Unfair Hiring Practices and Discrimination

[MyFinalRest]

The kind of nepotism we stereotypically think about, where someone totally unqualified and inept get's a job due to some connection, I think is very uncommon, at least in Western democratic countries.

Seriously? Maybe in Canadaland, but not in Amurka.
Here's what one man, an anti-gun activist Senator from West Virginia, Joe Manchin was able to do. He is bar far not the only one pulling this kind of bullshit...but let's see what all he did:

Appointed his buddies to the WVU board of governors and presidency who awarded his unualified daughter with a Master's degree.
http://timeswv.com/westvirginia/x681682651/Weeks-Manchin-puts-dark-cloud-over-WVU

Additionally:

The apples don't fall far from the tree when it comes to politics in West Virginia. The Manchin family has firm political roots that extend throughout the state. Sen. Joe Manchin's son secured employment as a member of the West Virginia Tourist Commission and Manchin's cousin became the executive director of the West Virginia School Building Authority. Let's not forget that Manchin's daughter, Heather Bresch, was fraudulently granted a master's degree by West Virginia University. Joe Manchin even appointed his wife, Gayle, as a member of the West Virginia Board of Education.

http://www.marshallparthenon.com/mobile/opinion/gayle-manchin-is-a-bad-apple-1.2461663

This shit is going down, and you all have to get out of this fantasy mode of thinking. Businesses are willing to fuck themselves to help cronies.

You might get lucky...maybe you can join up and slip into this system or maybe...you could stand up for what's right and take the Occupy Wall Street values further and help me make some real changes!

 

[MyFinalRest]

Good post, although I'm not sure exactly how much this contributes to actual unemployment statistics. Beggars can't be choosers in this economy. I'm a firm believer in the take what you can get policy. Sometimes you have to suck hind tit...this is the world we live in.



This is also true. At one time in my life I needed a job more than I needed my pride and I was hired because I left my college education off my resume and application.

Why don't you get some fucking pride and quit encouraging others to commit fraud on their Burger King applications...

 

[Jerry Atrick]

Why don't you get some fucking pride and quit encouraging others to commit fraud on their Burger King applications...

Why don't you quit being a crybaby and contribute something to society other than your wonderful interweb posts.

 

[MyFinalRest]

^You make your white masters like Mitt Romney very proud.

 

[Jerry Atrick]

Why don't you quit being a crybaby and contribute something to society other than your wonderful interweb posts.

I've thought about this post more and I apologize to E&C and Bluelight for posting it. Telling someone to contribute to society could be construed as being akin to telling a random homeless person to get a job. The latter being something I would never do. I was on the defensive when I said it and it came out a little harsh.

As for you, MFR. You are being a crybaby. I hear your frustration, though. I have been unemployed too. Hell, I've been homeless. I scraped myself out of that situation, got a Master's degree, and landed a full-time job. I'm not any better than you or anyone out there. I guess the fact that I was able to improve my situation means I'm a little hesitant to have empathy for someone who would rather stir shit than have a big boy conversation.

BTW I think Mitt Romney can eat a bag of dicks. But what do you know.

 

[Tude]

I don't think people are being this picky at all in this economy. It's more like people with Master's degrees are refusing to take jobs at McDonald's - and I can't blame them!

People are having to settle for one or more part-time jobs and that shit is hardly worth the effort if you are out of high school and trying to make it on your own.

Just because someone has a master's degree doesn't mean they're above doing ANY job, even fast food. Maybe they'll actually get my order right. There's nothing wrong with working multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet. It IS worth the effort, especially for those just out of high school. It builds your resume for when a job they ACTUALLY want comes up. It may not be related experience, but they've actually held a job before, and know what the workforce is like.

Double ewe, I admit I don't have any other source other than a few people I knew who shared the OP's attitude about being "too good" for a certain job. I have even heard of people who stay on unemployment because it pays more. I've never understood that; they're too proud to flip burgers, but not too proud to take a handout? I don't know about you, but if I didn't earn something, I don't want it. I'd rather be struggling to get by working a menial job than to live comfortably off of other people's charity.

 

[MyFinalRest]

Just because someone's has a master's degree doesn't mean they're above doing ANY job, even fast food. Maybe they'll actually get my order right.

For real? Wow. This about made me vomit. Maybe the M.B.A. will get your order right...maybe he'll rub your burger on his dick before he serves it to you.

There's nothing wrong with working multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet. It IS worth the effort, especially for those just out of high school. It builds your resume for wine when a job they ACTUALLY want comes up. It may not be related experience, but they've actually held a job before, and know what the workforce is like.

There's nothing to good about it either. Have you ever applied for a better paying salary office job? McDonald's and Landscaping is not the background they are looking for. Some may think you're a real trooper for doing it, but they will also compartmentalize you into being a certain type of worker too i.e. not the type they are looking for.

Ummm...yeah. I'm not really looking for someone who does food service and lawn care...thanks for your interest in the position.

 

[Jerry Atrick]

Ummm...yeah. I'm not really looking for someone who does food service and lawn care...thanks for your interest in the position.

In which thread did you complain about unemployment discrimination? Now we have regular old employment discrimination?

Here's my take. If you're good enough to get an interview, you can normally state the case that you are very experienced in X but have had to do Y and Z for a little while to keep from starving. I'm not saying it works every time but you will look a whole lot better than the guy sitting there who says he is very experienced in X but has been doing SHIT for a little while and is starving because he's too proud to earn his meal ticket.

I said somewhere else that I would not tell someone to do something I hadn't done myself.....career-wise.

Believe me....I know min wage jobs suck and I have worked enough of them to know that. But getting back on one's feet does not happen over night. In this economy it can take years.

Back on topic. I disagree about compartmentalizing a person based on their need to work a min wage job to make ends meet until they can get back into their own industry. I think it shows that the person is a hard worker and will get the job done. At least that's been my experience. Then again, my experience may be unique. But I didn't finish grad school on time and get a job immediately afterwards all based on sheer luck. Yes I have a Master's in a social science and no, I do not work at Starbucks. Rangrz, put that in yer pipe and smoke it :D

 

[rangrz]

Yes I have a Master's in a social science and no, I do not work at Starbucks. Rangrz, put that in yer pipe and smoke it

It's not a Masters in Fine Arts or Women's studies though. Social science has actual jobs that one can get that are relevant to the degree.

 

[Jerry Atrick]

It's not a Masters in Fine Arts or Women's studies though. Social science has actual jobs that one can get that are relevant to the degree.

Oh well. I tried...

 

[double ewe]

Here's my take. If you're good enough to get an interview, you can normally state the case that you are very experienced in X but have had to do Y and Z for a little while to keep from starving. I'm not saying it works every time but you will look a whole lot better than the guy sitting there who says he is very experienced in X but has been doing SHIT for a little while and is starving because he's too proud to earn his meal ticket.

this has been my experience as well. i waited tables for a couple years while i was changing careers, and i always got positive responses when i brought it up in interviews. taking a crappy job because it's what you have to do is something a lot of successful people can relate to, and they respect someone willing to grind it out on the bottom for a while in pursuit of a bigger goal.

 

[Tude]

this has been my experience as well. i waited tables for a couple years while i was changing careers, and i always got positive responses when i brought it up in interviews. taking a crappy job because it's what you have to do is something a lot of successful people can relate to, and they respect someone willing to grind it out on the bottom for a while in pursuit of a bigger goal.

Exactly. The OP can be as condescending as he likes to people who don't work "high salary office jobs." At the end of the day, they're the ones paying for his unemployment.

You're welcome.

 

[tu_madre]

My favorite jobs have been for non-profits so profit isn't (supposed to be) their bottom line. I am an awesome teacher, so my awesomeness at my job usually speaks for itself and I don't have to worry about if I will be hired.

That being said, I'm surprised no one has brought up the obvious unfair hiring practices that come with their privledge.

I am white, well-spoken, considered conventionally good-looking, smart, and funny/charming/charismatic/whatever-you-want-to-call-it. I have gotten hired for MANY jobs which I KNOW I am not the best-qualified for because of the above-stated privledges... which is NOT fair.

In a world run by old bigoted old white dudes, attractive young white women run the world vis a vis.

NOT FAIR. NOT RIGHT. NOT SURE THE BEST WAY TO CHANGE THINGS.

*One of my life goals IS to start my own business, but I fear I also will hire based on criteria which may bend my ethics somewhat. For example, I honestly couldn't see myself turning a family member down for a job.

 

[MyFinalRest]

this has been my experience as well. i waited tables for a couple years while i was changing careers, and i always got positive responses when i brought it up in interviews. taking a crappy job because it's what you have to do is something a lot of successful people can relate to, and they respect someone willing to grind it out on the bottom for a while in pursuit of a bigger goal.

Sure...successful people can relate to it, but that shiny golden Andy Griffith work-ethic shit ain't always out there in the world.

Chances are...with all the job hopping and un and under employment...somebody's got better looking experience qualifications than some french fry making food service who worked in the most dumbed-down of all occupations. Food service people don't get nice salary office jobs...they get "thanks for your interest."

No, it's an insectified world out there where people think like insects and specialization is the over-arching rule. Experience in foodservice and construction/loandscaping might get you an empathetic nod of approval, but you better hope that there isn't a currently or formerly employed "operations analyst" vying for the "operations analyst" position you applied for as well. Chances are...there will be.

or...maybe they like it when they see you are willing to take one for the team because you are easier to shaft when it's lay-off time?

Sure, you gotta do what you gotta do...but I wouldn't settle. Unionize and make them pay better because you might end up working in the food service industry longer than you want to. The truth is on a work history...don't expect fast food, waiting tables, or construction work to win you much if any praise on higher level salaried positions.

 

[MyFinalRest]

My favorite jobs have been for non-profits so profit isn't (supposed to be) their bottom line. I am an awesome teacher, so my awesomeness at my job usually speaks for itself and I don't have to worry about if I will be hired.

That being said, I'm surprised no one has brought up the obvious unfair hiring practices that come with their privledge.

I am white, well-spoken, considered conventionally good-looking, smart, and funny/charming/charismatic/whatever-you-want-to-call-it. I have gotten hired for MANY jobs which I KNOW I am not the best-qualified for because of the above-stated privledges... which is NOT fair.

In a world run by old bigoted old white dudes, attractive young white women run the world vis a vis.

NOT FAIR. NOT RIGHT. NOT SURE THE BEST WAY TO CHANGE THINGS.

*One of my life goals IS to start my own business, but I fear I also will hire based on criteria which may bend my ethics somewhat. For example, I honestly couldn't see myself turning a family member down for a job.

Finally! sombody told the truth on here! He may be white and handsome, but he is a good man!

 

[double ewe]

Sure...successful people can relate to it, but that shiny golden Andy Griffith work-ethic shit ain't always out there in the world.

Chances are...with all the job hopping and un and under employment...somebody's got better looking experience qualifications than some french fry making food service who worked in the most dumbed-down of all occupations. Food service people don't get nice salary office jobs...they get "thanks for your interest."

when i said "positive responses," i meant final interviews and job offers, not sympathetic pats on the back. it's not to say i wasn't qualified, as i worked a lot harder than i had to in grad school to make sure my education prepared me for the job that i wanted, but i found a "nice salary office job" despite my lack of experience and past in food service. the job description for my current position listed "6-10 years in finance" as a requirement, but based on the strength of my thesis research and technical skills, my employer was willing to overlook that.

it wasn't easy. food service can be really soul crushing, and i sent out well over a hundred applications just to get a handful of interviews. but having to work a shitty job for a while is by no means a death sentence for your career. hell, it lit more of a fire under my ass than college ever did.

 

[double ewe]

That being said, I'm surprised no one has brought up the obvious unfair hiring practices that come with their privledge.

I am white, well-spoken, considered conventionally good-looking, smart, and funny/charming/charismatic/whatever-you-want-to-call-it. I have gotten hired for MANY jobs which I KNOW I am not the best-qualified for because of the above-stated privledges... which is NOT fair.

In a world run by old bigoted old white dudes, attractive young white women run the world vis a vis.

i brought this up earlier, but only to point out that, despite working in an industry that people stereotype as being "run by bigoted old white dudes," my workplace is incredibly diverse.

it's also strange that you assume discrimination has gotten you jobs, despite the fact that you identify as an "awesome teacher" who is "smart," "well-spoken" and "funny/charming/charismatic." i don't mean to downplay the reality of bias in hiring, but those seem like pretty strong qualifications to me.

 

[RobotRipping]

it wasn't easy. food service can be really soul crushing, and i sent out well over a hundred applications just to get a handful of interviews. but having to work a shitty job for a while is by no means a death sentence for your career. hell, it lit more of a fire under my ass than college ever did.

i think that's the most important part about working a shitty min wage job. It motivated me to get my ass back to school and specialize in something. It's a big difference though being well educated compared to being a high school drop out. If you're a high school drop out, working at mcdonalds for 10 years isn't going to help you out much if you're applying for a high salary job, there's no chance in hell you're going to get it but with a post grad degree/phd/masters whatever, your chances are much higher despite having the same work experience, even if it's not in your field of study..

the fact is not everyone can be at the top or even close. We need people to work those shit jobs unfortunately, people in the middle and people at the top, in this system anyway. The best we can do is make those shit jobs as tolerable and well paying as possible for the people who get stuck there.

i'm a big job hopper so my resume is fucked and i couldn't get a job for a year because i was trying to be honest and truthful, so i doctored my resume and wow, all of the sudden i was getting callbacks and interviews all over the place, for okay jobs, like a few dollars above minimum wage, when before fast food places wouldn't even hire me. Spotty work history is the #1 thing employers don't like to see. Job hoppers are certainly not appreciated, nor are students who plan to stick out training and a few months and then just leave. I don't know how i'm going to get a summer job when i am in school still unless it's just temp work or i work under the table, which is what usually happens.

Tho i do enjoy fucking over a corporation, they hire me, train me for months, then i just leave lol. fuck them. It's nothing to them really but it's the little i can do to fuck them over that makes me feel better.

 

[MyFinalRest]

If you are going to job hop...you have to do it right. You stay about a year and a half and then start applying like crazy so you can be out by year 2 comes around. 2 years is the magic corporate number.

This shit works well for lots of people. At the local university here, they hire staff and admin from some far off place, they stay 2 years, and then they're off to fuck something else up before they get chased out. The magic 2 year professional rotation is not technically considered job hopping, but it is...

I've looked these fuckers up on linkedin and that's what their whole work history is...exactly 2 years at each place. Strange.

 

[RobotRipping]

in this day and age, job hopping is a way to move up. For example, you work 2 years at one bank and they won't promote you, go apply at another bank with that 2 years experience and you can get the same job that you couldn't get before.

I'll keep that magical 2 year number in mind. It does sound about right.