5 Myths That Are Crippling Your Job Search

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I'm sick of dealing with stupid HR people who know nothing about the job they're advertising (software programming in my case) - If you miss a keyword, they assume you're not qualified, so you never hear from them.

I'm also sick of those HR departments who expect glorious cover letters - Here's my qualifications, I can do the job, so hire me dam-it. You're not my girlfriend, so why would I write you a letter?

HR people are also some of the few people I'm seen who can smile and talk about how employees are the company's most valuable asset while they're cutting other people's throats, figuratively speaking - I guess real serial killers can do that better, but HR people are a close second. I don't trust them when they talk that trash, any more than I trust a politician.

And how about those HR departments that make you fill out a complete web-based application that takes an hour for each application. Why the heck do they expect job seekers to spend all day filling those dumb things out when there's a 5% chance we'll even get an interview, and a 0.01% chance we'll actually get the job? - Wait till after the phone interview, and if you still want me, THEN I'll fill out your web forms and tell you which Elementary school I went to, and my employment history that goes back 20 years.

Oh, did I mention "multi-tasking", "fast-paced", "multiple projects" in the job description? - They're all junk jobs because they laid off so many people that they expect one person to do five people's job and work 80 hours a week.

As you can tell, I'm completely po'd at the whole process so don't expect me to be perky and giddy in the interview - I'm doing it for a paycheck. They have poisoned my desire to be excited about any job. Companies these days have no loyalty to their employees, so I feel no loyalty to them.

That may all sound like a poor attitude, and you're right - I used to have a good attitude when I was 25 years old, but now that I'm 55, I have found that companies these days treat software programmers like a commodity, which ruins any chance of anyone liking their job.

Like other commodities, they import software programmers from every 3rd-world country you can imagine, rather than training American workers, because only a starving person from India or Bangladesh would put up with their micro-managing and 80-hour weeks.

It's no wonder that so many people enjoy being out of work - The alternative is a real bummer, unless you're working for yourself.

Which is my point - Work for yourself. Don't sell your soul for even $45 per hour, which was my last rate of pay - It isn't worth it.

Charlie of TX 8:03PM August 16, 2010

I am working on an AAS in Med Adminstration and I am willing to start at the bottom, every where I look it seems is full time. I am not giving up though. This is even though I have been told it is who you know not what. Is It possible to get the foot in the door part-time?

Kelly of TX 10:11PM August 15, 2010

I really enjoy taking care of people, and love the nursing feild. I'm working for an temp agency, and lucky to get two 12 hrs shift a week. I have been trying to get hire as an full-time employment at an hospital as an CNA. I have 16 years experiance. When i fill out the application and they ask do you have an felony, and i answer yes,the won't hire me. And the felony is 5 yrs old. I don't no what to do. Can you help me!

Lisa of TX 4:19PM August 12, 2010

Managers do look for experince candiates. Most choose them, there are the ones mostly likely that will stay on a job. You have to enjoy what you do. It defintley shows in your work. Education is the key to gain more knowledge that's something that can not be taken from you, but experince wins most of the time.

Jacque of TX 10:43AM August 12, 2010

I've seen people get hire by my former employer because of their outstanding resumes, however, they failed to delivered results at the time of executing. Having strong work ethics and work experience should make a difference in the hireing decision making.

Javier Martinez of TX 8:59AM August 12, 2010

I am new at getting into the job market. I have worked for 1 company for 33 years.Going to the Interview Techniques Job Search Workshop friday the 12th.

Looking forward to suggestions.

Thelma Greene of TX 12:17AM August 11, 2010

I have hired both young and old. Bottom line good work ethics can be in both.

I prefer to hire employees that have tenure and experience. They normally will remain for longer periods of time rather than those that jump from company to company to get a few dollars more. I don't like to train a new person every year.

Rachel Barron of TX 9:14AM August 10, 2010

What is the percentage of hires from cold submissions of an application versus personal connections? Opinions are divided. I'd be interested in seeing the numbers. Thanks.

Clinical Researcher of MA 9:32AM July 23, 2010

I can talk about Canadian job market. Even now connections are necessary to get you and interview which leads to you getting a job. Majority of the companies nowadays are posting jobs for which they have already decided the candidate, so it turns out to be a fake job posting. Without a connection you do not even get an interview, chances are remote.

At 2:39AM July 23, 2010

With the economy and job market such as they are, it boils down to what a friend calls the 50/75 rule. Companies are cutting costs everywhere and, instead of hiring a 50 year old at $75,000 a year, they would rather hire a 25 year old at $30,000 a year. Experience seems now to take a back seat. In many organizations, it is a negative to call attention to your years of experience on your resume. Employers are overlooking the cost to train younger workers and the benefits a more experienced employee brings to the table, trading for the quick, short-term savings that will, in theory, help them ride the storm of the economic downturn.

Tim of NC 4:04PM July 22, 2010

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