The Cat's Meow, er, Poop

Frustrated with his job search, a gentleman from St. Louis sent bundles of cat droppings to each of those companies who rejected him.  (Article link here:  http://bit.ly/1dHTRvQ).  Aside from the obvious repercussions including two years’ probation, this job seeker will forever be known as the cat-poop guy.  

How does that increase his chances of landing a new job now?

I have a couple of thoughts regarding these antics. First, if he channeled that ‘creative’ energy into his cover letters, or his interviews, could the outcome have been different?  When recruiters google his name (and they will), this article will appear, and he more than likely won’t get a phone call.  Such a shame, too, since at least twenty companies saw value in his resume AND presumably the phone call, enough to warrant a face to face interview.  Better directing his energies could have changed this outcome.

Second, what he did was illegal, as demonstrated by receiving the probation time. His antics (I’m calling them antics, because they were, in fact, childish) reached several people, not just the intended targets, including but not limited to postal workers, receptionists, office workers, other peoples’ mail, etc.  So, multiply the twenty companies he sent these ‘packages’ to by at least four and now you’re reaching eighty people.  That’s a lot of people to piss off because you didn’t think before you acted.  I wonder if there will be any additional charges brought against him by those ‘victimless’ victims?

Third, as one commenter pointed out, ‘Why involve the cat?’.  I get this comment was made tongue in cheek, but I think the bigger question is, what led him to think any of this was OK?!

I understand the frustration in the job search.  I understand the frustration with not receiving return calls from recruiters. I understand unemployment benefits being cut.  I get all of that, and I know it’s hard out there.  I beg, however, job seekers to think about what they are doing before they do it.  Send a nasty email to the recruiter?  Do you think that will actually help your chances?  No, you just burned that bridge.  Try to negotiate after the fact?  No, you should have thoroughly discussed compensation packages BEFORE the offer is made.  Any negotiating after the fact may result in you being unconsidered for the position.  Go behind the back of the recruiter?  Why on earth would you do this?!  They are your ally.  Use them as a resource, but don’t go behind their backs.  All of those ‘antics’ could knock you out of the running.  All of those ‘antics’ are bad.

Leverage your resources and develop relationships.  THIS will help in your job search. Don’t burn bridges, and for Pete’s sake, don’t send cat poop through the mail. 

Able, Willing AND Available

The first time I found myself in a position to file for unemployment was a real humble moment.  I had been ‘downsized’ from a company that said they were closing their doors.  I called my dad as I left the office that final day and was sobbing as I told him I was ‘fired’.  I’m putting those words in quotes, because depending on my mood, I tend to tell the story a little differently. 

Being downsized implies the workload decreased and/or my position had become redundant.  Being fired implies I did something wrong.  Anytime we are let go from a position we can’t help but wonder why, and if we did something wrong.  For purposes of this story, however, I’m going to vary between both as it is relevant. 

As I was on the phone with my dad, he said the first thing I should do was file for unemployment.  I became indignant and said no way was I going to file, I am fully capable of working and if this company couldn’t see that (fired) I would find someone who would!  My dad helped level set me by explaining that I did nothing wrong (downsized) and that until I find another position I was fully able to file for, and collect unemployment (downsized), unless my actions caused my termination (fired).  Since I was in fact downsized, I went ahead and filed for unemployment.

Every time I called in to collect they asked if I had been able, willing and available to work full time those previous two weeks.  Every time, I answered yes.

This scenario brings me to a point that I see becoming more and more prevalent:  people filing for and collecting unemployment while not actively looking for work.  I have heard everything from “I’m in school and this helps pay my bills” to “I have (however much) left on unemployment so I’m not in a rush to find something”.  Regardless of their ‘reason’ (c’mon, these are all excuses for not working), the bottom line is they are able, but NOT willing or available for full time work.  Therefore, they should be disqualified for unemployment.  I would hate for the benefits to go away for those who truly need them, versus those who aren’t working and actually choose not to.

If the state had other controls in place to prevent taking advantage of the system, I wonder what the unemployment rates would look like.  I wonder if those going to school, or waiting until their unemployment ran out, would actually find work that would suit their schedules/needs.  I see ‘help wanted’ signs all over town.  It’s hard to walk past a restaurant that doesn’t have one hanging in the window.  It may not be your ideal job, I get that, but it’s honest work for honest money. 

What these people are doing is wrong. The laws dictate you MUST be able, willing and available for full time work to collect unemployment wages. 

If this post upsets you, please note that it should.