Career tips : Communication styles on these boards

Much has been made in various threads on communication syles in these forums. The anonymity has enabled each of us to "call it as we see it." Unlike in the real world, we don't need to fear reaprisals for expressing honestly held opinions. The downside is that people can be very rude.

For a job seeker, these forums represent an opportunity to confront hiring managers over thoughtlessness that occurs all to often in the real world. Before these forums, we did not have this opportunity. Even at a neighborhood block party, there was some risk that an honestly held opinion could get back to the wrong person. I did manage to get an article on that subject printed in HR Reporter in 1999, but for the most part, the applicant's point of view went unheard in the past.

The managers graciously volunteer their time to impart their knowledge and wisdom on those of us who need it. Sometimes they have to be blunt because the job seeker just doesn't "get it."

To promote better understanding, it would be helpful to remember the following:

The two parties mentioned above have different agendas. The disgruntled job hunters (past and present) want to speak about "what ought to be." The managers are here to help them deal with "what is, like it or not."
Always remember that even the longest posts don't tell the whole story. Your opinion is necessarily based on imcomplete information.
If you are actively seeking employment, you need to give the mangers on these boards considerable latitude. They are offering expert opinion. You are free to disregard it, but don't make them sorry they volunteered.
If you are currently happily employed (yours truly), but want to speak about mutual respect, be careful to do it in a way that doesn't discourage people looking now. They have to stay upbeat and positive.
Everybody, easy on the sarcasm! The goal is to deal with the issues, not to become the issue. Managers especially, please don't drown out what is otherwise a worthwhile message.
Try to make your posts easy to read. Use paragraphs. Try to be brief. If you have a long story, write it first in a word document, then make every effort to condense it. Watch the grammar and spelling. Glaring errors become a distraction. This post is probably one of my longest.

Best of luck.

You are absolutely right. I don' t make the rules. It is for that reason that I started this thread in the Vent! section. I have expressed an opinion based on about eight month' s observation. Every Monster is free to take it for what it' s worth.

A long while ago, I originally wanted to just say my peace and get a tremendous amount off my chest about my unemployment. I thought for sure, there was absolutely nothing wrong with me, or nothing wrong with my application. For six years as a security guard until I quit the job in June 2005 I did everything I was told to do and then some.

But now, I have seen and heard all that there is to. Please don' t tell me the plight of the employer, because if we can' t agree on everything, the one thing we can agree on is that not all is well in the occupational world.

It doesn' t matter which side is at fault, the employers or the employees and out-of-work prospective applicants. The common groundswell is a need to fix the situation. Plain and Simple.

If an employer wants to deal with us, the audience of people looking for work, better work, better pay or people just looking for the right stable enviorment, I submit it is us, not them, that demand the latitude.

Without offered jobs, people can' t work, but the same is also true, without employees, there is no business.

A United Parcel Service location in Somerville, Massachusetts years ago, was one example I know of where the managers were left to run the place by themselves, not an easy task. One man operations are also asking the impossible.

So there must be a meeting of the minds, otherwise the schism will just get worse.

Your observations on UPS are the same as what I' ve been hearing for ten years. Managers there definitely earn their keep.

As far as giving managers lattitude goes, I am referring only to those who post on these boards. Several of them write numerous posts and must therefore spend a great deal of time here. I will definitely respond in a spirited way when I disagree with what one of them is saying. I just try not to get too personal about it. I somtimes feel that because they are good enough to come here, they are forced to pay for the sins of those who don' t.

Your comment on mutual dependence is right-on! We need to pay are bills. Managers need employees to help them get the job done so they don' t end up like your friends at UPS.

Career Tips

Communication styles on these boards