Narratives of the Disengaged: The Job Search

Since When It's Okay To Be Rude? Not in MY World

Last September I went for a job interview at one of the most reputable public relations/advertising agency in Chicago. I was by far elated, as this was considered the job of my "dreams." The only reason I even got an interview was through networking, with a contact who works at one of the other ad agencies within that network. The recruiter who works with this particular agency called me two days after the position opened. An interview was set up two days later.

I prepped for the interview like there was no tomorrow. I brushed up on my computing skills because I knew there'd be some sort of competency test, and re-acquainted myself with all the advertising techy, geeky jargon that these folks love to hear. I was ready, and I was determined. I provided them a completed job application, three professional letters of recommendation, and a PowerPoint presentation of my career summary. This job was mine, but I was careful not to exude too much confidence.

But no. The interview itself lasted about 20 minutes. Of course, there was a test, which I was given an hour to complete. Most of it was in PowerPoint. I didn't complete the test in its entirety, but I managed my way through and felt comfortable with my answers I provided. When all was said and done, the chick I interviewed with said that she will relay everything back to management, and if they like me, they would call me back for a second interview. She said I should hear something in a couple of weeks.

As you might imagine, those couple of weeks went by. I never heard a word.

I was the follow-up queen in the month that followed. I have sent inquiries to both the recruiter who initially called me, and to the chick I interviewed with, neither of which has taken the time to respond with a simple, "Thanks, but no thanks." I have e-mailed, TWITTERED, and went the old school route by actually calling on the phone. No word, no rejection, no sign of life. It's like these people never even existed.

I am a big girl. I can handle rejection better than anyone I know. I have gone through worse, so for someone to tell me "no thanks" is nothing but a walk in the park. Disheartening, yes. Everything happens for a reason, and while I would MUCH prefer a more optimistic answer, I realize that I cannot always have everything I wish for.

On the contrary, this doesn't mean it's okay for hiring professionals to be rude in return. I have said this on numerous occasions. Hiring folks of today could care less about your time, and/or they don't want to "deal" with you. Aww....poor babies. I don't want to deal with paying my bills, or making dinner, or clean the house, but I suck it up and do them anyway. And while the list I mentioned aren't exactly in the same category as returning a phone call, it's still the courteous thing to do. But by not doing so denotes unprofessionalism, and downright laziness. I often wonder why some job seekers can get so agitated, but it is the unprofessionalism that is running rampant amongst the HR industry that would make one think, 'no fucking wonder.'

I ran across an interesting article about the rudeness commonly practiced among hiring authorities of today. This is not NEW information, by any means. I have been saying the same thing, for oh....about a YEAR. Congratulations to the rest of the world for finally catching up. Read the article anyway, as this information bears repeating.

Hey you HR people, grow some fucking balls.

Dear IL Primary Candidates: I'm Not Your Ho.

The Illinois primary election took place yesterday, and I'm happy to have been a part of the trifling voter turnout to let my voice be heard. I have an inaudible but optimistic dream that someday I'll be able to pick up where I left off....at the very least...two years ago. But my dream is left in the hands of politicians who will say anything to win my emotions. I fell for that before. I feel like I should be awarded a t-shirt that would say, "I Voted for Obama and all I got was this Lousy $25 in my Unemployment Check."

In my heart, I know not to expect much. I hope to be proven wrong, but the reality is that after some careful review of all the candidate's platforms, they ALL have one thing in common: job creation. There is no denying that job creation is one of the biggest issues facing our country today (This blog wouldn't have existed if that wasn't the case). My problem, however, is my ability to separate fact from fiction. As I analyze the platforms, I ask myself, 'Is job creation a top priority because candidate X really fucking cares, or is X saying that to win my vote?' Like someone whispering sweet nothings into my ear, this is a mantra that easily resonates with me. But don't throw me a line of bullshit just to sleep with me, or in this case....win my vote. I'm not your ho. Save that crap for your mistress.

I saw none of the Obama charisma. The only person that might even come close is Alexi Giannoulias (who, I'm pretty sure, has MANY ho's) who uses the following tag: "Jobs:A Big Issue" or something to that effect. Well, it's sexy and all, but perhaps it was silly of me to want something more. For example, rather than suggest another type of stimulus package, how about suggesting something along the lines of, 'Guess what? China's economy is BOOMING. As American citizens, we must ask ourselves WHY. With that said, I will fight to the death to remove ALL of the manufacturing jobs OUT of China and back into the American economy, where there will be job growth, and most importantly, put an end to the constant worry for the consumer in regards to product recalls.'

But no. That would be common sense. And sadly, common sense isn't all that common.

Not one candidate has proposed anything even remotely close to that. It's a bunch of mindless chatter that everyone has heard before. It is for that reason I did not watch the State of the Union in its entirety last week. They are all bullshit dialog that I've heard more times than I care to admit. I really thought that when I voted for Obama, I would be employed by now. Instead, I got an increase. Still no job, no health benefits of my own, no retirement money, no promise for the future. I know one day our economy will get back on track, but I'm skeptical as to whether yesterday's winners have the potential of turning things around. And I have the right to be.

Everybody talks. Nobody listens. If there ever comes a day where a politician has demonstrated superior listening skills, that, to me, represents REAL change.

We can only hope.