New RulesOk first I read that longevity is being considered almost a bad thing ? HUH ? NOW I read in this article http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2001-08-03-job-board-hype.htm that using the online job boards are looked at as us being lazy ? Again a major HUH ? If companies dont want us to apply via a job board then why post jobs out there ? Is it just me or does it seem like there are too many ever changing "rules" ? Dont send Thank you's, DO send Thank you's, Do this Dont do that - jeez. How many more rules do we have to endure before we finally get so comfused we just give up ? Just a rant I worked at a company for 15+ years. When I decided to move on, I was just AMAZED at how I was questioned in interviews as to why I had stayed there that long. Seems that they think you are "stale" or something if you are not ambitious and moving on. Luckily, there are some of those employers that do appreciate longevity.
That article says "don't put all your eggs in one basket". That's a rule that goes back to Aesop's time so it is hardly a change or something new.
Tess I have never personally have anyone say that to me - always the opposite but I read it and was just shaking my head. My two employers over 25 years clearly show promotions and movements upward. It just seems like the whole game has changed and someone forgot to tell me ! :) Another thing that bugs the pi** out of me is that people would rathr hire someone that has one tiny bit of software tht I dont have and the person might only have 2 years accounting at a very entry level and they ignore the fact of the more experienced person. I finally came up with a good line for when someone questions my lack of QuickBooks or whatever "ANY software can be learned, but ya cant fix stupid" Ok so I would never say that but oh how I wish I could But I will say that software can be learned but high work ethics, longevity with employers - THOSE cant be taught to someone that doesnt already have them. I am considering dummying up my resume and making it look more entry level since the comments I get most are that I am overqualified. I assure them that in spite of being a high level accountant I also have started over at entry level once and I didnt mind a bit. Longevity can be either a good sign or a not-so-good one, depending on the firm. A mega-large firm I worked for had several administrative assistants whose employee longevity was hardly a reflection of their abilities or work ethic. They didn't do more than the firm demanded of them, and the firm didn't demand more or get rid of them either. Some of those people couldn't compete in the open job market in our area, because they can't pass the skills tests many of the large firms in our industry require of candidates today. I work in legal, and my observation has been that the super-size law firms especially tend to still be hung up on longevity on a candidate's resume. On the other hand, a recruiter I know says she's surprised these days if a candidate's stayed at any one job at least three years. The latter seems more consistent with what we see in the news every day: Yet another company is cutting hundreds or even thousands of jobs, while at the same time declaring millions in record-breaking profits. Some companies plainly say that they want someone who's going to stay with the company for a while. In today's job market, I'm sorely tempted to ask the interviewer, "What does your company offer that someone can plan on staying here for a while?" A company may not be in danger of going out of business or anything, but it might be a miserable place to work. I've found that one possible downside to longevity with any single firm, is if the firm is behind the technological times. I've worked in firms that were on the cutting edge of technology, and firms that weren't. If one doesn't have good current computer skills, job options may be more limited. That assumes a person who has the opportunity to learn more computer skills on the job, actually does so. Some of the admin assistants I described earlier don't if they can get away with it, which is partly what I meant about their longevity not being a reflection of their abilities or work ethic.
i was referring mostly to the inane opnion that job board users were considerd lazy
Yeah I worked with many older ladies in my former corporations that started at an entry level classification and they retired at the same one 35 years later and they were thrilled - but they got their raises and made durn good money with a major corporation. In their case they started their jobs in the mid to late 50's so they really didnt know much else other than clerical or administrative. I sometimes will ask an intrviewer how long THEY have been employed there - just in passing but I get my answer as to the basic feel - plus I also like to know why the job opening came about - new ? high turnover ? what ? I do the same thing. On one occasion, though, how long the interviewers had been with the firm ultimately became a moot point. Shortly after I came aboard, there was a big management shakeup and soon they were gone.
I went for another interview today - and more planned for the rest of the week and I just really hate like heck having to pretend to be something I am not. For a good example I have some tattoos - all feminine and nothing like a fire breathing dragon or anything and I got told once again that I need to cover them up and wear hose and I said HUH ? Are you kidding me ? In 115 degree weather ? That is fine for a short term job - I would hate that even - but my recruiters just cant get it through their heads that I really am not all that open to working for some place like that. My history is working at places for many years and I would be miserable in that kind of environment for that long. Then I also had a bad accident when I was around 10 years old and I have bad scarring on my upper chest. The guy that interviewed me today kept either staring at my wrist tattoo or my chest (and NOT for the usual reasons either) and we had a great interview. An hour and a half and he followed up with testing that he wants done BUT I walked out of there feeling really second class and dejected thinking damn - does all of that really outwiegh 25 years of high level accounting experience and a degree? Funny thing about my scars, but I not only wear what I want when I want and never really think twice about it until I notice someone else staring at them but none of my friends even remember that I have them at all. Tomorrow I have an interview for a receptionist/accountant position - havent quite figured out how those two jobs can be intertwined but oh well - but I know before I even get there that I will be knocked out before I open my mouth - they would rather have a 21 year old in there with a years experience than an almost 50 year old woman with a good solid background. But oh well, I will go just on the off chance that it works out. I just guess the days of being a hard worker with good ethics and a great level of experience dont count much anymore over youth and looks. And NO I wouldnt be 21 again to save my life thank you very much. I know the right employer is out there that will appreciate what I am bringing to the table.
I have pretty good scars on my neck. Two bullet wounds, well three if you count two entries and one exit; plus the long surgical scaring from the repairs. Luckly me, I do scar well, meaning I heal well and when I have a bit of a tan they fade somewhat. But they are still there. At one point in a more preverse moment I considered tattooing small targets around the two entry wounds with the words "YOU MISSED" underneath. But I thought, nah that would just be too crass. Don't worry about it. | |
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