Cinnie said:

Excellent advice

Having hired people for office jobs, I can tell you you don't always have to have experience--we can pay those people less (I work for a poor nonprofit)! Still it's more than minimum wage, and there's room to move up in pay.

Someone else mentioned the compromising. And we've had this conversation before a couple times. But I will hire someone without experience, and our dress code is very relaxed, but when you come to the interview you should look & act professional. If your hair is green, that's not a dealbreaker, but you should still make the attempt to look the part by wearing it somewhat conservatively & dressing right, being polite, etc.

I know it's stupid & arbitrary, but it shows you're willing to make the effort, which is #1. Then you can wow me with your intelligence & willingness to learn new skills, computer proficiency, and you're hired!
[Edited 2/5/10 15:00pm]

I mentioned nonprofits above, that's an area you should look into.

They are more interested in hiring intelligent people that might accept lower pay (again, it's still more than minimum) who have morals, ethics, values, and care about causes. And they are far more accepting of unorthodox ways of dressing/hair/piercings/etc, which you've mentioned having an issue with changing. And they will hire people with less experience because they pay less. But you'll learn some skills, and it's better than retail.

Its a way to move towards a career without jumping into the corporate rat race.
[Edited 2/5/10 14:59pm]

johnart said:

Some things are true whether people want to believe them or not.

When my niece was 14, she got her first real job. Fast food, of course, because those are the kinds of jobs available to you at 14. I asked her how she liked the job and she said, "Well, Aunt [Genesia], it isn't very challenging." I said, "I'm sure it isn't. But keep at it, be a good employee, and the next job will be better. Better to work these kinds of jobs now, so you don't have to work them later."

She is now 16 and, while she still has the same job, even SHE no longer works for minimum wage. And given the economy, she feels very fortunate.

Genesia said:

That's true too, Aunt Genesia. Stick to a minimum wage job demonstrating a willingness to work and it will no longer be minimum wage.

But that's fine for a 14 year old who presumably lived at home and wasn't raising any babies, etc. Minimum wage just won't cut it for other people.

BklynBabe said:

Cinnie said:

My point is, you have to start somewhere. And the longer you spend jumping from job to job, the harder it's going to be to break out of the pattern. Buckle down, do the work, and the rewards will come.

Genesia said:

I see your point.

NDRU said:

very good advice!!! i agree!

CarrieMpls said:

you are so right, it is about who you know! i think everyone here knows my husband is a store manager for walmart already, and i know most people think you don't make much money working at walmart, which is true if you are a hourly associate. but my husband started working in the shoe dept. 6 years ago, and he worked hard, and kept getting promoted until now he is a manager, and he DOES make good money, people are always shocked when they find out just how much a walmart store manager makes. but it is about who you know, and who is willing to see your talents and give you the chance.
[Edited 2/6/10 9:17am]

my first job was retail for about four years. when a higher paying position because available, i applied for it even though i did not get along with the supervisor. it took about two years before i was not making minimum wage anymore. i quit that job because of the work conditions and i was determined to never work retail again and i haven't. i caught a break because a friend worked at a bank that was hiring. he was kind enough to bring home a ten-key calculator so i could teach myself how to work it and was able to get a job in the mailroom. in seven years, i had seven positions. i have too much ambition and drive to sit still.

my honest advice is that you just have to NOT give up. i had several bosses at my first job on power trips and i just ignored it and did my job. i have a sister that will quit a job on the spot for not liking someone. she is never going to get ahead like that.

and yes, sometimes it does boil down to who you know.

Apply for a yet another higher education program after the previous one and seek out a scholarship?

Has kept me away from cleaning the floors at the very least.

novabrkr said:

Not before finding out if the profession is in demand and pays better!

Vendetta1 said:

I think every job I got until I started working this one (which I've been with my company for 13 years now. yikes!) was because I knew someone else who worked there. And I've had 9 different positions in these 13 years (as well as received promotions within the position I was in, by way of new title and new salary for doing the same work), and at least a handful of the promotions I received because I knew someone in the other department. Having the right people know how awesome you are helps.
Of course, once in the door, you have to meet people and show them you're awesome. That's important too.

I haven't known anyone who worked at any of my jobs. Just sayin', before we get on that excuse.

Cinnie said:

Oh, by all means, it's not necessary. It just opens SO many doors.

I am being completely honest here.
Having worked very deligently and having met tons of people in the white colar world, one things always works: KISS ASS.

No who's ass to kiss.
Kiss it often.
Look sincere doing it.
NETWORK with as many asses as you can an simultaneously kiss that ass.



That being said, I'm trying something different. Hope it works.

Seriously, it's been said, but you need to think outside of your comfort zone sometimes...and have less excuses.

Job agencies can be helpful too.

CarrieMpls said:

i agree.

Cinnie said:

Yeah that is true, too and that's why I mentioned trying to stick with it at a job before you get pissed off and quit. Then you start at the bottom again somewhere else.

TheVoid said:

Mods, make this a sticky!

kpowers said:

lazycrockett said:

I've seen plenty of short bartenders, it's not a handicap at all.

You'd be surprised how many people in the service industry are hard of hearing as well...not really a setback either.

Nikademus said:

I once saw a bartender that was 8 feet tall, he couldn't see the customers because his head was behind the bottles

Genesia said:

Take the job I just quit, and see how long you last. The 5 months I stuck it out for before getting completely fed up is months longer than most other employees of this company make it. What does that tell you?

NDRU said:

I've been making the effort to tone down my look plenty. Those of you who have me on facebook know I'm not all that extreme to begin with.

As for the rest, I'm hoping I find something soon. I have experience doing plenty of different kinds of work, and skills that can easily be applied to areas I may not be that experienced in. The trick is in getting someone to give me a chance.

Cinnie said:

No matter how long one sticks with a McJob, no matter how much effort and initiative and drive and skill and dedication a person shows, they'll never make much more than the bare legal minimum. Even management positions only make a few dollars per hour more. In the end, it's really not worth the effort you put in, especially not when there are bills to pay.

CarrieMpls said:

Unfortunately for me, all the people I know well enough they'd pull me in for a job either work in fields I have no interest in, or are hookers.

I'm trying a completely different field. Jumping in headfirst more or less, and though it's not an area where I have much in the way of experience, I am confident I'll find something that will work. I'm definitely looking for something I can stay with long-term, because I'm getting pretty fucking sick of jumping from job to job.

The one I just left I had initially planned on staying with for a while, but there are certain business practices and ethical issues I was not comfortable with. Nothing serious enough to be worth taking the company to court over, but not something I was comfortable with enabling even as a plebe worker.