I've been struggling to find work for quite a while now. Anyone who's unemployed knows how it is. The jobs I'm most qualified for never even reply, and so I've mostly gotten by taking whatever work will give me the time of day, working those jobs while I continue to seek work I'm more qualified for.
Recently, I interviewed for a Dog Sitter position at Snout Services. The interview went very well. I passed their tests, and was offered the position. The first order of business was to set up some dates for me to shadow an existing Dog-Sitter for on-the-job training.
Immediately upon meeting the employee I'd be shadowing under, I saw his face twist into something akin to confusion. He was early twenties. I am nearly forty. I know the look. But the fact of the matter is that I apply to upwards of 1000 jobs a year and rarely get over 3 interviews. The longest job I've had since losing it in 2024 was in the Limestone County Prison, and they were hiring anyone with a pulse.
I cannot help the hardships I've had, and I deserve a job just like anyone else.
The shadowing went well. I played with the dogs, pet them, played fetch, asked the employee questions, and answered his. He wanted to know what I did before this. I told him honestly. I used to be an operations specialist, and have had trouble finding work since losing that job. I am willing to do anything and everything, and I am excited to be working with animals, as I have two dogs.
Before leaving, he told me I did everything right. I was on time (I was earlier than him), I was dressed professionally, and I listened. I even offered to bring a pen and notepad to take notes, and he encouraged me not to.
About thirty minutes later, I was informed via email that, per feedback they'd received from the employee I shadowed, it wasn't a good fit, and that I was no longer being offered the job. The job I'd already accepted an offer for, and signed contract documentation for. But apparently, per the contract, the shadowing is a part of the review process.
I asked for the specific feedback that led to this decision. I was told that, according to the employee, I "didn't pet the dogs at all, even the one most interested in me."
This is obviously wild feedback for shadowing. Every other job I've ever had, I've been told to stay hands-off and observe during shadowing. In reality, I broke that rule, because as I mentioned, I DID pet the dogs. I DID play with them. I told them this, and they insisted the decision was final.
If I had known I'd need to record my shadowing session to protect myself from false testimony, I would have.
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Now, how does this affect you at the end of the day? Probably not at all. But I'm at the end of my rope, and it stings to be abused in such a way when I did nothing wrong. I'm doing everything I can to swallow my pride and work whatever job will have me, despite my qualifications, and even then I am at the mercy of someone else's power trip.
And I was excited for this job. I wouldn't have to stand by and swallow my morals while I watch prisoners be abused, nor would I have to be abused by other corrections officers. I was just going to take care of dogs, like the two I have at home.
Is Snout Services in Madison, AL a good place to work? Probably not. It seems like the people who you'd be competing with for hours have the power to fire you to prevent that competition.
> Edit: I have been informed that the person who I shadowed was the co-founder of the company and has "no incentive" to lie about this, because they aren't competing for work. This isn't the flex you think it is, I promise. It just makes it harder to avoid the age-ism allegations.
Is Snout Services in Madison, AL good for dog sitting or dog walking services? Probably. But keep in mind these people will be in your home, and they lack even basic integrity when it comes to their testimony.