Hw Did You Get Your First Job; And Who Did You Use As References

[soundofmusic]

The Job Process Is So Difficult Nowadays

The last time I went for a job interview, I was emailed several times by my prospective employer; I thought I had the job in the bag. When I arrived, I was handed a questionaire the size of a novel. I had 3 interviews with the employer and administration to find out I wasn't qualified?

Is This Crazy?
I got my first job walking into a pharmacy with a pair of daisy dukes and a halter top.

What have been your past and recent job experiences?

[Jesterhead]

My first boss was my exgirlfriends dad... that is how I got the job.

[Lokasenna]

I worked in the family business for many years while growing up. After my parents sold up, I got my first 'real' job last summer, as a waiter in a rather pretentious restaurant. I gave my father as a reference, though with qualification. I handed the application form over in the morning, the boss phoned me at lunch, interviewed me in the afternoon, and offered me the job there and then, so I obviously did something right!

[papayahed]

My First First job was cleaning houses with my mom's friends aunt - no references required she had to take me.

My first real job I got through an internship in college. I worked three semesters while in school and when I graduated they asked me to come back full time.

To get my current job I had to jump through hoops. I did three phone interviews, 1 onsite interview with those same 3 people, and 1 interview at the airport with 2 other people. 1 personality test, 1 physical (alcohol and drug test included), they verified my degree, they contacted 4 of my personal references, and they checked my driving record and I'm pretty sure my credit score.

For this last job my references were 3 ex bosses and 1 consultant I worked with rather closely.

[JuniperWoolf]

I worked in our town's bakery in the ninth grade, and listed my friend Khyrsten as a reference. The bakery is a part of the grocery store, and the grocery store is where almost everyone in town gets thier first job. It was alright, I was fourteen so they only gave me $6.50/hour but I made up for it by eating as many doughnuts and sausage rolls as I possibly could.

[Annamariah]

My first paid (summer) job was as a baby sitter for two children, aged six and seven. I found the job advertisement on the web page Finnish Ministry of Labour, called the woman looking for a baby sitter and got the job because I lived so close to her, just a kilometre away. She wasn't really even interested in my background (though I told her I'd been a scout leader and a sunday school teacher and taken care of my little brothers, younger cousins and our family had had foster children, I think she still would have hired me even without all that just because it was the easiest solution). I was eighteen that summer, almost nineteen years old.

The next summer I worked in the Headquarters of the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard District. I was the one who opened doors, took care of the keys, used the acccess control system, answered the telephone, scanned bills, maintained the coffee machine, emptied the dishwasher, made sure the Commander and his guests had enough coffee and pulla (sweet bun), wrote some documents from a model and so on, all kinds of odd jobs. I also did some translation work, which was nice. I got this job because my father works in the Finnish Border Guard and as they just needed someone to do the job for a couple of months before they'd get someone there permamently. They didn't want to go through the process of reading hundreds of applications so they only told about the place for their own personnel thinking someone would have a child or a nephew/niece who could take the job. I got really lucky with that one.

Then my third job, one which I've been doing part time ever since is working in Helsinki city libraries, doing shifts when they need someone to stand in for people who are ill or on holiday. This is really my dream job, and I'm again lucky to be there with no education for the job. This I achieved myself: I spent my orientating period in working life (in comprehensive school each kid goes to some place to work without a salary for two weeks to get some experience about working life) in the local library when I was fifteen. I learned to use the computer system back then and when I was older, the manager of the library told me I could do part time work in libraries. I worked there for two days for free to freshen my memory about how everything works and then got signed up on Seure that provide part time workers for the cities of Helsinki metropolitan area. So far I've worked in seven different libraries, most often in three of them, the one where I started and two that are closest to where I live now. Those libraries call me directly if they need help. The work shifts come on a short notice, but it's nice because I can always decide myself whether I can and will work on that particular day or not. It's also good that I can do it even during the scool year.

My fourth and current job I started two weeks ago (though I'm not abandoning the library thing either, I'll try to do some shifts during the summer and more when the school starts again). I just finished the two-week training period and start "real work" on Tuesday. I work at a call centre where people can call to get contact information (phone numbers and addresses), car registration information, maps, directions, bus/train/flight schedules, or as pretty much anything in Finnish, Swedish or English. I found the job advertisement on the same Ministry of Labour website I got my first job from, filled an online application and a couple of days later they called me and asked me to a job interview. After the interview they called me the next day and told me I got the job.

In the job applications here you are supposed to list your job history, education and usually why you want this job and something about yourself and your hobbies. In the interview they want to see your letters of reference and diplomas (in my case the final report of upper secondary school and matriculation examination diploma). I think I got the job because of my good school reports and the fact that finding information is an essential part of working in a library or as a translator. Of course my great customer service attitude must have helped too :D I understand there was about 400 applicants for the job and 20 were chosen.

[Oniw17]

For my first job required me to complete 2 written tests; take the most garabage-like fitness test ever; have a physical and psychological exam done; and get a security clearance. Then, I had to try to make a deal with this hustler who was harder to trick than a crackhead. All this after drinking 5-10g of water a day for 9 days and staying up all night the night before.

[soundofmusic]

My first boss was my exgirlfriends dad... that is how I got the job.
That's interesting; was she your ex-girlfriend before or after you started the job; I would think it would be "sticky" if it was after. I worked with my ex-sister-in-law for a while (she had gotten me the job while I was married to her brother) She would hover over my desk when I made phone calls, time my lunch breaks; it was hell:frown5:


I worked in the family business for many years while growing up. After my parents sold up, I got my first 'real' job last summer, as a waiter in a rather pretentious restaurant. I gave my father as a reference, though with qualification. I handed the application form over in the morning, the boss phoned me at lunch, interviewed me in the afternoon, and offered me the job there and then, so I obviously did something right!
Was it really difficult working with someone else; you must have been almost your own boss in the family business. I worked for an internist who practically turned his schedule over to me; when I changed jobs to a younger gynecologist, I was always filling up his rooms the way I had done in the other office. Of course, I didn't quite take into consideration that he was much slower and the practice required a bit more sensitivity:cold:


My First First job was cleaning houses with my mom's friends aunt - no references required she had to take me.

My first real job I got through an internship in college. I worked three semesters while in school and when I graduated they asked me to come back full time.

To get my current job I had to jump through hoops. I did three phone interviews, 1 onsite interview with those same 3 people, and 1 interview at the airport with 2 other people. 1 personality test, 1 physical (alcohol and drug test included), they verified my degree, they contacted 4 of my personal references, and they checked my driving record and I'm pretty sure my credit score.

For this last job my references were 3 ex bosses and 1 consultant I worked with rather closely.

Why do you think your present job put its applicants through so much? What was the personality test like?
I don't think I'd get through the credit check:frown2:


I worked in our town's bakery in the ninth grade, and listed my friend Khyrsten as a reference. The bakery is a part of the grocery store, and the grocery store is where almost everyone in town gets thier first job. It was alright, I was fourteen so they only gave me $6.50/hour but I made up for it by eating as many doughnuts and sausage rolls as I possibly could.

That sounds like a pretty good deal to me! You probably have plenty of references from all the folks you sold doughnuts to. I worked in a doughnut shop for one week when I was 17; they paid me 1.90 an hour and people gave me 5 cent tips and sat at the counter for several cups of coffee. We had to clean, make the coffee and listen to the stories of the fellows who came in every day. I remember the plain donuts would get frosted the second day and sell for specialty donuts :drool5: I couldn't eat donuts for 3 years after that week!


My first paid (summer) job was as a baby sitter for two children, aged six and seven. I found the job advertisement on the web page Finnish Ministry of Labour, called the woman looking for a baby sitter and got the job because I lived so close to her, just a kilometre away. She wasn't really even interested in my background (though I told her I'd been a scout leader and a sunday school teacher and taken care of my little brothers, younger cousins and our family had had foster children, I think she still would have hired me even without all that just because it was the easiest solution). I was eighteen that summer, almost nineteen years old.

The next summer I worked in the Headquarters of the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard District. I was the one who opened doors, took care of the keys, used the acccess control system, answered the telephone, scanned bills, maintained the coffee machine, emptied the dishwasher, made sure the Commander and his guests had enough coffee and pulla (sweet bun), wrote some documents from a model and so on, all kinds of odd jobs. I also did some translation work, which was nice. I got this job because my father works in the Finnish Border Guard and as they just needed someone to do the job for a couple of months before they'd get someone there permamently. They didn't want to go through the process of reading hundreds of applications so they only told about the place for their own personnel thinking someone would have a child or a nephew/niece who could take the job. I got really lucky with that one.

Then my third job, one which I've been doing part time ever since is working in Helsinki city libraries, doing shifts when they need someone to stand in for people who are ill or on holiday. This is really my dream job, and I'm again lucky to be there with no education for the job. This I achieved myself: I spent my orientating period in working life (in comprehensive school each kid goes to some place to work without a salary for two weeks to get some experience about working life) in the local library when I was fifteen. I learned to use the computer system back then and when I was older, the manager of the library told me I could do part time work in libraries. I worked there for two days for free to freshen my memory about how everything works and then got signed up on Seure that provide part time workers for the cities of Helsinki metropolitan area. So far I've worked in seven different libraries, most often in three of them, the one where I started and two that are closest to where I live now. Those libraries call me directly if they need help. The work shifts come on a short notice, but it's nice because I can always decide myself whether I can and will work on that particular day or not. It's also good that I can do it even during the scool year.

My fourth and current job I started two weeks ago (though I'm not abandoning the library thing either, I'll try to do some shifts during the summer and more when the school starts again). I just finished the two-week training period and start "real work" on Tuesday. I work at a call centre where people can call to get contact information (phone numbers and addresses), car registration information, maps, directions, bus/train/flight schedules, or as pretty much anything in Finnish, Swedish or English. I found the job advertisement on the same Ministry of Labour website I got my first job from, filled an online application and a couple of days later they called me and asked me to a job interview. After the interview they called me the next day and told me I got the job.

In the job applications here you are supposed to list your job history, education and usually why you want this job and something about yourself and your hobbies. In the interview they want to see your letters of reference and diplomas (in my case the final report of upper secondary school and matriculation examination diploma). I think I got the job because of my good school reports and the fact that finding information is an essential part of working in a library or as a translator. Of course my great customer service attitude must have helped too :D I understand there was about 400 applicants for the job and 20 were chosen.

It seems that you have a great many job skills. Who do you primarily use as job references.


For my first job required me to complete 2 written tests; take the most garabage-like fitness test ever; have a physical and psychological exam done; and get a security clearance. Then, I had to try to make a deal with this hustler who was harder to trick than a crackhead. All this after drinking 5-10g of water a day for 9 days and staying up all night the night before.


Okay, you've got me going...are you like an undercover cop; enquiring minds want to know:skep:

[soundofmusic]

Right after I graduated nursing school, I met a nurse who worked at one of the top research hospitals in our area. She offered to put a good word in for me if I wanted to apply for a job.
It seemed like incredible luck; a person could go anywhere after working at this hospital. The nurse must have had clout; because I was pushed ahead of the many people who had applied for the job. It also seemed really easy, it was on the childrens floor and I would have only 6 patients (as opposed to the 8-10 I was accustomed to)
When HR told me how much money I would make my mouth flew open; until they explained: You don't have to pay for parking elsewhere, we provide it and take the cost out of your paycheck. You get a discount buying your uniforms at our store in the garage mall. We give you a lunch ticket everyday which saves you the cost of meals (which we take out of your salary).
By the time I figured what I actually made; it came to about half what they had quoted and I had a 25 mile drive each day.
During the physical, I saw their nurse practioner who made me remain naked and give her a urine sample while she watched...I can't even pee in a cup when no one is looking:cold: They gave me the 3rd degree when I had forgotten to tell them about some muscle relaxers I had taken several days before...I was really getting to feel like I was joining the 3rd Reich
The week orientation consisted of encouraging us that since we were a team; we should rat out anyone who seemed to have family problems, came late, seemed to be tired or blurry eyed. If we didn't; we could lose our jobs.
They said that our family was their family; and as such, they expected us to bring the family to all of the company picnics and holiday programs...which were mandatory.
They advised us to bring our family for physicals to the hospital so that they could monitor our families health. This also included family counseling services.

I was really feeling creepy; yet, anyone would die for a job that I was handed.
On my first day of work; the pope visited and the road to work was closed off...I thought, you know what...the heck with it...:biggrin5:

[dizzydoll]

Is This Crazy?
I got my first job walking into a pharmacy with a pair of daisy dukes and a halter top.

What have been your past and recent job experiences?

Good morning doll, you are so expressive... its music to my ears. My first job was in the Post Office in a very small one horse mining town and I was paid R107.00 which is the equilavent to $US10. a month. lol, gosh how the cost of living has gone up. :eek:

Anyway I couldnt wait to get out of that one horse town. Once I got into the city, well there was no looking back and then I moved from job to job. In those days it was not considered "good form" to jump from job to job -- but if the salary was higher was I gonna worry about societies views of my behaviour? Nope, even then I fully understood how capitalism worked. While young I worked two jobs, day and night in a club with live bands and we still drank after the bars closed but still I was bright and early to work the next day.

I dont know where I managed to find the energy for that lifestyle but I certainly made a lot of loot. Only trouble, at that time I only spent money on frivolities, like clothing from boutiques... but it was a lot of fun and life was a lot of learning. :coolgleamA:


Right after I graduated nursing school, I met a nurse who worked at one of the top research hospitals in our area. She offered to put a good word in for me if I wanted to apply for a job.
It seemed like incredible luck; a person could go anywhere after working at this hospital. The nurse must have had clout; because I was pushed ahead of the many people who had applied for the job. It also seemed really easy, it was on the childrens floor and I would have only 6 patients (as opposed to the 8-10 I was accustomed to)

Nothing is a coincidence this was the direction your life was supposed to lead you to.

[Niamh]

My first job was in an amusement hall in Bray giving out coin for notes. A friend of mine had a job in the casino and she got me it. Didnt even have a proper interview. Was 16 and earned £18 for the day. That was enough to get by as a 16 year old in Ireland 12 years ago! We werent so commercial then.

Current job i was called for an interview and at the end of the interview was given a card and told to contact them if i wanted the job. that was weird. and yes i did want it!

[Lokasenna]

Was it really difficult working with someone else; you must have been almost your own boss in the family business. I worked for an internist who practically turned his schedule over to me; when I changed jobs to a younger gynecologist, I was always filling up his rooms the way I had done in the other office. Of course, I didn't quite take into consideration that he was much slower and the practice required a bit more sensitivity:cold:


It was an interesting transition - I went from being a de facto manager of our shop to a lowly waiter. But actually, it was fine - I've always been of the opinion that if a job is worth doing, then it's worth doing well, and my new boss seemed to like my enthusiasm and commitment. When the summer ended, she actually asked me not to go back to university, and offered me a job as head waiter of the restaurant, but I (understandably) turned it down!

[Jesterhead]

[QUOTE=soundofmusic;898085]That's interesting; was she your ex-girlfriend before or after you started the job; I would think it would be "sticky" if it was after. I worked with my ex-sister-in-law for a while (she had gotten me the job while I was married to her brother) She would hover over my desk when I made phone calls, time my lunch breaks; it was hell:frown5:

She was my girlfriend while I started the job, so I was working for my father in law, the breakup wasn't that bad so we stayed friends, and I still see her from time to time. Her dad didn't treat me any differently after the break up, he was just as much a pain in the *** boss as he had always been. :P

That sounds awful that your sister in law would do that. Did she do it because you and her brother got divorced?

[Annamariah]

It seems that you have a great many job skills. Who do you primarily use as job references.

I've got letters of reference from the baby-sitting job, Coast Guard, and the library. It is mandatory for an employer to give you one when you quit the job. A letter of reference will either simply say that you have worked in this place for this amount of time doing these things. Then there can be a description about your character and working skills but ONLY if you aske for it or give them a permission to write that. So an employer cannot refuse to give you a letter of reference and cannot write that you are a lousy worker if you don't want them to. Your next boss can of course contact them should they wish and ask for more information, but that happens only rarely, as far as I know.

I have a description (a very positive one) about my character, attitude and working skills in the letters of reference from my first two jobs, the third one is just a list of all the dates I've worked in a library. A description would not be possible for that, as I've worked in several different libraries with so many different people, and the letter of reference comes simply from the company that has arranged me to go to all these places.

Apart from those I've got other letters of reference I've got for being a patrol leader in a scout troop and a sunday school teacher. That kind of things are useful in getting one's first jobs when one doesn't have much "real" work experience.

In the interview for my current job I had to first do a small test, in which I had to find some information in their database and the internet and they also tested my ability to typewrite quickly and my Swedish and English listening comprehension skills.

[papayahed]

Why do you think your present job put its applicants through so much? What was the personality test like?
I don't think I'd get through the credit check:frown2:


The HR stance is that it costs a lot to hire and train good people and all the prehire stuff is a tool to help the weeding out process.

The personality test was different from others I've taken. Most tests you kind of know the answers, right? Like "Do you give up easily?" - No of course. This one was too hard to cheat, It would list 5 scenarios and you had to choose the top two most agreeable and/or the top two least agreeable and it kept mixing and matching scenarios.

[OrphanPip]

My first sorta job was babysitting for people in the neighbourhood and family. My first real job was as an assistant at a veterinary clinic when I was 17. I started by handing out CVs simply asking for volunteer work, I got lucky one day when I walked into a place and I happened to come face to face with the owner/veterinarian and she offered me some volunteer work immediately. About a month later, they started paying me as an assistant: cleaning the cages, doing inventory, reception, and assisting in holding animals. Later on, I moved on to technician work, doing blood, stool, and urine analysis, which I learned on the job from the actual trained technicians.

Edit: I used neighbours I had house sited for as references.

[Niamh]

I never even thought of babysitting! I started Babysitting for my next door neighbours when i was 14! The mother ended up getting me my second job. :)

[soundofmusic]

Good morning doll, you are so expressive... its music to my ears. My first job was in the Post Office in a very small one horse mining town and I was paid R107.00 which is the equilavent to $US10. a month. lol, gosh how the cost of living has gone up. :eek:
Anyway I couldnt wait to get out of that one horse town. Once I got into the city, well there was no looking back and then I moved from job to job. In those days it was not considered "good form" to jump from job to job -- but if the salary was higher was I gonna worry about societies views of my behaviour?
I dont know where I managed to find the energy for that lifestyle but I certainly made a lot of loot. Only trouble, at that time I only spent money on frivolities, like clothing from boutiques...
Nothing is a coincidence this was the direction your life was supposed to lead you to.

Thank you, Dizzy; You are a breath of fresh air as well:wave: I've started to notice that practically every state in the US and other country (except 3rd world countries) pay more than Florida. They say nurses make a lot of money; not down here!
Yes, I recall the double standard: Jumping from job to job was bad; staying i a low paying job showed a lack of initiative.
I had a system with my first job, I banked half and spent half on boutique clothes...it was so exciting when I was a size 8 (ah, those were the days)
I don't think I've saved since.
You know, like Marlon Brando, "I could have been a contender" if I wasn't such a free spirit. I have always had this thing, I hate stupid rules and I really hate companies that try to get employees to rat on each other. You can't have an effective team if you're always tossing the weak link to the wolves; although, lately, alot of companies are full of weak links with only one or two efficient people.



Current job i was called for an interview and at the end of the interview was given a card and told to contact them if i wanted the job. that was weird. and yes i did want it!

That is strange. Did you tell them you had multiple offers? It seems like they thought you did! Do you like the job?


It was an interesting transition - I went from being a de facto manager of our shop to a lowly waiter. But actually, it was fine - I've always been of the opinion that if a job is worth doing, then it's worth doing well, and my new boss seemed to like my enthusiasm and commitment. When the summer ended, she actually asked me not to go back to university, and offered me a job as head waiter of the restaurant, but I (understandably) turned it down!

You have a wonderful attitude and are obviously quite adaptable. I'm glad you went back to university; I am sure there are greater things ahead for you!




I've got letters of reference from the baby-sitting job, Coast Guard, and the library. It is mandatory for an employer to give you one when you quit the job. A letter of reference will either simply say that you have worked in this place for this amount of time doing these things. Then there can be a description about your character and working skills but ONLY if you aske for it or give them a permission to write that. So an employer cannot refuse to give you a letter of reference and cannot write that you are a lousy worker if you don't want them to. Your next boss can of course contact them should they wish and ask for more information, but that happens only rarely, as far as I know.
Apart from those I've got other letters of reference I've got for being a patrol leader in a scout troop and a sunday school teacher. That kind of things are useful in getting one's first jobs when one doesn't have much "real" work experience.
In the interview for my current job I had to first do a small test, in which I had to find some information in their database and the internet and they also tested my ability to typewrite quickly and my Swedish and English listening comprehension skills.

That sounds like a great system! It is sometimes difficult to catch up with someone who can write a reference letter. Like in my case, I only see my patients families 2 or 3 times; The hospice business is really mindbreaking for people, so I have had 5 bosses in 10 years. I seldom come into the office; so they don't really know me.


The HR stance is that it costs a lot to hire and train good people and all the prehire stuff is a tool to help the weeding out process.
The personality test was different from others I've taken. Most tests you kind of know the answers, right? Like "Do you give up easily?" - No of course. This one was too hard to cheat, It would list 5 scenarios and you had to choose the top two most agreeable and/or the top two least agreeable and it kept mixing and matching scenarios.
That does make sense!
What kind of scenarios did it give you? I recall that my nursing professor was disappointed that I did not do a 100% on my licensing test; because I was always an A student. On the nursing exam, however, they gave multiple scenarios instead of straight out questions; the nurses who just took the most likely situation did very well. Unfortunately, I always "overthink"; consider all of the variables and it screwed me up!

[Oniw17]

Okay, you've got me going...are you like an undercover cop; enquiring minds want to know:skep:

Nah, I joined the Army.

[Annamariah]

I had to get a security clearance from the Finnish Security Police before I started in the Coast Guard :D

[soundofmusic]

My first sorta job was babysitting for people in the neighbourhood and family. My first real job was as an assistant at a veterinary clinic when I was 17. I started by handing out CVs simply asking for volunteer work, I got lucky one day when I walked into a place and I happened to come face to face with the owner/veterinarian and she offered me some volunteer work immediately. About a month later, they started paying me as an assistant: cleaning the cages, doing inventory, reception, and assisting in holding animals. Later on, I moved on to technician work, doing blood, stool, and urine analysis, which I learned on the job from the actual trained technicians.
Edit: I used neighbours I had house sited for as references.
That is amazing, Pip. I have heard, so often, of volunteer work leading to a job; but I never met anyone who had actually tried it. It seemed that you gained alot of useful skills...I can't even imagine what it must be like to try and get blood samples from an animal; It's hard enough when the patient doesn't bite.


Nah, I joined the Army.
I've noticed the fellows (that are just coming for health checks) a the VA look like they are in great condition; I guess the army is back to getting and keeping their men and women in good physical and mental condition. Do they still feed you tons of carbs?


I had to get a security clearance from the Finnish Security Police before I started in the Coast Guard :D
What does that entail?




She was my girlfriend while I started the job, so I was working for my father in law, the breakup wasn't that bad so we stayed friends, and I still see her from time to time. Her dad didn't treat me any differently after the break up, he was just as much a pain in the *** boss as he had always been. :P

That sounds awful that your sister in law would do that. Did she do it because you and her brother got divorced?

It sounds like you handled things well; do you think Dad was hoping she'd get you back?
Yeah, the whole sister-in-law thing was tough.
My husband's family didn't like that we were living below poverty level; he and I had only finshed high school before marrying and having our daughter. MY only experience was as a cashier; the sister was a buyer for the government war department. She introduced me to her boss; thinking I would be hired as a clerk and she wouldn't have to see me much. (The family always thought I was a little dull because I didn't go about quoting the great poets)
The boss thought I was brilliant and slick because he couldn't get me to drink during their 2am lunch breaks. He gave me an immediate promotion to finding all the background material and old schematics for the things the war department asked for; then finding all of the suppliers and costs. My sister-in-law seethed.
Eventually, I began avoiding the whole pretentious group; this made the boss even more curious. After all, I worked 11pm - 8 am and pulled a 24hour shift on Fridays.The boss thought I was going out for late lunches to meet spys and sell schematics; my sister-in-law thought I was cheating on her brother.
I was actually going to some of the nice all night restaurants on the beach, taking a walk, clearing my head, taking a drive and coming back to work.
She kept carrying back information of my phone calls and long lunches to my husband; he really didn't understand why I worked nights and why I couldn't do the work without the long lunch breaks (I got paid for my lunch breaks; but not if I left work after 5 hours).
He was sure I was cheating and he didn't like that I was making so much money, buying a new car, new clothes and hardly at home...eventually, the marriage fell apart.
I stayed at the company; but it was uncomfortable; it's funny, one weekend we had to destroy alot of files and my boss forced I and my sister-in-law to work together; we actually started talking and got along pretty well (at least at work) afer that.

[Niamh]

That is strange. Did you tell them you had multiple offers? It seems like they thought you did! Do you like the job?


Nope! Didnt mention a word. They also told me during the interview if i took the job they'd offer me a chance at temporary supervisor after four months, which they did. Two weeks later i was a nightpack supervisor and then the following April i was a fulltime supervisor. I'm one of two. I've been in this roll for four years now. I do like me job, its a bookstore, but sometimes the hours have a really bad effect on me. Right now i'm totally burnt out. luckily i've two weeks holidays coming up next weekend!

[blazeofglory]

It is really interesting to share some of the facts, the bitter and sweeter ones, of life through this post. I was a simpleton, not exactly it, but for want of a better term I used it. I was worse than what we call naïve and better than what we call naïve and a better word to average out is not available to me. Yes I had too many challenges to face and had a story of too many failures. When I appeared for an interview I was totally blank. I was not experienced or practical and did not know how the world would go. I had indeed some scholastic education and knew a few impractical and outdated quotes or proverbs inherited from my elders. I tried to present myself intelligently and learnedly indeed for I needed the job very badly as I had no one to back me up in life financially at least. I had no references or recommendations. The last option left to me was teaching and in fact I loved it, the job most were allergic to. I needed some money to support my financial needs for education and stuff my stomach with some food stuff. I answered most of the questions scholastically for I had learned things that were academically important and they liked my erudition and I was chose amongst the 100 applicants applying for a single vacant job in the school. I got excited and accepted the offer with a fairly better remuneration I could draw as a private tutor

[Annamariah]

What does that entail?

Just sending them an inquiry with my name and then they would check that there is no file about me saying I'm a spy, a criminal, or a terrorist, or have some suspicious connections. Basically a mere formality :)

[Sancho]

Networking baby, networking.
Every job worth a damn I ever got, I got because I knew somebody.

[dizzydoll]

Thank you, Dizzy; You are a breath of fresh air as well:wave: I've started to notice that practically every state in the US and other country (except 3rd world countries) pay more than Florida. They say nurses make a lot of money; not down here!
Yes, I recall the double standard: Jumping from job to job was bad; staying i a low paying job showed a lack of initiative.
I had a system with my first job, I banked half and spent half on boutique clothes...it was so exciting when I was a size 8 (ah, those were the days)
I don't think I've saved since.
You know, like Marlon Brando, "I could have been a contender" if I wasn't such a free spirit. I have always had this thing, I hate stupid rules and I really hate companies that try to get employees to rat on each other. You can't have an effective team if you're always tossing the weak link to the wolves; although, lately, alot of companies are full of weak links with only one or two efficient people.

Actually doll, I love getting older. Too much stuff happening when you young, too many people, too many hormones getting in the way. I prefer it now, its comfortable, I dont have guys looking at my boobs when they speak to me anymore. lol. I cant stand men who undress us with their eyes, dont you agree? Remember those days, every single girl is faced with that sh*t. And then you have those who expose themselves... you know, dickhead, did that ever happen to you? I used to freeze, my friends would scream and run. And then there are the breathers, who phone and just breathe deeply into the phone... theres a lot of bloody crazies out there.

Nah, its far better these days. No more of that sh*t.

I might add, while on the subject of money tho. That 10.US$ which was my first monthly salary, [or ZAR.107 in South Africa] went a lot further than your ten dollars did, back then and still today we can buy far more with 10.$US than you can.

But I see capitalism and how it works, for example: I was in New York last September, 2009 iow, and had to buy some beach sandals cos my feet got swollen on the flight and I got blisters.. anyway I buy these beach sandals for 20.$US [like our ZAR.200] and when I get home I find the exact same pair for 2.$US, thats correct 2.US$. They come from China, they cost ZAR.20 here. Capitalism swallows the 18.$US.

And here is a thing, there is no use whining about it. We better just prepare for our cost of living to continue to soar. We have to learn to think smart from now on when preparing financially for the future. If we can earn a living using automation in some way, free of paying labour, that is the most ideal way to earn income leaving you free to pursue other interests. We are going to have to learn to be Jack's of all Trades' I am afraid -- but it should be a gas. I've got some ideas. One really good idea which is ready to go, I think, but I dont feel like dealing with the computer programmer. People who write software have got real bad attitudes. I'll see tho, I might have to deal with him, I'm expecting a bill so we'll take it from there.

Got to go, nice chatting to you.... as always

[soundofmusic]

Nope! Didnt mention a word. They also told me during the interview if i took the job they'd offer me a chance at temporary supervisor after four months, which they did. Two weeks later i was a nightpack supervisor and then the following April i was a fulltime supervisor. I'm one of two. I've been in this roll for four years now. I do like me job, its a bookstore, but sometimes the hours have a really bad effect on me. Right now i'm totally burnt out. luckily i've two weeks holidays coming up next weekend!

Sounds like you took them by storm! I worked night shift, myself, many years; but it really does take its toll. I think one reason is because we try to do too much after work and get by on just a few hours sleep.


Just sending them an inquiry with my name and then they would check that there is no file about me saying I'm a spy, a criminal, or a terrorist, or have some suspicious connections. Basically a mere formality :)
Nowadays they make us pay for a background check; but the crazy thing is that each place does its own check. It seems to me you could just get a card that would cover you with a state file.


It is really interesting to share some of the facts, the bitter and sweeter ones, of life through this post. I was a simpleton, not exactly it, but for want of a better term I used it. I was worse than what we call naïve and better than what we call naïve and a better word to average out is not available to me. Yes I had too many challenges to face and had a story of too many failures. When I appeared for an interview I was totally blank.
That is what often drove me mad. I would get all of my information together; but on the interview, I was often at a loss if they asked a question I wasn't expecting. On one job that my professor had pushed to get me, the dean asked how I would communicate with a child who did not speak English and was sick. I told him I would check his files, check with his friends and do a physical check; but most times, a person can tell by the persons nonverbal signs what the problem was...It was apparently the wrong answer!


Networking baby, networking.
Every job worth a damn I ever got, I got because I knew somebody.

That used to work for me too; but everyone I know now is dead:frown2: I've been thinking of giving the address and phone number of the cemetary:smilielol5:

Actually doll, I love getting older. Too much stuff happening when you young, too many people, too many hormones getting in the way. I prefer it now, its comfortable, I dont have guys looking at my boobs when they speak to me anymore. lol. I cant stand men who undress us with their eyes, dont you agree? Remember those days, every single girl is faced with that sh*t. And then you have those who expose themselves... you know, dickhead, did that ever happen to you? I used to freeze, my friends would scream and run. And then there are the breathers, who phone and just breathe deeply into the phone... theres a lot of bloody crazies out there.

Nah, its far better these days. No more of that sh*t.

I might add, while on the subject of money tho. That 10.US$ which was my first monthly salary, [or ZAR.107 in South Africa] went a lot further than your ten dollars did, back then and still today we can buy far more with 10.$US than you can.

But I see capitalism and how it works, for example: I was in New York last September, 2009 iow, and had to buy some beach sandals cos my feet got swollen on the flight and I got blisters.. anyway I buy these beach sandals for 20.$US [like our ZAR.200] and when I get home I find the exact same pair for 2.$US, thats correct 2.US$. They come from China, they cost ZAR.20 here. Capitalism swallows the 18.$US.

And here is a thing, there is no use whining about it. We better just prepare for our cost of living to continue to soar. We have to learn to think smart from now on when preparing financially for the future. If we can earn a living using automation in some way, free of paying labour, that is the most ideal way to earn income leaving you free to pursue other interests. We are going to have to learn to be Jack's of all Trades' I am afraid -- but it should be a gas. I've got some ideas. One really good idea which is ready to go, I think, but I dont feel like dealing with the computer programmer. People who write software have got real bad attitudes. I'll see tho, I might have to deal with him, I'm expecting a bill so we'll take it from there.

Got to go, nice chatting to you.... as always

Alot of my friends are going back to school; I've had to put it in perspective. At 55, I am not sure that even with a higher degree and current health issues; I can compete with a younger person with the same degree.

Costs are crazy, and it seems that even young university students are having to take jobs that are way below their training and can't pay their rent.
South florida is really terrible; but in my day, a person was able to buy a home when they were young and while my friends were buying homes with swimming pools; I stayed next to the crackhouses...so I can, at least, afford my taxes.

I had alot of bosses make verbal passes at me, one was a woman. Patients sometimes grabbed my bottom; my first nursing instructor told us to do a "quick flick"...works every time:smilielol5:

[dizzydoll]

Yes those were the days... I love the word BOTTOM. I've still got a pretty good bottom. hehe.

Actually its time for practicality now, what good is a higher education if you cant pay your bills when you are 70. Nobody is hiring 70 year olds. Has everyone forgotten, this is were we are heading, and we will live much longer than any generation before us.

We've got to get smart, all the degrees in the world wont help you later, instead it will leave you little choice but to live off others. I am not saying dont get the education but one has to prioritize what comes first. Thinking smart comes first.

You are lucky you're in the medical field, there are ways for you to earn a living right till the day you die. But what of those who focus more on abstracts instead, it wont help them in the least.

I know older people would sooner push thoughts like this aside, preferring denial instead so this comment will do nothing for them but perhaps the youth will see the value I speak of. Hopefully. :biggrin5:

[soundofmusic]

Yes those were the days... I love the word BOTTOM. I've still got a pretty good bottom. hehe.

Actually its time for practicality now, what good is a higher education if you cant pay your bills when you are 70. Nobody is hiring 70 year olds.

We've got to get smart, all the degrees in the world wont help you later, instead it will leave you little choice but to live off others.

You are lucky you're in the medical field,

Okay, before we move on to the practical; let's all here it for bumms :ciappa:

I think this may have been the reason our parents pushed for early marriage, home ownership and savings.

My brother, age 62, felt very secure in his job at General Motors; so secure that he and his wife continued to "move up" in the world by buying a new home just 10 years ago. I told him, "Good for you; but aren't you just alittle nervous about having a mortgage until you're 82" Of course, there were 2 problems; big corps like GM push their oldsters out with retirement packs and GM started to go into bankruptcy.

While I've always said that a person should do what they love; they need a solid backup. There are always jobs in the medical field that even a 70yo can get.

Oddly enough, from what I see daily, that edge of living longer is beginning to reverse. I used to always see 90 yo; now, the vast majority of my patients are between 57-72. The cancers and viruses are quickly taking care of the population problem!

[dizzydoll]

Oddly enough, from what I see daily, that edge of living longer is beginning to reverse. I used to always see 90 yo; now, the vast majority of my patients are between 57-72. The cancers and viruses are quickly taking care of the population problem!

Well that is good to know, I dont want to live to 100 or even 90 for that matter. I dont do physicals, if I have a problem that's gonna kill me, let it be done.. thats my philosophy. I dont take pills, never have and even tho I have this pinched nerve now I took myself off the meds except those who build up the bone, altho the pharmacist said I should go back on those pain killers. Apart from that, I never see a doc.

[Niamh]

Just sending them an inquiry with my name and then they would check that there is no file about me saying I'm a spy, a criminal, or a terrorist, or have some suspicious connections. Basically a mere formality :)

I had to get a ten year backround check done before i could work airside in The Airport. My clearance just expired so i had to fill out forms again. :rolleyes: Five year check.

[soundofmusic]

Well that is good to know, I dont want to live to 100 or even 90 for that matter. I dont do physicals, if I have a problem that's gonna kill me, let it be done.. thats my philosophy. I dont take pills, never have and even tho I have this pinched nerve now I took myself off the meds except those who build up the bone, altho the pharmacist said I should go back on those pain killers. Apart from that, I never see a doc.

I have a theory that if you want to die early, visit the doctor as often as possible. I try to treat myself for everything until it really gets out of hand; I've just seen too many botched surgeries and deathly viruses caught while getting treated at the hospital...



I had to get a ten year backround check done before i could work airside in The Airport. My clearance just expired so i had to fill out forms again. :rolleyes: Five year check.

I didn't realize they keep checking people out; though I guess it's a good thing.
I get crazy, every year I have to do the same domestic violence, medical errors, and aids information; even though nothing changes. They want us to get injections and tests every once in a while; but I'm allergic to the vaccines; so I have to just hope no ones contagious. I spend about 3 months every year out of work from the junk I catch from patients.

[ClaesGefvenberg]

What have been your past and recent job experiences?I agree that things are more complicated nowadays than they used to be: I applied for and got my first job in the late70's via an ad in the paper towards the closing days of my military service. No references were involved, I just waltzed in, discussed it for a while with the boss and got the job... So far so good? Yes, I suppose so, but then I think I set some kind of record:

I left the service on a Friday, went home and started the job after the weekend. Then, out of the blue (I was new of course, but nobody, and I mean nobody had any idea it was coming) the entire workforce was called to a meeting on Wednesday the same week and told that the plant was to be closed down! :willy_nilly::ack2::piggy::incazzato::prrr:

In the end it was not closed down: Some bloke bought it cheap, booted half the workforce (but not me, the newbie) and kept it going for a few years more, until it really went bust. I stayed on for a while before moving on and soon realized that the place was totally out of control. As a result of this somewhat unorthodox start of my working life, I ended up in the Quality Assurance business, after learning just about everything there is to know about how not to run a business.

/Claes

[soundofmusic]

I agree that things are more complicated nowadays than they used to be: I applied for and got my first job in the late70's via an ad in the paper towards the closing days of my military service. No references were involved, I just waltzed in, discussed it for a while with the boss and got the job... So far so good? Yes, I suppose so, but then I think I set some kind of record:

I left the service on a Friday, went home and started the job after the weekend. Then, out of the blue (I was new of course, but nobody, and I mean nobody had any idea it was coming) the entire workforce was called to a meeting on Wednesday the same week and told that the plant was to be closed down! :willy_nilly::ack2::piggy::incazzato::prrr:

In the end it was not closed down: Some bloke bought it cheap, booted half the workforce (but not me, the newbie) and kept it going for a few years more, until it really went bust. I stayed on for a while before moving on and soon realized that the place was totally out of control. As a result of this somewhat unorthodox start of my working life, I ended up in the Quality Assurance business, after learning just about everything there is to know about how not to run a business.

/Claes

You are one of the few people who can learn from others mistakes and make it pay!:thumbsup:
So many times when a new regime takes over, it boots out all of the old staff. Sometimes they just don't want to pay the higher salaries; I think, most of the time, it is easier to teach new employees your way of doing things than trying to retrain old employees.

It reminds me of a job I got through an old contact after the defense company I had worked for went belly up. I thought it was a windfall: the fellow offered me a huge salary, my own office (creepy, surrounded by glass with no sound from the outside and a little buzzer to let people in). This place had just merged with a japanese company. It wasn't too long before I realized my old contact was stealing schematics from the Japanese, selling them to American companies, and I was only there to train my replacement; in 3 months I was jobless and it wasn't easy to convince the unemployment dept of my "spy" story and get compensation:skep:

[ClaesGefvenberg]

You are one of the few people who can learn from others mistakes and make it pay!:thumbsup:True enough. That is in fact exactly what I try to do. Mind you, I make enough mistakes of my own to be able to write a book about them. Most of us do, of course.... Mistakes, I mean. We are just too embarrassed to put them in a book, that's all. :lol:

/Claes

[soundofmusic]

True enough. That is in fact exactly what I try to do. Mind you, I make enough mistakes of my own to be able to write a book about them. Most of us do, of course.... Mistakes, I mean. We are just too embarrassed to put them in a book, that's all. :lol:

/Claes

I sometimes wish there were books on jobs, marriages, relationships, etc that listed mistakes and how to overcome them. I buy all of the "for dummies" books!

[ennison]

I walked on to a construction site (a pier) dodging cranes and various moving machines, found a foreman (working for Tawse), asked for a job and was told to start then and there.

[ADRIAN0628]

I walked on to a construction site (a pier) dodging cranes and various moving machines, found a foreman (working for Tawse), asked for a job and was told to start then and there.

Lol and what happened?

[soundofmusic]

I walked on to a construction site (a pier) dodging cranes and various moving machines, found a foreman (working for Tawse), asked for a job and was told to start then and there.

You must have looked like you knew what to do. Did they ask for references and paperwork later? What did you wear when you went to the site?

I recently spoke with a blockbuster manager who told me that he couldn't find appropriate male employees. He said they often came in wearing T shirts and shorts; he thought they should be wearing office clothes.
When I was young, I was told that no matter the job, you do your first interview in office clothes. My daughter recently took a course where they said that the clothing should parallel the job you are going to do.
What do you think?

[ennison]

What happened? I made some dosh and mastered the rudiments of steelfixing. I wasn't always so fortunate. Once a few years later on an oil rig construction site a Polish foreman about five feet cubed looked me up and down and said "I dohnt emplohy girrllz" I had very long hair.

[papayahed]

IWhen I was young, I was told that no matter the job, you do your first interview in office clothes. My daughter recently took a course where they said that the clothing should parallel the job you are going to do.
What do you think?

I think you should dress to parallel the job. In school they pounded into us to dress well for every job interview. My first interview for a co-op position at a refinery I wore a very cute suit. Which was a bad bad idea. The interviewer told me they don't dress up at work. I did not get that job. Of course my field isn't exactly known for high fashion.

[soundofmusic]

What happened? I made some dosh and mastered the rudiments of steelfixing. I wasn't always so fortunate. Once a few years later on an oil rig construction site a Polish foreman about five feet cubed looked me up and down and said "I dohnt emplohy girrllz" I had very long hair.

:lol:Did you look for a job that accepted long hair or get a haircut?


I think you should dress to parallel the job. In school they pounded into us to dress well for every job interview. My first interview for a co-op position at a refinery I wore a very cute suit. Which was a bad bad idea. The interviewer told me they don't dress up at work. I did not get that job. Of course my field isn't exactly known for high fashion.

I think you are right. After my first job, I began dressing up when applying for a job. I found I did a little better with a plain blouse (rather than the frilly type I like) and a skirt, stockings and heels.
I notice alot of nurses wear scrubs when they apply for jobs; I think I'd feel wierd though.

[ennison]

Nah I saw a mini-bus dropping men off in the hole. The driver was a fellow I knew so I went to him and he pointed me up to the Howard Doris offices where I went and got taken on chaining for their engineers. Loadsadosh! Had the pleasure of later telling the Pole that if he kept sending men down the rockface without safety harnesses he'd be off the site. He was very thick, childish, good at his job and tough as nails. He took it on board.

[soundofmusic]

Nah I saw a mini-bus dropping men off in the hole. The driver was a fellow I knew so I went to him and he pointed me up to the Howard Doris offices where I went and got taken on chaining for their engineers. Loadsadosh! Had the pleasure of later telling the Pole that if he kept sending men down the rockface without safety harnesses he'd be off the site. He was very thick, childish, good at his job and tough as nails. He took it on board.

Did you become his boss, then? I guess he didn,t call you a girl again!

[ennison]

No not his boss but an employee of the main contractor. He worked for R J's if I remember rightly. They were subbies on site at that stage but the Howard Dorris engineers were essentially in charge

[dafydd manton]

My first job was as a delivery driver for a grotty little company making gaskets in the grotty part of Sheffield, in itself at the time, a fairly grotty city. I had to carry loads of asbestos and neoprene, which stunk like a dead camel, and got to go to lots of exciting places with large chimneys. Talk about dark satanic mills. I don't think I saw the sky for one week, just industrial haze. I got the job because my Mum was the Company Secretary, and I only need the job for a short while prior to going in to the Royal Air Force as a Wireless Operator. Later finished up working in Russian and German - a bit of a contrast! When I left the RAF after 15 years, I wanted to do something with no pressure, so went and drove buses for a years sabbatical. Stretched to 10 years.

[soundofmusic]

No not his boss but an employee of the main contractor. He worked for R J's if I remember rightly. They were subbies on site at that stage but the Howard Dorris engineers were essentially in charge

Well, then you were close to king:cornut:

My first job was as a delivery driver for a grotty little company making gaskets in the grotty part of Sheffield, in itself at the time, a fairly grotty city. I had to carry loads of asbestos and neoprene, which stunk like a dead camel, and got to go to lots of exciting places with large chimneys. Talk about dark satanic mills. I don't think I saw the sky for one week, just industrial haze. I got the job because my Mum was the Company Secretary, and I only need the job for a short while prior to going in to the Royal Air Force as a Wireless Operator. Later finished up working in Russian and German - a bit of a contrast! When I left the RAF after 15 years, I wanted to do something with no pressure, so went and drove buses for a years sabbatical. Stretched to 10 years.

God, those first years sound awful! Wasn't it difficult making a change after the RAF; I find guys here have a hard time readjusting from the service to regular work world?
I wouldn't think driving busses would be a no pressure job; whenever I have been in England, the drivers (even the bikers) are really serious about getting where they're going.

[Niamh]

My first job was as a delivery driver for a grotty little company making gaskets in the grotty part of Sheffield, in itself at the time, a fairly grotty city. I had to carry loads of asbestos and neoprene, which stunk like a dead camel, and got to go to lots of exciting places with large chimneys. Talk about dark satanic mills. I don't think I saw the sky for one week, just industrial haze. I got the job because my Mum was the Company Secretary, and I only need the job for a short while prior to going in to the Royal Air Force as a Wireless Operator. Later finished up working in Russian and German - a bit of a contrast! When I left the RAF after 15 years, I wanted to do something with no pressure, so went and drove buses for a years sabbatical. Stretched to 10 years.

I hope that lugging around the asbestos hasnt given you any long term ailments. My uncle did a couple of construction and engineering works in a Asbestos mine in BC, Canada decades ago and he has the cancer of the lungs caused by it. :( Nasty stuff that.
I find some bus drivers are hillarious... Well in Dublin anyway (although the Welsh are just as funny...)

[soundofmusic]

I hope that lugging around the asbestos hasnt given you any long term ailments. My uncle did a couple of construction and engineering works in a Asbestos mine in BC, Canada decades ago and he has the cancer of the lungs caused by it. :( Nasty stuff that.
I find some bus drivers are hillarious... Well in Dublin anyway (although the Welsh are just as funny...)

It's interesting, most of the patients I've had with lung cancer were not smokers; they either used coal fires as kids or worked in jobs where they inhaled plaster and paint fumes all day. Of course, now, anyone who gets Asbestos cancer can sue.
I remember the bus drivers in England were great fellows; in Florida, they aren't a happy group:incazzato: