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OT: More job stuff

Maya

Veteran

This morning I got this email this morning from the company owner of the place I interviewed with yesterday:

"We all enjoyed meeting you and were impressed with you and your work. We will do our best to create that opportunity for you. Not sure if it will happen right away. But we’ll do our best try to get you in. So stay in touch. And thanks for following up."

So I guess there weren't any openings and they were just scouting out possible future talent. I hope they are able to create a position for me, but it has to be soon. If it's six months down the line...I don't know. I'm not sure how to react to this email. It's sort of encouraging and disappointing at the same time. I feel pretty sure that they liked me now, but whether or not they will be able to act on it is sort of up in the air at the moment.

General

25 replies

Latest reply was from RoseandJoan

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Maya,
That is indeed a positive thing!!!They definitely liked you and your work very much and it seems like they are just being honest about their situation. It does not mean that you should not keep looking and let them know if something comes up that requires you to make a decision. It is not about waiting on them bit just trusting that the timing will either be right or not- Either way you should be pleased- you impressed in a very competitive field!

rute

Veteran

Maya! I see you are creating such a great impression on everyone!!!!!!!!!! Well done girl!!!!!!!!

Hope you get a job (a really nice one.. and well paid) soon!!

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Maya, I totally understand your mixed emotions, but I must say this is a really good sign. I've had interviews where people told me they were impressed with me but couldn't hire at this time, but I've never been told I was impressive enough for them to want to create a position for me. At the very least, this should boost your confidence and reassure you that you've got what it takes to get noticed. I agree, though, that you can't wait around indefinitely. Keep looking, but stay in touch with them. This is a seriously hot prospect, and even if you don't wind up working there, you've gained a lot from this experience. Sometimes a boost of confidence is the first sign that things are looking up for real.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Maya, just to be sure, this is the same company that emailed you yesterday - the one you had the spectacular interview with?

If so, what wise Michelle said. This is still a positive response. Think of all the people who never even got back to you!

Also, I think you should write back to them, but I'm not sure what types of questions you should ask. You need to stay motivated with this opportunity.You might need to skillfully nag them every fortnight. Michelle - what do you think?

marianna

Veteran

Frustrating. The waiting game kills me. Honestly though, it's obvious that they were super duper impressed with you... you need to remember that as you continue the search. You're a VERY valuable asset. Someone will scoop you up in no time.

But yes, absolutely keep in touch. Email them to get updates. Obviously don't be annoying about it, but once in a while should be absolutely appropriate.

Alecia

Veteran

Great job, Maya! I'd say this is very promising. I agree with everyone else that you should stay in touch with them. In the meantime, I hope it gives you a boost of confidence to carry with you while you're looking around for other opportunities. In addition to e-mailing them to get updates, you might want to also include updates on what you've been up to like if you had a particularly interesting project at the internship or something.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Here are my initial thoughts, but some wider input would probably be a good idea here (waves at Kristen and all other recruiters, past and present)!

I think this note merits a response, and that response could easily contain a question about timelines. I know if I were the one hiring you I'd be cool with receiving a note expressing gratitude at the fact that they seem to want to bring you on board followed by a tactfully-phrased question about when they think it might happen. Most people understand that it's a tough market out there, and they should at least be able to give you a rough estimate, i.e. whether they're talking about weeks or months. In your note, you might want to reciprocate a little and let them know you you were intrigued by the company and would love to work for them or something. They've been quite encouraging to you, so some reciprocal enthusiasm would be appropriate, imo.

It will be important to stay in touch, but I wouldn't necessarily do so on the dot every two weeks. You don't want to become a pest. Somewhere in the three-week time frame sounds reasonable to me, but others may have different views. I also think it could be appropriate to ask them if they mind you following up. I knoww some candidates asked me that and I was personally totally fine with it.

These are just initial thoughts, but I'll chime back in if I have more. If people think I'm way off base, please say so and stear our Maya right!

Maya

Veteran

Oy, this is so confusing. I just asked my dad and he said not to ask about a timeline at all. He said there wasn't any point, as the only real answer they would give me is "We don't know." I don't know if I agree with him though. I don't know why they can't hire me now so who is to say if they do or don't know? Maybe it's a question of getting approval or waiting until they have the money. Depending on what the reason is, there is a possibility that they could give me SOME idea. And even if not, it wouldn't hurt to ask, right?

While this interview was a significant boost, the other interviews that didn't go so great sort of cancel it out. It makes me reluctant to keep looking. Until I get some web design (not just web design, but GOOD web design) in my portfolio, it almost seems pointless. The thing about these people is that they seem to understand what I have always believed: That there is no such thing as "web/interactive" and "print" design as separate entities. There is only graphic design. Full stop. Web and print both have their unique set of issues, but these are easily learned. Knowing web and interactive design doesn't necessarily mean you know about layout, typography, concept generation, etc. There are PLENTY of people who don't understand basic design fundamentals who do web and interactive (who among us hasn't had to poke through a frustrating or ugly website before?).

Anyway, we really hit it off and I liked all of them a lot on a personal level as well. It's a great company with a lot of impressive clients and work (including Endless.com, maybe I'll get a discount :p probably not). I'm SO close to having a great job with great people that to not get it would be really devastating and makes all other opportunities look kind of lame.

So, I guess my plan is to reiterate my interest/enthusiasm, and ask them how often they would like me to check in. I don't think there is any harm in asking. I'm still undecided on whether I should ask for a waiting estimate though. I don't want to seem impatient or sound like I'm pressuring them.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Please know that I respect your, Papa! But showing utter enthusiasm for a potential job is really good. If you don't ask - you don't get. You are so aware of not being a pest Maya, that you won't be one. I really believe that.

I vote brainstorm with very wise Michelle on an appropriate response and keep the line of communication OPEN.

And keep asking whether the Met's internship will turn into a real job. I know you're waiting to ask about that in a few weeks :0)

Maya

Veteran

My dad didn't say not to show enthusiasm, just to not ask when they will give me an answer.

The Met is a last resort. Much as I like working there, it would probably mean I will have a difficult time changing jobs in the future as they only do print design. It's a fun job, but also a dead-end job.

judy

Veteran

Oh Maya, the ups and downs of interviewing can be so difficult. I agree with all that this response is still very positive. You obviously were able to show them your talent and skills and they are interested in you. Please let yourself feel good about that. Knowing what to do next seems like the great unknown, but Michelle and others will steer you in the right direction here of how to, like Angie said, keep the lines of communication open. The more you do this, the more it will be "known", too. Good job!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ah. Got it. My mistake.

It's all about keeping your foot in the door Maya - don't you think?

taylor

Veteran

Maya, It sounds like they really love you,:)!!!! I think you have a good plan. keep in touch (they asked you to right?) and let them know as soon as something opens up you will make yourself available,...meanwhile continue looking.

Maya

Veteran

I'm sorry, I wish I were feeling as positive as all of you are, but I have lost patience. I don't want to wait and keep looking any longer. I have been doing that for over a year now and I'm getting very tired of it. I know I don't have a choice but I'm feeling a lot more disappointed than hopeful or encouraged. I guess you can't understand until you have been unemployed for as long as I have, but there is no such thing as good news until someone hires you.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I get that too, Maya. PM Michelle if you haven't send back a response already.

taylor

Veteran

You are right Maya. It is a lot easier for us to cheer you on than it is for you to not feel discouraged. You have a valid point. But, really just HANG on things are bound to change. If it is any consolation many,many people are in the same boat , so TRY not to take this personally.

Maya

Veteran

Update:

I asked how frequently he'd like me to check in, and the response I got was only 3 words long: "Be a pest."

Oh man I am feeling SO CLOSE. I hope this works out!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Okay! Now have an extra cuppa and cupcake and start rebuilding the tenacity you had with the H&M trench. Pest has just became your next middle name.

Kate

Veteran

Maya that is amazing news, not to mention it makes the people who work there (or at least the guy you're communicating with) sound AWESOME! I'm so glad you asked how often you should check in, otherwise a pest is probably the last thing you would want to be. You are indeed so close, just keep on keeping on!!!

Lena

Hee! I'm so pleased for you and I'll continue to keep my fingers crossed

Maya, I don't know a great deal about graphic design, but what you said makes total sense to me.

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

Go for it Maya - if they say directly "be a pest", then that is an open invitation in my book for you to keep asking!

I was thinking strategically too that if you gain any new skills/experience or have any skills you have not mentioned thus far (but have sussed out would be considered desirable by this corporation) you could subtly let them know about these skills too in your correspondence to them.

Case in point - A very good friend of mine applied for a government job with I guess the Aus equivalent of Socail Security. She had been unemployed for 18 months and was trying to get work in the PR field (she had post-grad qualis). One of the questions on the application form asked "Why would you be a good fit for this organisation?" She glibly answered "Because although I'm overqualified for the position, I have been unemployed for the past 18 months and as a result know your system inside out!" She got the job! They liked her humour, valued her honesty and could see that she definately had personality. This made her application stand out from the crowd. It CAN happen!

Tansie

Hang in there Maya! I bet you are the sweetest pest they've ever had! I know that being a pest is hard when you are reserved and mild-mannered (or just flat out introverted like...me!) but that guy wouldn't have said it if he hadn't meant it.

An

Oh my fingers are crossed for you Maya. I know it is sooo frustrating (I was in that situation as a new grad) but it does sound promising. And you have permission to be a pest - how fun

Debora

Veteran

What encouraging news!!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I can't believe I have missed this thread Maya (where I have been?)

This latest set of events does sound very promising and the whole forum will now be pestering you to be a pest.