So I didn't get the job I wanted.

[Bandwagonesque]

The postman just dropped off a rejection letter from an employer (government office) where I had an interview with two months ago. I felt I did really good about my interview, but I reckon my interviewers did not feel the same way. I was not given any ranking of my position with regards to other candidates, so I have no idea if I was even considered further post-interview.

I'll be graduating this spring with my MA in Economics. My job and academic history is quite good... not Wall Street/U of Chicago good... far far from that, but I'd say better than 90% of the other students in my class. Some might think I'm selling myself short going for a government job at a young age. I'm honestly not cut out for private sector work. I enjoy my free time, and this office where I applied to is one of the few employers who do work I'm actually interested in (after all these years of school and work, I find economics to be extremely boring now and unnecessarily complex).

Anyhoo... while I really wanted this position, I'm not in a situation where I need to find work immediately post graduation. Would it be possible for me to reapply for next years graduate recruitment campaign, and get another interview? Or is it likely that I'm somewhat "blacklisted" - they'll pull up my old interview file and see that I was refused once, so no use in interviewing me again?

 

[edmorel]

Don't discount the private sector. There are many companies that have very liberal hours. Obviously, the pay and advancement opportunites will also be better. You sound like you are made for an economic consultant or think tank type of job. What are you looking to do??

 

[FLMountainMan]

The thing about a lot of government jobs, especially state and local, is that the candidate is frequently already picked out. The listing is just because they have to.
Also, the qualifications listed are often lower than what almost all the candidates will have, so it gives (especially) fresh-out-of-college people a false sense of their place in the pool of candidates.
It can't hurt to reapply or even try to go down there in person to at least make yourself known.
I really enjoy working for the public sector, and have since age 24. The standard prevailing work ethic (again, especially at the state and local level) is so low that a young, ambitious person can really advance far if they exercise a certain degree of diplomacy. Furthermore, the work you do usually has a larger impact than in the private sector. I have managed to have a pretty significant impact in the community through my job and become well-known in a short amount of time.

 

[tiger02]

B, can't offer much in the way of help, but I feel for you. Hope it works out in the end. For me, after four plus years of working for Uncle Sam, I'm ready for some good ol fashion American capitalism. Good luck!
Tom

 

[Bandwagonesque]

Ah, you're right. I shouldn't assume all private sector jobs will bust your balls. Unfortunately, I live in Ottawa, where the public sector rules all and I'm not interested in moving to a larger city. I never considered consulting, but then, I'm not really familiar with the work that they do. I'm also open to non-econ work.... but right now, I'm just having one of those mid-mid-life crises where I have no idea what to do for the rest of my life. I'm sure I'm not the only grad who goes through this though.

 

[Vintage Gent]

Originally Posted by edmorel

You sound like you are made for an economic consultant or think tank type of job.

Barring that, he could be the bassist in a Teenage Fanclub cover band.

 

[Bandwagonesque]

Originally Posted by Vintage Gent

Barring that, he could be the bassist in a Teenage Fanclub cover band.

And barring that, roadie for this cover band