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Hey Pandas, What Are Your Non-Negotiables When It Comes To Job Hunting?
Do you insist on a certain pay rate? Is a solid benefits package a must? Or are unlimited office snacks enough to keep you around?
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Mutual respect.
If they are not able to show you a minimum respect during your interview, imagine how they'll treat you when you are their employee. And I know what I'm saying - some examples below (all red flags):
Don't let me wait for you at the reception; I made efforts to arrive in time, you can do the same.
Don't scream at your employees, slam doors or swear, and don't sit with spread legs in your chair to show me that you are the boss.
Don't stare at my body. It's rude and I'm not interviewing for a model position.
Don't dismiss me like I'm wasting your time; it is you who posted a job opening.
Don't ask stupid or privacy-related questions, such as "what's your zodiac sign" or "why don't you have kids by now". The last one is also illegal in some countries.
Don't lie about the position I'm interviewing for; I'll find out eventually.
Salary. It would have to be enough to lure me out of retirement.
Same. I know what my time is worth and I will do my research to find out what industry standard is.
Benefits. Didn't think about it and took a very good job with what I thought was a good team, quite a few hiccups. But when I read the collective bargaining agreement it was confirmed that I have zero deductions from my paycheck for insurance plans for myself (no dependents). Amazing amount of PTO. Work for a union.
Schedule. When it says X o'clock, I punch out and go home. No, I'm not doing the last unscheduled run. No, I'm not covering for so-and-so because they're late. No, I won't be staying late to clear up some paperwork.
A good answer for why the position is empty AND how long the last occupant held it. Twice in the last decade I've found myself in jobs where I was the third in 18 months.
In the first case I was replaced at least another four times before the manager lost the right to have direct reports (though they blamed it on her shoddy hiring and not lousy managing), in the second she was told if I didn't work out, SHE would be fired.
That one i worked out at, stayed almost four years.
Find out if the position is a revolving door. If it is, run.
I don't ask for much. I just work to earn money to live my life.
Guaranteed, regular full time hours.
Good health benefits that actually cover stuff.
No mind games.
No high pressure selling.
Bus service availability.
No washroom time monitoring with computers.
No call centre work.
No driving/or having to own a car, as I never learned. (I will admit it does severely hinder my prospects. But I digress.)
All work must be clearly listed, and what I'm not hired to do I will not be expected to do. That includes not doing the supervisor's job.
Read the signs directed to the employees while you're in the building. Are they admonishments, such as "You must do this or that, or you will be disciplined," especially if it's petty stuff. Our office only has two signs: one near the microwave that says, "If you blow it up, clean it up," which I think is a reasonable request. The other is "You may use the restroom that best aligns with your gender identity." Again, I think that's fine. True to form, the office is not rigid or petty or judgmental, which is the culture I want.
Possibly an odd, niche answer applicable only to early birds like me, but early morning to early afternoon hours! Retired teacher here, and for over half a century, this was my life, first as a student, then as a teacher for over a quarter century.
I worked at a hotel, and liked hospitality, and liked everyone I worked with, but working 3-11 messed me up BAD. The weekend before I quit, I did a road trip, and ended up running two stop signs. I'm lucky to be alive, and have my vehicle in one piece. I realized after six months, I simply couldn't get used to those hours, and that it was messing with my circadian rhythms big time. I hated to quit, but it had to be done.
Tomorrow, I'm going to interview for a bakery position, 4am to early afternoon. I'll take it! I'm a lark, and I own it.
the wages must cover my bills. i'm too old to f**k about with two jobs and appreciate my free time. when i worked 2 jobs i was only getting ready for a job or sleeping and ended up with no life slee
