# A pitting of stupid job applicants. The economy is in the toilet - quit being so dumb. (lame) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 3, 2011, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180 "2011-06-03T10:19:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![BlinkingDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180/142 "2011-06-07T19:57:30Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > Of course, none of those words were in the ad and two of the people being interviewed are men. Of course, of the 150 applicants only about 8 of them were men, so yah, when the ad was being written it was with a woman in mind just because we knew more than 90% of the applicants would likely be women - doesn’t mean that a man won’t get hired though. Yes it does. You are not fooling anyone except maybe yourself. The person you hire will be female and either very young or older. Discrimination is alive and well. I have been a hiring manager for many years. Dealing with trash is just what you have to do. I was amazed, and still am today, at the trash people send to me. Many of these are even people with Masters and Ph.D’s! ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180/143 "2011-06-07T20:26:09Z")
So what you’re saying is that female admins get $500 to spend on tampons and Victoria Secret underwear, and the male admins get treated to a steak dinner and a monster truck rally. Do I have that right? ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180/144 "2011-06-07T20:48:35Z")
People in the UK on unemployment benefits have to send out a certain number of applications per week, which sometimes leads to them applying for jobs they’re completely unsuitable for and not trying very hard because they know they have no chance even if they do. If Canada has anything similar, that might explain some of the applications. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180/145 "2011-06-07T21:19:19Z")
> [@Turek](#): > > Wait, there’s a flexible spending account AND a merkin allowance? Yeah, you’d think the merkin allowance would fall under the spending account for clothing. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180/146 "2011-06-07T21:26:33Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > People in the UK on unemployment benefits have to send out a certain number of applications per week, which sometimes leads to them applying for jobs they’re completely unsuitable for and not trying very hard because they know they have no chance even if they do. If Canada has anything similar, that might explain some of the applications. Same deal in the U.S. too, for anyone else wondering WTF is up with all these random job applications they receive. They’re applying so they can go “See! I applied to all these jobs today!” on their little form. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180/147 "2011-06-08T02:45:08Z")
> [@BlinkingDuck](#): > > Yes it does. You are not fooling anyone except maybe yourself. The person you hire will be female and either very young or older. > > Discrimination is alive and well.\ I’m not sure what to do with this - yeah, it is, but I don’t think in the way you meant. At my husband’s employee-owned construction management company, there is an XX chromosome ceiling there that is glaringly obvious from the outside (all upper management are male; most of the good paying, good share option positions are male; the administrative positions have a pittance for share options and salaries compared to the male positions; females even with the training and credentials won’t be given the same opportunities as guys, etc.). Yeah, there are 100 female administrative professionals for every one male one, but that’s not because people won’t hire guys - it’s because there aren’t a lot of guys applying. I’ve worked with a lot of administrative and accounting people, and there are a lot of guys in those fields, too (my last job was about 50/50 male/female), but to this date, the supervisors and managers are still usually men. Some of the discrimination is kind of self-brought-on (with childrearing and husbands’ careers getting in the way of climbing corporate ladders), but not all of it. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Presidente](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c2a13f/32.png) [@El\_Presidente](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Presidente)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180/148 "2011-06-09T05:42:04Z")
150 resumes? Yeah, I guess the unemployed are that way because they are lazy. God forbid all these people should waste your so-called valuable time because they need money and are willing to work hard for it, want to feed their families, start their careers, or better themselves financially with your low paying crappy Secretary Hump position. **alice** as a younger man I have had hundreds of resumes dumped in the trash by the slithering likes of you. I have been abused in interviews by arrogant HR creepazoids like you. And I have had my ego crushed over and over again with rejection letters sent by short-sighted morons like you. I am proud to say, as I smugly lean back on my chair, that I fought through years of rejection by idiots like you, and that I now can guarantee that not only do I have a better job, but make substantially more a year than people like you. I realize there is only one job, and many, many candidates. However, trust me when I say that out of the 150 people you are mocking, many, many of them will be saying the same thing about you 20 years from now, you sanctimonious worm. I’d wish you unemployment, just so you can see what it is like, but it would not be fair, because in the unlikely case I would be in the same position and have to lower myself to compete for the same job as you, I’d crush you with my resume and my interview. I know first hand: unemployment is embarrassing, stressful, soul-crushing, and frustrating. While respecting you only have one opening, and many, many resumes to sort, I suggest you show a little more respect for those who truly want to work, regardless if their resumes earnest nature does not equal your high gold standard for qualifications for dictation, making coffee, and making travel arrangements for your friend. Neither you nor I never know when you might be in their shoes. ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180/149 "2011-06-09T12:45:08Z")
I’ve read this entire thread and I’m still on the fence because I’ve seen both sides of it: My husband is currently unemployed. He’s in the midst of that “send out X resumes for ANY job you’re qualified for” and not receiving one single response. He’s a smart guy. He knows HR people are looking for buzzwords to whittle down the pile, so he had his resume redone. That just puts him in the pile with everyone else knowing that HR people are looking for buzzwords to whittle down the pile. He claims victory if he even gets any kind of acknowledgment. And no, no interviews yet. I’ve been in management before where I’ve had to review resumes/applications and occasionally sit in on interviews. In this vein, I feel for the OP. It’s unbelievable in terms of who follows directions vs. who doesn’t, who’s obviously underqualified for the job vs. overqualified, etc. And hey, I don’t blame them one single bit – I did the same thing back when I was unemployed. I interviewed for anything and everything, whether I was qualified or not. Sometimes, though, you look at a resume/application and it’s all you can do to just simply shake your head… ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180/150 "2011-06-09T13:46:16Z")
> [@El\_Presidente](#): > > **alice** as a younger man I have had hundreds of resumes dumped in the trash by the slithering likes of you. I have been abused in interviews by arrogant HR creepazoids like you. And I have had my ego crushed over and over again with rejection letters sent by short-sighted morons like you. > > I am proud to say, as I smugly lean back on my chair, that I fought through years of rejection by idiots like you, and that I now can guarantee that not only do I have a better job, but make substantially more a year than people like you. If you read the job descriptions and application instructions as well as you read the OP and the rest of the thread, I am surprised you were ever employed in anything more demanding than asking if someone wants fries with their order. But I am happy that, despite your complete lack of being able to read for comprehension, you were able to find gainful employment. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180/151 "2011-06-09T13:52:41Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > If you read the job descriptions and application instructions as well as you read the OP and the rest of the thread, I am surprised you were ever employed in anything more demanding than asking if someone wants fries with their order. But I am happy that, despite your complete lack of being able to read for comprehension, you were able to find gainful employment. Gainful employment _ **and** _ a chair. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Edie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/50afbb/32.png) [@Little\_Edie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Edie)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180/152 "2011-06-09T17:52:33Z")
I feel for the person ranting because, even if they come off as harsh, the end point is that these people are doing themselves a disservice. I can relate especially to the email thing. If people are smart and resourceful enough to have an email address, then there is absolutely no reason why people can’t get themselves professional email addresses. Even if they have to have six number after them a la [JaneSmith12345@aol.com](mailto:JaneSmith12345@aol.com), that’s better than [PartyBaby69@aol.com](mailto:PartyBaby69@aol.com). And while I’d forgive a spelling mistake here or there, the poster is right in that this specific job requires a higher standard than another might. I should mention that I had no idea what the poster was talking about regarding the term CV. I learned to use it interchangeably with resume, depending on the teacher. And I’m Canadian. ---
**Author:** ![MaddyStrut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dbc845/32.png) [@MaddyStrut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaddyStrut)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180/153 "2011-06-09T22:57:00Z")
> [@kiz](#): > > I’ve read this entire thread and I’m still on the fence because I’ve seen both sides of it: > > My husband is currently unemployed. He’s in the midst of that “send out X resumes for ANY job you’re qualified for” and not receiving one single response. He’s a smart guy. He knows HR people are looking for buzzwords to whittle down the pile, so he had his resume redone. That just puts him in the pile with everyone else knowing that HR people are looking for buzzwords to whittle down the pile. He claims victory if he even gets any kind of acknowledgment. And no, no interviews yet. > > I’ve been in management before where I’ve had to review resumes/applications and occasionally sit in on interviews. In this vein, I feel for the OP. It’s unbelievable in terms of who follows directions vs. who doesn’t, who’s obviously underqualified for the job vs. overqualified, etc. And hey, I don’t blame them one single bit – I did the same thing back when I was unemployed. I interviewed for anything and everything, whether I was qualified or not. Sometimes, though, you look at a resume/application and it’s all you can do to just simply shake your head… I’ve also sent out resumes when my qualifications are a bit of a stretch. As a hiring manager, those never bothered me (we even brought in a couple of them who seemed promising). It’s the resumes that don’t give you any reason to think the person would be the least little bit good in the job that make you roll your eyes. For example, those that don’t list _any_ of the criteria mentioned in the job posting. Really? They don’t have\* any\*? Not even “familiarity with Microsoft Office”? The thing is, when I’ve been looking at resumes, it’s because we want to hire someone. I hate looking through stacks and stacks of the things, but I hate being short staffed worse. I want to like the resumes I see. But the candidate needs to give me some reason to think they’d be a good asset and not a burden. Having been through both the hiring and firing process, the latter is much, much worse. I’m not going to risk bringing in someone who can’t do the job. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180/154 "2011-06-10T01:50:11Z")
> [@](#): > > I know first hand: unemployment is embarrassing, stressful, soul-crushing, and frustrating. While respecting you only have one opening, and many, many resumes to sort, I suggest you show a little more respect for those who truly want to work, regardless if their resumes earnest nature does not equal your high gold standard for qualifications for dictation, making coffee, and making travel arrangements for your friend. Respect goes both ways. If a job applicant is clearly unqualified, submitting a resume or application is a waste of time for both the applicant AND the company. The only reason that many of these applications are submitted is because the job seekers are not really looking for a job, but only trying to get another week’s worth of unemployment. Or because they are delusional, and think they can fake having a college degree or training. When I was working in various places, I’d tell a kid that we just didn’t hire anyone under 17 (for the movie theater), or 18 (for the dress shop) or 21 (for the corner store, we sold booze and we had slot machines). Still, the little 14 year olds would insist on filling out an application, thinking that their “earnest nature and willingness to work” would somehow make them old enough. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Presidente](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c2a13f/32.png) [@El\_Presidente](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Presidente)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180/155 "2011-06-10T05:23:55Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > If you read the job descriptions and application instructions as well as you read the OP and the rest of the thread, I am surprised you were ever employed in anything more demanding than asking if someone wants fries with their order. But I am happy that, despite your complete lack of being able to read for comprehension, you were able to find gainful employment. Posted at 8:46am from Queens. What do you do for a living? Or are you out of work. ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180/156 "2011-06-10T05:52:48Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > Yep - if the person can use the internet, that’s good. If they can tart up a webpage, that’s better. But I thought you rejected the lady with the Facebook page? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180/157 "2011-06-10T07:32:44Z")
> [@El\_Presidente](#): > > Posted at 8:46am from Queens. > > What do you do for a living? Or are you out of work. I believe the 8:46 is your time zone, not his. Which one(s) of the 6 points in the OP did you feel was unfair and unkind? (Okay, #5 is kind of odd.) Here they are again: > [@](#): > > 1. If a good command of written english is right in the job qualifications section, don’t submit a resume and cover letter full of errors. Have someone proof it if necessary, but just don’t do this. > > 2. Make sure if you’re going to list the name of the firm you’re applying to in your letter or resume that you actually put the correct name in there. Yes, I get that you’re applying to a bunch of places but an admin job requires good attention to detail - calling the place the wrong name gets you in the ‘no’ pile. Ditto for calling my friend by the wrong name. His contact info is right in the frikin’ ad. > > 3. Don’t detail all the ways that the company you’re applying to can help you in your career - they don’t care. Honestly, what YOU can do for the company is really the only thing we’re interested in. > > 4. Don’t use yummymummy as your contact e-mail address and if you must don’t put hootchie shots of yourself in little-no clothing drinking, partying and barfing on your friends all over your facebook page and forget to change the settings to ‘Private’, 'cus we did go look. Seriously - girl had reasonable education and experience but she now has a HUGE red flag next to her name due to her total lack of judgement. If my friend decides he’s had enough of the interviewing thing, she will be getting the axe. > > 5. You do not have a CV. You have a resume. If you do have a CV, you’re not the person we’re looking for. When you constantly refer to your CV in your e-mail, cover letter and…resume, you make yourself look dumb, not smart. > > 6. Let’s save us all some time - if you have NONE of the qualifications listed in the add, please don’t apply. Just don’t. This is not one of those ‘I have no experience but this great education but no one will hire me!’ things. Three people on the short list of interviews have nothing other than retail experience, but they went to secretarial school. Currently these three are the top job contenders. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180/158 "2011-06-11T15:47:34Z")
i wouldl have to see the ad as it was posted, but, LOL from what I’ve read, a lot of the snark (not all) comes from people who failed the classic high school pop quiz-yanno the teacher tells you to write your name at the top, read the instructions printed on the test and when finished to turn your paper face down. the instructions were to answer none of the questions and turn your paper over, and half or more of the class fails, because they failed to read the instructions as printed or follow the verbal instructions and went ahead and answered some or all of the questions on the exam. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Presidente](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c2a13f/32.png) [@El\_Presidente](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Presidente)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180/159 "2011-06-11T19:07:48Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > I believe the 8:46 is your time zone, not his. **d-Odds** , I didnt realize you changed your screen name to **needscoffee**. I didnt know you could change your screen name around here. 😕 > [@](#): > > Which one(s) of the 6 points in the OP did you feel was unfair and unkind? (Okay, #5 is kind of odd.) Here they are again: Conveniently you left out the rest of the post. I object to arrogant statements like: \*\*We’ve determined that ‘Ideal Candidate’ is either a young gal . . . \*\* **This is not one of those ‘I have no experience but this great education but no one will hire me!’ things.** **Working a series of jobs for 2 or 3 months at various fast food places and gas stations for the past 7 years does not make you an ideal candidate for my admin job. It makes you a pain in my ass.** \*\* Your lack of a job is not my friggin’ problem - quit making it mine!\*\* I mean, I could go on and on with this cat, but won’t, I made my point. Oh, and I forgot to point out the OP is mocking candidates grammar and spelling errors, and there must be at least a dozen in his post. Look don’t get me wrong, I understand where the OP is coming from, and if you are a job candidate, maybe you should heed some of his advice. It’s the smug attitude and looking down at people who you don’t think are as good as you that I object to. Millions of Americans and Canadians get their souls crushed on a daily basis by being let go or rejected by employers. They don’t need HR people like the OP rubbing salt in their wounds. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Presidente](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c2a13f/32.png) [@El\_Presidente](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Presidente)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180/160 "2011-06-11T19:15:20Z")
This thread reminds me of this scene from “Monster”: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93ImBT-J_L0) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180/161 "2011-06-11T20:14:45Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > Gainful employment _ **and** _ a chair. 😉 Under a bridge. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pitting-of-stupid-job-applicants-the-economy-is-in-the-toilet-quit-being-so-dumb-lame/584180.md?page=9)