Why voluntary?

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Mon 11 May 2009, 22:51, archived)

Because paid work is more difficult to get.

( Moon Girl Technologies horrendous beanbag, Mon 11 May 2009, 22:53, archived)

Only if you're too fussy and self-important.

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Mon 11 May 2009, 22:54, archived)

Rubbish.
I got voluntary work without a formal interview or even an application form. I just went in there. And they didn't care how many hours I worked or when I turned up.
( Moon Girl Technologies horrendous beanbag, Mon 11 May 2009, 22:55, archived)

In the last job interview I attended,
the only pertinent questions were "have you done this before?" and "can you get here on time?"

As I answered in the affirmative to both questions, and (according to the interviewer) seemed to have more sense on me than all the other applicants put together, I got the job.
( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Mon 11 May 2009, 23:00, archived)

Well bully for you.
I have never had a job interview that even remotely resembles that. And it's not because I don't apply for the sort of jobs that if I post the advert on here, I get a string of replies saying "I wouldn't get out of bed for that much".
( Moon Girl Technologies horrendous beanbag, Mon 11 May 2009, 23:00, archived)

Not many interviews at all are like that.

( Esme Weatherwax I swear on my tash it's daycent hash, Mon 11 May 2009, 23:05, archived)

Tell me about it.
I've wasted far too much time applying for jobs that were way over my head.
( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Mon 11 May 2009, 23:08, archived)

I've had 20-minute interviews for jobs that wouldn't have gone over my head if I'd been standing on it,
and I've been called up the next week to be told I hadn't been selected for a second one.

You're right, it's a waste of time applying for stuff that you're blatantly unqualified for, but I really don't think I've been doing that.
( Moon Girl Technologies horrendous beanbag, Mon 11 May 2009, 23:10, archived)

Maybe you should present your qualifications so that they look as if they're on the level required, and not too far above/below?

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Mon 11 May 2009, 23:13, archived)

Well I do get more interviews if I don't mention my degree,
but I don't see how this has any bearing on whether they have a second round of interviews or not, or even whether they bother to stretch the first one out to 20 minutes.
( Moon Girl Technologies horrendous beanbag, Mon 11 May 2009, 23:15, archived)

well I have a full time job (software engineer)
but I miss helping people directly, so, voluntary stuff might scratch the itch.
( MrA, Mon 11 May 2009, 22:54, archived)