apply online. And I don't like that. It negates the chance to make a personal impression first when you can only apply via a general candidates pool, a cold, impersonal database.
I was in my bank one day, a bank I've dealt with for years, and a new girl was being trained, a manager standing beside her. We chatted during my transaction and they were still hiring. By chance, I had my resume with me but when I offered it, was told that I could only apply online. I was amazed. I was there. Right there. And I couldn't hand a couple pieces of paper across the counter.
On another occasion, I emailed a company, stating specifically in both email and cover letter, that I was looking for a management or Human Resources position. I received a call to come for an interview the next day. Explaining that I would need to come in on my lunch hour, I was assured I'd been seen promptly at 2:00 PM.
At 2:30, my stomach empty, I was still sitting in a waiting room with about 10 other people. With only 15 minutes to get back to work I stood up to leave and that's when they called my name.
Willing to take a chance, I went in. The interviewer started trying to sell me on the company. I politely reminded him that I was on my lunch, which was now almost over and asked what the position was. He said he'd get to that but first, he had to tell me what a great company they were. Considering the fly-by-night look of the office, I had my doubts and insisted. He faltered and told me it was door to door sales.
I stood up, asked him if he'd even read my email or resume and when he said no, I thanked him for his lack of professionalism and for wasting my time and walked out.
I've been on both sides of the interviewer's desk and as a result, I have certain standards and expectations regarding courtesy and professionalism. And nobody likes having their time wasted.
Another thing I've noticed are the changes in interviewing questions and techniques employed by different companies. Some are quite intelligent and progressive while others are simply silly and I'm reminded of being in a kindergarten class.
Behavioural interviews and personality tests work (to a point) but when you're handed a deck of colourful playing cards with child-like pictures and flowery positive thinking phrases and told to pick your 10 favourites... Well, maybe it's just me but I'd sooner answer a straight forward "why should we hire you?" question.
The Toll
"You've still got your health."
They say it's always easier to get a job when you have a job. And that's true. At the start of the summer, I quit a dreary job for one that I hoped would be better. I was wrong. It lasted two days. I'd replied to a posting for a recruiter. It turned out to be with a head hunting company. And there's a reason head hunters are even looked down on by used car salesmen and AMWAY dealers.
But without a doubt, the worst part of looking for work, especially when you're out of work, is the stress. Prospective employers rarely have the same urgency you do. Their time frame is often weeks, even months, between the recruiting process and the
actual start date. Even if you've got a nest egg, it's won't last long and then where does the money come from?
Employment Insurance, which the government takes from each pay cheque whether you like it or not, takes 6-8 weeks to process. Partly it's the caseload volume but mostly it's because the government enjoys taking your money but not giving it back. And with a benefit rate of only 55% of your previous gross wage, which is then taxed as income, it's a shame their services and supposed resources to help you don't amount to much if you already know how to write a resume and don't need their public internet connection or fax machine.
The longer you go without a job, the more the stress increases, until it verges on anxiety and/or depression. And it affects all levels of your health. Quite simply, it's hard to maintain a positive, happy, healthy outlook when you're not sleeping properly due to stress and can't afford a proper diet.
Unemployment takes its toll. Just ask anyone who has ever been there.