"Harry Potter and the Graduate Developer role"

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kingdragonfly

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#223327 23-Sep-2017 20:09

I'm not making this up. Here's the actual text for this job at Guild Insurance, Acerta, and Guild Trustee

"Harry Potter and the Graduate Developer role"

"Are you still reading this section? I’m impressed. Actually, prove you read it all by including something in your application somewhere…Let’s see…How about you add a section to your application where you explain which fictional character you would be and why?"

So what is it we want you to do? You’ll pretty much be an end to end Developer, doing all sorts of interesting and varied things. That’s kind of cool because it gives you a chance to find the part of development you really like. Everyone has that part of development that they could do for hours and never get bored of, and finding your ‘Holy rogue semicolon, Batman! This is the best!’ means trying lots of stuff. Well, believe me; we have stuff by the bucket load for you to try...

Let’s not kid ourselves, the number one reason for you is either delicious cash dollars or so you can get your relatives off your back with their ‘when are you going to put that degree to use’. But, once you have the whole ‘money to live on’ thing down and can afford to fund your smashed avo addiction, you’ll find the next best reason is simply for the experience."

https://www.seek.co.nz/job/34430804

I've got to wonder: why do insurance companies hire such idiots. Does anyone even review these job adverts before they go out the door?

It must be nice to take people's insurance premiums, and create position appealing to children only.

kingdragonfly

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#1871710 23-Sep-2017 21:03

It's called ageism.

"HP Inc, HPE both slapped with racism, ageism lawsuit"

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/07/25/hp_hpe_sued_discrimination/

gzt

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#1871711 23-Sep-2017 21:19

I don't see anything ageist there. What is the basis for your opinion that this particular advertisement demonstrates ageism?

Rikkitic

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#1871713 23-Sep-2017 21:48

It sounds awfully precious to me. Someone without a clue desperately trying to come across as hip, or in tune with younger people, or whatever. I certainly would not want to have to work with such a moron.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

Sam91

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#1871735 23-Sep-2017 22:55

Isn't posting it on here just proving the ad's success? Even if it's for the wrong reasons, it has clearly grabbed your attention. I don't see how it is ageist. It is a graduate role so they're obviously trying to relate to the typical graduate (early twenties). I will be graduating soon and I certainly wouldn't write off a company based on a job ad like this. If anything, a job ad like this opens the door for an applicant to reply in a similar manner and let their personality shine through.

Rikkitic

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#1871753 23-Sep-2017 23:19

The tone is patronising and condescending. I find it offensive. Admittedly I am not a typical graduate.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

kingdragonfly

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#1871778 24-Sep-2017 07:19

Most of us change careers 2 or 3 times in our lives. With AI / robots increasing, this is increasing.

Imagine if you were a 30 year old with children. With the support of your spouse, you've left the workforce, got your programming degree. You were top of your class.

Given the stated employee preference, what are the chances of being hired?

If an ad said "Didgeridoo? Didgery don't apply", even if you think its clever and agree, is it less offensive?

I've experience ageism, and it's not pretty.

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

gzt

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#1871851 24-Sep-2017 09:56

kingdragonfly: Imagine if you were a 30 year old with children. With the support of your spouse, you've left the workforce, got your programming degree. You were top of your class.

Given the stated employee preference, what are the chances of being hired?

I agree the isms are very unpleasant and it is very unfortunate you have been affected at least once.

I see no preference expressed for age, children or marital status in that advertisement.

The references you did not object to:
- Batman original series (1966)
- Relatives asking when you will use your degree
- Smashed avocado

These could apply equally to a 65 y/o harry potter reading graduate with grandkids

What are the chances of being hired for that 65 y/o? Everything else being equal pretty good I'd say.

lxsw20

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#1871926 24-Sep-2017 12:28

Whats wrong with having a fun business culture? If you don't fit the business culture then cool, apply elsewhere.

I work in what has grown from a startup. Our average age over 300 odd staff is 29. But there is still the odd person in their 40/50/60's that enjoy and embrace the culture.

kingdragonfly

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#1872045 24-Sep-2017 14:10

An episode of "Adam Ruins Everything", from November 2015, discusses work.

His framing device is the "world's best boss" who had a really fun work environment.

One of his many points was it's a lot cheaper to build an indoor slide, and give away Red Bulls than to give pay interns, limit hours and give pay raises.

I remember working for an extremely hip start-up company that had "100 and proud" tshirts.

They were given to salaried employees that worked 100 hours a week.

They were NOT given to hourly employees, because they weren't being exploited.

Here's a portion of that show that discusses salaries

gzt

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#1872049 24-Sep-2017 14:22

kingdragonfly: I remember working for an extremely hip start-up company that had "100 and proud" tshirts.

They were given to salaried employees that worked 100 hours a week.

They were NOT given to hourly employees, because they weren't being exploited.

In NZ?

kingdragonfly

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#1872135 24-Sep-2017 18:48

It was in the States.

The irony is that many still believe in the American dream: if you work hard and long, you'll be rich.

These are only jobs in the US I could find paying more than I earn here

* a top secret security clearance requirement. Frankly it takes so many months to get one, with no guarantee at the end, I couldn't be bothered. The pay was exceptional however, in the $200,000 range. I've worked in a secure facility before; The technology was old, and red-tape was frustrating.

* another on par with NZ but was in a very expensive upscale neighborhood in Boston. I guess house prices more-or-less equivalent of Auckland.

* and several in very dangerous neighborhoods. Places you'd best carry a gun when walking to your car from the office door. Very cheap houses, but again salary on par with NZ

Just take this sage advice: be wary of job adverts that advertise fun workplaces, and perks like free drinks and meals, even places to nap.

The goal is often to keep you at your desk for as long as possible, for as little as possible.

If you don't believe me, google "american paid vacation time"

We really do have it good here.