Is exessive pickiness by employers towards job candidates the new normal? (tips, employer)

[Mrs. Skeffington]

The sad thing is that the so-called "skilled jobs" don't pay much more than minimum wage. Months back, I applied for a legal secretarial position, where they were seeking legal experience and microsoft word, and that paid MINIMUM WAGE. I had ten years experience in the field, but they would not consider paying me more than possibly $7.75 or $8.00. (I found out later from a friend at the Courthouse that that particular attorney was a tight fisted jerk to work for and had a high turnover). Job seekers are so desperate, employers know it, and are using it as an opportunity to be miserly. So, I'm making $8.50 an hour now working at a local high school cafeteria (where I do not have wardrobe or commuting expenses). Clerical jobs around around here pay at the most $8.00 an hour, or $9.00 to $9.50 if you want to commute 45 minutes to an hour to the nearest "city". I don't care if the job is menial, why put up with all that stress for less money, not to mention having to dress up every day?

[lookup138]

Originally Posted by 313Weather

I have to make a few adjustments...

EMPLOYEE WANTED DURING THE RECESSION:
Full time
Must have *at least 3-5 years of experience *in related field
*Must be proficient in every computer software known to man & alien
Must have excellent credit score
Must have 4 year degree *in related field from a regionally accredited brick & mortar school
*Must be certified in everything that exists
Must provide salary history & salary required
Must not have any gaps in employment
Must pass background check
Must not have stupid friends drinking beer on your facebook page
Some travel required
*1099 position
*Temporary 6-Month Position
Compensation: as little as humanly possible

LOL... I saw a Craigslist post for something very similar to this one (minus the facebook page insert) and they wanted applicants to forward their references w/contact info AND certifications... I believe that this was a staffing agency because they typically use your references to build their client base.

[lookup138]

Originally Posted by artwomyn

Good luck with self employment. If I had the money, I would start up my own business, in a heartbeat. But I don't, so I'm stuck depending on employers, for my livelihood.

I got laid off without warning, from a company that always praised me to the skies. So I didn't expect to be laid off. The company owner, is a colossal cheap skate. So I was underpaid, and couldn't save any money.

So now I'm depending on UI benefits, as my only source of income. I'm in my early 50s, African American, and female. I'm also aoverweight (due to genetics, which I've tried to correct with no success), so I'm not young and beautiful. I have no family to fall back on, and my friends are all too poor themselves, to help me financially.

For the above reasons, I'm not a prime choice for these choosy employers out there. Even though I'm well educated, and have 15 years experience in my field (marketing). I think that having my own business would be the best thing for me too, if I could only get the funding to get started.

Well, it's appears that the only way to even get a good lead is to repetitively attend networking events and really hit the pavement going into establishments and leaving resumes AND following up. I learned this from sales and staffing agencies and it works for me. There are so many advantages to self-employment but again it depends on what you know(research and trends of your industry), who you know (networking and cold-calling), and if you are not afraid to do cold calling then it doesn't hurt to use this approach.

Even in this economy people are quitting their jobs for various reasons. Who knows, perhaps when you call a company, their office manager may have just quit and they want to interview you? I have to think this way and maintain optimism at all costs. Otherwise, things could be discouraging and gloomy very quick.

Actually employers can tell in an interview if you are frustrated, going through the motions, desperate and even optimistic. I had an employer smiling and laughing so hard during my last interview, she actually told me that the interview was "refreshing". She couldn't help but offer me the position. It's just a job to help make ends meet and put a little away in savings. I am still seeking out better jobs everyday.

[crystalblue]

so so true

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by artwomyn

Since the great recession, employers have been ridiculously picky in their hiring practices. It's been an employers market for so long now. So, will job candidates have to endure this exessive pickiness by employers as the new normal, even after the economy improves?

There's no way it will remain the new normal because employers become desperate when unemployment rates go down.

[Calilady]

It is puzzling when those of us seeking another/a new job around here discuss employer requirements.
Here is a funny one: My daughter's bf went to an interview (for a p/t job serving cups of juice) this week. (She has 3.5 years progressive experience in food service.)
She reported the activities, and told me it wasn't a real interview yet, just 5 candidates answering questions about themselves, what they do, what they like. At the end the interviewer taught them a little jingle praising the company, and they all did a cheer together. She is waiting to hear if she gets a second interview.

What the heck is this? A cheer?
ARGH.
Just give me the 32 dollars a day, or not, and let me outta here ! lol

[Gerrygal]

Originally Posted by MSchemist80

Federal govt too. They have (or used to supposedly they just abolished them) what are called KSA's.

Yea, I spent an entire week writing a KSA for a Triage position (I have years of related experience) at a local VA Clinic...and it took them only two days to generate a letter with the following canned response:

"Out of the area of consideration".

Why didn't they just say "Not Qualified" instead and tell the truth...like they expect us to do?

[Gerrygal]

Originally Posted by lovetheduns

I only considered applying for federal jobs about 10 years ago-- and I remember reading through all of the KSA and the requirements to just be able to submit a job application-- and I decided-- yeah not worth my time.

Writing a KSA is equivalent to writing a thesis...as you have to be able to defend every single qualification addressed on the job announcement. I honestly thought I had aced it. I was wrong...as I have been about so many other things, since I was laid off almost two years ago.

[Gerrygal]

Originally Posted by wannabee

EMPLOYEE WANTED DURING THE RECESSION:
Full time
Must have 3-5 years of experience
Must have excellent credit score
Must have 4 year degree
Must provide salary history & salary required
Must not have any gaps in employment
Must pass background check
Must not have stupid friends drinking beer on your facebook page
Some travel required
1 week vacation after 1 year
Health Insurance/401k after 6 months
Compensation: as little as humanly possible

Add to this:

Don't bother applying if you don't live in the area (A retailer abruptly terminated my online application for this reason, even though I only live an hour away).

Must have more "recent" experience...and it doesn't matter if you have twenty years experience (A potential employer actually told me this, which lends credibility to the suspicion that they don't want anything to do with the long-term unemployed...and regardless of the circumstances).

[Gerrygal]

Originally Posted by Jimrob1

I would not want to deal with todays type of employers.

No. And, some of them have become downright vicious in their attitudes towards and treatment of employees whose only mistake is they were at the wrong place and at the wrong time. Been there, done that.