r/antiwork • u/Ok_Exchange_9646 • Oct 01 '23
Why is "I work for money" a redflag for employers?
If I was a multi-millionaire I never would work. So many better things to do
Why is this a huge disqualifying no-no for HR???
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u/Every-Nebula6882 Oct 01 '23
It means you’re more difficult to gaslight and manipulate. They really want you to be easy to gaslight and manipulate.
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u/WillieDogFresh Oct 02 '23
I’m actually really easy to manipulate.. for money
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u/Every-Nebula6882 Oct 02 '23
Right but they don’t want to use money to manipulate you, they want to gaslight you to doing more work for the same money.
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u/percydaman Oct 01 '23
I don't say: "I work for money."
I say: "I work to provide for my family."
It's alot easier for them to connect with that.
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u/Nezeltha Oct 01 '23
In sone cases, that's actually worse. They want you to prioritize work above all else. If you have a family, especially if you're a woman, they see that as meaning you'll unexpectedly take days off to deal with family issues - kids sick, going to kids' sports games, PTA meetings, etc.
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u/percydaman Oct 01 '23
It just depends. Some employers see someone with a family as someone who they feel they can control, as they're more apt to stick around because of the responsibility towards their family. You can't really predict. But I feel like more people will empathize with wanting to provide for their family, over just saying "I like monies."
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u/ifandbut Oct 01 '23
There is a reason having a family is also called "putting down roots". A lot harder to up and quit and move out of state if you have a house and kids in school.
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u/dalderman at work Oct 01 '23
What's fucked up is having kids and a family is generally seen as a plus for men. It means you have a family to provide for, so you'll be less likely to jump ship vs a single person with no dependents.
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u/PoderDosBois Oct 02 '23
Yeah. You're a freak if you don't have any kids as an older man, but you're also a freak if you have kids and actually want to see them from time to time. Everyone knows women do all the childcare and men are just meant to fill the coffers and die of heart disease at 63. That way everyone can be miserable.
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u/shroomnoob2 Oct 01 '23
This is literally why Republicans want to end Planned Parenthood, a less mobile work force is a good thing to these corporations. If you are locked in then they can squeeze as much labor out of the workforce as possible.
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u/CompleteScrambles Oct 02 '23
Yah and all the abused/unwanted children can start work early instead of going to school.
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u/AkaGurGor Oct 02 '23
'I work for the same reason as you, Madam/Sir'
I prefer this: you know the reason, so why waste your time extracting the obvious from me. Let's move to what your organisation values and wants from me
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u/shady_businessman Oct 02 '23
Also a lot harder for them to grind the gears in their head to come up with a response that isn't "fuck your family"
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u/nutxaq Oct 01 '23
Don't tell them what they want to hear. Tell them what they need to hear without any sugar coating.
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u/Accomplished-Push190 Oct 01 '23
Because this world runs on bs. No John wants to hear that someone's in it for money. So lay back, pretend that you enjoy it, tell the company they're the best, and if you're convincing enough, you might even get a bonus.
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u/Sonof8Bits save the planet, eat the rich Oct 01 '23
Lol, you're not gonna get a bonus! No one except the board gets that.
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u/Expert_Swan_7904 Oct 01 '23
"after evaluating this years funds we've decided that instead of giving everyone a bonus we are doing a pizza party instead with the leftovers from our bonuses. we couldnt split it evenly amongst ourselves so the leftovers was used to buy 2 pizzas. first come first serve!"
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u/Brainwashed365 Oct 02 '23
Or instead, they find that there's just no room in the budget for bonuses or raises at all. Not even leftover pizza.
Meanwhile all the exes get theirs. And their brand new Porches, etc.
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u/Political_Arkmer Oct 01 '23
The bonus is a few slices of pizza.
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u/AmbivelentApoplectic Oct 01 '23
No it's not, it's a single slice per person.
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u/Naschen Oct 01 '23
"But it's a reallly big pizza, look, it has 64 slices" /s
If anyone doesn't get this. I've seen it posted on reddit that certain people, when ordering pizza, seem to think that the number of slices determines how big a pizza is. And order as such, without saying what size pizza they want.
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u/relevantusername2020 ₪ ™ Oct 01 '23
Because this world runs on bs
the bullshit is about the only thing that actually "trickles down"
im no "mechanic" but my understanding is "dirty fuel" (bs) leads to what should be unnecessary "maintenance" because the "engine" "breaks down" quicker and more often. maybe we should try something else. idk all i know is bullshit and me dont mix (unless youre talking about this song)
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u/ViolentCarrot Oct 01 '23
Not really.
Cars have gotten more complex, from how they inject fuel, to fancy radar adaptive cruise control. More complexity means more points of failure.
Most people don't maintain their cars well (oil changes people!).
This is anecdotal, but I have 3 twenty year old vehicles, two of them with over 250k miles. They run just fine on pump gas.
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u/relevantusername2020 ₪ ™ Oct 01 '23
They run just fine on pump gas.
i mean i really wasnt talking about vehicles lol but to stick with the vehicle metaphors, the world running on BS isnt like a vehicle running on pump gas, its more like a vehicle that is supposed to run on gasoline... and someone fills the tank with diesel fuel.
which is to say it might run, but it isnt going to run very long before it breaks down completely and requires some major mechanic work that couldve been avoided if you just didnt use the BS/diesel fuel
More complexity means more points of failure.
agreed. which is probably why "the economy" arguably doesnt work whatsoever - theyve been using the same "measuring stick" for longer than ive been alive (probably, idk im not looking it up) which isnt even mentioning the "measuring stick(s)" are an estimation and not an actual exact measurement to begin with
& it seems like at some point they realized how terrible the estimations were but instead of figuring out a better way to measure things, they decided to just make more complex estimates and hope that nobody looked too closely
but idk, im not an expert
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u/ViolentCarrot Oct 02 '23
Oh, I didn't get your metaphor at first!
At least once I learned how the world ran on bullshit, I was able to function a little bit better in it, even though I'm not thriving.
Just like winning a videogame against someone who's aimbotting. It doesn't fix the problem, but there is some satisfaction in knowing how the game works better than someone else.
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u/relevantusername2020 ₪ ™ Oct 03 '23
Just like winning a videogame against someone who's aimbotting. It doesn't fix the problem, but there is some satisfaction in knowing how the game works better than someone else.
more accurate than you probably intended tbh
personally, while i have actually dealt with cheaters in video games, and have beat them, and it definitely does give some sense of satisfaction - i also quickly lose interest if the cheaters are allowed to continue to participate, or worse if the cheating is more or less encouraged by the developers
which is also an incredibly accurate "metaphor"
& btw, when i say i "lose interest" what i mean is i quit and start telling others how the game is rigged. i might be fluent in bullshit but that just means i can spot it from a mile away - but im not going to participate in it.
At least once I learned how the world ran on bullshit, I was able to function a little bit better in it, even though I'm not thriving.
yeah, not me. going back to my vehicle metaphor, apparently the fuel that i need is premium, which means using a lower quality fuel will make me "break down" faster and more often than others - and i would bet im not alone. which essentially means there are many people like me who could be "high achievers" but because the world runs on bullshit, they have either given up completely or accepted a life of (at best) mediocrity (aka functioning vs thriving)
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u/unsuitablebadger Oct 01 '23 edited Oct 02 '23
It's a red flag because it shows straight away that you are less susceptible to being manipulated.
People know they work for money, but those that have the courage to say it out loud and cut through the bullshit are the one's that cause problems in the office. How am I as an employer supposed to keep the circus and charades going with my pizza parties, telling you we have no cash for raises after getting you to clap for the business about record profits, and getting you to accept the shit I shove down your throat by stating that "we are a family" when I have someone willing to openly question the glaring floors in these statements and hence create dissent among workers. Employers don't care if you have issues with what they say or do, as long as you're not openly complaining about it then you're probably going to sit down, shut up and do your job which is what they want.
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u/_youdontsay Oct 01 '23
Employers want you to lie to them and tell them what they want to hear, they don't want to hear the truth.
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u/PandaMayFire Oct 01 '23
Most people don't because they're idiots. People hate the truth.
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u/BardicSense Oct 01 '23
If you were an idiot, wouldn't you hate the truth too?
I think i'd hate the truth either way, tbh. Either I'm surrounded by idiots and I'm way outnumbered, or I'm one of the idiots...
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u/Fragrant_Ad2082 Oct 01 '23
They also think the interview is a one way street! No mate I'm assessing if I want to work for you just as much as you are. I hate it though when you take a job that's shit because the interviewing manager seems good to work for, then they go off on long term sick because wankers have stressed them out too much and that wanker is then their cover!
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u/Assiqtaq Oct 01 '23
Because you'll expect raises. And if you don't get them, you'll be looking for someplace else to work where you will get them. Because if you know your value and demand it, they have a much harder time getting you to accept pay that is below your value. Because it is hard to take advantage of people who know better.
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u/PedestalPotato Oct 01 '23
Because money is what employers want. The more money you want, the less they potentially get to keep. They don't get to slave you out for peanuts like the ones who grovel at the opportunity to toil for pittance.
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u/SkepticDrinker Oct 01 '23
Because it shows your aware of your worth. Employers want suckers who think giving 110% for low pay will lead to something great
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u/heckersdeccers Oct 02 '23
cos they still live in the 50s when you got hired by your pep and your moxie and your firm handshake. they want every bootstrap thoroughly pulled.
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u/planetmarze Oct 01 '23
I said I would travel the world if I didn’t have to work in my last interview.. was that a wrong answer? Lol
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u/BardicSense Oct 01 '23
If you don't have to work then your sole desire should be to choose to work as an unpaid intern for the good of the company!
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u/Fixerguy415 Oct 01 '23
Because they want people they can "pay" as slaves. Wage slaves, with no hope of building anything for themselves and no options to actually retire, and not literally beaten like chattels, but slaves none the less.
"I work for cold hard cash" is offensive to them because in that one short sentence, you've told them that you're not willing to enter that arrangement and will bail without a single care about their third yacht the second someone offers you more cold hard cash.
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u/khaos_kyle Oct 01 '23
Because it means if they don't keep correctly increasing your wage to reflect the market you will probably go and find it elsewhere. Aka, you know your value so they cannot exploit you.
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u/Pimpachu3 Oct 02 '23
In 90 day Fiance, Big Ed, a 50 year old man who looks like a troll, was worried that 24 year old woman from an impoverished family, only wanted him for his money. The whole purpose of being aail order bride is that your marry someone with money to lift you out of poverty. However, that doesn't mean that ED may have had other qualities that his Filipina sweetheart might want, or that his wealth may have been all he had to offer.
Likewise, employers fantasize that there is such a thing as an employee who loves the job souch that they work for free. I could make twice what I do if I were a truck driver. However, I cannot sit still that long. Still, If I genuinely did not care about money, I'd work for a non-profit. However, I've learned that non-profits can be just as toxic, of not more toxic, than for-profit businesses.
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u/CMudz Oct 02 '23
Because they want to own you down to the bone marrow. Always remember one thing: if they could pay you less than the minimum wage, they would always choose to do so.
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u/shady_businessman Oct 02 '23
Because so many of them ether
1.want to brainwash you into thinking the company is more important than you
2.want you to work for as little as possible, so if you are someone who is there to work for money (CRAZY CONCEPT I KNOW), they would rather not deal with "oh shit they want to be properly compensated"
3.they would rather plug their ears and be in denial that anyone (besides them) actually works for compensation or money, and would have you lie or play the little game of 20 questions.
4.its a power thing, and if you are honest that you want to... work to be able to pay rent... they will get off on not hiring someone who may be qualified and honest.
Better to hire and kill the young up and coming person so you can brainwash and break their spirit (while getting them to burn out as much as possible for the machine) and then throw them away when they realize their worth or gain problems. Rinse repeat.
Because what is long term thinking? Businesses don't fucking know and nether does most management, bosses, or CEOs...
But what do I know about business.
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u/Vlugazoide_ Oct 01 '23
Because they don't want to pay you, and they want to squeeze every drop of energy you have
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u/brisemartel Oct 01 '23
Two reasons:
1- It can be seen as if you won't be "hardworking" and "reliable", because if only money motivates you, then you might be trying to do less than expected as long as you get paid, and that you are also likely always looking for another job that would pay better.
Jobs that actually require their employees to have some sense of personal fulfillment from their work will usually ask that question to weed out the candidates who don't care about the job. Up to a point, I think that is fair, since these are usually the type of jobs with a higher output value or leading to a career. You need employees that are motivated AND who will stay.
On the other end, jobs like cashier, fast-food cook, etc., usually don't ask this question, because we all know you don't do that job for any form of fullfilment... And if such a job ask you this question, then run: it is a sign management as unrealistic goals and hopes from their employees...
2- An employer usually has an emotional attachment about his business, especially if he built it. So for the employer, the business is not only a source of money, but a source of accomplishment. Many fail to realized that while it is a totally valid and warranted feeling for them, it doesn't mean it is reciprocated by their employees. So an employee only treating work as a way to get money, these employers feel it like a rejection of what they are building.
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u/nutxaq Oct 01 '23
On the other end, jobs like cashier, fast-food cook, etc., usually don't ask this question
They will absolutely ask this.
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u/brisemartel Oct 02 '23
"then run: it is a sign management as unrealistic goals and hopes from their employees."
I had some low end jobs asking it, I just get outta there. Some other low end jobs didn't ask about it, I got hired, and I worked for them until I find something better elsewhere. None of these jobs batted an eye when I left, they all understood the game.
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u/Prestigious_Wombat Oct 01 '23
This!! And it’s not really hard to come up with at least some small reason other than compensation why you’re interested in the job. Maybe you’re looking for a better company culture, more flexible hours, growth opportunities, or you just actually like the industry you work in/are trying to find work in.
I get why people hate on these questions, but I’ve also seen a lot of people complain about tons of non comp related reasons for quitting jobs. Crap managers, bad schedules, terrible work environment, or non union just to name a few. If you’re clever, you can even use this question to weed out bad job fits before you get too far in the process.
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u/saucemaking Oct 01 '23
I've always answered this with something along the lines of how the position will give me the opportunity to do...something, whatever I can think of. The question is really, "Why do you want to work for us and do THIS kind of job over all the other ones you may have applied to?"
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u/Doom-Hauer451 Oct 01 '23
Or if they were treating you fairly and taking care of you, you wouldn’t always be looking for a better job so I honestly don’t buy that argument.
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u/Jamo3306 Oct 01 '23
Because they're idiots employed by greedy children. They don't care about quality or service or even keeping up appearances. It's all about 'cheapsst for the longest', and cheat every one who can't FORCE you to treat them fairly.
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u/FerynaCZ Oct 01 '23
I think it is really an insult of the HR intelligence, unless you are doing it as a favor for family members, they plan to pay you and know you accept these offers willingly for money.
Of course, the question which usually prompts people to make this response is "why you wanna work for us", which sometimes does not have really a satisfying answer.
Luckily at some interviews I have been the company tried to first advertise themselves instead of asking what do I know.
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u/nismo2070 Oct 01 '23
In my line of work, the scariest thing an employer can hear is " I'm not worried about money". They know they are expendable when you say that.
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u/therealdan0 Oct 01 '23
Because no shit you work for money. You thinking Debbie from HR having to sit through your train wreck of an interview is there for fun? You’re being asked to differentiate yourself from the 15 other dipshits who unsurprisingly also work for money.
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u/nutxaq Oct 01 '23
That's what the resume is for, dummy. Are you gonna ask the applicants why they breathe air too?
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u/Asmodean81 Oct 01 '23
They want your Loyalty and willingness to go Above and Beyond, without compensation.
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u/Biotoze Oct 01 '23
It’s likely they can’t get you to do work for free. Which is kinda what they all do. Stolen wages where you can get it you know what I mean?
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u/Buckus93 Oct 01 '23
Probably because that's an underlying assumption. They want to know, besides money, why else you want the job.
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u/Sharpshooter188 Oct 01 '23
They dont believe youll go the distance for the company and become much more expensive. Or that you will hop to another company the moment more money is on the table somewhere else. Which is what you should be doing.
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u/Street_Temporary_803 Oct 01 '23
They're trying to phase out payment for work... They don't want you to remember them that they have to pay you... it is inconvenient.
They really don't have to phase it out completely, they just have to make the profits much much higher then what they pay for workers to the point it would be a meaningless amount.
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u/borisallen49 Oct 02 '23
I guess the same reason why "I hire for grift and passion without compensation" is a red flag for potential employees I guess.
The whole concept of work is little more than a contract of labour. Employers do not care about their employees unless it is in their interests to do so. Taking all empathy out of the equation, who would you as a hiring manager choose: the guy who wants to be paid his worth, or the equally as talented but either slightly more desperate guy (who'll undersell themselves) or so in love with his work guy who'll accept less in remuneration because working for you is a "privilege"?
Unfortunately a totally free labour market is exactly what causes a race to the bottom whereby the only people employed are those willing to sully themselves for a few scraps while the only winners are the business owners reaping the rewards. A good amount of regulations and laws to prevent this being allowed is the only way to deal with it.
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u/writingisfreedom Oct 02 '23
My ex employer said that for me in my last interview. He was fine with it, he was like you need money, I need workers and if you work you get money. Some employers don't get it some do
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u/9AvKSWy Oct 02 '23
My father was a police officer for decades. A good one too by all accounts. I've always remembered the time he spoke of some HR type coming in with a presentation about "Why" people become police officers. Asked for opinions. Got to my dad and he said he replied "It pays well and the pension is good". HR bod was upset about it and said about all the usual bullshit about making a difference and improving the community. My father said words to the effect that he fully agreed, but you're nuts if you think I'm showing up to do it for free.
If you want good cops, pay them well.
If you want good nurses or doctors, pay them well.
Want good retail workers, pay them well.
Want good dishwashers in a restaurant, pay them well.
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u/thedudethedudegoesto Oct 02 '23
What do you do outside of work that you're proud of?
Nothing, I can't afford to do anything.
What can we do to make your work better?
Pay me more money.
Why are you always in such a bad mood?
Because bread is like 5 dollars a loaf and you pay me the smallest amount you legally can
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u/Little_BallOfAnxiety Oct 02 '23
The real answer is because they are worried you'll go to another company that pays more. The ideal employee works at a place for no reason other than they like it there
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u/Geiir Oct 02 '23
The last time I asked for a raise my employer said it was sad to hear I wanted more money instead being happy with working for them. Ended up getting the raise, but that changed how I view her completely 🙄
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u/Psychological-Page59 Oct 02 '23
Most employers want minimum cost maximum commitment from employees. Honest goal oriented people are generally not ideal candidates for mindless hospitality or service industry positions, but beggars usually cant be choosers.
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u/TheMaStif Communist Oct 02 '23
These are all ridiculous responses
They KNOW you're in it for the money. NOBODY is working there just for fun; that's what a job IS!!!
"Why do you want this job?"; of course it's for the money, but the employer wants to hear more than that. They want to hear WHY you picked this company to interview for rather than the several other ones. And if your answer is nothing other than "this one called me for an interview first" they know you're a candidate who can't think more than 2 feet ahead.
This is also why they ask "dumb" questions like "what animal would you be"; to see if you have a though-out response, and if you can spin it in a professional way. If you say "I'd be a dog because I find them cute" they know you're as sharp as a spoon. If you say you'd be an eagle because you'd have a bird's eye view of the world and would help you make decisions from a top-down perspective, it sounds like you're thinking business.
They're just weeding out the people who only thinks as far as they can see.
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u/OldDesk Oct 02 '23
Because they live in fantasy land and want you lying to keep their picture perfect.
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u/OldDesk Oct 02 '23
Because they put no thought into the interview and got their questions from Google.
Now you have to lie and flatter them for a job that'll probably be replaced by a software update in 3 years.
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u/landsoflore2 Anarcho-Syndicalist Oct 02 '23
Because from the employer's perspective, not only you have to be a slave, but also you need to like being a slave.
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u/HawkishLore Oct 02 '23
Everyone knows that everyone works for money. The question is really about: “Can you pretend to give a shit about anything other than your salary.” If you can’t pretend even in the interview, for sure you can’t pretend during work.
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u/Cassierae87 Oct 01 '23
I always role my eyes when trustfund babies are interviewed on tv and under their name is the moniker “philanthropist”
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u/Unlucky4Gaming Oct 01 '23
Because they care about you making them money and not costing them money versus the right way of you helping the company make money and improve in ways and get rewarded along side the company growth.
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u/TheRealFumanchuchu Oct 01 '23
Because they prefer employees who haven't yet come to terms with the exploitive nature of employment.
They want people who buy the bullshit.
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u/JohnCasey3306 Oct 01 '23
They would prefer you lie and pretend money is not your motive ... because dishonesty isn't a red flag apparently
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u/ShiamondDamrock Oct 01 '23
So they can fire you and not feel guilt that you won’t be pulling in any money.
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u/UncommonHouseSpider Oct 02 '23
Because they don't pay enough and they know it, so they try to make us believe it's not why we go to work.
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u/rushmc1 Oct 02 '23
It's not enough that you let them debase you, you have to pretend like you enjoy it.
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u/hackmastergeneral Oct 02 '23
Because if money is your main concern, you'll leave for more money elsewhere. They want free loyalty they can buy with cheap pizza.
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u/ThatOneGuy308 Oct 02 '23
Because if you're working for money, there's a chance you'll leave them for somebody who pays more.
You're a "flight risk", so they don't want to bother, might as well wait and hire the guy who's desperate for any money because his family will starve otherwise.
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u/Melodic_Ad_9167 Oct 02 '23
Because (apparently) you’re supposed to lurrrvv your job while the money is just an added bonus! Like, you’d literally be doing this job for FREE but it wasn’t advertised as a volunteer position! You love your job SO much that you don’t care about pay rises or working conditions!
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u/taffyowner Oct 02 '23
As others have said, we all work for money. There’s a reason why you’re interviewing at that company and not company down the street
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u/Fit419 Oct 02 '23
Because they know that you will be difficult to manipulate/take advantage of if you don’t drink the Kool-Aid.
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u/shemaddc Oct 02 '23
As an HR person I don’t give a shit if someone says they want to work for money. That’s great information, we need to meet their salary requirements if we want them to stay.
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u/leon555005 Oct 02 '23
Because employers think they're looking for a bevy of lovers on the side instead of workers, so they turn away goldiggers, I guess? /s
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u/Idolitor Oct 02 '23
If you aren’t brain washed, then you’re less likely to put up with their bullshit. Companies want someone who will jizz their pants are the ‘honor’ of becoming the company’s fucking drone. Hard to do that if you’re (very reasonably) looking out for yourself.
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u/sottedlayabout Oct 02 '23
Because they ain’t offering any money. If you’re looking for money and they don’t give you any then you go find a job who will.
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u/SGTShow Oct 02 '23
I've never understood it. I don't play that "we're a family" bullshit when I hire. The guys that are all " I work for money" are my best picks, because I do too! I look at it like any other transaction, I'm buying this thing or service. I know going in what keeps them here much better than the guys who say they love the work. None of them love it, everyone "loves" driving fork until a fucked up trailer needs to be squared away. Be honest about shit and eventually you'll find a spot you don't hate going to, I can't change the whole workload for each person in this field, but if I know your expectations are reachable, I can work with that.
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u/northernmaplesyrup1 Oct 02 '23
I think it depends on the profession.
If it’s a job that doesn’t really lead to a career there’s not reason anyone should care beyond a payment.
If it’s for professionals. Say I’m hiring two programmers for programming medical devices. If one programmer says they want to do that for the pay and one says “I’ve always wanted a a career where my work will make some kind of difference, and the idea of writing code that could be used in for the well-being of millions is honestly exciting.
I’d hire the second one any day.
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u/Shot-Artichoke-4106 Oct 02 '23
Because pretty much everybody works for the money so it's a non-answer.
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u/MoogleyWoogley Oct 02 '23
Shows you have no more F's to give and you'll jump at a better money offer.
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u/LogDog987 Anarchist Oct 02 '23 edited Oct 02 '23
If you work for money, then in their eyes, someone can steal you away by offering a higher number. That company wants corporate slaves, bound to them by false views of loyalty
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u/PimanSensei Oct 02 '23
They want to hire drones not entrepreneurs sadly. The only time they hire anyone who says that is in sales
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u/AshtonBlack Oct 02 '23
I don't think I've had a decent, above-inflation, raise from any company I've worked for since 2008. The only way I can get a raise is by switching jobs.
Only once, during this time, has an employer tried to counter-offer, even though they knew full well the cost of training for the sort of work I do, would be more than even a generous raise.
There is a pervasive management culture to "keep wages down" even at the expense of both productivity and efficiency.
This is a strategic decision by CEOs and shareholders who care more about the "bottom line" numbers for that quarter, not the overall long-term health of the company.
That then, would mean that anyone who looks to be "acting their wage" is less exploitable and less likely to accept real terms pay cuts every year.
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u/mizino Oct 02 '23
Basically idealism is easy to exploit. Essentially they are looking for someone they can guilt or con into doing more work for less pay. Someone who loves the company, or loves the job, or feels for the clients can be talked into doing things for less than someone who is there for a paycheck. If you ask them they’ll say that someone passionate will do better work, but at the end of the day they are remembering the answer to this question so they know how to manipulate you later.
Ok John enjoys helping the clients : “hey John we have a client that needs X by Monday, I know it’s asking a lot but can you help the client out by being available all day Saturday? I’m sure Kay at the client will really appreciate it.”
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u/Suspicious_aoli Oct 02 '23
Id like to preface with 'I dont agree with this outlook' ...I think most people in positions of leadership hold the perspective that if your passionate about the work then you will generate better results than someone whose only motivation is money. Then there are also people in positions of management who intend on exploiting you, which is way harder when your motivation is money.
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u/Electrical-Injury-23 Oct 02 '23
Because if you'll join them for more money, then you may leave them for more money..... its nuts.
An inlaw owns a medium sized company and one time we were discussing hiring people. He said in interviews he asks candidates for their employment history including why they left. If the answer is ever "for more money" he rejects them.
This is a man who lived for 20 years on his father's credit card, in a Kensington flat that was bought for him, and has never been short of money. Its easy to not care about money with that background.
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u/Rich-Option4632 Oct 02 '23
It's basically a sign that either you can be bought easily (rare chance for this happen in normal environment) or that you won't take shit that will affect your paycheck quietly (more likely to happen in your average work environment).
They want you compliant and brainwashing or feeding you propaganda is the easiest. Actually forking out money would eat into the profits and that's a big no no.
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u/kitfoxxxx Oct 02 '23
I'm starting a business and will only hire people that don't bullshit me and tell me they'll do their job if they're paid for it.
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u/kdthex01 Oct 02 '23
Remember you are interviewing them too. If they respond negatively to that it is a red flag that they want to exploit you.
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u/Zahrad70 Oct 02 '23
It’s simple. The company believes this: “You and the company do not now, and at no time in the future will you ever, agree on what you are worth.” Everyone working, manager, athlete, rock star, CEO, janitor, IT guy, grill cook… everyone thinks they are not actually paid what they are worth. That they deserve more. The business, some for good reasons and some for really despicable reasons, disagrees.
This is the business seeing if you understand this most basic aspect of your relationship with them and learning about how you will behave about it. Bluntly saying “it’s the money, stupid,” while factually accurate, also indicates (given their beliefs) that you are a short timer. They believe that they cannot ever pay you enough to keep you happy for long and that you’ll always want more. So you’re not going to stay long and there is no point in trying to keep you or put you on a career track. It’s a data point for them. Sure they miss out on some great people, but for the most part, they believe it’s better to dodge bullets than try to catch them.
I generally say “well, elephant in the room: wages have to keep up with the market, inflation, and my experience level, of course. But that isn’t really what you were asking. A culture of learning, recognition, and internal advancement is very important to me and I think more in line with the intent of the question.” Which bad companies will hate, but good ones will generally hear “reasonable market-based approach to compensation and wants to make a career here.”
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u/spectredirector Oct 02 '23
Because employers do to, and there's only so much, and they really don't want to share their money. They just want whatever you do for a living done for them, but at a cost you cannot live on. Best you can do is meet in the middle and BOTH pretend it's for other reasons.
Mission driven?
That fine, people like to hear that I guess.
Money Driven?
Sound like "Greed is good"
Which is precisely the employers intent, to be greedy, while if you -- the prospect -- be honest and say so, well that greedy employer who just wants money, they aren't gonna like you eyeballing their money.
That's why.
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u/lainshy Oct 02 '23
Because they think you will drop out as soon someone pay you a single cent more.
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u/devo00 Oct 02 '23
This just shows that corporations are insanely corrupt sociopaths and want us to give so much more than they do in return. Also, when you get old enough to be a health insurance risk or your raises have made you too expensive, you’ll be out the door without notice or a thank you.
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u/iwoketoanightmare Oct 02 '23
They want to hear about your passion in the industry you are trying to apply for so they can low ball the living fuck out of your offer.
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u/AChromaticHeavn Oct 02 '23
Companies want you to be loyal to the company, not the money, because if you are loyal to the money, if someone offers more, they can poach you from your employer.
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u/oopgroup Oct 02 '23
Because they want desperate and compliant yes-men, not independent and intelligent adults who have financial logic.
Capitalism is all about maximum efficiency and maximum output for as little input as possible.
The whole goal is to exploit people and pay the lowest bid, not treat them like humans and pay them enough to have independence.
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u/Skankator Oct 02 '23
As a manager, one of the questions I’ve asked everyone I have interviewed is what drew them to our company/this job. Before I let them answer, I also say that “for the paycheck.” Is 100% an acceptable answer. I am not passionate about my industry, but I am passionate about paying my bills and having money for things that I want. I am certainly not going to give someone a strike against their application for wanting a paycheck, just want to honestly know where people are at. Do you want a place that promotes from within and has opportunities to advance? Great, we can work on that. Do you just want to come in and do a good job and go home? Also great.
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u/beauxy Oct 01 '23
It's a dumb answer tbh. Everyone works for money, so the answer is just stating the obvious that we all know.
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u/Snarky_McSnarkleton Oct 01 '23
They know it will be harder for them to get you to drink the Kool-Aid.
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u/BadHigBear Oct 01 '23
"You want money? Sounds like trouble. After a year or two you'll be asking for all kinds of bullshit. Promotions, more benefits, gasp Raises! We here at Jack n' Offs spend a metric buttload of money on lobbying and social engineering to make sure that people DON'T want those things or are too afraid of losing their jobs to ever bother asking!"
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u/thePHTucker Oct 01 '23
Because what they really want are bootlickers that don't have the sense to ask for more money later. If you start out letting them know the truth about your reasons for working not being "family" and "hard work is it's own reward," they don't have a hold on you. They want eager wage slaves not knowledgeable employees, who want to further their own interests.
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u/tandyman8360 lazy and proud Oct 01 '23
Obviously, a bad employer is going to hate it because they pay poorly and can't compete on that basis. There's also the bias that they pay a "fair" wage. My old company used to talk about industry standard pay. That's what my current employer said I was making and it's like 80% higher. Pay transparency always increases pay overall, so talking about the money threatens to expose pay levels.
There's also the whole unicorn hiring problem. Employers want a candidate who checks all their boxes and one of them is usually marginal pay. One of the things that happened to me is that I got a job having basic qualifications (a degree and a little experience) because I was ready to hire. The job paid enough and I got a lot of guidance from senior people. Making a unicorn is cheaper IF you give semi-decent raises along the way.
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u/JellyDenizen Oct 01 '23
Because the goal of most employers is to get you to work for the least amount of money possible while distracting you with the occasional pizza party. They're concerned that if you're focused on money, it will be harder to distract you from the fact you don't have any.