Thursday, July 22, 2010

et voila...

Got the computer back last night.
Turns out it was harboring two viruses.
Computer fix-it guy said he didn't check for
viruses the first time because what I mentioned
didn't sound like virus issues. Thank you so much.
I thought a virus check was standard.

Anyway, he didn't charge me any more to resolve
the problem so I'll not complain much. Plus, he
added some new virus scanning/checking things.

The job fair on Monday was pitiful.
A discount grocery store looking for ONE cashier
and ONE manager. They did no advertising other than
a poster on the front door of the store and, from the piles of
applications turned in, I am estimating at least
three hundred people applied before I got there.

I can easily say that the big draw was that the
cashier job was advertised as full-time and pays
ten bucks an hour. That's big money in these parts.
I could pay my bills on that.

The attitude of the twenty-something dweeb in a suit
pissed me off, however. A company rep not doing the
company any favors. I don't think he likes his job.

When I turned in my app (they don't take resumes),
he asked me three questions that I'd answered on the
app (simple, one page, two sides). One of the questions
was "Do you have a GED?" I answered "No. Bachelor of Science."
He shot me a sharp look and made a note on a paper
he attached to my application. I commented on the huge
stack of applications already collected. Without looking at me,
he mumbled "yeah, have a nice day."
Does that qualify as summarily dismissed?

I'd say Young Dweeb slept through Personality Class 101, had
someone take the test for him and skipped 102.

I'd been a bit concerned about dressing appropriately since
this was a job fair. From now on, I will not worry.
Approximately twenty other applicants in the room, all but
two or three as young or younger than Young Dweeb.
Most of the females attired in shorts with their butt-cheeks
hanging out, tank tops and no bras. (I really am old, aren't I?)
I could have spent the rest of the day trying to count the multiple
piercings protruding from lips and nostrils. The young males
in attendance were decked out in baggy shorts, tattoos and
their own supplies of metal balls and rings.
Did I mention that no fewer than three of the females were
carrying infants with them?

That was my competition.

I am so hopeful that I decided to continue spending one
or two dollars a week on lottery tickets.
Odds are about the same.

14 comments:

Freddie said...

Dang... Like Ed says: "It's like we're living in Bizarro world these days."

Still hoping.

Jean said...

Thank you, dear. Gotta keep on somehow.

Erica said...

I hears ya, woman. I'm only at this unemployment thing for a month now...it hasn't quite gotten that discouraging yet, but wait til the unemployment checks and severance come to an end. Frantic desperation is waiting for me right around the corner.

Jean said...

Yeah, I've been doing this for 18 months. Good grief.
You know I'm hoping the best for you, E.

Joan of Argghh! said...

Oh, honey, they don't want someone with brains and smarts because they can't oppress you and steal your soul. Begging on the streets is almost more dignified than retail anything.

Meanwhile, I just got the go-ahead to hire a second assistant. My newest is at full speed already and we're still two weeks behind. Go figure.

And Chucktown is chock full of nuclear medicine facilities and research labs and Boeing facilities (they just got one contract and have already decided on a second plant here.)

Both of ya, come on and you can bunk at our place. It's not the beach, or the city, but I do have a sailboat. . .

I know, I know. But a girl can hope for familiar faces in a new place, can't she?

kdzu said...

I once answered an ad by a building supply company for a truck driver.
As it happened I had been driving a 2 ton truck since age 13 (I was 45 at the time) had owned 3 and still had one at home. Never an accident in thousands of miles.
I had too much experience and had been self employed too long so would probably be more independent than they wanted.
Thank God!!! They hired some kid right out of high school with no experience.

boneman said...

fluff, baby.
They probably want fluff.
You know, pretty dress, low cut blouse, batt your eyes at him a time or two...

If he says, "you're hired,"
Just tell him, "You should be so lucky," and walk out with sway.

They may still call you, gal, but you know what? They better hurry cause class acts like you don't fall out of trees.

Doom said...

I am seriously thinking... Mad Maxx time is here? Being normal will really help or really hurt you, hard to say. Young Suits don't care, either despising or wanting to be trash, though I doubt if they have anything more to do with the decision than taking names and a few notes.

Glad the machine is going. Even when they scan for viruses, I don't believe. Though, if the computer works, that is as good as that goes. Hackers, crackers, and various other nuts, like the piercers and walking ink art galleries, they are everywhere and in everything now. Sort of like our Chinese seeming "friend" there. Don't click that link, unless you somehow know who it is.

I'll add your prospects to my prayers. Glad to have you back. Stay cool if you can.

Jean said...

Joan, the hovel I live in, and pay a mortgage on, is making it difficult to leave. The place needs work and the housing market sucks and more people are leaving FL than moving in.
I've thought about walking away.

You're right, too. They don't want thinkers only warm-blooded robots.

Me and the E with you in Chucktown... what a riot!

Larry, I understand. Experience and age become disadvantages. But, I still have bills to pay. So, I have to keep looking and it feels like lowering my standards.

Berry...HA! You do make me chuckle. I need to practice my sway.

Doom, yeah, I doubt that Young Dweeb does anything meaningful or has any authority at this stage in his 'career'. His attitude was unnecessary and immature is all.

I never click those links. Am always suspicious of them. I delete them all.

Staying cool is not on the option list here...ha!

Michael Morse said...

Wow, things are grim in Florida. All we in Rhode Island hear about is how wonderful everything down there is, and how our people are fleeing RI in droves to escape the oppressive tax burden.

Maybe they should walk a mile in your shoes before they pack up.

Keep the faith, Jean, good things are coming your way.

curmudgeon said...

Chances are they had already filled the positions with the owner's girlfriend, cousin, wife's friend, friend of a friend ...
I'm guessing they were putting on a publicity show.

Jean said...

Michael, Florida is only good for vacations IMHO. We have no state income tax but they get us plenty of other ways.
Thanks for the good thoughts.

Dave, you're probably right.

Pink said...

keep at it! and maybe pondering will really take off and you'll be a business woman too busy to work for others.

sending good job finding vibes your way.

xx

Jean said...

yeah, J Cosmo... good grief is right.

Pink! Welcome to Pondering. Thanks for the good vibes d:-)