What do you think my chances are for this job?

[seaglass]

I went on an interview this morning, dressed in a suit, didn't smoke after my shower or put on perfume so I wouldn't offend anyone. Got to the interview early. Met with the HR person, whom I know. The interviews went ok, they were more telling me about what they do and what the job was about than asking me about what I did.

1.) Met with the VP - she was dressed in jeans and a sweater - so do I get points off for wearing a suit?

2.) Met with another person who is doing a similar job, and this is where I'm concerned. She was very nice and at least 20 years younger than me, I'm making a pretty good guess that she is probably making about $20,000/year less than what I was making at my last job which was very similar to this job. This has me concerned.

3.) Lastly, I had my resume with me and was using it to fill out the application. I completely forgot to list my last job (it's not on my resume). Now my last job only lasted 3 months and it was not something I was proud of but I didn't mean to intentionally leave it off, I have a prepared reason why I left. This is really bad, isn't it?

I called my acquaintance in HR as soon as I realized it to apologize, to let her know I wasn't trying to be deceptive (I had told her on the phone about this job before the interview) and offered to come back in to re-fill out the application. I haven't heard back from her.

They told me I should hear from them by the end of this week and there would be 2nd interviews next week with scenarios (there are 2 other applicants).

So was that 3 strikes, I'm out?

[kay1864]

1. I wouldn't say so...

1) It's common for you the interviewee to be dressed up for an interview, and to be dressed better than the (business-casual) interviewer. So no--if anything you get a couple points for wearing a suit.

2) I don't know what this job is, but just b/c she's 20 years younger doesn't mean she's making 20K less. I've worked with people 10 years older and 10 years younger, but we're all making about the same. Many people come into jobs from a different field, and whether they come in at age 25 or 45, the salary range for the job is defined by the job, not age (or even experience).

3) I wouldn't worry much about omitting a 3-month job, since you have a good reason for leaving it off, and especially since you called back to correct your error.

Let us know if you get that second interview!

[seaglass]

4. Thanks. On the younger person making less money, you

could be right that she would be making the same money I was, the reason I was thinking she made less was because though the job doesn't require a college degree but it does require industry knowledge which is gained by experience. But the more I think about it, the more I realize that even though the title is similar, the depth of experience/knowledge needed for the job I applied for is much more. So this could be OK.

[Misunderestimator]

2. My answers...

1) Absolutely no points off for that. It's expected for someone to dress well for an interview. If I expected people to dress as casually as I do in an interview, I would never hire anyone. If anything, you get more points for showing respect.

2) No, you get points for experience. If she's 20 years younger, I'm assuming she also has less experience? Even if she doesn't... if they need someone, they need someone. Someone coming from the outside is going to command a higher starting salary than someone on the inside. If they have no candidates on the inside, they really have no choice but to pay for an outside candidate.

3) Not at all. Especially if it was only for 3 months. You might want to followup however and explain that you left it off, just in case they wonder why you have not been working for 3 months.

[seaglass]

5. That makes me feel better. Though on the last point, other

than that 3 month stint I haven't worked since 2001 - which was very clear on the resume and app. (I know this is bad - at least I was going to school though).

[Metta]

3. I think you're worrying for nothing.

No points off for the suit. Theirs was about them; yours was about you putting your best face forward, so to speak.

No points off for age. Age has been getting some good press lately. Besides, if you have the skills and they're most comfortable with you, you're in. That part is out of your hands, you know.

Not listing your last job reflects that it only lasted a short while, not long enough for much connection. Additionally, it's ironic and with some humor that you left it off the list being that that you're not proud of it. Depending on how long ago you left it, it may say that you didn't expect to be leaving it so soon and didn't think you'd have to list it on a resume so soon.

Since you told your friend at hr about your last job, the company knows about it. If they think its important to have it listed, they'll contact you. I suspect that you're further downstream than that now.

No strikes, just appropriate concern for details and the usual job-possible anxiety.

[seaglass]

6. I've gotten advice that I don't have to list my last job on my

resume (thankfully, as I didn't learn any skills worth writing about) but that it needs to be on my app because I'm signing that it is true to the best of my ability. Of course if I had put it on my resume, I wouldn't have forgotten it on the app.

The last job was a big mistake which I freely admit - and would admit to an interviewer.

[Metta]

7. You can submit an adendum to the app.

I'd explain, just as you did, that it was a mistake. Hey, that's why they put erasers on pencils. :thumbsup:

[tinfoilinfor2005]

8. Since I am the manager at my workplace, I hear

a number of interviews every year. I don't see one reason why your interview would have disturbed me, judging solely on what you posted. You are eager to make a good impression by your appearance and honesty. That usually opens the door for a second interview.