Ocforums Got Me A Paycheck!

[I.M.O.G.]

Some of you might have seen the thread where I posted my resume and cover letter, and some of you may have also seen the thread in GCRD where I reported that I sent it out to Sherwin-Williams and got an interview for a PC support co-op. Thanks to everyone who contributed and commented on my resume, it worked great and I got some good input from you. I sent out one resume, and got one interview.

I had the interview last thursday, and got a call back Friday morning on my voicemail - I was the last interview in a 3 week period of interviews for the position.

The interview went alright, I had good answers to all of the questions without hesitation. I did have to mention that most of my scholastic work didn't apply much to PC support, but it also let me mention how much I have learned through personal investigation and the forums. My degree and coursework has been much more management focused - something I hope to take advantage of down the road. OCForums was the core of the interview discussion that supported my qualification for the position.

I got in contact with them today, and I start a week from today!

So this is a thank you post to everyone out there. Since November of 2002, I have learned a completely insane amount of information from this great community. All the help that everyone offers here is very real - it not only helps people solve their computer problems, but it can truly help people to get started in a carreer. I've gotten far more than I bargained for with these forums.

Thanks guys, you all make this place great!

[@md0Cer]

w000r! Congrats!

Cheers!
-0cer
:cool:

[mdcomp]

Awesome job!! Thats great.
:D

Matt

[ArBiTaL 24]

Well done, congrats on the position!
You can always count on OC-forums to help you out in your hour of need :D

Yes, well done indeed for the resume (which I think i commented on at the time for being good), and for a succesful interview - I reckon I'll have a real time with that, when it comes to me getting a job one day :/
And well done to everyone who provided suggestions!

Sooo...... Congrats, again :D

EDIT: woah, there were no replies when I started typing this :D

[Subaru]

Congratulations on the Job!

[@md0Cer]

Originally posted by ArBiTaL 24


EDIT: woah, there were no replies when I started typing this :D

Matt and I are uber typers :D

[YellowDart]

Very kewl! Congrats dood! :D

[snvpa]

Congrats man you've earned it :)

[raven]

Ya man.. congrats. Who ever knew that O/C forums could get you a job =)


You gotta try being a part of as much as you can. That way you can get an edge over the next person in line for the job. And always make sure you do not have to think about your answers for too long, as that will show the employer a sign of uncertainty, in a way.

But again, congrats!
I just might use O/C forums as a refernce as well for when i apply for summer jobs!


Raven

[Silversinksam]

Congrats!! If Gus were alive he'd be proud :)

[CrashOveride]

Yay 4 dat!:D

[abitavenger]

Congrats on the job. Nothing beats money lol

[hatkeeper]

Ya Congrats on the job :)

[I.M.O.G.]

Thanks for all the congrats guys, I was really excited when I found out. I was a bit bummed all weekend after I missed the call on Friday - I figured with 3 weeks of interviews and a call back that quick it couldn't be good news. So it was a real surprise!

Here's a little about what I think I'll be doing... With the co-op I will be rotating into and out of a call center. While I'm in the call center I'll take US based and international calls supporting sherwin-williams offices (not stores, they are on a completely different system that this call center does not support). I'll also get to go out on calls occasionally that come from within the headquarters building where I work.

When I'm not in the call center I'll be in the "IC" (Information Center I think), this is where they have their knowledge base and I'll get to take part in some project development teams I think. (They are currently looking at the advantages of going linux, among other things - definetly a long term project considering they are completely a M$ house now, but I like the idea)

Thats the basics of what I know so far...

I had another question, so if anyone has any ideas I would appreciate it. I'd like to attempt negotiations on my starting pay rate.

I know that their interns and co-ops receive pay rates between $12-15 dollars an hour - in the call from my HR contact she mentioned a $12 rate. Considering I've got an hour drive to downtown cleveland and parking ranges between $2-6 depending on the weather and where I want to park, I can figure that on average daily travel/parking expense will be about 11 dollars. So basically I'll spend an hour a day working just to pay for daily expenses. Those are costs that won't get anything but worse in light of gas prices... I'm not considering the one-time cost of starting a professional wardrobe and the $600 men's warehouse cost already spent for the interview.

When I report to the HR office next Monday, I think it would be a good time to mention some of these concerns and ask about covering travel expenses... And if they don't offer any coverage there, perhaps talking about my pay rate.

I know pay rates should never be mentioned in the interview, but I think my first visit to HR after accepting the position and receiving my new employee package would be the right time? Anyone think thats a bad move?

I've seen studies that show that a good portion of men are much more apt to negotiate their starting wages whereas women are far quicker to accept the initial rate without question - which accounts for part of the pay discrepancy between sexes. So it seems there isn't anything wrong with discussing your starting rate? I don't want to give a bad impression though either.

[Foxie3a]

Congrats. Since your so thankful, why don't you share the wealth? j/k :p

[DeepScience]

WTG on getting the job! If someone came in wearing US$600 of gear I'd give em the job too! :D

They not have parking for you lined up?

[Sterculus]

Nice job! congrats
:bday:

[Sentential]

Congrats!! :beer:


I wonder where the money will be goin............(New parts maybe? Lol!:bday: )

[I.M.O.G.]

Nah, they actually told me to park in the tower city mall parking deck for the interview, as that is the closest option. There are cheaper options if I don't mind walking up a hill a bit... But I'm a heavy sweater in the summer, and I wouldn't want to take the hill with any ice in the winter.

Come to think of it, I can get my parking fee waved with a purchase at the mall if I get my parking ticket validated... I wonder if there is a minimum purchase required? Maybe I can get parking and lunch for the same price as a $6 parking fee... Or buy a pack of gum every day. I'll have to look into that, if I park in the mall deck its almost like indoor parking.

EDIT: Order of excess money distribution: credit card, savings account, spendable and savings for upgrade parts in checking account (I was banking on a summer internship for funding a socket 939 upgrade, this pally 1800 is showing its age a bit... what better way to celebrate than computer parts?)

[macklin01]

IMOG, I'm sorry I missed all this. Let me congratulations and wish you all the best in your new post! -- Paul