False Advertising, Sort Of
February 02, 2007
Earlier today I began taking a free career test online, since I am not incredibly passionate about what I do, and I kind of think it would be nice to have fun doing my work once in a while.
And, y'all? I think I have ADD. About one-third of the way through the test, and again at halfway mark, I thought, "Ugh. I am soooooo over this test. 71 questions? Who has time to answer 71 questions about this nonsense? Who cares if I'd rather (a) Work at a wildlife rescue & rehabilitation center, (b) Work to restore wolves to wilderness areas or (c) Have vacations at a comfortable resort? And anyways, isn't the answer to that question a little obvious?
And so I'd minimize the window, go back to working, and less than a minute later I had already maximized the window again because there is a project that has not been finished, must finish it, my very future lies in the sweaty (and figurative) hands of the Internet, for lo – this will tell me what to do with the rest of my life. And I need to know.
And so I finished the test. And after all that? They want me to pay to get my results.
How is that free?
I mean, I guess it was free to take the test, and that is totally how it was advertised ("free career testing"), but it stands to reason that I should assume the results would also be free. Don't you think?
Comments
I don't think one test is going to tell you what you need to do. Save yourself the agony of them saying, "You should be in the service industry" and go buy "What Color Is Your Parachute" and work through that over the course of time. If you truly want to be happy doing what you do 8 hours a day, it will take more than one test.
BTW - when I put your ipod in your thong drawer, I really liked the red lacey one. And that other thing that kind of buzzed ... what was that?
~Jef
Posted by: Edge | February 2, 2007 06:12 PM
So, um, how much do they want you to pay? Because I must admit that I got all excited when you said there was a career test. I am a sucker for them, helpless under the spell they cast over me. It's as though I MUST read their advice because I could be missing out on a career I haven't yet thought of and it will be the key to my future. Which is totally ridiculous because I already have about 5 careers that I want very badly to embark on, and that's probably too many as it is. And none of those 5 are the career that I'm currently in, so it's not like I'm taking action on the leads I've already got.
Posted by: Laura | February 2, 2007 06:14 PM
THAT is freakin' hilarious. You get to take the test for free, but you gotta pay for the results. That is crackin' me up.
Posted by: Karly | February 2, 2007 09:21 PM
AAAHAH! That is so me. I am so you. Hee. LOVE THIS.
Posted by: Jurgen Nation | February 3, 2007 12:55 AM
Dude. Do you realize that you have an ad for Ukraine Women Marriage over there? "10,000 Ukraine Women for Marriage! Place Free Ad - They Will Write You."
The fuh? They're now advertising on GOOGLE? Fancy-shmancy.
Posted by: Jurgen Nation | February 3, 2007 12:56 AM
If you are looking for work that you can be passionate about, you should be thinking about what types of things you enjoy. My blog was the big boom for my business and I started it because I have a passion for writing more so than to give my business a voice.
Start with things you enjoy. Think about things that you want to accomplish in life. Can you do that and make a living from it? I love to travel so I started a travel business.
Nobody said that making money had to be drab and boring.
Posted by: Tim Draayer | February 3, 2007 01:54 AM
Those hosers.
Posted by: kerrianne | February 3, 2007 02:20 PM
What a scam! I would've been mad.
Posted by: Zandria | February 4, 2007 04:02 PM
It's like getting your "free" credit report. Yea, you get the report but it's the score that really matters. For that you must pay.
Posted by: Mo | February 5, 2007 02:31 PM
"there is a project that has not been finished"...maybe you are destined to be a project manager.
Posted by: Suebob | February 5, 2007 03:00 PM
I would've been SO pissed. Especially because, like you, I develop ADD at inappropriate times. (And I too would've sinished it anyway because I HAD to finish.)
I like Suebob's suggestion. :)
Posted by: metalia | February 5, 2007 08:23 PM
Ugh! You should send the company a nasty e-mail. lol
That sucks.
Posted by: my life is brilliant | February 6, 2007 09:52 AM