ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2009 > January
January 2009
Overqualified or just too old?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My first staffing agency experience was not the greatest. In my mind, this had to be the exception to the rule. Wrong!
There was a staffing agency in the Windy Hill area that had a sign out front that said, “Now hiring temporary warehouse workers”. When I drove up, there was a neon sign out front for which I don’t remember the exact wording, but this was pretty close.
As I was walking in, I saw several individuals completing applications, so this looked pretty promising. The receptionist/recruiter said, “May I help you?” I said, “I am interested in completing an application and applying for a warehouse position.” She said, “What are you looking for? We only have warehouse jobs that require physical work.” I said that is fine, I just need to work, and I am interested in anything. “Can I complete an application?”
She asked again, “You are interested in warehouse work?” I said, yes. She said, “You will need to give us a resume.” I said, “Okay, I have one right here,” and handed it to her.
You are probably thinking what I am thinking, why do I need a resume for a temporary warehouse labor position? After glancing through my resume, she said, “I don’t see where you have done any labor positions.” I replied, “Well it has been a while, but I have done quite a bit through Manpower and others several years ago.”
She said, “Well our clients are looking for people who have recently performed this kind of work. You are OVERQUALIFIED!”
Now, I am thinking, does the company this agency represents know this is what is being said on their behalf, because according to the Office of Federal Contract and Compliance (OFCCP), there is no such thing as an overqualified applicant.
She then asked, “How much do you expect to make?” I replied, “I don’t know, I am just looking for work, $8.00 to $10.00 an hour?” She replied, “This job only pays $6.55 to $7.00 an hour, we will call you if we find something for you.”
I asked again, “Can I complete an application?” She said, “If we have something that fits your skills, we will ask you to complete an application.”
You are over qualified and basically too old to do warehouse work.
Her intentions may not have meant to imply this, but by not allowing me to complete an application, her responses, and her voice inflection, this was my perception. And, perceptions equal reality.
Have you been told, “You are over qualified?” Any one else feel that they were not interviewed or hired to do physical work because they were over 40 or 50 years of age?
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What are the best Georgia companies to work for?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Forbes released their 100 Best Companies to Work For 2009 list recently. The annual survey relies on a variety of criteria, from salary to company perks to employee turnover to rank their top companies. Georgia companies, including those with Georgia headquarters as well as national companies with Georgia-based offices or stores are well-represented on the list, with everything from Aflac to Google and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta making the list.
So take a look at some of the Georgia companies on the list and let us know what you think. Do you work at a local company that you think should have made the list? What makes your company a good place to work?
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Will President Obama create more jobs?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How do you see changes working for you in your life and workplace in light of the new President and the declining economy? Many people are sure things will change now that Barack Obama is President. Do you think things will change for you?
Career expert Chandra Fox from e-resume.net offers the following positive ways to be ahead of changes: be on the pulse of changes at your workplace/industry, have some money for whatever comes and update your career-related material to be prepared. Here are some other questions to consider:
1.) What will change for you good or bad if you are laid off in the next year?
2.) Are you prepared financially in the event that you take a pay cut or prices go up (as they have already)?
3.) Are you able to make changes to your life that will better your position financially - cancel a family cell phone, cut back on movie channels on cable, hold off on big purchases?
4.) What are you doing differently in light of all the changes of 2009 to make it a good year?
5.) How do you see your industry being impacted with a downturn in the economy?
We are all hoping for “Change We Can Believe In,” but is it realistic? What are your thoughts? How do you see your life in the next year?
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Sexually harassed while working for the law?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Working at the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office is like “Sodom and Gomorrah”? That’s how one former employee described her last years working for the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.
The Fulton County Sheriff’s office is facing an $8 million sexual harassment lawsuit filed by four women who worked in the department under former Fulton Sheriff Myron Freeman. The allegations include charges of both verbal and physical harassment and Freeman and several officers are named in the lawsuit.
If you have worked in the field of law enforcement, do you think sexual harassment is more common there than in other government agencies? If you are a female job seeker, would you consider a career in law enforcement despite the challenge of working in a male-dominated environment?
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Men: Do not apply here
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
That wasn’t what she said, but that is how I felt and perception equals reality.
I have been out on the job market looking for that second part-time (or even full-time) job lately to supplement my consulting practice and I have a lot of empathy for anyone who is seeking a position in today’s market.
This is the first of several of my experiences that I will share with you.
About a month ago I made a visit to a staffing agency located in Smyrna. The receptionist asked, “May I help you?” I said, “Someone gave me your card and I am seeking a temporary position.” She replied, we only have clerical/administrative positions available. I said, “That is fine, I can do administrative work.”
Her intentions may not have meant to imply that, we would never hire a male, however, that was my perception based on her tone of voice and a look that I took to be of annoyance. In my opinion, she was not very welcoming and my feeling was, men don’t get hired for administrative positions.
She finally said, “You will need to send us your resume via email,” and then handed me a card with an email address on it. I said, “I have a resume right here, can I give you a copy now and send you a copy via email?” Reluctantly, she said yes. As I turned to go to the door, I saw a wall file with applications in it and asked, “May I complete an application while I am here?” With some hesitation, she finally said yes.
After completing the application, I handed it to her, with my resume and she acknowledged without looking up.
I assume that my resume (paper and electronic) and application were placed in the never call back stack or maybe even tossed in the trash.
I felt pretty small when I left and assumed there was no chance of getting called back and I haven’t.
We know that women have been discriminated against for certain positions.
Are there any male job seekers out there who feel they were not interviewed or not hired because they were a man?
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What are the hottest jobs for 2009?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
U.S. News & World Report recently released their list of the 30 Best Careers for 2009, their survey of jobs they consider to have the “best outlook in this recessionary economy (and beyond), the highest rates of job satisfaction, the least difficult training necessary, the most prestige, and the highest pay.” Careers as diverse as engineering to nursing and the clergy made the list. Nursing in particular is facing a hiring shortage crisis nationwide.
You can see ten of these hot careers profiled with a local angle by visiting the top jobs for 2009 photo gallery on ajcjobs.
So what do you think about this list? Did your profession make the cut? Which jobs do you think will be the hottest in 2009?
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Do you belong to professional associations?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This week’s ajcjobs cover story discusses how industry networks can be valuable assets when job searching. The key, according to experts, is to become involved in professional organizations in your own industry while you are still employed. This way, you can build up valuable contacts and resources that can be tapped into if you do find yourself looking for employment in the future.
Below are just a select few of the many industry associations in Atlanta and online business networking organizations:
SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) - Atlanta
AMA (American Marketing Association) - Atlanta Chapter
Public Relations Society of America - Georgia Chapter
Job Seekers - Cobb Co. Chapter
About.com Guide to Job Searching: Best Social Network Sites for Job Searching
Do you belong to professional associations in your industry? Are they helpful when it comes to job searching?
