Quote: from maxxie at 10:15 am on July 5, 2008
You have to settle for a ''shit'' job untill you find a ''good'' job. That's life, you better get used to it. 
That's usually the case.
First, all that stuff in the past- forget about why this one didn't work out or that one wasn't worth it. Your future employers don't care about why. YOu don't need to carry that around with you because it won't help you.
You may have to settle for a joe-job and stick with it until you can get a better paying or better located job. It's much easier to find a job when you already have one. It's a good answer for instance that you needed a job closer to you, but when hiring,(when it happens) they may still choose someone who has a bit of experience and still lives furher away. They don't care where you live as long as you show up on time.
Whne you get a joe-job, do it cheerfully and well, even if you don't feel that wy inside. WHy? You wnat them as a reference and a manager can sink or float yoru next job with a comment.
I hire 4- 6 students a year under a co-op program so I interview about 120 college students a year. Frankly msot of them coudl do the job because it's not that hard. I look for peopel that are freindly and enthusiastic. I can spot BS a mile away (recognising that everyone "pads" their experience and qualifications a bit at that age), so be straight and honest. That means you say that "I found the extra time to get to work when I worked across town took too much from my time at school and home.", not " I didn't like working so far away". What's the difference, even though I said above that an employer doesn't care where you live? It's the attitude: The extra time took you away form something positive like school and home, vs, you just didn't like it.
Let's say you want a Lowes job in the electrical area. Buy a book of your local electrical codes (simplified- Lowes probably sells one) Or borrow for the public library. learn what you can from it so you can talk to - even ask to talk to the electrical Dept manager. Or go up to the Lowes for 2 hours once a week and hang around different depts, talk to the staff (try to choose a non-busy time of week/day) ...ask their names, get to know them and what they do/sell. "Networking" even works with joe-jobs. In fact, most jobs are gotten- or at least gotten access to - because of who , not what, you know.
In the meantime, do summer jobs around your neighbourhood for a bit of money but also to build up references. Join at least one volunteer group. Whne I interview I seldom bother with how good their grades are (because I work at a University, those get included) but I want to know the kind of person I'll be working with the next while. Personality is good, they get involved in their community (volunteerism) and they like to do certain sports or hobbies.
I hope some of this is helpful. Keep trying, but don't let what you see as failure to keep your spirits down- that shows up too in an interview.Keep your hair clean and combed and wear good clothes. Why? You will potentially be representing that company to all their customers and the employer wants you to represent them well. And that brings me to my last point I guess. Employment is a two way street- yes, it's important for you to have a job for yoru sake. Employers know that of course but don't care as much as the other "side of the street"...the most important thing for them is "What can YOU do for THEM?"
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A Parent, old geezer, and occasionally right. Good judgment comes from bad
experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
Patron
