I do a lot of networking up here. I guess I got picked up by my latest job, which I love btw, through someone I knew who took my resume in. It got me more attention than just delivering my resume myself. (But I got the job because I was qualified not because I knew anyone)
Two depts called me in for interview the next day. Funny how things work out.

SillyOldBag

I think it's probably true to say that a high proportion of the jobs that are given on a "who you know" basis probably do go to someone that is fully capable of doing the job. An employer would be mad to do otherwise and it is definitely the easiest option when faced with 100 plus applications for even the lowliest of jobs. Better the devil you know ....

I suspect too that part of the high volumes of applications for jobs are because of people being forced to apply for a certain number of jobs per fortnight regardless of whether they are appropriate or not in order to receive benefits, which must get up employers noses.

All we can do is keep plugging away though.

Bikergirl

Well the one job I was offered yesterday went to discuss salary etc and they offered me a significantly junior role, with some shift work instead - as the office manager put her hand up yesterday and wanted the more senior role Anyway I was ok with that initially as I still got offered verbally a very good salary, with a good increment in 3 months time. Since receiving the offer of employment and contract the salary was lower than agreed and nothing mentioned about an increase in 3 months time. Rang the MD back, who I'd agreed with, said he would sort it out and resend me the paperwork. Paperwork received again, this time with the correct salary on but only agreeing a salary review in 3 months no increment.

Have since rejected this job offer and gone with the original job offer from Tuesday. Less pay, more professional company and better flexible hours for a job that I am quite happy to do, more than capable of doing with a 6 month salary review and the option to develop within the company.

SillyOldBag

Congratulations! Sounds like you made a good sound decision. If a company screw you around at the initial stage then it's a pretty good sign that it's not a good company to work for. Keeping your eye on the prize would seem to the fitting idiom for this

moneypenny20

By quoting a different job title means they can pay a lower rate. I wouldn't have been happy doing the actual job for the money, way too much responsibility considering. If the whole kit and kaboodle is on my shoulders, I expect a higher rate. I'll have to get my ear to the tracks to see how the 'lucky applicant' gets on. I think I may well have dodged a bullet.

paulry

I can think of no-one more deserving to get a job than you, SillyOldBag. Anyway, after having just now seen this thread and read through all it's posts hoping for the happy ending I see that you're still waiting. That's something all too common here is it can sometimes take a while for them to decide one way or another who they're going to take on - even for the less high profile jobs.

But all the very best of good luck to you, just keep banging on those doors! With your excellent attitude I'm sure you'll secure a job very soon

SillyOldBag

Thankyou My fingers remain crossed

I was at the store yesterday with my 9yo daughter and I saw one of the guys that interviewed me. I pointed him out to youngSOB and she was all in favour of going and having a word with him on my behalf!! I dread to think what persuasive argument she would have used had I agreed to this! She's already threatened to boycott the place if I don't get the job - I did remind her that she has only ever spent $1 of her own money in there so I hardly think they would weep at the loss of revenue.

paulry

Careful you don't let her give him a good kicking in the ankles just yet because the "You are the successful applicant..." letter might be in the post!