Job interview on phone today
03-02-17, 08:18 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Job interview on phone today
After recently being laid off, I'm interviewing for new position options. For the past 30 years, I've been able to commute from the northern suburb where I live, via Metra Rail to Chicago. Today, on a phone interview, the question came to me about working in the suburbs (not near me) or downtown. I said downtown, as I could continue to take advantage of the train. When I explained this to the interviewer, she surprised me, as she very much appreciated the notion of me not wanting to drive.
While I do realize that having a car in the city is not always favorable, I do have a sense that times are changing, and that more and more people are realizing the car isn't as great as advertised.
While I do realize that having a car in the city is not always favorable, I do have a sense that times are changing, and that more and more people are realizing the car isn't as great as advertised.
03-02-17, 08:32 PM
#2
Senior Member
Employers don't really care, how you get there, they care ,if you can get there, they care that you can get there consistently, they care that you are punctual, they care that you are in shape to work, they care that you come with the "right attitude" and being competent to do the job... JMO in my experience for the last 46+ years 
I have had employers shake their fist at me "in my face, poking me in the chest", and say/yell, "you will never work here again" and I will make sure others "in the biz" know your "attitude", when they "fired" me... 
A few months later, they are/were, very surprised I turned down a job offer from them when they do/did call... 
EDIT: That's happened at least 3 times, (not the fist shaking in my face bit)... But the firing and you are not wanted/good enough, but then they called me for another job.
I have had employers shake their fist at me "in my face, poking me in the chest", and say/yell, "you will never work here again" and I will make sure others "in the biz" know your "attitude", when they "fired" me... A few months later, they are/were, very surprised I turned down a job offer from them when they do/did call... EDIT: That's happened at least 3 times, (not the fist shaking in my face bit)... But the firing and you are not wanted/good enough, but then they called me for another job.
Last edited by 350htrr; 03-02-17 at 09:12 PM.
03-03-17, 12:15 AM
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Some companies pay for employee parking and/or have limited car parking available to those who arrive by car. I would expect people working at such places to appreciate co-workers and potential co-workers who arrive by some means that doesn't take up those "precious" parking spots.
03-03-17, 08:38 AM
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After recently being laid off, I'm interviewing for new position options. For the past 30 years, I've been able to commute from the northern suburb where I live, via Metra Rail to Chicago. Today, on a phone interview, the question came to me about working in the suburbs (not near me) or downtown. I said downtown, as I could continue to take advantage of the train. When I explained this to the interviewer, she surprised me, as she very much appreciated the notion of me not wanting to drive.
03-03-17, 10:47 AM
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I posted something on this a while ago.
Back to the topic of how to get a job without a car, I have seen that it really depends on the nature of the job. The job duties are not an important determinant; the determinant is what the job pays.
A job that pays more than 2x minimum wage seldom seems to require a car. Further, if one is needed, it will generally be provided.
At the same time, a job that pays 1-1.5x minimum wage almost always requires a car; this is true even if the car is not needed for the actual job. As an example, my daughter once applied at a McDonald's that was literally across the street from our apartment, at the time.
She was told that they needed someone with a car so that they could get to work on time.
Of course we know it had nothing to do with getting to work on time; she was able to point out the window and show where she lived. It is simply a gauge of commitment. People applying for higher pay jobs have generally already demonstrated their commitment through whatever is on their resume. They have established themselves.
When applying for, what are, interchangeable jobs, the people are treated as interchangeable gears. For whatever reason (and yes, this needs to change) the car serves as a visible level of commitment, it helps to establish the person. Frankly, it is visible evidence that if the job were abandoned, the worker would suffer.
A job that pays more than 2x minimum wage seldom seems to require a car. Further, if one is needed, it will generally be provided.
At the same time, a job that pays 1-1.5x minimum wage almost always requires a car; this is true even if the car is not needed for the actual job. As an example, my daughter once applied at a McDonald's that was literally across the street from our apartment, at the time.
She was told that they needed someone with a car so that they could get to work on time.
Of course we know it had nothing to do with getting to work on time; she was able to point out the window and show where she lived. It is simply a gauge of commitment. People applying for higher pay jobs have generally already demonstrated their commitment through whatever is on their resume. They have established themselves.
When applying for, what are, interchangeable jobs, the people are treated as interchangeable gears. For whatever reason (and yes, this needs to change) the car serves as a visible level of commitment, it helps to establish the person. Frankly, it is visible evidence that if the job were abandoned, the worker would suffer.
03-03-17, 01:52 PM
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So you're saying that since they're not allowed to physically torture you if you quit, they want you to get a car so you'll have something to take away?
I think it's simpler than that and there's just a business club where the McD's franchise owners support the car-dealers by pushing their employees to buy cars. I've had people promote the strangest products to me as a co-worker, and I assume there must be some kind of kick-back in it for them.
Sometimes I get the idea that industries create entire belief-systems about it being patriotic to support the US economy by "buying American," i.e. buying American brand cars. I think the idea is you pledge your money to Detroit, and then Detroit is supposed to take care of you in return, the way a king takes care of loyal subjects.
I think it's simpler than that and there's just a business club where the McD's franchise owners support the car-dealers by pushing their employees to buy cars. I've had people promote the strangest products to me as a co-worker, and I assume there must be some kind of kick-back in it for them.
Sometimes I get the idea that industries create entire belief-systems about it being patriotic to support the US economy by "buying American," i.e. buying American brand cars. I think the idea is you pledge your money to Detroit, and then Detroit is supposed to take care of you in return, the way a king takes care of loyal subjects.
03-03-17, 05:18 PM
#7
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So you're saying that since they're not allowed to physically torture you if you quit, they want you to get a car so you'll have something to take away?
I think it's simpler than that and there's just a business club where the McD's franchise owners support the car-dealers by pushing their employees to buy cars. I've had people promote the strangest products to me as a co-worker, and I assume there must be some kind of kick-back in it for them.
Sometimes I get the idea that industries create entire belief-systems about it being patriotic to support the US economy by "buying American," i.e. buying American brand cars. I think the idea is you pledge your money to Detroit, and then Detroit is supposed to take care of you in return, the way a king takes care of loyal subjects.
I think it's simpler than that and there's just a business club where the McD's franchise owners support the car-dealers by pushing their employees to buy cars. I've had people promote the strangest products to me as a co-worker, and I assume there must be some kind of kick-back in it for them.
Sometimes I get the idea that industries create entire belief-systems about it being patriotic to support the US economy by "buying American," i.e. buying American brand cars. I think the idea is you pledge your money to Detroit, and then Detroit is supposed to take care of you in return, the way a king takes care of loyal subjects.
03-03-17, 05:35 PM
#8
Senior Member
The whole system is set up to do that... Why do you think there is the constant barrage of advertisements, ? Society and what is "normal" is depicted, and if you don't conform/measure-up to it, you need to get a job, a better job, work harder, work more OT... But buy, buy, buy, it's good for everybody. 
03-03-17, 06:25 PM
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I didn't know that companies do job interviews over the phone without actually meeting the potential employee face to face. What type of companies do that ??
03-03-17, 06:39 PM
#10
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Tho, it's a bit of a closed..? Specialised job/system I was in, Meaning people know people who know people, and wham... Probably worked for WWAAaayy over 60 Different companies, WWAAaayy over 600+ jobs in my life...
So, I think I do know how to get a job... 
Been retired for the last 6 years, or so, bet I could get a job tomorrow, well OK, a few days, all I would need to do is pick up the phone and make a few calls... 
Last edited by 350htrr; 03-03-17 at 07:15 PM.
03-03-17, 07:31 PM
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I got an e-mail from a headhunter. I responded and arranged a call. Based on the call I fed-ex'ed my bicycle and flew out. My new boss picked me up, we drove over to the office and picked up my bike. From there he drove me to my hotel and I was at work the next day.
I have to say it, the whole thing felt odd, I was really expecting it to be some elaborate scam.
03-03-17, 07:47 PM
#13
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03-03-17, 07:48 PM
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I got a job on a Skype interview once. I'm in a pretty specialized field with jobs (and potential employees) all over the country, and sometimes they don't feel like spending the extra money to fly a bunch of people out and put them in hotels.
03-03-17, 10:18 PM
#15
In the right lane
I see more and more of my colleagues on Skype only... I worked with a team last year that had one developer in Seattle, another in NY, another in India and then me... They all worked from home. I didn't... but I do like my morning rides. 
03-04-17, 02:44 PM
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The whole system is set up to do that... Why do you think there is the constant barrage of advertisements, ? Society and what is "normal" is depicted, and if you don't conform/measure-up to it, you need to get a job, a better job, work harder, work more OT... But buy, buy, buy, it's good for everybody.
03-04-17, 02:56 PM
#17
Senior Member
Increasingly employers are pro walking and bicycle commuting. Number one reason is that active employees are healthier and that lowers their health insurance costs. Some also believe that active/healthy employees work better, have less time off, etc.
Second is that people who walk, bicycle, or transit don't need a parking space.
Second is that people who walk, bicycle, or transit don't need a parking space.
03-04-17, 08:08 PM
#18
In the right lane
03-04-17, 08:32 PM
#19
Senior Member
I am 100% sure that it does, is, part of some business costs... In my field, it is actually the other way around... "Getting the employee to the job is a "MAJOR cost"... About 1/2 of the jobs I quit, was because the employer didn't live up to the bargain of "paying me to get to the job site"...
03-04-17, 08:55 PM
#21
Senior Member
I worked AT most... About 1/4 of a year, for most or my 46 working years, and made a good living... NOW, What does that got to do with the average working person...? I don't know, something to do with what you are able to do, and what you are willing to put up-with.. ??? .
Last edited by 350htrr; 03-04-17 at 09:21 PM. Reason: spelling
03-05-17, 06:53 AM
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Yes, but the cost comes at the time the land is bought and the development planned, as well as whenever the site is paved or repaved. Without a substantial and consistent population of car-free customers, it would be hard to bet on a smaller parking area impeding business.
Gradually, i think there will be more businesses with less parking per customer on smaller roads, but the paradigm shift is a weird transition.
Gradually, i think there will be more businesses with less parking per customer on smaller roads, but the paradigm shift is a weird transition.
03-05-17, 07:21 AM
#23
Senior Member
As the saying says, a million here and a million there and soon we're talking real money...
Initial costs (land acquisition, prep, paving) run about $2500 - $18,000 per space depending on location. Then there are annual costs of maintenance, snow clearing, property taxes, etc. Some cities and counties are also, smartly, beginning to charge businesses a traffic tax based on either the number of parking spaces or the daily traffic flow in a driveway. All that traffic creates considerable wear & tear on streets so they want to either reduce the traffic or collect revenue to pay for it.
In one recent case a large employer needed to add a building to their campus but was out of space. Their best option was to eliminate some parking but that was already at a premium. Adding the building space away from the campus is their current best option but they're trying to avoid that. Last I heard they were planning on changing from free parking to a charge for parking but a stipend for transportation that is enough to cover the cost of parking or money in the pocket of people who choose not to drive.
Initial costs (land acquisition, prep, paving) run about $2500 - $18,000 per space depending on location. Then there are annual costs of maintenance, snow clearing, property taxes, etc. Some cities and counties are also, smartly, beginning to charge businesses a traffic tax based on either the number of parking spaces or the daily traffic flow in a driveway. All that traffic creates considerable wear & tear on streets so they want to either reduce the traffic or collect revenue to pay for it.
In one recent case a large employer needed to add a building to their campus but was out of space. Their best option was to eliminate some parking but that was already at a premium. Adding the building space away from the campus is their current best option but they're trying to avoid that. Last I heard they were planning on changing from free parking to a charge for parking but a stipend for transportation that is enough to cover the cost of parking or money in the pocket of people who choose not to drive.
03-05-17, 12:10 PM
#24
In the right lane
Their best option was to eliminate some parking but that was already at a premium. Adding the building space away from the campus is their current best option but they're trying to avoid that. Last I heard they were planning on changing from free parking to a charge for parking but a stipend for transportation that is enough to cover the cost of parking or money in the pocket of people who choose not to drive.
03-05-17, 08:14 PM
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As Dave Ramsey said, "Buy new cars all your life and you will be broke" was the best advice I've heard in years. Billions are spent in advertising to get you to buy new cars, cell phones and pharmaceuticals. Don't become one of them.