Have you ever gotten the runaround
By firecracker
@sacmom (14192)
United States
March 3, 2011 3:09am CST
when looking for work?
I applied online, or rather reapplied online after my previous application expired, to a local pharmacy yesterday. After I finished my application it posted this statement:
"Your application has been sent.
Thank you for applying. The remainder of the Skills Assessment must be completed at one of our stores. Please visit any of our stores to complete your assessment. You may be contacted by a store manager if you meet the qualifications for an open position in one of our stores. If a store manager is interested in interviewing you for a position, you will be asked to come to the store and complete some additional application steps. If you have any questions about the application process, you may want to contact the store manager at a store in the area where you are interested in working. Click the button below to return to the home page. Thank you."
Seeing as it says "The remainder of the Skills Assessment must be completed at one of their stores" I did just that. I went to one of their stores so I could finish the assessment. I mentioned to an employee there, who was very kind, that I need to finish the assessment part of my application. She called the manager out to assist me. When he came out I followed him over by the photo dept where he told me to wait for a moment. When he came back he told me that I would be contacted if I meet the qualifications.
I mentioned what it had stated on their site, how the remainder of the assessment must be completed at one of their stores, and he acted like that wasn't part of the process at all. So I thanked him, as well as the employee that had helped me, and I left (what else could I do? I had no proof). I had to go to the grocery store and buy some groceries anyway.
When I got home I looked up my application. The first step of my application has been completed. However, the second step is incomplete (with a link underneath it). When I clicked on it, what did I see? but the statement I already mentioned above. 
I did some investigating online as well, and everything I found stated that I need to go to one of these stores to finish the assessment.
I don't know about you, but I feel like I've gotten the runaround by the manager that I spoke to. 
So, what about you? Have you ever gotten the runaround when looking for work, or for any situation for that matter? What, if anything, did you do about it? I myself plan on going to one of their other stores and try again. However, this time I plan to bring some proof with me. 
I did some investigating online as well, and everything I found stated that I need to go to one of these stores to finish the assessment.
I don't know about you, but I feel like I've gotten the runaround by the manager that I spoke to.
So, what about you? Have you ever gotten the runaround when looking for work, or for any situation for that matter? What, if anything, did you do about it? I myself plan on going to one of their other stores and try again. However, this time I plan to bring some proof with me. 3 people like this
14 responses
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
3 Mar 11
Hi sacmom, long time since I seen you, you aren't here as much anymore, I've missed you....
I am not surprised, many employees, even managers, are so clueless; it makes me wonder how they even got hired in the first place..My son has great management skills (and no I am not being biased, his employer knew his skills enough to promote him over another guy who work there longer,) and yet since he moved, he can't seem to get a job...
I can't wait to see the update on this, see what the manager has to say about your "proof" that you need to finish at the store..
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
3 Mar 11
Huh? Where'd I go? LOL
I do log in fairly often, I just don't get to post. Not lately anyway. Most of my (free) time has been spent applying for work. But I still make time for mylot. Even if it's just to read a little.
You don't need to tell me they are clueless. I've seen it for myself. Like you, it also makes me wonder how employees like this get hired in the first place. It just seems so wrong, not to mention unfair.
I doubt that manager would have anything to say. I plan on going to a different store to finish my assessment. I could go back to the same place, but I don't think it'd do any good. He'd probably come up with some other excuse.
I'm sorry to hear about your son. I hope he's able to find work soon! Wish him good luck for me!
1 person likes this
Thanks Carmela, I hope so too. I'd be good for me to work. Not just for the money, but to finally have a job. It's been way too long!@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
3 Mar 11
Well, I don't see you reading..lol So you are spying on us here?
J/K..I am just saying I don't see you around much and I miss you..
It's good you can go to another store, maybe you can finally finish your assessment and I hope you get this job..And thanks for your well wishes, he so needs a job, we can't afford to keep feeding him...lol
J/K..I am just saying I don't see you around much and I miss you..
It's good you can go to another store, maybe you can finally finish your assessment and I hope you get this job..And thanks for your well wishes, he so needs a job, we can't afford to keep feeding him...lol1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
3 Mar 11
I think I would contact support on the site, and let them know what the manager said to you and ask them if you were supposed to get to fill something else out. He should not be able to deny you or give you the run around.
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
5 Mar 11
Just a quick update. I didn't do that. I went to the other store instead. And I was able to finish my assessment there. 
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
6 Mar 11
yea,we have places around here that ask for a "non-refundable application fee" which is total BS,or the ones who want 10 bucks for a BCI.
if you don't get hired,you're out the fees,and they've made money off you.
i don't mind getting a BCI,but if job after job asks you to pay for one,it adds up to a waste of money.it used to be the employer paid for it if they requested it.
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
8 Mar 11
I hate to ask, but what the heck is a BCI?
I couldn't imagine paying $10 each time. I did pay $2 once, so far. That was for my DMV printout. As the job I applied for required it, I couldn't get around not paying it.
Unfortunately I didn't get the job, so now I'm out $2. (Dang it, I should have just played the lottery! LOL)
Well, at least I gave it a shot. Back to the drawing board so I can continue my search for work.
Happy mylotting!
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
29 Mar 11
BCI is a background criminal check.they want to see if you have any felonies or things as bad.that what gets me-i know mine is clean,so i should have a printout or something so i don't have to keep doing it.
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
1 Apr 11
Ah, okay. I've heard of criminal background checks, I just never heard of it being called that before.
You mean to say some employers don't pay for this anymore? That's not fair. As they are the ones requesting it, they should be the ones to pay for it...or at the very least reimburse the job seekers they don't hire.
A BCI printout is a good idea. Maybe they'll have something like that one day.
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
10 Mar 11
I wonder why must be it so troublesome, going thru all that process. What happens if one is not being hired by them? Wont it be a waste of time travelling around? If i'm in your situation, i would have gone home, print out whatever is stated on the site, return to the store again.. haha =D I will see what excuse are they gonna give again, or they will say, info on the site is outdated?? lol =D 
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
10 Mar 11
Maybe it's to see whose willing to go the distance to get the job. Who knows?
As for it being a waste of time traveling around, that's precisely why I didn't go back to the original store in the first place. Although I must admit it would have been interesting to see what excuse he'd of come up with.
By the way, I did happen to print up and bring the info. However, I didn't need it as the manager at the other store didn't bother giving me the runaround.
Happy mylotting!
By the way, I did happen to print up and bring the info. However, I didn't need it as the manager at the other store didn't bother giving me the runaround.
Happy mylotting!1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
5 Mar 11
Oh yes..I have felt that way before. I have been to the point where I have just wanted to say its a simple yes or no..don't waste anymore of my time. My daughter is going through a lot of that now and it can be very discouraging. Hang in there.
1 person likes this
@Demonsbane (30)
• Canada
4 Mar 11
I've been there many times before, they make it sound all convincing that your the right "candidate" and saying that they'll call you back, but they never do and this goes on for days. Then finally they tell you the position has been filled.
But to increase your chances, you want to dress for success, dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Be optimistic, but not too optimistic, be cunning, not a mouth piece, just all in all try and be in a good mood before you go for any interview
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
3 Mar 11
That sounds like a good idea.to bring proof. I have worked at the same job for so long I don't remember if I got the runaround before that or not...been there 25 years...I did apply for another job a few years back...was offered the job but turned it down as the pay was about half what I was making...
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
6 Mar 11
Thanks Jill. I brought it along, but it turns out that I didn't need it. The manager at the other store helped set me up with the assessment test when I told him what I was there for.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
3 Mar 11
You need to e mail the store HQ immediately and complain. Sounds to me like the manager was fobbing you off. His SIL has probably applied for the job and he's trying to keep down the competition. Funnily enough the job that I have now messed me about a little. They couldn't make up their mind when they were going to interview and kept me dangling. I wasn't in a hurry fortunately and clearly got the job. Good luck Oshy.
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
6 Mar 11
I think you're right about the manager. However, I was able to finish the assessment at the other store, so there's really no need to complain about it now.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
3 Mar 11
That's just awful! The manager could have been honest about it, like maybe they'd run out of the tests or something. I would do what you plan, go to a different store.
While I was job hunting I went into this gas station and asked for an application. The woman looked me in the eye and rather rudely said "We're not hiring". I said I'd like to fill out an application anyway. So I filled it out right there and handed it right back to her. Then, because this gas station also had a sub shop in it, I asked if this one application was for both the gas station and sub shop.. she said "Yes, I do the hiring for the whole store" still rudely, and she emphasized the I part. As if she's trying to prove her point that she has no interest in hiring.
Don't you know, a few days later this same woman is calling me in for an interview. Of course I didn't end up getting the job, and now I'm not so sure I would have wanted it. It did pay a little bit more than minimum wage.. actually it paid $9 an hour (minimum wage here is 7.25) but the woman was a total B**** so I probably would have hated working for her.
I eventually got the job at Subway. My manager is awesome, she's the nicest person on earth, and so easy to talk to and very chatty and doesn't mind telling you her whole life story (I'm the exact same way so we get along great). Even though I'm only making minimum wage I enjoy my job very much.. I probably would not have enjoyed working at the gas station!
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
6 Mar 11
I don't see how they could have run out of tests. It's all done on their computers. I know this because I was able to finish my assessment at the other store. But I do agree, he could have at least been honest with me.
That's weird that that woman did that. I wonder why she did. But I guess you're better off not working for someone like that. She sounds a little crazy to me.
I hope I'm as lucky as you and wind up with a great boss, if anyone ever hires me, that is. Hopefully it'll happen one of these days because I really need a job!
Happy mylotting!
PS Minimum wage isn't that much more here in CA. It's currently at $8 an hour.
@elitess (5070)
• Ipswich, England
3 Mar 11
Hello Sacmom.
This sounds like a typical stereotype of UNINFORMED people.
Something similar happened to me at the bank as i wanted to liquidate a more different saving account, and my brothers works in a different branch of the bank and asked people there how i should do it - they stated i have to close it in their bank, and the sum in it will be transferred to my current account and when i got there, i was informed by the manager that i COULD NOT until i remove all the sum present in the account there. As moving the money from that specific type of account lasts 8 working days, i now have to wait again for another 8 working days to remove it .
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
6 Mar 11
Uninformed or maybe just plain lazy.
I've never moved money around like that. The whole thing sounds rather frustrating, not to mention confusing. I hope it all gets figured out without any more delays.
Happy mylotting!
@rameshchow (4426)
• India
3 Mar 11
I am from India,
till now i an engineering student only.
Even though i have been learning many things from you.
Your words are using as guidelines for me.
Thanks for sharing.
God bless you.
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
3 Mar 11
An optimistic attitude is always best, though it can get hard to maintain after sending out so many applications and getting turned down left and right. I should know as I've sent out a bunch! But that won't stop me from applying for jobs. I just have to keep on trying until something comes up.
Happy mylotting!
