Reality show bootcamp for the chronically unemployed

[Veovis]

"Get to Work" (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/14/get-to-work-reality-tv-unemployed_n_1775900.html) is a new reality show that seeks to show the progress of 'chronically unemployed' and 'unemployable' people as they go through a bootcamp style training to make them 'better' workers.

Something deep inside me is telling me that this is twisted and wrong. Screaming at people to make them into bourgeois ass-lickers? Turns my stomach.

Besides, individual solutions aren't the answer - what we need to do is make work less of a torturous chore by eliminating private property and by extension alienation of labor. Goes without saying, though, that we can't expect them to admit this on television.

[ed miliband]

yup, there was a similar show on british television. i can't quite remember the name but it was on 'channel 4'. it basically followed around a woman who has made millions out of telling unemployed people on jsa (jobseeker's allowance) they're lazy bastards, and somehow a series was made out of that.

[Comrade Samuel]

Wow, I thought that 'stars earn stripes' was as low as they could sink. They just keep pushing the limit with this crap.

[Prometeo liberado]

"Better Workers". That does not sound good at all. Pretty sure.

[Sendo]

http://www.theonion.com/articles/report-unemployment-high-because-people-keep-blowi,17803/



THE ONION

Report: Unemployment High Because People Keep Blowing Their Job Interviews

July 29, 2010; Issue #46-30

WASHINGTON—With unemployment at its highest level in decades, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a report Tuesday suggesting the crisis is primarily the result of millions of Americans just completely blowing their job interviews.

According to the findings, seven out of 10 Americans could have landed their dream job last month if they had known where they see themselves in five years, and the number of unemployed could be reduced from 14.6 million to 5 million if everyone simply greeted potential employers with firmer handshakes, maintained eye contact, and stopped fiddling with their hair and face so much.

"This economy will not recover until job candidates learn how to put their best foot forward," said Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, warning that even a small increase in stuttering among applicants who are asked to describe their weaknesses could cause the entire labor market to collapse. "If we're going to dig ourselves out of this mess, Americans need to stop wearing blue jeans to interviews, even if they're nice blue jeans, and even if that particular office happens to have a relaxed dress code."

"They also need to start bringing extra copies of their resumés, as it will show they are prepared and serious," Solis added. "And, by the way, how hard is it to send a hand-written thank-you note afterward? Anyone can dash off an e-mail."

A federal survey of employers found that nearly half of job-seeking Americans botched their interviews by responding no when asked, "So, do you have any questions for me?" Among candidates strongly qualified to perform the jobs they were applying for, 36 percent didn't bring a notepad or pen to the interview, and 16 percent were thrown off guard when the interviewer broached topics unrelated to work, such as the weather, sports, or personal hobbies.

Twelve percent, employers said, did this kind of nervous throat-clearing thing.

"If applicants would just say yes when asked if they played softball or liked golf, we could add 350,000 jobs to the private sector," Deputy Labor Secretary Seth Harris said. "The fact is, right now, today, approximately a third of the country's manufacturing positions are vacant. Auto plants across the country, especially in Detroit, are sitting there just waiting for people to come in and build cars."

"You may be a qualified candidate, but none of that matters if you walk into that interview lacking confidence," he added. "Don't act too confident, though. And don't joke around too much. And don't be overly friendly or ask too many questions. But be yourself."

The Labor Department confirmed their statistics don't take into account the estimated 20 million citizens who were unable to get interiews in the first place because of formatting errors in their resumés, or cover letters that slightly exceeded one page.

"At this point, hiring someone who doesn't use bulleted lists, strong action verbs, or boldfaced keywords is completely out of the question," said public relations executive Max Werner, who has been looking for office managers and a CFO since 2008. "And if you're going to end your cover letter with 'best wishes' instead of 'sincerely,' I don't care how experienced you are—you won't be working for me."

President Obama, who last week signed a law extending unemployment benefits, said the legislation would also address joblessness by creating a $1.2 billion program aimed at training Americans to use firm but approachable body language to make a great first impression.

"My administration remains fully committed to putting citizens back to work by making sure they show up at least 15 minutes early to their interview and never badmouth a previous boss," said Obama, flanked by unemployed Americans during an address from the White House Rose Garden. "Our new 'Nail the Interview, Score the Job' initiative will help regular Americans like Paul and Tracy here remember that they should prep ahead of time by learning a few things about the company they want to work for."

"And that little things," he continued, "like making sure your socks match, matter."

[Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant']

yup, there was a similar show on british television. i can't quite remember the name but it was on 'channel 4'. it basically followed around a woman who has made millions out of telling unemployed people on jsa (jobseeker's allowance) they're lazy bastards, and somehow a series was made out of that.

Ah fuck I remember that show, she was a smug shithead...I've spent about 10 minutes trying to remember the pissing name...arrgh I hate when that happens.

As always, TV will provide the solution, not revolutionary political activity. Just watch reality shows like Secret Millionaire and 'Lazy sod' bootcamp and SuperScrimpers and be happy with your lot, Joe Public!

[Os Cangaceiros]

That's always something that has annoyed me about living in this society (well, along with a whole host of other things), is having to perform like a trained monkey for some dickhead who's guts I'll probably hate in the ensuing weeks & months while I'm working for his/her sorry ass. My prefered attitude would be more along the lines of, welp, here I am, if you don't like me you can go fuck yourself.

That's not the most employable attitude to have, though. :(

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Ah fuck I remember that show, she was a smug shithead...I've spent about 10 minutes trying to remember the pissing name...arrgh I hate when that happens.

That would be Emma Harrison (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Harrison_%28entrepreneur%29).


As always, TV will provide the solution, not revolutionary political activity. Just watch reality shows like Secret Millionaire and 'Lazy sod' bootcamp and SuperScrimpers and be happy with your lot, Joe Public!

No doubt the saps- I mean, "contestants" will be chosen on the basis of "good television", whether that means sacrificing representative portrayals merely for the sake of drama, or for some ulterior ideological motive.

[Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant']

That would be Emma Harrison (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Harrison_%28entrepreneur%29).



No doubt the saps- I mean, "contestants" will be chosen on the basis of "good television", whether that means sacrificing representative portrayals merely for the sake of drama, or for some ulterior ideological motive.

Thank you!

Yes, 'reality' TV...not so much about reality, really.

[rednordman]

To be honest i really do believe that the success of shows like this, says more about the insecurities and low esteem of the populations that enjoy watching them, than the people who star in the shows.

Basically, everyone is so programmed to obey wealth and respect money, they need someone who makes them feel better about themselves. Its quite pathetic really, but its obvious when you have shows like Jeremy Kyle and ones mentioned in this thread being taken seriously, and used by people to moan about people who in all reality are really no worse than their-upperty-selves.

I honestly believe that taking the moral high ground is a sign of weakness, as people today are so depended on focusing on other peoples problems and passing the blame, rather than accepting and dealing their own.

[fug]

Still there are many desperate people who will join this. Chronic unemployment is not a nice thing.