Whirlpool

Ha:

In this job advertisement:

http://seek.com.au/job/technical-development-manager/adelaide/16906620/90/1/

This company:

http://www.esotech.com.au

Is requiring the date, TIME and place of your birth on their job application..

Good luck to them in finding a software developer who's mindless enough to believe enough in astrology to actually work for them.. you'd end up being the butt of all the jokes at Technical User Groups..

It's astonishing that in 2010 we still have people that believe the planets in our immediate astronomical neighborhood can really affect our lives and its even more damning that someone hires based on the Date, Time and Place of birth..

Surely there's an action that could be brought under some form of discrimination against requiring Time and Place of Birth? I'll happily settle for ridiculing them however..

Duncan

edit: Ha! 24mins and the advertisement has now been updated.. that has to be some kind of record.. Never fear.. I snapped it before I posted :)

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/4849/jobapplic.jpg

That's truly bizarre.

duncanrm writes...

Good luck to them in finding a software developer who's mindless enough to believe enough in astrology to actually work for them.. you'd end up being the butt of all the jokes at Technical User Groups..

I can think of 2 out of my small circle of people in development who do believe in astrology, one even did my chart as a present

Dont get what you are going on about. Its thier company, if you dont want to give them the details guess you dont want the job and they probably wont hire you.

(for the note I dont believe astrology either)

They sure stand behind their software.. :

http://www.esotech.com.au/products/index.html

"Please note that we have a policy of no refunds on our software."

Duncan

Time of birth: Sometime
Place of birth: Earth, Solar System

When my son was born, the midwife wrote the time based on the clock on the wall... except that it was actually incorrect by several minutes.

I wonder whether they will hold you liable if you provide 'false' information... :)

Report to Seek. lozl

They did create an 'Astrology Software' so I can kind of see where they are coming from.

Either that, or they're trying to see how resourceful you are and if you can get the actual time of your birth ? ;)

All I know is my mum got my birthday wrong for years because she went into labour... and I was born the next day (early though).

The number of people with no idea of the time of birth (or even in some cultures, date) is pretty huge.

FWIW my wife does do numerology charts for people. A good chart will prompt you to ask yourself important life questions and can help you gain insight into yourself (the chart doesn't tell you anything except "what questions to ask").

Tell them you're a Scientologist and only XENU knows the time of your birth.

GodFather writes...

Tell them you're a Scientologist and only XENU knows the time of your birth.

HAHAHHAHAH gold )

Back in France, it's usually required to provide a HANDWRITTEN copy of your cover letter upon applying for a job. It's also not uncommon to have your potential employer run graphology studies on your letter even tho they're on the same level than astrology.

Mum says I was three days over my due date, so which date do I put?

duncanrm writes...

It's astonishing that in 2010 we still have people that believe the planets in our immediate astronomical neighborhood can really affect our lives and its even more damning that someone hires based on the Date, Time and Place of birth..

why is it any different to those who believe in 'god' & the bible. I have applied for jobs as a graphic designer in the past where they have prefered that i be a christian.

u put the date you were born.. I was induced 2 weeks early.. perhaps my mum wanted me to be a virgo?

pixelwhip writes...

why is it any different to those who believe in 'god' & the bible.

I suppose it's not, but for some reason I have a special place in my bullshit metre reserved for astrology.

tikalal writes...

I suppose it's not, but for some reason I have a special place in my bullshit metre reserved for astrology.

well do you believe in time...

Common20 writes...

well do you believe in time...

What do you mean? Time does not = "a group of systems, traditions, and beliefs which hold that the relative positions of celestial bodies and related details can provide information about personality, human affairs, and other terrestrial matters." Wikipedia

Do you believe in string theory?

Psi-Tau Equus Bellator writes...

Do you believe in string theory?

http://xkcd.com/171/

Haha sums up my feelings of it.

duncanrm writes...

It's astonishing that in 2010 we still have people that believe the planets in our immediate astronomical neighborhood can really affect our lives

Errr, I'd suggest that a significant proportion of the world's scientific population and the majority of astronomers believe just that.

Keeping it short ... if not for planets like Jupiter and Saturn ... and The Moon (which technically isn't a planet), our lives would probably be very different to what they are now.

Anyways, imho the gist of your post suggests something little different to much of the Psychological Profiling evalution that is done on candidates these days. Imho, it is all discriminatory, and should be illegal.

:)

duncanrm writes...

edit: Ha! 24mins and the advertisement has now been updated.. that has to be some kind of record.. Never fear.. I snapped it before I posted :)

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/4849/jobapplic.jpg

Well spotted.

I don't even put a DOB on my resume*, the time of birth is a bit extreme IMO (unless they are giving me some free astrology report =P [that I'll look at once and then lose among other stacks of paper...])

*shudders* at the thought of insecure disposal of rejected resumes and job applications falling into the hands of con men and ID thieves...

There is a market out there for these, as well as palmistry, tea leaves reading, et al. I see that they have looked into the future of Al Gore.

Whirl writes...

Keeping it short ... if not for planets like Jupiter and Saturn ... and The Moon (which technically isn't a planet), our lives would probably be very different to what they are now.

Must I append all necessary and possible caveats to all posts so that even a moron wont be able to misinterpret my meaning? There's just a level of common sense you need to apply when reading posts at times.

I'm well aware of the astronomical significance of the planets in our solar system.. its the astrological significance that I'm deriding.

Duncan.

duncanrm writes...

Ha! 24mins and the advertisement has now been updated.. that has to be some kind of record

Maybe because they read your post :)!

I don't see the problem – obviously they *need* to know so they can match you to a computer that was assembled under the same star sign.

It's all perfectly simple.

I can see a discrimination lawsuit heading their way.

http://www.esotech.com.au/aboutus.html

Laugh. What a bunch of losers.

Connected@46kbps writes...

http://www.esotech.com.au/aboutus.html

Laugh. What a bunch of losers.

Ha.. I missed that.. In particular Stephanie Johnston claims that she has a:

"Masters of Science degree in Esotericism from the University of the Seven Rays"

http://www.sevenray.net/

It pains me no end to see the word "science" so fundamentally abused, and the concept of a "Masters Degree".. something that takes mortals years and years of hard study to achieve.. hard study at stuff thats backed by evidence thats been peer reviewed, refined and proved over centuries of research and experimentation..

To take some kind of mystic crap involving imaginary deities and the impact of heavenly bodies on our day to day lives, emotions, success and failures and to claim that you have a Masters of Science, no less, in this crap is just immensely offensive and odious.

It looks like SevenRays is as whacky as Christianity and most other religions.. they state:

The overriding theme and intention of all of our work is the preparation of human minds and hearts for the reappearance of the World Teacher and the coming externalization of the Spiritual Hierarchy of the planet.

And it seems that meeting under a full moon has special significance for them as well:

In many ways, the most powerful spiritual practice we can undertake is group meditation at the time of the full moon. Each month it is as if a door stands open within consciousness through which light and inspiration can flow. There is a “thinning of the veils” that takes place at the full moon and as we develop the tools of inner listening, we can become more sensitive to impressions from the soul and receptive to intuitive, telepathic and spiritual experiences

All together now!

They're creepy and they're kooky,
Mysterious and spooky,
They're all together ooky..

Duncan.

If their software was any good surely the'd be able to look up who the future successful applicant is and email them saying "Next month you're going to apply for a position we're going to advertise. Congratulations, you're going to be successful. Please get Uranus into our offices on Monday"

That way they could avoid Seek altogether and our deeply cynical ridicule.

Connected@46kbps writes...

http://www.esotech.com.au/aboutus.html

Laugh. What a bunch of losers.

Haha that's terrible!

I guess Janet Bridgland is just a room? I wasn't aware you could employ rooms!

tikalal writes...

Haha that's terrible!

Apparently their "Office Team" which is only one person, Meridith Norman err who has actually resigned but still appears on their AboutUs Page is:

a qualified Astrologer, HomOeopath (sic) and Naturopath

I'm not really sure what a HomOeopath is.. someone who prescribes sugar pills to fairies perhaps?

On the other hand a Homeopath is someone who practices Homeopathy.. that long discredited bogus system of prescribing massively diluted substances in the mistaken belief that substances that can cause symptoms can cure them once they're diluted.. And a Naturopath?? that's usually the 'tard employed at the local vitamin/herb/supplement store to flog their worthless merchandise under the guise of artful diagnosis and science..

Quite a den of miscreants.

Duncan.

... time ? – refuse to reveal excessive personal information –

Does "in a galaxy far, far away..." count?

duncanrm writes...

Ha! 24mins and the advertisement has now been updated.. that has to be some kind of record

Maybe they saw it coming? ;)

Delphi is a correct keyword for an astrology related job. I am surprised "Oracle" is not mentioned in the job ad.

duncanrm writes...

Must I append all necessary and possible caveats to all posts so that even a moron wont be able to misinterpret my meaning?

Must I append all necessary and possible caveats to all posts so that even a moron will be able to recognise SARCASM?

Whirl :)

Stuart Midgley writes...

I don't see the problem – obviously they *need* to know so they can match you to a computer that was assembled under the same star sign.

It's all perfectly simple

LOL... there's definitely got to be an issue with discrimination there... tbh though they'd just be losing out themselves.
I don't think I'd want to work with a bunch of people with those kind of beliefs IMO. Not to be prejudice, I just think you'd clash easily...

Edit: Spelling

duncanrm writes...

They sure stand behind their software.. :

http://www.esotech.com.au/products/index.html

"Please note that we have a policy of no refunds on our software."

Kind of shows that even they know it's bunk.

cosmicbedbug writes...

I don't think I'd want to work with a bunch of people with those kind of beliefs IMO.

With a username like cosmicbedbug, you'd think that you are one who subscribes to such cosmic beliefs, but no.

Southern Lights writes...

With a username like cosmicbedbug, you'd think that you are one who subscribes to such cosmic beliefs, but no.

LOL... I believe in these things to some degree... I just don't think what astrologers claim to affect our every day lives IS true.
I believe that the universe does things that affect us... I just don't think it is as direct as being able to categorize a bunch of people that were born at a certain time in a certain place (apart from their immediate influences from that time and place), or how my place in the universe will reflect on how I handle relationships and my emotions... financial decisions etc. I believe that is all through personal experience and has nothing to do with the split second I was born.

Connected@46kbps writes...

http://www.esotech.com.au/aboutus.html

Laugh. What a bunch of losers.

I'm sure I've seen some of those people on Australia's Most Wanted. Anyway, time of birth is a bit ridiculous. What if you were born in the afternoon at say 3.20pm like I was and not in the morning? What does that mean? Do they want people who were born in the morning to apply and not people born in the afternoon?

Maiyart writes...

Australia's Most Wanted

They definitely all seem to be sharing that special 'smile' from thebestpageintheuniverse.net.

I've figured it out. Using their mystical techniques, they've been able to detemine the star sign and date of birth of the applicant who will be successfully chosen for the role. They are simply after this information so that they can save time and don't have to bother the other applicants.

;)

Its like the old gag: "Coming soon: Psychic fair. If you're any good, you already know where and when it is."

Oh wait, I've got one more:

I've just received my rejection letter. I hadn't applied, but I was thinking of doing so tomorrow. ;)

I could think of more gags, but you'd probably see them coming. ;)

But theres enough market demand for these things, its a huge industry. Anyone would want to make money of it. I think they are the ones who are laughing.

Common20 writes...

Anyone would want to make money of it. I think they are the ones who are laughing.

Hell just look at the mobile phone/ sms stuff. "Love calculator" "death calculator" people are just desperate.

Does daylight savings affect this supposed theory???

Gaz170 writes...

Does daylight savings affect this supposed theory?

No. Their soon-to-exist sophisticated software (of which they have already predicted the completion time) will automatically convert GMT, DST and other variables into the appropriate Universal Stardate.

I'll bag this rubbish along with the magic power of crystals.

The highlight of the Crystal power was when some chick claimed that Crystal glassware had magic powers too and I couldn't stop from laughing. Lead treated glass and Quartz are very different indeed.

It's sad that so many people get ripped off by these con artists, it should all be ilegal IMO unless they want to do it free (The gulliable will fall for anything but at least if it's ilegal to charge for these services they wont have their life savings taken from them).

phoenixthesmeg writes...

I'll bag this rubbish along with the magic power of crystals.

The magic 8 ball never lies =P

Where's my $$$ money $$$ you stupid ball /sarcasm =P

I can imagine it now.

Interview: You are definitely qualified, but you were born ONE minute too early to be fully compatible with the rest of our team and numerology says that makes our combined team an incompatible number. Sorry, Maybe next time you are born ?

cassowary91 writes...

That's truly bizarre.

Not as bizarre as being asked if you were prepared to become a Jahova's witness to get the job as I was and no I decided it was not worth it :)

Jacksbac1 writes...

That's truly bizarre.

Not as bizarre as being asked if you were prepared to become a Jahova's witness to get the job as I was and no I decided it was not worth it :)

Was the job to BE a Jahova's witness?

ratman writes...

I can think of 2 out of my small circle of people in development who do believe in astrology, one even did my chart as a present

I can think of 2 people in my workplace who are swingers, eat halal meat or like to go nude sunbathing.

And none of that is relevant to determining your suitability for a job.

Dont get what you are going on about

Unnecessary discrimination, thats what

duncanrm writes...

"Please note that we have a policy of no refunds on our software."

A blatant violation of the Trade Practices Act.

Thanks for pointing it out, a complaint has been lodged with the authority.

cosmicbedbug writes...

Was the job to BE a Jahova's witness?

No it was a painter and decorator but a family run business and they kept trying to get me to convert which was sad really as I am a devout athiest .
I am a great believer in you believe what you want to believe and live and let live but being something I am not just to get a job is something I will not do.

http://www.esotech.com.au/aboutus.html is hilarious. it's like a roll call of gullible fat housewives, weird aunties and old stoners.

Jacksbac1 writes...

No it was a painter and decorator but a family run business and they kept trying to get me to convert which was sad really as I am a devout athiest .
I am a great believer in you believe what you want to believe and live and let live but being something I am not just to get a job is something I will not do.

LOL, my comment was tongue in cheek of course, but why the hell would they ask you to be a jahova's witness? You should have knocked on their door a year later, Say that you are a LaVeyan Satanist, and that you'd love to share the word with him.

If they then said no we are Jahovas, offer to discuss comparative religion with them.

I guess if the world is going to end as they say, you're pretty sweet if you're with God OR the Devil... at least you won't be burning here. :P

Whirl writes...

Must I append all necessary and possible caveats to all posts so that even a moron will be able to recognise SARCASM?

No, but you might try appending a smiley. I couldn't tell that you were joking, either.

duncanrm writes...

I'm not really sure what a HomOeopath is.. ... On the other hand a Homeopath is someone who practices Homeopathy..

I made the same mistake a couple of years ago — believe it or not, homoeopath is correct.

michael j writes...

I can think of 2 people in my workplace who are swingers, eat halal meat or like to go nude sunbathing.

Simultaneously?

milkwood writes...

Congratulations, you're going to be successful. Please get Uranus into our offices on Monday"

Post of the year.

Desertfrog writes...

I made the same mistake a couple of years ago — believe it or not, homoeopath is correct.

Oh bugger.. thanks for the correction! What an awkward spelling that collection of vowels makes for.

Duncan.

duncanrm writes...

Oh bugger.. thanks for the correction! What an awkward spelling that collection of vowels is makes for.

The word "HOMOEOPATHY" is originally derived from the Greek words ...

HOMOIOS which means "Like-"
PATHOS (PATHEIA) which means "Suffering"

:)

Whirl writes...

The word "HOMOEOPATHY" is originally derived from the Greek words .

Actually.. I do believe it comes from two old gaelic words:

HOMO which means "full of"
PEOATHIA which means "shit".

Duncan.

duncanrm writes...

Must I append all necessary and possible caveats to all posts so that even a moron wont be able to misinterpret my meaning?

Why yes, I really think you do need to on WP.

I wonder how many of the people bagging this company / job are religious. :^) The world (unfortunately) rotates based in some large way on crazy and delusional beliefs, a large number of which involve the transfer of money to some 'guru' (whether that be an astrologer, psychic, priest, church etc). I don't see how selling Astrology software is any different to all of these scams.

My Seek subscription popped this job into my email inbox. It could be an interesting experience, except I can't help but feel it might be a bit of a career-killer. I also vaguely recall these people were advertising the same position a few years ago, but I might be wrong...

UnbelieverOz writes...

I also vaguely recall these people were advertising the same position a few years ago, but I might be wrong...

You're not wrong.. I also remember it as I have had a long interest in Delphi for many years.. especially in Adelaide.

UnbelieverOz writes...

I wonder how many of the people bagging this company / job are religious.

I'm a devout atheist.

Duncan.

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this but they want $485 for their Solar Fire 'Gold'.....

Good luck to anyone that is interested (and the software probably works well) but the GUI is ugly as.

Edit: post 777...lol

it just looked like it was just a typo to me.

duncanrm writes...

"Masters of Science degree in Esotericism from the University of the Seven Rays"

http://www.sevenray.net/

It pains me no end to see the word "science" so fundamentally abused, and the concept of a "Masters Degree".. something that takes mortals years and years of hard study to achieve.. hard study at stuff thats backed by evidence thats been peer reviewed, refined and proved over centuries of research and experimentation..

I agree with you. My dad has a Master of Science in Applied Physics from Adelaide University – and it pains me to see someone claiming to be similarly qualified in "Esotericism". It's an insult to those who have achieved a real Master of Science degree.

ScottR writes...

http://www.sevenray.net/

I cant find the part where I can get a degree from them. If it is recognised for visa purposes, I would be for one! I mean, you just need to be gullible, and full of shite!

cosmicbedbug writes...

but why the hell would they ask you to be a jahova's witness?

The thought being that because I was regarded as almost part of the family which was news to me that I woud become a partner in the business and because they were all well into the running round the houses bible bashing that I would become part of it (shudders at the thought).
Of course witnesses do not drink or smoke and as in those days I could and often did put it away a tad and grew up in a house full of smokers and drinkers (not to excess I might add ) it would have been next to impossible.
The other problem was that my old man hated the witnesses so much that if one came to the door and they often did the level of verbal could be heard in the next town and I needed a place to live.
They stopped coming to our place in the end as the old bloke who was what we would call cluey would keep them on the doorstep for hours in the freezing cold argueing his case against their beliefs and would swear that he had converted a few back and I have to say I believe him.

Lets face, if you are making and selling astrology software – you had better believe in it. Otherwise you are nothing but a scammer.

DanD writes...

Lets face, if you are making and selling astrology software – you had better believe in it. Otherwise you are nothing but a scammer

+1. You better be delusional.

DanD writes...

Lets face, if you are making and selling astrology software – you had better believe in it.

Employees have to believe in what their bosses are making them do, now?

"Bernard, I have served eleven governments in the past thirty years. If I had believed in all their policies, I would have been passionately committed to keeping out of the Common Market, and passionately committed to going into it. I would have been utterly convinced of the rightness of nationalising steel. And of denationalising it, and REnationalising it. On capital punishment, I'd have been a fervent retentionist and an ardent abolishionist. I would've been a Keynesian and a Friedmanite, a grammar school preserver and destroyer, a nationalisation freak and a privatisation maniac; but above all, I would have been a stark, staring, raving schizophrenic."

Geminii writes...

"Bernard,

Isn't that Humphry?

phoenixthesmeg writes...

Isn't that Humphry?

It's Sir Humphrey Appleby addressing Bernard Woolley, who has asked the question "If it's our job to carry out government policies, shouldn't we believe in them?"

(Yes Minister, episode 3.6, "The Whiskey Priest")

The quality of seek.com.au for finding jobs these days. Seek allows fake job ads and it is just an advertising site for recruiters to fish for resumes.
Facebook and Myspace have taken over from seek.com.au as being the sites that you have to use to get jobs. Too bad if you do not use those social networking sites.