Man Creates Fake Craigslist Ad To View His Competition — He Was Quite Surprised

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/hot-news-views/man-creates-fake-craigslist-ad-view-his-competition-he-was-quite-surprised

***SNIP

A few weeks ago, Auld had enough, and his impatience led him to create a fake Craigslist ad to see where he stood in the job market. He posted a basic ad in order to attract a wide spectrum of job seekers.

His ad read:

Administrative Assistant needed for busy Midtown office. Hours are Monday through Friday, nine to five. Job duties include: filing, copying, answering phones, sending e-mails, greeting clients, scheduling appointments. Previous experience in an office setting preferred, but will train the right candidate. This is a full-time position with health benefits. Please e-mail résumé if interested. Compensation: $12-$13 per hour.

In 24 hours, Auld received 653 responses. After sorting through every application, he found that 76 percent of applicants had previous true experience. Even 10 percent of applicants had more than 10 years of experience. The breakdown is below:



Auld then evaluated the education levels of all the applicants, and found that 66 percent of applicants held one or more degrees/certificates. The breakdown:

[struggle4progress]

1. So he wasted 650+ people's time

[RetroLounge]

5. Yeah, about 30 seconds each

BFD

RL

[lame54]

13. not to mention raising there hopes in finding an actual job

[RetroLounge]

16. or teaching them how to use There / Their

RL

[Atman]

17. +100

[lame54]

19. Where not amused

[RetroLounge]

24. LOL, well played...

RL

[struggle4progress]

14. Actually, you don't really know that it's 30 secs each: for some of them, it could have been minutes

or an hour or more

[RetroLounge]

15. Holy Fuck!

Minutes???????????




RL

[Trillo]

18. If they had to create the resume, it could even be days.

I specifically mean an honest resume, not some made up BS.

[RetroLounge]

21. Really? Create a resume from scratch just for this job offer?

I wonder how many did that?



RL

[struggle4progress]

20. I'd be pissed if I spent even 15 or 20 minutes working up a response to a phony job offer

[RetroLounge]

22. Or you'd be glad you had the practice

RL

[Scuba]

2. An interesting and useful study...

The time "wasted" by the unwitting participants notwithstanding, it is instructional for all of us and a useful example regarding the state of the job market.

I'm glad he made the results known. Thanks for posting.

[xchrom]

3. ...

[Posteritatis]

4. The education breakdown's interesting; didn't expect the groups to be so similar in size. (nt)

[Scuba]

7. Startling the number of people with four-year degrees (or more) willing to work for $28K....

... when billionaires don't think they can afford more taxes.

[RetroLounge]

6. Interesting results...

RL

[xchrom]

8. ...

[Tikki]

9. This man got private information under false pretenses....I would sue...

Tikki

[alcibiades_mystery]

10. On what grounds?

[Tikki]

12. Malicious mischief...

or I could work around the clock to get info on him and publish it...


Tikki

[RetroLounge]

23. But that might be "creepy" and stalkerish of you

RL

[Egalitarian Thug]

11. LOL. Good luck with that. While you're talking with your attorney, what damages can you point to? nt