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35 Examples Of Hilariously Unrealistic Expectations When Applying For A Job
Looking for a job is often a tiresome process as it is. Some places, however, take it to the next level by making the candidate jump through arguably one too many hoops. They present job requirements that seem odd at best, considering the position or the place the person is applying to.
Lots of applicants, surprised about such prerequisites, turn to the online world to voice their frustrations or share a good laugh. We have gathered some of the best real-life examples of just how absurd certain requirements can be. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the comical stories.
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When it comes to finding a job, every position requires the candidate to fit into a certain mold, which usually differs with each vacancy. Every company presents a list of requirements that allow them to sift through the candidates more easily and make the best decision when it comes to finding a teammate.
Such expectations can entail required skills, amount of experience, knowledge of certain tools or programs, and similar assets. Unsurprisingly, higher-ranking positions typically demand criteria that are more difficult to meet. However, some companies, as you can see in these pictures, seem to be asking for too much, considering what they offer in exchange.
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#3
OmBoyGanesh 2 years ago
I’m not sure if the laws in most counties, but publish/copyright protect prior to submitting. If they print or publish, send them a C&D letter.
A person in one of these examples mentioned having to take a personality test in addition to a couple of other assessments when applying for a busboy position. They likely found it to be excessive, as they compared it to the CIA, and that might diminish their willingness to join the team. In addition to that, such situations usually don’t help the company’s image either.
According to Talentadore, up to 90% of applicants agree that their experience as candidates can determine their decision about working there. Moreover, over 70% of them discuss their experience with others, which might affect their opinions or decisions to apply accordingly, whether it’s a restaurant chain or a large corporation.
Talentadore also revealed that more than half (60%) of candidates have decided not to move on with their application because it was too long or complex. Even though you want to prove yourself suitable for the position, some tasks might not be worth the time or the effort. Especially considering that they are rarely paid for and might take ages to complete.
A lot of companies set unrealistic standards for entry-level employees. The term itself suggests that it shouldn’t require a lot of know-how or other qualifications, however, it often asks for some years of experience, nevertheless. This is especially frustrating when it creates a vicious circle—people are not getting hired because of lack of experience, but they can’t gain experience without getting hired.
#10
The Cute Cat 2 years ago
Sad to hear a medical operation manager should take a side gig to sustain
#11
Kathryn Baylis 2 years ago
S**t, contradictory answers should make you perfect for a job where you have to lie about the quality of the food and the cleanliness of the kitchen.
In addition to sky-high requirements, lack of information from the company’s side is also a common frustration. Statistics reveal that 50% of job seekers feel stressed about not receiving details on pay and benefits during the application process. Equally as many of them are negatively affected by interview schedule changes.
#12
RagDollLali 2 years ago
"Your crunchy granola mom customer tells you that lavender oil she bought just doesn't seem to be working on little Timmy's adhd, do you recommend her A. Lemongrass tea, B. Rosemary oil, C. Sprouted chia capsules, or D. Walrus tusk extract? Please explain below."
Another prevailing source of despair for applicants is ghosting. Being left with no answer, especially after spending time trying to meet their often unrealistic expectations, is annoying at best. Sadly, as much as 77% of people have been ghosted by their potential employers.
#17
Based on Zippia’s data, there were nearly 11 million people seeking employment in the US in 2022; they could choose from roughly 11.5 million vacancies. According to Career Higher, in the same year, leisure and hospitality was the industry with the largest employee shortage. It was followed by trade, transportation, and utilities and professional and business services respectively. Education and healthcare came in fourth and fifth.
Zippia also revealed that nowadays, the average hunt for employment lasts roughly five months. It might not sound uplifting for the job seeker; however, the good news is that the job market nowadays seems to be candidate-driven, meaning they have the advantage.
#21
Kathryn Baylis 2 years ago
Thing is, the questions only come with yes or no answers. There should be a middle “Deoends on the situation” answer as well. Human emotion and interaction is so chock full of gray areas, and situations can change on a dime, so you really can’t give a rigidly definite yes or no answer.
#22
Me. Just Me. 2 years ago
Let's see. This personality has a strong work ethic, is organized, and produces high quality work. This other personality doesn't give a s**t, never shows up on time, and does just about anything to avoid doing work. Yeah, I see where this is going.
Another thing to remember is that nowadays social media has a huge impact on nearly every aspect of our life, and job hunting is no exception. Expected behavior online might not be mentioned among the requirements, but headhunters often check it nevertheless. In addition to that, more and more companies use social media for recruitment itself, which is all the more reason to be aware of your online presence.
#27
Kate Jones 2 years ago
Applying to a job and having them sell your information to a religious-and well known dangerous- group without your okay should be grounds for a lawsuit.
#28
Kate Jones 2 years ago (edited)
It's like that movie 'Audition' where a guy sets up interviews with women as a scam to find a girlfriend. We should also be able to kill the rep when they put us through that whole process just to not give us the job.
#30
Half eaten lemming 2 years ago
Why does the concept of working teenagers also doing education confuse managers…
#31
Trophy Husband 2 years ago
The MENSA admission test has these sorts of things. Or pictures of 3 animals and then pictures of three other animals and it says to pick the one from the second list that is similar to the other three, but the similarity is very hard to guess, like they all have a particular type of bone structure. I had so much fun with that test, but if a potential employer tried to give it to me I would probably find it a waste of time.
#36
Kathryn Baylis 2 years ago
That’s a question asked in Philosophy classes all over the world. Has to do with someone desperately poor who steals a loaf of bread to feed their starving family.
#40
Bookworm 2 years ago
Love those. I always tell them I'd rat people out over $5 of products, but in real life? Frankly, I don't want to know if my coworkers are stealing, and if they are I don't want to get involved. I don't have nearly enough loyalty to the mega corporation to care about their shrink numbers.
#41
Rae Ramirez 2 years ago
That is really sad that we have to tell people what they want to hear instead of what needs to be said
#46
Kise Miarse 2 years ago
This seems to be a recurring theme with Best Buy. At least in this thread
#48
GirlFriday 2 years ago
I always refuse these "tests" because you are just giving the company your intellectual property for free.
#51
#53
#55
Donna Peluda 2 years ago
The place would burn if I went, all hail the flying spaghetti monster!!!
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What do you think ?
Pie 2 years ago
I worked at a clothing/discount store that made me take one of these stupid tests. One of the questions was "true/false employees steal because they're dissatisfied with their job." I don't remember what I answered but I got the job. Later, after bullying and mistreatment by management and coworkers, I remembered that question. Never occurred to me to steal to get back at my employer until they put the idea in my head...
GirlFriday 2 years ago
IMO, any company that gives these tests has untrained, untrusted, and/or inexperienced people doing the hiring. If you can't rely on a manager to make a good hiring decision without some meaningless endurance/personality/IQ test, then you have a poorly trained manager and that is the fault of the company.
Pie 2 years ago
I worked at a clothing/discount store that made me take one of these stupid tests. One of the questions was "true/false employees steal because they're dissatisfied with their job." I don't remember what I answered but I got the job. Later, after bullying and mistreatment by management and coworkers, I remembered that question. Never occurred to me to steal to get back at my employer until they put the idea in my head...
GirlFriday 2 years ago
IMO, any company that gives these tests has untrained, untrusted, and/or inexperienced people doing the hiring. If you can't rely on a manager to make a good hiring decision without some meaningless endurance/personality/IQ test, then you have a poorly trained manager and that is the fault of the company.
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