How to Find or Obtain and Keep Work / Employment

Posts: 8599

This is a response to someone asking for help finding work. I'm tired, it's late, I may update (another time).

There's always work. I've returned bottles and cans I found and was given to me for ~$12 / hour. I've mowed lawns for ~$40 / hour, Odd jobs for ~$10 / hour (minus the time it took to advertise myself). During snow storms I've made $20 for 1/2 hour of shoveling (but I'm fast and do great work) but time is lost going door to door. If you can find someone with a house that will pay you to paint it, do a good job and people will line up work for you.

Socialize, go out and meet people. (social networking)

If English, following instructions, hand writing, yadda yadda is not something you're good at: Have someone better fill in the application. Never put anything negative on an application (like: I left because the boss screwed me), and during an interview: don't use the best possible answer to questions like "what is your biggest fault" (I tend to be an over achiever): Be delicately honest on this one or you'll be seen as a bullshit liar.

They may ask about the last time one of your bosses made you upset. Put yourself in their shoes and think of the answer you'd want to hear as an employer. Your new boss will definitely upset you, so they don't want someone that's spiteful.

If you're new to the area: Try to hide that fact! People who are new to an area don't tend to stick around and are less likely to give 2 weeks notice - AND THEY KNOW THIS! Your work history on an application will expose this. Carefully try to find business's that closed recently, were large, aren't directly related to the type of employment you're applying for, are about 1 hour commute away (you get the drift) and if you're willing to lie: fake previous employment with them (Screw the Man)!

ALWAYS do outstanding work and don't complain about co-workers unless it's in response to someone already complaining about them, and even then be careful! I don't care how bad your employer is, this is important! The people you work with can be good references as well as the people you work for. If you're new on the job: People may already have formed bonds and watch each other's backs. If you work with customers, or associates, you never know when one of them could be your next employer or the person that highly recommends you to land a job! The better you treat EVERYONE, the better chance you have of being a desirable employee or person worthy of help / support. Even if your employer really really really sucks: don't harp on it, and don't do shitty work! There are other ways to get even, DON'T MAKE THE VENGEANCE PUBLIC!. Give a little, take a little. Many large scale employers expect theft. Many of them also steal from you: Don't get bitter about it... play the game.

You are a competitor if you want to be (most people around here aren't). Make your employers regret losing you when you finally give them your 2 weeks notice. Don't whine about your job, if your so f'cking good, and they don't deserve you: find a better job! Expect an outstanding reference even if they wouldn't get a good reference from you.

If you live close to Mexico: I feel for you, but I also feel for them. The situation isn't their fault. It's the whole idea of a border to begin with that created the situation. One thing to consider is that the extravagant lifestyles afforded to many Americans is at the cost of slave labor/ sweat shop conditions in other countries including Mexico. Don't hate them: put yourself in their shoes.