Job hunting is an unfortunate business. Combine the awkwardness of junior high-school dances with the continual let-down of door-to-door sales, and you start to get the picture.
“Hello, do you want to dance/hire me? No? Thank you for your time.” (Yells) I would never dance with you ANYWAYS!!
The last time I posted about job hunting, I spoke about my wife’s adventure of finding a job right after moving to Rochester. That was pretty cool. Since then, we’ve afforded to pay rent, utilities; I bought some new boxers the other day.
But I need a job too. My full-time school schedule allows for more than enough time for a part-time job. I’m sure I’ll regret this decision once finals come around. That’s okay.
My school offered me a healthy portion of money for work-study, but I couldn’t land a position with which to earn it! So far, my luck has been less than stellar. I’ve applied to Halloween stores, cafes, co-op markets, grocery stores—most recently, a music store.
Officially, I’ve been offered one job, and no, it wasn’t the Halloween store. I guess I didn’t fit their qualifications this year.
It was the local music store. Weird though, because I turned it down.
Kevie Don’t Play That
There’s just something about minimum wage that says, “If I could pay you less, I would.” And I’m not down with that. You’ve got to value me, Sir Employer, just a little more.
The music retail situation was also unique in that the business structure was strikingly similar to what I interned at in California this year: retail, lessons, get more students, get more students, get more students. In the interview, I spoke to the owner about what I accomplished in California, and how I could grow his business. I looked around and saw a sad state of affairs, a local business in need of help, and I knew how to help it. He was looking for someone with an entrepreneurial drive to take his business to the next level, someone with ideas, spirit, and experience.
Great!
I was a damn valuable candidate, damn it. And I was on board, too, up until the point where he offered to pay me $7.25/hour to turn his business around. I told him that wouldn’t work for me, and then he offered $8.00/hour. I said I’d think about it, shook his hand, and left.
It’s so strange to turn down a job, especially when you really need it. But there’s no way I could’ve worked there. You need to be careful when job hunting. There’s a difference between undervalue and robbery.
I can work undervalued, no problem, if I have to, especially in new industries with little moral compromise. I recently read a book by a guy named Mike Michalowicz. He talks about, in business, never compromising your immutable laws, whatever those are to you. My job-hunt laws include never getting taken advantage-of and always working for people I respect and who respect me.
I mean, the music store guy had a ponytail and a gold necklace. I couldn’t do it.
So I’m left with a few open applications, an interview today. My school schedule (thanks to the last dibs I received as a new transfer student) is not very kind to employers.
But I’ve started copywriting on the side which is excellent. It’s not regular, but it’s a start. Maybe some more of that will come my way. Until then, wish me luck as I step back on to the dance floor.
“Excuse me…”
The Number Kevin 
I got thrown into an urgent job-hunting situation in 1997 that lasted until 2000. I worked two or three jobs at a time to make ends meet, and ended up in a good professional career position. I’m very grateful to God for not letting me be accepted for positions that might have blocked my future prospects; I might have settled into a rut with a job that pays half what I make now, or I might still be moving from job to job because I wouldn’t have been hunting at the moment this job was posted.
Great story! Glad it worked out for you. I’ve had similar experiences. It’s all about taking advantage of the “right” moment, I suppose. Thanks 🙂
I’m gruafetl you made the post. It’s cleared the air for me.
Working at a place you like for less money is worth more than working at a place you hate for more money. However, having standards is even more important, and I agree, minimum wage is an insult (unless you’re a trainee). Have you considered negotiating? Having standards also requires bold confidence.
My thought: Make an agreement with this vintage music store owner to work 8 weeks for $8 and hour. If he doesn’t think you’re worth at least (I’m thinking about) $12 an hour to start, then you both agree in advance that you ‘walk’ and he cuts off his ridicules pony tail. Be bold.
You’re so right, great wisdom, Steve-O! I was actually thinking about contacting the store owner to see if he’d be interested in a temporary consulting service (at a fair price). He seemed mildly frustrated that I didn’t take the job; maybe I’ll let the smoke clear first. NOTE: The store wasn’t vintage (think, hack…).
Combine the awkwardness of junior high-school dances with the continual let-down of door-to-door sales, and you start to get the picture.
“Hello, do you want to dance/hire me? No? Thank you for your time.” (Yells) I would never dance with you ANYWAYS!!
Okay, that might have been the funniest analogy I’ve ever read. I’ll probably re-tell the story to my students when we talk about career development and job interviewing, because how relatable is that junior high awkwardness?!
Haha! Yes. That is great.