JUST THE JOB


from the ABC set A WORKING LIFE

APPLY CAUTION

Potential Employers speak in a certain way
And can be strangers to the truth lets say
When employers try to advance your career
You should read between the lines I fear

When employers reply to your application
And they offer you an "entry-level position:"
There true meaning you must try to gauge
For they mean you'll get the minimum wage

When employers reply to your application
And they offer you an "entry-level position:"
"In an up-and-coming company:" then I fear
Its minimum wage and bankrupt in a year

When employers reply to your application
And when they reply they happen to mention
A "casual work atmosphere:" when you start
Then the pays to poor for you to dress up smart

When employers reply to your application
"Flexible hours might be a real temptation
What they means is that you work for forty
But they will only pay you for twenty-three

When employers reply to your application
"Some overtime required:" is the declaration
That means some time each and every night
And some more each weekend from first light

When employers reply to your application
Suggesting "apply in person:" for the position
This means if you're obese, ugly or too old
Then the "position's been filled you're told

When employers reply to your application
And "degree preferred" they may mention
They don't want you if you have a degree
In something quite useless like Philosophy

When employers reply to your application
Looking for "career minded dedication
Females should not be in the family way
And should be content to remain that way

EMPLOY CAUTION

Potential Employees speak in a certain way
And they don't always mean what they say
So when they write you about their career
You should read between the lines I fear

When you're wading through a job application
And it says, "I can handle a stressful situation"
It's not true just because it's in white and black
It simply means the applicant is on Prozac

When you're wading through a job application
And it says, "I have a high level of motivation"
Then I wouldn't consider this one for to long
They'll be gone when a better job comes along

When you're wading through a job application
And it says "I have skills in communication"
They are certainly exaggerating just a touch
What it means is that they talk too much

When you're wading through a job application
And it says "I have skills in organization
This one is actually easy to see through
They like to tell other people what to do

When you're wading through a job application
"Taking pride in my work:" is the declaration
The true meaning is really no great shakes
It means they blame others for their mistakes

When you're wading through a job application
"I am eager and adaptable" is the declaration
This kind of statement simply isn't worth a jot
It just means that they've changed jobs a lot

When you're wading through a job application
"I'm willing to relocate:" is the declaration
The clue maybe on the head of the letter
Hey after prison almost any place is better

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