The Job Search for my first "Real" job; and a praise/prayer

[Deepfreeze32]

So I graduate in May of 2014, but I've already started looking at applying for jobs. It seems I'm too ahead of the game for most companies, lol. So pray that God would lead me to promising job offers wherever they may be.


In addition, there's a praise/prayer on this front that entails a little story. So I interned at USAA this summer. They're a financial services institution serving the military and their families, and I'm a very happy member. However, the work environment wasn't the right fit for me, in reasons I won't disclose here.


So last Thursday, I got a call from them saying that they were unable to offer me a full-time job. Oh well, it wasn't a great fit anyway, I'm just now at square one again.

Then Friday rolls around. I had applied to all the big tech companies, just because, and didn't expect anything to happen.

Oh no. No sir.

One of them sent me an email saying they want to interview me. I had to re-read it several times to make sure this wasn't a huge prank. It was legit. Long story short, I'm flying to Seattle on Thursday to interview with them on Friday(I won't say who because of NDA's and all that), and I'm nervous as all heck.

Praise for getting an interview offer, and prayer that I do well in said interview!

[ccgr]

praying, please keep us posted!

[ChickenSoup]

In addition, there's a praise/prayer on this front that entails a little story. So I interned at USAA this summer. They're a financial services institution serving the military and their families, and I'm a very happy member. However, the work environment wasn't the right fit for me, in reasons I won't disclose here.

Ah, a fellow USAA-er :3

Anyway, congrats!

[Chozon1]

Sweet.

[ArchAngel]

Good luck!

A couple tips from a guy who had to go through a million interviews:

Be confident. If you need give yourself a 5 minute prep talk, do it. I get bouts of insecurity quite a bit, so I'd have to remind myself that I can do the job I am applying for, and if I don't know, I can learn.
Also, it helped to reaffirm that not only were they interviewing me, but I was interviewing them. If I didn't like the company or culture, I could turn them down. Not saying you should be super picky, but walking into an interview feeling like equals instead of feeling like you have to be short of begging for a job helps you give an edge up on confidence. After all, you want to be someone that they want to have. You gotta believe it first. Not everybody struggles with this, but I do, and this helped for me.
Not to make it nerve-racking, but I heard studies that suggest the mind is made up by the interviewer within seconds of meeting an applicant. So, before you go into an interview, start by feeling like a rock star developer.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. It shows initiative and interest. Prepare these ahead of times, whether it's about the technology they use, or about company culture.

Ask how the interview went. This one was advised to me by a friend who works at a recruitment firm. At the end, when they ask if you have more questions, don't be afraid to ask how the interview went. A "Hey, I thought this interview went well, but I was wondering what you thought of it and if there was any areas, perhaps, I can clarify on." Like above, shows initiative and interest, but also can get you valuable feedback, and gives you an opportunity to correct or clarify any potential deal-breakers that the interviewer saw but never mentioned. If you don't feel like you can put this in comfortably, no need, but it's a good step if it doesn't feel awkward for you.

Scout out the culture. See how people dress. How the cubicles or work stations. Is it open dev tables or offices and cubes? This is really more for your own interest, but it's also important for many companies to find employees who fit in the company culture. Even if you're applying to what seems like a laid-back dev studio, it doesn't hurt too much overdress. It's easier to explain the suit, joking that you're glad you wouldn't have to wear it everyday, than to explain why you're dressed more casually than the interviewer. The second interview might give you a chance to dress down a little. I'd personally go between either a slacks, dress shirt and tie to a suit. I had friends who wouldn't go more than slacks and a polo, but I'm not willing to do that. And if you wear a suit, work it. Let the power of the suit flow through you.

Don't sweat it. There will be more interviews. Doing interviews is just a skill that comes by doing a lot of them, and everybody has great interviews that didn't land the job, and just some really crappy ones. No worries, you get better.

[Deepfreeze32]

Well, the interview went pretty well. I can't disclose too much information, but I had a huge group coding project, and two one-on-one "check ins". The first one went badly, the guy pointed out lots of things I missed. The second one didn't have much talking at all; he just looked at my code, asking the occasional question on what this function was doing, etc. He was Indian, so I don't know if his silence was good or bad (Not being racist here; the Indians I know are not very expressive).

Anyway, that interview was this past Friday. I am supposed to hear back by this Friday. I haven't heard anything yet, and it's worrying me. I assume most companies report rejections last, so I'm guessing I probably didn't get the job.

If it helps anyone discern what might happen, know this: They flew me out to Seattle, paid for everything, and said they could hire everyone if they're competent. I'm just not sure what to think. Getting the job would be amazing, since it looks like a great fit for me.


Prayers for clarity, and a good decision would be nice!

[ccgr]

Praying, no matter what happens it seemed like a good learning experience.

[Deepfreeze32]

Well, I didn't get the job. I'm saddened, since Seattle is exactly my kind of city. Oh well, the search continues...

[ccgr]

Usually when one door is closed a better one is opened, hang in there.