Job qualifications, what does that mean? (LOL)

Yes, I completely understand what 'job qualifications'
are, but what do they truly mean?

For example, "Energetic, organized, honest secretary."

This sounds to me as though the previous employee was
a lazy slob who stole money. LOL.

It also makes me wonder when you see certain descriptions
of the job itself. Fast paced environment? Likely means you
will be busy as all get out all day long.

Must be self motivated. In other words, they have no time to
train you, much less answer questions.

Years ago I found a humorous descriptive of all the traits an
employer requests, but I can't find it online. Too funny.

On a serious note, it is understood that most, if not all employers
would like an honest employee. But I find it strange they chose to
specifically request honesty in an employee. Would I be brash in
asking about that? I would really like to know where the honesty part
comes in.

While I can't say where the position is, I can't imagine what
there is to be dishonest about unless one is stealing paper clips and
using the fax machine for personal use. I'm dying of curiosity, but suppose
I should quell my nose poking for the time being. If I get the job, I could
always get the dirt later.

KM

Am sure you've aptly described their hidden meaning of each requirement....maybe you can give them your rendition..might break the ice...lol...

A friend who was at the 50th birthday party Sat. and who is a retired O.P.P. officer said he applied for part time work with police force and in the interview they asked all applicants the same questions....

One question was: If you were to come across someone sexually assaulting a child what would you do? He answered...'shoot him dead'....they asked him the question several times..but in the end he got the job and his boss said part of it was his honesty..(or lack of)...but it sort of broke the ice....

Good luck

"honest" might be their way of saying "criminal record holders need not apply", while still meeting the EOE requirements.

"self motivating" might not apply to training. Might be their way of saying "don't expect us to remind you to get your work done every day. Get used to making your own to-do list."

"fast paced environment" - their way of saying "don't expect long breaks. plan on being busy most or all of the time."

"organized" - might mean, if you are the secretary, be prepared to keep others organized. manager might be disorganized clutter-nut that can't keep his schedule in order, and you'll be asked to keep him/her straight and on time. might also mean that the manager is a neat-freak, and won't stand for walking by a disorganized secretary's desk on his way to his ocd-clean office.

I don't know if it's still there, but back a few years ago, monster.com had some awesome articles about how to apply, how to interview, and questions to ask and not ask. If you're truly job hunting, it might be worth digging up & looking for.

Happy hunting..
-J

Betty, too funny!

Knowing what I do about the company, it seems they
may be looking for something they are not willing to pay for,
or haven't found in an employee just yet. When you just hire
any able body off the street, you get what you pay for.
Low wages to me may seem like the jackpot to another,
so many companies think they will save a buck by hiring
anyone who can speak and spell their name.

When I look for a job, I prefer a "seeking full time employment
in a professional environment" attitude so as not to draw employers
who don't know how to run a business. Been there, done that.

I've worked for someone who used "self motivated" and it
turned out just as I thought. They didn't even know how the
employee completed their work, as there were five others in
a brief period who gave up. You should see the job notes which
were found in a cabinet, I still have them. What a joke. Scribbles, coded
words, lines drawn all over the page pointing to various other
notes as though that were the next step to take. It was a 'you're on
your own, kid' type of thing, as even the owners were lost. Anyone
who had a shredded idea of what was going on was no longer
with the company. Sad.

The way I see it, if I have a valid question and ask it, then lose
the job because of it, then I don't want to work for those people.
I expect them to be just as honest as the employee they seek.

Same goes for my clothing choice for the interview. If I break a
fashion rule (rolls eyes) and don't get the job, then so be it. I can't
imagine working for a company that places surface above substance.

Besides, I look at it as a chance to get dressed up and feel good
about myself.

Serious, but remaining true to myself.

This message was edited Jul 17, 2007 8:45 AM

Update. Wow. Interviewed and escaped in one piece.

The "organized" meant "We're complete slobs and the office is
a total disaster, we need someone around here with a cleaning habit."
I was shocked that any business would conduct transactions, much
less invite a potential new hire to the place.

The "honest" referred to stealing money. Apparently a previous
employee took his or her own bonus at his or her own discretion.
Okay, I'll give them that much.

The "energetic" part is in reference to the other employees, who
seem to lack any sign of such. Come on, how much would a filing
cabinet cost, people?

Alas, the moment I pulled up I could tell this was not a properly run
business. Not even the half ripped out carpet could tempt me, but
I must say, the flumpy leather chair with a hole in it almost had me.

When I saw the pictures of George Bush all over the walls, I knew
I was in the wrong hole.

:-)

So Wuvie when do you start? Just a joking...

I am job hunting too.
Here, it is really difficult with so many out of work. Ads for employment, post jobs needing degrees, yet the pay is min wage. Very depressing.
Ads are answered by so many over qualified people that employers are overwhemed.
I see many jobs paying as low as half the wage the same job was going for less than 10 years ago. Yet expenses are way up.
I love living here, it is our dream location. But I cannot take min wage job and spend half of the take home pay in gas each week to drive to the job.
I have always, in the past, had people look for me and woo me for a job.
This job hunting stuff is hard on a person, esp the ego. Depressing.
I have been out of work now for a year. Does not look good on the resume.
I need a job!

Cparts,

Isn't that the truth? Years ago I worked and fretted over
bills and daycare while I worked full time. What was I
thinking? By the time I paid daycare I was probably making
chump change for Saturday yard sales.

If one could go back in time, this would be one more stay-at-home
mother. The stress, the laundry, the lack of time to clean the house,
especially with kids, was not worth the office politics and
tiny paycheck.

Though these days the kids are grown and working themselves, the
cost of gas is a big consideration. As I travel to what may be my future
job, I always record how long it takes to get there, if I had to pay any
tolls, gas, etc. When asked about wage requirements, I add it on.
If they are not willing to pay the rate, it isn't worth leaving the house for.

When unable to find outside employment, there are other ways to make money,
but seasonal ideas run short when you live in an area where most people
are living (though I'm not sure how) on half what I am used to making. It
is truly sad.

Wouldn't it be a hoot to see those scoffing at raising minimum wage try to make it
on such money? It's hard to have a good frame of mind when they have to
work for an two hours to buy enough laundry soap for the week.

Sad.

Betty, LOL. Indeed a call back is not expected, nor will one be placed. ;-)