COMPANIES vs. the (UN)-EMPLOYED

What are companies doing now? We all know that the economy is bad. I hear companies are afraid to hire people now. They are at risk of going out of business themselves. Matters not what type of business it is. From steel mills, janitorial industries, maid services, magazine publishers, clinics, hospitals and the highest digital/technical and software companies in existence today. From those of us who have the highest degrees to those who have received certificates of completion from attending trade schools, we need jobs.

Many of us are working in positions we never wanted to work in, just so we will have an income. You may find those who have Masters, Bachelors and Associate Degrees flipping burgers at a fast food restaurant, and that's if you are fortunate. I'm not knocking flipping burgers. At this point, I am more than willing to greet a customer with, "Thank you for visiting our restaurant, may I take your order please?"

With many people unemployed for six months and longer (some even up to five years or more), obtaining a job interview is usually something to get excited about. Two people were on their way to job interviews, coincidentally, at the same time. Both were on the the bus (who can afford a car nowadays?)! One rang the departure bell before the other and walked a mile to get to the destination of their interview. When they were called in, they had the wonderful experience of being interviewed by two people. Each the head of a particular department. Questions were asked and answered, notes were taken, eyes flashed to one another, heads nodding. It was said that they would get back with the person because they had some others to interview. Since this person had been informed that in the event the company does not call you back, you should take the initiative to call them. Within two days, they called the company back and was informed that due to unforeseen circumstances, no one will be hired for the position until further notice at which time they would let the applicant know. This person, felt that they had fallen into the dust again.

Then lo and behold, they received a call back at which time they were called in for a second interview. This person, believing that being called in for a second interview was a good sign as they had been told:

1. A second interview is good news!

2. USUALLY, means you've caught their attention and they are highly interested in you.

3. Not much to be concerned about at the second interview, it's a snap. More than likely, YOU'VE GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE SECOND INTERVIEW: One person this time. Seems nice enough. Seems professional enough. More questions, questions, questions. At this point, applicant is feeling that something is up. Not going the way they'd heard a second interview would go. Again, more questions, questions, taking notes, taking notes. The applicant then hears, "I am not the one in charge of hiring. The individual you had your first interview with is in charge of that and they will contact you as soon as we have made a decision. The interviewer took down the applicants phone number (it was already on the resume right in front of them). Again, no return call. Therefore, applicant called company, spoke with one of the persons with whom they had interviewed with the first time. Upon calling, applicant greeted the person, said their name and heard a deep sigh (not pleasant, as if they really did not want to be 'bothered'). Applicant was told they decided to go with someone with more experience. Although the applicant is feeling down at this time, in the proper tone of voice aked for their view on how the interview went (you know, for future reference, to not make the same mistake again). Applicant was told they did nothing wrong, company just decided to go with a more experienced person. Goodbyes were said. The applicant could understand the company going with someone who had more experience, however, they could not understand this: Company saw on the resume that said applicant was a recent grad and had no numbered years of experience. Applicant was informed that their experience in current field would open door for position being applied for since they were in the same industry and closely related. Applicant understood that the internship experience obviously meant nothing, as this was considered extended training and not actual work.

The applicant then found out that this particular company was involved in a research which had absolutely nothing to do with interviewing potential employees. This they gave some thought to. They noticed that in both interviews all interviewers focused questions on customer service, rather than on experience or what the applicant learned in school. Two of the interviewers spoke of the company as one in which people get into, not only for the work itself, but that this field is also a 'business' and as the story goes for ALL businesses, you have to be able to make money in order to stay in business. One interviewer spoke of the economy and the things their company was facing "on their end of the scheme of things."

OK, we are in the same county, same city, same state and the same country. We ALL have an 'on our end of the scheme of things'.

THEIR END: We are on the verge of closing if things do not get better, but we don't want you to know it. We are doing all we can to improve our services to our clients in the area of customer service so that we (the company) can maintain and have the exciting and unwavering potential of increasing our gross income (because we, the ones who are calling you in for these interviews) do not want to lose our job.

OUR END: WE NEED A JOB!!!!!!!

CONCLUSION: The last this applicant had been informed, was that the state they abided in was at an unemployment rate of 18%. None of us have time to have our time wasted. Companies, DO NOT call us in for 'fake interviews', to be used as pawns in your statistical surveys/analyses to find out how you (the company), can improve you (the company) and you(the company) have no intention whatsoever of hiring anybody at all. YET, you took the most profound of intellectual knowledge you acquired on these "interviews", took notes and now have decided to take these brilliant ideas and incorporate them into your employment manual under the category of policies and procedures for greater customer service performance.

The applicant went on to say that for those of us who have gone past the 'threat' of unemployment and are actually 'living in it' have daily lives and schedules that are important to them as well. If for some intent and purpose the above theology has any ring of truth to it, companies would be better off to give jobseekers a 'choice' to participate in a workshop, get paid a 'stipend' for the use of their time and intelligence while you (the company) seek to improve your companies gross income. WHAT! You have to resort to actually going through fake interviews in order to appear to the one who is signing your check, that you are 'working'!

DON'T WASTE OUR TIME!!!!!!