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08/07/2003 Archived Entry: "CNN on job-hunting: Lower your standards, act dumb."
CNN on job-hunting: Lower your standards, act dumb.
In case you don't watch CNN, they've been running a series all week called 'Jobs Wanted.' The over-riding message that all of their 'experts' have been repeating all week is this: if you're looking for a job, do not stress how many years of experience you've had or any high-level college degrees you may have earned. A woman who appeared on Monday actually advised that if you're looking for a job, limit your search to one company and one position.
Now, I'm not looking for employment - I've been fortunate enough to find something I enjoy doing, and between return business and referrals, I've been able to work pretty steadily for the past few years (editor furiously knocks wood). But I've been in the position of looking for a job many times over the years, and I'm a bit concerned by the message that's being sent here.
First, I've always been told that a college degree is a particular personal achievement that one should be proud of. A Bachelor's or Master's degree indicates a level of self-discipline and hard work that raises the degree holder above the average person - or at least it used to. Is CNN now telling us that those who hold degrees should minimize that accomplishment, simply because an employer may see it as an indication that the potential employee may ask for too much money?
And the 'one job, one company' angle is a bit perverse as well. While the woman who put the theory forth sees it as a matter of 'focus,' I have to disagree. Everyone, no matter their field of expertise, posesses a certain amount of flexibility as to how their expertise can be applied, and this flexibility would be of value to a number of potential employers. Not to mention the fact that if a job-hunter 'focuses' on one company and one position - and the process ends up taking 2 to 3 weeks - how many other positions where the applicant would qualify would be filled in that time?
CNN is obviously running this series because they're aware of the new jobless numbers that have been piling up like cord wood since Bush took office, and they see a lot of potential viewers there. But if the best advice they can offer is for people to play dumb, not look too hard and not even ask for fair compensation for their skills, maybe they'd just be better off filling the segment with more Kobe Bryant coverage.
Replies: 3 people speak up
I caught about 20 seconds of that on CNN this morning, and that was enough for me to figure out that most of it was rubbish.
I have been looking for a job for almost 9 months now. From my personal experience, I can back up one part of what they're saying, though. I don't buy into the only applying for one position thing, however. After a complete lack of success in doing that initially when the situation was yet dire, I widened my search to other positions where I felt my experience could be brought to bear. Then I widened it further. Then even moreso. Then I even started applying at coffee shops, supermarkets, $8-9/hour stuff just to get something.
I was a manager in trucking previously, and since the economy's in the tank, obviously that sector would be hurting since people are buying less. When my search started getting further and further away from that into lesser paying and lesser skill-specific areas, I believe that experience has been hurting me, as I believe these potential employers think I won't stick around for more than a few weeks until I find the good money again. And what pisses me off even more is that 99% of'em don't even call me to talk to me, to find out maybe I might have a sense of loyalty, maybe I'd rather not return to my previous field, maybe I'd rather work close to home instead of driving 20-30 miles one way in L.A. traffic again.
So, I have to say, damned if you do, and damned if you don't in George Bush's world.
Posted by Spade Hammer @ 08/07/2003 02:23 PM NY
are they actually reporting on something other than the arnuld? from laci to kobe to arnuld in no time flat.
ot- heard on wwrl here in nyc that the dems have agreed to two debates on faux news in association with the congressional black caucus. inquiring minds want to know why the cbc picked faux.
Posted by jeff @ 08/07/2003 03:53 PM NY
YEEEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!
Words cannot adequately describe how much this thread infuriated me. My temples are throbbing!
Spade, 9 months? I've got ya beat by 9 additional months. I know, I know, I've bitched about my friggin' useless MBA in Finance before (magna cum laude, no less). That diploma and 2 bucks get you on the subway (or bus).
So CNN suggests that you dumb yourself down? I say, screw you, pal! Since I've been working for the last quarter century, I think I possess a modicum of expertise on job hunting. NEVER, I repeat, NEVER, sell yourself short. You should broaden your search to different industries as much as possible and keep all your options open.
CNN doesn't have a goddamned clue! Damn, I wish I had my iron pipe. There are some mediawhore kneecaps that need some serious busting-up.
Posted by Metropolitan99 @ 08/07/2003 05:10 PM NY
