So I have to use the computer?

[SkullBash]

Here in my HR lobby we have computers set up to help people look for available jobs and/or apply online. I usually keep one computer pulled up to a PDF bulletin in big letters so people can push the minimal amount of buttons. Yet every once in a while I get a complete, pants-crapping computerphobe. This type of person has prompted me to keep a binder at my desk that contains the current vacancies. I had a lady walk in and opted for the binder, which she took and sat down to browse through. With this in mind, let me describe a conversation that went like this, when another customer walks in:

Me: Hello. How may I help you?

Luddite (L): Is this where you go to look for jobs?

Me: Yes, sir. We have computers here that you can use, or we have a listing here at the desk, but it is in use and you will have to wait until it is available.

L stands there, looking frantically between each computer. The computers - not having been used for several minutes - are powersaving with blank screens.

L: You have to apply on the computer?

Me: No, we have hard copies of our application available here at the desk as well.

L is still standing there, looking at the computers as if the keyboards are covered in hissing snakes.

L: I have to look on the computer?

Me: You can, and the first one here is pulled up to the bulletin (I point). Just move the mouse to wake it up.

L, still hesitating: But I have to apply on the computer?

Me (mentally): RAWR!!!!

I get up, go over to the computer, jiggle the mouse, and the bulletin appears.

Me: This is already pulled up to the bulletin. You can browse with the mouse.

Finally, L takes a seat at the computer. I then walk over to my desk and say (again), "Applications are in this bin."

Couple minutes go by.

L: So, can I just click on these to apply? Or what? (He tries clicking on jobs. This is a flat PDF document).

Me: No, sir. You can back out of that and apply online, OR YOU CAN TAKE AN APPLICATION FROM THIS BIN.

He gets up and takes the application I hand him. He jots down the job info, says thank you, and leaves.


To be clear, I do have sympathy for these kinds of folks as I am sure that using a computer is as intimidating for them as flying an airplane would be for me, but I sure do see a LOT of them at my job, and who appear a lot younger than say 70-years-old, as this gentleman was. Even if people aren't very experienced and don't understand some of the more 'complex' things - such sending an email - I am still always a little stunned when I get the person who is petrified about even TOUCHING a computer. Whew.

[emax4]

At what point do you say, "unless you're looking for mundane, physical-only work, you're going to need to learn how to use the computer for pretty much any job you apply for.."?

[SkullBash]

At what point do you say, "unless you're looking for mundane, physical-only work, you're going to need to learn how to use the computer for pretty much any job you apply for.."?

Exactly! But I can't really say, "Well, since you can't use a mouse, let's not even bother..."

We are doing away with paper applications this year and going strictly online only, so I can't wait for the epic confusion to roll in.

[AmbrosiaWriter]

Perhaps it would be best to type up a simple sheet of directions and attach them to the computers?

For example:

1) Locate job you are applying for in the listing.
2) Click the little "x" in the upper right corner.
3 Etc. and so Forth

While it might not help everyone, it probably will help a good number of people who aren't computer genius, but can follow simple instructions.

[SkullBash]

We do have the online instructions with a loud PLEASE READ CAREFULLY on the website. Sadly, we still get a slew who simply don't bother to read them and then wonder why they get stuck.

[AmbrosiaWriter]

We do have the online instructions with a loud PLEASE READ CAREFULLY on the website. Sadly, we still get a slew who simply don't bother to read them and then wonder why they get stuck.

Good way to weed out the bad appliers? ?

[Bright_Star]

Most places nowadays have done away with paper job applications. What gets me is the people who get so upset that they have to use a computer to apply for a job. It's not like the computer is gonna beat them to a bloody pulp..lol.

[Pixilated]

At what point do you say, "unless you're looking for mundane, physical-only work, you're going to need to learn how to use the computer for pretty much any job you apply for.."?

At least a decade ago, this was my mom ... laid off from her job (the one she was sure would last until she hit 65 ...) and scrambling to find work to tide her over for a couple of years. She signed up with local placement agencies and bless them, they did find her jobs. One of those jobs was ready to hire her on the spot except for her COMPLETE lack of computer knowledge. I'm sure they'd have had no trouble giving her time to train in their particular systems, but when you have somebody who looks at computers -- as you so vividly described it -- as if the keyboards are covered with hissing snakes, and has barely enough know-how to log on, well, ....

Exactly! But I can't really say, "Well, since you can't use a mouse, let's not even bother..."

We are doing away with paper applications this year and going strictly online only, so I can't wait for the epic confusion to roll in.

I don't much like online applications, mostly because I swear some of 'em make you repeat exactly the same information three or four times. But they are definitely the wave of the future.

Perhaps it would be best to type up a simple sheet of directions and attach them to the computers?

For example:

1) Locate job you are applying for in the listing.
2) Click the little "x" in the upper right corner.
3 Etc. and so Forth

While it might not help everyone, it probably will help a good number of people who aren't computer genius, but can follow simple instructions.

Trust me ... when a technophobe looks at the monitor, they can't even FIND "the little 'x' in the upper right corner." All they see is some sort of Borg-Zombie that's going to suck out their brain if they sit there for more than five minutes.

Most places nowadays have done away with paper job applications. What gets me is the people who get so upset that they have to use a computer to apply for a job. It's not like the computer is gonna beat them to a bloody pulp..lol.

It's not?!?

One of the things that upset mom the most when she did try to learn computers was, "I had to write everything down!!" Well, yeah, mom, how do you think I learned?? It was on-the-job learning so I wrote down how to log in, how to save a story, how to send a story, etc., etc., etc. Everytime I needed to do a function I'd find the written instructions, until I'd done them often enough that I no longer needed the notes. But she seemed to feel she had failed somehow because she couldn't perform every function letter-perfect the second time out.

Sadly, we didn't hear this until long afterwards, and by that time she'd lost any interest whatsoever in learning to use computers.

[mhkohne]

To be clear, I do have sympathy for these kinds of folks as I am sure that using a computer is as intimidating for them as flying an airplane would be for me, but I sure do see a LOT of them at my job, and who appear a lot younger than say 70-years-old, as this gentleman was. Even if people aren't very experienced and don't understand some of the more 'complex' things - such sending an email - I am still always a little stunned when I get the person who is petrified about even TOUCHING a computer. Whew.

Grr. I want to be sympathetic - I'm afraid of heights myself, but not to the panicinducing level. I understand not wanting to deal with the stupid things. I just have trouble being sympathetic to people who let themselves get so panic-focused that they can't do anything but say "I hate computers". We get that, now take the nice man's offer of NOT having to use one, and quit yammering!

[roxtar]

how? what?

I know that our generation is spoiled, having been exposed to computers for most of our lives... but really? it's 2012! I've been using computers almost daily for 25 years! how long did it take these people to learn how to drive a car? or use a touch-tone telephone?

then again, I have friends who are constantly "breaking" their computers by simply clicking "yes" to every pop-up.

[emax4]

We are doing away with paper applications this year and going strictly online only, so I can't wait for the epic confusion to roll in.

Look on the bright side: Now you can possibly hire one or two people with the staff to help those computerphobes overcome their first-time usage and get with technology. I would guess that the hardest thing would be having someone to write their resume in Word and get all the formatting and bullets right, (unless they scan in an old one, but some places want a resume in Word format). After that, it would be just a matter of either clicking in the right box to enter information or familiarizing ones-self with the Tab key.

[MoonCat]

But she seemed to feel she had failed somehow because she couldn't perform every function letter-perfect the second time out.

That could be because many trainers act that way. I've put up with way too much of that at my job.

It really does make a big difference to grow up with computers. Kids' brains absorb knowledge like sponges suck in water. Us older folks, not so much!

[Gizmo]

how? what?

I know that our generation is spoiled, having been exposed to computers for most of our lives... but really? it's 2012! I've been using computers almost daily for 25 years! how long did it take these people to learn how to drive a car? or use a touch-tone telephone?

I have family a bit like this. They use hard drive recorders, new fancy TVs, set top boxes, digital cameras (without a computer! We bought them a photo printer several years ago but they still go to the booths to print them or they show them on the TV) and all the rest of the stuff... they just won't get a computer. Too difficult...

[jedimaster91]

Look on the bright side: Now you can possibly hire one or two people with the staff to help those computerphobes overcome their first-time usage and get with technology. I would guess that the hardest thing would be having someone to write their resume in Word and get all the formatting and bullets right, (unless they scan in an old one, but some places want a resume in Word format). After that, it would be just a matter of either clicking in the right box to enter information or familiarizing ones-self with the Tab key.

If only it were that simple. I used to work in babysit our library's computer lab just as the economy was taking a nose-dive. Lots of people who had never touched a computer ever suddenly needed resumes and to fill out online applications. First there were the slow ones that needed to hunt and peck for everything, but generally were alright once you shoved them in the right direction. Then the ones who needed their hand held the entire time and refused to even touch the computer because it might bite them (which was real fun when I had a whole lab full). Then the ones who knew just enough to really muck things up and got belligerent when things didn't go the way they thought they should. It didn't help that our IT department was woefully behind the times, so for a long time we had to jury-rig a way to access external USB drives.

I was so glad to quit that job.

[EricKei]

Good way to weed out the bad appliers? ?

Well, I guess it would cut down on the people turning in apps and/or resume's written in crayon...I've heard some horror stories from HR peeps before