800 show up for one job in Tacoma, WA oh my god

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008736510_webtacomajobcrush12m.html?syndication=rss

"By Associated Press
TACOMA, Wash. — More than 800 people showed up to take a test for a job as a Tacoma, Wash., water meter reader. One job"

and this is in the pacifiic northwest, traditionally immune from downturns. This is getting scary, folks, And from the deparment of the obvious, the article goes on to state---

"But Hall says "the economy and the decrease in available job openings" may have had something to do with the response as well"

holy moly.....

[tekisui]

1. For a meter reading job!

:wow:

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. I hope lovely Rita got the job

800 applicants is a Pretty said reflection on what is really going on

[dysfunctional press]

4. rita was a meter maid, not a water meter reader.

:shrug:

[Ichingcarpenter]

5. McCarthy updated the song.

What, women can't do that job? What is your point?

[sandnsea]

3. Unemployment is 9% in Oregon

And in double digits in most rural Oregon counties. We're not immune. Sounds like 1980 to me.

[TwilightGardener]

6. Someone mentioned in the comments section of this article that the position

will likely go to a friend or relative of another meter reader, and that the posting was just a formality--that's probably true. I went to high school with a girl whose dad "knew people" and got her a meter-reader job every summer up through college, because making $15 an hour (this was good money in the eighties), M-F, 8-4, sure beat the $3.35 an hour the rest of us were making at McDonalds and Dairy Queen on Friday and Saturday nights--we were insanely jealous of her. Those jobs are coveted and passed to those who have an "in".

[quiller4]

11. not true. Postings of City of Tacoma jobs are not formalities

They are full time union positions and test score fully determine who is interviewed. Such has been the case here since the civil service reforms of the 1960s--no more jobs for friends of friends. Hiring through Human Resources offices removed supervisors' ability to practice nepotism.

[TwilightGardener]

12. Good to know.

[lib2DaBone]

7. Make sure you send a "Thank You" note and be sure to update your resume...

...this job hunting tip from my local unemployment office. BTW.... Everything is fine... just a few bumps in the road...

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

8. yes, I had my unemployment orientation yesterday,

and to get it out of the way, I must say they were really really nice people with the best intentions, and it must be overwhelming for them right now,

but, the advice they offered was just so unispiring...

They kept emphasizing "entrepreneurship", and "networking with your neighbor", (my neighbor is laid off from Boeing)

It was depressing, people in the room couldn't even make eye contact with each other. A hella lot of older people...like myself.

[SeattleGirl]

9. I don't know that we're necessarily immune. I think it's more

accurate to say that this area is often one of the last areas to feel the downturn in jobs and such that have been affecting other areas of the country.

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

10. yes that is better wording..

that is actually truer to what I meant.

[malaise]

13. But, but but

the Cato institute says government should do nothing except reduce taxes.

Ah fuck these failed losers.