Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Hope I don''t blow this!

Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
Sending prayers and best wishes. I hope you get the job.

When I got out of school, I had a somewhat similar situation. It''s really difficult to get your first professional job after college. 200 people applied for the job that I eventually got. I was their second choice. They hired a person who became a good friend ahead of me. When they had another opening, afew months later they hired me.

Good Luck!
 
I have my fingers crossed for you as well - good luck and let us know what happens!
 
It''s such an accomplishment to get called back for that interview and to have made such an impression test-wise & interview-wise to still be considered. Sounds like the 2nd interview went great and I''m hoping you hear good news soon!!

ps--I concur with the others that''ve said jobs right out of school really are the toughest to get ... stuff like this is always nervewracking but never quite AS bad and seemingly AS important as at the beginning.
 
UPDATE:

I received a call on Monday afternoon from the FDLE. The lady who''s been with me the entire interview process proceeded to inform me that.....

It''s too hard for them to decide!!!

It''s between me and the other person that interviewed that Monday morning. They said that they liked both of us SO much that they''re having a really tough time choosing between us. SO....

They''re going to go ahead and put us through their strenuous background test. They had me fill out a ton of paperwork, asking for everything but my shoe size. I also had to submit to a drug test and had to be fingerprinted (now I''m on file with Law Enforcement AND the FBI!). They said the background test is a long process (minimum two weeks). Once they get the preliminary results of it, they''ll try to make their decision based on that.
 
Here''s to hoping the other contender has a criminal past!!!
31.gif
 
Good luck! Can you tell us more about what duties you''ll have with the FDLE?

What part of FL do you live in? I used to live in Gainesville and Bradenton.
 
The position is in the Biology Department which will entail DNA Analysis and possibly biological fluids. I can''t really say exactly what I will be doing. All I know so far is it will be heavily in DNA Analysis.
 
UPDATE:

We''re still in Background Checks.... ARGH!!!! This is SO frustrating. It''s been about a month since I turned the paperwork in for the background check. The only things I can think of that''s holding everything up is

1) Lord knows when the other person turned in their paperwork. I turned mine in the next day, but they didn''t give me any kind of deadline to turn it in, so the other person probably took their sweet ass time. I''m sure they have to wait until the other person''s check is done to make any decisions too. UGH!

2) They''re probably moving back into their building. They were in portable trailers for a while because Hurrican Ivan ripped the roof off their main building. When I was interviewing before, they kept telling me that it''s almost time for them to go back, but the date keeps changing so they didn''t know exactly when.

Sigh...
 
I haven't been keeping up with your posts, but it sounds like everything went very well. I hate the feeling of waiting to find out. I wish you the best of luck. Out of curiousity, do you know if the person they interviewed on Monday was also one of the high scoring persons from first position?

I agree that getting the first job in the field is tough; I still haven't work in my field yet. Hopefully I will soon.

ETA: is it a criminalist type job? I applied and passed the written exam (rank 3) for a criminalist position for the city of L.A, but I never got an interview. I would love to have a job like that.
 
Hang in there, I''m keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you. Waiting is the worst isn''t it??
14.gif
Good luck!!!
1.gif
 
Hi Jen

Say hi to Drew from me.... your wedding site looks really great.

I''ll keep my fingers crossed for you..... and if you have a case to investigate where there was jewelry involved, I can probably help.

Have had some interesting criminal cases that involved attacks, theft switching stuff. You''d be amazed what evidence you sometimes find in a ring or piece of jewelry.

Rockdoc
 
RE: Promoting from within...

That is a really good sign. IF you get started at a lower position, you know as you "go up the ladder" that the door of advancement and opportunity isn''t closed off to you.

Rockdoc
 
Thanks everyone. I really wish I would hear about it soon. I REALLY NEED THIS JOB!!

Rockdoc, I''ll tell Drew you said hi and thanks for the compliment! I can''t wait for this wedding to be over and done with.... so much stress!
36_11_1.gif
Hope all is well with you.

Qtiekiki, this job is just a technician position. It''s basically a support position to the analyst. I''ll be making reagents, washing glassware, setting up tests, maybe running some tests, and other gopher stuff for the analyst. I won''t be doing any investigative work, if that''s what you''re asking. I had originally interviewed for the analyst position (higher than what I originally applied for), but they decided to promote within on that one and offered me another interview for the lesser technician position. The other person they interviewed was probably another high scoring person, but I don''t know anything about her. I just know it''s another girl. Good luck on your search! How long have you been looking?
 
ap - I graduated with my BS back in '02, so it've been almost 4 years not working in the field. In the mean time, I worked as a sales/floral designer, data entry-er, and bank teller. Actually floral designer would be my dream job but that's a different story. So during the past 4 years, I've been looking for jobs in the field. I actually passed up two job offers and I haven't been trying as hard as I should for reasons that I don't want to bore you with. in the last couple of years, I took and passed a few exams (in the top 3 ranks) for various positions (criminalist, lab tech, chemist - I haven't gotten my score for that yet), etc) for the city of L.A., but haven't been called for an interview yet til a couple weeks ago. I was so nervous and thought I bombed the interview (I felt very much like how you felt after your analyst interview). Then I got calls from my two references, and they told me the city called them. I felt a little better about the interview, but was still waiting. And I just got a call today from the personnel dept asking me to go take their medical exam this Friday. If that goes well (which it should), I would be offer the lab tech position for the sanitation department. So hopefully it will go well for both of us.
9.gif
I totally understand how you feel right now. It's kind of stressful.

ETA: sorry for the lifelong story.
3.gif
 
aphis- what kind of degree do you have? How long did it take you to get it?

I am currently in school for Echocardiography......I have no idea if I will like it, its just something that I thought looked interesting...but I am on a wait list, for what seems likes forever, to get into my program.

I had to take microbiology and chemistry, and to my surprise, I really liked those classes and I was really good at them! I would love to do something like they do in CSI ( my favorite show!)....
but I have no idea how to get there?????? And I dont know if my area even has a need for that type of person.....MIlwaukee, WI....not exactly LA or anything, LOL.

I really hope you get the job, and that your wait to find out ends very soon!
 
Date: 3/2/2006 8:57:40 AM
Author: jetmal
aphis- what kind of degree do you have? How long did it take you to get it?


I am currently in school for Echocardiography......I have no idea if I will like it, its just something that I thought looked interesting...but I am on a wait list, for what seems likes forever, to get into my program.


I had to take microbiology and chemistry, and to my surprise, I really liked those classes and I was really good at them! I would love to do something like they do in CSI ( my favorite show!)....

but I have no idea how to get there?????? And I dont know if my area even has a need for that type of person.....MIlwaukee, WI....not exactly LA or anything, LOL.


I really hope you get the job, and that your wait to find out ends very soon!
Click to expand...

First, let me point out that the show CSI, although VERY entertaining, is NOTHING like the actual job. As a forensic scientist, you do not interview suspects, you don't even know their names! All you know is a case number. You are assigned to one specific area (whether it be biology, chemistry, latents, questioned documents, etc.) and you do NOT jump from area to area. For example, you don't go to one room and test fire in ballistics then jump across the hall and do blood spatter analysis. You basically do the same thing everyday and you spend the rest of the time baby-ing this 500,000 dollar machine. It's not as glamorous and variable as the show makes it seem. I have taken classes in the field of forensics and my professors are in the field, and this is what they have told us numerous times. They say the only real excitement in the job is the fact that you don't know what's going to come in your door everyday. Also, because you are a public servant, you won't top out very high in salary once you reach a certain level, but it really depends on the state/city. I think for my state, I was told around 100K. Also, being in the actual laboratory and seeing what they do, it's nothing like the show.

My degree is in Microbiology and I'm pursuing a masters degree in Forensics, but I have some prepping to do. I was originally a Pre-Med major, then I switched to a Medical Techonology program. When it came time for clinicals, they didn't have the space for me, so I switched again to Microbiology and got my degree almost immediately due to the fact that the previous two program fulfilled most of my requirements already. I can't really say how long it took me to get my bachelors because I had quite a few years that set me back: bad relationship, depression, and the usual partying too much in the beginning.

ETA: Also, you DO NOT carry a gun and probably not even a badge! There's a whole list of things that are wrong in the show, but I have to go to work. I'll spare you the long post.
2.gif
 
thanks aphis.....well, I still do not know if I would like that type of job in a lab...but I do know I really enjoyed the classes!

thanks for the scoop!
 
It''s all personal preference. I personally LOVE lab jobs, which is why I chose to go the lab degree route. A lot of people can''t stand it because they think it''s boring and monotonous, but I actually like it. My dream job is to actually work for the CDC or something. Infectious diseases FASCINATE me!! Good luck in your search for "your calling." I personally think echocardiography is a very interesting field. You''ll probably make good money in it too!
 
UPDATE:

After about two months of waiting, I finally got a call last week...

Yet another let down, I didn't get the job. But she once again offered me another opportunity. One step lower than this one (Geez, if this keeps going, I won't be surprised if she offers me a job as a janitor!) She said that she wanted to talk to her chief about getting me as an evidence handler. She thought I would be fantastic in that position because of my attention to detail. The pay is pretty sucky (10 bucks an hour with no benefits). The advantage to taking the job would be that I would have my foot in the door. I also had a back-up job possibility with my current employer as a Full-time Nutrient Analyst for 22K a year, but there was no guarantee that I would have that job either because one other person had shown interest in it (even though I have more experience). The possibility of me getting that job was really high though. So I was stuck between two job possibilities...

So I asked FDLE if I could think about it.....

I talked to my parents and my fiance to see what their personal opinions would be on the situation. They all pretty much said the same things and that I should ask some questions. I weighed the issues:

My current job is paid for by grants. Once the money is out, the job goes away. Who knows how long that lab may stay open.
The FDLE job is a state government job which will look just as good on my resume and there's no threat of losing my job due to funding..

In my current job, there's only one place I could really move up to. That person is not planning on leaving for a couple more years so I'd be stuck at 22K a year for a while, and I don't think the higher position even pays well.
With FDLE, I have the opportunity to move up at least two to three levels to a position that pays 40-99K a year (the job I originally interviewed for), if anyone leaves.

The forensic position will open more job opportunities with other forensic labs.
The lab position I have now is not something that is done all over the place. Finding another job, doing the same thing, would be hard.

After all that, I decide to tell FDLE I'm interested...

So, I call back....

I told her I was interested in the position, but I wanted to ask a few questions first:

1. Just out of curiosity and for future reference, why was the other person chosen over me?

Answer: It had nothing to do with your interview, your qualifications, or your background check. It was just something personal about the other person that I cannot reveal to you....

(Sounds like the other person knew someone.... It's all about connections..)

2. Is the position you are offering a publicly advertised position?

Answer: No, not at all..

3. Will I have to go through the application and interview process again?

Answer: No

4. Is this position just a "possibility"? What are the chances of this becoming a reality?

Answer: I guess you could say 100% because I'm offering you the job right now! (she got really excited)

I was in shock... She also continued to tell me that she thinks a technician might be moving out of the state in the next few months, which would open up a technician position. She said that she prefers to promote within and most of her technicians and analysts start out as evidence handlers. She also said if she likes what she sees from me, the chances would be very high I could get promoted (extra 10+K a year and benefits!!) at that time, but it's not a guarantee. After all that, she said she didn't want to tell me any of this (offering the job to me and the possible promotion) because she didn't want to influence my decision. She wanted me to say I was interested because I was truly interested and not just because I had a definite job opportunity. I was so excited I said "when do I start?!"

I start on April 7th...

Did I make the right decision???
 
I think you made the right decision. The 22K a year comes out to be around $10.50/hr if you work 40 hrs/a week. So that''s not much more than the new job. Plus the new job is a city job, so there''s more stability. And since she said there''s large chances of promotion, that''s even better. It''s definitely easier when you have a foot in the door, even my supervisor was telling me that on my first day. Congratulations.
36.gif
36.gif
 
I haven't really been following but if this is really what you want to go into, the field you want to get into, then I would take a lower level job to get the foot in the door and really knock their socks off so that when something bigger does open up, you are the first one in line...I think we all had to climb the ladder at any given point in our careers if it was an area we really wanted to be in, gotta start somewhere! Congrats and good luck!
 
Yeah. All told it sounds like you did the right thing. Seems to me that she really did like you and want to give you the other job but that something internal/political/connection-like came up w/the other candidate.

I hope something with benefits comes up soon thought! Maybe you can get "emergency only" style health insurence in the meantime, with a super high deductable. That kind is more affordable for individuals, unless you''re still on your parents policy....
 
Thanks everyone!

Decodelighted~ I haven''t been on my parents'' insurance policy in a couple of years (had military insurance, but they kick you off at age 23). I''ve been on student insurance since then and I got screwed once with it. The great thing is that my fiance has federal government insurance with Blue Cross/Blue Shield and I''ll be able to get on his policy in a little over three months. Unfortunately it''ll be a little pricey. The policy is great for those who have children because you pay one premium for the entire family, but for just the two of us it''s rather expensive. I have temporary insurance until July or August, so if I don''t get promoted I''ll start looking into getting my own policy (through BC/BS) or getting on my fiance''s (who''ll be my husband by then! yippee!!).
 
well, I just read through this entire post - and well, CONGRATS!

i was thinking the difference between 10$/hour and 22k/year is really only $1200/year if you work full time and so you shouldn''t let that be the deciding factor since there''s not that much difference..but it''s irrelevent now, isn''t it?

i hope you LOVE your new job and that many many doors open for you as a result of it.

my daughter is interested in forensic science, so it''s interesting for me to see where someone with that background goes!

Good luck!!
 
Yeah, my mom and dad did the number crunching with me and that''s what we came up with too.

How old is your daughter? I''ll post more about what my job really entails as soon as I know more about it. All I know right now is that the evidence handler is responsible for evidence coming in and going out. They document it, make sure that its preserved and stored properly and they maintain it. It also includes dealing with a lot of people (agents, analysts, other counties, etc.). She said its a very busy job in which I would have to think on my feet a lot. Should be exciting.
 
Congratulations Alphi, you did the right thing. Good luck on your new job, it sounds interesting and fun.
 
Congratulations! Very excited for you! Sounds like you''ll have opportunites for job and salary growth!
36.gif
36.gif
36.gif
 
Congrats on the new job! I hope this is the foot in the door that you were looking for.

Date: 3/2/2006 5:15:09 PM
Author: aphisiglovessae
It''s all personal preference. I personally LOVE lab jobs, which is why I chose to go the lab degree route. A lot of people can''t stand it because they think it''s boring and monotonous, but I actually like it. My dream job is to actually work for the CDC or something. Infectious diseases FASCINATE me!! Good luck in your search for ''your calling.'' I personally think echocardiography is a very interesting field. You''ll probably make good money in it too!
Click to expand...
I am currently working for the CDC and it''s been a great career choice for me. I would keep them in mind for future opportunities. You could also find plenty of infectious disease research being conducted by other branches of the Department of Health and Human Services (like the NIH). Unfortunately, most of the work is in either Atlanta, GA or Bethesda, MD.
 
Well TBeck, my fiance's job contract will be up in about 2 years and we might have to move. If I'm going to end up moving in either of those two places, can you hook me up with a job? That would be SWEET! You'd be making a girl's life-long dream come true.

And thanks everyone!!
 
Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top