"I don't know which I hate more: this economy or the people it's empowered to treat job seekers like circus animals…"So began an email I received recently from an out-of-work New York woman. With unemployment at unprecedented levels and the numbers of people looking for work growing daily, I thought her message was worth sharing.
· If you're looking for work, perhaps it will make you feel less alone.
· But if you're fortunate enough to be hiring, read it even closer. Maybe it's time for all those who work in human resources to remember the lives that are balancing in your hands.
Here's the email.
"In the past few months, I've submitted dozens of resumes, custom cover letters and samples of my work. Most potential employers are so overwhelmed with applicants they don't even bother to respond. That's discouraging. But what are even worse are the companies that capitalize on the desperation of the unemployed. Because they have so many applications, they feel empowered to subject applicants to one test after another. In other words, looking for a job has devolved to jumping through hoops."I'm a college educated writer and editor, with experience at multiple major publications. I realize the importance of showing my work, discussing my experience and demonstrating the depth of my knowledge. But treating experienced employees like entry-level applicants—and then declining to hire them because they're overqualified—is demoralizing."I've donated my skill and time to attend events, complete reports and fill-in for absent staff members—all as 'part of the interview process.' I've also been asked to complete the strangest tasks, ranging from bizarre personality assessments to esoteric questions, not during an actual conversation in an interview but online, as follow-up to an application."One company asked how I would spend the money if I hit the jackpot in the lottery. How should someone answer that: honestly, as in I'd pay off my debts and invest it so I wouldn't have to subject myself to indignities like this questionnaire, or unrealistically altruistic, as I might if I were a candidate for Miss America? I'm old enough to know that even a mega-jackpot would not eradicate worldwide hunger."Another company asked me to explain what I wanted to be when I was a child. Well, that's tricky, too. For a while, I thought I wanted to be a flight attendant, but only because the uniforms were more appealing to a 12-year-old than the suits I saw people wear to offices. I abandoned the idea after someone told me to read a book called Coffee, Tea or Me."Careers of choice in my childhood were largely shaped by Halloween costumes. From possibilities including a witch, a maid and a devil, it's understandable that I'd settle on a nurse. But I changed my mind when I realized nurses were surrounded by death and dying."I opted for writing at the suggesting of a ninth grade English teacher, who suggested I had a knack for it. Little did I know it would ultimately prove far more depressing to be surrounded by dead and dying media outlets, as one newsroom after another fell victim to the economy. But what does any of this have to do with getting a job?"And don't get me started on all the social networks, which the twentysomethings in charge of screening applications—or even conducting interviews—consider essential. Facebook and LinkedIn have a purpose, but they also allow a potential employer to determine things like race, family status and possibly age. Didn't we create laws in this country to prohibit hiring decisions because of such factors? Now we have no way of knowing when they're deciding factors."I'm tired and frustrated. In this mood, it's becoming harder and harder to project enthusiasm or desire. So the cycle continues. I keep following orders to Sit, Stand and Jump. But I still don't have a job."
For more info: NYS Unemployment benefits
Comments
Thanks for sharing this post, I'll certainly share this with others.
Thanks for sharing! I have been looking for work for about 8 months and have jumped through similar hoops.
Thanks for the article, its nice ot know others are going through the same thing. I have been to many interviews only to get turned down at the end for being overqualified. Sometimes I drive an hour or more and go through an hour interview in front of a panel to be told this to my face. I believe they enojy seeing the desperation and feeling the affirmation that they have a job even though their boss has siad in front of them, in not so many words, "I only hire uneducated, inexperienced employees".
Same here, it's even worse than having an actual job, except you're not even getting paid for it, or any treats nonetheless!
A TV division of a major studio has been advertising jobs that don't exist and has been interviewing potential "employees" to steal their ideas. F YOU HILARY.
Thanks for sharing this - so many of us needed to hear we have a kindred soul!
That's so true. They tell you to be yourself on the interview and they ask questions so silly. All people want is to get a good job and work hard and they expect us to be robots and answer wierd questions. How can you be yourself? when someone askes the question of how you deal with an upset boss. if I was being myself I tell him f--k off but off course you have to lie and say things like oh I would listen to him and wait to he is not upset and try to talk to him then. well bull sh-t. People just want to be people they don't want to answer question so human resource can determin what they had for lunch.
Or questions like: How do I know you are the right person for the job? well, sh-t shorelock you don't know because you haven't hired me yet.
right on bro.
This is entirely true. First hand experience for myself. I am beginning to wonder what kind of candidate are they really looking for.. Is it the potential, qualities, attitude, or just the person that they like?? All those silly questions are just there to entertain them.. Maybe they will pick the one who answered the best.. We should really study Beauty Pageant 101, maybe I will get hired for the Q & A..
I can relate to this article. You expressed my thoughts exactly. In reality there is no such thing as being overqualified. A person either has the skills to do the job or they don't. Your article was well-written and you should be getting paid for your writing. You are an EXPERT!!!!!!!!!!!!
If we got rid of all illegals and more people would committ suicide, the job problem would be solved overnight. Think about it.
Please see skyglider's message, particularly the latter part. Then be sure to watch over your shoulder.
FIRST OFF I'M TRYN HARD TO GET A JOB, MY JOB WENT FROM OVERTIME TO WORKING LESS THAN 25 HRS A WK!! OMG NOTHING YET, GUESS IM NOT LUCKY. WAT THE HELL MAN! SOME OF THESE AVAILABLE POSTIONS ARE SO SIMPLE A CAVEMAN CAN DO IT! BUT NO THEY ACT LIKE THE JOB IS COMPLEX, REALLY... MAN I SHOULD BE LOOK FOR SOMETHING BETTER, BUT I DESPERATE FOR ANYTHING AND YET IM STILL SHOT DOWN. WOW THATS LIK MC DONALDS TELL YOU IT TAKES SKILLS TO MAKE THIS BURGER! SO FUSTRATED. OH YEA AND IF UR MAILING UR JEWELRY TO MAKE SOME MONEY BACK DONT!!! ITS A WASTE OF MONEY, SELL IT ON EBABY OR STOP BEING LAZY AND GO TO THE PAWN SHOP. SERIOUS SOME PEOPLE ARE DUMB!! GL TO ALL OTHERS TRYN 2 MAKE A LIVING
Thank you for this letter! I've read many such letters and posts, but none have hit the head on the problem before like yours. I'm in a different field, and so my experience, while analogous, is different. In my area, the problem is that employers post positions with every possible requirement they can think of. Normally, I apply for positions that would be good fits, however, I only apply for a small percentage of those, because they have one requirement that I don't have (and of course they say people without it need not apply). Usually it's a software that is almost the same as one I've used. I used to apply for these, but feel it's a waste of time anymore, since no one ever answers....
I worked in Construction for 14 years and got replaced by illegals immigrants if people want to fix economy please stop giving our jobs away and think about the Americans people.
I have been looking for work for 7 months where i last lived and had soem personal problems but have been looking since february as i had to go home to my parents, i apply everyday, i have dreadfull memories of when the condition i suffer from affected me as i got too stressed with losing a job i loved, some people may call me stupid but the job i had to take in the end made me worse so i had to leave as its a mental condition, I would never leave a job otherwise.
I still have to jump through hoops still to look for a job saying im overqualified, surely thats better right just damn excuses makes me so frustrated when i hear things we don't want to train you in this field as u may leave if something better comes along, i wouldn't apply for a job in the field if i didn't know it, duh ethics!! I went to university etc thats a huge step from where i once came from, the government already asked me to go on courses i don't need to do like cv writing, its pathetic and a waste of money.
Wow. I thought I was alone. Yes, I've felt this before. It's horrible. To wait test after test only so that they hire "who they like". They want you to be positive and energetic, but how can you be when you are desperate to find something to bring food to the table. These people should at least acknowledge the times and understand and hire whoever is more qualified for the job, rather than whoever is more "composed" and answers these silly questions better. Like someone said. Is this a beauty pageant contest? And everyone is right about companies wanting robots. What happened to humanity? I've I were to be energetic and composed it's because I didn't need the money, and that would be because I don't need a job. F* losers.
I've even applied for jobs that pay way below... and they still act all important giving you tests. WTF. If they receive so many applicants. Well... give priority to the first ones and if the first or second is qualified .. hire him/her. Don't you need people? Why are you hiring if you are going to take months to fill positions that can almost be compared to minimum wage for white collar workers? It's not like you are hiring the CEO!
Americans were tired of being at the bottom of the pile and watching corrupt politicians get richer every day, so they voted for an idealistic image. Now, all of those who grew rich legitimately through hard work and innovation (read "employers") are being robbed by this new idealistic government, who won't share a dime with you. The jobs are not coming back. It's time for people in this country to learn to live without dependance on corperations, government, or anyone else. The great experiment has failed. How many more lies do you need to hear from Washington D.C. to realize that power corrupts? As long as we are led by men, we will be led astray.
The business of America is Business.
Why should we the American people and business pickup the mess of the subprime?
I have been un-employed more that I've been employed scince May 08'. I look for work everyday but have not been able to find a stable job yet. What I have found has been temp work that only lasted until the holidays were over or the job was done. I've lost my house and my wife and kids moved in with her folks and me with mine. It sucks. Employers can do whatever they want to you besause there is the un-employment line is full and they know you need a job. I'n not very educated but I'm loyal and I work hard. What ever happend to those vitrues? It seems like they don't matter anymore. No one can understand what it feels like unless they have been there themselves. I miss my family and it breaks my heart that I can't seem to do anything to fix the situation. How much longer will this last?
I've been looking for a job since June 2008 and been on way too many interviews. Some places I've been to were the same buildings, same companies, and even same hr person. Last week I almost got hired but they decided to go with the person who applied for the position internally. The last interview the bitch looked me on my face and asked what are my hobbies? What the hell does this have to do with the job I'm applying for. Then she proceeded to ask me where was I raised? So basically she was curious because of my dreadlocks. I'm sick of praying and wondering and hoping. It's been three years and I have bills to pay and is about to get evicted. I feel so stuck. Maybe I need to get out of New York.
I got an MBA thats focused in healthcare management, I'm working on a second graduate degree in healthcare thats from a top school. I have been subjected to 7 months of free interning because thats the only way to get any experience. People in my field are normally paid very well to do what I've been doing for free, for 7 months. Still, I can't find work. As a young professional, this is really bumming me out and depressing me.
You can thank NAFTA and WTO for this. Corporate America shipped most of the good paying jobs overseas. Instead of paying Americans a fair wage, they pay a worker in some other country peanuts so that they can make a bigger profit. Corporate greed is at the root of this problem make no mistake about it. But what they fail to understand is that when you hurt the working class, you eventually destroy the country. Because when Americans don't have jobs they don't buy and in this country when people don't buy the economy sinks. Which is what is happening now.
I’ve always felt that interviewing for a job is tantamount to begging. During an economy as terrible as this one, it’s even more so. Those smug *astards that sit in front of you with your entire life displayed on their computers that you cannot see deserve to be spat upon. I have often wished to spit in their faces or to follow them after work and deliver a beating the memory of which they would recall even on their deathbeds.
I apply for job after job and have had no luck. My biggest problem is that they ever tell you why. Why am I not considered, when the job is identical to ones I've done before? I am bewlidered. I honestly believe that evaluations used in the process should be provided to candidates - when I was a boss, I had to fill out tables evaluating each candidate - why could they not have access to those?
On the day I got my Master's, I had an ear-to-ear smile. "Why are you grinning?" my father asked me. I told him, "Because now I'll never have to work at Wal-Mart again!"
Oh how things change.
Who knew one day those would be the ONLY jobs??? And that now that I have an advanced degree, I can't get them to take me back?
Be careful what you wish for.
The dirty secret about this new Great Depression is, it's not just the lazy, uneducated people who are getting the shaft. The industrious and the well-educated are ALSO getting completely screwed. You know what kind of "job training" my state has for unemployed people? Typing classes! Basic computer skills! GED testing! It's ALL aimed at high school drop outs! The people working in the unemployment office have NO IDEA what to do with somebody who's got a Master's degree and has been out of work for over 2 years. NONE. There aren't programs to "retrain" people who already have advanced degrees. What are we supposed to "retrain" to? How can we un-train ourselves so we won't be "overqualified?" You can't "un-educate" a worker, turn back the neural clock to a day in their distant youth when they were satisfied with a job that didn't require half a brain. It just doesn't WORK that way.
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