this post was submitted on 09 Nov 2023
121 points (100.0% liked)

askchapo

22763 readers
634 users here now

Ask Hexbear is the place to ask and answer ~~thought-provoking~~ questions.

Rules:

  1. Posts must ask a question.

  2. If the question asked is serious, answer seriously.

  3. Questions where you want to learn more about socialism are allowed, but questions in bad faith are not.

  4. Try [email protected] if you're having questions about regarding moderation, site policy, the site itself, development, volunteering or the mod team.

founded 4 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Not really talking about the current job situation, but do you ever notice how there are no postings for really obscure positions that definitely exist but are never posted anywhere? I feel like David Graeber would have a lot to say

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 43 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I didn't even think about that. If jobs are scarce in a capitalist system, they'd be hoarded and commodified too.

Why hire a random person when you can hire a relative or a buddy and get something in exchange? It would be leaving benefits on the table just to give the job to a qualified person who doesn't owe you anything.

[–] [email protected] 26 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

Typically those jobs go to qualified and competent people as well. It's not a "fair" distribution system by any means, but it mostly works out because, tbqh, work generally isn't so prohibatively difficult to require rigorous hiring processes.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I didn't mean that the connected person who was hired is less qualified. I just meant that given self-interest in a capitalist society, people in charge of hiring would prioritize giving jobs to people they know or personally benefit from.

I mean that's just intrinsic bias, but it just sucks how pervasive it is on top of racism, sexism, classism, ableism, etc.

That on top of all those things keeping someone from fulfilling work, a hiring manager might hire their buddy or someone from a fraternity or one of their relatives.

And good point about the nature of work qualifications. Most jobs don't require intensive skill, education, or training that can't be taught on the job. I mean people wouldn't be able to get away with lying on their resumes otherwise.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

people in charge of hiring would prioritize giving jobs to people they know or personally benefit from

also it's easier to do it that way. saves on advertising, reading applications, interviews, etc

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Gotta love that short-sighted capitalist efficiency.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Opportunity cost isn't really a thing that most hiring managers give a shit about. They also usually don't really benefit in many ways from the "best" candidate being chosen rather than a mediocre one that they have some other relationship to.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

yeah they do this because it's easier for them personally and they don't care about the company that much

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago

Typically those jobs go to qualified and competent people as well.

if you mean the vibes based method of measuring qualified and competent, then yeah that happens.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Sounds kinda like affirmative action but for your social circle

Extreme example, but I believe that’s maybe what @[email protected] was getting at? Like you could have all of the qualifications, but you’re passed up by default because of who you are

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago

It's definitely very frustrating as someone to whom social interaction doesn't come naturally.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago (1 children)

THEY MADE JOBS A LUXURY FOR THE RICH

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago

I've seen clients where I work who talked about getting jobs because they were bored. It's so gross

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago

In aviation new pilots are hired almost exclusively via networking (unless you want to work menial, underpaid and dangerous jobs). It literally is a commodity, specifically jet flight time.

I just found out a few days ago from colleagues that there is apparently a company that will let you pay them for your labor just for those sweet sweet hours.