How can I start my first jobI graduated from Community College a few years ago. since then, I've been looking for work in Philadelphia but because I have no experience, I can't seem to find a job. Because of my age (late 20's, now) I don't qualify for any of the local programs for entry level workers(City Year, Job Corps). All of the positions I see in the newspapers or on the Internet that will train me are in another state where I couldn't possibly commute (I almost had an interview to be trained as a sewer until I found out the company was in Allentown). I applied to a four year college and was accepted and granted a pell grant plus work study but I can't even afford the $200 acceptance fee. I feel as though I can't get a job without work study experience but I can't get to college without a job. As for my skills, I can't type. I haven't been able to really practice my typing since I don't always have enough time on the computer. I wouldn't mind some sort of factory work or maybe dishwashing but many factory jobs require experience as well as dishwashing positions. I have never used a dishwasher. At home, my family has always had to do it by hand. I also sew, but i've never used a sewing machine. I'm not sure if I should work with food because I fear my occasional sneeze( due to allergies) will scare the customers away. As for what I can do, I know I can answer phones. I have great organizational skills and can set up merchandise, I also do my own braids but I don't have a licence. I can learn to use a dishwasher, a washing machine, I could work as a sales associate at any type of store but I haven't learned how to use a cash register. I'm sure I can learn easily but I don't know how to respond if an employer asks. I want to increase my skills but I don't know how to do that without any money. I guess my question is; Where, in Philadelphia, can I find a company that will hire an entry level employee with no experience over the age of 18 even if I need a little training? Even a seasonal position. I just need to get back into school. Preferably by January. I don't know what else to do. I read advertisements all the time for places like Walmart, Target, Sears, Dillards, Macy's, Radio Shack, Verizon and other large name corporations who are asking for people with less than one year and up for stockers, floor associates, cashiers, etc. The main requirement, as stated in the advertisements, is that you are a high school graduate or GED recipient and that you are available and willing for working at night, on weekends, and on some holidays. Since most cash register's work on the same principle, if you can work one, you can work them all. When asked if you have ever handle a cash register, say truthfully that you haven't but you are willing to learn and are confident that you can pick it up quickly. If you can work the keyboard of a calculator, you can work the keyboard of a cash register. Same principle. Punch the numbers and hit enter. With the advanced technology of today's registers, you can generally jsut scan things over the laser and be done with it. If you need to input the bar code or SKU of an item, it is a simple matter of depresing the SKU button and then entering the numbers and pressing enter. There are other buttons that may need to be pushed such as, Clothing, Food, Children's, Toys, etc, depending on the company and their policy. Some of the buttons on a cash register have nothing to do with the cashier and are solely for the manager or supervisor to use and require a key to be inserted before they can be depressed. Just because you sneeze does not mean that you cannot be a waitress or hostess. Sneezing happens. It's a pitfall of life. It cannot be helped. Just don't sneeze in your customer's food and nobody will even think twice about an occasional ah-choo. You are going to have to find some way to improve your typing. Try an on-line typing program like "learn2type.com. It is free and will test your speed. There are other free typing programslike "freetyping.com" and "tenthumbstypingtutor.com". You can always go to ask.com and input freetyping? into the search field. You will bedirected to a lot of different sites to practice you typing. Dishwashers? I have no idea how to work them, but I used to work in a restaurant and have always thought that dishwashers get the easiest of all jobs because all they need to do is make sure the dishes are seperated for maximum cleanliness and push the tray through. The conveyor belt takes the dishes through to the other side. Thanks for the information about cash registers. I always thought it might be that easy but I often shy away from positions asking for proficiency using a cash register but now I think I will apply anyway and see what happens. Same thing with waiting tables. My dad often comments on how well I carry plates so maybe I could do that. I have actually applied for Macy's twice but didn't recieve a call back after the interview. I think it may be because I didn't stand out and din't come off as energetic(it was a group interview and I can guess who did get a callback).I have always been shy and quiet but I realize I don't have to stay that way(I actually have an outgoing side). I've been working on that by reviwing what I may have done wrong and doing the opposite, next time However, the positions I applied for are still being advertised so I applied again. As for Target and Wallmart, I don't think the buses go out that far. I may check again, though. I may also check with my sister who works at a hotel with a great reputation there. She offered me a job a couple of times but my mom, who was sick at the time, didn't want me to work in that neighborhood.
I agree with the above advice. Also, if you are in the Philly area, try checking with Barnes and Noble or even Borders. I work part-time with Barnes and Noble and I really enjoy them as a company. It would be a good way for you to gain some experience in customer service, sales and merchandising, and since they have a small cafe upstairs, you can even work there and gain some food handling experience. Good luck :) Seriously, if you're serious with this post, you need to learn how to do something. What on earth have you been doing for 2 years since graduating? What did you study? You need to go back to school and look at programs that specifically train for specific jobs that have good employment prospects. Tess What do you mean by if I'm serious with my post? Do you think I would make something like that up? As for what i've been doing; Prior to graduation, I spoke to counselors at the college but they, at first advised me to wait until I had a proper resume. They had to revise it for me several times due to my lack of experience. I applied to a four year college but couldn't attend because my father couldn't afford the acceptence fee. I wanted to make the money myself but I didn't realize how hard it would be to find a job with no experience. I suppose many people don't understand how it could be so difficult . I've made phone calls, sent resumes, tried to get family advice (they're not as helpful as I wish they could be). What else is there? I've been to job fairs, a temp agency (never had any positions available), and interviews but there are some things I can't control as much as I'd like to. It's not like I'm incapable of doing anything but because I can't put it on my resume, it doesn't matter. I know you're just trying to help with my overall plan but finding a school was not my problem. I need a job to afford to get back into school. I've already been accepted. All I have to do is pay the fee. Besides, If I decide to go to some trade school, I'll still, more than likely, have to pay a fee, or worse, full tuition. In this case, I would still need a job, anyway. I'd appreciate if no one else posted in this thread just to critisize my situation. I don't know if that's what you were doing but it came off that way. | |
|
Career Tips
|