Job Applicant's (Rant Inside)

[Miss Jasmine]

I am not a stay at home parent. In fact, we do not have any children that live with us full time. I do, however, write job descriptions and review resumes and applications. And yes, I have interviewed people who have not met all of our preferred requirements, and have hired a couple of those people. We also do most of our hiring with the hopes that an individual will grow with the organization, even though we are a small entity.

With that all said, the OP came off very condescending. I don't think anyone expects to walk in and pick-up exactly where he or she left off if there is a break in employment. One of the issues is that the OP didn't make herself clear when she made the receptionist comment.

Also, when one is dealing with HR issues, one has to expect a bunch of resumes and applications that will need to be sifted through. That is just life, and I cannot blame people for trying. I don't see it as a waste of my time. It's part of MY job.

 

[chasbos]

Wow - what a heated thread! Who knew that job applications could be debated on the DIS!

I am one of the SAHM that has never had a job! Now DH and I run our own business and have done so for the past 11 years - but as for job experience, I have none.

I have had people ask if I would like to come and work for them, in their offices. But do I think I would make a good employee - heck no! Do I do a good job hiring employees - no to that also (DH has to do that dirty work and work with them too).

I have never understood why I cannot work with other people - but I think I just figured it out reading this thread! A lot of people are just impossible to work with and do not even try to get a simple point across to them - they will take it the wrong way or swing it their way.

Good luck in the hiring process - ducklite - you are going to need it.

 

[grimley1968]

I have never understood why I cannot work with other people - but I think I just figured it out reading this thread! A lot of people are just impossible to work with and do not even try to get a simple point across to them - they will take it the wrong way or swing it their way.

Actually, I think most people got the point. It's just that the OP chose to overgeneralize and stereotype in many of her original comments, then had to "clarify" herself later when people jumped on the overgeneralizations and stereotypes. She made comments which people could have let roll off their shoulders, such as the ones about stay-at-home parents, receptionists, and file clerks. I pretty much understood them, and I think most others did as well. But the OP did make some of the comments in quite a condescending way, which is why some people took some offense, including me.

Also, while I think picking on the OP's grammer/spelling was over the line, the OP did say in her very first post that some of the foreigners applying for jobs obviously could not understand English. While I could see where the OP was coming from saying that (the foreigners with visas were told they would not be supported), this was a pretty inflammatory thing to say, like the other things about SAHM's, receptionists, file clerks and auto parts delivery drivers. If you are going to mention a group of people (the foreign job applicants) and say they can not understand English well (no matter how valid the statement may be in this case), you'd better make darned sure your English in your rant thread is absolutely perfect, or you're going to get called on it.

I can sympathize with the OP. I hate the hiring process, both as an applicant and then as someone who has to read resumes and interview people. I'd rather have dental work done. But that doesn't change that some of her comments come across as condescending.

 

[declansdad]

Those qualifications listed aren't just a wish list, they are guidelines people! If you can't meet them you won't be able to do the job!

It depends on whether they are listed as requirements or prefered. I know a number of times I would write job ads saying that certain qualifications are prefered to try and reduce the replies I would get. A career coach will tell you to apply to these jobs anyway.

 

[DISUNC]

WOW!!!

HOW DID THIS THEAD GO FROM "Yesterday I posted three help wanted ads. The ads SPECIFICALLY state that we will not sponsor a Visa, and that we provide no relocation assistance.

I've gotten 40+ resumes in the past 14 hours, and a full 25% have been from people in India, Bangladesh, Romania, or any number of other countries who require sponsorship. I'm not even going to reply to them, they obviously can't comprehend English. "

TO A DEBATE ABOUT SAHM's RETURNING TO THE WOKFORCE????

 

[Keggy]

Actually I have never heard that you need to keep resumes on file. I thought it was applications. I am a recruiter for a firm in FL. Guess I shouldn't post where - lol!

Anyway, not wanting to get into the argument. I have been seeing an influx of foreign applicants applying. I think some are stressing because the H1B cap for 2007 has already been reached unless the applicant has a MS degree from a US university, then there are still an additional 20K available. So, anyway, that is my .02 to your post.

We always get crappy resumes. At my first recruiting job we used to keep funny or obscene resumes. My boss wanted to make a book from them.

Kelly

 

[VSL]

Wow - what a heated thread! Who knew that job applications could be debated on the DIS!

Just what I was thinking

FWIW, I think that many of the underqualified applicants just think, 'well, if you don't try, you don't get, and I've got nothing to lose apart from the price of a stamp/envelope!'.

Maybe one day that attitude will serve them well

 

[ashjohnson80]

this thread is depressing me. makes me wonder why i ever even try.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

this thread is depressing me. makes me wonder why i ever even try.

Awhhh. Your job is out there waiting for you, I just know it!

 

[Arielle22]

Ducklite,

I am an HR Mgr in a car dealership of approximately 250. I sympathize with you. I placed an ad on Monster.com for a salesperson and got a reply from a couple in India.

I never understood why people responded to ads they are not qualified for. To me it seems like the applicant is not reading the ad.

I also understood your comment about SAHM/D and entry level positions. I think people are a little touchy on this thread. If you do not fit into the desctiption the OP said then why are you upset? There are plenty of SAHM who would be entry level.

Barkley, I had someone who applied for a salesperson job. I quizzed him about his driving record and asked him the standard, 3 or more infractions within 3 yrs or a major infraction within 5 yrs. He asked what a major infraction was and I said DUI, reckless driving, auto theft. He interrupted me and asked if auto theft would show on his driving record. I asked if he had been convicted of auto theft within the past couple of years and he replied yes. Why apply at a car dealership if you stole a car? The same thing applies for DUI. I had an employee with a great resume who said he had a perfect driving record. I checked and he had a DUI the previous year. He just hoped I wouldn't check.

 

[declansdad]

To the OP's first post. The thread includes the word "rant" in the title and that is what it is. Since when do rants need to make sense? It is getting something off your chest not a logical argument.

IMO, there is nothing in here that she has said that is derogatory or condescending. A number of people have interpreted her statements that way and have jumped all over her. Seems to me tha some people were just readu to attack her no matter what she said.

 

[phorsenuf]

Why apply at a car dealership if you stole a car? The same thing applies for DUI.

Some people do learn their lessons. Are they not allowed a second chance?

 

[DISUNC]

this thread is depressing me. makes me wonder why i ever even try.

PLEASE DONT BE!!! I know its crazy out there....DONT give up!

Sorry OT here!

28 years in my field I was laid off (due to outsoucing to India) for 6 months. I had written Trade articles, was profiled in Trade aticles, I am certified....degreed...etc..... I had one company who listed a postion 5 miles fom my house. I met eveyone of their listed requiements....They CALLED ME to tell me that I will not be considered because I was unemployed for 6 months! They said that is too long to be out of work in the IT field!!!!!

????????????????????????????

There is a job for everybody.....IT JUST AINT EASY to find! You will get there!

 

[AuntieM03]

To the OP's first post. The thread includes the word "rant" in the title and that is what it is. Since when do rants need to make sense? It is getting something off your chest not a logical argument.

IMO, there is nothing in here that she has said that is derogatory or condescending. A number of people have interpreted her statements that way and have jumped all over her. Seems to me tha some people were just readu to attack her no matter what she said.

I'm glad I am not the only one. I read the OP a couple of times trying to figure out what was so horrible. The impression I was left with is that some people have a problem with the OP and were looking for things to criticize.

 

[ducklite]

Some people do learn their lessons. Are they not allowed a second chance?

Some of the jobs that I have to help fill require driving company vehicles. Our insurance simply won't cover drivers who have had a DUI within the previous ten years (or several other infractions for that matter). So it doesn't matter how nice a person they are, how well qualified they are otherwise, or how much of a lesson they've learned, we simply can't hire them.

Anne

 

[DaisyD]

I can't believe so many posters have completely taken everything they possibly could out of context just to pick a fight with the OP. The attitudes of such posters are shameful. Anne, I understand exactly what you are trying to say and you didn't even have to talk s l o w l y to me! LOL!

 

[disneymom3]

I have a question that relates to the original topic. Anne, I am curious--I know you said you wouldn't PAY relocation costs and must be a US resident, but what about someone who applies but does not live locally? DH has applied for several jobs in the Orlando area (in IT oddly enough) that have said they will not pay relocation. He doesn't care if they won't pay it, we would pay it ourselves, but he never even hears back a "no thanks" there is just no response at all. Why do you suppose that would be? And he does make sure he qualifies, btw.

I used to direct a child care center and found it insulting that people would call to answer ads I put in for teachers with NO experience in the child care field. I had one woman who was a hairdresser and had NO kids tell me "Oh, please, it can't be that hard. All you do is play with them and change their diapers." Very nice. That's a good way to get a job--denigrate the importance of the person who is hiring you!

 

[Keggy]

Some of the jobs that I have to help fill require driving company vehicles. Our insurance simply won't cover drivers who have had a DUI within the previous ten years (or several other infractions for that matter). So it doesn't matter how nice a person they are, how well qualified they are otherwise, or how much of a lesson they've learned, we simply can't hire them.

Anne

I agree - my first recruiting job was for counselors at a camp for at-risk kids. People with felonies would apply all the time. Another instance was DUI's. The counselors would drive the kids different places. The company couldn't get them insured. Unfortunately, we couldn't help them.

Kelly

 

[Keggy]

I have a question that relates to the original topic. Anne, I am curious--I know you said you wouldn't PAY relocation costs and must be a US resident, but what about someone who applies but does not live locally? DH has applied for several jobs in the Orlando area (in IT oddly enough) that have said they will not pay relocation. He doesn't care if they won't pay it, we would pay it ourselves, but he never even hears back a "no thanks" there is just no response at all. Why do you suppose that would be? And he does make sure he qualifies, btw.
QUOTE]


Just some advice for your DH. Some of the companies I work with will not take someone that is relocating - they have just been burned by people not liking the area, etc. I would have your DH specify in a cover letter, if he hasn't already, that he is already in the process of moving to Orlando and that he is not asking for addition monies for relocation. If you are planning a trip to Orlando soon, have him specify the dates that he will be here and available to interview, so that the company does not think that they will have to incur travel expenses for the interview as well.

Good Luck!

 

[doxdogy]

You are selling yourself short. You do have job experience. You and your DH run your own business.

I am one of the SAHM that has never had a job! Now DH and I run our own business and have done so for the past 11 years - but as for job experience, I have none.