Possible interview...

[selenay]

An agency has contacted me today about a possible position. The catch is that she wants to me to clear the whole of Friday because the company is doing an all-day interview thing. I didn't get much detail about the technical side of the job, but it's an R&D software position that's much closer to home than my current job. Thing is, I've done a bit of research on the interviewing company and the other jobs that they're currently advertising, and for senior roles they want a lot of C++ experience.

I haven't used C++ for two years. I have no doubt that I can pick it up and build on it quickly, but I am a little concerned.

The major question is whether I should talk to the agency and ask them straight out what the company is looking for - this is a graduate role, so are they expecting someone with general programming experience or specific things in C++? Because I don't want to repeat some of the interviews last year where agencies sent me on interviews that I had no hope in just to make up numbers. I really can't afford to book entire days out for those kinds of interviews.

Hmmm.

The other concern is that I'll book the day out and then they won't want to see me anyway, because I'm not qualified.

Decisions, decisions. Why do we always realise the things that we should have asked after we've spoken to people?

ETA: Have called the agency and asked about the job requirements. They don't have any information, so she's going to call the client and find out whether they're looking for particular programming languages. She agrees with me that it's a little disheartening to go into interviews when your CV already shows that you're not suitable. So I'll wait to hear from her tomorrow. Job hunting really sucks :-(

Comments

[nic]

The brilliant thing about the IT industry is that even if you haven't used a language for a few years, you can pick it up easily with the help of google and looking at other people's code.

I think what you did - calling the agency - was absolutely the best thing you can do. And if your CV doesn't quite match what they want, maybe you can rewrite it a little and in the interview, play up your skills of adaptability and ability to pick up things really fast? (That's what I would do.) Assuming, of course, that this job is worth that kind of effort!

[margec01.livejournal.com]

I hope that they're at least interested in what you really can offer. Otherwise it WOULD be a waste of an entire day.

Many of us can learn some of this stuff very quickly if needed. The problem is that with so many people looking for so few jobs, they can be picky and demand EXACTLY what skills they want--even if someone a bit less skilled would be much more suitable for the company.

At least it sounds like you have quite a few companies interested in giving you a look. Good luck!

[wadjet-theperv.livejournal.com]

Lots of luck sweetheart, you're due some. *hugs*