Trying to find employment rant

midimanuser

I was made redundant in August 2013, and since then, I have had nothing but problems with Agencies and Employers.

It's come to the point where I just want to explode!!

I didn't think that finding employment could be so difficult.

But, saying that, things were different when I got my job.

So far I've had to endure.

1. Hundreds of cold calls from the agencies.

2. Recruiters trying to get me into companies for far less money.

3. Agencies giving me misleading details about openings.

4. Employers that don't really have an idea about who, or what they want.

5. Employers that are giving you a personality test rather than an interview.

6. Agencies who are asking me to attend interviews in distant locations that I am not prepared to travel too.

7. Three interviews with no feedback at all.

The list could go on.

I know this is a rant, but I feel so drained and depressed by it all. There is nothing wrong with me, and I was made redundant because my past employer wanted to cut our wages.

It was part of a cost cutting exercise where they wanted to reduce the number of staff and trim the wage bill. I always turned up for work on time and I done a job.

Then it becomes even more annoying when you have to go through all of this and get asked questions like “why do you want this job”, “why did you leave you past job”, “why did you stay in your last job for so long?”

I’ve got an interview tomorrow, and I’ve already been briefed about what to do by the agency.

They’ve said “it’s not really about what you can do”. “This company are more concerned about how you will fit in with the existing team, and it’s more about your personality.”

Trying to find work is starting to become tiresome, draining and absolutely crazy. It shouldn’t be about selecting who you fancy to fit in the office.

People need to work, and if you are willing to do a job then you should be employed on that basis.

fufu_banterwaite

midimanuser wrote: »

Trying to find work is starting to become tiresome,draining and absolutely crazy. It shouldn’t be about selecting who you fancy tofit in the office.

I disagree completely with this. Why would anyone employee someone whom they don't think will fit in with their office?

By the way you might want to edit your post so it is more easily readable.

DKLS

midimanuser wrote: »

IThey’ve said “it’s not really about what you can do”. “Thiscompany are more concerned about how you will fit in with the existing team,and it’s more about your personality.”

Trying to find work is starting to become tiresome,draining and absolutely crazy. It shouldn’t be about selecting who you fancy tofit in the office.

People need to work, and if you are willing to do a jobthen you should be employed on that basis.

When I recruit, I usually ask lots of questions but they all are designed to give me answers to the following 3 questions which is what matters.


1. Does the candidate have the skills to do the job?
2. Will they like the job/organisation/culture?
3. Do they fit into the existing team dynamic?, to me this is as important as the skills required and sometimes more important


It can be very frustrating playing the agency game, but keep at it there are some great RCs out there.

midimanuser

fufu_banterwaite wrote: »

I disagree completely with this. Why would anyone employee someone whom they don't think will fit in with their office?

By the way you might want to edit your post so it is more easily readable.

You're not employing someone to fit in with the gang.

The purpose of employing someone is to get the job done.

I've worked with some extremely strange people. But, you have to accept that they have their ways. They may not be too your liking, but they are capable of doing the job that they were employed to do.

There shouldn't be a problem as long as you are not rude, disruptive, or a problem to other members of the team.

melysion

midimanuser wrote: »

You're not employing someone to fit in with the gang.

The purpose of employing someone is get someone to do the job.

Unfortunately, although I agree with you to some degree, it really does come down to whether those that are interviewing you think they will get along with you or not. After all, if employed, you are going to be spending a good proportion of your time with them.

I understand your frustration, but ranting about it wont change a thing. Just keep going with those applications. You will reap the rewards eventually.

jacques_chirac

midimanuser wrote: »

You're not employing someone to fit in with the gang.

The purpose of employing someone is get someone to do the job.

You don't come across as much of a team player. This is likely to hold you back considerably in your job search. Given the hours we spend at work it makes sense that an employer will want workers that get along, that will help each other out when the need arises - not someone that comes in, does their own work and nothing but, and makes no effort to get along with colleagues.

RichardD1970

Points 2 and 6 are of your own doing and will limit your opportunities.

Takeaway_Addict

midimanuser wrote: »

5. Employers that are giving you a personality test rather than an interview.

They’ve said “it’s not really about what you can do”. “This company are more concerned about how you will fit in with the existing team, and it’s more about your personality.”

Unless its a really technical job it is far more important to hire on personality than skills, the latter is a lot easier to teach than the former from the employers point of view, often costs less as well.

Why would you want someone that cannot integrate with others?

fufu_banterwaite

midimanuser wrote: »

You're not employing someone to fit in with the gang.

The purpose of employing someone is to get the job done.

I've worked with some extremely strange people. But, you have to accept that they have their ways. They may not be too your liking, but they are capable of doing the job that they were employed to do.

There shouldn't be a problem as long as you are not rude, disruptive, or a problem to other members of the team.

Sorry I disagree. I’ve never recruited anyone but I think you need to weigh up everything, and that includes how you feel the possible employee would get on with other members of staff.

If it came down to a choice of two people and you felt Person A would be able to do a good job and fit in well with the team and Person B might be even more qualified and be able to do a better job, but came across as not a team player or someone who wouldn’t fit in with the office dynamic I would go with person A every day of the week.

I think Takeaway Addict sums it up very well.

midimanuser

jacques_chirac wrote: »

You don't come across as much of a team player. This is likely to hold you back considerably in your job search. Given the hours we spend at work it makes sense that an employer will want workers that get along, that will help each other out when the need arises - not someone that comes in, does their own work and nothing but, and makes no effort to get along with colleagues.

Assumption.

A classic example of someone that doesn't know you and is forming an opinion of you. Based on their belief and not facts.

This is exactly what is happening as you speak to the interviewer.

I worked in a team of over 30 people supporting, 2500 users in a fast paced, dynamic organisation.

I had to be an exceptional team player.

I could tell them this, or a wave an A1 reference at them to collaborate what I am saying.

But, at the end of the days it's whether they like you are not.

jacques_chirac

midimanuser wrote: »

Assumption.

A classic example of someone that doesn't know you and is forming an opinion of you. Based on their belief and not facts.

This is exactly what is happening as you speak to the interviewer.

I worked in a team of over 30 people supporting, 2500 users in a fast paced, dynamic organisation.

I had to be an exceptional team player.

I could tell them this, or a wave an A1 reference at them to collaborate what I am saying.

But, at the end of the days it's whether they like you are not.

In that case you need to look at how you come across to others. In an interview you have a short time to make a positive impression. Here you come across as very negative, to some extent that you can't be bothered, even that you think you are doing the employer a favour - definitely not the impression you want to give. Sorry to be blunt, but if it helps you get a job ...