Many help wanted ads in the newspapers today are misleading.

      Every once in a while I take the time to look through the classified section of the newspapers to see what types of employment are in demand. Needless to say I do not do this very often, but once in a while my curiosity gets the better of me. As I am going down the list of employers looking for employees I will usually circle a few for later reference.
      I have noticed how lately, employers are including in their ad, "prefer bi-lingual"  or "bi-lingual only need apply". On the surface I am not so sure this should even be included because so many well qualified people are being ignored and brushed aside. However, I still find it very interesting.
     Every now and then I will take the time to pick out the request for employment that I am qualified for and call just to see what they will say. Most of the time I am aware that I will not get passed the receptionist, but that is okay.
     Usually the response will be the same because they are taught to read from a ready made script. Unfortunately, the outcome is usually the same. Instead of discussing what the new potential position entails, we get into a discussion over the word "bi-lingual". The person on the other end of the telephone usually ends up sounding annoyed that I even called.
      I am just trying to make a point when I do this because although the ad may read "bi-lingual only need apply", that is not what they mean. Why will they not just be honest about it? Instead of requesting a potential employee be bi-lingual, why don't they just tell the truth and request "English/Spanish?
      The last time I checked, b-lingual by definition meant you have the ability to speak, read and write in two languages, nothing more and nothing less. It is this dishonesty that upsets me. I checked with my dictionary again, just to be sure the definition had not changed. Doesn't it make it difficult to apply for a position with an employer who is being dishonest from the beginning?