Ok… before anyone else goes into a tizzy about my retail applications, allow me to explain. This is NOT a full time pursuit.

At all.
No way. No huh.

However, what I am looking for is a short term, part time source of income while I engage in a more extensive job hunt. There have been a few full time opportunities that have arisen. But currently none of them have been what I am looking for. And, for the moment, I’d prefer not to commit to a full-​time position that isn’t right. Especially since the Rochester Scene doesn’t really allow for taking a full time position for only a few months. Plus full time would make it difficult for me to finish my writing tasks, and therefore my Masters. And finishing the Masters is the most important thing right now. Well, both that and being able to cover expenses.

So that’s why I’m currently looking at temporary retail jobs. And a few other avenues (TW I don’t have your current e-​mail addy… could you drop at line to “mbernius at gmail​.com”).

My goal is to have full employment by mid fall.

This is one that I should have seen coming a mile away and never even thought of: networked jukeboxes. This discovery begins with another revelation: a cup of premium coffee costs the same amount as a pint of beer. Plus, considering that I drink beer far more slowly than coffee it seemed to make good economic sense as well. And it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve, um…, lubricated my writing with an adult beverage. Conveniently, just last week I noticed that the MacGregors, a local watering hole, by RIT was offering free wireless access. So, after dropping off today’s series of applications, I opted to go there for a beer and to write.

Initially I didn’t pay any attention to the wireless registration process. What did catch my eye, was a neon monolith in the corner of the bar. The “Rock-​Ola” stands about 5’7” and has a 14 inch flatscreen LCD at eye level. And just as I noticed the Rock-​Ola, the screen stated that it was an internet juke box. Actually it was making the claim “I’m the coolest juke box in the world.” Upon investigating I have to agree.

Ecasting has a great model. Bars can buy a Broadband juke box, which then also doubles as a wireless hub for the establishment. And then patrons can choose from the already downloaded albums, or, for a slight fee, browse Ecast’s whole library and download the song/​album that they are looking for. The download stays locked in the machine so there’s no fear of unlicensed distribution. We have a juke box that always has the song that you’re looking for.

And all I have to say is “Damn! Good idea E-​Cast.

I’ve started applying to a number of retail jobs and all in all, its been an odd experience. I’m beginning to be exposed to the various frustrations that other professionals face when circumstances forced them to make this type of a change. Most of these applications really are not set up for salaried position. I keep getting asked for what my hourly rates were in previous jobs. I haven’t been hourly since I was in college. And its very wired to be applying for a $10 an hour job and listing your previous gig at somewhere around $30 an hour (And I’m not ever sure if thats right).

Also, at least two of the jobs have had online applications. While that process moves pretty quickly, both had these extensive Myers Briggs style personality based questions. Here are few examples, moving from the expected to the, well, kind strange:

• You change from feeling happy to sad without any reason
• You get angry more often than nervous
• You have confidence in yourself

  Ok… I can sorta understand those. But who can expect to be given an honest answer to the next two:

• You swear when you argue
• Right now, you care more about having fun than being serious at school or work

  Come on! Don’t you think saying “Yes, I always swear when I argue” is going to hurt you get a position? Or that “right now I care more about having fun than working” is exactly what employers are hoping for? Then we get to the interesting one:

• It is maddening when the court lets guilty criminals go free

How are you supposed to answer that? And why is it there? If I disagree does that flag me as someone who approves of crime? Or if I agree is that a sign that I’m so reactionary? Weird.

But what is the most distressing is that the interview process has been reduced to a series of questions that don’t even need to be asked by a person. Again, we have the case of automation of a “fuzzy-​logic” process. While its not a bot, I have to admit that this entire experience has been alienating. Especially because I got asked the same questions on both applications. And I realized that I was trying to remember my previous answers in hopes of not being inconsistent. I mean, what does it mean if I was hard on crime yesterday and not today.

I’m sure that the idea is that based on my answers I get flagged as a good canditate for one position vs. another. I wonder if there is a website there that offers coaching for how to answer these. You know: be hard on crime and ready to swear if your a cashier, but managers should be softer and never swear.

btw: if any folks out there know anyone at Harris Research, can you let me know. I’d really like to chat with someone from there.