A Case Of The Mondays: Vent Your Work Spleen Here

[emma675]

Job searching is a job in and of itself. I'm coming off of a break from last year and starting to look again myself (I have a phone interview next week). In late 2022, I was passed over for one job, I turned another one down (we couldn't come to terms on salary and they kept trying to lowball me), and another one ghosted me after three rounds of interviews. I was so worn out, I just stopped looking for a while. Now, I'm starting up again but I'm not going at it as hard as I did before. I'm lucky to have a job while I search so I don't feel the pressure to find something immediately and I don't want to stress myself out so much again. 

[magicdog]

5 hours ago, Cloud9Shopper said:

I didn’t get the job. It’s really frustrating to go through two interviews and feel like you’re close only to have the rug pulled out and someone else to be picked. 

So sorry!  I can tell you stories about getting jerked around for a job only to not even get a phone call!  Recently I put in for a position I was qualified for (and would have paid great money!) and would have been an awesome opportunity from the local PD.  I get a glowing letter of rejection telling me how great my credentials were but they decided to go with another candidate!

When I worked at a major casino on The Strip back in the 90s, they promised all kinds of opportunities to move laterally within the organization.  I interviewed in the marketing department (was my major) and got TWO interviews THAT DAY they seemed so impressed with me!  I thought I was finally going places!  Then a few weeks went by and... nothing.  I called the office and they tell me they decided to change the job requirements and get a legal  secretary instead of the position I was interviewing for.  Didn't have the decency to tell me.  

Unfortunately, this is what it has come to, people having the freedom to screw with people and have fun doing it.  That's why I'm planning to work for myself.  I've had enough.   

[Bastet]

@Cloud9Shopper I'm sorry to hear you didn't get the job.  I'd take some time to be bummed about that, but when you're ready to apply for the next one, just concentrate on the fact you got that far in the process in a competitive field in which you are only at the trying to break into point.  That is an accomplishment, and a sign you're on the right track.  Keep at it.

[bilgistic]

9 hours ago, Cloud9Shopper said:

I didn’t get the job. It’s really frustrating to go through two interviews and feel like you’re close only to have the rug pulled out and someone else to be picked. 

To feel like someone’s rubbing my face in it,I had a team meeting the other day where my boss’s boss shoved a bunch of fake positivity on us like “having a growth mindset” and “being your best self at the computer everyday” and “taking ownership of your attitude.” Yep the magical “just be happy!!!!” is all it takes. I am all for hard work but I hate when people act like “you just need a growth mindset!” is the magic bullet point to everything. Well I like to think I brought my best self to my Zoom interview, Janet, but it clearly wasn’t good enough. 

I'm sorry about the job.

And these toxic positivity folks can shove it up their ass.

[Cloud9Shopper]

I’m still disappointed over the rejection but I did apply to three jobs yesterday so here’s hoping I can find an opportunity to interview elsewhere soon.

I’m in need of some advice and don’t feel like asking Reddit because I feel like the majority of Redditors really don’t give good career advice, and I’m not writing Ask a Manager because her blog is so bad now. But I’ve been at Current Company almost three years and I did go to school in the first place part because I liked the company enough to advance there and this was before they changed leadership and started the toxic positivity stuff. Anyway, I am at the point where I will be done with school this year as long as I stay on track but I don’t want to wait much longer to see if my company will promote me. I don’t want to finish school only for them to still keep me in the same role I am trying to get out of.

Is there any way that you’d suggest a firm but professional conversation with my boss that basically says “If a promotion isn’t in the cards I will be looking elsewhere.”? Do I remind him that I’m making progress in school and doing well and have shared my work with the team, mention when I’ll be done, etc.? I have never been disciplined at work and have good reviews of what I do now, if it helps. At almost three years in, I want a promotion by the end of the year at the latest because my goal is to be an instructional designer by the end of 2022. (I made that goal accounting for an external job search as well as keeping on my current job.) I’m not going to finish school and then wait another year or two for a promotion.

What should I say here? I don’t have a lot of hope, as they are slow and resistant to even let me try smaller and new tasks even though my boss knows my solid track record. But I want to try one last conversation before I do call it quits. 

[theredhead77]

@Cloud9ShopperDo not tell them you are looking. That is the #1 way to get on the "layoff list", regardless of your performance. They have shown you who they are already, believe them. When you give notice for a new opportunity remember how they treated you this entire time. If they counter, turn it down. Their promises probably won't come through and they know you already looked once, you'll do it again, so you'll again be at the top of that "layoff list'.

[magicdog]

5 hours ago, Cloud9Shopper said:

Is there any way that you’d suggest a firm but professional conversation with my boss that basically says “If a promotion isn’t in the cards I will be looking elsewhere.”? Do I remind him that I’m making progress in school and doing well and have shared my work with the team, mention when I’ll be done, etc.?

Definitely not!  Never suggest you're going to leave them unless they do X.  Keep looking for better opportunities and hope for the best but it seems obvious these guys aren't going to offer anything to you.  Keep quiet until you are ready to leave.  

[supposebly]

I agree with the two posts above mine, @Cloud9Shopper. There is NO upside in telling you're looking elsewhere. All you will find is that you might get fired before you find something better.

 

[emma675]

Fourth-ed. Never, ever let your current employer know you're looking. You've also stated that you're bored and they never give you enough to do. Stating you're job hunting will more than likely cause them to give you even less work,  because why assign new projects to someone who could leave at any minute?

[Cloud9Shopper]

Thanks guys. I think I tend to question myself about what I’m doing “wrong” a lot and struggle to accept that while I could do some things better, that sometimes hiring and promotions and such don’t make a lot of sense at times and it’s not 100% my fault.

I will just quietly keep looking and not say anything, and I definitely won’t take a counter offer. 

[Blergh]

At least one position I applied for had someone call me when I was out doing a vital errand and couldn't immediately return the call but this person gave their number and urged me to leave a message with them. Well, I DID leave the message that I was interested in that position and would like to discuss it with that person   one hour after this person called, and once a day for the next five days. ..and this person NEVER called me back! Thankfully, I have an entirely new position at this time. Still, I wonder if the fact that I wasn't camped out by my phone waiting for THEIR original phone call to ring was their  justification for them never returning my calls? ARGGH!!

[bilgistic]

I have 1000 stories like that about recruiters.

I took another mental health day today. My boss is making me miserable, and I just couldn't face the 35-mile drive across the county today. I'm fucking exhausted and it's only Wednesday.

[magicdog]

I think I'm beginning to crack.

I went to bed at my usual time (1pm in the afternoon) and when I woke up, I saw 5:30 on the clock.  I freaked out thinking I was super late getting to work and called my supervisor.  He then told me it was OK, as it was 5:30 PM not AM!!  That is the first time I have totally confused wake up time in all these years!  At least my supervisor had a good laugh and promised not to tell anyone at the office about it.  

[KittyMom4]

On 2/2/2022 at 10:47 AM, Blergh said:

At least one position I applied for had someone call me when I was out doing a vital errand and couldn't immediately return the call but this person gave their number and urged me to leave a message with them. Well, I DID leave the message that I was interested in that position and would like to discuss it with that person   one hour after this person called, and once a day for the next five days. ..and this person NEVER called me back

my daughter applied for a job, a couple days later she got a text message stating that the HR person has attempted to reach her several times and hasn't heard back so she was assuming my daughter was no longer interested. My daughter called immediately, got the woman's voicemail and told her that this was the first time she'd heard anything from the company, no missed calls and no voicemails. The woman never returned her call. Thankfully she too found a different job but she still insists the lady was just making shit up.

It's winter where I am  so people are wearing coats, hats, scarves, boots, etc. My office has several closets and yet I will find these items slung over chairs and desks, and boots strewn next to them. Wth? Hang your shit up, I'm not your mom!

 

[Moose135]

1 hour ago, BexKeps said:

My office has several closets and yet I will find these items slung over chairs and desks, and boots strewn next to them. Wth?

One more benefit of full-time work-from-home...

[GHScorpiosRule]

1 hour ago, BexKeps said:

my daughter applied for a job, a couple days later she got a text message stating that the HR person has attempted to reach her several times and hasn't heard back so she was assuming my daughter was no longer interested. My daughter called immediately, got the woman's voicemail and told her that this was the first time she'd heard anything from the company, no missed calls and no voicemails. The woman never returned her call. Thankfully she too found a different job but she still insists the lady was just making shit up.

Reading this reminded me of how I almost didn't get my first real paralegal job over 20 years ago. I had interviewed with this firm that specialized in representing Native Americans and Pueblo Nations. All the interview went well. They wanted to hire me.

After interviewing with the partner, there was radio silence. 

When I reached out to the recruiter, she called the firm, and learned that the employee at the recruiting firm who originally put my name in to begin the interviewing process, had quit and started a new agency with someone else who had left and they wanted someone else to work there.

Well, when my recruiter called the firm and discovered this, HR from the firm said they really wanted me. Well, I told them it was a big YES from my end, so I got the job. 

As for those two TWATS? Suffice it to say their new agency didn't last very long.

I worked at this firm for five years and I loved it. Loved being able to go the main office in Albaqoirkee (Said in Bugs Bunny's voice!) and the other office in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

I left because I wanted to spread my wings and not be limited to working in just legislative law.

[SuprSuprElevated]

1 hour ago, BexKeps said:

Hang your shit up, I'm not your mom!

 

Same ones that always take the last cup of coffee, leave the burner on under the empty pot, and wouldn't dream of making another.  I once left a note, something to the effect that 'the coffee fairy was out sick, please make a pot if you take the last cup.'  I may or may not have been was reprimanded for it.

Edited February 3, 2022 by SuprSuprElevated

[JustHereForFood]

2 hours ago, BexKeps said:

It's winter where I am  so people are wearing coats, hats, scarves, boots, etc. My office has several closets and yet I will find these items slung over chairs and desks, and boots strewn next to them. Wth? Hang your shit up, I'm not your mom!

Is it perhaps snowing and they want them to dry? I would also prefer to keep my clothes near me, after a full day in the closet some things can get musty. Why do you assume they expect you to do something with them?

[KittyMom4]

1 hour ago, SuprSuprElevated said:

Same ones that always take the last cup of coffee, leave the burner on under the empty pot, and wouldn't dream of making another.  I once left a note, something to the effect that 'the coffee fairy was out sick, please make a pot if you take the last cup.'  I may or may not have been was reprimanded for it.

Hahahaha, good for you!! One time I left a note in our small kitchenette telling people that any dirty dishes left in the sink would be disposed of in the garbage bin at night. I was also spoken to, albeit, with a tone of "you're right but we can't do that." 

 

59 minutes ago, JustHereForFood said:

Is it perhaps snowing and they want them to dry? I would also prefer to keep my clothes near me, after a full day in the closet some things can get musty. Why do you assume they expect you to do something with them?

Unlikely since they usually wad up the coat to toss it on the desk (this is an empty cubicle that is next to my desk) or on the chair. The closet closest to me is huge so it would definitely dry out better if you hung it up. It's just rude, entitled people who can't be bothered.

Several years ago there was an asshole VP who would eat his lunch and then leave his dirty dishes on the empty desk. I would take them back to the cafe before I left. One day another VP (who was higher than asshole) saw the dirty dishes and asked me who left them there, I told him, he picked them up and walked them into asshole's office and slammed them on his desk. He didn't say a word. The asshole never did it again and was fired within a year for other asshole behavior.

[Bookish Jen]

Feeling extreme burn out at work. It's not so much the people I work with; it's the actual job.

[hoosier80]

Ok, this may be long, but I need to vent.

There is a quarterly process that I inherited, got the typical responses of oh you know about that and you’re better with computer stuff. So I get stuck with this horrendous job. It takes roughly 30 days to completion.

 The file sizes have grown to be ginormous, where I have had to think way outside of the box to get the job completed. I have begged for help, with nothing really done. Without one tech guy helping me, I would have been up a creek with no paddle.

Heard via the grapevine that there’s a project underway because someone has a bug up their ass about data being included. The basic job itself has been in existence since at least 2005. Now there’s a problem?

Of course,Ihave not been included. I did one part of this awful process to have the vendor tell me that oh it’s on hold due to project. Say what? 
 

Then a project manager comes back several emails later saying oh can’t they, the vendor, just send us multiple files? Uh I have to fetch those files, which takes hours as is. I kept to the facts, and was told my tone was too harsh. 
 

I broke down in tears, which isn’t unusual. I merely stated the facts. And an outside vendor is the one that gave me an update? I have every right to be pissed. I have babysat this process since at least 2016 or 2017, with it now taking hours and more intervention. I have logged in late at night when less people were online, upgraded my internet twice to accommodate the huge files, yet I am too harsh. If I could I would quit today.

 I even asked my friend before I sent the email if it was too harsh. Nope. You just stated the facts.

Now my boss, who is clueless, says she’s going to include me in the meetings. Why? I might state a fact and be out of line. I almost responded with well find someone else to handle this because I am done. I stopped because I still need the paycheck. I am certainly checking into an early retirement. Though it would be in 2 to 3 years, but maybe I could do it earlier.

Thanks for letting me vent. 
 

And I am not doing anything but the bare minimum from this point forward.

[magicdog]

I'm drowning in a whirlpool of stupid.

Just before I was getting ready to leave, my supervisor comes to see me and my partner saying that we should try keeping our edit bay doors open.  I asked why and he said it would keep things between us and the producers more open.  Instead of using instant messaging we should shout across the newsroom to ask for what we want.  I explained that makes no sense since they are on the other side of the newsroom and shouting to them for stuff would be ridiculous.  Then he admits the producers came to him claiming their fee fees were hurt.  When I asks how that was possible considering neither of us ever used insults or anything else disparaging (and since it's on the computer, it can be found easily), he said they can't distinguish tones.

Allow me to explain what kind of phrases my partner and I use:

"Story 4-222 doesn't have a source."

"Story 5-111 the rundown format says VO but script is formatted for a natvo, which one is it?"

"Story 6-123 the timecodes don't match script."

Never have I or any other editor I have ever worked with has ever said anything like:

"Hey jerkface, where did you learn to produce?  Camp Snoopy?"

"Are you sure you're working in the right place?  You act like you can't do sh*t! "

All we ever do is try to get to the answer of questions regarding the show due to their screwups or omissions.  It's an editing frenzy after a certain hour and we cannot get up from our desks and stroll over to their end of the room to ask questions - especially since they too are in a frenzy to stack and write!  I don't like shouting in a busy newsroom either due to it being distracting and we have recordings going on in there at various times (sometimes reporters are doing live updates on certain stories, and the daily Alexa news brief is recorded there at the news desk).  

I also prefer to stay in my bay because not only is communication quicker via IM, it keeps people from spying on me (door closed = soundproof room) something Bitcheroo forced me to do years ago.  What needs to be done is have a meeting with these snowflakes to explain why their ideas are not going to work or why they think we're being mean to them.  

What annoys me most is that I have invited every single producer and AP I met to come to my bay at anytime!  The minute I was introduced to a newbie I welcomed them with a smile and said they could knock on my door if they had any questions or concerns.  None of them ever showed up.  Worse still my partner told me one of the new producers has been talking rather condescendingly towards him and seems to like getting up on his high horse.  He's been gracious about it but I don't like this one way street.

 

[hoosier80]

And my idiot manager closed out an item that is not complete. We need a new code set up, which could have tax implications if not fixed. Nope, it was old, just close it! I may ask about it and throw in the old risk and compliance jargon; it will throw her into a tizzy because she has so little knowledge. 
 

Then this ditsy client exec submits stuff halfway done, wrong information, then wants an update. Then acts exasperated when you say well I need more information, simple stuff like address, name , etc. Clearly she thinks she’s above doing such pedestrian work. 
 

So over this week. My laptop hasn’t been working well and was told you’re the only one having problems. Such great support. As a friend said well the others don’t do much work. Some come in at 5 a.m., which there is zero need for that since 90% are 8 to 5 with a few at 6:30 a.m., and some are much later. It’s just so they can leave at 1 p.m. or earlier. Then there’s one who has to pick up kids, 1 hour plus round trip (not counting doctor visits etc). Me? I am in front of the laptop (when it works) up to 9, 10 hours a day. Thank goodness we’re still WFH. 
 

I researched earlier today, and it is possible I could retire in about 18 months or so. Gives me a goal. Just going to be Miss Merry Freaking Sunshine until then, and hopefully I can do a surprise, I am retiring in 2 weeks! 

[chocolatine]

On 1/30/2022 at 4:54 AM, Cloud9Shopper said:

Is there any way that you’d suggest a firm but professional conversation with my boss that basically says “If a promotion isn’t in the cards I will be looking elsewhere.”?

This has already been answered by several people, I just want to add that the only situation in which this kind of threat *may* work is if you have a competing job offer. And even then, you should always be prepared to hear "we're sorry to see you go, but wish you all the best in your next role."

11 hours ago, hoosier80 said:

There is a quarterly process that I inherited, got the typical responses of oh you know about that and you’re better with computer stuff.

[...]

I have babysat this process since at least 2016 or 2017, with it now taking hours and more intervention.

Not to be insensitive to your frustration, but this sounds like a process that can and should be automated. We live in the age of big data, so if file size is an issue, your company needs to upgrade its technology instead of spending increasingly more person-hours on a manual process.

Edited February 5, 2022 by chocolatine

[Cloud9Shopper]

I think I need to take a break from my job search. Since my rejection two weeks ago, I haven’t gotten any other interviews and I guess maybe part of the problem is my resume so I’m going to try to redo it. (And even with resumes, what one person suggests might be totally different from what someone else recommends.) I also need to get a portfolio website, because even though I have samples on my LinkedIn, that doesn’t seem to be enough. 

I am also tired of LinkedIn. The quality of posts seems more like Facebook now. People posting their wedding photos and that they had babies, or saying they broke down sobbing in a meeting. I have cried during work from home too, but never on camera with my boss and I certainly didn’t post about it on LinkedIn. Plus I end up comparing myself against seemingly everyone who is getting a great job with their dream company. 

One thing I hate about resumes is that every advice giver tells you your resume has to be quantified and you need as many numbers on it as possible but in the job I do, I don’t really have those kinds of outcomes. I edit or proofread a course, send it to next steps, it gets launched and I almost never hear about it again. I’d imagine people who are higher up the ladder than me are the ones who know stuff like learning outcomes. I don’t handle our corporate partnerships so I can’t say I have a role in that and partnered with X number of companies. I’m not in a sales department  so obviously can’t say I increased sales by Y, and I never hear anything like our team is now 30% more efficient at (tasks). But the people who reviewed my resume ignore me when I say that and just say well you need numbers. There’s no understanding that not every job is like that and I got in at the last three jobs I had without this obsession with making every line on my resume look like I cured cancer. I feel like if I just started asking for these numbers at work it would look strange unless I had a project specific reason to need them. 

Edited February 5, 2022 by Cloud9Shopper

[bilgistic]

LinkedIn is Facebook for the corporate world. I've never made any real connections on it. The comments section on any post/article is a dumpster fire. I've had job applications want my profile, which is literally my resume. I'm fairly sure they just want my picture, which seems like thinly veiled discrimination.

I have a portfolio website on WordPress (templated because I am a novice website designer, to say the least), but it's pretty old now. The work I produced at my last job is copywritten, so I can't post it. I show the physical samples in an interview. I have potential employers ask for my portfolio now and then, so I think it's a valuable endeavor to have/create a portfolio website.

[chocolatine]

5 hours ago, Cloud9Shopper said:

One thing I hate about resumes is that every advice giver tells you your resume has to be quantified and you need as many numbers on it as possible but in the job I do, I don’t really have those kinds of outcomes. I edit or proofread a course, send it to next steps, it gets launched and I almost never hear about it again. I’d imagine people who are higher up the ladder than me are the ones who know stuff like learning outcomes. I don’t handle our corporate partnerships so I can’t say I have a role in that and partnered with X number of companies. I’m not in a sales department  so obviously can’t say I increased sales by Y, and I never hear anything like our team is now 30% more efficient at (tasks). But the people who reviewed my resume ignore me when I say that and just say well you need numbers. There’s no understanding that not every job is like that and I got in at the last three jobs I had without this obsession with making every line on my resume look like I cured cancer. I feel like if I just started asking for these numbers at work it would look strange unless I had a project specific reason to need them. 

You could say something like "Edited/proofread X courses in A, B, and C subjects for P, Q, and R grade levels." It's important that your resume provides details of your skills and experience, but they don't have to be numbers. In tech, we're more interested in certain keywords such as programming languages or technologies in which a candidate is proficient. In my 10 years as a hiring manager, I've never seen a resume bullet point saying "wrote X lines of code" nor would I be impressed if I saw something like that.

And, as long as you don't suddenly start bombarding people with questions, there's nothing wrong with saying something to the effect of "I've edited so many courses now, but never get to hear how successful they are after launch. I'm curious, do we have post-launch success metrics for our courses, and if so, where can I find them?" If you're lucky there's a database table/dashboard/spreadsheet where those numbers are being tracked, and you can ask for read access.

3 hours ago, bilgistic said:

LinkedIn is Facebook for the corporate world. I've never made any real connections on it. The comments section on any post/article is a dumpster fire. I've had job applications want my profile, which is literally my resume. I'm fairly sure they just want my picture, which seems like thinly veiled discrimination.

My biggest pet peeve with LinkedIn is so-called "thought leaders" or "top voices" posting feel-good platitudes and getting orders of magnitude more likes and comments than anyone who posts a piece of factual, interesting information.

Edited February 5, 2022 by chocolatine

[emma675]

I used to work with and am still connected with a woman who uses LinkedIn like Twitter or Facebook. She's constantly checking in before work trips, posting pics of the different hotels and offices she travels to for work, and posting platitudes (like "work hard, play harder" crap). I use LinkedIn for job searching and listing my work resume/accomplishments and that's it. I hardly ever go into my LinkedIn feed now, it's like a Twitter feed at this point.

[Bastet]

5 hours ago, bilgistic said:

LinkedIn is Facebook for the corporate world.

Yep, which is why I don't use it.

[GHScorpiosRule]

This is weird. I don’t see any of this in my Linked In page. Just articles and trends of what is going on in my field. Possibly because that’s how it’s in my settings?

I do get the occasional “offer” to re-enroll in the premium account which is obscenely expensive and I just delete those.

When I was searching, and after getting the runaround with temp agencies, I just went on my own and did a lot of applying through indeed.com and also through colleagues I’d met through my paralegal association. 

Though I don’t know if your field has associations as it’s such a specialized field?

When I got my job, it was through indeed, and people here can attest to my frustration at getting so close, but then being passed over, to my elation when I got the offer. And then my getting panicked and metaphorically biting my nails during the conflicts check, thinking the offer would be rescinded. Everyone here kept me calm.

And when they gave me my start date and offer letter and links to job onboarding, I “yelled” my happiness here.

This was two and a half years of looking, applying, applying, applying while being unemployed. So I TOTALLY understand your feeling discouraged and burned out, @Cloud9Shopper. I’ve been there.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, after a break, try expanding your search with different resources and not limit yourself to just Linked In.

Edited February 6, 2022 by GHScorpiosRule

[Moose135]

LinkedIn is what you make of it. I rarely look at the news feed, so I don’t see some of those ridiculous posts. I use it to connect with people, check out companies, and look at job listings.

Two years ago, while out of work, I landed a contract position because a recruiter  saw my LI profile and contacted me. Last September as my contract was getting short, I saw a job post on LI and applied. After a few rounds of interviews, they made an offer which I accepted. Started in December, mid-level analytics manager role, good company, great benefits, comp right in the range I was looking for, and fully remote. I never would have gotten that job if I hadn’t seen it on LI  

During that time, I had interviews for half a dozen other positions I saw on LI. Like anything, it is a tool to use for your benefit. 

Edited February 6, 2022 by Moose135

[theredhead77]

13 hours ago, Moose135 said:

I saw a job post on LI and applied. After a few rounds of interviews, they made an offer which I accepted. Started in December, mid-level analytics manager role, good company, great benefits, comp right in the range I was looking for, and fully remote. I never would have gotten that job if I hadn’t seen it on LI  

Are you hiring? ;) 

I use LI the same way Moose does. None of my contacts treat it like FB. I use it to job hunt.

Edited February 6, 2022 by theredhead77

[Bookish Jen]

I have a co-worker who keeps calling me by the wrong name.

[chocolatine]

2 hours ago, Bookish Jen said:

I have a co-worker who keeps calling me by the wrong name.

Don't answer them until they start calling you by the correct name.

[magicdog]

5 hours ago, Bookish Jen said:

I have a co-worker who keeps calling me by the wrong name.

Maybe you could wear a "Hello, my name is..." tag until they get the message.

[SuprSuprElevated]

5 hours ago, Bookish Jen said:

I have a co-worker who keeps calling me by the wrong name.

Return the favor by calling her the wrong name, then when (if) she finally gets yours right, correct her back to the name she was calling you lol. 

Follow me for more gaslighting advice.

Edited February 8, 2022 by SuprSuprElevated

[bilgistic]

We got a new printer/scanner/copier in the office on Tuesday. Why? I don't know. The "old" one was pretty fancy and didn't seem old, but what do I know. The new one is a newer version of the same brand/model, and has an almost identical interface.

Literally the only thing I had to do to connect the printer to my computer was open my printer settings, scan for new printers, and click to add it. Couldn't be easier.

Well, yesterday, when I was working from home, the CFO--the same man who had a plate "made for him" by the office manager during the "virtual holiday party"--couldn't figure out how to add the printer. So he messaged the whole office team--both at home and in-office--to ask how to do it. The office manager told him how, so I assumed she wasn't in the office or she would be by his side. He couldn't figure it out and got more and more pissed. He then said, "Please fix this now." The office manager, to her credit, told him to call tech support.

I can't stop thinking about this well-off, ~60-year-old white man who has never had a problem more vexing than not being able to add a printer to his computer, and showing his ass as a result. He also leaves his dirty dishes in the sink when the dishwasher is literally right beside the sink.

Imagine if I didn't know how to add a printer to my computer. Imagine if I didn't know how to do (or immediately figure out) fucking everything.

Edited February 11, 2022 by bilgistic

[emma675]

Y'all. I got a LinkedIn message from a recruiter at a company I interviewed with last year and never heard back from. I did three rounds of interviews and then it was like they just ghosted me. The message today was asking me if I was interested in applying for the exact same position I had interviewed for last year. I'm trying to decide if I want to laugh, shake my head in disgust, or get angry. I haven't decided yet how I'm going to respond to his message. I want to be polite and gracious but also somehow point out how disorganized his organization is and how little they seem to value candidates. 

[Bookish Jen]

I keep noticing one local company advertising for a copywriter position. They must do this every six months. I have a feeling they have a high turnover.

[chocolatine]

14 hours ago, emma675 said:

Y'all. I got a LinkedIn message from a recruiter at a company I interviewed with last year and never heard back from. I did three rounds of interviews and then it was like they just ghosted me. The message today was asking me if I was interested in applying for the exact same position I had interviewed for last year. I'm trying to decide if I want to laugh, shake my head in disgust, or get angry. I haven't decided yet how I'm going to respond to his message. I want to be polite and gracious but also somehow point out how disorganized his organization is and how little they seem to value candidates. 

If I were you, I'd respond politely but honestly:

Quote

 

Hi [recruiter's name],

Thank you for reaching out. As a matter of fact, I already interviewed for this position last year. After putting in a lot of time and energy to go through three rounds of interviews, it was disappointing that [company] never got back to me with a decision. I'm sure you understand that, after being treated this way, I have no interest in interviewing with [company] again.

Best,

[your name]

 

 

[theredhead77]

14 hours ago, emma675 said:

Y'all. I got a LinkedIn message from a recruiter at a company I interviewed with last year and never heard back from. I did three rounds of interviews and then it was like they just ghosted me. The message today was asking me if I was interested in applying for the exact same position I had interviewed for last year. I'm trying to decide if I want to laugh, shake my head in disgust, or get angry. I haven't decided yet how I'm going to respond to his message. I want to be polite and gracious but also somehow point out how disorganized his organization is and how little they seem to value candidates. 

I'd probably respond that you interviews for that position last year with [insert names] and never heard back after round 3. Ask if there have been organization changes and why the position is open now.

[Maisiesmom]

Hello! I totally agree with everyone-I think we are all suffering from Covid fatigue. I know I am and the folks that are in my line of work are too. I work for a company that does simple cremations. The last couple years have been pretty crazy. Luckily we can do most of our business by e-mail, phone or fax so we don't have to expose ourselves to sick folks. My biggest beef is two-fold. 1. When calling us on the phone to get prices or to ask general questions, or to inform us of a death, PLEASE do NOT have the phone too close to your mouth. I can't understand what you are saying! It sounds like the Charlie Brown teacher Waa WAA WAA. And then I feel stupid having to ask you to repeat yourself. I try to speak as clearly as possible so you can understand me. 2. If you are on the phone, PLEASE have any screaming, crying, whining children away from you (this has happened 3 times already today) put them in another room or make them hush. I can't hear you over their noise and the  screams go right in my brain. Once again, I can't understand what you are saying. Sigh. Thank God my hubs understands that when I get home I don't want to talk for a bit. Anyway, rant over-thanks for letting me vent.

[magicdog]

9 minutes ago, Maisiesmom said:

PLEASE do NOT have the phone too close to your mouth. I can't understand what you are saying!

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if at least some of these people were wearing masks at the time of the call!  

[emma675]

@chocolatine and @theredhead77 that's exactly what I wrote back. Knowing my previous experience, I probably won't hear anything back until they email me again in 3 months asking if I'd like to apply to the position again. 🤣

[bilgistic]

19 hours ago, emma675 said:

Y'all. I got a LinkedIn message from a recruiter at a company I interviewed with last year and never heard back from. I did three rounds of interviews and then it was like they just ghosted me. The message today was asking me if I was interested in applying for the exact same position I had interviewed for last year. I'm trying to decide if I want to laugh, shake my head in disgust, or get angry. I haven't decided yet how I'm going to respond to his message. I want to be polite and gracious but also somehow point out how disorganized his organization is and how little they seem to value candidates. 

This may be my work paranoia speaking, but I see a huge red flag in them asking you to interview again for a position you interviewed for last year. There's something going on with that position, and it's not good. They can't keep it filled for a reason. Them ghosting you after three interviews is symptomatic of whatever is going on. They're inconsiderate at the very least, and you're nicer than I am to have responded to them.

[Calvada]

My nephew had 3 interviews for a job recently - 2 via Zoom and then the 3rd was in person.  He got an email giving him administrative details on the things with a new job - filling out a W4 etc.  - a full week before they officially offered him the job.  

The vast majority of people in my office cannot figure out how to add a printer.  It seems that the higher one's income is, the less likely one is able to figure out this simple task.  We had one person who moved into a conference room on a different floor to work on a particular project and he had to have IT add a printer on the new floor because he couldn't figure out how to do it.  After the completion of the project he moved back up to his office and continue to print everything to the printer adjacent to the conference room.  He called IT complaining because the printer outside his office "wasn't working" and of course it was because the default was set to the printer on the other floor and he never noticed.  He apparently thought his computer would realize he was back on the 9th floor and automatically select a 9th floor printer.  

[bilgistic]

Pathetic.

[chocolatine]

Believe it or not, some people think it's a power move to not do simple things like setting up a printer themselves. They consider it a menial task not worth their time, and having an underling do it for them reinforces (if only in their own mind) their position in the company food chain.

[SuprSuprElevated]

I'm a natural born devil's advocate (some would say just argumentative, lol). 

I can envision a higher up who never learned what are to most computer basics, and due to the fact that they've had administrative assistants, never had to learn.

Also, I've been backing into my garag for the 25 years we've owned this home, and occasionally I will back into parking spots if they are in such a place that would be dangerous or difficlt to see when backing out.  I too have a rear camera, but it's just not a natural thing (for me) to watch that camera.  

We're all in such a hurry.

[ginger90]

2 minutes ago, SuprSuprElevated said:

Also, I've been backing into my garag for the 25 years we've owned this home, and occasionally I will back into parking spots if they are in such a place that would be dangerous or difficlt to see when backing out.  I too have a rear camera, but it's just not a natural thing (for me) to watch that camera.  

Agree wholeheartedly!