Is it getting harder for job searchers to figure out if they'll actually enjoy a new job?

9 Comments

1. AnonymousJune 28,2022 at 3:44PM UTC

   15 years ago people were still hanging on to their jobs for 10 years. Many were not building a flexible abd viable career but just hanging onto jobs.

   After the great recession in 2008, I decided to full proof my career as much as possible by growing my career with shorter stints with lots of credential/ certificates and branching out in many industries.

   It worked and enabled me to have my pick if jobs in whatever economy and earn an increases salary each step.

2. AnonymousJune 28,2022 at 4:21PM UTC

   No, I think people's expectations have changed. There was a time when you made the best of the situation. And I'm not saying that's a good thing. But there is so much emphasis out there for you to be a good "culture fit." We didn't have that years ago when I entered the workforce (early 89s ?). Everyone would find a way to fit in. Now we are in effect discriminating against one another but conveniently calling it "not a good culture fit." it's strange. I think people need to make more of an effort to welcome everyone no matter what. But that's me.

3. AnonymousJune 28,2022 at 7:10PM UTC

   There's a lot that's different since the 80s, not least of all wages are completely stagnant relative to inflation so entry level workers are making far less. Additionally, fewer and fewer organizations offer benefits or good benefits. 401(k)'s are nearly unheard of in many fields and utilizing sick time and PTO is extremely frowned upon. Things that used to be the norm like overtime are gone for most people. Culture doesn't just mean are people nice and not racist. It's how people are taken care of.

4. AnonymousJune 28,2022 at 8:12PM UTC

   That's not how the term "Culture Fit" is used.
   The definition; Cultural fit is the likelihood that a job candidate will be able to conform and adapt to the core values and collective behaviors that make up an organization.

   Hmm. As you may know, interviews are used to find out if the candidate is a good cultural fit. it's very nuanced, and could even be a way to discriminate without saying it outright. Then there are those personality tests that some companies require before you can even speak to someone.

   I took one of these personality tests once and the first question they asked was my age. That's supposed to be illegal, but they do it.

   There are many issues today with the way companies are run. So many are disorganized, dysfunctional, and chaotic. I've experienced many, and compared to years ago, other than the emphasis on work/life balance today, I would prefer the old days. I never experienced the chaotic stress I do today. Insanity. I think comparing today to "yesterday," most companies are throwing a lot of work on individuals, more than I've ever seen, and like I said, I've consulted for and worked at many companies.

   Maybe that's the reason they don't stay around!

5. AnonymousJune 30,2022 at 4:54AM UTC

   Yes, but my point is that desperate companies trying to fill roles increasingly lie or misrepresent culture fit setting expectations and values that are not the reality of the company. For example, in a previous role, I was told to tell people we believed in adaptive flexible schedules even though that wasn’t true at all.

6. AnonymousJune 28,2022 at 7:08PM UTC

   Many companies take advantage of certain laws like labor exemptions that didn't exist before. It blows my mother's mind that I'm expected to consistently work the number of additional hours that my company expects of me for the same pay she was making with overtime on the table. When I interviewed for the job, they told me there were occasional extra hours. That was a lie. If the money and benefits are bad and the expectations are outsized, why would anyone stay? Sadly, that's the norm. I worked for a company that WAY overstated who should legally be exempt or not.

7. Sarah MayoJune 28,2022 at 8:28PM UTC

   It could be that naturally, younger hires haven't had enough experiences at enough workplaces yet to know which red flags to look out for. That's something that would really only come with age/experience, and differs for every person because each one has their own priorities and values. General advice would be to ask if there's an opportunity to meet the team in person if the interview process is remote. Good companies will agree it's important to meet final stage candidates in person for their own due diligence purposes and cover those costs. Then everyone can at least get a sense of the "vibes".

8. Sabine MorrowJune 28,2022 at 8:43PM UTC

   Why do you take any job? You need income, you want to stretch your skills and learn, you need the benefits, the company will be a great boost to your resume? The last consideration is your joy. If you are working on an interesting project that can propel your career, that is the joy. If they are paying you to attend school, that is the joy. Its all a means to some end.

9. AnonymousJune 29,2022 at 8:02PM UTC

   I think the young hires are too caught up in the YouTubers who become instant millionaires doing what they love. That is not how the real world works. Many people who are in their 40s and happy In their career had to start out doing an unthankful job before elevating to something they want to do, even with a degree. It’s just the nature of the game. Even some of the most famous actors and actresses started out waitressing in Hollywood before they got discovered. They just need to wake up to the reality called life and play it to their advantage. It’s no cake walk. Never have been and never will be. Unless of course, mommy and daddy secured a position in a company for you and warmed up your seat after college.