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RE: I know why the unemployment rate is so high! - 8/29/2007 1:24:00 PM

michaelOfGeorgia

Posts: 4253
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my answers to these questions:

quote:

Q. Why did you choose our company to apply to?
A. Because I think I could be an asset to the company.

Q. Why did you leave your last job?
A. I had to move from my last living situation.

Q. What do you see as your biggest fault?
A. Working too hard and fast for my fellow employees.

Q. Do you consider yourself to be dependable?
A. Yes, very dependable.

Q. You have experience listed that doesn't coincide with your job history. Where did that experience come from?
A. I'm always seeking to better myself, never know what you might need in the future.

Q. Have you ever been fired?
A. Yes, but not by the general manager. If I hadn't moved, I'd still be working there.

Q. Tell me about your former employer.
A. My previous employer was a fair person.

Q. What would you do differently if you had his position?
A. Nothing!

Q. What do you think is your greatest asset?
A. My greatest asset is finding more efficient way of completing tasks as they occur.

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RE: I know why the unemployment rate is so high! - 8/29/2007 1:55:07 PM

SnugasaBug

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Joined: 6/11/2007
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quote:

ORIGINAL: kittensmailbox

OMG, there was a girl who came to her job interview in a freaking halter top...

There once was an interview I went to, in a sundress, ( I will have to admit, I didn't necessarily want the job, I went just for the practice of the interview). But they offered it to me...and I took it!

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RE: I know why the unemployment rate is so high! - 8/29/2007 3:33:52 PM

SugarMyChurro

Posts: 1912
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I saw that these were skilled jobs, not minimum wage. But what was the rate of pay being offered? What is average for a similar job in your area? What is your wage competition at that rate of pay (different kind of job, perhaps with no skills)?

My point is simple: the market flows both ways. Maybe you did not meet your prospective employees' approval for some as yet undetermined reason.

It happens...

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RE: I know why the unemployment rate is so high! - 8/29/2007 3:35:24 PM

TankII7871

Posts: 174
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quote:

ORIGINAL: GhitaAmati

quote:

ORIGINAL: TankII7871

Good people are hard to find. To me its all about attitude if a person if unskilled in my field but has the right attitude i will take the time to train them. I have ran ads, getting only 1 person calling and that person was high. I have found a way to make the whole interviewing process better for me. I meet the people for dinner and talk to them there, that way i at least can have a good meal if nothing else. Being a person who came up through the ranks in my field to owning the company, i know what the people go through in the field. The company is the highest paying company in this field of service in the area we wher i live. For 8 people, the last payroll was over $21,000 for a 2 week period. Even paying this kind of money out, it is extreamly hard to find people that will show up to work every day with the right attitude and get the work done with the high quality standard expected of them.

Good people are hard to find!

Eric

Id work for you Eric.......

I have just the position for you darlin even comes with company issued knee pads.

Eric

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RE: I know why the unemployment rate is so high! - 8/29/2007 3:40:36 PM

TankII7871

Posts: 174
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quote:

ORIGINAL: kittensmailbox

quote:

ORIGINAL: Archer

WOW just WOW this person gives their experience in how poor the pool of applicants she gets are today and folks want to turn it around on the employer.
The Employer doesn't make people late. (unless they are interviewing on their lunch hour)
The Employer doesn't dress the person for the interview.
The Employer doesn't in fact have much of an effect at all on any of those things that the OP mentioned as being problems.

The job belongs to the employer. don't believe it? If the employee goes away does the employer still have to fill the job?, If the company goes away is employee still working at that job?

OMG, there was a girl who came to her job interview in a freaking halter top...

I hope it was for a job as a stripper

Eric

I wonder if i could start interviewing for the local strip club

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RE: I know why the unemployment rate is so high! - 8/29/2007 5:34:45 PM

mistoferin

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These are not jobs being offered by big corporations. This is a business that I would consider to be at the large end on the scale of small businesses. It is a single owner business that is well established and very successful. The working conditions are very clean, bright and yes, even fun. There is no difficult heavy labor and the people there treat each other with courtesy. Scheduling is flexible and creativity is encouraged. As for wages, I will say that the pay is good and definitely a step above what is being offered at similar businesses. The turnover rate for employees is low and some of them have been employed there over 20 years.

No one twisted these people's arms to apply. The positions were advertised and they applied of their own free will. If they had no intention of trying to make a good enough impression to actually secure a position, I can not understand why they even bothered applying in the first place. I suspect that more than a few of them want a paycheck but not really a job.

Oh and SeeksOnlyOne, there is nowhere in Michigan that you can go where you are more than 5 miles from a body of water. It is the Great Lakes state.

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RE: I know why the unemployment rate is so high! - 8/29/2007 5:58:55 PM

defiantbadgirl

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A halter? Bet I can top that one. When I was in my early 20's, there was a help wanted sign posted in the window of a local gas station. I was wearing a Cannibal Corpse shirt with matching shorts at the time. I decided to pick up an application, fill it out, and turn it in when I was dressed more appropriately. The man behind the counter insisted that I fill the application out there. Then he informed me he was the manager and proceeded with the interview. So there I was, at a job interview wearing a shirt with corpses all over it. Turned out the manager liked those corpses. He asked where I got the shirt and told me Cannibal Corpse was one of his favorite bands. Two days later, he called offering me the job. Definitely the most interesting job interview I ever had.

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RE: I know why the unemployment rate is so high! - 8/29/2007 6:06:42 PM

thompsonx

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quote:

ORIGINAL: kittensmailbox

OMG, there was a girl who came to her job interview in a freaking halter top...

kittensmailbox:
You did not say whether she had nice jugs or not.
thompson

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RE: I know why the unemployment rate is so high! - 8/29/2007 6:36:52 PM

michaelOfGeorgia

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I wonder how others would answer the OPs questions.

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RE: I know why the unemployment rate is so high! - 8/29/2007 6:46:14 PM

krikket

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A number of years ago I had 4 different jobs (in a row) folded without any notice or I knew would be folding within the year, so I moved on before being laid off. I'm not sure what that said about my judgment, or "luck", but it was sure darned frustrating. Before leaving any of them, however, I asked for a written recommendation from my supervisor. I'm not sure it helped getting another job, but it sure didn't hurt..lol. I've been at my current job over 4 years how -- mostly out of sheer stubbornness and the need to establish some stability on my resume.

I agree with the OP, however, with people who interview for a job. It's truly potluck when you hire someone new, but the process sure has made for some funny and enlightening stories. Thanks for a few more..lol.

cheers
jimini

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RE: I know why the unemployment rate is so high! - 8/29/2007 6:52:52 PM

KatyLied

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Erin - is it possible that people are applying with no intention of working. Using this as an opportunity for a contact or attempt at a job that they may need in order to continue with unemployment (something to put on the form they turn in)?

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RE: I know why the unemployment rate is so high! - 8/29/2007 7:07:44 PM

SusanofO

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Slightly off topic, but maybe still relevant: With the exception of what GhitaAmati said re: Housewives who have taken time off to raise a family, and due to that break in their work history might find it difficult to find a job that makes working worth their while (or anyone w/ a major break in their work history), if someone wants to go to college and major in something like Women's Studies or Art History, instead of choosing a major like Engineering or Nursing, or Business, IMO they really can't whine it's harder for them to find work.

For me, employability isn't what college is altogether about - it's partly for enrichment, too - but if employability is the main goal, it can help to pick a major that promotes that. This isn't true all the time, but my guess is it is true in a lot of cases. On the other hand, there are employers who do sometimes still believe that college alone makes someone more employable in their company. But they are getting more and more difficult to find, IMO.

Or choose to learn a trade (and don't go to college) that likely pays a decent wage (Plumbing? Gosh, my plumber made $450 bucks off me a few weeks ago, merely to fix and unclog my bath-tub drain. My guess is he lives in a nice house than I do).

*Re: The "What is your major work-environment "flaw" question in an interview: I give an honest answer, because I am going to have to work there, and they are going to need to decide if they can put up with it:

It is that I tend to be a "loner" who would much rather work on my own, on an enitre project (or at least be given sole responsibility for a part of it - but can work well, if it is necessary, as part of a team), and that I try to get a picture of the entire project and how effectively its results may work in the long-run, for whoever is supposed to benefit as I proceed with it. I will sometimes question (at times a little, at times a lot) how parts of a project are being completed and viewed, if that doesn't relate very well to the end goal for its beneficiary.This can be viewed as being "not a team player" or it can be viewed as an asset, depending on the environment.

- Susan

< Message edited by SusanofO -- 8/29/2007 7:29:09 PM >

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RE: I know why the unemployment rate is so high! - 8/29/2007 7:20:41 PM

luckydog1

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Gita, you should start a Day Care biz.

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RE: I know why the unemployment rate is so high! - 8/29/2007 10:11:15 PM

NeedToUseYou

Posts: 2297
Joined: 12/24/2005
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If I've been blessed with one thing, it has been the ability to do good interviews.

Here's what you do if you want the job.

Research the company, I always look up facts and data on them. I just naturally did this, and I generally know enough I can inform them of a couple of facts about their company, or at least start a non-interview conversation.(This is very important if they want to talk to you about non-interview stuff, like they would a co-worker you are in) LOL. At least they know you are serious when you do this, so you are ahead of most other applicants, of equal standing.

Second, always, put a stipulation that you will only accept this job if it fulfills your requirements. Like. "I'm interested in starting in x position, but I have no intention of pursuing that as career goal. My true intention is to work up to y position at least." This has never been a lie for me, as I never wanted to be at the bottom of the food chain, and was a requirement.

Third, Dress nice, I'm not a good dresser, so get a woman to tell you if you look good, and get a haircut, shave. duh.

Fourth, I have sloppy handwriting, so I have a person with nice handwriting fill out any paperwork, I have. I generally have filled out my answers and have them copy it over to the real form.

I don't know why but I've gotten almost every job I interviewed for. Maybe, it's the research thing, or believing that I don't need them(which is true), unless they have what I want longterm.

Don't Know. That is what I've done.

Mistoferin,. would have hired me. hehe, she'd of thought I was a nice guy to. LOL.

Little would she know, I'd be plotting for her job!!!

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RE: I know why the unemployment rate is so high! - 8/30/2007 5:37:16 AM

petdave

Posts: 2479
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quote:

ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl

A halter? Bet I can top that one. When I was in my early 20's, there was a help wanted sign posted in the window of a local gas station. I was wearing a Cannibal Corpse shirt with matching shorts at the time. I decided to pick up an application, fill it out, and turn it in when I was dressed more appropriately. The man behind the counter insisted that I fill the application out there. Then he informed me he was the manager and proceeded with the interview. So there I was, at a job interview wearing a shirt with corpses all over it. Turned out the manager liked those corpses. He asked where I got the shirt and told me Cannibal Corpse was one of his favorite bands. Two days later, he called offering me the job. Definitely the most interesting job interview I ever had.

Was it the one with the zombie going down on the decaying woman?

If i were hiring people, that'd be a plus for me, too... Then again, i'm a computer guy, so most of my clothing comes from Goodwill or concerts

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RE: I know why the unemployment rate is so high! - 8/30/2007 8:27:08 AM

GhitaAmati

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quote:

ORIGINAL: TankII7871

quote:

ORIGINAL: GhitaAmati

quote:

ORIGINAL: TankII7871

Good people are hard to find. To me its all about attitude if a person if unskilled in my field but has the right attitude i will take the time to train them. I have ran ads, getting only 1 person calling and that person was high. I have found a way to make the whole interviewing process better for me. I meet the people for dinner and talk to them there, that way i at least can have a good meal if nothing else. Being a person who came up through the ranks in my field to owning the company, i know what the people go through in the field. The company is the highest paying company in this field of service in the area we wher i live. For 8 people, the last payroll was over $21,000 for a 2 week period. Even paying this kind of money out, it is extreamly hard to find people that will show up to work every day with the right attitude and get the work done with the high quality standard expected of them.

Good people are hard to find!

Eric

Id work for you Eric.......

I have just the position for you darlin even comes with company issued knee pads.

Eric

ooohhh...thanks eric! I needed a new pair of knee pads!

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RE: I know why the unemployment rate is so high! - 8/30/2007 8:39:22 AM

Alumbrado

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Archer

There are dozens of threads complaining about how bad the employers are, you can find them here pretty easy throw a sitck any direction you'll hit scores of posts complaining about that side of the argument. What you see (at least here) far less often is the other side of the coin the challanges of finding an employee that is worth a damn.
Sure Employers have their faults, but to take the 1 in 20 posts about employment that adresses the empoyers side of the coin and within 2 or 3 replies turn it also into one of the miriad of Bash the Employers threads, that's piss poor.

Actually, I wasn't keeping score.

The guy who writes Dilbert wouldn't be so wealthy if his skewering of employers didn't resonate with so many people's own experiences.

And every business I've run, worked in, or known the owner of, has a similar litany of applicant and employee horror stories.

Goes to my earlier contention, work is a bad thing.

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RE: I know why the unemployment rate is so high! - 8/30/2007 9:00:02 AM

LadyEllen

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Well, I'm just back from a 400 mile roundtrip to interview candidates for a position in our office in Suffolk. Five were scheduled, one turned up. A total waste of my time, plus a tank full of petrol and hotel costs et al because these people couldnt be bothered to cancel.

Meanwhile, the company with whom we share the building interviewed two weeks ago for a position starting Monday next week. The job was offered to and accepted by one of the candidates and a confirmation letter was sent out with his pay, conditions and so on detailed, for him to sign and return to confirm back. Since then, nothing - no phonecall, no return of the confirmation, no answer from him on the phone or email, nothing. The company has no idea whether he will turn up on Monday or not. If he does, all well and good. If he doesnt, thats a whole month more at least to get the recruitment process done again. And the same happened to my company a couple of years back - the guy phoned on the morning he was meant to start to say he wasnt coming.

But, in the UK at least there is the other side to all this - the benefit trap. One has to be looking for work to get the benefits (in theory), but the problem is that the benefits in total often outweigh the pay on offer for many positions. Thus there is a need to show one is looking for work but equally no point in getting a job which will leave one worse off in nett terms. A friend of mine is unemployed right now (a trained, qualified engineer) but needs at least £20k to make it worth going back to work. Meanwhile, companies want the lowest possible wage bill, and can recruit immigrants who live in multiple occupancy houses and so save a lot of money and can work for low wages. Maybe the future is to reinstitute slavery so that the corporations can jam a dozen people in a hut and pay them next to nothing. As long as the CEO gets a new Mercedes every year, all will be right with the world.

E

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RE: I know why the unemployment rate is so high! - 8/30/2007 11:05:30 AM

ChainsandFreedom

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Question to the OP:

are you by any chance gearing your search toward college students? I used to work in food service. Students who wanted to work a few hours a week were pretty and clean cut and attractive and the got front of house jobs. Problem is, their work didn't reflect their primary goals in life and they'd often wash out/not put up with bs/not show up/be interviewing just to make their parents happy.

The kitchen workers who made far less were most often the people dependant on the jobs and who were far more professional and dedicated. Consider somebody with a kid not as a liability but as someone who's careful not to risk their job.

Clarification:
For alot of the US the problem isnt high unemployment but low wages. People have jobs, but 30 grand a year isn't going to cut it if you have 2 grand a year in college debt and need to drive someplace 45 minutes from the nearest housing location that doesn't start at 15000/month to rent. Also, the big issue is that employment statistics only count those people on welfare/unemployment-all the people who give up looking or don't apply for public assistance arn't accounted for.

Point of rant:
----I've been in 'leadership' positions (this means babysitting newbies because the employer is too cheap to pay a manager rate), and I've trained new hires. I've never interviewed, but I've fixed and suffered an HR depo's personelle mistakes plenty of times. ----

What they teach in school often has nothing to do with landing and doing a job-and often, the high cost of school means people BS even more as their trying to find something to pay these costs back or fullfill their inflated sense of entitlement. What the other guy said was right: the real money is in sales. Too many jobs and wages have nothing to do with the educational background of potential applicants, and yet college is preferred. If you go to school for anthropology but your in sales, like me, chances are you're not going to be all that interested in what you do, and it will show in your interview and your work-no matter how many years experience you have.

Interviews and Resumes are centered around screening a large number of safe bets quickly-not finding a few talented individuals.

Maybe somebody who says they want to sell transmissions to mechanics because they "really need the job" would be a good hire-unless their grandfather invented the transmission, chances are this isn't anyones dream job and at least your get an employee who will stick with you out of desperation and be honest.

Another problem is that the interview process has nothing to do with the competancy of the hired applicants. So you can answer interview questions well...In my own experience, this means you swallow your sense of right and wrong and are a good bullshitter. If somebodies talking TOO smothely, Often they talk this way once their training because of arrogance/laziness/dishonesty and they wash out quickly.
Often the professionalism or lack theirof of the employer can be sensed by the potential employee: The employers dress, manner of speaking, time spent in a lobby waiting for the interview all contribute to the employee you want not accepting the job.
Remember, most non-trade skill applicants are looking at literally dozens of jobs in their search and interviewing for several. Finding a good job out of all the duds is time intesive: often the smartest, most pragmatic employees, the ones you want to hire, are too busy to be putting their eggs in one basket.

How are you finding applicants? If the employment add has no regaurd for grammer, spelling, or is composed as badly as the rant I'm writing, chances are qualified applicants are going to pass you up in search of something that seems a little more professional. I rember seeing one add looking for 'Filippino and Indian speakers'-but Filippino's speak tagalog and Indians in the area predomantly speak Hindi or Urdu.

Like Douglas Coupland said: 'nobody is ever happy with a job they had to apply to first'.

< Message edited by ChainsandFreedom -- 8/30/2007 11:18:29 AM >

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RE: I know why the unemployment rate is so high! - 8/30/2007 11:31:03 AM

LadyEllen

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All good points, C&F. My own approach to conducting interviews is to invite suitable looking candidates (from their CVs) to come in for more of a chat than anything else. I purposely avoid all the questions one is supposed to ask - because I dont see the point in them - the candidate has rehearsed answers which are likely to be what I am supposed to want to hear. What I'm looking for is personality and character - can they fit in with the people with whom theyre going to work, and do they have that "spark" that is essential for what we do?

I know they chose my company to apply to because we have a vacancy that theyre interested in and theyre at the interview because I'm interested in them.

I know theyre not going to tell me any negative reason they left their last job, or are thinking of leaving their present one - at least if they have a brain - though an honest answer is always good and doesnt mark anyone down in my books if it sounds genuine if its negative. Crikey, I've worked for two absolute criminals in my time and left on that account and had several jobs in a short period - this shit can happen to anyone.

And so on.

I also dislike this culture we have, where one doesnt (or isnt meant to) discuss salary at interview. What is that about? Everyone needs to earn a certain amount and employers only want to pay a certain amount, so if both sides make their positions clear from the off, it saves a lot of time for all.

E

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