Have you ever had one of those days where your collective rage for humanity bubbles out just when that last wee straw flutters down from the great above to break your back?
Like this afternoon, after a horrendously long day, I see an unattended, unaltered dog without a collar shuffling along Santa Monica Blvd — you know, just one of the busiest streets in California — when a random passerby stops me.
“Is that your dog?”
“No, I think he belongs to that guy in Hamburger Mary’s.”
A complete and utter oaf stands gawking at his phone while this dog riles up Pearl and Toby. But the passerby isn’t having it.
“Hey, is this your dog?”
Oafy plasters on a goofy grin and thumbs through his phone.
And y’all. That’s the straw that makes me go Towanda on his ass, clutching one dog under each arm as I stomp over to him.
“IS THIS YOUR FUCKING DOG?”
“Uh, yeah.” He tries to play it cool in front of his twiggy friends.
“YOU’RE A FUCKING ASSHOLE. TAKE CARE OF YOUR DOG!”
Which is when the passerby stops and stares slack-jawed, and I cross Santa Monica, screaming “ASSHOLLLLLLE!”
***
For fear of sounding like an ancient fossil, I’ll just write that I don’t understand younger generations. (Yes, I fail mightily at not sounding like a fossil.) Mostly in the realm of how many of them are choosing to enter the employment pool. (I know, worst segue ever — but the dog douche was the age of the people I’m writing about. Stick with me.)
Hiring someone takes so much more work than I ever imagined. Reviewing resumes. Setting up interviews. Doing the interviews. Assessing the candidates. Offering the job. So. Many. Steps. And still, you have to do your job.
I’ve found that there’s this insanely bizarre sense of entitlement that I find pervasive and utterly baffling. It’s like early twenty-somethings just expect to flutter to and from some job at a whim when they don’t feel as though their skill-sets are being utilized to their highest potential. They just cut and run without the slightest sense of professional decency.
So, to make myself feel better, I cobbled together my personal do’s and don’ts for job interviews.
(1) Avoid asking basic questions that’re clearly answered in the job announcement. Spending time on those during an interview communicates that you haven’t taken the time to read what you’re applying for.
(2) Never ask about compensation or benefits during the initial phone interview, unless broached by the employer. If you have to ask yourself, or preface a question with, “This may not be the time to ask, but…” go with your gut.
(3) After every phone conversation or in-person interview, always send a follow up thank-you email. ALWAYS. If communication is key to the position (meaning, yes), it is a clear red flag if you don’t thank the interviewer.
(4) Answer questions as succinctly and directly as possible. I don’t care about your life story.
(5) Avoid the overuse of “like.” Unless you’re a Valley Girl. In which case I will give you a tour of our zombie pen.
(6) Extend a hand. I will not allow my dog to bite it off. Unless you’re a zombie.
(7) Dress professionally for your age. Don’t go for “edgy” or your idea of “chic.” Bump Its are never chic.
(8) Avoid being overly familiar. We’re both gay. I get it. Move on.
(9) Avoid pointed questions. Such as, “So what do you do?” You are not interviewing for my job. I will cut you for my job.
(10) Visit the organization website more than once. If they don’t have a website in this day in age, they’re probably planning to kidnap or eat you.
(11) Always proofread your resume. And pay attention to the file name. “Draft resume.docx” or “LOLresume.doc” does not convey professionalism.
(12) Don’t copy and paste your resume into the body of an email unless expressly requested by the employer.
(13) Cover letters should be doubly proofread. This is where you’re selling yourself. Or sailing yourself downriver.
(14) During an in-person interview, maintain eye. During a phone interview, avoid long pauses. If I have to ask if you’re still on the line, it’s not a good sign.
(15) If you’re wanting to transition into the “nonprofit realm” then expect to make less, regardless of what you do. That’s part of the package.
You’re welcome.
Now, go get hired and stuff. And take care of your dogs.
(And I swear I’ll actual write a real blog soon. Not just ranty stuff.)