Wk 3 Blog: Job Descriptions

The following post will describe job descriptions and how they relate to and affect my most recent work experience with an employer.

I recently had a pretty poor experience with acquiring a job that vaguely matched the job description. Since this is a small and local company, I will not directly state what occurred as well as where the position was, but I will talk about my negative experience. What drew me to applying there was an online posting with average salary along with the detail of the job description itself. I found that this position was allegedly paying $50k a year with potential commission on sales and flexible hours around 30hr per week. The company is reputable and It was a hands-on labor job that involved working in a machine shop which is something I have experience with so naturally… I applied. Few days later I have an interview, and a few after that I get the job! Unfortunately, it was when I was given the position that I learned the truths of the description and ended up backing down from the job.

I began the onboarding process with the HR department and received a packet regarding the ins and outs of the job, the descriptions matched what I was reading when I applied but the salary and hours were way off. The salary was only $15/hr with no commission and roughly 20 hours per week. I was immediately turned off from this position because I already had a job that I had been at for a while and was making good money with, but I wanted to see if there was a more permanent position elsewhere.

Regardless of who you are or what field of work you are in chances are you are working because you need money, if it’s not your first priority I am assuming it is close to the top as money is needed for day-to-day life. If an employer is not transparent with things such as salary right out the gate, then you already start with an employee who is dissatisfied with their work and potently start to lack trust in the upper management. This is why it is important to be open in the interview process and ask questions to the employer as well, it shows that you are engaged as well as better sets you up for making a decision come time you receive that hiring message.