topic Re: Having a Thick Skin in Job Hunting in Community Chat

Having a Thick Skin in Job Hunting

Black Cat Back — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 18:14:05 GMT

I can't believe all the craziness I've encountered job hunting. I'm back in the job market after many years. I look young for my age and have great references and a very professional background.

I'm amazed at how unprofessional some of these so called "HR" people are when they interact with job applicants. Some are having a bad day and they take it out on those of us interviewing. Some make comments against their staff in front of you. Now, that is not a real welcoming behavior for someone looking to work for them. Some, when making small talk, have no idea what is going on in the daily headlines, so they look totally uninformed and ignorant. Some are so unorganized they spend the first 10 minutes finding your resume. I could go on and on.

I'm amazed that when I look some of the people up on Linkedin who I've interviewed with how unprofessionally they present themselves on their profiles. I just interviewed with a gal who is probably 30 years younger than me. She was pleasant enough, but when I saw her on Linkedin, I couldn't help but laugh. Linkedin is a professional site for people to showcase their work history, like an online resume. It's not like Facebook where you show your personal side. (I don't have profiles on either site for my own reasons). This gal (who would have been my supervisor) is shown on her profile with her mouth wide open, holding a basketball, wearing a tube top, her bare shoulder she shows to the camera. This is her "professional profile." To me, that picture would be more suitable for Facebook.

I had one lady interview me and when she asked me the 1st question, she was gazing at her watch. Apparently, I didn't answer the 1st question fast enough??? Talk about lack of attention. I was the first interview of the day. Then she ends up interviewing me for the wrong position because she got my application mixed up with someone else's. But of course, the position I applied for, the one I was so qualified for, had been filled the day before.

I had one CEO of a company say to me on the phone interview (I hate phone interviews) that the reason the position is currently open is due to "cultural differences" with the last person who held the job. Really? He has no idea about me or my "culture" or whatever. It's amazing how ignorant people can be. Heck, I'm interviewing them too for a job. I take in all they say as they do what I say.

I had one interview back in mid-May and the company is still interviewing for that position some 8 weeks later. Really? I would think that manager needs to "brush up" on her decision making skills.

One place called me on a Friday after a 2nd interview and left a message. I was in another interview at the time. When I called them back at 2:45pm, the HR person was not there. I left a message. I never heard back and had to wait all weekend, wondering and worrying. They never called me back on Monday. When I finally got a hold of them, it was to tell me that they offered the job to someone else. I was so upset, having to wait all weekend and not knowing.

One company told me where to park. They said I had to park on the roof of the parking garage and I would be towed if I did not. They sent me a map of the garage and had huge red letters with arrows showing which way to turn to get to the roof. Then they tell me to park as far away from the main entrance as possible. The map kept warning me that if I parked in the garage, I would be ticketed and towed. Okay, I got it. When I got there, the garage was virtually empty. I parked on the roof as I was told. I just kept thinking that if they treat applicants like that how do they treat their staff? I complied, but they acted like I was some parking garage bandit. This building houses other tenants, like doctors and lawyers, I wonder if they treat their clients like that with the parking regulations.

It gets so frustrating when you encounter people who have no professional skills and they are responsible for someone getting a job who is professional and has an outstanding background.

I laugh, but I am also scared to death that I won't find a good job.

Thanks for indulging me!

Re: Having a Thick Skin in Job Hunting

Reba055 — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 18:19:51 GMT

I feel for you in today's workplace from most of what I hear. I'm not able to work anymore, but worked since I was 15. I don't know if I could deal with some of the stuff that goes on these days. It's really sad. And yes, I know there are exceptions.

Re: Having a Thick Skin in Job Hunting

morganjen — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 18:21:35 GMT

My cousin is in her 60's and has gone back to work as a contractor. She has commented on how unprofessional the workplace is now (same company she used to work for). Says it's a totally different world now.

Re: Having a Thick Skin in Job Hunting

LTT1 — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 18:28:48 GMT

@Black Cat Back Yes, the attitudes and lack of professionalism appear to abound. I believe this lack of competency has greatly led to the downfall of our economy in most areas of the country. It is pathetic and I think as a nation it is time we expected more from professional people and companies. Things need to start running with a more productive, less wasteful acceptance of the "status quo."

Re: Having a Thick Skin in Job Hunting

Susan-QVC — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 18:36:59 GMT

This post has been removed by QVC because its unkind.

Re: Having a Thick Skin in Job Hunting

Black Cat Back — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 18:39:56 GMT

All your comments are so true.

It's a shame after 20+ years of working, I have to be interviewed by some 20 year old who has only had one job trying to see if I'm "qualified" to work for her.

I remember walking in that company and never seeing one employee interacting with anyone else. When I mentioned I went on their webpage and was interested in reading about some event they put on that was helping members of the community, the gal said, "Oh that's in a whole other dept, we don't work with them." I could see the lines being drawn and how they must all be possessive of their own areas. How does that manifest good working relations and promoting a company?

Re: Having a Thick Skin in Job Hunting

Burnsite — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 18:50:40 GMT

Some things have improved, I think, though formality and courtesy have certainly had setbacks.

When job hunting before I found my present job, which was a few decades ago, the man leading the interview, as if it were a perfectly professional question, asked me "Why aren't you married?"

My answer: "Just lucky I guess," which induced a few chuckles. I did get that job but found a better one in a year or two. Very sexist place to work. Sexism in the work place, in my experience anyhow, is nowhere near as common as it used to be.

Whatever the era, job interviews never seem to be under utopian conditions. You'll find something good, though--don't get discouraged.

Re: Having a Thick Skin in Job Hunting

Chrystaltree2 — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 18:48:05 GMT

....let me take a guess here. You haven't worked in 20, maybe 25 years. The "culture" of working has changed and if you are going to get a job; be happy and productive on that job and do the job well and be liked; you need to put all that "history" in a box and seal it because this is NOW and how things were done 20 years ago is irrelevant. I can hear your frustration and I can tell you it's all 100% YOU. You are wasting enegery comparing every little thing to way things were back in the day.....and speaking as a 55 year old, you and I both know everything wasn't all rosy and super professional and perfect 30 years ago. In addition to a reality check, you need to take those rose colored glasses off. My advice to you is take a deep breath and live in the present. Focus on what you have to do to get a job and stop criticizing and belittling the people who have it in their power to give you a job. Your age is not positive. So, you have to work hard to show the people you interview with and hopefully eventually work with that you can be a part of the team and that you are flexible and open to learning new things and you can't be part of a team if your mind is firmly planted in 1995.

Re: Having a Thick Skin in Job Hunting

Reba055 — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 19:02:53 GMT

It's not just older people pining away for the good ole days. I've talked to many young people in their 20's, highly educated with common sense and manners and they pretty much say the same thing. Mediocre has become the new norm.

Re: Having a Thick Skin in Job Hunting

Black Cat Back — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 19:06:55 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
....let me take a guess here. You haven't worked in 20, maybe 25 years. The "culture" of working has changed and if you are going to get a job; be happy and productive on that job and do the job well and be liked; you need to put all that "history" in a box and seal it because this is NOW and how things were done 20 years ago is irrelevant. I can hear your frustration and I can tell you it's all 100% YOU. You are wasting enegery comparing every little thing to way things were back in the day.....and speaking as a 55 year old, you and I both know everything wasn't all rosy and super professional and perfect 30 years ago. In addition to a reality check, you need to take those rose colored glasses off. My advice to you is take a deep breath and live in the present. Focus on what you have to do to get a job and stop criticizing and belittling the people who have it in their power to give you a job. Your age is not positive. So, you have to work hard to show the people you interview with and hopefully eventually work with that you can be a part of the team and that you are flexible and open to learning new things and you can't be part of a team if your mind is firmly planted in 1995.

No, you are wrong. I've been working for 25 years. I am not new to the workforce. I was laid off of a job of 20 years where I was a manager and ran a dept. I worked in HR for many years in the past. So, your guess is wrong. I've worked with all levels in a company from top C-level exec's to janitors. My reputation is impeccable. My references are glowing and the only reason I was let go was because the organization was sold and many of us were let go to hire younger and cheaper staff.

I want to work for a professional organization that treats its employees and customers with the utmost respect. I was in quality control for many years.

Thanks for your comments. I respect everyone's right to express themselves.

Re: Having a Thick Skin in Job Hunting

Reba055 — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 19:26:17 GMT

And if you dare to say anything you're old, not with it, reluctant to change, have a bad attitude, etc. Translation: accept and become mediocre and fall in line with the rest of us. That whole attitude makes me sick.

Re: Having a Thick Skin in Job Hunting

Chrystaltree2 — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 20:24:36 GMT

@Reba055 wrote:
And if you dare to say anything you're old, not with it, reluctant to change, have a bad attitude, etc. Translation: accept and become mediocre and fall in line with the rest of us. That whole attitude makes me sick.

It might make you sick but the reality is that this is "their" world and we're just living in it for next few years...lol

Re: Having a Thick Skin in Job Hunting

foundinlv — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 20:32:07 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
@Reba055 wrote:
And if you dare to say anything you're old, not with it, reluctant to change, have a bad attitude, etc. Translation: accept and become mediocre and fall in line with the rest of us. That whole attitude makes me sick.

It might make you sick but the reality is that this is "their" world and we're just living in it for next few years...lol

It is not their world it is our world and if they're not careful they will be replaced by someone with more experience and a higher degree of professionalism.

Re: Having a Thick Skin in Job Hunting

KYToby — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 20:34:27 GMT

The work environment has changed, and many work environments are much more relaxed these days -- including very sucessful companies. Many companies, in fact, stress the benefits of the more relaxed atmospheres as it leads to happier employees which lead to more productive employees.

What is unprofessional is determining that you know how to better run a company before you even have a job there. You are a stranger on the outside looking in, and making the assumption that you know better will only lead to frustrfation, disappointment, and a longer period of job hunting. In other words, refusing to accept that things have changed is, ultimately, leading to its own cultural difference.

Re: Having a Thick Skin in Job Hunting

Marienkaefer2 — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 20:48:56 GMT

I kind of get what you are saying. I have seen a difference in the way things are done for a long time. However, my feeling is that you have to adapt a bit if you want to survive and be successful in your job search. I don't mean giving up your ideals, but rather being less critical of those around you. I guarantee you, even though you may not voice anything, your reaction is coming through non verbally, and people are picking up on it as negativity. There's not a thing you can do about other people, but you can focus on presenting yourself in the best light. I understand your frustration, but if you carry that around with you, it will be a chip on your shoulder. Maybe now is a good time to re-evaluate the field you're in. Is there a career field you were always interested in, but never thought about following? Maybe a job where you're more independent and not reporting to someone else would be a good fit. Just some thoughts....

Re: Having a Thick Skin in Job Hunting

LTT1 — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 21:13:03 GMT

@Black Cat Back You are right as far as attitudes go... I have spoken with younger career people in management positions with prominent companies and there are real problems getting people to adopt the attitudes one would expect in "teamwork." Everyone does appear to be possessive of their own knowledge... and not anxious to share.

Although it would be rational to accept the fact that times have changed, I still like to make observations and see how many have also seen these behaviors -- and isn't this cause to ask people if they want the trend to continue?

Re: Having a Thick Skin in Job Hunting

Reba055 — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 21:14:38 GMT

There's nothing wrong with a casual, more relaxed work environment. Some of the best companies I've worked for were that way. What they did not do was compromise their commitment to their customers and other employees by allowing unprofessional behavior, lack of integrity, and solid work ethic.

Re: Having a Thick Skin in Job Hunting

YorkieonmyPillow — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 21:20:19 GMT

I agree with you, OP.

Batten down the hatches because just think what you will dealing with when you get the job.

Daily incompetence......

Re: Having a Thick Skin in Job Hunting

CatsyCline — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 22:09:42 GMT

when another poster suggested you had not worked in 20 years maybe she was 1/2 correct. it is a different work world, everyone is younger, the hiring managers are 35, team building means booze cruises, everyone working is a millennial or at least a gen-X

Do you like South Park?

WAY different work world since 1995 when you said you recently have lost your 20 year position and you were a manager with direct reports! those were the days of power suits, solid track records, responsible for XYZ, Japanese Management Principles.

buh-bye . its now Lean Six Sigma, SPC, ISO 9001

hello, good luck replicating that job again. maybe you should find that job app for an admin requesting that you ship two chihuahas to Turqs and Caicos.

try consulting - at your level and expertise you should be quite successful

Re: Having a Thick Skin in Job Hunting

Zita — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 22:44:08 GMT

Your replyi to crystaltree's snarky message was patient and well put. Why do people who know absolutely nothing about a situation feel they are able to give such poor advice?