If being unemployed for months on end isn't bad enough... doesn't make you feel as small and…read moreinsignificant as a gnat (yes, the same gnat that the employed are shooing away or smashing with a napkin covered hand), go to Officeteam and you'll be there.
As my savings is now pretty well non-existent, I am applying for things that pay just about as well as jobs I had in high school (without a high school diploma or college degree, mind you). I won't embarrass myself by going into the hourly rates I've received in the last several years.
Getting back on track, here... I applied for a position, which I was under the impression was an "in-house" recruiting position. I got a call from Officeteam (Caroline) the next day asking me to come in for a generalized interview. I mentioned that the position I had applied for was an internal one. She seemed confused, and said that she couldn't *see* what I had actually applied for, but that she wanted me to come in to interview & test for temporary positions that might open up in the future. I agreed to go in, and asked if I'd be meeting with her. She said that they all work together, and that I'd be meeting with Dana.
I arrived for my scheduled "appointment", bearing a freshly printed resume, copies of two letters of recommendation, a page featuring four references, and a "candidate testimonial form" which Officeteam requested that I fill out. I was sent to a conference room to fill out an application, I-9 and W-2 forms, and sign paperwork authorizing a drug test and background check. After completing the lengthy packet of information, I returned it to the very pleasant and friendly receptionist. She told me that Dana would be in to meet with me right away. I went back to the office, and at least 10 minutes later, I was joined by Dana.
I will just say that it was not a pleasant experience. I was quizzed about my background and experience, but not in a way that made me feel confident about myself or the placement services. She didn't appear to be listening at all. I kept thinking that it was a waste of my time to be there. She told me in no uncertain terms, that I would be unable to see more than $11 - $12 an hour (which, as crappy as it is, is more than I made at the last 2 of 3 jobs I've held). She acted as if I was not good enough to be in the office, and like I was a high school drop-out with no discernible skills. I felt like I was on trial... and for a crime that I didn't commit.
The interview-turned-interrogation was finally over, and I was sent to complete an endless barrage of tests that I don't actually believe show a person's actual skill level. It was frustrating and I stopped counting the number of times that I considered leaving at 12. After the testing, Dana again (lucky me) met with me to go over my results. She gave me my score percentage, and some random-seeming long numbers of others versus mine (what the numbers represented or meant, she didn't explain), and basically told me that I sucked at a few of the tests, was on-par with a few and was better-than-average with a couple.
I left this Olive Road office feeling worse than I had before. Just a clue to all of those who have not experienced unemployment, being fired or laid-off, none of us need any help feeling like losers.
So, this wasn't a good experience, but I think that I have to follow-up with them. A shitty job is better than nothing, I guess. I'm just not sure that they'll even attempt anything on my behalf.
Un-happy Job Hunting
