<p>I have a truly gifted child who I brag about constantly because she is just . . . well, exceptional in every possible way: my 14-year-old Jack Russell terrier.</p>
<p>He just received a call from a large aerospace company asking him if he’s interested in an internship or coop. Apparently they sent him an email after the career fair but they said that it bounced. He has a tricky name so it might have been a typo (other companies have sent him emails). They’re looking for CS, EE, ME and CE so he should fit right in with the rest of the nerds.</p>
<p>I had an impromptu phone interview today-- was getting dressed to run out the door for my meeting and was caught completely off guard. Going for an in person interview tomorrow. Something to do with insurance, I applied weeks and weeks ago and don’t remember anymore, so I have some homework to do tonight. Oops.</p>
<p>My meeting today went poorly. They hired someone else into the position that I created-- but wanted me to come in and give them all my ideas so new guy can use them. Not sure I’m really understanding how that works, but tomorrow is another day. Just disappointed that this is what all the ass-busting and networking I did the last two years led to. That, and I fell down the stairs on the way out and sprained every joint in my body and bashed my computer against the ground. Great success.</p>
<p>Emaheevul07, it sounds like you’re pretty disappointed in how today went. I"m sorry it turned out badly. I know it’s hard, but one day you will have a job, and this will all be in the past.</p>
<p>My D graduated in May '10. It took her 5 months to find a job, and the search was pretty discouraging for her. It took a lot of phone calls from where we live, which is pretty far away, to do our part in helping her keep her spirits up. But finally all her diligent searching found some success, and she got a job in her field. That was a wonderful telephone call to receive! </p>
<p>It will happen to you too, just not on your time line, and perhaps not in exactly the way you expect. But until then, good job for having an optimistic attitude. That will help you once you are employed, too. Good luck.</p>
<p>And good luck to BC eagle’s son, too.</p>
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<p>I’m surprised that this did the trick as it’s not considered a very good answer during interviews.
The better answer should have been “I work smarter.”</p>
<p>You can’t do many jobs in my line of work unless you work smarter as there is no way you can substitute smartness with diligence.</p>
<p>^ Well, evidently it was indeed considered a good answer because it resulted in two job offers for Mini’s daughter.</p>
<p>And perhaps the hundred other applicants that Mini’s daughter beat out responded with “I work smarter”. The phrase is not exactly original.</p>
<p>I forwarded Mini’s daughter’s response on to my dd, who has an interview in a month.
sometimes the ones who think they are worker smarter aren’t working enough…ymmv.</p>
<p>I doubt the “work smarter” would have been a good answer - for her. First of all, it likely isn’t true. Secondly, as a matter of academics, she is nowhere near what the average Princeton, Wharton, or Georgetown student (with whom she was competing) might be able to offer if s/he applied him/herself. She certainly wasn’t better prepared, as she had a year less of college under her belt than 95% of the other applicants. For HER, it was likely not only the truest answer, but the one most appropriate given the situation.</p>
<p>I thought the syntax of the question - and she insists that’s the way they asked it - somewhat odd. They didn’t ask why she’d be the better employee, or why they should choose her. </p>
<p>I also found out that her career services office provided semi-mandatory instruction in interview etiquette - not only how to dress, resume and letter review, texting and e-mail advice, practice interviews, etc., but even as detailed as how to eat in interview situations. (I thought it pretty over the top - but it obviously worked.)</p>
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<p>In my experience there are more people out there who would answer “I work harder” than “I work smarter” as one it’s more obvious answer and second it doesn’t need explanation. The second answer is very hard to explain.</p>
<p>The originality of the phrase occur when it’s uttered at the right time for the right question. </p>
<p>You’ll be surprised to know that the most common line for any reference letter is that “the applicant is very diligent” and it is not considered a very original or appreciated quote.</p>
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<p>It might be true and not all jobs need smart worker some genuinely need hard worker so I think it might be possible that a company actually looking for hard worker. </p>
<p>I did indicate that in my line of work we would prefer a smart worker than a hard worker.</p>
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<p>And neither statement says very much, since what one person thinks is working “hard” or “smart” may be different from what another person thinks is working “hard” or “smart”.</p>
<p>It could be that the attitude around saying that she works harder was more of what they were looking for than the exact phrase.</p>
<p>As a pragmatic person, I would say good job in landing the job over a sea of Ivy competition.</p>
<p>“I work harder” sounds diligent, and that the person will be committed to do what it takes to get the work done. “I work smarter” can sound arrogant, cocky and a bit obnoxious, like the person has an attitude or a bit of self-aggrandizement. That would be a deal-breaker fro many employers.</p>
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<p>Working harder is part of the American work ethic and probably resonates with older folks. Working smarter is associated with some negative things. One thing that I see in large organizations is where “working smarter” = pushing your work off on other organizations while still being able to take credit for it.</p>
<p>^ To add to that, BCEagle, if “working smarter” means pushing more and more work onto subordinates, that can be a very stressful work environment. In this day and age ,most companies run a leaner and meaner shop. And the work mentality in many companies is to overwork their employees. If “I work smarter” connotes to being in some way manipulative, thats not an endearing quality for coworkers, even if it does get a person hired in what might be a shark work environment. Those employees are at risk for burnout and stress.</p>
<p>JYM626-That is exactly what I thought. “I work smarter” sounded a bit smart-ass to me, but I guess that depends upon how the line is delivered. It does sound like a “line” in any event.</p>
<p>Well, in any case, I doubt that the one-liner was a deciding factor. After all, KPMG had two full days of interviews (and a meal, at which she said she was totally silent while others attempted to one-up each other), and the other company an entire day (she met with heads of six separate departments).</p>
<p>They have told her to expect 10-14 hour days to start. (Which excites her, since, except playing the piano, she has never made close to the amount of money they pay in overtime in her life. Ah, to be young again!). She lives within walking distance of the home office.</p>
<p>Hey, mini - I think our D’s are working in the same profession (for different Big 4 firms.) Anyway, my D is also thrilled with the idea of 12-hour workdays. Any time I try to caution her that those days can be long, she gets all round-eyed and says “But Mom! Think of the overtime!”</p>
<p>^^^and I am happy for both of your hard working AND smart daughters!</p>
<p>Overtime for exempt employees?</p>
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LOL, rude awakening on the horizon :).</p>
<p>Although, to my surprise, friend’s S - an “exempt” employee with a Master’s degree, gets official comp time in his job. My S, also exempt (ECE) gets unofficial comp time (sometimes, after much overtime and extensive travel on a given project) - the whole team got a week off and bonus at project end. So today’s companies have ways of showing appreciation, which is nice.</p>