Terminated - Job Seeking Advice and Discussion - Over 200 Posts with Advice

[Claes Gefvenberg]

Lucinda said:

Oh I just had to laugh because you are spot on with that one! Whenever women come in for interviews all the other women look at her to see if she's a "threat"! There's always jealousy if she's attractive. And I'm no exception, I do it too even though I know it's silly and petty.

---X---

Actually it can be a bit aggrivating when they join forces too...

I cannot resist telling you about my very first summer job, when I was still in school: As a plumber at the local hospital, which is a world clearly dominated by women.

Guess if they ganged up on me? A green young lad all on his own? I soon lost count of how many times my face went bright red Did they ever have an attitude... I haven't experienced such dirty language ever since, not even in the military.

If I treated a woman like that I'd be prosecuted...


/Claes

 

[Angela-2007]

I completely agree with you Mike. It is wise to have someone who is trainable to your position. Let's be honest, when you deal with ISO/QSor TS who wants your job anyways. If they do, then they have no idea what they are getting into. HAHA!

Lucinda, I figured you would know what I meant. It can be difficult as a woman in the business world anyways. Even more so when you are a mother. Sometimes those comments like "Don't worry your pretty little head over it" can be greatly annoying. It is a great tragedy that you have to "dumb down" or change your hair color to find a job or receive "respect" in your field. Hopefully you will come across an interview with someone who shares these thoughts and realizes that you are the individual for the position. You are right if you get your foot in the door the promotions will come. I had to take a secretary position with this company, at first. Took me approximately two months to receive my first promotion. I have more than tripled my pay in the past seven years. It took awhile for me to receive any respect from certain employees in the company. I was very young when I started here. I feel that I am often judged by fellow female employees by whether my hair is prettier or if I am anatomically bigger then them. I laugh now because I know that my hair, makeup or anything else had nothing to do with my accomplishments.

Angela

 

[Mike S.]

Working in the medical field in a hospital, as Claes found out, is a field dominated by women in most areas. My wife worked at a hospital and said she never saw such back-stabbing and bickering in her life. She'd much rather work with men than women.

I've hired 2 women for the position as my "#1" and trained them both to the the annointed one to take my place. My wife warned me not to hire women as they are too hard to get along with in the business world! The first was a nice-looking blonde (not why I hired her) and in the beginning she tried to use her charms to get out of some of the less than fun jobs (taking boxes to the storage area, cleaning the lab, etc.) but I told her no dice, everyone in here, man and woman alike, is treated equally. And that's what happened, which impressed the guys as they were starry-eyed and admitted they might not have the willpower to be so strict. She soon caught on and learned to respect that decision but obviously wasn't used to that concept of her looks not getting her out of some things (she admitted it). There were some jealousy issues with other women in the plant, and some problems with her dating guys at work, but we got thru them.

The second, another nice-looking young lady, was told up-front, you will not be harassed or discriminated against at all, nor will you be given preferential treatment due to being female. She later admitted no one had ever told her that, or treated her that way, and she respected it and decided right away this was a great place to work. Some of the same jealousy and dating issues again arose, but again we got thru them.

Both did nice work, but in the end circumstances unrelated to ability resulted in them not working with me any longer. Nevertheless, I'd still hire a capable woman again, but I do admit there is always a little tiny fear wondering if things don't work out if I might get accused of REDACTED harassment. I've heard the horror stories. Sometimes the job required us to be alone, after hours in the lab, or on a daytrip, or in the storage room, etc. Luckily, I've never had anyone make any claims, but then I never gave any reason, either.

Lucinda, I'd hire you in a heartbeat if I could. Trouble is, you're far away, and we're not hiring now! Same goes for Energy. Dumbing down definitely NOT desired.

 

[Angela-2007]

Mike;

Glad to hear that you are capable of working with either sex in an equal manner. I do understand your fears and have witnessed what can happen when certain working relationships go wrong. I do believe that most women are not like that. Most women want to work in an environment where they receive respect and are rewarded as deserved.

Angela

 

[db]

I am not a woman, but have had the privilege of both working for women and having women work for me, and here is my take. I have had rock-solid bosses and employees of both genders. I’ve seen women that have tried to use their gender to their advantage. I’ve seen men do similar things. Some folks use their “difference” as a tool. However, I’ve found that folks who do that tend to be slackers in other areas as well. A rock solid employee is rock solid regardless of gender, race, physical impairment, or what ever. A shaky employee will always be shaky (unless they decide to change). I try not to consider the individual, I try to consider what the individual brings to the table. What is their contribution?

 

[JodiB]

Mike, I have to agree with your wife: I would rather work with men than women too. I feel like a traitor to my gender, and don't mean to disparage the women here at the Cove (who have all behaved professionally and courteously and have been very helpful).

But out in the big world it's the women in the office who create drama and personal intrique. It's like an extension of Jr. High School for some.

If I were doing the hiring and had a choice between two candidates, I would most likely hire the man. In fact, when I was interviewing for an administrative assistant last year, I did hire a man!

Hmmm. Perhaps I should change the name on my resume to just initials...

At any rate, I'm going to take another crack at the resume and make it less scary. How about a big Objective statement that says:" Not seeking the top dog job, or aspiring to someday move into the top dog job, but simply looking for the opportunity to provide the very highest level of support to the top dog so he/she can look like a big hero" ?

 

[Randy Stewart]

Even more so when you are a mother.

Not to belittle the situation but try it as a single father. I have a 21 month old and get real funny looks when I have to move a meeting up in order keep the babysitters happy!!!!!

Not to mention missing the closing meeting of an audit due to sickness at the daycare.

 

[Angela-2007]

Randy

I did not mean to leave men out. I know that it is becoming more common for single men to be raising children. That had to sound bias of me to say "only mothers". I apologize.

Angela

 

[Randy Stewart]

That had to sound bias of me to say "only mothers".

I didn't take it that way. All I was saying was that as a manager and a single parent it has opened my eyes to some of the issues women have had for years. It's not that I didn't understand or was blind, but what's that old saying about walking in someone elses shoes??? It has been a good object lesson.
:truce:

 

[Angela-2007]

Let me get this straight. You are employed, a single father raising a small child, and you understand dilemma's that women have had for years. How is it possible that you are not married? HAHA

Angela