Climbing a mountain

I would not want my worst enemy looking for a job like me. I spent about 15 hours reading the prospective company's website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram feed for info getting ready for the interview. I prepare all my Top 20 achievement list, I get a haircut, for the Zoom interview. And I feel like I overprepare 400%, and they never ask the questions you plan for. Zoom interviews are terrible and I do much better in-person. On Zoom, there is a sound delay, and it throws off the course of a natural conversation. During the interview, I'm going through 5 layers: talking to a screen, working around the sound delay, reacting to when the person looks away, trying to perform to show I'm the best person for the job, trying to build some rapport through Zoom. How the hell can I get this medium to work for me in job interviews? Every failed interview, I feel like my confidence is shrinking... and then my anger grows at this whole job search thing. If you have a job, even one you don't like very much, I have to say I envy you. You don't have to be doing what I'm doing on repeat.

19 Comments

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Cat

Nov 17, 2021 at 3:02pm

I feel for you as I'm searching for a job myself. It can be demoralizing for sure.And zoom interviews are awful.I also envy people that are working.At the end of each day looking for work,I feel exhausted both physically and emotionally. I'm also feeling anxiety and fear as my savings dry up.Alot of jobs pay minimum wage or a bit more but it's a joke trying to survive on that.I had a good job for 15 years but my company used the pandemic to fire us but we can reapply for a much lower wage with zero benefits.It's a challenge to feel positive with every rejection and if there were a circus in town,I'd runaway and join it.

18 3Rating: +15

OP

Nov 17, 2021 at 7:57pm

@Cat
You're right, the circus would be way more fun and traveling town to town would be cool. Sorry to hear that your company sneakily took advantage of the pandemic and treated yourself and your colleagues like that. Trust is completely eroded after something like that. I too feel exhausted after online networking, looking at job postings, writing cover letters and custom resumes... Sometimes I take a break for several days because it's too much, proving yourself all the time. I go outside a lot because the fresh air is rejuvenating. I hope that you can find things that give you joy and replenish your energy, things that don't cost anything as you're bank balance is like mine (dwindling fast). I don't want to look stressed, exhausted, tired of all this shit on Zoom. It's really hard to appear poised and at my best. But you WILL get a job, I know it, keep at it. This is just temporary for us.

13 2Rating: +11

Cat

Nov 17, 2021 at 8:59pm

Your thoughtful comments and encouragement are very much appreciated. Sometimes,you just need to feel that you're not alone.I love the outdoors so bike rides,walks and cheap wine help.And I also take days off just to clear my head from the constant focus of job hunting,and it is a hunt.Thank you for your kind words and support;I know you'll find something too.I had a couple of bad days but the words from a stranger will help me plod along.All the best to you.

14 3Rating: +11

OP

Nov 17, 2021 at 10:56pm

@Cat
Yes, you are not alone. Wouldn’t it be great if we could have a laugh at some of the funny requirements written in job postings (ie. “Must do web programming, graphic design, video production and copy writing, $40,000/year”) over a cheap glass of red. While I have a hard time practicing this, there is the idea that all experiences are neither good nor bad. We just learn from everything. I do feel unemployment has been negative but I’m actively trying to treat it more neutral so I have a better mindset when interviewing. Keep up your efforts and I wish you all the best in finding your new workplace, new colleagues and new responsibilities. We’ll get through this.

7 2Rating: +5

Worse comes to worse

Nov 18, 2021 at 4:44am

You could always pick up a shovel for 25bucks an hour

4 7Rating: -3

Cat

Nov 18, 2021 at 7:45am

I agree,some of the requirements are pretty outrageous like having 2-3 years of barista experience with latte art.What happened to the concept of training someone??? And job postings always mention " must have passion and drive" but how much passion can a person exhibit for crappy jobs that don't pay much? Lol.I think it's important to also have a sense of humor in these tough times. I guess if push comes to shove I can always exploit the pandemic mask mandate by robbing a bank but the thought of prison food and no cheap wine keeps me in line.

9 2Rating: +7

Level field

Nov 18, 2021 at 8:24am

Sounds awful. I'm glad I never had to go through it. I'm also thinking it's a level playing field if everyone else is interviewing for that job on Zoom. You take so much care, maybe you look better on screen than the others!

9 3Rating: +6

Wishing OP & @Cat

Nov 18, 2021 at 11:02am

The best of luck in your respective job hunts. I’m the hiring manager of a small business & would cry tears of joy if any applicants were so well prepared. I hope that the perfect opportunity finds both of you very, very soon.

13 3Rating: +10

Job searching

Nov 18, 2021 at 2:07pm

is a job with lots of overtime, no benefits, and institutionalized humiliation for $0/hr.

13 2Rating: +11

Been there...

Nov 18, 2021 at 4:14pm

Realized early on... 95% are just mediocre, and truly replaceable. If not, there's something wrong with the job. Very few people are outstanding or truly deplorable. Then Covid rolled around and proved humans are overwhelmingly similar than dissimilar. Yea... Can't wait for the next industrial revolution because in a sea of sameness... Pick whatever.

3 1Rating: +2

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