Poll of the Day > Trying to get your first job kinda sucks

(+) Yeah! (+)

I need experience to get a job
But I need a job to get experience

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/9/1/5/AAGkrsAABlyT.jpg

Yeah, that's why I did a vocational degree. Was able to get a job without an interview or experience.

My first job was at coldstone making 5.91$ an hour. I had to work 20 hours for 100$

My first job was picking up floor tiles at a hockey rink.

"I need experience to get a job"
"But I need a job to get experience"

Well that's always been an issue because you can't get one without the other.

you can ask ol' tutoria for a reference if you like

trying to get any job sucks. Youre signing away your soul!

This sounds like a problem for nepotism-man

TC, let me teach you an important life lesson

Lie.

The most powerful people in the world do it. And no harm usually comes to them.

Flappers posted...

I need experience to get a job
But I need a job to get experience

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/9/1/5/AAGkrsAABlyT.jpg

Most jobs are only "experience preferred" so if nobody else is applying you have a decent chance.

Oh yeah definitely apply for jobs you're "unqualified" for.

Even with experience finding work can be a pain in the arse.

I delivered prescriptions/took out the garbage for a pharmacy. Also worked at McDonald's for a couple of years.

My first job was doing odd jobs at my grandfather's business. Worked that for 10 years until I was legal to work a real job (16).

It doesn't help that I'm 22 years old. I feel like people take one look at that on my applications and freak out because I have no experience for my age. What if they think I'm lazy or stupid? The truth is that Autism spectrum, a major spinal surgery at 13, and severe panic disorder set me back a fuck-ton.

My only reference is the wildlife rehabilitation clinic I've volunteered at for 4 years so far. But I feel like that should be a pretty good reference, right? I literally clean animal shit with a paint-scraper at freezing weather and pick up leftover carcasses that have been ripped apart by eagles -- and if I do that for free imagine what I'll do for pay lol

Flappers posted...

My only reference is the wildlife rehabilitation clinic I've volunteered at for 4 years so far. But I feel like that should be a pretty good reference, right? I literally clean animal shit with a paint-scraper at freezing weather and pick up leftover carcasses that have been ripped apart by eagles -- and if I do that for free imagine what I'll do for pay lol

This counts. You have transferable skills.

Flappers posted...

It doesn't help that I'm 22 years old. I feel like people take one look at that on my applications and freak out because I have no experience for my age. What if they think I'm lazy or stupid? The truth is that Autism spectrum, a major spinal surgery at 13, and severe panic disorder set me back a fuck-ton.

My only reference is the wildlife rehabilitation clinic I've volunteered at for 4 years so far. But I feel like that should be a pretty good reference, right? I literally clean animal shit with a paint-scraper at freezing weather and pick up leftover carcasses that have been ripped apart by eagles -- and if I do that for free imagine what I'll do for pay lol

That's a good reference!

That sounds tough. I have a few friends that didn't get jobs until around then though - don't worry, you can do it.

I know they suck, but there's almost always jobs at big chain stores and fast food. Those really open up what you can apply to once you put in a year or two. Ever thought about a nursery? Even one of those ones in a parking lot of a big box store?

Maybe it's the layout of your resume. There are a lot of faux paus that cause managers to ignore certain resumes. There are also a lot of common misconceptions that folks spread!

ReturnOfFa posted...

Maybe it's the layout of your resume. There are a lot of faux paus that cause managers to ignore certain resumes. There are also a lot of common misconceptions that folks spread!

It's that all applications now are done 100% online, which is great on one hand, but on the other it means that you don't get the chance to talk to an actual person who can perceive how bright you are. You just submit your application and it probably gets lost in a sea of useless information after a bot skims it. You'll never hear back from then to even know if they saw it...

My mom at one point literally wrote resumes for a living, so she's helping me a lot, and I doubt the problem is related to that. It's just the world we live in, you know?

Apply anyways. That put that sort of shit on there to weed out the easily discouraged.

It works as made evident by this topic.

Notschmendrake posted...

Apply anyways. That put that sort of shit on there to weed out the easily discouraged.

It works as made evident by this topic.

Yeah, I put through like 7 applications the other day.

Flappers posted...

It's that all applications now are done 100% online, which is great on one hand, but on the other it means that you don't get the chance to talk to an actual person who can perceive how bright you are. You just submit your application and it probably gets lost in a sea of useless information after a bot skims it. You'll never hear back from then to even know if they saw it...

My mom at one point literally wrote resumes for a living, so she's helping me a lot, and I doubt the problem is related to that. It's just the world we live in, you know?

That's nice that you trust your mum, but I'd be happy to take a look at it as well if you're open to it.

What kind of job are you looking for exactly? I'd recommend going through a temp agency if you just want to build some experience.

That's what nepotism is for.

Took me like 2 years of looking for a job to finally get one, granted those 2 years were 16-17 but I haven't had a problem finding a job since

Isn't it illegal for them to ask your age? Are you putting it on your resume? Or are you just assuming they can tell you're 22 by piecing together other info?

You should avoid giving away your age as much as possible but I think you're overthinking that part anyway

I hear in some Asian countries you need to include a photo of yourself with your resume

Flappers posted...

Yeah, I put through like 7 applications the other day.

Be sure to follow up

Get a retail job

Getting my first job was easy.

I washed dishes when I was 14. Probably not legal now - but it was what it was.

JOExHIGASHI posted...

Get a retail job

Oh, fuck no.

CoorsLight posted...

Isn't it illegal for them to ask your age? Are you putting it on your resume? Or are you just assuming they can tell you're 22 by piecing together other info?

You should avoid giving away your age as much as possible but I think you're overthinking that part anyway

I would think age is pretty important when it comes to getting a job...

And yeah, overthinking is what I do.

Yeah it does suck and it breaks your spirit as well.

And it's especially hard if you're afraid of making contact with complete strangers.

Flappers posted...

Oh, fuck no.

You're not going to get hired at a real job with no credentials.

Blightzkrieg posted...

Oh yeah definitely apply for jobs you're "unqualified" for.

??? Entry level positions in IT frequently ask for 4-6 years of experience. (Might be different now?)

Flappers posted...

Oh, fuck no.

Retail, food service, and hospitality fields are dying for employees. Pulse is about the only requirement currently, and some are probably flexible on that.

If you think you are too good to work one of these jobs, there is your problem with finding a job.

ultra magnus13 posted...

Retail, food service, and hospitality fields are dying for employees. Pulse is about the only requirement currently, and some are probably flexible on that.

If you think you are too good to work one of these jobs, there is your problem with finding a job.

Bro, I mentioned that I have panic disorder pretty severely. I seriously had a panic attack over laundry one time.

Food service jobs are extremely busy, the kitchen is hectic, there's a lot of stress. It isn't that I'm trying to be picky or think that I'm too good for it. Rather, I don't think I would stay healthy for long in such an environment. I'd be better at putting things together in a warehouse or even scraping up roadkill than I would be as a waitress.

Revelation34 posted...

You're not going to get hired at a real job with no credentials.

That's the problem, though.

Like I said, I need experience to get a job, but I need a job to get experience.
It's ass-backwards.

Flappers posted...

That's the problem, though.

Like I said, I need experience to get a job, but I need a job to get experience.
It's ass-backwards.

It really isn't.

This is the problem with kids who go through high school and/or college without a job. People stress focusing on school, but without work skills and a work history - your schooling means squat.

By the time I graduated college, I already had 8 years of working experience.

11110111011 posted...

This is the problem with kids who go through high school and/or college without a job. People stress focusing on school, but without work skills and a work history - your schooling means squat.

By the time I graduated college, I already had 8 years of working experience.

Well, good for you lol

But what works for you may not work for others, and it's a different world from what it was when you were in high-school. Finding a job is hard even if there are a lot of places hiring. It's a real struggle. And it isn't because people are just lazy or don't try hard enough.

Plus there are those, like me, whose physical and mental health did not allow them to get a job as early as you did. That isn't them being stupid kids. I do believe it is better to find experience before education, lots of people make it all the way through college and even with that can't get a job in their field because they have no actual work experience -- but not everybody has the same opportunities as others and people need to understand that.

Sorry bro but you're sounding kind of like a boomer here :0

Flappers posted...

Bro, I mentioned that I have panic disorder pretty severely. I seriously had a panic attack over laundry one time.

Food service jobs are extremely busy, the kitchen is hectic, there's a lot of stress. It isn't that I'm trying to be picky or think that I'm too good for it. Rather, I don't think I would stay healthy for long in such an environment. I'd be better at putting things together in a warehouse or even scraping up roadkill than I would be as a waitress.

"Retail" can mean anything. There are plenty of stocking jobs that don't require dealing with customers.

Flappers posted...

Food service jobs are extremely busy, the kitchen is hectic, there's a lot of stress.

So work at Hardee's

I'm sorry, but if you're not prepared to deal with food service or retail, then you won't be prepared for anything ever.

There are more 'mellow' positions, even in these environments - especially retail. But you have to realize that the negative experiences of retail will occur in literally every other job in your life. You will have to deal with a certain amount of idiots, every single day. It may seem especially frustrating and inconsequential when someone is complaining about their burger, but you will experience people complaining about things (customers and coworkers) that make no sense no matter how 'important' of a job you have.

There are plenty of low-key retail jobs. A large store is actually great for avoiding people, ha!

As for kitchen work, dishwashing is a little separated from the stress of customers and actually making the food that people will complain about. I got paid well as a dishwasher, especially where you got a share of the tips.

I also deal with major depression and anxiety, and work does not help. You still need to learn to let the garbage from work 'slide off' your back somewhat more.

You sound like a boomer too, exactly like my mom. "I can't do this job because this and that!".

I sympathize with how stressful work is. I have had difficult conversations with managers regarding how I'm being treated, and have had those conversations go successfully, or not. I have had people 'change their ways' and communicate with me more respectfully, creating a better work environment. I have also had terrible experiences where I had to stand up for myself, and had abusive employees fired.

Apply at bookstores or something if you want low-stress.

Honestly even lots of fast-food services these days are lower-stress compared to McDonalds etc. Apply at smoothie places.

There are tons of places that need no experience presently hiring.

I also recommend landscaping if you're more into outdoors stuff. I found it waaayyy less stressful than other jobs I've had. Landscaping can involve some more heavy lifting, so if that isn't your thing, lawn-care is a lot more chill. If you can't mow a lawn or weed a garden though, you're screwed.

Do you put your school accomplishments/experiences on your resume? At present, you should be.

Metalsonic66 posted...

So work at Hardee's

I can't tell if this is a joke or not.

ReturnOfFa posted...

You sound like a boomer too, exactly like my mom. "I can't do this job because this and that!".

Apply at bookstores or something if you want low-stress.

I AM applying at lower stress jobs.
There's a difference between being a little bitch and knowing my limits. I know what I can and cannot do.

ReturnOfFa posted...

I'm sorry, but if you're not prepared to deal with food service or retail, then you won't be prepared for anything ever.

Oh, are food service and retail the only jobs that exist?
I didn't know it was a necessity to work at those places because it's the only thing that will prepare you for the rest of your life.

I also deal with major depression and anxiety, and work does not help. You still need to learn to let the garbage from work 'slide off' your back somewhat more.

I'm glad you were able to come so far.
And the whole point of me looking for work is so that I can get the experience on how to deal better with the stress. I know I can do it, I just need a little time, so there are certain jobs out there right now that I can't handle -- wouldn't that be true for anyone? That's why I'm turning in applications to jobs I will be okay at, and I will let them push me a bit until I'm ready to take on more stressful tasks.
Everyone needs to start somewhere and jumping headfirst into jobs that I know will trigger my panic disorder, because I know me, is not a good idea.

ReturnOfFa posted...

Do you put your school accomplishments/experiences on your resume? At present, you should be.

All I've managed to do was graduate high-school... It's amazing I even accomplished that, honestly. Not that I'm stupid or anything -- but both me and my brother were treated horribly by teachers.

The only thing I've got going for me are my 4 years of volunteer work, but I think that's a pretty good reference.