I remember CL had a thread like this so I figured I'd make one here. I'm about an hour away from my first real job interview. I had a few a couple of years ago for some basic jobs on campus (fast food restaurants and stuff like that) which I didn't get, but this is my first interview to hopefully start my career. (Well unless you count the phone interview I had for this job last week). I wish I had timed this out better though. I was hoping to just shower and get ready in the morning and be on my way. But I woke up too early. So now I have an hour to kill and I'm just chilling in my apartment, uncomfortable wearing a business suit for the first time, and the nerves are starting to build. Which is probably why I'm posting this right now To make matters worse, I got like NO sleep last night. The job is in LA right next to UCLA (where I just graduated from) but I now live with family in the Inland Empire. So to avoid the morning traffic, I asked the people that I just subleased my old LA apartment to if I could come by last night and crash on the couch. They were cool with that ... but unfortunately they were up until 4 AM playing Call of Duty. So I'm a bit worried that either my lack of sleep might make me slip up, or that the caffeine I drank this morning to get up might make me too jittery. But really I'm just rambling right now to kill time. Pushing the natural nerves aside, I'm confident about my qualifications and fit for this company. The job description sounds like an actual entry level position where I either know the skills required already or I feel comfortable that I can easily learn them. But aside from that, I'm legitimately passionate and interested about the work this company is doing so I hope I can communicate that in the interview.
First, my god time flies. I still remember when you were like 16 or something on CL. Second, good luck with the interview, but really, it sounds like you are qualified for the position, and experience doing interviews is really where the nerves are coming from. I don't know that there is much for that other than having interviews again and again, and getting comfortable with it, making sure you're calm and in the right frame of mind (alert, but not jumpy), thoroughly researching the position and who you will be talking to (they love it when you care enough to find out deeper information about the company and it's members. Shows initiative), looking sharp and acting the part. I really hope you get it though man
I plan on moving back to California in the next couple months. I've been applying for some jobs on-line, but so far, nothing. My counseling license is the top license for counseling in every state except for California. For some odd reason, a Marriage and Family counselor is above my license. If I wanted that license, I could've graduated a year earlier. LOL So, my license carries over to California, but carries little weight. Frustrating. So I've been looking at Gov / Fed / State jobs. Worst case scenario, I'll go back to school when I get there. Quite a leap of faith to leave my job that pays quite well and we're buying a house when we get there. Nothing like paying 3 times as much for a house that is 1/2 the size. Only in California!!!!
Tell me about it! I first joined CL right after the 0.4 shot, when I was 11 years old! Over half of my life, I've been an active member of a Lakers forum! Anyways, I definitely think the interview went great. My nerves went away as soon as I walked into the door. I ended up talking to four people, including someone from HR, the professor I'd be working for, the VP of Research and Development (via Skype), and the CFO. We didn't talk salary, but they did say I was on a very short list of serious candidates and that they wanted someone to start ASAP so I'm expecting to hear back from them tomorrow. They said some things that have me optimistic. For example, "Thanks for wearing a suit and tie, but on your first day you'd be able to just come in wearing whatever you'd wear in the lab." Even if I don't get it, it was great experience. I think I did everything perfectly during the interview and they even complimented me on my demeanor and attention to detail. So I know that if I don't get it, that there is simply someone else with more experience than me. I don't think I'll be nearly as nervous before future interviews.
The position is for a Laboratory Technician at a start-up medical device company in LA. I'd essentially be a "lab rat", executing experiments that were already planned out by the higher ups, and then analyzing the data and reporting it. But the devices they're developing seem very cutting edge and interesting to me. So being able to refine my laboratory skills while getting hands-on with some groundbreaking technology sounds like it would be great experience for me as an entry level job.
I got the job! When they called, I was so excited I didn't even try to negotiate. Especially since they offered me more than I expected in the first place! I'm so excited to finally live on my own, make money, and be a productive member of society!
Ah yes, lab rat. Soon, you'll be underestimated while being relied on heavily just like the rest of us.
Starting in the fall I will be Chair of Interdisciplinary Studies - an honors program - at Valencia College. I have this summer to design 24 credits worth of classes. Boom.
Congrats. Glad you didn't have to move for your next job. As for designing the curriculum -- you'll do great. Congrats!
I'm a cop... That graduated from Pepperdine... Lol. We aren't very popular right now, but I love my job and I love helping the people. Especially kids. When I run into kids, because of my kind nature, they gravitate towards me and just ask me tons of questions. They want to see all my equipment, my car and ask what it's like. And when they say things like I wanna be like you when I grow up, nothing makes me happier. It's not as much money as I hoped graduating from Pepperdine, but the work itself has completely won me over.
So, I've been planning to move back to California. Plan has been in place for about 4-5 months. Even moved a uhaul of our stuff out there. House is on the market. My boss has no clue. She called me and asked if I'd like to work at a school one day a week counseling 6 kids. If the kids aren't there, I still get paid. It's an extra 20% pay. So now I'm contemplating staying, even though I know I'll have WAY more fun in California. My wife hates Oklahoma, but even she's thinking we should stay. Frustrating predicament. Right now, I'm just leaving the house up for sale and we'll see what happens.
Let the offer you get for the house decide it John. If the offer is really good, and you're not taking less than you wanted, then it might be worth the sell and move... plus I always just lean towards getting out of any city or state you don't like
