What is UP with newspapers wanting a job application?

 As in job application in addition to a resume for something like an ME position?

Look, if you're hiring a receptionist, or a newspaper delivery carrier, I get it.

But, for something like an ME spot, especially at what appears to be two different semi-weeklies combined, where the ME is managing reporters? Come on.

Yes, I've only run across it twice in two years, but it's stll irksome.

Both were in Aridzona.

The first literally wanted a paper application, like going to work for Walgreens, as I've noted before. And, they only wanted it after initial interview. I refused, because I could already tell they were doing a mix of lowballing without specific numbers and slow-walking giving me numbers, on financials.

The second, recently? It was online, so there is that. But, it wanted references and all that jazz before an initial interview, or before even indicating you might make the cut for an initial interview. I didn't even get to the part about where they might ask me about my academic background, including dates of attendance, which is why you don't fill out such things.

Hard pass and I stopped completing it on page 2. 

I don't know how good or bad they are overall, but actually, I kind of do.

I applied long long ago at their flagship, then a seven-day daily in print. Copy editor position. I know that means nights. I also know that means one or both weekend nights. 

I still thought that I might have a five-day straight workweek and a "weekend" of some sort, as I had already applied a year or two prior for a copy desk slot at a similar-size paper here in Tex-ass.

Nope!

Five days scattered throughout the week.

Worse?

Could change from week to week.

Fuck that shit, and I'll name a name — Prescott. (I won't say which one I applied to this time.) Pay was also a wash after I allowed for cost of living differences.

I see the parent company, which I didn't know back then, has partner ownership with Wick on a couple of papers. Wick about whom I've written more than once before.

That's the third strike and you're out and I'm out of there before going there, I'm sure. It's been a full week since I emailed my resume and no response. That said, given that there's a reporter opening in Prescott, almost brand new?

Tell me you're a capitalist without telling me ...

 I recently was interviewed by a recruiter. (Whom I may name here at some point later.)

Asked about why did I leave job X after 2.5 years, job Y after 1.5, job Z after 2, etc.

First, as I noted, every move but one of mine in the last 15 years has been related to the turmoil in the newspaper industry. Guess I should be putting that more up-front on the resume, but, nonetheless, I have no problem explaining it.

Second, I not only kept my head above water but in general (in nominal dollars, at least) moved forward financially. That's not a nothingburger in today's newspaper world.

And, said recruiter said she had decades in the newspaper business before setting up shop as a recruitment and placement company for various media companies. Mentioned Wick (meh), Hearst (blech) and others.

But, of course, the recruiter's spiel was "newspapers don't want to pay to relocate you" etc. if they think you'll leave in a couple of years. 

Rather than asking right away if these changes were because of newspaper industry turmoil and decimation.

Oh, I understand. 

That said, if the job is good enough, I'll be staying. And, by that, I mean not only pay, but in general.

No bosses who got to be the boss allegedly per one old-fashioned way, which, sadly, still happens. (And, it does take two to tango.)

No going back to places where, if books weren't actually cooked, they did seem to have been padded on how advertising was treated.

Anyway, said recruiter mentioned she represented Wick, among others, and I mentioned one interview. Probably why no follow-up. Oh, well.

Part of me says, "Yeah, it sucks."

Part of me, besides, "It's capitalism," says this whole idea of being "first," on news that doesn't necessarily warrant it, is an issue itself.

Part of me looks at companies phoning shit in and says "Peter Principle."

Part of me notes that said recruiter looked at town where I lived, not actual location of the two newspapers and takes that into account.

I did learn some resume tweak ideas, even if the recruiter didn't email me the ideas in detail because they wrote me off. But, what makes a "good" resume seems to change every five years. Isn't that itself part of capitalism? Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic to make you stumble into the furniture?

Beyond that? I decided to go halfway "in your face" with the new one for newspaper journalism jobs.  Nothing to lose.

Finally? This is also a reminder that recruiters ALWAYS work for employers first, employees second.

I wish I could remember her name now.

The publisher of the newspaper in South Dakota for Wick? Spit the bit and went to work for Cherry Road a few months later.

And, I now present Dave Shabaz.