It is so impossibly ridiculous to try and put down 30 years worth of work and life experience on one sheet of paper. But that seems to be the format everyone wants it in. Just think, people only have 2 minutes to spare to sum up your potential as an employee. I almost feel like typing in big letters. “Listen, set an appointment and let’s talk face to face, then you can make up your mind about me. Here’s my number. Thanks, have a nice day!
But no, what we get is what Joe Friday wanted, “Just the facts mam.”
Humpf…. What ever happened to the personnel department? Used to be you got to see a real person. That’s how I got one of my favorite jobs.
I had been working in a factory that made electrical wiring assemblies for the dashboards of cars for four days. I thought I was going to die. It was the most de-humanizing work I have ever done. I personally, hardly spoke a word I was so much in shock at the noise and crudity everywhere. I heard never before known swear words every day. On the 5th day I called in sick and went job hunting. I went to a catholic hospital to apply for a job. I filled out some forms and then I got a private interview with a rather imposing looking nun. I had never been in the same room with a nun in all of my 18 years. We went over my application a little bit and then in a sort of gentle and motherly way, which was at odds with my first impression of her, asked me why I thought I wanted to work at Good Samaritan Hospital. The grim reality of the factory loomed over me, and I, usually timid and oh so introverted, leaned toward her sitting on the edge of my hard backed chair said, “Because I think I can do something BETTER than work at Essex Wire Factory.”
She hired me on the spot.
I came to work the following Monday and began a two week nurse’s aide training course and got assigned to work in the psychiatric ward. Where I belonged !!! Hee hee !
But the thing is, I got the job, because I saw and talked to a human being. I was not just a piece of paper. Sigh.
But I will plug along and do this job thing the way they want until I finally do get to see a real person.
Maybe when I do, rather than just leaning over their desk, I will STAND on it or something.
Or maybe not. . .