# Subtle hints that a listed job isn't all it's cracked up to be **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 25, 2018, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515 "2018-02-25T02:11:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![X.L.Lent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a5b964/32.png) [@X.L.Lent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X.L.Lent)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515/21 "2018-02-26T08:13:41Z")
I did a brief Google search and found it! Here is the NASTY BOSS ad. You will need to have a Los Angeles Times subscription to view it. > **[The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California on February 22, 1994 ·...](https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/158463226/)** > > Get this The Los Angeles Times page for free from Tuesday, February 22, 1994 ELES TIMES Services BUSINESS SERVICES Misc. Business Services 2340 FINDERS KEEPERS Research Group 310-787-1856 EDUCATION TRAINING SchoolsColleges 2420 ADVERT. GRPHC DSGN... The text of this ad, which ran on February 22, 1994, is as follows: MANAGEMENT MARKETING NASTY BOSS I’m looking for 6 people that I can work half to death for better than average salary in the entertainment industry. If you like to be kicked around, call me now for personal interview. [phone number omitted] (Hope this does not violate board rules about quoting published materials.) ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515/22 "2018-02-26T12:25:35Z")
My employer is currently having a very difficult time finding and retaining new employees. As a result, those of us who are already vested are overworked to the point that at any time a number of us are out on short term disability. There is nobody TPTB can send in their places because other locations are in the same boat. Makes you think what’ll happen within the industry down the line. ---
**Author:** ![JcWoman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jcwoman/32/2889_2.png) [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515/23 "2018-02-26T12:58:52Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > “Must be detail oriented” = There is no admin. help here; we’d rather pay 150/hr employees to make copies. "Work hard/play hard atmosphere" = work 70 hours per week + the CEO has been single far too long "Able to hit the ground running" = HR is useless and this job has been open a dangerously long time "Get in on the ground floor" = we have very little to offer you but we tied this carrot to a fishing pole . . . > “work independently” + “CPSR experience required” = We’re not going to pass the next audit and we plan to throw you under the bus. > > I’ve got a million of them. One of my faves: must work well with rapidly changing priorities - not blow your stack because you’re never allowed to finish anything because management is so busy chasing shiny objects. One that I’ve never really figured out is when a job ad for a business analyst includes “executive presence” in the job description. I think it means that you’ll have to talk directly with the C-suite so need to handle yourself with some grace and maturity. But I think executive presence is something else so they’re mis-using it there. Unless they want to hire the likes of Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg as business analysts? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515/24 "2018-02-26T13:54:18Z")
> [@JcWoman](#): > > One of my faves: must work well with rapidly changing priorities - not blow your stack because you’re never allowed to finish anything because management is so busy chasing shiny objects. Also: people in the organisation who talk loudly about Belbin Team Roles will mention the above as an example of why you’re ‘not a completer-finisher’ ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515/25 "2018-02-26T15:00:59Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > When I’ve looked into jobs promising “competitive wages” I can only conclude that they’re competing with India. Or it’s commission-only. “Your earnings are commiserate with your effort” is another sign of commission-only. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515/26 "2018-02-26T15:52:50Z")
I went for an interview at the beginning of my career. I thought it was selling perfume to businesses, you know, a manufacturer’s rep. No, it was selling perfume _at_ businesses. As in, walk in with your box, try to sweet talk the receptionist to letting you walk around to everyone’s desk to see if they wanted to buy Drakkar & whatever other scents were popular back then. Once I realized what it was, my only question was do I be polite & wait for the break or do I just get up & walk out of the seminar-type presentation right then? Yeah, I wanted to be a door-to-door salesman of knockoff, imitation, (probably) butane-based perfumes & colognes. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515/27 "2018-02-26T16:37:03Z")
I once was contacted by a headhunter who was pitching a job that sounded right up my alley. I was _very_ interested. Then I asked where the job was located. “Do you know where Shadyside is?” Well, I sure did. It’s actually a decent, upscale area where I’d love to work. “Sure, I know where Shadyside is!” “Well, it’s very close by.” Yep, unfortunately Shadyside borders some very bad areas where nobody would ever want to work. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515/28 "2018-02-26T16:43:39Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Or it’s commission-only. “Your earnings are **commiserate** with your effort” is another sign of commission-only. The word most people would use in that sentence is “[commensurate](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commensurate)”, but maybe choosing that word is another clue about a (bad) dream job. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515/29 "2018-02-26T16:54:38Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > I went for an interview at the beginning of my career. I thought it was selling perfume to businesses, you know, a manufacturer’s rep. No, it was selling perfume _at_ businesses. As in, walk in with your box, try to sweet talk the receptionist to letting you walk around to everyone’s desk to see if they wanted to buy Drakkar & whatever other scents were popular back then. > > **Once I realized what it was, my only question was do I be polite & wait for the break or do I just get up & walk out of the seminar-type presentation right then?** > > Yeah, I wanted to be a door-to-door salesman of knockoff, imitation, (probably) butane-based perfumes & colognes. :rolleyes: I went to one of those. Imagine 30 people in a small room trying to do the wave. I chose the walk-out option. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515/30 "2018-02-26T16:59:27Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > the description concluded with, “You don’t have to know how to play an accordion, but it wouldn’t hurt.” An oblique reference to [that one Far Side cartoon](https://djbulls.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/cartoon_harp_n_accordion.jpg?w=488&h=650)? ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515/31 "2018-02-26T17:06:33Z")
“fast paced environment” - We are understaffed, I hope you like doing 3 people’s jobs by yourself. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515/32 "2018-02-26T17:11:12Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > The word most people would use in that sentence is “[commensurate](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commensurate)”, but maybe choosing that word is another clue about a (bad) dream job. I blame Grammarly. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515/33 "2018-02-26T17:58:41Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > I’m all for good employee morale, but c’mon. This isn’t Old Navy (ever noticed their nametags?). No – do tell! Some of these I can give them a pass. If I can use BS words on my resume, I guess they can to. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515/34 "2018-02-26T18:09:09Z")
> [@X.L.Lent](#): > > I did a brief Google search and found it! Here is the NASTY BOSS ad. You will need > to have a Los Angeles Times subscription to view it. > > [The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California - Newspapers.com™](https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/158463226/) > > The text of this ad, which ran on February 22, 1994, is as follows: > > MANAGEMENT MARKETING > NASTY BOSS > I’m looking for 6 people that I can work half > to death for better than average salary in the > entertainment industry. If you like to be kicked > around, call me now for personal interview. > [phone number omitted] > > (Hope this does not violate board rules about quoting published materials.) I took a job like that once. I knew what I was getting into and I don’t regret taking it. The job had crazy hours, the workplace was full of “strong personalities”. And the owner could be brutal\* This was back in the early 1980’s I had a job offer for $325 a week on the table “Nasty boss” offered $600 a week. Now, I wouldn’t have lasted a week if I’d started as a lower level hourly employee. They got the brunt of the nastiness. But I started in a higher level position and they really wanted me to work there -so I dodged the worst of the nastiness. The worst part was probably telling people where I worked, the place had a horrible reputation. - I recently -over 30 years later- ran into nasty boss. He’s now deeply into all sorts of high level yoga and meditation practices, he wears turbans and robes and travels to India to study with gurus and stuff. And he’s really nice now. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515/35 "2018-02-26T21:12:38Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > No – do tell! > > Some of these I can give them a pass. If I can use BS words on my resume, I guess they can to. Old Navy’s nametags say “Having Fun Since (year they started)”, or at least they did the last time I was in there. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515/36 "2018-02-26T21:13:39Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > An oblique reference to [that one Far Side cartoon](https://djbulls.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/cartoon_harp_n_accordion.jpg?w=488&h=650)? Ooooohhh, not a good sign. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515/37 "2018-02-26T21:56:44Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > I went to one of those. Imagine 30 people in a small room trying to do the wave. > I chose the walk-out option. Me, too, back in my younger days. Something about the initial phone contact felt “off” and I specifically asked if it was going to be a group interview for a sales job. “Oh, no!” they replied, “Definitely one-on-one and no sales!” I got there and found it to be a door-to-door knife salesman and a group interview. I stood, crumpled the paperwork and tossed it aside, said “This is not what I was told it would be, and if you’ll lie to me now you will lie to me later” and then walked out. I hope I poisoned that interview for all 30 suckers - um, recruits. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515/38 "2018-02-26T22:08:29Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > Me, too, back in my younger days. Something about the initial phone contact felt “off” and I specifically asked if it was going to be a group interview for a sales job. “Oh, no!” they replied, “Definitely one-on-one and no sales!” I got there and found it to be a door-to-door knife salesman and a group interview. I stood, crumpled the paperwork and tossed it aside, said “This is not what I was told it would be, and if you’ll lie to me now you will lie to me later” and then walked out. I hope I poisoned that interview for all 30 suckers - um, recruits. The one I went to was advertised as a delivery job. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515/39 "2018-02-26T22:10:33Z")
My favourite job was in a smaller town. But if they advertise “Get from work to relaxation in four minutes”, show a picture of a mega-congested highway, or advertise the local Broccoli Festival, it’s probably hard to get food delivered after 7pm. Small places lie shamelessly about how close they are to bigger cities. I’ve seen “Voted best place to live” (by biggest mega corporation near town). “Ample free parking”, “Multi level direct marketing opportunity”… I didn’t take a job with Slashco or selling socks door to door, though. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515/40 "2018-02-26T23:38:38Z")
At least “hey we’re in a small town” has the advantage that some people would prefer it. Everything is cheaper, you’re not spending hours of your life in traffic, and so on. The “Hey, we’re just an 3 hour drive from a mid-range city where the shops close at 9:00 instead of 6:00” thing is kind of silly. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subtle-hints-that-a-listed-job-isnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/809515.md?page=3)