Job Applicant's (Rant Inside)

[ducklite]

Just because someone is an autoparts driver doesn't mean he isn't a wiz with computers and networks. Some of the most qualified people could be self-taught. Schooling isn't the only way to learn things. But since nobody will give them a chance to show their worth they are stuck driving car parts around.

I am looking for either education/certification and experience, OR no education/certification but more extensive experience. The driver had NOTHING on his resume to indicate he ahd any experience, training, or aptitude for the job at all. Relevent employment or internship experience in the field is the key here.

If I were hiring for a file clerk or receptionist, I'd be happy to consider recent high school grads or former SAHM/D's who were returning to the workforce.

But the jobs I've posted require a specific skill set, and I do'nt know why people who don't even come close would bother.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

There's quite a difference between slightly less qualified and completely unqualified. If it asks for 5 years experience and I have 3 but I meet every other requirement, or if I know 4 of the 5 computer programs listed, I'll apply. But if it asks for a degree I don't have or they specify experience required in a field I've never worked, it's just wasting everyone's time and my stamp.

Exactly!

I'll certainly look at someone who is missing part of the puzzle. But someone who doesn't even come close is just wasting everyone's time.

Anne

 

[Planogirl]

Good jobs are hard to find. There are tons of bad jobs out there but I can see why people apply for the wrong jobs in today's market. I've been there and it's frustrating to say the least.

 

[chasbos]

We go through this all the time when we are trying to hire and why - because our Ontario Provincial government is a joke!

When you are receiving Employment Insurance premiums (basically unemployment payments) in Ontario you still have to be actively searching for a job! So these people just keep sending out there resumes to any place that is hiring - knowing full well they are not qualified and will not even get a call back. But hey they applied and therefore are following the governments regulations!

Drives me nuts!

 

[bananiem]

If I were hiring for a file clerk or receptionist, I'd be happy to consider recent high school grads or former SAHM/D's who were returning to the workforce. Anne

Do you post this crap in an effort to insult or are you just the most tactless person on the planet?
I don't know a single SAHM/D that doesn't at least have a bachelor's degree. They all serve on several volunteer boards at a time. They are willing to "get their hands dirty" and do whatever it takes to get something done. They have unbelievable organizational skills and have taught themselves all about computers because somebody on the volunteer board had to do a monthly newsletter. Through their volunteer opportunities they have made great contacts in the community that would be an asset to any company.
Are you this condescending in real life?

 

[Miss Jasmine]

If I were hiring for a file clerk or receptionist, I'd be happy to consider recent high school grads or former SAHM/D's who were returning to the workforce.

Aren't you quite the humanitarian?

I also find it funny you complain about wasting your company's time and money by having to review the resumes, but it's not a waste to spend your time posting on the DIS.


Condescending, indeed.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Um, illegal--they have to be kept on file for "X" number of days (which varies by state) for unemployment reasons.

Anne

Just do the tossing and deleting within the bounds of the law!!!

 

[WDWfor5]

If I were hiring for a file clerk or receptionist, I'd be happy to consider recent high school grads or former SAHM/D's who were returning to the workforce.

But the jobs I've posted require a specific skill set, and I do'nt know why people who don't even come close would bother.

Anne

As a SAHM, if and when I return to the paid workforce, I most certainly wouldn't be a file clerk or receptionist BUT any company would be lucky to have me as an Accounting Manager. I have a BS in Accounting, I'm a CPA, serve on the local school board, run my husband's business, run a girl scout troop, etc. Just because I haven't earned any $$ in the past 7 years, doesn't mean my skills don't exist. Like bananiem, I know many other SAHM's who are highly qualified and chose an alternate path while our children are small.
I agree that you should have most of the qualifications for a job in order to bother applying but qualifications, with the exception of legal status and required degrees, can include many things from volunteer experience to life experience.

 

[RitaZ.]

Job Applicant's (Rant Inside)

An apostrophe is used to show possession, not to make a word plural.

 

[Gwene65]

Um, illegal--they have to be kept on file for "X" number of days (which varies by state) for unemployment reasons.

Anne

Gee, then someone needs to throw my butt in jail. When I lived in Florida and my company was hiring, I threw out more then half of the resume's that didn't fit the bill.

But I would have to say that is just something that is inevitable when your looking for a new hire. Looking at crap resume's is just part of the process.

 

[luvmydogs]

...If I were hiring for a file clerk or receptionist, I'd be happy to consider recent high school grads or former SAHM/D's who were returning to the workforce...Anne

As a current SAHM, I thank you for your generous and humanitarian spirit. I mean, that is the context in which these words should be taken, correct?

Actually, although grateful for the immense opportunity I would be afforded in your employ, I'm afraid I'd have to turn down such an offer. When my son is off to college, I will be involved in obtaining my PhD--something I had put off indefinitely, as we felt being a SAHM would be the best option for our family. You see, we SAHMs and SAHDs really are capable of higher-level pursuits even after years of being just SAHParents--who'd of thunk it (sorry, just going along with the theme of incorrect grammar)?

Please don't stereotype or generalize in this manner--it comes off looking like quite the cheap shot.

 

[barkley]

just because a person has a degree and has done volunteer work in a related field while they've chosen to be a sahm/d, it does'nt mean they will be at the top of an employer's list for hiring. many want recent, paid or "professional" experience in an applicant (reasoning in my former field was that they would be up to date on current bsns. operating standards and practices)-not saying i agree with it, but with the vast availablity of applicants in most professional fields the person with the most recent relevent paid experience is likely to get the job (and that way we could check how their recent "employee" habits were re. sick leave usage and the like).

my favorite applicants were those that had some issue that utterly precluded their consideration for a job but they went ahead and applied (and were verbaly abusive to us when we advised we could not consider them a viable applicant). one in particular stands out-the job required a valid driver's lic. for home visits to clients (a major job task). an applicant indicated on her application that she wanted special consideration for hiring as an "under-represented class in the workforce"-she was legaly blind. when we inquired if she was still permitted to drive during daylight hours (some can drive per our state laws but not after certain daylight hours)-she said "oh, no- 'they (dmv) have'nt let me drive in years". when we advised her this was a basic requirement for the job she responded "well i want reasonable accommodations under ada" it took us quite a while to explain that having to hire a second employee to drive her was not a reasonable accommodation.

our hr department wasted so much time and money on inappropriate applications. we would get maybe 700 for 35 job openings. it was a waste of time, and it delayed the process of hiring qualified applicants for the job.

 

[ducklite]

Do you post this crap in an effort to insult or are you just the most tactless person on the planet?
I don't know a single SAHM/D that doesn't at least have a bachelor's degree. They all serve on several volunteer boards at a time. They are willing to "get their hands dirty" and do whatever it takes to get something done. They have unbelievable organizational skills and have taught themselves all about computers because somebody on the volunteer board had to do a monthly newsletter. Through their volunteer opportunities they have made great contacts in the community that would be an asset to any company.
Are you this condescending in real life?

There are a LOT of women who finish high school, get married, and ahve families, and never work outside of the home until their children are grown, and then ahve a hard time entering the workforce because they have no employment history. This was the type of person I was referring to, not a professional who took time off to raise a family.

There are a LOT of people who fit the category I just described, and IMHO they would be great employees, as they have the maturity, critical thinking skills, and reliability that many people who either frift around from job to job or are just entering the workforce out of high school would.

And BTW--having the skills to create a newsletter versus having the skills to administer a network are VERY different.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

As a SAHM, if and when I return to the paid workforce, I most certainly wouldn't be a file clerk or receptionist BUT any company would be lucky to have me as an Accounting Manager. I have a BS in Accounting, I'm a CPA, serve on the local school board, run my husband's business, run a girl scout troop, etc. Just because I haven't earned any $$ in the past 7 years, doesn't mean my skills don't exist. Like bananiem, I know many other SAHM's who are highly qualified and chose an alternate path while our children are small.
I agree that you should have most of the qualifications for a job in order to bother applying but qualifications, with the exception of legal status and required degrees, can include many things from volunteer experience to life experience.

And if I were looking for an accounting manager when you were looking to return to the workforce I would consider you. But I said "receptionist" and was referring to someone who doesn't have a lot of office skills.

There's a big gap between a professional who chose to take time off to raise a family, and someone who's entire emplyment history consists of working in the misses department at a department store before becoming a SAHM. That person would be qualified for a clerical position, but not an accounting position.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

As a current SAHM, I thank you for your generous and humanitarian spirit. I mean, that is the context in which these words should be taken, correct?

Actually, although grateful for the immense opportunity I would be afforded in your employ, I'm afraid I'd have to turn down such an offer. When my son is off to college, I will be involved in obtaining my PhD--something I had put off indefinitely, as we felt being a SAHM would be the best option for our family. You see, we SAHMs and SAHDs really are capable of higher-level pursuits even after years of being just SAHParents--who'd of thunk it (sorry, just going along with the theme of incorrect grammar)?

Please don't stereotype or generalize in this manner--it comes off looking like quite the cheap shot.

HELLOOOOOO--Is anybody home? I said RECEPTIONIST. NOT CPA, not Network Administrator, not RN, not "insert professional job here."

Many SAHM's with limited work experience prior to starting their family have a very difficult time reentering the work force.

My comment was NOT a cheap shot, it was actually meant as a compliment to address the fact that the SAHM's with limited employment experience have a lot of other things to bring to the table.

And BTW--you and your PhD don't need to apply for the clerical position. The last thing I want to do is hire someone so grossly overqualified for a job that they will leave as soon as they find something more appropriate...

Anne

 

[grimley1968]

When you've dug yourself into a hole, the best advice is to stop digging.

People are commenting on blanket generalization statements the OP has made, and the OP is then having to "clarify" herself with explanations. Maybe the OP didn't mean to sound condescending or overly general in her comments, but it sure comes across that way at first.

The best way to avoid having to do this is to be careful what you rant about on a public board and then be as precise and thorough in your original comments as possible. That way you won't have to keep digging and trying to prove you're not as condescending as some of your previous statements come across.

 

[Shugardrawers]

In Ducklite's defense, I do know what she's trying to say although it doesn't appear to have come across that way for most of you. I graduated high school in 1982, a time when a college degree still wasn't considered "necessary". I don't have a degree and I've been out of the workforce for most of the past 7 years due to health problems. I know when I am able to return (and I will return) that I'll have to start near the bottom. And I understand that a SAHM with a degree is going to get a much better job than I am. Just as being a SAHM doesn't make you unqualified, in my case, knowing how to balance a checkbook doesn't automatically make me qualified to be an accountant and I know that. Ducklite is really talking about people like me, obviously unqualified applying for positions they don't have a snowball's chance at. That's just a waste of everyone's time IMHO

 

[jcsbama]

In Ducklite's defense, I do know what she's trying to say although it doesn't appear to have come across that way for most of you. I graduated high school in 1982, a time when a college degree still wasn't considered "necessary". I don't have a degree and I've been out of the workforce for most of the past 7 years due to health problems. I know when I am able to return (and I will return) that I'll have to start near the bottom. And I understand that a SAHM with a degree is going to get a much better job than I am. Just as being a SAHM doesn't make you unqualified, in my case, knowing how to balance a checkbook doesn't automatically make me qualified to be an accountant and I know that. Ducklite is really talking about people like me, obviously unqualified applying for positions they don't have a snowball's chance at. That's just a waste of everyone's time IMHO

Thank you, Shugardrawers! I attempted several times to try to clarify what the OP meant, but never posted the messages because I figured those that took offense to the OP's generalization just wouldn't get it.

Wait, can I say that? Is "wouldn't get it" to slang for a message board? Or must I use proper English at all times?

I appreciate ducklite's (showing possession ) advice. I'm trying to find a new job in accounting and it's very tough right now. I'm about 10 classes short of my degree, but I have a lot of experience. I typically don't apply for a job if it states that a degree is a requirement. Why? Because I feel like it shows a bad reflection on me that I can't read and follow a simple direction. If it's a company and a position that I'm really interested in and I have the other requirements of the job, I will occassionally send my resume. In my cover letter, I clearly state that I don't have my degree but that it's a goal I strive to continue pursuing.

 

[rascalmom]

Ouch! I think a few people woke up on the wrong side of the castle this morning!

OP, for what it's worth...I've never understood people send in totally random resumes either. We will advertise for an experienced dental hygenist or an assistant with certain licenses and get applications from bank tellers or call center clerks. Hello! I'm sure you are a nice person, but we have very specific job requirements - if you don't meet those & still want to apply to the company, send me a nice letter. Don't raise my ire by wasting my time.

As for the stay-at-home comment, the shoe fits here. I have a BBA in Accounting and had about 5 years work experience in before I became a stay-at-home mom. Sure, I've done lots of nice volunteer work, have been treasurer for the PTO, have helped manage my dh's practice for years, but that would not qualify me to be an accounting manager after 13 years out of the job market. (Even though I was a supervisor at my last position). Fact is, I'm rusty. LOTUS was NEW when I was last working! There was still a BIG 8! Could I work my way up? Sure, but I think some stay-at-home moms are being unrealistic if they think they can walk back in the door of the working world at a similar position they had before an extended hiatus. A year or two, maybe - but the longer you are out of the work force, the less likely it will be.

Good luck Anne. My opinion is if any applicant is so willing to blatantly waste the company's time, they probably wouldn't make a good employee anyway.

 

[pearlieq]

Why is everyone jumping on the OP?

Why are people picking apart her grammar, calling names, and blasting her with sarcastic responses about an innocuous and accurate comment?

Methinks some of the defenders-of-the-SAHPs doth protest too much! I don't think it's reasonable to expect most SAHPs to re-enter the workforce exactly where they left off without any directly relevant work experience in the interim.

I think many SAHPs have unrealistic expectations for rejoining the workforce. A SAHP with no professional experience before they left the workforce needs to expect that they're going to start back in unskilled positions and have to work their way up from there. SAHPs who were employed in professional fields need to accept that they probably aren't going to be very attractive candidates to re-enter right where they left off, for reasons very eloquently explained by rascalmom.