# OK im confused about this one ...... filling out a job app is bad or beneath certain people now?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [March 11, 2022, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878 "2022-03-11T06:46:33Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 5
### Author:  [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2022, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878/81 "2022-03-12T15:44:08Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#):
>
> Years later, i learned that HR had done a background check and determined that i lied about my wages as a teaching assistant, and brought this to the attention of my boss. He told them to go suck eggs, and didn’t bother to mention it to me at the time. (I’d already accepted the job, and the pay was fixed, when i filled out the damn form. How more totally irrelevant could it have been?)
At one point, I couldn’t find a job in my field so I figured I’d do something else as a stopgap. One of the positions I stumbled across was a vaguely worded want ad, but I gave it a try.
It turned out to be for selling insurance. The “application” asked for me to list 20 people I knew who might need insurance. Phone numbers, addresses, the whole bit. Yeah, like I’m going to sell them out. “I don’t remember the numbers, addresses, etc.” Thankfully cell phones weren’t a thing yet.
> [@puzzlegal](#):
>
> And the form i had to fill out when i went on maternity-related disability asked me to “describe the circumstances leading to this disability”.
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#):
>
> Walgreens, despite having a regional HQ, required applicants to go to each store, stand at the kiosk, and enter all that information store by store, as well as the Myers-Briggs-inspired “do you enjoy it when you steal from your workplace” personality questionnaire.
😡
These kinds of one-size-fits-all, allow us to treat you like a number, let us make your life difficulty with irrelevancies…geez! My nephew works for a big supermarket company and he couldn’t transfer without physically going to the store he wanted to transfer to and jumping through the same hoops again.
Maybe this pandemic will let workers tell some employers how far to stick those applications. Fingers crossed!
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### Author:  [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2022, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878/82 "2022-03-12T16:04:32Z")
> [@Roger\_That](#):
>
> Slight hijack: this is also increasingly common in doctors’ offices, where you get asked to fill out nine-page forms that you have already filled out. “You already have this information.” “Yes, well, we need it filled out again.”
I somewhat understand this one. Like I only see my dentist twice a year, because I have good teeth that normally only need cleaning. But if I had some change in my overall health (and this applies to md’s, too) since the last time I was in, I can see answering _some_ questions. It’s usually only one page though. I’ve never had to fill out more.
We fill out a one-pager at the vet every time we go (and we go a lot), but our dog can’t answer any questions, so I can see that being necessary – especially in the lockdown days when we waited in the car.
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### Author:  [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2022, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878/83 "2022-03-12T16:38:08Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#):
>
> That company had a generally shitty HR department. I had a hell of a time getting them to meet with me to discuss how maternity leave would work, for instance. And the form i had to fill out when i went on maternity-related disability asked me to “describe the circumstances leading to this disability”. -
“I got fucked so hard, it took months for the swelling to go away.”
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### Author:  [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2022, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878/84 "2022-03-12T17:31:36Z")
I should have said that!
I just replied, “in the usual way”, and said the incident occurred “at home”.
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### Author:  [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2022, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878/85 "2022-03-12T17:36:17Z")
“photo booth at \< local amusement park \>”
“theater restroom”
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### Author:  [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2022, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878/86 "2022-03-12T20:06:04Z")
Not a physical form, but when I have a doctor appointment I am requested to fill out an online form prior to coming in. What’s annoying is that the form is pre-filled from my existing medical record, so all I’m doing is checking a box confirming that “the above information is correct”, then going to the next page, rinse and repeat. (no, my insurance info hasn’t changed in the past month, yes, I’m still taking the same medications, yes, I still have the same medical conditions, yes, I still have the same allergies, no, I still don’t smoke or drink, etc etc etc).
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### Author:  [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2022, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878/87 "2022-03-12T20:51:57Z")
I don’t mind the form when it’s a doctor I see once a year or less , but I do get kind of annoyed when I was just there a couple of weeks ago - if my address/phone/insurance has changed in the last two weeks, I’ll remember to tell them. There seems be something that pops up telling them I haven’t filled out a form in the last X months. And it doesn’t even ask about medical conditions or prescriptions - I get asked about that in the exam room.
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2022, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878/88 "2022-03-12T20:54:27Z")
> [@Spoons](#):
>
> Maybe a hijack, but I had to get this off my chest and this thread kinda-sorta fit. Thanks for listening, and we can go back to the thread topic.
I found it fascinating.
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### Author:  [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2022, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878/89 "2022-03-12T21:18:03Z")
> [@Spoons](#):
>
> Thanks for listening
Always happy to listen and, I agree, they were big time jerks. To say nothing of clueless!
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### Author:  [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2022, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878/90 "2022-03-12T23:24:40Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#):
>
> I just replied, “in the usual way”
> My child arrived just the other day
> He came to the world in the usual way
> But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay
> He learned to walk while I was away
Sing the whole song and then curse them for depriving you of your child.
> [@puzzlegal](#):
>
> the incident occurred “at home”
- You probably couldn’t tell by looking at him now but your daddy used to be a real charmer. And that night in the ladies’ room of the Rustler Steak House, he chose me.
(Lucy Bobby, _Talladega Nights_)
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### Author:  [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2022, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878/91 "2022-03-12T23:33:40Z")
And they wonder why people aren’t standing in line to work for them, and instead are getting in line to work elsewhere.
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### Author:  [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2022, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878/92 "2022-03-13T00:30:50Z")
“People don’t want to work for a living any more.” is the mindset I’ve heard. We discussed my different point of view but I doubt it sank into my acquaintance’s brain.
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### Author:  [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2022, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878/93 "2022-03-13T00:59:06Z")
> [@doreen](#):
>
> I don’t mind the form when it’s a doctor I see once a year or less , but I do get kind of annoyed when I was just there a couple of weeks ago - if my address/phone/insurance has changed in the last two weeks, I’ll remember to tell them. There seems be something that pops up telling them I haven’t filled out a form in the last X months. And it doesn’t even ask about medical conditions or prescriptions - I get asked about that in the exam room.
Mine doesn’t ask about contact information, but does ask about insurance, drugs and current health. I go every 6 weeks to get my INR checked, but it only takes 15 seconds to fill out, since I just have to say current information is correct.
I can see them doing it to check if something has changed. It is kind of like the drug ads that tell you to be sure to contact your doctor if the drug causes aliens to pop out of your chest. You’d hope it would be automatic, but I assume they have counterexamples.
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### Author:  [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2022, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878/94 "2022-03-13T01:02:29Z")
> [@Odesio](#):
>
> Having ultimate power makes anyone weird. I don’t know of any HR that wields ultimate power though. I do know a lot of managers will invoke HR for unpopular policies. “HR is making us do…” Well, no. HR is enforcing policies that management has dictated.
True, but the lower level managers who have to tell this to their staff probably had no input at all in setting the policies, and no visibility in how they were set.
I worked in tech and never had a problem with HR in hiring since they never even pretended to be able to tell a good candidate from a bad one. But I’ve heard plenty of horror stories.
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### Author:  [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2022, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878/95 "2022-03-13T01:15:33Z")
Oh, and then when I’m at the doctor’s office they read off my list of medications and ask me to verify them again.
The week before last I was at the ER; chest pain, which turned out NOT to be my heart which was verified by several tests. But since it had been two years since I’d seen my cardiologist, they set me up with an appointment for this past Wednesday. Last Monday I had a previously scheduled visit with my Hematologist, where we went over my recent tests and medications. Then did exactly the same this with the cardiologist on Wednesday. This Wednesday I’m seeing my Primary, where we will once again review all my medications. Trust me, docs, if I suddenly decide to stop taking any of my meds I’ll let you know.
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### Author:  [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2022, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878/96 "2022-03-13T02:39:22Z")
> [@Voyager](#):
>
> but it only takes 15 seconds to fill out, since I just have to say current information is correct.
I’d be fine if that’s what it was - but it’s two sheets of paper that I actually have to fill out because they want the whole form with today’s date. Which means I have to start pulling things out to get my health insurance membership number and the company’s phone number and the pharmacy’s address and phone number.
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### Author:  [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2022, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878/97 "2022-03-13T11:49:51Z")
You know, my healthcare network has terrible administration, but they just ask me if my health insurance has changed since the last time i was there. And i say “no”, and they hand me a form that asks “does anything hurt today” and other relevant questions.
I guess it could be worse.
(The sucky part is that they have 22 different patient portals, depending on which doctor i go to. If i get a mammogram ordered by my primary care doctor, the results will be in one portal. If i get a mammogram in the same room, but it was ordered by my gynecologist, the results will be in another portal. Their billing is also confusing.)
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### Author:  [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2022, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878/98 "2022-03-13T16:26:15Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#):
>
> I can understand the candidate and would have probably reacted similarly if in her situation (this company and me are not a good match, I have another job secured, forget them!), what I don’t understand iis the need to post this on “social media” or why newsweek reports it like it was newsworthy. It’s a big meh for me.
Plenty of prior simply live their social lives online now. This isn’t even oversharing their personal lives. There is a larger movement to publicly shame employers for their shitty, demeaning, and miserly hiring practices. I’m all for it.
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### Author:  [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2022, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878/99 "2022-03-13T16:48:19Z")
> **[the new hire who showed up is not the same person we interviewed](https://www.askamanager.org/2022/01/the-new-hire-who-showed-up-is-not-the-same-person-we-interviewed.html)**
>
> A reader writes: This is a situation currently unfolding at my husband's office so I’m a very amused bystander and thought I’d get your opinion on this
> _My husband works in IT and is on the leadership team at a midsized private company. He was part of a panel that recently interviewed a number of folks for an open position on his team. They are entirely remote. They had a few candidates for a first and second round, and had one make it to a third final round before an offer. “John” accepted the offer and started last week!_
>
> _Except … it’s not the John my husband remembers. My husband was confused and said the following things were odd:_
>
> _– John has different hair and now wears glasses._
>
> _– John is talking extensively about working in a garage because his three children and wife are home. In the interview, he made references to being single and was visibly in an indoor desk area._
>
> _– John can’t answer a number of questions that they previously discussed in the interview, things pretty pivotal to the position._
>
> _– Husband describes John as being aloof and pretty timid whereas John was confident and articulate when they interviewed him._
>
> _He is convinced this is not the person they hired. I agreed that all those things taken together make this very odd but each one could have a valid explanation. I told him the most likely explanation is the hiring committee simply mixed up the candidates (or HR did) and the wrong John was offered and accepted. He agreed but said since only one candidate made it to the third round, that is really unlikely (other candidates had already been sent rejections before the third round even occurred). He’s confident they couldn’t have been mixed up._
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### Author:  [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2022, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-im-confused-about-this-one-filling-out-a-job-app-is-bad-or-beneath-certain-people-now/960878/100 "2022-03-13T17:49:27Z")
Amazing situation, although the line “(other candidates had already been sent rejections before the third round even occurred)” leaves me feeling like the whole story might be bogus.
What company _ever_ gets around to sending rejection letters, much less in the middle of the hiring process?
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