It's month number four in this dark night of the unemployed soul. Every week, it's Craigslist, The Albuquerque Journal, applications, resumes, interviews- you name it.
I had a job at a restaurant that is close to where I live- within walking distance. Then I went off to serve as a kitchen staff member at Catholic Heart Workcamp. I was stoked. So much time and money invested into a highly anticipated summer of traveling, living in community, serving God and serving camp food to very happy campers. They were going to pay me $450 per camp for four camps plus $360 of food expenses paid. Of course I wasn't in it for the money but $1000 to start school and possibly move to Vancouver, WA would've done it for me. After two weeks, I was what I like to call "convinced to resign" (sounds good enough on an application, doesn't it?) by two camp directors that I thought liked me and thought I was doing a great job. Sadly however, I was sent home on a United Way airplane ticket that came out of my only check. My former job had also filled my position.
When I first returned home, I couldn't show my face to anyone with the exception of a few people. I didn't want to talk about it. All I wanted to do was sleep. So I did. I slept for about a week and then forced myself to register for classes and look for a job.
At one point out of desperation, I applied to and got a job with the local amusement park. While I applied for gift shop associate or ride operator, but the only position they had available was known as ECO. I'll tell you why there was a shortage of people in this position. Actually, let me ask you something: Would you want to get paid minimum wage to walk around in 90-100 degree weather for eight hours picking up trash (including vomit), wiping down tables, sweeping up little crumbly leaves that never want to leave their spot, and not really getting the chance to sit? And would you also want to be under the training and supervision of high schoolers whom most of them have never had a job before? I know some of you could. I know some of you know I can and I did until the second day when an adult supervisor barked at me for not checking the bathroom every 15 minutes. That's 32 bathroom checks in one shift. So I set my broom and dustpan down, sneaked past the Water Monkies kiddie park and made my escape. Yep, at 22 years old I walked out of a job. Quite an awesome feeling to escape and never look back, but I assure you it won't happen again.
I promise.
Now, four months after my last job, the ads fill my computer screen, my hand hurts from pressing my pen neatly (and I mean perfect penmanship) down on my applications, corrections are made to my resume, and I can recite a question from a personality test that appear on most online applications:
I think these questions in getting to know me before you even meet me are ridiculous:
- Strongly disagree
- Disagree
- Agree
- Strongly agree
Then there are the interviews. Since my job search began I have had four interviews. Maybe more but four that I can surely remember. I walk in with the same outfit, an orange polo and gray capri pants (most of my nicer clothes are locked away in storage). Then I sit down and make sure I sit up nice and straight because slouching means that you are lazy (yes Miss Mac, I know I just wrote "you"). Smiling says a lot about you too. But if not too much because being too happy is too good to be true nowadays. Be yourself, but tell them what they want to hear too. Finally there are the questions:
"Why do you want to work for Jugs Are Fun Jolly Jumps?" (Okay so I made that company name up.)
"Name one good and one bad experience you've had in customer service." Who couldn't name a bad experience in their previous job(s)?
"We're looking for people who have at least three years of experience in the dental office, have you had any office experience?" No.
And my personal favorite
"Do you have any questions for me/us?" Will you please hire me?
So kiddies, I am still on my quest for a job and hopefully this holiday season, my sword will be sharp and shiny enough to get results. Do you have any tips for resume building, applications, or interviews? Perhaps you know of a place where it is easy getting a job. Or, if you just want to comment for the hell of it, go on ahead.
Prayers, wishes, and/or weird rituals are also appreciated as well.
Until next time, goodnight folks!
Ciera L. Ramirez
