Forums » Smalltalk » headed back to work, looking for advice

So guys I'm looking for a little bit of advice. After we get moved and settled into our new place, I've got the opportunity to go out and get a job. This opportunity only exists now because I've got babysitters who wont charge an arm and a leg to watch my son for a few hours. I haven't really worked steadily since I was pregnant with my son (The odd few days here and there at the track dont really count.) And before I was pregnant I worked at a racetrack, that job still exists but it's dates are too sporadic so I was hoping for something a little more steady.

I'm really nervous about trying to get back into the work force, so I was just hoping for a little advice.


Edit

I should likely elaborate on my baby sitting comment. We looked into the possibility of putting our son in daycare long ago but the problem is the money. Daycare costs a ridiculous amount of cash (we`ve traveled a long way since I was a kid, my mum used to babysit like 4 other kids and be lucky if she made 250 bucks for it) We looked into the subsidized options through the government, and it would still cost close to 600 dollars a month, which would be the amount that I would make in a month, because unfortunately I`m only qualified for a minimum wage job. That realization put a stop to the idea of me working so we could save some money.

i'unno, kinda depends on your older work history aside from the track. I'd say try to avoid food service, or at least fast food. as long as you get minimum wage at a restaurant tips can be really nice. I enjoy retail. Personally i'd prefer secretary or desk help, but that's hard to find. If you can get it, kudos, cuz adjusting to standing for 8 hours solid takes some getting used to. :x

Heh, my work history aside from the track is fast food and retail (both in a store environment, and online (I spent a year working for BestBuy.com)), so it's not a HUGE issue there. Like you said standing would be an adjustment, but other than that I think I'd be okay in retail. Fast food was enjoyable when it was busy because your shift was over before you knew it.

Hey Nikina,

Is there a particular aspect of looking for work that you are nervous about or want advice for? You've said what you've done in the past, but you haven't told us much about what your aspirations are for the future.

personally i loathe food service. No room for real growth, what, 50 cent raise to shift manager? Its just so... Go nowhere. i struggle in game retail but still open up nationwide opportunity and health/dental/life options that are great. Got goals to reach for. That and my last food service job ticked me off. Call health, and corporate on them for their food handling practices and get thrown under the bus to get knocked down to meager hours when they say who reported. yuck. i refuse to be part of that. It's like feeding people poison, russian roulette style.

kim: Well where I'll be looking for work is extreamly limited (retail, fast food, and a few factories) so I'm in no position to be picky. I just I'm just nervous about getting back out there, and looking for general advice. As for my future aspirations there on the rather minuscule scale, and they just involve finding work. So things can get financially caught up, and if things work according to plan (which i hope they do) in a few years we'll be on our way to home ownership. Before my life took on new meaning, and when I was just worried about one person (me) I wanted to go to college, and work my way towards an apprenticeship in a tattoo parlor. However life changes, and throws wrenches into things, so those aspirations are on the back burner for now.

Minerva: yeah all that sounds about right when you're looking at the less appealing parts of fast food (Mcdonald's and Pizza Pizza were the worse experiences for me)

If you can find something you'd really like to do, that would be a great start. I know I've worked for a few different places--some retail (petsmart), an office assistant, a vet tech, even substitute teaching. It never hurts to send out resumes and cover letters to places you want to work either--whether you're qualified or not. (Some places even have on-the-job training, depending.)

Keep positive, and things will work out.

everyone would probably be shocked to find it was subway. I figured it was the management change then corporate blew it off so... I don't ever want to eat at a subway again.

I'd say find a place to work where you actually -don't- want to buy the product they sell. I know that sounds crazy but I -love- shoes. I worked in a shoe store...I bet you can see where this is going I got such a huge discount I was always buying shoes and I felt like I was giving the paycheck back to the company.

If you've got a Hobby Lobby near you I suggest applying there. They start at $12 an hour for full time employees and they also have health insurance/dental benefits for people that work full time. Heck, I think their part time is like $8 an hour, and that's slightly more than minimum wage

With any job you apply for with the economy as bad as it is, be sure and call back to ask about your application, if it's been reviewed etc. A lot of managers I know are looking for people that really want the jobs and are willing to go that extra step. It's pretty simple and it might mean the difference between you getting the job and someone else

Good Luck!

Hobby Lobby...hmmm...i think I know where I'm stopping by on my way home...