Jobs

[puffy]

Once in a while I just feel like saying something here no matter if it gets a response or not.This is one of those posts.What I want to say is this...I got out of school in 1960.It took me four years to land a good job.I was thrilled beyond words when I finally got it..I'm old now and retired but I will never forget that day in 1964 my first day on that job and what it ment to me to have it..When someone here writes that they have landed a good job I'm really thrilled for that person.To those who are still looking.I hope it happens for you real soon.

 

[photoman13]

That actually just made my day. I just graduated and haven't found a job yet but I still get to have that excitement of getting my first good job. One that means something and is based on my merits and not on my ability to wash dishes or flip a burger.

 

[papipeguy]

Yes, , I remember my first day at my job. I was 22 years-old and like Odie, from the Garfield comic. I ran everywhere to do my job. 33 years, 4 months and 14 days later Iwas able to retire in comfort just before my b56th birthday.

On the flip side, my daughter was a teacher ata private school making no money and driving 2 hours a day round trip. She just quit and is looking at a career change. Tough time to do it and she's blanketing the area with resumes. I don't envy this generation as the dynamics of working at one place for life just are not the same.

If there's any advice we "old" guys can give you "youngsters" take whatever job you have seriously, work like it's the first day there every day, treat everyone with respect and save the bitching for when you're alone in the car driving home from the place that gives you a salary.

 

[lonestar]

Puffy I enjoy reading every post you make, even when I dont have time to respond.

 

[keith929]

+1 .

 

[jah76]

Amen papipeguy.
My first job was working for my father and he rode me like a borrowed mule. I couldn't do anything right, but when I got older I knew he was harder on me then any of his other employees because he had to be. From that I took away that he respected his position, his other employees, and that he wanted to teach me that "this is the real world". Work was work. Home was home.
It also made me get my ass in gear and find a better job working somewhere else LOL.
The job market is tough right now for a lot of folks. Some of the applications that come across my desk are guys that are over qualified and that were making DOUBLE what I can afford to pay them. I find a lot of quality employees that way, but man I feel for these guys.

 

[papipeguy]

'nuff said, jah76.

 

[cigrmaster]

I remember my first job. I dropped out of college, and my dad was pissed. I go to work for a mfgs rep firm in the jewelry business. My boss hands me a case with 50k worth of gold samples, tells me New England is my territory and that if I don't sell, I don't get paid, the job was strictly commission. I had no expense account, had to pay my own way and it was scary. I did very well and it started my journey. That was back in the days with no cell phones, no gps, I had tons of maps and loads of quarters for the pay phones.
I worry about my kids big time, my oldest graduates college this spring and hopefully he will land something, It is the toughest job market I have ever seen.

 

[baronsamedi]

I'm looking hard right now because the company where I work is circling the drain. This time parameters are different. It ain't about the money. We're nearly debt free. It's about quality of life. New vistas and an escape from the treadmill. Right now, though, I'm thankful every payday to have a paycheck. There are many who don't.

 

[photoman13]

I don't recommend marketing. I've been looking for 9 months and haven't found anything. I'm about to start applying for mcdonalds.

 

[sparroa]

I am in the middle of a big change; I hope that it pays off. So far things are pretty uncertain, and it'll probably take me 2 years to even "get back on track" but I look forward to that possibility.
Keep up the faith photoman, keep a constant stream of online applications flowing and try to make time for interviews/meetings when you aren't doing whatever you have to do for a survival wage...

 

[sjpipesmoker]

With the job market being what it is, there are many applicants trying to get the same job, 10 years ago, it would of been a lot easier. I wish something would happen in this country to turn the market mack to what it was!
I have a interview tomorrow with the county hospital here in San Jose for a Mental Health Technician at their EPS (Emergency Psychiatric Services) unit. It's where they bring people who are having psychotic episodes and need to be stabilized. It's part time, but at least it will get my foot in the door. I really need this job, I could go on with my life/family issues, but I wont.
Any positive vibes sent to me would really be appreiciated!!!

 

[pstlpkr]

To those who are still looking. I hope it happens for you real soon.

After too many applications to count and only 8 phone calls and 4 interviews in 3 years (this Friday), I appreciate the sentiment.

Thank you.

 

[photoman13]

Thank you sparroa. It is just a matter of time. Right now it's just hard because every job, even jobs that say entry level, require experience. It kind of just defeats the purpose of entry level if you ask me. There was one job that was offered to me but it was door to door sales and was set up like a pyramid scheme so I turned it down. They lied to me about what the interview intails and I ended up walking around in the rain in my brand new suit while the interviewer changed into sneakers and a polo shirt with a rain coat. Sounds like a funny story now. :D

 

[ghost]

...if I don't sell, I don't get paid, the job was strictly commission.

Cigrmaster, this is where I'm at with my sales job right now, and honestly it was the best career move I ever made. I love my job, and I'm so thankful for it. Admittedly, it's not for everyone. You have to be totally self-motivated, as I'm sure you know well, so I treat my territory as if I owned the business. In a way, I do. It was scary leaving the 'corporate' side of things at first, but very liberating!
To the guys looking, nothing but positive vibes from me! Your job is out there, you'll find it.

 

[irishsmoker]

I love my job! I was lucky to get it!

 

[mick]

Photoman, remember that volunteering is a type of experience that shows you are active and will yield references. Not to mention volunteering is another form of networking and you never know how that could open doors for you. Something to consider, anyway.

 

[photoman13]

Thank you bulldog mick for the info. I will see what type of volunteering is around here. I have volunteered to help a few pipe makers for free with their website involving search engine optimization. I'm not sure if that counts or not but at least it's something.

 

[captainsousie]

Puffy, you're right. That first "real" job sticks with you.
I worked 3 jobs my first year out of school. Starbucks, Chilis (washed out of that one and worked later as a temp for Kelly Services) and subbed for the school district. It made me really appreciate my job in teaching when I finally got one. Keep trying and realize that you are where you are for a reason, and you may not get to know that reason until later in life. I wish the best for all of you looking for a job. (You might try Wyoming, there's not much here but we still have jobs in some areas.)

 

[hunter]

I've worked my share of jobs, I've worked in a mine, block plant, Canadian Tire, Dennys, Truck shop, and my current job is at Finning the largest CAT dealer in the world. It took me a while to get were I am today, and I've been with the company for just over a year now, a year and 14 days to be exact. Nothing feels like the first day in a career, I don't have to think about how much money I need to save when my summer is done or how much I should put away just in case someone decided that they need to lay off some employees. The only bad part of my job is that I can't have my pipe with me while I'm working :P