this post was submitted on 09 Nov 2023
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Not really talking about the current job situation, but do you ever notice how there are no postings for really obscure positions that definitely exist but are never posted anywhere? I feel like David Graeber would have a lot to say

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[–] [email protected] 63 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (4 children)

A lot of jobs are locked away behind networking unfortunately. Every so often I'd see stuff that I'd be genuinely excited for (e.g. working on differential equation solvers at a nuclear power plant), but yeah usually the fun stuff like that which definitely exists just never makes it to public postings. I have a few engineering friends who will tell me the opportunity of being just the differential equations guy on an engineering team exists, and I believe them but I'd really appreciate if they let me know when their company is hiring. Right now it's more "oh yeah I know this boomer physics guy who is living your dream"

[–] [email protected] 55 points 2 years ago (3 children)

A lot of jobs are locked away behind networking unfortunately

death to neurotypical society

[–] [email protected] 39 points 2 years ago

It wouldn't be so annoying if people didn't cling so hard to the meritocracy delusion. I remember being told as a kid that if I worked hard, it would pay off.

What I wasn't told was that my work would have to be seen by someone in a position of power.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 2 years ago

I love not having the ability to make meaningless, vapid small talk and it actually impacting my career prospects

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 years ago

Hell I'm NT and I hate that shit too. I don't want to go waste time talking to randos, I have friends for that.

[–] [email protected] 40 points 2 years ago (3 children)

I didn't even think about that. If jobs are scarce in a capitalist system, they'd be hoarded and commodified too.

Why hire a random person when you can hire a relative or a buddy and get something in exchange? It would be leaving benefits on the table just to give the job to a qualified person who doesn't owe you anything.

[–] [email protected] 24 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (3 children)

Typically those jobs go to qualified and competent people as well. It's not a "fair" distribution system by any means, but it mostly works out because, tbqh, work generally isn't so prohibatively difficult to require rigorous hiring processes.

[–] [email protected] 20 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I didn't mean that the connected person who was hired is less qualified. I just meant that given self-interest in a capitalist society, people in charge of hiring would prioritize giving jobs to people they know or personally benefit from.

I mean that's just intrinsic bias, but it just sucks how pervasive it is on top of racism, sexism, classism, ableism, etc.

That on top of all those things keeping someone from fulfilling work, a hiring manager might hire their buddy or someone from a fraternity or one of their relatives.

And good point about the nature of work qualifications. Most jobs don't require intensive skill, education, or training that can't be taught on the job. I mean people wouldn't be able to get away with lying on their resumes otherwise.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 years ago (1 children)

people in charge of hiring would prioritize giving jobs to people they know or personally benefit from

also it's easier to do it that way. saves on advertising, reading applications, interviews, etc

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Gotta love that short-sighted capitalist efficiency.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Opportunity cost isn't really a thing that most hiring managers give a shit about. They also usually don't really benefit in many ways from the "best" candidate being chosen rather than a mediocre one that they have some other relationship to.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago

yeah they do this because it's easier for them personally and they don't care about the company that much

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 years ago

Typically those jobs go to qualified and competent people as well.

if you mean the vibes based method of measuring qualified and competent, then yeah that happens.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Sounds kinda like affirmative action but for your social circle

Extreme example, but I believe that’s maybe what @[email protected] was getting at? Like you could have all of the qualifications, but you’re passed up by default because of who you are

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 years ago

It's definitely very frustrating as someone to whom social interaction doesn't come naturally.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 years ago (1 children)

THEY MADE JOBS A LUXURY FOR THE RICH

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 years ago

I've seen clients where I work who talked about getting jobs because they were bored. It's so gross

[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 years ago

In aviation new pilots are hired almost exclusively via networking (unless you want to work menial, underpaid and dangerous jobs). It literally is a commodity, specifically jet flight time.

I just found out a few days ago from colleagues that there is apparently a company that will let you pay them for your labor just for those sweet sweet hours.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 2 years ago

Damn they’re not even locked behind a paywall?

deeper-sadness

Also, shit. I think this is why I was encouraged to join a frat during undergrad

[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 years ago

Sounds like you know what must be done.