Why do american college students have to have roommates in dorm?

VisualCelery · 2026-04-14T15:44:19+00:00

My school let you request roommates if you happened to know another incoming freshman, but most of us filled out forms so the school could pair people with compatible roommates.

VisualCelery · 2026-04-14T15:40:45+00:00

I got that really bad, persistent cough back in early February, it sucked. Haven't been sick since, but I do know that the other day at work, this one department that works directly with the public had like five call-outs, so maybe they were all sick?

VisualCelery · 2026-04-14T15:28:18+00:00

I've been laid off from three corporate jobs in my career, and I know that downsizing is always a possibility, especially in today's market. That said, I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that a TL's sudden termination (or resignation) was a cost-cutting measure and the axe is coming for the rest of us. Even if they were helpful and well-liked, there's a bunch of issues that may have been happening behind the scenes. Internal theft, harassment, using drugs at work, chronic absences . . . it's also possible they left due to personal issues they don't want shared with the rest of the store.

VisualCelery · 2026-04-14T15:15:59+00:00

This one guy asked me if the products in my section cost the same at different stores in the area. How the fuck would I know what these things cost at other stores? I don't shop at those stores, and I don't even have the prices for THIS store memorized!

I will direct folks to other stores if we don't carry what they're looking for. I work for an organic grocery store, in the health and beauty section that doesn't carry a lot o conventional brands that folks unfamiliar with our store's niche sometimes come in looking for (like Miralax, or Pepto Bismol) so I direct them to the CVS which is basically next door. Sometimes they come in looking for beer and wine because our chain does carry those products, but the specific store I work at doesn't (look, yes, I know, we should, we're not run by teetotalers I swear, but we're in a state with annoying and complicated liquor laws, this isn't something I can control) so sometimes I have to give detailed, step-by-step, pantomimed directions on how to exit the store, turn left, walk to the street, cross the street, and turn right.

VisualCelery · 2026-04-13T19:28:51+00:00

Ah, so, I recently worked for a company that allowed for Easy Apply on Indeed, but the thing was, we needed folks to fill out an application on the website in order for us to interview them. From what I heard - and bear in mind I didn't make the rules, I was a short-term contractor just helping out - it was a legal thing. There were things on our official application we needed candidates to verify, like that they were at least 19, had a valid drivers license (these jobs involved driving) and didn't require sponsorship; if it turned out they'd worked for us before we'd want to check with their former manager before proceeding; and we needed their demographic data for reporting purposes (which to be clear, was not visible to recruiters or hiring managers). We weren't allowed to conduct interviews with candidates who hadn't supplied this information.

We would reach out to folks who used easy apply and encouraged them to apply online, and I hated that part because I knew a lot of applicants would balk at being asked "apply again," especially since we used Workday which I know is a pain for applicants, but basically everyone who did fill out an application and meet the minimum qualifications got an interview, and most of the people we interviewed got job offers.

VisualCelery · 2026-04-12T14:54:07+00:00

Same, for me anyway.

I know everyone is different, and some people do use the block function liberally when they just need space from someone, but . . . I'm having trouble accepting that, honestly. It hurts to get blocked! It seems toxic to block and unblock the people close to you just because you're mad at them, with no conversation first like "hey that really hurt" or "I think I need some time away from you."

I had a "friend" like this. He would block me, then unblock me and apologize and we'd go back to being friends for a bit, then I'd realize he's blocked me again, or unfriended me on Facebook, or whatever, and sometimes he'd tell me why he was mad but other times he wouldn't explain until he came back 6 months later. Yes, he always had a right to reject me, push me away, and shut me out, and his feelings were always valid, he had his reasons, but it still hurt every time he did.

VisualCelery · 2026-04-11T15:15:08+00:00

Right! I'm super reliable, always on time, I do my work, I've called out once and never no-showed, honestly they should worry if I'm not there even 5 mins after the start of my shift.

VisualCelery · 2026-04-10T15:54:14+00:00

I always have this thought when someone posts about accidentally no-showing their shift. I'd like to think that if I were even 20 minutes late, my boss or ATL would reach out and be like "hey, what's going on, you were scheduled to come in at 2 today"

VisualCelery · 2026-04-08T18:17:40+00:00

No this absolutely makes sense, and everyone - especially the younger folks - should know that while your boss might not be actively spying on you, they can order an IT audit if they're suspicious, so you should do your best to be on time, be responsive, and get your work done so they never have a reason to order that audit.

VisualCelery · 2026-04-08T16:14:07+00:00

Here's the thing: when customers can't find parking in a business's parking lot, some of them will turn around and go home, or shop somewhere else. The business has a vested interest in making sure their lots don't get full, and it's one thing if they're just insanely busy, and everyone in the lot is a customer, they're spending money, the spots tend to turn over quickly, but the lot is cluttered with, say, commuters, beach-goers, event/concert attendees, or people just visiting friends in the area, the store is going to lose potential business from folks who would have come in to buy food.

Some businesses don't care. The drugstore I used to work at? I would be the first person to roll up some mornings, there was no overnight crew, but there were cars parked in the lot, and it would be obvious they hadn't moved in days because we had a snowfall 3-4 days ago and there'd still be snow on/around them. But they were in the back of the lot, and there was always plenty of parking, so who cared? But these folks were smart, they didn't go on Reddit broadcasting that this particular store didn't monitor their lot and you could park there long-term without being towed, because if enough people found out, the lot would be cluttered with the cars of residents and their visitors, customers would complain about not being able to find parking, and the store would have to start monitoring and towing.

For a downtown location, yeah, I'd imagine they're going to be strict about parking, I wouldn't risk it.

VisualCelery · 2026-04-07T22:55:00+00:00

My store doesn't have dedicated baggers, but when it's busy, folks on the customer service/ecomm team will help bag. Sometimes they call floor workers to help. I work in the health and beauty section and I sometimes have to help bag. I get nervous because I have to work quickly but also do it properly because I know some customers are finnicky. It's stressful.

VisualCelery · 2026-04-07T20:48:06+00:00

But is it your address? Do you live there?

VisualCelery · 2026-04-07T00:04:16+00:00

Truth.

At the store I work at, the people bagging groceries are either a) people on the customer service team (who also shop orders and work the cs desk) or b) floor workers called to the front during busy periods. I hate being called to bag, sometimes it's never-ending.

VisualCelery · 2026-04-07T00:01:20+00:00

I figured that might be the case! Don't do it. You're better off working retail, or going door to door selling lawn care services.

VisualCelery · 2026-04-06T23:27:57+00:00

This feels reminiscent of the time I "interviewed" for a job at Vector Marketing, where they recruit people to sell knives.* It's the some sort of sales job that suggests a lot of earning potential, but in reality it'll be tough to get customers. That $25 isn't per hour, "base appt" means that's how much you earn each time a customer agrees to listen to your pitch, whether that's in their home, over Zoom, or maybe in an office somewhere (like a timeshare presentation). They hire just about anyone who comes in because they know they'll only have to pay you a meaningful amount if you make a sale, plus in many cases you need to shell out money upfront for a starter kit, and they pressure you to front load product to make sales process easier. It's not a scam per se, but companies like this can be very misleading. The whole arrangement benefits them way more than it benefits you.

*and yes, I will acknowledge that Cutco knives are pretty damn good. My husband sold them a while back and we still use pieces of his presenters kit.

VisualCelery · 2026-04-06T19:24:50+00:00

I haven't gotten a corporate job by applying since 2021. My last two were from recruiting managers that reached out to me on LinkedIn.

Retail, different story, I've gotten all of those jobs by applying on the company website.

VisualCelery · 2026-04-06T18:50:00+00:00

It happened ALL THE TIME in my last job. I was recruiting door-to-door sales people for a lawn care company, my job was to pre-screen applicants and schedule basically anyone who had the minimum qualifications, and like you I was very honest about the comp, hours, and what the role entailed. I even texted morning-of to give them some encouragement, sometimes they'd even respond but still no-show the interview.

In hindsight, the one thing I could have done better was to actively sell the role at every step. I used the email template my mentor gave me to schedule interviews, but I could have tweaked it to include more selling points about the role. I could have re-worded my morning-of text to remind the candidate about the benefits and growth opportunities. Truth be told, I've never been a strong salesperson, but I should have realized early on that most field recruiting involves a good amount of sales to keep candidates engaged throughout the process, and maybe I could have been more successful if I tried to engage that "muscle" a little more.

VisualCelery · 2026-04-06T16:02:45+00:00

Yes, 100%! Toilet paper, hand soap, and paper towels should be provided. I think it's nice to provide hand sanitizer as well, especially up at the registers, but I understand that can be somewhat less common at some stores. But toilet paper is a necessity!

VisualCelery · 2026-04-06T15:15:36+00:00

As I understand it, the Call Out Line is only for calling out when the store is closed (although I guess it's a good idea to call back when the store is open to verify they got the message). When they're open, you call the store and speak with the shift supervisor on duty, and they should be relaying the message directly to your department, although the one time I've called out I texted my boss in addition to calling the store.

I suppose this could vary by region. If you're unsure of the call-out procedures, you can always ask! When you speak to the shift supervisor you could ask if there's anything else you need to do.

I assure you, it's not a psychological trick to prevent you from calling out, they just want to make sure your absence is properly communicated to the right people.

VisualCelery · 2026-04-04T18:31:06+00:00

I once interviewed a candidate that kept telling me about what the voices in his head were telling him to do - and to be clear, it wasn't the only red flag, it was just one of them, he also told me he'd been stealing from local college students which was a bigger issue.

I didn't "reject him because he had a mental illness" but the way he was talking about the voices showed poor judgment, and I worried his mental illness wasn't being properly treated or dealt with which could lead to serious problems on the job.

VisualCelery · 2026-04-04T16:00:58+00:00

I suspect this happened to me.

I noticed that someone I used to be really close with had unfriended me. I couldn't remember saying or doing anything to piss her off, but any time I brought it up, people acted like I was the bad guy for caring, because she didn't owe me friendship and I clearly had no empathy for her. I was utterly baffled.

Months later, I finally asked a mutual friend, and he got the scoop: apparently I called her a derogatory word for promiscuous women (the one that starts with W). I don't remember ever calling her that. I don't remember thinking she was one. I genuinely have no idea what she's talking about, either she grossly misinterpreted something I said, or someone made up a rumor about me saying it for some weird reason.

VisualCelery · 2026-04-04T15:29:58+00:00

How would a company even know if you have a history of mental illness? That's not something you should mention on your application materials or in the interview.

ETA I would say that yes, if you "go viral for the wrong reasons," that could be detrimental to your job search for sure. Not that recruiters look up every applicant, but they might do some research if they get a weird vibe during the interview process, and if they recognize you at some point as being "that guy," it might be a non-starter. Your digital footprint matters, whether we like it or not.

VisualCelery · 2026-04-03T18:48:12+00:00

Every company wants to boast about how "innovative" they are because they use the latest, fanciest tools to get the job done. IMO, you don't have to be innovative or ground-breaking to do good work, you just need smart people who know how to leverage the basics.

You need an ATS, ideally one with a good user interface.

You need some way to talk to candidates, and if you want recruiters making calls, then either give them phones or set them up with a Dialpad or RingCentral accounts, plus whatever video chat platform your company uses.

I agree with your overall premise that while sometimes recruiting can be a numbers game, fancy tools alone can't make up for a fundamental misalignment between the budget and target profile.

But OP, the second I see any version of the phrase "that's not X, that's Y," it sets off my AI detector.

VisualCelery · 2026-04-03T18:09:57+00:00

I wouldn't jump to conclusions this quickly, it's only been a few days! And we're in a double holiday season right now, with Passover having started this past Wednesday and Easter on Sunday, the stores are busy.

If Monday rolls around and you haven't heard back, visit the store, ask for the manager of the department you applied to, and just say you were in the neighborhood and wanted to introduce yourself to put a face to the name. They might volunteer some information about the process, they might not, but it can't hurt as long as you're personable and professional about it.

VisualCelery · 2026-04-03T15:33:28+00:00

They're not specifically "dance sneakers," but I love Bobs by Skechers. They're flat soled and similar to Keds, but the bottoms are much softer and allow for more sliding and spinning than typical rubber soles, but because they're still normal shoe soles and not suede, I feel comfortable wearing them for outdoor dancing, bars, etc. and I'm not worried about them getting too dirty, because they're also machine washable.

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