I am in the market for a new job. Here are some things I have noticed:
1. All jobs are exciting, and require people with enthusiasm.
2. All jobs are for an integral role in a team.
3. All jobs require you to work independently and as part of a team.
Here's a snapshot of the jargon.
...with a strong mission to provide outstanding services to our sunshine state. Undergoing an exciting diversification of its portfolio...
It all makes me pretty cynical. I mean, not all jobs can be that exiting! To make matters worse, many job advertisements emphasise the importance of experience. Even for a dish-pig or waiter, they seem to want a minimum of 2 years experience. Is there anything about washing dishes or carrying plates that can't be learnt in a week?
One job I saw suggested that the suitable candidate would have 5 years experience in a similar role. In my letter I wrote:
While I may not have 5 years experience in a similar role, I would suggest you are unlikely to find a proactive candidate given those requirements. Anyone who has spent 5 years in the same role, then applies for another similar one, in my mind, appears to be destined for mediocrity. If instead you seek a candidate with enthusiasm, analytical skills, and drive for constant improvement, then I may be quite suitable.
We’ll see how that application goes. I always wonder how you are meant to explain how great you will be for a job after reading a total of two paragraphs of non-sense. Maybe I'll offer a 'try before you buy' period in my next application. Surely that's in the best interests of all involved.
Only a tad off topic - have you seen this talk on motivation at work?
ReplyDeleteWonder if you could spearhead results based work in a bureaucracy?
http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_on_motivation.html