Some friendly job advice...

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

Here's the background: I applied for an immigration-related position (immigration being my area of expertise) for a company in a western state. I was selected to interview in person. They flew me there. Had a full day of interviews and lunch with my potential co-workers. This company is very very well known for its culture and its core values, so much so that it offers free tours for people to see what it's like. In fact, the interview is 50% job-related skills and 50% cultural fit.

Now, I should mention that I have absolutely no regrets about my interview. In other words, I wouldn't do anything differently. I loved the people I talked with, I loved the culture and the free, creative and open environment, which would surely help me thrive and flourish.

I even posted a few days ago asking for good vibes. Well, yesterday, a week after my interview, I got an e-mail that there were not enough people on the team who felt they clicked with me and they had decided not to pursue further. However, because of my experience, they could forward my resume to their outside law firm which is looking for someone with my qualifications.

Now, today that company has re-posted the job. I guess I was the only one they interviewed (or at least, not the only one who was turned down). This company's core values include passion and determination, creativity and weirdness. They even accept video cover letters.

My husband suggests that I re-apply with a video, saying something along the lines of "well, I hear some didn't click with me.. let me tell you a few things you didn't know about me" and then make it a little bit funny. I think that it would look rather desperate, but my husband thinks that, if nothing else, they will remember me and it will serve to reinforce my belief in the company's core values.

What do you think?

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

1. An action like that

may be percieved as an act of desperation. At least you got another job lead right? It could turn out to be better than anything you ever imagined............ :bounce:

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

5. Sadly, no other leads except for a law firm

that is known for being a very conservative (not politically) straight-laced place. It's the top of the immigration field, no doubt, but it has a reputation as a sweatshop for paralegals.

[NewJeffCT]

2. If they were not going to forward your resume on to another firm

I might be tempted to do it.

However, since they are, I don't think it would make a good impression...

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

4. Well, I don't know if they truly meant that or if they were just

trying to seem fair. I got the impression that the people I interviewed with (a total of 5) were perfectly fine with me as a cultural fit. I think it was the lunch team (which included an additional 10-11 people) was the issue.

[trof]

3. OK, I think you have nothing to lose by doing it.

What's the worse thing that could happen?
They still don't hire you.
Well, they already did that.
The best thing?
"Hey, let's take another look at her. Maybe we were a little hasty."
Sure, I'd give it a shot.
Best of luck.

I wasn't hired by TWA the first time I applied.
The next time I applied they were glad to have me.
Go figure.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

6. shameless evening self-kick n/t

[Bunny]

7. I agree with trof.

What do you have to lose?

[BrendaBrick]

8. I say go for it all the way!

All or nothing, at this point.

Trust your gut and an intuitive, creative sense about you. You have nothing to lose at this point (as others have pointed out.) Really.

Do your homework. Diligently. What's their mission statement and how exactly do you rightly fit into it and know in your heart of hearts that you can most assuredly have the chops to not only support the mission statement, but just might in fact be able to tweek and improve it...and tease them with a few ideas. (Though not too many - just enough to whet their appetite.)

(Of course, you DO have to do your homework here and pretend that you are President of the company and what you think any changes/different and/or even supporting what they ARE doing right is a good thing and why.)

Sorry, this may sound really "out there" - but believe me, it has worked for me more than once:

You present yourself as if giving THEM a second chance...and that THEY are really the LUCKY ONES in having a second chance to CONSIDER YOU!

(Didn't work for me each and every time...but by and large - most times it actually did...I would say with an 80+% chance or more.)

I approached both myself and them with the decidedly imperative final solution that if they didn't hire me, they would most certainly be at a loss and disadvantage. tisk. tisk.

And it was like....sorry folks - my offer and personal expertise has an expiration date. You've got a good deal standing in front of you right now. Take it or leave it.

Look 'em straight in the eye and convey in no uncertain terms that they will be embarking upon a grave mistake by NOT hiring...but that you are willing to let that slide...for the time being.

Believe me, if you really have something to offer...not something that they would easily or likely pass up on if only by curiosity.

Direct eye contact and good, straight posture and a sense of dripping (yet not excessive) confidence gets 'em every time!

Not to mention a good, firm and genuinely friendly handshake.

Good luck!

THEY would be lucky to have YOU...not the other way around!

Never forget that.

[tabbycat31]

9. I would send it in

Of course I am a VERY stubborn and persistent person. This spring I worked a job that I was stood up for an interview with 3 times and I was hired when I finally had an interview with them (it involved moving 1000 miles but that's the nature of my field).

I did that with my own state this year, and after the position ended, I talked to one of the higher ups within the state. He told me that he has never seen anyone with my persistence and that he was pulling for me this year. Hopefully that contact translates to next year.

[BrendaBrick]

10. Squeeky wheel gets the oil...eventually.

Never give up!

[lunatica]

11. I've gotten a few jobs because I re-applied or checked back with them

And I think your husband's video idea is just the ticket. Be different and creative and you can't help but impress.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

12. Be different and creative are part of the company's core values

Here are their core values:

1.Deliver WOW Through Service
2.Embrace and Drive Change
3.Create Fun and A Little Weirdness
4.Be Adventurous, Creative, and Open-Minded
5.Pursue Growth and Learning
6.Build Open and Honest Relationships With Communication
7.Build a Positive Team and Family Spirit
8.Do More With Less
9.Be Passionate and Determined
10.Be Humble

A video to help those I didn't click with may help with numbers 3, 4, 7 and 9.

[haele]

14. Nice core values, however #8 -

Suggests that there may be two or three little "requirements" that are unspoken -
Either you will be expected to agree to work beyond what is originally contracted - and not expect or ask for OT/compensation for that work - (They often call that "being part of the family"), or that management will expect you to make things work even if you aren't given the tools to allow that to happen.

I once worked for a company that was "fresh and innovative" - for four months before I found something else not so fresh. The higher level "creative" workforce that had become managers and partners just couldn't seem to understand why they couldn't keep their new hires for any length of time once they started expanding past the original garage and spare bedroom-cum-office organization of engineering buddies they began as.

Nice, smart people - but their business model worked better as a very small brain-bank consulting business than a service provider business with employees who wanted to be paid in accordance with the amount of effort they were required to provide to the company.

Many "Family/Team Spirit" companies don't like hiring people who might have a life outside the company that they would put before it. When I was single, I would get offers from several of those types of small consulting and small contracter companies when they were starting up based on my work reputation; after the word on the waterfront got out that I got married, the offers pretty much stopped - even though my work reputation hadn't changed and those types of companies were still around trying to get contracts. They just knew that I probably wouldn't just drop everything and spend a couple weeks of very late nights and long weekends chained to my desk because they asked me to work up a proposal any more.

Haele

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

16. There's an expectation to spend time outside of work hours

socializing with your co-workers (lots of drinking, partying, etc.), but then I asked a couple of the people at the lunch what they like to do on the weekends and their answers indicated they do spend their weekends away from work and its demands and even get to go home at or near 5:30 pm regularly except for occasional happy hours.

[haele]

17. Good to hear that.

I didn't mean to disparage the company for those values statements, as every field has a particular understanding of what "Teamwork" and "Doing More with Less" is supposed to mean. When dealing with technical and support contracting, that tends to mean "put your personal life in storage as long as you're working with us..."

If they really are good about looking at the whole life of the employee, it sounds as if it is a good company to work for, I wish you luck in getting a second chance.

Haele

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

13. Ok, I decided... I'll do the video

hubby is the comedic genius and he's come up with a few good ideas. Will post about what comes out of it (99.999999% chance that nothing will happen).

Thanks for the encouragement.

[RebelOne]

15. Good. You have nothing to lose. n/t