Don't quit your Day Job

Everyone's grown up! Well, some of us anyways. I was wondering what it is that all of us are doing work-wise right now. Were you the President of BP before the oil spill when you quietly ducked out and let the British guy get screwed? Hair stylist? Novelist? Barista? Were you a high ranking executive before the economy took a down turn?


I'll start us off;

I had been unemployed since May of 2009, and was actively seeking work. Originally I had been hired at a Florists shop in November. I worked there for the first week of December, then the owner died and the shop shut down. I stayed on a month helping fellow grieving employee's and closing the shop.

Finally, at the end of February I've been steadily employed at a Comic Book Store in town. I also do some background work with a company in Burbank called "Central Casting".

What about you?

In mid-April, I began at Public Policy Polling, which is becoming a major player in public opinion polling nationally (in the US). Prior to that, I'd been working only part-time as a custodian at my church for a year and five months, and before that, I managed a state legislative campaign for seven months in 2008. So I'm glad to finally not be employed or underemployed, and I'm slowly trying to get back on my feet financially.

For the past 6 1/2 years I've been employed as a youth librarian in one of the nicer library districts in the state (and in fact, the nation), although with the birth of my son I've gone down to part-time. Before that was a string of emotionally and financially unsatisfying jobs that I try not to think about much.

~LCD

I modeled through an agency for 4yrs and quit this last March. Since then I've had a lot of medical issues and haven't been able to work.

We're moving this next week and once we've settled in at our new place I'll be signing up to attend college full time (after I get through my pre-reqs I'm hoping to get into the Radiology Program) and will be looking to get a part time job.

I'm still a student. From last October till May, I took a vacation from uni to go and work as a foreign language assistant in London. It was a great job. I was so sad when it ended. I've been back in Germany for about two weeks now. I moved back in with my mum and my brother and am looking for a job to keep me busy till my last term at uni will start in October. So far, I've found a job in a teaching programme, but it's only for one week (possibly a week and a half) in July. I've contacted several employers looking for freelance translators, but at the moment, I'm in that stupid in-between stage when they've contacted me and I've sent out my c.v., and now I'm waiting for their replies. It's not easy for me working a job with regular hours because I've got so many other things to do: a long holiday in the US, which I've planned and booked for a long time, tooth surgery (which I'd prefer to have at a time when it doesn't matter how quickly I recover) and, most importantly, moving houses with my family. I know that none of those things earn me money, but right now, they're very important to me, and for once, work has to adapt to the rest of my life, not the other way round.

Josephine wrote: I know that none of those things earn me money, but right now, they're very important to me, and for once, work has to adapt to the rest of my life, not the other way round.

You are so wise. Too many people realize too late what's truly important in life.

For the past three years I have been working at a Locally owned Furniture store as Administrative Assistant, kind of boring, my boss is kind of paranoid about everything, the sad thing is that I have not have recieved a raise in 2 1/2 years. I am looking for another job

from 2005-2007 I was assistant manager at a Godiva Chocolatier, hence the name Lady Godiva, Fun store great co-workers and great absolutely fabulous chocolate, and for the most part most customers were in a fantastic mood, and the mall I work at was fabulous, the most of us in the mall looked after one another, allways had a blast with the people across from the Godiva, my neighbors were Williams Sonoma, and Victoria's Secret absolutely smashing fun, I loved break time I would go to Auntie Anne's and get a pretzel , then I would get a frozen Icee at the carmel corn store

from 1996-2005 I worked as a photo lab tech at a Walgreens., Absolutely loved my job, I got to see photos from all over the world, I joked that one day I saw, Russia, Hawaii, Spain, Austrailia, Prague, Germany all in one day thru photos, Had a great time, the only thing I did not like about the lab was changing the chemicals., and at the time Walgreens paid their workers well, sad to say that I can't say that now.

from 1995-1999 I was a Receptionist and personal trainer, at the Citi-Center Health Club, I used to be in Uber top Shape, now not so much, I meet so many wonderful people, I helped people get into shape, I worked out like a good-gym rat should, I am getting back into shape, dated a lot of cute guys, (Thank goodness that the gym did not have a no-dating policy with members.

From 1984-1995 I was a volunteer office assistant with the Ohio Ballet, got to see a lot of good Dancers and see a lot of great shows, Mr. Heinz Poll the Artistic Directer had a no-TUTU policy, (He Detested Tutus) although once a wealthy sponsor requested a dance with tutus and she got it. I loved that it was part of the University of Akron, and it was in an old church, and I got to see them warm up and rehearse, it was magical, once took a class with them, Ballet is so freakin hard.

My first job out of high school was cleaning offices at night, and weekends.

I'm currently working at a financial institution. We sell annuities, life insurance, etc. It's encouraging because though financial institutions are all around us are crashing to the ground, we're growing like crazy. Our profits (and our customers profits!) are amazing in this economy. We've been hiring like crazy for the last year because our current staff (about 3K at this locations alone, not to mention Mumbai, Denver, etc) cannot keep up with all the applications we receive. I hired in about seven months ago when I was finishing up my BA, and loved it right away. This company not only seems to have a conscious, but they also pay well and have amazing benefits (great health insurance, flex accounts, and 2 about 2 1/2 weeks paid vacation right off the bat. My ultimate plan is to go to grad school next fall for my PhD in sociocultural anthropology, so this is a great job to have in the meantime to save up for that goal.

Before that I worked in retail for about five years, four of those years being at Guitar Center. The change from Guitar Center to Jackson was amazing. Jackson not only pays a living wage (GC pays minimum wage - no exceptions, no possibility for raises), but they actually treat their employees well. At GC (and I think retail in general), we'd be given a goal to meet. We'd be met with "Oh, you exceeded the goal we set for you? Well, that's not good enough! Work harder or you're all fired!" Whereas at Jackson, when you are given a goal and you meet/exceed that goal, employees are rewarded with free lunches, sundae bars, parties, monetary bonus, etc. And at GC, managers would often delete an employees overtime. They would also make employees work through their lunch (and when you're on the sales floor, you can't even grab a bite to eat), and don't pay them for that time. Whereas if Jackson asks employees to work through their lunch (and they ASK, they don't MAKE employees do this), they will provide lunch at their expense, and pay you for your time. And at Jackson, I don't have to put up with lecherous old men. Just a few rude agents now and then.

Yeah, I just have to rant about retail every now and then.. I suppose I got a bit off topic

I am going on a job interview on Friday, if they ask me why do you think that you have not had a raise in over two years. What is the best way to broach this?

P.S. this week was a terrible week at work, at one pointe I was being blamed for everything and anything under the sun .I had a thought of standing up for myself the way that Christine when she screamed out how dare you. But alsa I did not speak up for myself, I did try to defend myself I actually wanted to scream to my boss, HOW DARE YOU, I did not.

ladygodiva wrote:I am going on a job interview on Friday, if they ask me why do you think that you have not had a raise in over two years. What is the best way to broach this?

It would depend on the employer you're currently working for and their overall situation. For example, when I worked at Guitar Center, everyone got paid minimum wage - no raises, no negotiations, that's what you got - company policy. Other companies are struggling, and you could explain that budgets were tight, and the company just didn't have the resources to provide raises. Perhaps they choose not to raise anyone's salary to avoid having to let other employees go. Especially in the case of locally owned businesses, they sometimes struggle more than national corporations and are unable (or at least think they are unable) to increase wages and salaries. It's best not to openly bad-mouth an employer, but rather explain it in this way.

Good luck at your interview! What sort of work are you applying for?

This afternoon I had an interview at Sterling, in Akron, Ohio, Sterling owns the Jewelry store chains, Kay, J.B. Robinson, and Jarrod's.

it was for a Credit Customer Care specialist, help with customers questions re: accounts.

the interview went very well, I will know by the 20th if I got the position.

I am in my forty's and I still get nervous when I go out on an interview, Although I do believe that I was not nervous at all at this one, hopefully a good omen.

Starting Monday, I'll be working at one of the shops that makes the Phantom costumes.

Viscountess wrote:Starting Monday, I'll be working at one of the shops that makes the Phantom costumes.

Really? Where's that?

Which one?

Viscountess, Congratulations on the job, how is it going

Happy, happy birthday, Brianne!!

if anyone is looking for a new job or a change in jobs, Indeed.com is a good site, and I think that it is international as well.

ladygodiva wrote:Viscountess, Congratulations on the job, how is it going

Oh man, I feel awful for not having seen this post earlier. Thank you! It's going great, I totes got to work on her dressing gown today.

It sounds like fun, how lucky, will you get to take any scraps home, I hope

operafantomet wrote:Happy, happy birthday, Brianne!!

I apparently mixed up two threads... Or dreamt Brianne got a new job? Whoops...

At my job, a co-worker took credit for a project that I have been doing for the last 3 months, I work for a furniture, design store, I am not a designer or salesperson, but I am an Administrative Assistant, well through all my work the company got a huge contract deal, to decorate a new office complex, well like I said my co-worker who had nothing to do with it at first got credit, I told my boss, and my office manager and they said that they would look ito it..

Has anyone else ever dealt with anything like this?

I have worked for a number years as an adjunct (part-time) instructor at a community college where I teach math and science courses. Even though it's part-time, I earn more now than I did at a previous awful dead-end low pay full-time job that had no benefits. Plus, teaching is a job that actually uses what I studied. I have also taught for a year as a part-time temporary lecturer at a private college. Prior to teaching, I had jobs that aren't worth mentioning.

Here is a funny lark, I went to an interview and the young lady who interviewed me was popping gum and blowing bubbles, this was at an Attorney at Law firm, by the way

ladygodiva wrote:At my job, a co-worker took credit for a project that I have been doing for the last 3 months, I work for a furniture, design store, I am not a designer or salesperson, but I am an Administrative Assistant, well through all my work the company got a huge contract deal, to decorate a new office complex, well like I said my co-worker who had nothing to do with it at first got credit, I told my boss, and my office manager and they said that they would look ito it..

Has anyone else ever dealt with anything like this?

I'm sorry to hear about this. Unfortunately, I have no real life personal experience to offer about this except for what I saw in Tron... which was find physical evidence that it was your idea and make out with Cindy Morgan :/ I'm sorry, as I know this "advice" and these condolences are late as this happened to you in September


I have two job opportunities right now. One is full time employment as a Clerical Assistant and the other is as an Apple Specialist at my local Apple Store. I've been working the retail circuit since 2007, and frankly I'm done with it. The Comic Book Store has absolutely killed my spirit and I have no "give" left. A mind numbing 40-hours-a-week to keep my brain otherwise occupied is perfect right now.

Pay isn't stellar, but after my probationary period it becomes awesome. Plus it's a real job that can eventually allow me to support myself. I start in a couple weeks.

Alyssa wrote:

ladygodiva wrote:At my job, a co-worker took credit for a project that I have been doing for the last 3 months, I work for a furniture, design store, I am not a designer or salesperson, but I am an Administrative Assistant, well through all my work the company got a huge contract deal, to decorate a new office complex, well like I said my co-worker who had nothing to do with it at first got credit, I told my boss, and my office manager and they said that they would look ito it..

Has anyone else ever dealt with anything like this?

I'm sorry to hear about this. Unfortunately, I have no real life personal experience to offer about this except for what I saw in Tron... which was find physical evidence that it was your idea and make out with Cindy Morgan :/ I'm sorry, as I know this "advice" and these condolences are late as this happened to you in September


I have two job opportunities right now. One is full time employment as a Clerical Assistant and the other is as an Apple Specialist at my local Apple Store. I've been working the retail circuit since 2007, and frankly I'm done with it. The Comic Book Store has absolutely killed my spirit and I have no "give" left. A mind numbing 40-hours-a-week to keep my brain otherwise occupied is perfect right now.

Pay isn't stellar, but after my probationary period it becomes awesome. Plus it's a real job that can eventually allow me to support myself. I start in a couple weeks.

I would rather take the advice like in Working Girl when Melanie Griffith made out with Harrison Ford, I do look at it as a toughening up on my behalf,

I have been working since I was 15 and something like this cannot make me nor break me

I hope you get what job makes you most happy

Has anyone ever lied on an application or resume, I have never lied on my application or resume before, last week I filled an apppllication and lied about my pay, I duked up my hourly wage 25%, (Because most people are offered between 5%-15% of their current hourly salary, )

It backfired, the person who interviewed me told me that I might not want to take a pay cut, this taught me a lesson not to lie about my salary or anything in an interview.

To qoute Norm from Cheers, " I am no longer looking for a Job, I am begging for one."

I have had a record 16 interviews in the last 3 week period, at least 3 of the interviews I was a shoe-in for it. at least with my record I should have been a shoe in and should have been fighting off the perspective employeers, and these last two weeks, I did not resort to lying, namely I am not very good at it. and having lied only once recently on an application and it backfiring, I have no intention to again.

meanwhile, I try to keep my hopes up. at my current job, I hope that I will at least be raised a dollar, but since I work in the Furniture store office, and the economy is still bleak, it looks just that bleak to have a raise. mind you not that I would be living the life of riley with a dollar an hour raise , it sure would help in the long run/

but on the other hand I don't want to bring anyone down. Please don't let the economy get you down, especially in North America, as I am sure that even the Europeans are having a rough go of it as well.

one the other hand I do have a couple more interview lined up this week, and I do have an option of working at a temp agency.

last week at work, I was checking on my emails at work when I opened an email that was about me. two co-workers apparantly were trashing me and the email was very hurtful.

what hurt most was that I had thought that I was good friends with both of them, but now I find out quite the contrary.

now these were two colleged degreed women, (Although, especially now, I believe that having a college degree does not make anyone smarter)

I quickley deleted the email, I could have responded, but chose not two. I feel like I am in high school and the two real mean girls are now real mean women.

ladygodiva wrote:last week at work, I was checking on my emails at work when I opened an email that was about me. two co-workers apparantly were trashing me and the email was very hurtful.

what hurt most was that I had thought that I was good friends with both of them, but now I find out quite the contrary.

now these were two colleged degreed women, (Although, especially now, I believe that having a college degree does not make anyone smarter)

I quickley deleted the email, I could have responded, but chose not two. I feel like I am in high school and the two real mean girls are now real mean women.

That is quite appalling. Did they send the email to you by mistake, or did they mean to upset you?