The Job is Hyped, But Has its Place, Friday, Feb. 8

Candidates vying for a real job, courtesy CBS

THE JOB

Friendly Rating: Teens and older

Safety Rating: Extremely safe (maybe some bleeped language)

Quality Rating: Admittedly, it’s not saying much, but it’s as good as reality TV gets

New series premieres tonight (Feb. 8) on CBS at 8 p.m.

OMG. Here we go again with yet another reality competition series, only the big prize is a top job with real companies. So while you’ve gotta figure something isn’t perfectly real with The Job, there are enough real job tips being offered by the interviewers that gives the show a little credibility in spite of the hype.

The idea is that five fully qualified candidates are chosen to be compete against each other for their dream job, in tonight’s episode at Palm Restaurant Group, a fine-dining steakhouse based in New York City, as well as around the U.S. and in London and Mexico. First, they actually do some of the work they’ll be expected to do at the place of employment, then they answer quiz questions and real interview questions in front of the cameras, a panel empowered to hire them and a live audience.

Frankly, if you can handle that, there isn’t much you can’t handle. That being said, each round results in an elimination, but three other companies are present, as well, and get an opportunity to offer the remaining candidates a job, possibly snatching them out from under the main company.

Oooh. Aaah.

Yes, my eyes are rolling. The hype isn’t as bad as it could be and it is certainly the worst part of the show. The best part is seeing folks get hired and how they get hired – which can really help you if you’re out there scratching for a job.

I’d love it if they’d show a group of older candidates – being over 40 in this job market is insanely tough. And so far, the candidate pool seems a little male-heavy, although the ethnic representation seems relatively fair.

So overall, the show has its place and could be informative. Of course, tell that to the sullen teen-ager who doesn’t yet realize he/she is going to have to get a job this summer. Alas, sometimes kids just have to learn the hard way.