The Trials of Job Hunting

If life is a bowl of cherries, poverty is the pits!

I just got back from a job interview. I had filled out the application, printed out a copy of my resume, gussied myself up, and hied over to the business office. This position was supposed to pay $15.50 per hour so I was excited by the thought of a job that pays more than the $2 - $3 per hour that I'm currently making at the commissary.

They, of course, forgot to mention that they wanted me to bring a copy of my birth certificate to verify my social security information. My birth certificate is in JAPANESE, so, unless the good folks in the Maryland home office can translate kanji, there's not much chance of verifying squat. But that's not all; they changed the job description on me.

I thought I was applying for a Homemaker position to help with homemaking chores for folks that have had back surgery, or multiple sclerosis, or car accidents, or other things that prevent them from doing their vacuuming, scrubbing, laundry, cooking and shopping. At least that was what I was told the job entailed when I first inquired. I can do homemaking chores with my eyes closed. Nope, now I'm told that it's mainly doing respite work for parents that have special needs kids. AND I have to pay $60 to take a CPR/first aid class so I can receive a CPR certificate. WTF? They don't pay for the class, I have to pay for the class in order to maybe get work with them.

I politely told them that I don't have $60 to pay for this class. I was told to let them know when I've taken the class and then they'll let me know if they have any work for me.

So I drove home and sat in my car and cried. I'm so frustrated.

BUT, I have another interview on Monday with the YMCA for the position of receptionist. This job pays $7.95 to $9.95, depending on experience (or some subjective thing or another). I was asked if I could use computers. I replied that I have an IT degree and was told that they cross-train their receptionists to work with other departments, such as their IT department. So, I'll make the hour trip to headquarters on Monday morning to try again.

Other positions that I've applied for this week: part time contract specialist, system admin/help desk, admin/bookkeeper, personal assistant (I was told that I was "frankly over-qualified" for this one), call center customer service rep, business manager, and variations on these. I've only heard back from one.

OH! The window laminate guy called to ask for my email address so he could give it to the employment agency that he works with. He promised that I'd be hearing from them today. If I fill out the application that they will send and email it back to them, I can make an interview for early next week and start working, perhaps by Wednesday. Crossing my fingers!

I just want a job. One that will pay the rent, utilities, gas for the car, and food. I'd really like one that will pay those PLUS give me enough to begin to pay back my loans with some to save each paycheck. Surely that isn't too much to ask, is it?

Well, it's off to slave wages at the commissary. Have a good night, folks.