Why You Should Not Use CareerBuilder.com
Date: October 21, 2008 | Author: Rebecca WatsonCategory: Skepticism | Comments: 23 » |
(Also on Skepchick)
Lots of people emailed me a ridiculous article on CNN’s site about what your zodiac sign says about your job. Because journalism is dead, CNN allows an advertiser (in this case, CareerBuilder.com) to hire a bonehead (in this case, Rachel Zupeck) to write an “article” that is really just a platform for promoting the business. Well guess what, CareerBuilder.com? Now thousands of rational people know you support bullshit, and will instead use Craigslist the next time they need a new job. Suck it.
I’m going to link to the article, but first, I’d like to propose a fun game. CareerBuilder (CB) issued a survey, took the results, and confused correlation and causation. In other words, if the survey showed that slightly more people who are Virgos like to surf for porn at work, CB decided that must mean these people like to get pervy on the clock because they are Virgos. Never mind that all those people may have something else in common that is the actual cause of their porn-habit, like, say, not getting enough hugs from Dad as a kid.
So anyway, the results were split up by zodiac sign and then vomited into this “article.” I’ve taken the key career traits of each sign, removed the name of the sign, mixed them up, and printed them after the jump. Read through, and then comment below with the description you think matches you, along with what your sign really is. Then, you can click through to the article to see how close you were. Come back and tell us how you did. Be honest! It’s more fun that way.
- Most XXX affirmed working in government, construction, hotel/recreation and education, according to the survey. As assertive, outspoken, confident and dynamic people, those choice professions should speak well to their characters.
- XXX’s need a profession that keeps them motivated and interested — no two days at work should be the same. XXX from the survey reported working such jobs as art/design/architecture, nursing and personal care, sales, law enforcement, firefighting and machine operation — all of which are right up XXX’s alley.
- Independent, humane, innovative, unconventional and visionary are all adjectives that describe XXX. Jobs suited for these character traits include astronomy, photography, aviation and computer technology. XXXs who responded to the survey reported holding jobs in sales, military, engineering, mechanics, food preparation, facilities management and transportation.
- XXX are diplomatic and sociable — they need human interaction in order to be happy in a career. They are also easy-going, cooperative and are able to reach a compromise easily. Taking all of these factors into consideration, XXX from the survey are on course as they work in government, social work, advertising, machine operation, law enforcement, firefighting, sales and education.
- XXX are spiritual, positive and ethical; they also love to travel and learn new skills. Editing/writing, marketing/public relations, entertainment, hotel/recreation, IT and military, the careers reported in the survey, are all fitting for XXX.
- XXX are persistent, responsible and dogmatic; they thrive in positions of power and where you can apply your common sense. XXX reported working in art/design/architecture, nursing, science, IT, sales, farming and food preparation, which are all fitting to this zodiac.
- XXX are empathetic, caring, unselfish and spiritual, which combine well with healing or compassionate professions like health care, social work or philanthropy. XXX in the survey are on the right track, reporting working in such careers as social work, personal care, IT and facilities management.
- XXX are reliable, practical and honest; they are methodical and work well in teams. Additionally, these folks like jobs that deal with artistic or extravagant things. Compatible professions include jobs in finance, accounting and interior design. Nursing, engineering, law, marketing, public relations and higher education also fit the bill for jobs attuned to XXX — good thing those are jobs they reported in the survey.
- XXX are energetic, kindhearted, imaginative and protective. Their personalities usually fare well in law, psychology, teaching or nursing. Survey respondents said they worked in government, legal services, advertising, higher education, machine operation, transportation and military, all of which are in line with XXX personality traits.
- Analytical, intuitive and resourceful, XXX are drawn to mystery and all things complex and abnormal. Occupations well-matched to this personality are in science, investigation or politics. XXX from the survey said they work in such careers as legal services, engineering, science, education, construction and skilled trades.
- XXX are detail-oriented with a passion for knowledge and meaning. Careers that require accuracy and research are well-suited to these folks. Some professions XXX reported in the survey included social work, sales, editing/writing and food preparation.
- XXX have a true lust for power and leadership. They are confident, optimistic and charismatic — they have no problem winning people over with their charm. Government, legal services, art/design/architecture, engineering, entertainment, real estate and education, are all areas suited for XXX; luckily those are the professions reported in the survey, too.
Did you pick your favorite? Now go see how you did.
23 Responses to “Why You Should Not Use CareerBuilder.com”
By able-x on Oct 21, 2008 | Reply
Wow, that thing is full of crap. I’m a libra and it says I need human interaction. I HATE my users, and sales is the worst job ever.
By thenumberthirteen on Oct 21, 2008 | Reply
Due to changes in the earth’s orbit the zodiac signs have changed, roughly you’re now the one after, and the descriptions both apply to me. Then again they all do people tend just to read their own horoscope and ignore the others. personally i prefer the horroscopes in The Onion:
Aquarius January 20 – February 18
Humiliation will be yours this week when you’re replaced with a healthy variety of meatless alternatives.
By thenumberthirteen on Oct 21, 2008 | Reply
Cancer June 22 – July 22
The stars apologize for last week’s prediction of untold fame and fortune. They keep forgetting that you actually believe in this crap.
By mattdick on Oct 21, 2008 | Reply
Well… I’m a Scorpio (and embarrassed that I knew that) and I did indeed choose #10 before I clicked through to the article, so it was spot on for me.
*sigh* there goes nearly 40 years of good skepticism… now I have to be an astrologer.
Damn you, Skepchick, damn you straight to hell!
By dohashi on Oct 21, 2008 | Reply
nihilistic bastard…
nihilistic bastard…
Huh. I don’t seem to be on there.
Actually I guessed 3 or 11, neither of which matched my cancerous nature.
By jamieguinn on Oct 21, 2008 | Reply
I agree with Mattdick.
I read through them all several times and kept coming back to #10. In fact, I’m a detective for a local police department. So when I found out it matched Scorpio (Nov. 16th), I was pissed.
Astrology sucks.
By timdarklighter on Oct 21, 2008 | Reply
#9 and I’m a Cancer (positive match). Looks like they aren’t doing too bad so far.
Granted it took me a few minutes to decide which one I actually was, since (unsurprisingly) they are all very general. I swear almost every one of them said “government work” was good for said astrological sign. Maybe the author is secretly working for the government to make more people part of the system.
Oh no, a conspiracy theory! My skepticism is failing! *jumps off a tall building*
By fxnut on Oct 21, 2008 | Reply
Seeing that they’re in astrological order, it’s not exactly a double blinded test
Personally I couldn’t decide. They all seemed to have elements of truth… errr….
By somethingcomplex on Oct 21, 2008 | Reply
I fished Virgo out of the bland career soup, but I’m a Sagittarius. CareerBuilder suggests, among other things, marketing/public relations or entertainment — I have social anxiety disorder. It also suggests a career in the military, which is equally ludicrous: I’m a pacifist & a vegetarian, and I faint at the sight of blood.
By Jim Shaver on Oct 21, 2008 | Reply
Okay, fine, I’ll play…
Missed me. They said Capricorns “thrive in positions of power”, which doesn’t match me very well. Then again, I might thrive; I really don’t know, since I’ve never had any power. Hmmm…
They also said Capricorns like to apply their common sense, which I admit is true and evidenced by the fact that I think astrology is idiotic.
Incidentally, I didn’t like any of the zodiac descriptions, but the least worthless two that might apply to me did not match with Capricorn. Therefore, I think it is clear that this entirely unscientific survery reveals… well, nothing of intrigue.
By Traveler on Oct 21, 2008 | Reply
I had a hard time deciding between #2 and #10. But the article says I’m #3.
By madeingermany on Oct 21, 2008 | Reply
Yeah, right: I work in IT, because I’m caring and spiritual??? (pisces)
By librarianon on Oct 21, 2008 | Reply
I chose #10 or #11. But, I am a Pisces–not terribly empathetic or caring, and certainly not spiritual.
Just another example of the old ploy of making all descriptions applicable to nearly anyone. Career Builder never really expected anyone to say “I’m not caring,” did they?
By paralipsis on Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
Oh dear. My personality doesn’t seem to be on the list. The one I would have chosen, had it existed, would have to read something like…
“xxx is pretty much a slacker. xxx might do a good job at work, but is usually thinking about going home by the time lunchtime rolls around.”
Wish I could have picked one of the “real” ones, but for me work is 99% of the time just work, not something that satisfies a primal desire or anything like that. I do need work to feel useful in society, but you could exchange my current job for another and I would still get that basic sense of participation.
Scorpio btw
By jorde on Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
all my Virgo coworkers loved:
Virgos are detail-oriented with a passion for knowledge and meaning. Careers that require accuracy and research are well-suited to these folks. Some professions Virgo reported … included … food preparation.
By pnakotus on Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
It nailed me. Sort of. Since precession makes me a Libra not a Scorpio. But one out of 12 aren’t odds I’d call … *sighs*… astronomical.
All I did was look at what it said I’d want to be. I want to work in science and I am drawn to mystery.
What’s funny is that my ‘real’ sun sign puts me in government and sales. Sales is a job I’ve worked and HATED.
Like I’m even acting surprised that this stuff is wrong.
Thanks for a really REALLY fun post, Rebecca!
By MercuryShadow on Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
Number of jobs CareerBuilder has gotten me: 2
Number of jobs Craigslist has gotten me: 0
I’ll stick with CareerBuilder, thank you very much.
By Jsug on Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
I’m a Virgo. About the only thing they got right about me is that I like to cook.
By Zephyr on Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
# 10 seems to describe me the best, yet I am a Libra (birth date = 9/23). And the description given for Libras is not like me at all.
By alexjbutterfield on Oct 23, 2008 | Reply
I really can’t decide between 2, 3, 5, 10, 11.
I’m Aries, so they missed. even when i increased their odds by a factor of 5.
By alexjbutterfield on Oct 23, 2008 | Reply
also–off topic–it was cool to hear you, Rebecca, using (nicking) my joke about having the podcast intro changed to, SGU: a propaganda mouthpiece for satan.
it was almost as cool as having an email read out. (man, i have one nerdy idea of cool, yay)
but it feels nice to have been plagiarized.
By manadren on Oct 23, 2008 | Reply
I was thinking either 3, 6, or 8. And low and behold, I’m #3! There must be something to this, when I pick out specific detail or two that sorta apply to me, but not really, and ignore everything else, it’s totally spot on! Honestly none of them really seemed to match me in anything other than the slightest regard on a point or two.
Which is what I’ve always hated about astrology and horoscopes, I can’t even read into it enough to have fun with it. It’s always, always horribly off for me. Oh why can’t I fit in a prefab jello mold? *shakes fist*
By Statisticos on Nov 17, 2008 | Reply
I’m amazed that they pinpointed the salaries over $100,000 down to one third od the population, and the laws of probability must be questioned since they found that some groups came above others! I will definately use them to find a career for me. All they need to do is find a multi-national corporation who will give me a top job on the basis that I’m an idiot.