How does this happen?

Anonymous

May 12,2023 at 2:44PM UTC

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How does this happen?

I am actively looking for a new position. I have submitted numerous resume's for jobs that I have interest in. I submit at least 10 resumes a week, only to be called for CONTRACTED POSITIONS? I have stated on Indeed and Linkedin no contracts. I am constantly getting a barrage of phone calls daily from people stating they saw my resume on websites I do not have accounts with, and ALL are contracts! Where are they getting my information from?

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Susan Sims-PrittsMay 12,2023 at 3:57PM UTC
Perhaps it's a gift from the universe! LOL... You can take a positive approach, and do a quick review of the possible positions, then take a risk. Who knows? You might end up with the job of your dreams. Or you can continue to ignore this amazing exposure to many possibilities, and continue to complain and worry. Attitude and opportunity are all in your control! Good luck!
AnonymousMay 18,2023 at 1:58AM UTC
Attitude and opportunity are all in your control, but what isn't is the way the client companies treat you. Like, as has been said earlier, a disposable commodity. You cannot control that.
AnonymousMay 12,2023 at 4:27PM UTC
More than half of the jobs posted today are fake or scam jobs. Please google the Wall Street Journal's recent article on it.
Additionally, some companies who don't want to pay benefits will hire you on as Contract personnel, but yet, treat you like an employee, which is a NO-NO. You need to watch that if you do decide to contract yourself out.
Susan Grant-SuttieMay 13,2023 at 7:55PM UTC
If you are looking for a job, look north. It is not as bad as many old fashioned schools have us believe. I am sitting in the Northwest Territories right now in 27C on May 13. They need workers here - of all kinds. Their pension is great, their medical coverage is wonderful, and this is an interesting place. If not Canada (we like immigrants!) - thank about Alaska. Good luck.
AnonymousMay 14,2023 at 11:46PM UTC
A lot of websites sweep resumes from other websites. If your resume is on Indeed, assume it's everywhere. Paid recruiters can often buy names and resumes as well. That's why you agree to the Terms of Service on the sites. Chances are if they like you, they're going to reach out even if it says no contracts.
Kimberley Ferretti HammettMay 15,2023 at 1:18PM UTC
I think we will see more contract positions in this market. There is a lot of uncertainty so employers may only be able to get contracts or project hires approved, especially if they are putting forth growth efforts which require special skills/extra hands they may or may not need once the project is complete. Have any of the actual positions or companies sounded interesting to you? What if you could try to negotiate and sell yourself as a permanent investment? Why not have a conversation? If you are able to find out why they are only hiring contract you might have the opportunity to show them how you can grow or shift into a new need they will have once the contact ends. An interview/conversation is not a commitment and it is for your discovery as much as theirs!
AnonymousMay 15,2023 at 2:14PM UTC
Contract houses play the numbers game. They often don't even care if your skills or industry are relevant, the more people they spam, the more likely they are to find someone who is (unfortunately) desperate to get back to work.
In my industry contract houses are offering significantly less pay than is appropriate, zero sick/vacation/holiday time, and you can bet if you're looking to become a parent, there won't be any maternal leave. They also don't offer health insurance coverage with the claim that they are paying you enough you can find it on your own.
Contract options CAN be good, but I haven't found any yet.
Ann MillerMay 15,2023 at 2:42PM UTC
Everywhere and anywhere! And only 10? Send out 100 a week. Maybe a permanent one will call you. In the meantime don’t ignore those contracts.!! Being employed looks a whole lot better than unemployed
Dcre1977May 15,2023 at 3:35PM UTC
I am not even on linkedin and I still get calls from recruiters trying to get me on at a contract position for half what I make now in a horrible part of the country that I never want to return to.
I understand not wanting to be contract, but it can help you find a company that will hire you full time.
AnonymousMay 18,2023 at 1:54AM UTC
Most companies DO NOT take on contractors as full-time employees. Even if the role is not a fixed-length project and the work you're doing is never going away. Apparently it's cheaper for them to pay exorbitant agency fees than it is to make you a real employee and pay you benefits.
AnonymousMay 19,2023 at 6:09PM UTC
It's cheaper because it's easier to ditch you when they need to cut headcount.
Gisele CloutierMay 15,2023 at 4:00PM UTC
Another way to look at this is, a contract role can be like being paid to interview: you get to show the company how good you are and get paid in the process. And you get to "test drive" the company without having to make a permanent commitment. Many companies are going with contractors to save money, etc., it's become quite common, and need not be a red flag on your resume. Ignore the opportunities that sound outside of your field (those are the recruiters just fishing for bodies) and focus on those that sound promising. And do your homework on those companies before you talk to the recruiters. Good luck!
Julie EMay 15,2023 at 5:07PM UTC
I would be annoyed too and have experienced something similar when I’ve been actively job hunting. I took a contractor position years ago and would never do it again. You’re treated as a disposable, second-class employee and it won’t get your foot in the door like you think it might. If it’s a promote from within company you will always lose out on job opportunities to internal candidates, or the relatives of them. That was my experience.
AnonymousMay 18,2023 at 1:49AM UTC
Anonymous for a day, YES!!! Like a styrofoam coffee cup. "Temping is a great way to get your foot in the door" . (Yeah, right. Got any more lies you can tell me?) I finally got myself a permanent job last year and it is wonderful being a real employee, an actual team member now. I will NEVER go back to contract work.
To the original poster, just ignore the calls, hang in there and keep applying for permanent jobs only, and networking. Best of luck to you.
AnonymousMay 18,2023 at 5:33PM UTC
Sometimes it is a great way to get in the door and other times, it is a lie, the temp to hire part. I took a temp to hire position with an architectural company in my capitol city, only to learn that was a lie, so I put in my two weeks. The new temp that came in had quit a full time position because she believed this to be true. I enlightened her with what the person hiring told me, that will not hire a temp! She was furious and rightly so. Its a crap shoot.
AnonymousMay 22,2023 at 1:59AM UTC
. . . but mostly just crap, right? So sorry to hear what happened to you and the other temp.
AnonymousMay 15,2023 at 5:25PM UTC
If you have your resume on Indeed do note it is rife with 3rd party recruiting firms and also body shops that look for out of work folks who might be desperate. They are just fishing, so best is to ignore it. Some are getting on LI too but less so. And Careerbuilder is a mess about that. You could anonymize your email and have it all go to one place just for your job search. Remove your phone number or better yet get a google voice number and screen everything. Yes, it's annoying but once you post your information publicly it's hard to get them to stop.
Meagan ShawMay 16,2023 at 3:44AM UTC
What is your profession if you don’t mind me asking?
TracyMay 18,2023 at 7:47PM UTC
Executive Administrative Assistant.
AnonymousMay 17,2023 at 10:43PM UTC
Why are you so against contract work? If you are getting so many offers, it seems you could keep busy. One of those contract projects would likely lead to an offer of employment. You might rethink taking one of those for the income and valuable experience
TracyMay 18,2023 at 7:50PM UTC
I am not looking to constantly look for jobs. I want to find a company and stick with it. Looking for a job is a job I want stability.
AnonymousMay 19,2023 at 4:06AM UTC
I never worked a contract job that I didn't get a employment offer from the company. If you take one or some contract projects, you will get an employment job offer! It's a good way to see if you like the company
AnonymousMay 19,2023 at 6:08PM UTC
This is not any guarantee, even with excellent performance. Some industries use contract employees as easily exploitable and disposable staff so they can reduce headcount without all the extra paperwork. I see it constantly in my industry (automotive engineering). I have never been hired in when working as a contract employee.
It's not a performance issue, either. I'm constantly awarded recognition for going above and beyond in my work. It's not the norm everywhere for people to get hired in.
Julie EMay 19,2023 at 7:54PM UTC
Not necessarily. I was in a contract position that was supposed to be guaranteed a permanent position. The company pulled a bunch of their best people for a special project and as a result froze hiring of external candidates I’m pretty much all positions. Contractors were considered external candidates. I wasted almost 3 years of my career hoping to be one of the exceptions. I was young and stupid back then.