Help Wanted

Summer has come. School is over. With this comes the new task of finding a summer job. I'm constantly listening for anyone speaking of a job opportunity, and also mentioning, when talking to anyone, I'm looking for work.

I've never enjoyed hunting for a job. My first job I got right away - baby-sitting. Even my second job I was hired shortly after shaking hands and saying hello. Since college it's been a little different. Even though I'm just looking for a summer job - and let's face it, you can pretty much do anything for 3 months - I HATE not being called back. I hate feeling like a reject. I am a good worker but for whatever reason I'm not chosen. That makes me feel like someone thinks I'm not good enough - like I'm a slacker.

I'm also my hardest critic. When the phone lies silent, I'm mentally running myself through the ringer. Being unemployed - for however short of a time - I think is harder on my mentally than physically.

Let's make finding a job even more fun!

Now I'm really out of my comfort zone - or bubble - whatever it may be termed. What does one put in the space that says: Desired Salary when one does not know the salary of the area. I know what I'm use to - in the city - but where the demands is not as great - neither is the pay. How NOT so great IS not so great though?? That is the question ... if you understood it.

On my applications, I don't want them to be tossed aside b/c employers believe I'm asking too much. Then again, I don't want to sell myself short and ask a grossly low amount.

More Fun!

Each application is different. For instance

Application A: Stand at a computer for 30 minutes answering questions. Not just vague questions SPECIFIC questions. Such as dates. Listing 5 previous jobs with the month/day/year of when you started and when you quit. Plus addresses of each, names of supervisors, AND telephone numbers! That applies for your 3 PERSONAL and 3 PROFESSIONAL references also. And just for kicks they wanted to know beginning and ending salaries for each!

Color me crazy - but usually I'm sitting at my kitchen table, with an address book AND telephone book, along with past pay stubs so I can accurately answer each question and sign at the bottom with a clear conscience!

Oh but this is where it gets fun. At the beginning of this little "LIFE QUIZ" I was told each screen was only on for 5 minutes. IF you took longer than 5 minutes on any page/screen you would be kicked out of the application process and all your previously typed in info would be lost!! :O W*H*A*T!!!

Here I am, STANDING at this computer station (b/c they obviously didn't have a spare chair in the building!), racking my brain trying to remember dates and salaries and names and addresses and phone numbers. I made it, and my application went through - but I can honestly say
I NEVER WANT TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN!!!! Why not just put the application on-line so you can have more than 5 minutes to a page and you can SIT DOWN with needed info!!

ok, that was A

Application B:

Steno Pad with these handwritten questions:

NAME:

ADDRESS:

TELEPHONE NUMBER:

18 OR OLDER?:

PRIOR EXPERIENCE:

SIGNATURE:

That was it! I'm serious. Talk about 2 extremes. I had a good laugh over the whole comparison of the two applications - but that's only b/c I had a day to recover from my horrible Application A experience.

It is funny though. Employers can tell a lot by how someone acts during an interview, or even before that. In picking up, filling out, or dropping of their application. I believe the same can be said about an individual going into a potential business seeking employment.

How were you treated?

Were things running smoothly and in order, or was their chaos?

When no one saw you looking, how did co-workers speak to/treat each other?

Were the grounds well maintained?

Was the office you were in tidy?

I know beggars can't be choosers, and especially for summer, a-job's-a-job; yet I can't help but compare after applying at yet another business yesterday. The building was so nice, and the grounds were well taken care of, the inside was clean and tidy, aside from a rude man on a cell phone call (which you can't control people you do business with) everyone I saw seemed ok. Not snooty and rude or cranky and overworked, just genuine regular people with regular attitudes. After I left there I realized, I didn't want to work at "Too cheap to give you a chair" or "Don't care enough to even type out a simple application form." I wanted this job!

It's hard. I know I'll work where ever I'm hired, but I can't help feeling like I want more - or better. Funny, a year ago, this scene that's playing out in my life right now was the farthest thing from my mind. I wasn't looking for a temporary summer job, I was wondering if something more permanent was out there for me. Now my more permanent job happens to leave my summers open for other work. Hmmmm, maybe one day, I'll be wealthy enough to travel during my summers. ahhhhhhhhh One can dream right?!

Who knows - a year from now, I may be posting pictures of all the places I'm seeing and all the adventures I'm having. Until then .... "Paper or Plastic Ma'am?"