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I hate my job, yet I have no clue how to go about getting a new one. I suck. I was the first one to apply for a job at that video store, I have not heard from them. A Walgreens opened nearby, but I do not want to work there. It is not much different from the job I am working now which is paying 8 hours an hour and at least has certain union benefits which I doubt Walgreens would give me. At least they have me doing returns at my job which is so much less boring than bagging but I still feel like chewing my own arm off every time I have to bag stuff. It is so boring and lame. At the end of the day I have accomplished nothing but bagging more groceries. It is so not worth it. Yes, I know this is a terrible, terrible attitude to have, but this is not what I want to be doing at the moment. The problem is I am not sure WHAT I want to do... I do not have the clothes or the experience for a better job and I wonder if it's some superficial reason I can't get a better job like race or something. How the heck can I tell? The fact is to get a better job you have to know the right people. That is all there is to it. You have to know the sort of people who will zip you instantly into the right positions without having to have your application turning yellow in a pile somewhere. Plus, there is no job that involves just listening to cool music all day long... Enough whining from me -_-
Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003
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(((Syn))) I may sound stupid, but... What studies did you do ? What job did you think you would apply to when you chose your studies ?
Posts: 3526 | Registered: Oct 2001
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I studied english writing in school... A positive attitude and ambition is not working. Skills could come over time, but when I am launching out applications and getting no response or when a job looks positive and I call up and they tell me they are giving it to some grad student I cannot help but feel so disencouraged...
Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003
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I remember when you posted about not having a job, and I was so thrilled that you got this one -- so you could have food on your table, etc. I know it wasn't your dream job, but it was so much better than being unemployed..
I pray that you won't leave this job until you know what you want to do. I'm sure part of your dissatisfaction is the fact that, as you said, you don't know just what you want to do -- you don't yet have a focus or a goal.
Work on deciding what you want out of life, and then let it help you decide what to work toward as far as career. It is hard to have a path with no direction.
Let us know if there is any way we can help you narrow down your goals.
posted
There are actually some pretty cool positions to be had in retail grocery. Half of our family worked for a grocery store and half worked at Home Depot. The grocery half of the family were bookkeepers, pricing coordinators, receivers, and managers at various times. Every one of them started out as cashiers and moved up.
I don't want to ruin a good rant, but one thing I've learned as a retail manager (a job I hate, for the most part!), is that I am more likely to push for promotions for people who can stay pretty upbeat. A good manager looks past everything but job performance and attitude. If it looks to your supervisors like you think the job completely sucks, you're limiting yourself to that job. If your supervisors look at you and see that you think the job sucks, but by God you're gonna do it because it needs to be done, they'll be more likely to move you to a more enjoyable position.
I don't really know you, and don't know whether retail is what you want to do forever. Personally, I hate the hours that retail requires, but I made a stupid leap away from my corporate job, and now I'm paying the price. If you want to be doing something else, think long and hard about what it might be, and make plans in that direction.
I won't disagree with you that who you know can play a big role in what jobs you get. Make a name for yourself as a great worker, though, and it'll show. I know that if I see someone putting out extra effort when I'm shopping somewhere, I may ask if they're interested in working at Lowe's (good benefits, pretty good pay). People recruit outside their own stores.
You might also look at malls and bookstores for jobs, as they often have good music going.
Hope it gets better, or at least tolerable. Lisa
Posts: 230 | Registered: Sep 2003
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What I really want to do is write... That is an insane goal for many reasons, just how do people get into it? Or opera singing for example... This guy has been singing opera for as long as I've been in to it, but he's won a billion contests and sang in operas as early as the age of 20 something... Me, I have been writing (badly) since I could write, it is my passion besides music, but none of these things are practical and solid... Plus, as a rule you must have a decent job on the side before you actively pursue writing... The problem with this job is it's secure and I will not quit it any time soon though I really want to, but they will never, ever promote me to anything else. I have been bagging for a full year. I started off in Dairy and got moved to bagging. I have begged my manager 17,000 times to move me to something else. I asked him about working in the gas station, breathing the fumes would be bad for me, but there would be no lifting involved. He implied, though I could have read it wrong that I do not have the intelligence to operarate a cash register! So, there is no hope for them training me for anything else. Returns are at least a bit enjoyable because I get to walk around a little. But other than that, it is a dead end. It's impossible, or at least a struggle for me to stay positive when it is just so... lame... I find myself scowling often. Plus the job makes my wrists sore and it's just not worth it...
Ages ago back in Americorps I went to a protocal seminar and learned that corporations care what colour your brief case is. How can I make it in the corporate world when I am anti-social for the most part and I don't even have a brief case?
At least I do have a goal... an insane one.
Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003
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(((((Syn))))) I don't know what to say. I hated my first job (which was pretty much the same I have here, only in a different school) because I had no authority and the students were so tricky I came to fear them, and come back home crying and swearing I would never, never again work in a school. Now I'm the queen of the school library and few students dare to do anything that would upset me I'm mostly nice, but when the students are out of line, I'm quite firm. And that's enough.
I know the situations are pretty different, but I'm sure things will get better for you. You'll find a better job, or a better way to cope with this one.
Posts: 3526 | Registered: Oct 2001
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Walgreens isn't so bad, actually. My mom has worked there since I was a teenager, and both my sisters worked there for several years. My sisters were both pharmacy techs, which pays better than the store. I think the clientele was a bit easier to deal with, too, because they both swore they would never go back to working on the floor. I don't know if Walgreens has a union, but I do know if you work there long enough, you can get profit sharing.
Knowing people can help, but Tom's right that it also takes confidence and skills. I have found half my jobs via word of mouth from family, and half by searching on my own. But even those that I've found via family, I know I would never have been hired in if I didn't have the skills they were looking for. Have you tried reading What Color Is Your Parachute? There's some great exercises in there, like listing what you are good at and using the results to figure out what kind of job you would excel in. I think it would be beneficial, because then instead of begging your supervisor to give you a different job, you could present to him how you have the necessary skills to do the job you're seeking.
Posts: 1805 | Registered: Jun 1999
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It also made me think -- you know some universities -- even if you're NOT a student -- give these career aptitude tests. I took one locally several years ago at our local state university. It is great at giving you insight into yourself and what types of jobs you would be happiest in.
(Like, mine said I should be a cop. Which I had already thought about but dismissed for other reasons. Anyway, overall it said I really enjoyed working outside, and I really enjoyed working with lots of different kinds of people -- so I told them it sounded like I should be a hooker! they got a kick out of that). Really, it was much more helpful than that, and then they gave me some categories of work that I could think about and consider.
You might see if a university in your area offers that type of deal.
Syn, one of my aunts works at Walgreens and likes her job (she's a photo tech). It never sounded like a bad place to work.
Posts: 14745 | Registered: Dec 1999
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To add to your mundane job have you considered singing at weddings and such? It'll give you something to focus on besides the work you dislike. It's not an uncommon thing for people do to to learn a bit of extra money while doing something they love.
If people hear you sing once they'll tell their friends and so on. Put an ad in the newspaper.
And most of all stay positive and keep looking for opportunity ! Good Luck!
Posts: 8473 | Registered: Apr 2003
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When you turn in an application someplace, instead of waiting around for a call, call them. Particularly when you're applying at retail stores. Many of them get so many applicants for starting positions that, quite frankly, don't require a lot of qualifications, that they just grab the top few applications off the pile and barely look at the rest.
Also, when you talked to your manager, he probably wasn't insulting your intelligence. Pretty much anyone is capable of running a cash register. From your posts my guess would be he just doesn't want to place you in a position where you'll be dealing with customers.
I currently work as a supervisor at a grocery store where I am partially responsible for recommending which employees are promoted to which positions. If an employee who would describe his or herself as "antisocial" requested to be a cashier, I would say no way. Cashiers spend more time with each customer than anyone else in the store, and are the last employees a customer will deal with before leaving. They need good customer service skills.
Did you try asking the manager to tell you specifically why you are not being moved?
Posts: 4292 | Registered: Jan 2001
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Hmm that's a thought, putting your application in first, might have put you at the bottom of the pile, cause if they didn't bother to turn it upside down and took the ones off the top...
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Yeah, but how's your "deal with the idiots and keep a straight face" ability, Mac?
Doc! Long time, no see! I hope everything is working out for you.
Syn - if you don't mind offering some details:
Age
Race
Location
Education/Skills
As for necessary elements - yes, it helps to know people and networking is great. Incriminating photos are better. But having useful skills and a good attitude are what win you the job during the interview process.
Feel free to email me if you like - trevor_medina@hotmail.com.
Mac - police work is basically customer service with a smile and a gun. Think of the worst customer service episode you've ever seen, multiply it by 2 and then decide if that's the career path for you.
Syn - a wadrobe can be assembled pretty cheaply, depending on the job and the dress code. I got a week's worth of khakis from Target for $5 a pair - marked down from $20. Gawd, I just love their clearance racks.
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Is it illogical that I want to be a professional writer more than anything else in the world? It seems like I could use my lack of focus and interest in about 5,000 different things better as a writer and no other job would really fit...
Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Anyway, I am 26 Black... though that is an odd term... I live near Boston I went to college and i was in Americorps for 10 months.
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I have a degree, I can use MS office easily. I do not have much experience in the office... The library and working at Americorps doesn't count for that I reckon...
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Yes... I should just go to grad school and try not to study something useless but interesting.
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Actually, the library does count as good experience - you know how to function in a professional setting, you're intelligent and trainable and can handle relatively complex tasks.
Do you have a resume?
What kind of job would you like? Anything you absolutely would not do?
-Trevor
Edit: An English degree isn't useless -> it suggests a specific field of interest, though.
Do you have any serious thoughts regarding grad school or a career path outside of writing?
posted
I do have a resume... I do not want to, and it makes me feel like a terrible person- Work another food service job work at McDonalds Wash people clean up after people Work in a corporate setting in cubicles with a lot of gossip
I do, however, if all else fails want to work at a music store, bookstore or library and should consider taking up library studies but I'd rather study something useless like Russian, Japanese and history... Because I'm interested in about 500 things at the same time...
Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Syn, I've always thought you were a lovely person,and there's nothing wrong with wanting to be a professional writer. However, until that happens for you, you simply must be more positive, even if you have to fake it. Enthusiasm when submitting a resume and interviewing will take you far. I once got a job that I was supposed to have a college degree for - because I was so enthusiastic about the position my supervisor was willing to overlook the degree issue. Remember that you have to sell yourself - if you go to pick out a puppy you don't buy the one that hangs in the back and refuses to play, right? I think something in a book or music store would be perfect for you.
posted
Actually, I do - mostly because we have the same disposition.
That said, an office job is going to be your best bet if you want to get some practical, professional writing experience and credits - although it occurs to me I haven't asked what kind of writing you want to do.
What are your professional ambitions at this point? A retail job of some kind? A career-oriented position?
I'm not sure what your income requirements happen to be at this point.
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My rent is cheap so I can survive with a part-time job. I'd be content making 200 a week. As logn as I have enough money for rent, food, cds, concerts, the occasional movie, netflix and saving to go to Japan. I want to write fiction, poetry and scathing essays and things about my obsession, music.
Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
Start writing letters to the editor - even if you never get published, the practice of both writing and actually submitting your work will be good for you.
Have you posted your resume to Monster? You may not like the prospect of a cube job, but it'll pay the bills and will look better on your resume for long term considerations.
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Oooh, and Trevor is so right. An English degree is definately not useless! I'm an english major, and extensively talked to many people before choosing it because I'd heard things like that...not true at all. Yes, it's possible that starting out you could hit the low-end of the pay scale, but that's not forever. Basically, with an english degree your strengths are that you've been taught to examine, reason, and explain. Once again, it comes down to selling yourself and your skills.
posted
While I am not an expert on professional female fashions in the workplace, I suspect you could put together a respectable outfit or ensemble from the clearance racks in local stores.
Some of the women posting might be able to give you better advice on that topic.
posted
I'd like to know how $200 a week gets a person rent, food, cds, concerts, the occasional movie, netflix and savings to go to Japan... there must be some sort of secret to managing money I'm not aware of.
You should be able to put together a respectable (though likely not particularly fashionable) outfit for interviews fairly inexpensively from clearance racks and discount stores. Heck, plain button down shirts and slacks are about all that's needed, and those could even be found at a Goodwill.
Off-topic, do you mind if I email you a few questions about your experience in Americorps?
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Sure go ahead. My rent is cheap. Currently I barely make enough to skin a flea and it bugs me to no end... I am a moron when it comes to money...
Posts: 9942 | Registered: Mar 2003
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So, what college did you go to? And did you get an associates or Bachelors? The real trick to getting a job is getting a good resume that's focussed on the job. There's a certain ammount of "spin" that goes into a good resume. The trick is making a crappy job look better than it really is. This is one of the reasons garbage men refer to themselves as "Sanitation Engineers" sometimes. It sounds better, and it looks better on paper. Knowing people helps, but I've gotten multiple jobs without so much as a reference.
Posts: 3003 | Registered: Oct 2004
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Syn, I know your dream job would be to work as a writer, but while that may happen, it also may not. That doesn't mean you can't do great things with your writing. I have several hobbies that I am just not skilled enough to make a living off of. I still enjoy them, though. So if I were you, I would continue to dream, but also plan realistically.
For instance, let's say a job writing is not an option. What are some other things you could see yourself doing?
I know for me I enjoyed the office environment, provided it was a decent company I was working for. Gaining office skills can be very useful. But you have to start somewhere. Being able to type well is a good start. Going with a temp agency can yeild good results. Companies will sometimes use temp agencies as an opportunity to screen for possible permanent employees. If you excell in your responsibilities as a temp, they may want you to stay on. But even if you don't, you can "collect" skills as you go, making yourself more and more qualified to make that jump into permanent employment.
I dunno if this can work for you, but it is my best suggestion. I second Trevor's advice that you may be able to pick up a week's worth of work clothes for pretty cheap. And I do think how you look/dress makes a difference (unfortunately). But Tom is right that attitude and confidence are at least as important, if not more so.
Posts: 7050 | Registered: Feb 2004
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WHat kind of writing would you want to do Syn? Obviously the sci-fi/fantasy world is hard to break into, look at our own Scott R and how many rejections he got. That kind of writing still isn't paying his bills yet.
It seems though that the key to getting into writing is submit, submit, submit. And be prepared for lots of rejection.
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Syn, I remember how tough it was for you to get out and find your current job, and you should be really proud that you've stuck with it all this time.
I've always had you pegged as a great fit for a library. There are all sorts of jobs in libraries, from very high-end degree-requiring librarian and reference work, to customer-service-oriented circulation desk work, to quiet and stress-free shelving work, to your standard janitorial work.
From what I've read from your posts over the years, I could totally see you starting out as a book shelver in a public or university library. It wouldn't require a sexy resume, fancy clothes, or a love of the public... it's just decent, quiet work nestled deep in the stacks. I've known some very cool shelvers when I was working at the university library here.
Working in a library would also expose you to all these different types of jobs, rather than just retail-type jobs at the supermarket. You would have the opportunity to work towards an even better position for yourself.
You're in Boston, right? Check out stuff like this:
posted
A resume doesn't need to be sexy if you're not applying for fashion model, stripper or a similar position.
Try re-writing your resume with a couple of different approaches. One might emphasize your education, another might emphasize your skills -> computer, library-based and critical analysis and so on.
Monster will let you post two or three different resumes online and by having two or three different sorts, you can
Practice your writing - creative embellishment can be a plus for some jobs and, as people have noted, it's all in how you sell it
Match the resume that best fits with the job opening posted
And this is a trick to a good wardrobe - the clothes might make you feel good about yourself and how you look, but a confident person can make any ensemble look good.
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I'm mostly nice, but when the students are out of line, I'm quite firm. And that's enough. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
they got a kick out of that). Really, it was much more helpful than that, and then they gave me some categories of work that I could think about and consider. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
! Good Luck!
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