Why I Won’t Be Going to Match.com After All
Well, since I didn’t get the job, and they don’t offer a position they believe I’m suitable for (though they claim they would hire me if the position existed), I can finally mention that I’ve been interviewing at Match.com and have come to realize that it is NOT a place I want to work at. It would have been a great learning experience, but not a good environment. Here’s why:
One of the reasons I was turned down for the position I applied for was that I had not shown initiative in getting skills I don’t currently have. It was their opinion that I should have used my personal time for what I would call “work-related” time. I currently only have experience with SQL 2000 and older… and SQL 2005 is out and SQL 2008 is on its way. In spite of my current company having no interest in upgrading to 2005 anytime soon, I am supposed to have taken “initiative” to learn the technologies.
Honestly, that makes Match.com’s own claims to be a lie. They say that work is for work and your life is your time. However, they expect me to use MY time (my life) on technologies I may or may not end up using in the future. Thus, they say that your life is your time, but they don’t mean it. I have too much going on outside of work to waste it on “potential work”.
Secondly, I have not taken the initiative to learn it at my current job. Why would I spend company time learning a technology not used by the company? Would that not be a waste of company time? I’m sure Match.com would not want me to learn something on company time that does not directly relate to what I’m doing or going to be doing. No company wants that.
So if your life is your time and your work should be only what your job entails, when are you supposed to take “initiative”?
I was basically told that I would be good for a “junior” development position (which they, ironically, have no openings for at this time). I’ve been doing database development for 8 years and I won’t be going to a “junior” position which I’m sure pays less than what I make now. I can’t afford to and really it is an insult.
Some people make work their life. I choose to HAVE a life.
Update:
One other thing I meant to mention…. If I had taken the “initiative”, would I still list it on my resume though I have NO work experience since it was just learning on the side? One of the other reasons I was turned down was because I didn’t have enough experience with large development teams or large databases. Learning SQL 2005 on the side would still not grant me that knowledge or experience. Learning it on the side does not guarantee that I have any proficiency in the new technology. What use is there to learning something on your own when you can’t list it on your resume without supporting WORK EXPERIENCE?
Increasing in Him,
WebCudgel
Topics: Development, SQL, WebCudgel |
January 30th, 2008 at 2:58 am
Never confuse having a career with having a life. You have chosen wisely, grasshopper.