Kind of bummed out - not unexpected but.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Kind of bummed out - not unexpected but.
20
Sun, 05-07-2006 - 11:15am

As I kind of figured - DH didn't get the job.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 12:45am
Hi, Becky. I agree with lynne (Canada)--I dont think the problem is necessarily the degree factor, it might be the "recent experience" factor. When DH got laid off, he worked some P.T. gigs for about 6 months, which did help when he interviewed for the one position he's hoping to get. l)Informational interviews and Toastmasters to polish presentation skills. 2)Resume review. If the interviewers are concerned about lack of recent education/experience/skills, maybe he can say it is a valid concern, etc, then launch right into his certifications, results-oriented focus, and mentoring, etc. Dont overlook the possibility of a reference that is saying something "out of touch". He's getting the interviews, but there is a roadblock somewhere. If the references are saying, "Oh, he did a great job 4 yrs ago on x,y,z", have him coach them to relevance, e.g., "He's punctual, a critical thinker, and demonstrates a passion for teamwork by x,y,z". When the company I worked for (awhile back) shut down, I had to resort to my P.T. gig for recent skills review. PS--Dont let him buy any Grecian Formula stuff. DH did (not now), and it turned the grey into a hideous shade of yellow!! LOL. Hugs. Whiz.
Avatar for cl_beckymk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 8:25am

OK....the Grecian Formula stuff just cracked me up!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-21-2003
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 9:01am

Hi Becky,

sending positive thoughts across the Atlantic and keeping my fingers crossed for you and your family that it will all work out fine. Can't give any advice since the job-market works pretty different here, it seems.

Greetings, Jordis

ivy_jordis

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Registered: 01-06-2005
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 10:12am

Becky, HUGS!

 

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Avatar for skthurber
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Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 4:09pm

ITA with Whiz. Community college is a great place to start. My DH teaches English at a local community college, and he deals with lots of "nontraditional" students. There are all sorts of financial assistance programs out there and support for students who work, have families, etc. Many community colleges have online courses, and the ones in our area (Northern Illinois) have relationships with 4-year schools so that you can get a bachelor's degree locally. Ok, have I sung their praises enough? :) Seriously, it is worth looking into.

-Sarah

Sarah


Mom to Gina & Tony


 


iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2003
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 4:47pm

Hi Becky,

First off, *hugs!* I know things will get better for you soon. Secondly, if you'd like me to take a look at your DH's resume and cover letter, I'm a professional resume writer (I work with ResumeEdge.com if you want to check out the legit-ness--it's how I pay for law school), and will be more than happy to look it over for free for you--the board has given me so much support over the last couple years, it'd be nice to feel like I'd been able to give something back! You can email them to me darra DOT clark @ asu DOT edu if you'd like me to work them over :) Good luck to you again!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2003
Tue, 05-09-2006 - 10:54pm

Becky I am so sorry that you are feeling frustrated! I agree with the poster who said look into some of the classes, not the whole degree right away (and the community college part). When I got my job at the pharmaceutical company, (the lowest, entry level position I might add) they wanted a University degree. However, since I was in the process of attaining one, they hired me anyway. I asked later about why that was (after we had to pass on a perfect candidate who they would have LOVED to hire and even offered to pay for some of his schooling if he went back) and HR said it just wouldn't be fair to all the people who had put in the time and money to go. The interesting thing is, after I was hired, they never bothered to ask about school again! Maybe this is an option to consder . . .

Regardless, keep your chin up. It will work out!
The "Canadian" Becky
aka Bex


Bex -

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2006
Wed, 05-10-2006 - 12:16pm

Becky,
It sounds like your DH is a network admin type. I was wondering if he had considered moving to the 'other side' w/software development. It is quite a bit more lucrative and I think the job market is bouncing back faster than the network side of the house (I haven't looked much into this but it seems to me that networks are getting by on fewer and fewer people...at least in our org). I know that lots of not-for-profits need web development and database work done so once he got some 'book learning' he might be able to do some of those types of projects to get his resume beefed up a bit and get his foot in the door. I will also encourage the idea of participating in user groups and other networking opportunities.

Sorry to hear this job didn't come through but hopefully something will come along soon.

Peg

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2001
Thu, 05-11-2006 - 6:29pm

Becky

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Sorry to hear about your H's job interview. I emailed to your leader account some info on resumes/interviews etc that we use with our executive level candidates. Hope the information proves useful.

Companies can still be snobs about degrees. Pick a school with a good reputation for what he wants to do, rather than just picking a school.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Fri, 05-12-2006 - 2:44am

Do they have "headhunters" in your area? I don't know how to find one here, but one of my friends said that where she lives they have "headhunters" for technical fields.

Is he considering relocation? I think if in the past he hasn't and you would be willing to move that he should. I know my uncle worked in the computer fields and he couldn't get ANYTHING here in our area.. we have a high population of military, and low cost of livng so alot of "veterans" take up our technical jobs, so my uncle had to move where there were more openings.

oh! And maybe and interview coach might help him? I know when I interviewed people I could tell when someone had been looking for a job for a while. They sometimes lacked the confidence since they had gone through rejection so many times.

Most of all, hugs to you! Keep your chin up and try to take one day at a time. I know it must be hard.

Stephanie

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