Sexperience Wanted
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| This posting was sent to me this morning. I laughed. |
"Previous Sexperience in the Staffing Industry a plus." If this was intentional, Astrix Technology Group, then I take back my laughter. Here's the link if you want to see how long it takes for Monster to correct the mistake* after I notify customer service about the typo --> Account Executive, Schaumburg. When contacted for comment, a representative for Astrix Technology said that their "administrative staff is probably already aware [of the issue]." As of this writing, the job ad has been up for a week.
Another funny job-board goof
This posting reminds me of this one time when I found, years ago when I worked at CareerBuilder, a job posting for pool cleaners. Apparently the ad was scraped from a partner newspaper listing with a title longer than the job board's character limit for the title section. So, the advertisement went live on about 1400 websites saying something like "Growing Company Seeks Customer-Facing Poo." I was in the middle of a web-conference showing a prospective customer what a job-seeker would see if there weren't any relevant listings for their query, assuming that the keyword "poo" would be a guaranteed zero results search. That, and the word tends to lighten the mood during a long product demo.
Although it is embarrassing to uncover a quality control issue while live with a prospect, it allowed me to demonstrate another value in working with one of our experienced account managers, while illustrating the agility with which we work interdepartmentally and across company borders to make changes (right after taking a screenshot to giggle with coworkers about later).
Although it is embarrassing to uncover a quality control issue while live with a prospect, it allowed me to demonstrate another value in working with one of our experienced account managers, while illustrating the agility with which we work interdepartmentally and across company borders to make changes (right after taking a screenshot to giggle with coworkers about later).
So please, anytime you use self-service advertising, like job boards, directories, AdWords, even blogs, take the time to have someone proofread your copy before going live. It is also strongly recommended that you pull up your ad in a few different browsers and through other sites that may aggregate your content as soon as it launches. Remember, your words and images reflect your brand.
Don't Rely on AI
For this same reason, it is not advised to rely on non-human tools to do proofreading for you. I'm sure there are plenty of instances of auto-correct or Swype helping you put your foot in your mouth. For another example, here's what happens when you use Google Translate to convert the lyrics of the most popular i-Tunes download of the winter from English to Chinese to Portuguese and back to English:
Now, joined the club as "how? I have a big rooster!" explains
No, I just pump the thrift store to buy some dog feces
The ice edge is so damn cold
"Mother, this is a ghost white ass cold"
Roll the sandwich led Hella deep
Rosa, but my crocodile shoes using, these are green
Phi at the girl next to me, a mink leopard
Maybe should have been washed, smells of R. Kelly board
(Pissssss..)
But, Mom, this is 99 cents!
Damn, Coppin, wash it, Bout 'to get some praise
These others were walking in moccasins
Bummy and lame, sex, I'm flossing and stunting
I save my money, I'm hella happy, this is a business, [expletive removed]
I am your grandfather's style, I'm the style of his grandfather
Not true, ask your grandfather, I can have it I spend less? (Thank you!)
Velvet overalls and some slippers
The poop brown leather jacket, I found that mining
They have a broken keyboard, I bought a broken keyboard
I bought a UFO blankets, and then I bought a plate of knee
Hello, hello, my ace, my gentle
John Wayne has nothing on my game edge, hell no
I might need some wings to keep them fresh and sale of these
Movement toe: "Ah, he has a velcro"
That being said...
Humor in job postings can be a great way to better target candidates for cultural fit and a certain level of intelligence. Here are a couple that I found fun.
A different kind of poo job:
A while back, I came across an ad for a Flash Designer (must have been a while ago... Does anyone even develop solely in Flash anymore?) that listed the following Job Requirements:
> The ability to design, program and animate every aspect of a website.
> Need a can-do, will-do attitude for every project.
> Enjoys being shot in the head with a bazooka.
> Can work as part of a collaborative team - willing to change creative direction at any time.
> Is not afraid of chemical warfare. Or shaving cream.
> Salary DOE.
Another oldie (Does Blockbuster even have stores anymore?):
Your turn!
Share your funny or strange job postings or stories below!
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* (update: 4/1/13) When I called Monster to report the mistake, I was promptly transferred to Employer Customer Service... Well, I mean after being on hold with poorly rendered elevator music and abnormally loud Monster advertisements for social-media integration products, world-wide exposure, diversity/inclusion products, and BI reports for just shy of nine minutes. The friendly and bright "Kimberly" took my call and was able to pull up the post, identify the typo,take down my email address, and ask if there was anything else for which she may be able to help, all within a few short minutes. Although she was unable to correct the "big mistake" herself, the ad had been edited within twenty minutes of hanging up. I kept hitting refresh after the conversation, so I know that it was at least 15 minutes. That's actually a pretty good turnaround time, right?
