WorldSave

I need money. Pure and simple. So, what does one do when they need money? If you need it now, you get a job (most unfortunately). What I did was apply at a local bank. I was taken to an online “quiz” of sorts, which was apparantly to see “where my strengths lie” and if they have a position for me that uses those strenghts.

I’m not stupid. I know that its really just a test to weed out people. I know that its to sort out dumbasses who don’t understand that you’re supposed to lie on these things. But you know what? I’m not going to lie. I don’t think that’s right—to lie to look good. So, I answered each of their dumb, time wasting questions as best as I could. I didn’t choose the “strongly agree” or “strongly disagree” choices, which you’re supposed to (apparantly it looks good). I chose all of them, where applicable. I was also told that I had varying amounts of time to answer each question (20 seconds at one point). I came acoss a question I wasn’t sure of, because it dealt with something I had never done. I asked my partner what they meant, but he was sleeping so all I got was a “uurrgghhhaa?” This, in turn, wasted time. I had to try and shut him up so I could think straight, and before I could click my answer the screen changed and said “There are no more questions.”

Okay. So I knew that was a lie. I knew there were more questions, but they weren’t going to give them to me because I ran out of time. What if I had a legitimate reason? What if, suddenly, my dog was choking and I had to help him? Or, any one of my housemates was calling for help? Or what if I was a mother and had to attend to an injured child? Anything? Nope, doesn’t matter, cause I only had 20 seconds –and everyone knows real life doesn’t matter.

Anyway, back on topic. I knew I didn’t get the job (I was glad, I didn’t really want it). The next day I got an e-mail from them saying:

“Thank you for your interest in the Customer Service Representative (Teller) position with [insert bank name]. We appreciate the time you spent completing our application process.

The ultimate goal of our selection process is to create the right fit by matching candidates with roles in which their strengths would be truly maximized. We believe this approach provides individuals with the greatest opportunities for professional growth and personal satisfaction. At this time, we do not have a role that would take full advantage of your strengths. As a result, we will not be considering you for a Customer Service Representative (Teller) position.”

What a load of crap. You’re not fooling anyone. I know your “selection process” isn’t to create any sort of fit. You don’t really care about my well-being. You just care that you get someone who’s fit for your job—in other words, not a complete dumbass. And, really, your test doesn’t serve to do that. All it does is make sure you’re getting someone who’s good at clicking, and who is morally okay with lying. That’s right, cause I don’t know anyone who is 100% agreeable or disagreeable about (mostly) anything. You might get like 5 out of 100 questions that a person is 100% with or against. But guess what? Nobody is that black and white. And if they were, I wouldn’t care to know them. Life isn’t black and white. You can’t answer questions in black and white. And I’m not going to pretend I’m black and white. There’s grey. Lots of it. I’m proud of that grey. Its called critical thinking and a personality.

So, I’m pretty much done with stupid jobs. I’m tired of this system that thrives on lies and fake politeness. That’s what this website is about—to break out of that. To change these stupid rules, pointless tests, this way that society is trying to define us by little tests and shuttle us into jobs that don’t care about us. To teach people that there is value in themselves, and that they are not valuable because someone else makes money off of them. You have something of value—YOU—and you should tell people about it. Give this world whatever wisdom you have. Whatever skill you have. Whatever it is that makes this world a better place. People want that—they need it. We all need people to care for once… for the focus to be making this world a better place, rather than making a quick buck.

Not to say you shouldn’t make money. You should. Money shows that people find value in your service. But you shouldn’t want to do something solely for what it pays you. That leads down a really unsatisfying road. Do something of value to others and money will come. You’ll be in line with something you agree with, something you thrive with, and something that adds to rather than takes away from the world.

Lia Cross

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