I Want My Money Back!

[Daveparts]

Living in Atlanta and being technically unemployed in this so-called great economy. I am compelled against my better judgement to search the want ads in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. After Job Monster asks fifty questions and sends me an Email two days later that it has even more questions and will delete my Resume if I don’t respond quickly. So far the only steady work Job Monster has brought me is keeping my pop up browser very busy.

Jobs.com has some great jobs, Real Estate agent AKA entertainment director on the Titanic. Then there’s, Executive Recruiter- Finance which promises to nourish your entrepreneurial spirit meaning selling sand in the desert. The next four jobs are all in the job-staffing field, openings in the field of helping others find openings. Now why would that field have so many openings when our economy is doing so well? I’ll pass on those, I’m not qualified, I can’t even find one opening for myself let alone for others.

The next jobs caught my attention, Branch Manager, Looking for an alternative to the traditional Career in Law? XXX Legal is a large placement firm that specializes in the staffing of attorneys, paralegals and litigation support professionals, I’ll pass on that one too.

The paper is always fun because this is the most Liberal paper in the south! The have an entire section of the Sunday paper devoted to jobs. Sixteen pages although only eight involve actual classifieds the rest are helpful hints and articles. For some strange reason in an ironic placement twist the new car section is tucked inside the jobs section. Apparently the newspaper publisher thinks after I get through looking for a job I’ll want to get the low down on down the new Cadillac’s.

With the byline, Your Office Coach, a dear Abby for the unemployed an unnamed person asks, Q: I have learned that companies check your credit history when you apply for a job. Although I have a strong work record, no one will hire me because my credit isn’t perfect. I can’t even get a part time position.

Like many good, hard working people, I have gotten behind in my payments because of the tactics used by credit card companies. Credit Card companies are slowly ruining people’s lives. What can be done about this?

A: “Sounds like someone needs to take a long, hard look in the mirror. Credit card companies may provide the means, but the people who run up large debts are ruining their own lives.”

The questioner asked, what could be done about getting a job with damaged credit? Our Office Coach takes the position that rather than answering the question instead to come to the rescue of the defenseless credit card companies. How dare you say bad things about them! Over 50% of all bankruptcies are due to medical bills but coach isn’t interested with details nor does she ask. She advises in ½ inch print Admit responsibility for credit fiasco then overcome it to attain a good job.

Got that? If you can’t get a job because of poor credit get a job and pay your creditors then get a good job! That’s genius, that advise alone is worth the two dollars for the paper all by it self. Thanks Coach, why not tell them where to buy a cheap handgun and explain where your temple is located. But it gets even better, the next column is entitled Vet Employment Law has flaws.

“Written into federal law in 1994 USERRA ensures that returning veterans may come home to the jobs they left, provided they meet some basic criteria.”

“First, the good news. The intent of the law is impeccable and the eligibility criteria seem attainable for nearly every veteran,”

“Most employment in this nation occurs with small employers. What
ever their best intentions, will these bosses really be able to place (and promote) a returning worker after several years?” The author left out veteran and chooses to call them a worker instead, I wonder why?

“The law states that a replacement worker hired to do the vet’s job must relinquish the position when the vet returns. Ouch. In other words, a company must remove some one doing a job to make way for someone it hopes can do the job. Imagine trying to catch someone up on the last two or three years in your own company."

The cost of training an employee – possibly while retaining the “extra”- can capsize some little boats.”

I guess the message here is pretty clear, don’t hire military and don’t hire National Guard as they might capsize your boat. Just because they could do the job before is no reason to assume they can do it now, but what’s an exserviceman to do?

“ If you are a post-military job-seeker, your best bet is to take charge of your own career rather than relying on legislated protections. Know your rights, but keep communications open and meet your employer halfway or more, whenever possible.

It is difficult to understand how the author of this piece of tripe sleeps at night. To actually have your name published in connection with proclaiming you should not rely on legislated protections. What should he or she do if they are asked to sit in the back of the bus? Meet them half way? This position and this article are an insult not just to our service people but to all Americans who have served.

That the law is some how flawed and too hard on employers after all, all you service people have done is dodge bullets and IED’s while young Egberts here has been keeping the grain elevator safe for democracy and it’s all changed so much since you went off a gallivanting. Sure we are proud of you for serving your country but the authors parents must be mighty proud as well, That’s my child that said, Ex service people shouldn’t use the law because they are more trouble then they are worth.

John Kerry was lambasted for using poor judgement in telling a joke about service people. But this article is serious and no joke. I wonder how the author would feel if raped robbed or otherwise abused then to be told not to depend on legislated protections and perhaps meet the attackers halfway or more if necessary.

To the Atlanta Journal Constitution, I want my money back!