Overqualified for Volunteer Work
Don't know if anyone else here has experienced this, but I gotta admit feeling a little flabbergasted. So today I had an interview at the local mental institution for an unpaid position working at their giftshop; nice clean venue, thought it might be helpful for getting some offical cash register experience on my resume. Met with a pleasant older lady; had a long conversation regarding my education and other internships. To make a long story short; I was informed that I was overqualified based on my experience at chemistry and biology laboratories, and would furthermore be a flight-hazard from the position. What's truly boggling about this is that they admit to having a tough time finding candidates for the position, that they want 100 hours as some sort of contractual guarantee, and that it would cost something like $75 out of pocket for me in gas to provide them with the volunteer service. I informed them also that I was seeking another part-time position (12-20 hr, paid) as a shelving stocker at a nearby library; which I thought wouldn't be an unrealistic set-up due to the flexible hours of volunteering?
Comments
Employer: Do you have any experience?
Me: I have experience with sales, working the register--
Employer: No, I mean, have you had any experiences making a sandwich before?
Me: ...? Who... Who hasn't?
Never had that experience, but I had this happened to me once when trying to apply at Subway:
Employer: Do you have any experience?
Me: I have experience with sales, working the register--
Employer: No, I mean, have you had any experiences making a sandwich before?
Me: ...? Who... Who hasn't?
Lmao. They probably mean a more complicated sandwich, but yeah... this is the type of job that realistically they should just suck it up and spend the hour or so it'd take to train you. The fuck do they want, someone with a Bachelors Degree in Sandwich Artisanry?
Never had that experience, but I had this happened to me once when trying to apply at Subway:
Employer: Do you have any experience?
Me: I have experience with sales, working the register--
Employer: No, I mean, have you had any experiences making a sandwich before?
Me: ...? Who... Who hasn't?
Lmao. They probably mean a more complicated sandwich, but yeah... this is the type of job that realistically they should just suck it up and spend the hour or so it'd take to train you. The fuck do they want, someone with a Bachelors Degree in Sandwich Artisanry?
Psh anyone can get a bachelor's. You need a master's now
My wife worked at Subway briefly... It's not an hour of training. You have to do hours upon hours of online 'school' before you step in the door. It's dumb.
And they expect you to also have magical previous experience? Jeez.
It's more about if the employer can trust you which I think is more important.
I can teach someone anything, and try and work around his/her abilities to see what works within the job. But if that some-bitch steals from me, they're fired. lol
My wife worked at Subway briefly... It's not an hour of training. You have to do hours upon hours of online 'school' before you step in the door. It's dumb.
That's really sad, honestly. Are they paid?
There are two points here:
1). If you are able, try to find a non-profit thrift store to work in. It was a great experience. You may have to work there a bit before they trust you with the dollars. I never worked the ole' cash box, I think it was store policy.
2). Be up front with your intentions and time commitments.
My wife worked at Subway briefly... It's not an hour of training. You have to do hours upon hours of online 'school' before you step in the door. It's dumb.
That's really sad, honestly. Are they paid?
Don't believe so? Maybe.
My wife worked at Subway briefly... It's not an hour of training. You have to do hours upon hours of online 'school' before you step in the door. It's dumb.
That's really sad, honestly. Are they paid?
Don't believe so? Maybe.
Ouch.
We have an out-of-work training program that's not paid, but it's also not required. The rest of the training is on the clock which is nice.
Yes I had this experience for both volunteer work and full time work. Here is the situation. They put you to work for say a week and then you can up and leave after that. The person you are dealing with wants somebody who they feel won't leave after a certain amount of time. They are probably thinking you won't be there for the certain amount of time they want you. Telling them your seeking part time work as a shelve stocker worries some people even it is volunteer work.
It just seemed dumb to me; even colleges can understand that students get paid a stipend on internships. Somebody who is trying to replace their labor costs with pixie sticks should be grateful that anyone shows up to help them out. Especially when the person running the shop is drawing a wage!
When I was in high school, I worked at a thrift store to make up a couple credits I was missing. I was up front with my intentions and time commitments and they were happy to have the help.
There are two points here:
1). If you are able, try to find a non-profit thrift store to work in. It was a great experience. You may have to work there a bit before they trust you with the dollars. I never worked the ole' cash box, I think it was store policy.
2). Be up front with your intentions and time commitments.
Yeah, I see what you're saying about the time commitments; it probably would have been better to hammer down the other part-time gig before pursuing a venture like this. What type of thrift store did you work at may I ask, a local store or a national chain? I can't stand the Goodwill around here, though Savers might be worth a shot.
Yes I had this experience for both volunteer work and full time work. Here is the situation. They put you to work for say a week and then you can up and leave after that. The person you are dealing with wants somebody who they feel won't leave after a certain amount of time. They are probably thinking you won't be there for the certain amount of time they want you. Telling them your seeking part time work as a shelve stocker worries some people even it is volunteer work.
It just seemed dumb to me; even colleges can understand that students get paid a stipend on internships. Somebody who is trying to replace their labor costs with pixie sticks should be grateful that anyone shows up to help them out. Especially when the person running the shop is drawing a wage!
Not necessarily. They are investing a time committment into training you. If they think you are more qualified for a paid position elsewhere and may not be there long, then there is no reason for them to invest and commit time to you in the first place.
When I was in high school, I worked at a thrift store to make up a couple credits I was missing. I was up front with my intentions and time commitments and they were happy to have the help.
There are two points here:
1). If you are able, try to find a non-profit thrift store to work in. It was a great experience. You may have to work there a bit before they trust you with the dollars. I never worked the ole' cash box, I think it was store policy.
2). Be up front with your intentions and time commitments.
Yeah, I see what you're saying about the time commitments; it probably would have been better to hammer down the other part-time gig before pursuing a venture like this. What type of thrift store did you work at may I ask, a local store or a national chain? I can't stand the Goodwill around here, though Savers might be worth a shot.
It was a local non-profit. Goodwill is actually a for-profit entity.
The store I worked for employed disabled people who wouldn't be able to get regular jobs and paid them for the work. It was a pretty neat operation and I learned lots working there, as it was my first time working for someone else (basically, my first job without being paid).
I'd say try to stick to local places before trying a chain, if possible.