Musings on a competitive search for a shitty job

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by WVU alpha phi

I disagree on talking about your family when asked "tell me about yourself." It would raise a red flag for me. There's nothing wrong with being a mom, but I've found that parents (especially single parents, a lot work here) use their kids as an excuse for being late or calling out, and that doesn't cut it where I work.

That has everything to do with supervision and not a lot to do with selection.

[Little32]

I have always heard that talking about family is a no-no in interviews (in fact, legally, I don't think that an employer can ask you those questions). In my field particularly, if you are hired, the institution often will have to find a position for a partner as well (if they are in the field). So talking about family can make the difference between getting the job and not getting the job, because sometimes the candidate that doesn't necessitate additional financial investment is the more attractive one.

It probably varies depending on the sort of position.

[tld221]

Originally Posted by jojapeach

How do you not show up for an interview? I know I've actually called and cancelled after taking another position, but that's just not professional. Am I wrong for thinking you can go on an interview for a position you truly don't want just so you can bone up your interview skills?

Of course not soror! One of my prophytes always tells me, "an interview is just that--you should be looking at them as much as they are looking at you. they ask questions, you ask questions. you should impress them but they should impress you too."

that actually helps - i always go in prepared to "interview" the interviewer, but not too much because i know folks feel some kind of way. We just phone itnerviewed a candidate here today and my co-worker was against her for "asking too many questions."

Originally Posted by jojapeach

I wonder if the candidates were indeed Greek but learned to not list their orgs because it could be held against them. I would list it for an education position because schools are full of Greeks but probably not for a job I found online where I have no contacts. To this day, I compromised and just listed "community service organization", my years and involvement.

Originally Posted by WVU alpha phi

I love when people have Greek affiliations on their resume. It's never helped me get a job but I still keep it on mine, and I prefer to hire Greeks over non-Greeks.

I'm still working my way around this one. I take it off when I send resumes to agencies, and selectively include it depending on the organization. My current organization is based on community service and works with a lot of universities so it's definitely appropriate.

If it came down between me and someone else for a position, i hope my letters would put me over the edge, along with my good looks and charm.

[WVU alpha phi]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

That has everything to do with supervision and not a lot to do with selection.

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by that. As in, it's up to their boss to enforce that they are on time? That's true. However, I hire people who use a points-based attendance system, and being late results in 1/4 point, unplanned absence is 1 point, etc. Regardless of the reason for the lateness, you are given an attendance point. It's been my experience that people with children are the quickest to be terminated because our policy is so strict on tardies and absences.

A few years ago in a different job I worked with two new mothers. One was on time most of the time, and the other usually strolled in around noon (3 1/2 hours late), blaming her lateness on the baby. As far as I'm concerned, this did not seem to be a big deal to either of their bosses. I guess it all depends on the work environment.