Why do employers overlook EMTs, police, and army veterans when hiring??
@handsomeitaliano (1050)
United States
May 5, 2010 7:43pm CST
I'm an emt who works for a private company for $12 an hour, all I want is a 2nd job (in customer service) paying about the same thing and it doesn't have to be in the health field, put me behind a desk or something, doorman, I don't care.
But I guess its ok for employers to OVERLOOK us EMTs and army veterans after all the hard work we do and the risks we take, just so they can hire some moron with a bachelors or something. Whoopie doo!!! I'm applying for a friggin customer service job, I have 8 years exp of customer service, 2 of which I've been an EMT. All those years should qualify me for any damn customer service job.
ON TOP of that, EMS is a very HIGH level of customer service because we are SAVING LIVES and TREATING PATIENTS. That's much more personal than helping someone get a different shirt size or giving someone their change.
One time I applied for a cust servce rep position that paid $39,000 per year. Now this interviewer knew about all the experience I had in customer service. YET the position goes to someone else. What the heck, did the other person have ***9*** years of experience as opposed to my 8??? LOL.
To anyone who wants to get into EMS, police, army, whatever for respect from other employers... don't bother, it doesn't exist. To them, doing CPR on dying customer is not as important as someone who got an associates or someone handing a customer change at a store.
4 responses
@hbk2244 (180)
• United States
6 May 10
You hit the nail right on the head. I have a friend who is a paramedic and he makes less than $15 an hour. I find it absurd that a man or women who can save a life is only worth that. It's insulting to think some who works as a department store or is a janitor at a school is worth more than an EMT worker.
@cupkitties (7421)
• United States
6 May 10
Sadly thats in a lot of careers and I don't understand the way of thinking of some of these employees. It makes you wonder what is the use of paying your way though school when you can make more money dropping out of 2nd grade and flipping burgers the rest of your life.
@cupkitties (7421)
• United States
6 May 10
Try applying at other places. Could it be they think youre overqualified or perhaps because they feel like you having two jobs would be a problem? I know a lot of people have two or three jobs but maybe those companies don't mind. That or they didn't mention their other occupations.
@handsomeitaliano (1050)
• United States
7 May 10
cupkitties,
Well I don't tell them I'm gonna work both jobs, I just tell them "While I do love working as an EMT, I'm leaving due to personal safety reasons, I've had a number of close calls where I almost threw my back out of shape or lost a finger, so I would like to go back to the field I was in before EMS". I would usually say something to that effect.
@StarBright (2798)
• United States
6 May 10
I fully understand how you feel. Sometimes Human Resource personnel are not the sharpest knives in the drawer. They have a script handed to them and they cannot see beyond that. If they do not see the buzz words they are looking for, you will not get past them. I doubt that I would ever have been hired had I gone through the usual channels of filling out an application and being screened by a Human Resource person.
You are right. If you can be an EMT, you can certainly handle people. Maybe they thought you would be too good. Customer service at most companies is not what it used to be. It is not always to help the customer. 
Do not give up. Someone will appreciate you. You may try reworking your resume to use the words they are looking for. Check out the classifieds. Put those same words that they use on your application as your qualifications. Good luck.
Do not give up. Someone will appreciate you. You may try reworking your resume to use the words they are looking for. Check out the classifieds. Put those same words that they use on your application as your qualifications. Good luck.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
6 May 10
This country is always saying how we should value our public servants and veterans, yet when it comes to putting our money where our mouths are we fail miserably. Have you asked any of those people why they rejected you? I would think that with all the stressful situations you handle and your decision making skills plus being able to keep your cool anytime you would be the ideal candidate for customer service! Perhaps they are not thinking that way?
Most applications have a space where you can tell why you think you're a good fit for the job. Do you put down your skills in keeping your cool, in persuading people to your point of view (they'll be okay, etc.), your consistent attendance record and your ability to multitask under pressure? If not, that might help. Good luck!
@bevice (10)
• China
6 May 10
I quite great with you! If you want to get equal reward with you work from your company,I think it will be a daydream.It's quite common to have a good job from your hard?As well-known the jump work is the best way to improve your wige ,most pepole have put themselves resume on the web,and declare that they have hand of some certificates on the important scentific research.So it's very important for us that how to display your talent .
