Wednesday, July 20, 2011
I Have To Be In The Twilight Zone
Since moving up to Maine, I have been applying for jobs and I have to tell you, I’m really starting to wonder what world I have entered. I’m sure this isn’t special to Maine but how businesses are operating these days because so many people are looking for jobs. The employers can get away with things because there’s what, 10 people per job out there? I’m finding out real fast which businesses are good and which ones are disgustingly unethical.
And I would also like to add a head smack moment because now, apparently, there are ADS to go through when you’re just trying to apply. Seriously. ADS!
I applied for a particular job and was called to verify everything on the resume/application. I was told that the call could take up to 25 minutes, (how does it take 25 minutes to verify everything, I innocently wondered), and please make sure I have that time before continuing.
I’m pretty much unemployed, (very part time job but for the most part, unemployed), so I have all the time in the world, let’s get to it.
We go over my name, address, and college and THAT is where I hear the ad. Would I like to continue school at some time in the future, I am asked. Well of course! When would that be, I was asked. As soon as I find a job that pays me well enough that I can do that and live. So you are interested in continuing school at some in the future, so would you be willing to accept financial aid to do it, I am asked.
My radar starts to tick.
What the hell is this?
I answer, “No, I want to pay for my school outright, so no.” (Not true, I would take a grant but I’m not taking out a student loan but that is NOT their business, I’m just applying for a fricken job!)
“So if you found a job that paid you well enough that you could pay for school, you would be interested in attending a school online?”
WTF?!? Are you assholes actually trying to sell me something? I’m just looking for a fucking job!
“Online? No, I would not go to school online.”
This is not true. IF I found a school that was legit and accredited, then yes, I would but I WILL choose which school, do NOT try to sell me some crap like Phoenix Online or whatever it’s called because we all know, by now, it’s bullshit. I just want to apply for a job, thank you.
Well, that pretty much ended the phone call. They said they would review the application and should I meet their qualifications, (which I do), they would let me know.
Which I’m thinking they won’t because I refused their online schooling spiel.
And before you ask, YES, it’s a legit job, YES, it’s a legit company...I look them all up before I apply. I just can’t get over a fucking commercial when I’m trying to apply for a job. Are they getting kickbacks for this? What the hell is the deal?
And if you think that’s weird, I have one doozy of another story but frankly, I’m far too exhausted from the other one to write about it here just yet. Maybe in time. Not just yet. I have told some friends and they are pretty much floored as well as I am. You may be floored as well. What I do know is that some companies are being extremely unethical these days, taking severe advantage of desperate people looking for work and it is not right.
That’s ok. I’m making a list and I will keep it so that if/when the economy gets better, and things are more in favor of the potential employees, I’m going to do to them as they did to me. And the first thing I’m going to do is name the companies on that list and why they are on that list. Yes, indeed.
