Dictatorial_Flair: Bschott007: There is also the possibility you may need to look at moving to a new state where the Unemployment is low.

Because that's completely possible when you have absolutely no money. Are you brain damaged or something?

I'm sure your parent(s) would spring for a bus ticket. Or is your living at home costing them less?

Shahab: What a prick, living off her parents as an adult. I live at pretty much the poverty level, I am making about $1200 a month, and I pay my own rent, by my own food, put gas in my car, etc.

I will admit that my parents pay an extra $10 a month to put my phone on their family plan, for which I am very grateful. This dumb coont has a college education, is an adult, and has her freaking rent paid for? What the hell. I would never put that kind of drain on my parents unless there was no other option. In which case I would move in with them instead of trying to get them to pay rent on a separate place.

I don't really get this attitude. Living at home is better than scraping by and potentially going deep into debt. It would also give you an opportunity to save up some money for when you are ready to go it on your own.

Certainly, someone that lives at home for free and spends all their money on crap isn't 'doing it right', but I don't necessarily see anything wrong with what she is doing based on the current economy.

Parande: Or being called "entitled" because they do not wish to work in "jobs" that breed misery and unhappiness... that demean them in ways many of the older generations did not experience.

You need to set down the "bong" and realize that "work" hasn't changed all that much since the industrial revolution.

Branch Dravidian:

I'm fully expecting a bubble in STEM education over the next decade... so the bulge in the labor surplus python will just slide down a bit, from liberal arts and humanities to the sciences...

THIS.

It's already happening. I know far too many physics and math PhDs who are unemployed or underemployed. They can't get industry jobs because industry wants more engineering-y time folks, and universities don't have nearly enough professor jobs to go around.

For every tenure-track professor job listing posted in math or science, there are 600-1,000 qualified applicants applying for that job. Even at not-so-prestigious schools like CSUN.

Like I said before, I'm in grad school for physics, but I can already see the writing on the wall. Once I've completed the minimum to get my Master's, I'm going to apply to an engineering or applied math program...something that can get me a job 'cause physics sure won't.

Peki: So I may not get a job if I ask to bring something that I might not be aware of I need to bring, that would probably prevent me from getting the job in the first place. And this makes sense to you?

After reading the comments so far, it's pretty clear why you're not getting a job. Quit being so self-absorbed and start thinking about how you will contribute and make your employer's business better. That's what they want to hire people for, not to babysit some massive pile of personal baggage, or to make a big fuss over you.

I graduated in December of 2010. It took me one month to find a job, even though it wasn't in my field (teaching). I'm currently back in school (while working) to get my teaching certification. I work with individuals with MR/DD. It's a rewarding job, and pretty easy. It's helping me learn how to deal with unruly students. I worked 65 hours last week, but I literally worked only 10 or so. Most of the time I would watch movies and play on my computer. In short, I guess I got lucky with finding a job.

/i kinda rambled
//oh well

raerae1980: Hubby's not complaining about the underwear thing.

(checks profile...) Nope, guess he wouldn't, the lucky bastard.

"If you look at the data, high poverty goes hand in hand with high child mortality"

Not high enough to make a difference, in this country. You still get enough idiots surviving to adulthood to multiply faster.

LaurenAguilera: Peki: tomWright: Maybe if they got edjumicated (new window) in something that employers (new window) actually want and need, this would change. Instead of some feel-good-for-society crap (new window) that just lays on the enslaving federal student load debt.

This is what I'm working on (have B.A. in English, getting A.S. in Auto Service Tech). Issue: Government won't give aid to students who are going backwards on the degree train. Question: How can someone change jobs to match industry needs if they can't get the help to pay for the training they need to change careers?

While I enjoy your enthusiasm for jumping into a new career field, I don't think the government should pay your way to go BACK to school, no matter why you are going. If you didn't get what you wanted the first go-round, then this one should be on you. You aren't entitled to an education, or entitled to assistance just because you are getting an education.

Just sayin'.

I **knew** there was a reason your posts show up in a really awesome shade of purple!

Tsrwedge: Joel Spolsky (new window) has a pretty good article on making a workplace look more attractive. Don't know if you've seen it or not and it is 11 years old, but it's worth the read.

Today is a very different world than it was in June 2000. In any case, "market value" of qualified entry level programmers is above 50k a year, since that's what we're offering. So there are jobs out there for people with four year degrees, if they are willing to "settle" for 50k.

baggins2000: So if you are working at a job where you are underemployed, How do you go on job interviews?. You call in sick? Just don't show up? What if you haven't accrued any vacation or sick days or used up your vacation days on previous interviews?

In my case one of the jobs was evenings, and 2 were freelance. Being available for interviews wasn't a problem, but I do see your point.

kendelrio: LaurenAguilera: Peki: tomWright: Maybe if they got edjumicated (new window) in something that employers (new window) actually want and need, this would change. Instead of some feel-good-for-society crap (new window) that just lays on the enslaving federal student load debt.

This is what I'm working on (have B.A. in English, getting A.S. in Auto Service Tech). Issue: Government won't give aid to students who are going backwards on the degree train. Question: How can someone change jobs to match industry needs if they can't get the help to pay for the training they need to change careers?

While I enjoy your enthusiasm for jumping into a new career field, I don't think the government should pay your way to go BACK to school, no matter why you are going. If you didn't get what you wanted the first go-round, then this one should be on you. You aren't entitled to an education, or entitled to assistance just because you are getting an education.

Just sayin'.

I **knew** there was a reason your posts show up in a really awesome shade of purple!

Well, I am not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but ... thanks for choosing purple, and remember to try the veal and tip your waitress.

stiletto_the_wise: "CANDIDATE 15523, STORE 37, FILL OUT ONLINE FORM AND WAIT. WE MAY CONTACT YOU. DO NOT CONTACT US FOR ANY REASON. END OF MESSAGE."


This is the reality for most job applicants today.

That's generally true, but if you're smooth you can often chat people up in a not-obvious-that-I-need-a-job sort of way. Not a mainstream technique, though, and takes a lot more skill then the actual job probably would.

tommydee: I'm sure your parent(s) would spring for a bus ticket. Or is your living at home costing them less?

I wasn't really talking about my own situation, mostly some of my friends. I'm probably going to be ok, as far as I can tell.

stiletto_the_wise: If Communism is a system of wealth redistribution from the rich to the poor, Capitalism is a system of wealth redistribution from the poor to the rich.

Because we all know that people never get exploited in non-capitalist societies. :-/

Peki: LaurenAguilera:
While I enjoy your enthusiasm for jumping into a new career field, I don't think the government should pay your way to go BACK to school, no matter why you are going. If you didn't get what you wanted the first go-round, then this one should be on you. You aren't entitled to an education, or entitled to assistance just because you are getting an education.


The family paid for the first time around, which is why I'm not completely drowning under a pile of student debt (there's the snowflake in me for you - I'm a trust fund baby, which is how I got to go to school in Canada for 3 years but not work). Not unreasonable to ask for help with the cheaper of the two degrees (BA was about 6 grand a year, not counting room and board, AS is about 1K a year, room and board much less since I'm living with the parents).

I'd love for you to try to sell the "you aren't entitled to an education", since that what the entire public school system is based on.

I should have said secondary education, my mistake. I said that hours ago, anyway, the thread has moved on.

My in laws have the same perspective on this situation as a lot of the other commenters, and I must say, I think people over the age of 30 are really out of touch with reality with respect to life these days. Most of them are enjoying their jobs they have had since before the recession, in my case my in laws are both government employees making $150k a year plus.

They keep telling us to cut back, save every penny, spend less. It's not 1980, you can't fill up your car with $10, you can't drive around in a $500 car, and you certainly aren't buying a $40,000 house.

My wife and I live very modestly, hardly ever going out to eat or buying things we don't need. Neither of us has credit cards, or any debt to speak of, and we're still barely able to make ends meet. We're paying close to 75% of our income just to have a place to live, with utilities turned on and cars to drive with insurance on them.

Gone are the days of flipping burgers and going to night school to get a law degree in 4 years. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, my in-laws went to college and paid approximately $4000 in total to get a bachelors degree from a state funded 4 year school. I paid nearly ten times that amount for the same thing.

etymxris: Jobs are out there. We can't find college grads worth anything to fill our entry level programming position. The ones we do find are quickly snatched up by other firms offering much more money.


I think we have found your problem. A mirror would be another place to look.

24. High school drop out. single father at 19.... Own my own house, my own car, truck, atv, boat. It's amazing what you can buy if you're willing to sell your pride and take a crap job. The kind of job that puts you in the hospital on a monthly basis. The kind of job that gives you scars you'll wear for the rest of your life. I actually have to go to the hospital tomorrow to remove the piece of metal I've been carrying behind my left eye for the last 10 days, but I haven't had a day off to do it.

Do I regret not going to school, sometimes, but at least I'm not stuck at home, crying about how hard life is, I'm out doing it, the hard way.

llama vortex: The expectations around college are way too high. Both my wife and I didn't go to college, and both my wife and I are in management positions. I work for a software company and she works for an international fitness company (a gym).

We have zero student debt.

You may think we're lucky, we see it as working our butts off for the 3-5 years you partied. In the end, our experience is worth more than your degree.

While the reality, of course, it that it's both. Work without luck (or, if you prefer, the right circumstances) isn't enough on its own, and the same goes for luck without work.

SharkTrager: The My Little Pony Killer: Unemployment after college graduation?

Egypt saw where this went...

Different cultures. Not even remotely similar. Our nations youth simply aren't hungry enough to revolt.

As for the article, I have seen first hand what happens with these kids who have a parent supporting them. Until the parents start to turn off the tap they tend to turn down the job offers they do have because it's not their ideal situation. It can be in their field, with a good company and even a convenient location and they will still find something they don't like to justify turning down the job. Meanwhile, their peers who need to work to survive find jobs and even end up advancing in their chosen career path because it's always easier for an employed person to get hired than an unemployed person.

It doesn't help that kids have no clue what to expect from a salary standpoint. I saw tons of kids reject good jobs because they had it in their head a college grad should make $50K first year. The problem is, unless you got recruited on campus, the odds of getting that out of the gate are slim. The companies hiring outside of the campus environment tend to want more experience, and you're competing against people who have more of it. Even if they want someone "green" they'd rather have someone 2 years out of school with a little experience.

How would you see any of this first-hand? Do you hide out in recent grad's houses documenting things Jane Goodall style? Methinks you are maybe spinning a yarn.

Graduated in 1982: unemployment about the same as now, mortgage rates 12-13%. Ugh.

I, too, started at the bottom (i.e., in a job paying below what would typically be "expected" for that education level and particular degree), and it's been a slow climb with not much job "mobility." How did I get along with no electronic gadgets and a rusty/ancient car with power _nothing_, with a meal at McDonald's or a Domino's pizza a real "treat"? After many years of saving, I was finally able to put down a reasonable down payment on a modest older home. How did the two of us get along with only 1400 sq. ft., one-car garage, no crown molding or granite countertops or media room or finished basement or stainless steel appliances?

Then again, my forebears can tell me about the Great Depression, and now little some people were able to survive on, and make me realize that it could have been much worse for me in the 1980s.

/Colleges and Universities gotta stop with the BS (and that doesn't mean "Bachelor of Science") undergrad majors!
//Parents: man/woman up, get your offspring out there earning a living--any kind of living!
///Rant over, but I feel better. Mom and Dad, thanks for the tough love!

vlion: It's my opinion that if you can't get a job where you're at, move.

With what money? Moving is free now?

If you got a worthless degree, start a business.

Again, with what money?

pheed: jgi: You wanna do something cool and make money? Go to Antarctica and work. Application season is upon us, it's all expenses paid if you get the job, and you can work 4-6 months and most likely make a year's salary.

Here you go: Raytheon Polar Services

I've actually done it. After 7 years in Apple retail, I decided to do something I'd always wanted. I worked for 6 months as a computer tech from August 09 to Feb 2010. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

If you could elaborate on your experience, I'd appreciate it. It's something I've wanted to do for a while, also doing IT type work, so any insight, ups and downs, advice you could give would be most welcome.

Lance Russell's Nose: MetaRinka: Instead let's pay the CEO's 10-20% more, they can't afford that second mansion if we pay for extra mansions.

The CEO of my company earned $7.4 million last year. 290,000 of us work for him. If he gets a 20% raise and he takes it out of the pockets of his employees, my share for the year is almost three bucks. I got a 7% raise this year. If the tradeoff is a three dollar contribution to the CEO's salary, that's still a hell of a deal and I'll take it every time.

Might wanna pick a new straw man...

vacation may allow you to pursue other things, or at the very least take time to look for a job. many wage workers work so often they don't have. a chance to do near anything else besides work and sleep.


So you're rallying against having more vacation?

I'm rallying against you cutting my income. Cutting me down to 36 hours/week cuts out my 10 to 15 hours of OT that pays 1.5 times my normal rate. It also reduces my vacation pay and pension, both of which are computed based on my earnings. If we did things your way, my income would drop by more than one-third.

Thanks, but no thanks.

In those countries, you start getting over time at hour 37, They call it over-time for a reason, when france etc introduced the shortened work weak they didn't drop your pay by 10% if you're salary the salary stays remained the same. There is a convincing argument that it increases the cost of goods that have a high amount of man-hours associated, but it was never designed to take away from worker pay.

let me pose it this way, would you prefer to take a job that had overtime at hour 36, and 4 weeks minimum of PAID vacation a year, for the same salary? or would you prefer to work more hours? CEO pay is not a strawman argument when it's going up at a rate several times faster than worker pay, basically all the advancements in workplace efficiency over the last 40 years (Computers, automation, etc) have gone back into company pockets instead of employee pay. Americans are some of the hardest working people in terms of hours worked, but it doesn't come back proportionally in pay.

Am I late for the pity party?

tenpoundsofcheese: The most spoiled, self-centered and entitled generation meets up with a really bad economy. Maybe they can sell some of those participation trophies to help out their parents.

People like you make me sick.

ttintagel: llama vortex: The expectations around college are way too high. Both my wife and I didn't go to college, and both my wife and I are in management positions. I work for a software company and she works for an international fitness company (a gym).

We have zero student debt.

You may think we're lucky, we see it as working our butts off for the 3-5 years you partied. In the end, our experience is worth more than your degree.

While the reality, of course, it that it's both. Work without luck (or, if you prefer, the right circumstances) isn't enough on its own, and the same goes for luck without work.

"Success always involves some degree of luck, or so the losers like to claim."

DarthBrooks:
Nobody's hiring. Uh-huh.

blog.psprint.com

Got a degree? Be an officer. Stop mooching off your parents.

Oh, but there's a party at Amber's house so you're busy this week, right?

That is even worse. It is a public job mulching off the Government. Now if you become a private sector mercenary that is fine, but how dare you suggest people should suck on the Government teats for a job.

:( It's been a year of watching Fark headlines and I still can't make it to the pity party in time. I used to have the "playboy lifestyle" designation to justify why I couldn't be watching Fark threads. Back then, I didn't feel guilty about asking what I missed or whatever was up with those captioned cats. Now, I'm merely a troll -- a conversational burden this thread can't shake loose.

My casual mockery is lessened only by the knowledge I'm not alone. In fact, I'm in the majority.

I love the bootstrappiness of those complaining about the article. Yeah sure you worked 3 jobs through college and look at you.

Good thing our society lives in the 70s-90s

DarthBrooks: Nobody's hiring. Uh-huh.

[blog.psprint.com image 590x443]

Got a degree? Be an officer. Stop mooching off your parents.

Oh, but there's a party at Amber's house so you're busy this week, right?

Yes, sign up to kill innocent people in Afghanistan! Best job you ever had! Be a war criminal within your first year if you sign up today!

Britney Spear's Speculum: I love the bootstrappiness of those complaining about the article. Yeah sure you worked 3 jobs through college and look at you.

Pity party:

Person A: I have a problem and there's no hope
Person B: I had a similar problem and while it was hard, here is what I did to help overcome that.
Person A: Well good for you but I have a problem and there's no hope.
Person B: Er.. well what can I do for you then?
Person A: Change the world for me so I don't have a problem any more.

/could be worse, at least your all your hard work isn't going to support your deadbeat kid

LiquidTester: Dibikad: There's jobs if you're willing to leave where your at.

/English degree

I can't imagine why the English degree didn't pan out.

Eh, posting from my phone, tend not to notice little mistakes. Plus, while I do try to make as few mistakes as possible, I'm posting on an internet site so I don't really worry about it.
When it comes to the degree, I haven't tried to do anything with it. I'll get around to using it someday, right now I'm just happy to be out of Flint and employed.

Peki: MusicMakeMyHeadPound: Person B: Er.. well what can I do for you then?
Person A: Change the world for me so I don't have a problem any more. Give me a job.


FTFY

Ok.

I have a bathtub drain that could use some unclogging, catboxes to be cleaned, a toilet I've neglected for way too long and laundry to be done.

I can't say I'd trust a communications major to be competent enough to handle it, but I have always had a soft spot for Philosophy majors. I will pay cash for it to get done.

/srsly
//$13/hr for up to four hours.

Oh shiat, is this the thread where a bunch of dudes who don't know any recent college grads talk about how those kids just aren't willing to stoop to jobs they think are "beneath" them, and should get off their yard?

The butthurt of defensive snowflakes in this thread is astounding. Especially when when transmitted from their iphones.

/Stop whining on my lawn.
//Some of us got to go to their less-than-ideal job tomorrow morning.

What are people like me supposed to do for a living? I'm of average intelligence, I'm a slow learner, I'm socially awkward, and I have a physical disability that prevents me from doing most manual labor or standing for hours at a time. My dyslexia makes it difficult to keep up in the workplace.

When I'm given instructions I don't always hear what is being said to me (I'm slightly hard of hearing), and even if I do hear it, it takes me awhile to process things so I often times don't understand what's being asked of me. If I manage to actually understand the task at hand, it takes me 5 times as long as the normal person to get the job done because I'm usually fumbling to figure out how to do whatever the task is and have to ask everyone else a million questions thus slowing down their progress. Most of the time I just have to get people to do things for me because I can't figure out how to do them myself - or at least they have to do the thinking part due to my limited intellectual capacity.

Then there's the ADD which prevents me from focusing. When people are talking to me I tend to lose track of what they are saying to me and thus miss instructions. I have to do things a million times before I learn them, and even then, there's no guarantee that I'll ever learn them.

I'm extremely shy and socially awkward due to being raised in an abusive household with alcoholic parents which is off-putting for many people which basically rules out customer service jobs and really any job where I have to work with other people.

I also have Avoidant Personality Disorder which prevents me from making eye contact with other people - another thing that makes me socially awkward. I've always suspected that I have autism too, but that one is inconclusive at this time.

I have no skills or talents, and through much schooling have been unable to acquire any. I'm not even good at menial tasks such as cleaning so that rules out those types of jobs.

I have a degree though, so that's something right? Unfortunately my degree is in the meaningless arts field. While I managed to graduate with mostly A's, I didn't really learn anything in college. Granted the school was a joke and basically just shuffled people through as if it were a line at Disneyland.

I was also born very unfortunate looking so I can't even rely on my looks to get me by.

I've contemplated killing myself for many years to not be such a burden on my family and society, but I haven't got the guts to do it. Plus everyone tells me that isn't the answer and is the coward's way out.

Honestly though, I'm at a loss as to what people like me should do. I mean with all of my disorders and disabilities, I can pretty much rule out most types of work I can think of.

It's a good thing my family has money and I don't have to worry too much about working, but now people are suggesting I shouldn't accept this assistance despite all the adversities I face as being a disadvantaged human being (not in the monetary sense). I guess I just can't win! However, you all should be so grateful you're not me because it is truly a curse.

I ask again, what should such wastes of space like myself do in this cruel and unforgiving world? In the mean time, I'll be playing xbox and browsing fark headlines. Damn my lack of luck in life :/.

BiggityBanninated: DingleberryMoose:
I have a suspicion we come from very different cultures. I'm out of a dysfunctional family, with an abusive, addicted mother and codependent father in a small town. Bigs' background likely differs. This will be where much of our experience of the world, and, therefore, worldview, will originate.


Your assumptions are way off. Don't make them.

Do tell? Or not, it's your choice to be as open or closed a book as you wish to be. The circumstances of my life (first generation college grad, mother didn't graduate high school, physically abusive mother, drug-addicted mother, enabling father, serious poverty, chronic unemployment/underemployment of parents even during good times) are pretty unusual. Your posts seem to reflect an attitude close to the one I had when I was 18 or 20. Some time between then and now, I chose to be happy as opposed to bitter. It was a good decision, and happened shortly after I realized you can't control much of what happens, and happens to you, but you can control how you react to it.

PerilousApricot: Oh shiat, is this the thread where a bunch of dudes who don't know any recent college grads talk about how those kids just aren't willing to stoop to jobs they think are "beneath" them, and should get off their yard?

B.A., Engineering, graduated May of 2007. Fairly recent college grad, and yes, you can GTFO my lawn.

/kidding

LaurenAguilera: *shrug* Can't make a horse drink.

Yes, you can. It takes 5 cowboys.

fn129: vlion: It's my opinion that if you can't get a job where you're at, move.

With what money? Moving is free now?

I commented on this question earlier
...and followed up with a clarification
....and even gave an example on what state to move to that has unemployment around 3.4% with literally thousands of jobs up for grabs and where to find those jobs
...and suggestions on where to find a roommate so you didn't need to put money down on a major deposit and first/last month's rent.

But it was a big thread so those are easy to miss...

Peki: BreezyWheeze:
Are you on the autism spectrum?

People on the autism spectrum know the necessity of networking. They just don't play by the same set of rules.

I think I am on the autism spectrum, and I network. It's one of the easier social interactions since it can be very formal and follow easily codified rules. I generally find personal interactions at work much easier than elsewhere. There is always something to talk about. Regarding trying to get a job, write a nice cover letter explaining what you are currently doing and your recent experience. Imagine you are writing a letter to your long lost aunt. Play up your strengths. Respond to every contact, even the ones that you are unavailable for. HR people know other HR people. They can make introductions to people who might be hiring.

Yoyo: Peki: BreezyWheeze:
Are you on the autism spectrum?

People on the autism spectrum know the necessity of networking. They just don't play by the same set of rules.

I think I am on the autism spectrum, and I network. It's one of the easier social interactions since it can be very formal and follow easily codified rules. I generally find personal interactions at work much easier than elsewhere. There is always something to talk about. Regarding trying to get a job, write a nice cover letter explaining what you are currently doing and your recent experience. Imagine you are writing a letter to your long lost aunt. Play up your strengths. Respond to every contact, even the ones that you are unavailable for. HR people know other HR people. They can make introductions to people who might be hiring.

The HR comment got me thinking about a discussion I had with a coworker during lunch which started based off both of us reading this thread.

The discussion was about grads or older workers trying to find work in this economic climate and during the course of the conversation, we drifted into prior jobs and what questions prospective employers' HR departments would ask.

One of the ladies from HR was having lunch with us and mentioned legally they are only allowed to ask "Has this person worked for your company", "What dates were they employed", "Would you hire them again". If they asked any other questions then the company would be open to a lawsuit by the applicant. If the previous employer answered of the questions, they also would be open to litigation.

However, 'off the record', she did say it happens all the time in companies which don't have extensive HR departments with proper training or companies which haven't been advised by a lawyer. Some companies follow strict guidelines which only allow HR to ask and answer those 3 questions and will monitor calls to make sure the company isn't being opened up to lawsuits....however she had more companies calling about past employes and asking multiple questions than those who just asked the 'safe three'. Our company policy, as she stated, was to tell the other HR person our company does will only provide answers the 'safe 3' questions.

She did also mention that unless someone either pretended to be an HR person or hired a firm to do reference checks for them, no one would ever know if a company was giving out information that would damage their job hunting. The company wasn't going to tell the prospective employee why they weren't hired if a prior employer mentioned something negative during the reference/job history check so lawsuits were very rare and not something most of her HR friends with other companies worried about.

Kind of eye-opening.

Parande: Cup_O_Jo: Peki: Cup_O_Jo: As someone who worked as a manager for 7 years. I can tell you it is always understood that you bring a resume and cover letter with you. Even if I don't ask for it. It's called being OVERLY prepared. Of course I would already dread someone who asked me "what to bring" to an interview.

So I may not get a job if I ask to bring something that I might not be aware of I need to bring, that would probably prevent me from getting the job in the first place. And this makes sense to you?

So you don't have a job? Is that the answer. I say this because you are all defensive. LET ME REPEAT as someone who was a manager for 7 YEARS I am telling you that you need to bring everything in a folder in a bag. A leather looking notebook. Whatever floats your boat. By everything-I used to even bring around my high school diploma. It's just a piece of paper. But people do sometimes ask for it. ITS CALLED BEING PREPARED. Being over prepared never stopped anyone from getting a job. EVER. Now all that said. Just because I have it with me does not mean I whip it out halfway through the interview--like "hey check out this pointless piece of paper" BUT I HAVE IT IF THEY ASK FOR IT. I just automatically have it. It shows initiative,organizational skills,and preparedness. 3 things employers love. Asking if you need to bring anything--shows that you can't do things on your own without being told. That you are time consuming. Everything must be written down for you or you don't do it. Employers don't hire people like that. It's called a "too much work" employee. Means they have to put too much work into making you work and it will interfere with their job. So they won't hire you. Initiative look it up.

"Hey! Let's see how many pointless hoops I can have this potential slave candidate jump through for my personal entertainment to prove his willingness and forethought to submit to my will on every level! Whoooo-boy! I sure do love being a manager!!!!!!1!!111!"

What happened to our revolutionaries who actually questioned things as opposed to either whining about being exploited, or extolling the virtues of being a self-righteous asshat on the other side rebelling in the exploitation?

He's just putting it the wrong way: You have 2 candidates - the first comes to their interview with a leather-bound notebook and pulls out a few copies of their resume when asked. You notice there are a number of other papers in there as well, presumably a portfolio they've put together. The second asks up front what you want and comes in with exactly what you've asked - no less, no more.

Based on that criteria, who do you want? Sounds like an easy way to get a leg up on similar candidates doesn't it?