When Applying for a Job, pt.2

So you've snooped around and have decided that all's okay? Don't be too hasty. The interview process is important to observe, too.

Firstly, how often do they offer positions? If this is a big or growing company, offering positions all the time is fine; however, if this is something like your corner gas station--that may be a problem. This translates into, "we do only business enough to employ the smallest number of people." Why is this bad? Minimum people means maximum hours, right? Well, yes. And then some. When you are yelled at for having overtime even when no one else is available for work, when you are disciplined for taking a sick day, and when there is no possible way for you to take your sibling's birthday off even a month in advance...that's bad. It's also possible that your potential boss may be targeting people seemingly at random to fire. Not to mention that if you do stay, you will be training person after person just to have that guy leave in a few weeks.

Sometimes you will get an interview on the spot, regardless of the situation. This is fine. But take note: Do they find out your qualifications or do they boast their own? This interview tactic is common for both scams and plain crappy jobs. Also know that if they hire you without asking questions, they will also hire the illiterate introvert who can't count as a cashier.

How long did it take you to get hired?
Did they say, "we'll call you?" Or did they hire you on the spot? You may have just completely won them over--y'know, with your doctorate in CS and your major in licking boots. However, if you had one customer service job for a week three years ago...you might want to take that into consideration. Eager to hire means short-handed. Short-handed means, well--just refer back to the other paragraph.

Finally, what's worse than being hired on the spot with less-than-perfect qualifications? Starting later that day.

Please, pass this on to your loved ones! : )
Next time, we discuss the finer things in life--or, things to keep you entertained on the graveyard shift!