A Bit of a Rant

rhymegirl · Sep 13, 2007

I don't understand this job hunting thing.

The rudeness, apathy.

I remember a time when a person would send out resumes, wait a bit and then hear something one way or the other. Either a phone call asking you to come in for an interview or a letter in your mailbox saying thanks but no thanks.

Now you get NOTHING. No phone call, no emails, no letter in the mail. No communication at all.

Even the temp agency I worked for says they don't have any jobs right now so that's no help.

scarletpeaches · Sep 13, 2007

Well, think about how many people apply for jobs these days. They can't phone or write to everyone; it'd cost a fortune. I don't expect any reply now (unless I've been invited for interview of course).

A lot of vacancies advertised here have in small print at the bottom, "If you haven't heard from us by such-and-such a date, then your application has been unsuccessful."

And it's not just the financial cost of replying to everyone - but it'd take too much time.

writerterri · Sep 13, 2007

I'm with you on that. I just followed up on an ap. today and he told me he'd call me.

Like I don't know what that means.

Bite me buster!

rhymegirl · Sep 13, 2007

writerterri said:
I'm with you on that. I just followed up on an ap. today and he told me he'd call me.

Like I don't know what that means.

Bite me buster!

Exactly what men tell women on dates. "I'll call you." Uh huh.

Unique · Sep 13, 2007

It's become SOP, Kath. It sucks and it's wrong.

But until things improve in this country - well, I guess they'll continue to get away with it.

That said, it's always given me satisfaction to decline job offers because they didn't meet my standards. It makes me smile in the recalling of it.

rhymegirl · Sep 13, 2007

Unique said:
That said, it's always given me satisfaction to decline job offers because they didn't meet my standards. It makes me smile in the recalling of it.

Yeah. That's cool.

I remember one time this guy at an ad agency wanted to pay me peanuts for a full-time copywriting job which would also require me to work overtime and weekends.
I was making more money at my "any chimp could do it" clerical job. I said, "Thanks, but no thanks."

And why is it that writer jobs which require a brain often pay so little?

Rolling Thunder · Sep 13, 2007

rhymegirl said:
Exactly what men tell women on dates. "I'll call you." Uh huh.

You haven't figured out why this happens yet? (Serious question.)

davids · Sep 13, 2007

Have you told these folks that you are incredibly skinny. Skinny ladies get all the breaks.

JLCwrites · Sep 13, 2007

Unique said:
It's become SOP, Kath. It sucks and it's wrong.

But until things improve in this country - well, I guess they'll continue to get away with it.

That said, it's always given me satisfaction to decline job offers because they didn't meet my standards. It makes me smile in the recalling of it.

Hehe... One time I actually told a person who was interviewing me to wait a moment because I was on the phone. She still offered me the job. But I turned her down because I knew after the interview that I wasn't what they were looking for.

rhymegirl · Sep 13, 2007

Rllgthunder said:
You haven't figured out why this happens yet? (Serious question.)

Why don't you tell us, thunderboy.

Enlighten us with your wisdom.

JLCwrites · Sep 13, 2007

davids said:
Have you told these folks that you are incredibly skinny. Skinny ladies get all the breaks.

Oh, and blond. Your boss wont respect you, but at least you'll get paid!

(It sucks when guys talk down to me, and I'm not even short!)

rhymegirl · Sep 13, 2007

davids said:
Have you told these folks that you are incredibly skinny. Skinny ladies get all the breaks.

Well, I don't put that info on my resume, Dave. (Should I?)

But, if I actually get an interview....

Rolling Thunder · Sep 13, 2007

rhymegirl said:
Why don't you tell us, thunderboy.

Enlighten us with your wisdom.

It should be pretty obvious. Think about it. It happens everywhere, everyday. You'll figure it out.

zahra · Sep 13, 2007

Right there with you, Kath. Nobody has any manners anymore, and I bet you anything responding to unsuccessful applicants is considered a waste of 'resources' in this day and age. '...Hell in a handbasket', basically.

scarletpeaches · Sep 13, 2007

Hell in a handbasket? Would you want to pay for return postage on 500 applications?

rhymegirl · Sep 13, 2007

zahra said:
Right there with you, Kath. Nobody has any manners anymore, and I bet you anything responding to unsuccessful applicants is considered a waste of 'resources' in this day and age. '...Hell in a handbasket', basically.

A couple of years ago, maybe even a year ago, I interviewed for a part-time clerical position. I didn't get the job, but I got a very nice letter from the woman who interviewed me. She actually sounded regretful that someone else got the job instead. (Two people had interviewed me, so I guess the other woman wanted a different candidate.)

It's still nice to receive that kind of letter. It helps the rejection not sting so much.

davids · Sep 13, 2007

rhymegirl said:
Well, I don't put that info on my resume, Dave. (Should I?)

But, if I actually get an interview....

Yes and that you have a personal trainer and you are very serious and never silly and real purdy!!!! I believe in radical sexism it probably is an age thing along with my Scottish bum fetish!!

Scottish lass bum fetish-honestly you guys just jump to the damndest conclusipations

dclary · Sep 13, 2007

It's not *always* like that, but yeah, a lot of places just figure since they're getting spammed by recruiters, why should they answer?

I thought myself blessed to have received this in the mail after sending an initial query letter:

Thank you so much for your interest, please complete the attached application and submit with the required documents.
Lisa

rhymegirl · Sep 13, 2007

scarletpeaches said:
Hell in a handbasket? Would you want to pay for return postage on 500 applications?

In all fairness, there are not always that many applicants. Especially for certain jobs. One time I went on an interview and they told me only three or four people sent in a resume.

Siddow · Sep 13, 2007

Why don't you throw yourself into full-time freelancing?

davids · Sep 13, 2007

Siddow said:
Why don't you throw yourself into full-time freelancing?

Or full time Girl Scouting!!

rhymegirl · Sep 13, 2007

Siddow said:
Why don't you throw yourself into full-time freelancing?

I've been a freelancer for a long time. There is a cash flow problem. Need steady money coming in to pay for a mortgage and new car.

davids · Sep 13, 2007

rhymegirl said:
I've been a freelancer for a long time. There is a cash flow problem. Need steady money coming in to pay for a mortgage and new car.

And lots of cookies right?

akiwiguy · Sep 13, 2007

Although I can kind of see the argument that it would take too long, I also think we all will spend time where our priorities are. Therefore to me it's part of the growing trend that people, or at least those who don't serve our own purposes, are of no priority at all.

In actual fact I think the time and cost of at least a brief mass mailed response pales into insignificance compared with the cost of recruitment, training etc. for the position. It really boils down to the fact that we accept being treated like shit now. I think the real tragedy is kids whose introduction to the real world is endless experiences of this kind.

To me its an an exact example of the sort of shit we we need to address before we all become performing monkeys.

Siddow · Sep 13, 2007

rhymegirl said:
I've been a freelancer for a long time. There is a cash flow problem. Need steady money coming in to pay for a mortgage and new car.

Ah, I see. Then I suggest stripping.

*flees*

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