Wednesday, November 17, 2010

on the job

I don't talk much about my new job, but as stress-free as it is compared to my last gig, I do have some very frustrating days.

I'm a creative and digital recruiter. I match people to jobs. I get people work. And, it's pretty rewarding.

And then, you get that one idiot.

ME:  "Hey, Mr. Unemployed, I sent over your resume and they'd like you to start on Monday as a temp for 3 months! Isn't that GREAT news??!!"

MR. U:  "How much are they going to pay me."

ME:  "$500 a week."

MR. U:  "I'm not sure if I'm going to take it."

ME:  "Are you kidding? You've been out of work looking for a job for 8 months. I found you a job, and now you're not going to take it???"

MR. U:  "Well, in my last job I got paid $650 a week."

ME:  "And how much are you getting paid now? ZERO dollars a week."

MR. U:  "I have my unemployment."

ME:  "How much is that a week?"

MR. U:  "$350 a week."

ME:  "So let me get this straight: you haven't worked in 8 months, and I'm offering you a job that pays you $150 a week than your unemployment, and you're saying 'no thank you'?"

MR. U:  "Well, as I said, I made more in my last job. That's not enough pay."

ME:  "BUT IT'S MORE THAN YOU'RE MAKING NOW. PLUS, IT'S A JOB WORKING EVERY DAY, DOING YOUR SKILL, KEEPING YOUR MIND SHARP."

MR. U:  "What if I say yes and then a better paying job comes along?"

((Need I remind him that he's been looking for a job for 8 months? And that his high-paying dream job was yet to fall into his lap?))

ME:  "Look at it like paid networking. You'll be getting paid while you look for a job."

MR U:  "Well, if you put it that way, then it makes sense. I'll take it."

Shoot me now.

3 comments:

Natalie said...

oh boy. it pained me to read this. i don't know how you keep your cool!

FunnyGal KAT said...

I would be terrible at your job because I would not have your patience. I can't believe in this economy you actually have to talk people into taking a job!

The Kale Patch said...

It is astonishing that anyone would have that kind of gall! I wonder how often that happens. I have met quite a few people who have told me that unemployment pays just slightly less than a job would. But isn't it better to have a job and make your own way, if you can? You can't move up "the ladder" if you're unemployed. Yikes. Glad it wasn't me. You're saintly.