Job Search Bullshit

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I get almost every job I apply for. I'm not that great, but I think I understand what employers want, and I make sure they know I can do what they want. To me thats the whole job thing in a nutshell, or most of it.

Employers want 4 things: Competence, industry, low cost, and a good attitude.

If you call a plumber, what do you want? Competence, punctuality, a fair price, and a good attitude.

But when I read employment self-help books & articles what I find is nonsense from idgits. If the employer cares about lilac resume paper or the font, you dont wanna work for her. If he asks you stupid effing questions, like: WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU DIDNT HAVE TO WORK? Leave! If she's late to the interview, toss her back. And pay attention to your gut...I interviewed one place that looked like a Roman slave galley, and during the interview I was asked, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT WORKING 24/7? I left.

 

[geronimo_appleby]

I get almost every job I apply for. I'm not that great, but I think I understand what employers want, and I make sure they know I can do what they want. To me thats the whole job thing in a nutshell, or most of it.

Employers want 4 things: Competence, industry, low cost, and a good attitude.

If you call a plumber, what do you want? Competence, punctuality, a fair price, and a good attitude.

But when I read employment self-help books & articles what I find is nonsense from idgits. If the employer cares about lilac resume paper or the font, you dont wanna work for her. If he asks you stupid effing questions, like: WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU DIDNT HAVE TO WORK? Leave! If she's late to the interview, toss her back. And pay attention to your gut...I interviewed one place that looked like a Roman slave galley, and during the interview I was asked, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT WORKING 24/7? I left.

i wish you'd fuck off outta here too.

 

[TE999]

I get almost every job I apply for. I'm not that great, but I think I understand what employers want, and I make sure they know I can do what they want. To me thats the whole job thing in a nutshell, or most of it.

Employers want 4 things: Competence, industry, low cost, and a good attitude.

If you call a plumber, what do you want? Competence, punctuality, a fair price, and a good attitude.

But when I read employment self-help books & articles what I find is nonsense from idgits. If the employer cares about lilac resume paper or the font, you dont wanna work for her. If he asks you stupid effing questions, like: WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU DIDNT HAVE TO WORK? Leave! If she's late to the interview, toss her back. And pay attention to your gut...I interviewed one place that looked like a Roman slave galley, and during the interview I was asked, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT WORKING 24/7? I left.

Roger that. I've been on some job interviews that were as inane as being a guest on a Baba Wawa special. You have to wonder about the intelligence levels of the people who are interviewing you and what the workplace is like. On one interview I had already determined this was not the place for me, but just for the hell of it I asked if I could look around the office and chat with some of the employees. You would have thought I was asking for the key to the petty cash drawer and 5 minutes alone.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Yep. Some companies are so damaged theyre forced to change their names every few years, just to entice job applicants.

 

[bronzeage]

I get almost every job I apply for. I'm not that great, but I think I understand what employers want, and I make sure they know I can do what they want. To me thats the whole job thing in a nutshell, or most of it.

Employers want 4 things: Competence, industry, low cost, and a good attitude.

If you call a plumber, what do you want? Competence, punctuality, a fair price, and a good attitude.

But when I read employment self-help books & articles what I find is nonsense from idgits. If the employer cares about lilac resume paper or the font, you dont wanna work for her. If he asks you stupid effing questions, like: WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU DIDNT HAVE TO WORK? Leave! If she's late to the interview, toss her back. And pay attention to your gut...I interviewed one place that looked like a Roman slave galley, and during the interview I was asked, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT WORKING 24/7? I left.

Human Resources people have tricks they save for when they want an applicant to withdraw their application. Being late for the interview and talking about long hours are two of them,

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Human Resources people have tricks they save for when they want an applicant to withdraw their application. Being late for the interview and talking about long hours are two of them,

In many cases the hiring decision is made before the ad goes in the paper and anyone is interviewed. Ads and interviews mask the deceit. Or the ad and interviews reveal that management cannot lure competent help away from its competition. So the process is one or the other; the company already has its winner or no one who knows the company wants to work for it.

 

[Austin8]

In many cases the hiring decision is made before the ad goes in the paper and anyone is interviewed. Ads and interviews mask the deceit. Or the ad and interviews reveal that management cannot lure competent help away from its competition. So the process is one or the other; the company already has its winner or no one who knows the company wants to work for it.

I find this thread interesting, Ive been on some of those job interviews as well, but, now Im self employed, and one day in the near future if business continues as it is now, Ill be hiring an employee next year. So any advice for the employer side of it? My accountant says nooo dont do it!

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I find this thread interesting, Ive been on some of those job interviews as well, but, now Im self employed, and one day in the near future if business continues as it is now, Ill be hiring an employee next year. So any advice for the employer side of it? My accountant says nooo dont do it!

Look at the applicants car. The car always reveals its owners soul.

 

[Austin8]

Look at the applicants car. The car always reveals its owners soul.

good point jim, looking back, seems the good employees I worked with had nice vehicles. and some of those guys trucks were immaculate. you were in construction you know what Im talking about.

 

[Handley_Page]

If he asks you stupid effing questions, like: WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU DIDNT HAVE TO WORK? Leave! If she's late to the interview, toss her back. And pay attention to your gut...I interviewed one place that looked like a Roman slave galley, and during the interview I was asked,
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT WORKING 24/7? .

Sir (/Madam), I work to live, not the other way round !

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

good point jim, looking back, seems the good employees I worked with had nice vehicles. and some of those guys trucks were immaculate. you were in construction you know what Im talking about.

I was thinking good repair and bumper stickers. Collision damage says a lot, especially if it isnt repaired. Bald tires. Dirt!

Check for Honorable Discharge from military. Can they stick something out for the duration, and deal with all the nonsense.

High school diploma? Can they stick it out and deal with the nonsense.

Criminal history?

Youre looking for commitment, dependability, and perseverance.

 

[Up_n_Ready]

Some good advice here. Thanks.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I've observed lotsa scams over the years, especially with government agencies. They ALWAYS have their choice pre-selected, and run ads and interviews to make the deceit look kosher. Or their selection wants more money than they wanna pay, so they drag bodies in to see what people want for pay.

The state agency I worked for hired Affirmative Action Astronauts. That is, they recruited blacks, hired them, then launched them on the fast track from peon to out the door. When they promote someone from peon to senior peon to supervisor to administrator to special assistant to the Secretary they collect lotsa affirmative action points from one body. And when this person's special assistant position is dissolved cuz of budget cuts, the agency can start over with a new black.

 

[LaRocha]

I get almost every job I apply for. I'm not that great, but I think I understand what employers want, and I make sure they know I can do what they want. To me thats the whole job thing in a nutshell, or most of it.

Employers want 4 things: Competence, industry, low cost, and a good attitude.

If you call a plumber, what do you want? Competence, punctuality, a fair price, and a good attitude.

But when I read employment self-help books & articles what I find is nonsense from idgits. If the employer cares about lilac resume paper or the font, you dont wanna work for her. If he asks you stupid effing questions, like: WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU DIDNT HAVE TO WORK? Leave! If she's late to the interview, toss her back. And pay attention to your gut...I interviewed one place that looked like a Roman slave galley, and during the interview I was asked, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT WORKING 24/7? I left.

cool story, bro

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

LA ROCHA

When I interviewed people I always wanted to know if they knew how to do the work, if they were dependable, if they had basic social skills, and if they had a good attitude. I wasnt interested in anything else.

 

[Austin8]

LA ROCHA

When I interviewed people I always wanted to know if they knew how to do the work, if they were dependable, if they had basic social skills, and if they had a good attitude. I wasnt interested in anything else.

ive worked with some good but mostly bad, I really wonder how some of those damn guys ever got a job

 

[colddiesel]

I find this thread interesting, Ive been on some of those job interviews as well, but, now Im self employed, and one day in the near future if business continues as it is now, Ill be hiring an employee next year. So any advice for the employer side of it? My accountant says nooo dont do it!

Don't hire, contract if possible and give preference to mothers 30+ even if they can only do part time. The brutal truth is that this cohort needs the work more than you need them and so will take lower wages and more crap.

Part time mums in my fairly considerable experience are the most reliable workers of all. The general prejudice against them is absurd.

 

[Austin8]

Don't hire, contract if possible and give preference to mothers 30+ even if they can only do part time. The brutal truth is that this cohort needs the work more than you need them and so will take lower wages and more crap.

Part time mums in my fairly considerable experience are the most reliable workers of all. The general prejudice against them is absurd.

thanks for that diesel, but I have a landscaping company, moms, i dont think would want to do that kinda work.

 

[colddiesel]

but I have a landscaping company, moms, i dont think would want to do that kinda work.

Austin, that says as much about your pre conceptions as their attitudes.

It's not disimilar to JBJ's earlier comment about military records. The only conclusion I drew from that was that JBJ had probably been in the military and thus valued it.

Unless we make a deliberate attempt to break out of it we all tend to employ people 'in our own image'

My first experience with breaking the mould on attitudes was in running a timber company. The logging trucks working on the dirt roads in the forest had appalling accident records. A friend in the mining industry suggested employing women. I did so and the accident rate of the women was 80% less than that of the men. Interestingly after a while the accident record for the men also improved markedly - I think that was because of the contempt the idiots received from the women.

Women can do quite heavy labour and do it well. They haven't got the capacity to beat men in absolute strength but in repetitious moderately heavy labour I'll back a team of women every time.

 

[Austin8]

Austin, that says as much about your pre conceptions as their attitudes.

It's not disimilar to JBJ's earlier comment about military records. The only conclusion I drew from that was that JBJ had probably been in the military and thus valued it.

Unless we make a deliberate attempt to break out of it we all tend to employ people 'in our own image'

My first experience with breaking the mould on attitudes was in running a timber company. The logging trucks working on the dirt roads in the forest had appalling accident records. A friend in the mining industry suggested employing women. I did so and the accident rate of the women was 80% less than that of the men. Interestingly after a while the accident record for the men also improved markedly - I think that was because of the contempt the idiots received from the women.

Women can do quite heavy labour and do it well. They haven't got the capacity to beat men in absolute strength but in repetitious moderately heavy labour I'll back a team of women every time.

your kiddin', right?

 

[TE999]

Women excel in such things as attention to detail, repetitive tasks, concentration, sitting for long stretches of time, diligence and perseverance. You rarely see men working in electronics assembly, making clothing or any other sort of production line other than automobiles and heavy machinery(which I think is due to the unions) and that may even be changing now that it's Government Motors.

 

[Austin8]

Ive yet to see a woman run a skid steer well, work in the broiling hot sun for 10, 12 hours a day, get covered in sweat and grass and not complain, pack a string trimmer around a 3 acre yard in the hills. and on and on. Now I have had several young women ask if I would hire them, seems they find the *idea* of working outside appealing, the actual day to day grind in 90 to 100 degree heat, not so much.

Im not saying there not out there cause I know some, but there so few and far between, if a women applied, and had the qualifications I would hire her no problem.

 

[lisa123414]

Thank you, Cold. As a 30+ I have found that I am valuable, and fortunately, valued. I know plenty of women who are physically able to do many jobs, just not the long hours. I work part time at a job that I was hired for full time. As the babies came, I cut back my hours. After four (babies), someone up the line decided to lean on me. They told me they needed me to come back to full time, else they would have to let me go.

I won that little game of chicken. Sure I take a ration of stuff from my coworkers, but they also seem to know that I pull my weight. I suspect, that at six hours a day, I do more than many of my coworkers accomplish in eight. So I get to keep my job, for now. Life is not fair, I agree. I have been lucky.

 

[driphoney]

your kiddin', right?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

COLD DIESEL

The employment laws limit the information employers can access, but there are ways around the restrictions.

Earning Eagle Scout rank in the Scouts is good evidence the applicant can commit to a long term project; so is military service; so is a college degree. All three together are excellent evidence for increasing the employer's confidence and comfort level in the applicant. The certificates suffice for testimonials. Sports in high school is another indicator of self-discipline, team cooperation, etc.

It reveals so much more than your lilac stationery and Century Gothic font ever will.