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Joined: Apr 09 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3112

I live in central Pennsylvania, and I just don't understand why I can't get ahead here. So far, I've had 4 jobs. I've worked as a cook, a dishwasher, a law office clerk, and a parking lot attendant. I've never called off of a shift that I was scheduled for, whether it was for sick reasons (I even worked alone on a Saturday night with kidney stones as a dishwasher at a busy restaurant), schedule conflicts (have cancelled dates and missed 3 birthdays in a row to cover shifts), and I have only ever been late twice (one for a broken-down car, the other to go to my friend's funeral). Customers have told my bosses that I'm friendly and respectful, and I have tons of great references from CEO's to a mayor to high-powered lawyers.

Yet for some reason, I've never gotten a raise, never worked for more than a dollar over minimum wage, and 2 of my former bosses will hang up immediately when asked to give a reference for me. I worked with a heroin-dealing/heroin-using (especially on shifts) kid who never got fired for missing all of the shifts that he did, yet made more than me. My best friend literally never shows up to his shifts anymore, yet anytime he threatens to quit, they give him ludicrously big raises and promotion offers.

And it's not isolated to me, either. I worked as a dishwasher with one other guy. He never complained, never missed a shift, and always worked really hard. Yet for some reason, they demanded that he both cook and wash dishes without any extra pay, but for more hours a day. Meanwhile, we had to threaten to quit in order for our boss to fire these two dishwashers they'd been giving raises to fire them.

I think it's this weird mindset from employers that they think they have this home-brewed cowboy ESP of how good a typical 'merican is. If the kid smiles and talks a lot in the interview, even if he's smelly dirty, dressed like an idiot, and his former employers do anything but say he killed a customer in public, he's hired. I've been told that I come off cold and pensive during interviews, and I've heard stories of employers making fun of the fact that I dressed nicely (khakis and a button-down shirt's are really hoity-toity, apparently) for interviews. This makes me undesirable for some reason. Meanwhile, this guy says if I move to West Virginia, he'll give me a $100-a-day job. Unfortunately, I would have to eat one pack of ramen a day for two years and cancel my health insurance in order to afford to move there. Even if I could do that, the job would probably be taken by an ex-con drug addict with a nice smile by then.

2010 SLF Tag Champ Joined: Jun 07 2006 Posts: 12294

well for starters, thank you for posting this. I'm sure we can get you the help that you need when we are done discussing gobots and nintendo wii.

secondly, you aren't being aggressive enough. they know that they can take advantage without a trouble, so they do. when you go for a job, and they say "how abotu five dollars and hour?" you're supposed to say "I'm sorry but I need at least six." for example. you need to show them that you're more than happy to help out if needed, but you don't want to have advantage taken of you. if they say "hey one of our cooks called out tonight, can you help us out?" then thats cool. once it becomes a constant, and you get the feeling that they're just not going to hire another cook because they can pay you to do both positions, you gotta kind of be like "hey, you hired me as a dishwasher. I don't mind helping out, but if you want me to continue cooking, I need you to pay me like a cook who does dishes." on top of that, if you have something going on like kidney stones, call the fuck out. nobody is really going to appreciate you for endangering your health to work their shift. it just shows that you'll do anything they ask.

thirdly, how does a dish washing cook, who parks cars and clerks law offices get references from CEOs and lawyers?

there's nothing wrong with penn. I love it up there, and visit kinda often.

2010 SLF Tag Champ Joined: Jun 07 2006 Posts: 12294

and yes, I know these things because I do it to people on a constant, call me evil if you must.

Joined: Apr 09 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3112

It's no problem, I immediately regret writing this, as it's not really a conversational piece. I didn't want to come off as a whiner, but I guess I did as well.

1) I get references from CEO's and lawyers because I've worked a lot of free-lance work for the references, and through my law office work, I've made friends with and have done work for very good lawyers.

2) Also, I can't really call off of work, and I take what I can get because between college, my meds, food, rent, and my asshole bank screwing over my CD, I'm barely squeaking by, and it's hard to take a choice between seeming tough or living on the streets.

3) Pennsylvania is fine, as long as you avoid living in certain areas. It's incredibly cheap to live here, and the higher min. wage helps, but the areas I've lived in are crappy because they're ruled by Wal-Mart and other large companies that treat employees like crap, so there are few local businesses, lots of poverty, and crumbling towns. There are lots of fine people and gorgeous landscapes, but if I could go back to living in Jersey or something, I wouldn't even think twice about it.

Joined: Apr 14 2006 Location: Lake Michigan Posts: 3332

Once you finish college you should be able to qualify for higher paying jobs. Until then, you're stuck with the menial labor. Follow FNJ's advice about not being a doormat though, that might help you in the here and now.

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

Greg,

What skills do you have?

How far into your degree are you?

What degree are you working on?

How old are you?

Questions lead to answers.

Joined: Aug 13 2008 Location: Watertown, NY Posts: 131

FNJ and Cattivo couldn't be more right, Greg.

When I was hired where I work now, I had a shitty position with zero guaranteed hours. My boss told me when he hired me that he intended to get me into a full-time position within a few weeks. For five months I busted my ass to show him that it was worth it for him to do right by me. Literally, I busted my ass. I did so much heavy lifting I developed a thrombosed hemorrhoid which burst and bled everywhere.

After 5 months, my boss had given better jobs to people I had fucking trained. One of these jerk-offs missed his second day of work because he was "snowed in." He lives within walking distance of work, and we'd only had like 2 inches of snow that day. Here I was with a bloody ass, training fuck-ups, working whenever they called me, and the fuck-ups were getting the breaks.

So one day, I had just had enough and walked out. I didn't make a scene or anything, just an "I quit" and I was off. Later that day, my boss was calling me at home wanting to know what happened. I told him I was tired of getting fucked around. He had told me I was going to be getting a better job than I had, I did everything I could to earn it, and I was still getting nowhere. "Well, why didn't you say something?" he asked.

You've got to understand, the number of people in the workplace who don't piss and moan all the time are fairly few. If you're not bitching, your boss probably just assumes you're happy. If you are, there's no reason for him to shell out more money.

Posted: Nov 10 2008 07:58 pm

exactly right mjl1783, same with a hot girl, you never know until you ask

Joined: Aug 13 2008 Location: Watertown, NY Posts: 131

Well, with a hot girl it's a little easier, Ermac. Even if she say's "no," there's always liquor. If she's drunk and she still says "no," there're always roofies.

Posted: Nov 10 2008 08:30 pm

I think these managers have their own problems and arent focusing on how each individual person feels. It would be neurotic for a manager to be thinking on how to please his employees all the time, so its best just to tell them on the frontend, if it doesnt look good, there are always other jobs

Joined: Aug 24 2005 Location: Mount Holly, NJ Posts: 1062

Greg the White wrote:

3) Pennsylvania is fine, as long as you avoid living in certain areas. It's incredibly cheap to live here, and the higher min. wage helps, but the areas I've lived in are crappy because they're ruled by Wal-Mart and other large companies that treat employees like crap, so there are few local businesses, lots of poverty, and crumbling towns. There are lots of fine people and gorgeous landscapes, but if I could go back to living in Jersey or something, I wouldn't even think twice about it.

Hell yes, Greg. Being from Jersey myself, I tend to dislike this state quite a bit too. Although I hate it because it does nothing but rain from November-March every year (at least in State College). I can't wait to get back to south-ish Jersey.

Joined: Aug 05 2008 Location: CA Posts: 867

In my opinion your best choice is violence, or at least the threat of it.

Start posting really creepy shit on vampirefreaks.com about how you are hearing voices telling you to bust the place up, then "accidentally" leave some prints outs of it in the break room.

When they ask you about it, tell the company that you are sorry and that you could afford the cost of much needed meds and therapy if they were to give you a promotion.

Joined: Apr 09 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3112

Kubo wrote:

Greg the White wrote:

3) Pennsylvania is fine, as long as you avoid living in certain areas. It's incredibly cheap to live here, and the higher min. wage helps, but the areas I've lived in are crappy because they're ruled by Wal-Mart and other large companies that treat employees like crap, so there are few local businesses, lots of poverty, and crumbling towns. There are lots of fine people and gorgeous landscapes, but if I could go back to living in Jersey or something, I wouldn't even think twice about it.

Hell yes, Greg. Being from Jersey myself, I tend to dislike this state quite a bit too. Although I hate it because it does nothing but rain from November-March every year (at least in State College). I can't wait to get back to south-ish Jersey.

I'm in State College now (lived in Bellefonte half my life), and was born in Morris County, NJ (The part that's not super-ass-rich). I really do miss the awesome food more than anything. Pizza here just tastes like it was made out of Wonderbread and Weis-quality marinara, and though Uncle Chen's is awesome, I miss just being able to get a human-size serving of Chinese food for a reasonable price. Also, being able to hop in a car and be in New York City within an hour was a major perk.

Overall, I think my main problem taking a few years in coming to terms with the whole "Hard work will get you places" idea not working. In the end, it depends on who you and your parents know, and how much leverage you have over your employers more than anything.

Joined: Apr 14 2006 Location: Lake Michigan Posts: 3332

Degrees from accredited universities help too, Greg.

You're not going to go anywhere washing dishes or parking cars - and the only way being a law clerk will get you places is if you eventually graduate from law school.

Posted: Nov 10 2008 11:18 pm

When in doubt, act like Tucker Max.

Joined: Sep 22 2008 Posts: 289

Blackout wrote:

When in doubt, act like Tucker Max.

Get drunk and be an asshole? I thought that was obvious.

Posted: Nov 11 2008 12:50 am

It's true that hard work doesn't get you everything. If you work in a small enough company you might be really appreciated, but that's all. As cold as it is, kind words don't get you anywhere. There is no harm at all in asking for a raise, just make sure you have some legitimate reasons why you deserve it, but for all you know, you won't even need those. Definitely put it out there that you aren't happy, and talk to your boss about what needs to change to make you a content employee.

But as long as you're in university, expect to only work shit jobs. I'm only half way through second year, and I got dishwashing, roofing, and working at a meat-packing plant under my belt.

2010 SLF Tag Champ Joined: Jun 07 2006 Posts: 12294

Greg the White wrote:

It's no problem, I immediately regret writing this, as it's not really a conversational piece. I didn't want to come off as a whiner, but I guess I did as well.

1) I get references from CEO's and lawyers because I've worked a lot of free-lance work for the references, and through my law office work, I've made friends with and have done work for very good lawyers.

2) Also, I can't really call off of work, and I take what I can get because between college, my meds, food, rent, and my asshole bank screwing over my CD, I'm barely squeaking by, and it's hard to take a choice between seeming tough or living on the streets.

3) Pennsylvania is fine, as long as you avoid living in certain areas. It's incredibly cheap to live here, and the higher min. wage helps, but the areas I've lived in are crappy because they're ruled by Wal-Mart and other large companies that treat employees like crap, so there are few local businesses, lots of poverty, and crumbling towns. There are lots of fine people and gorgeous landscapes, but if I could go back to living in Jersey or something, I wouldn't even think twice about it.

it's not a real problem, its not like you're making multiple topics about a dead family member or anything. certainly not as bad as posting glorified fanfiction in the "things I have read" forum and asking for only feedback that would pad your ego.

2)this is a tough one, and I feel your pain on it. at the end of the day though, most employers are willing to pay ten, they offer five, and if you say eight they'll often give you seven, which is better than settling for five. (examples, not true amounts). a lot of people think they have to take whats offered or they wont get the job, but a lot of times that's not the case. it's up to you if you want to take that risk though with your current financial situations.

3)I work for wal mart corporation, ouch. It's really easy for people to blame wal mart for all their financial problems, based on things they've heard other people complain about. most of this is based on the low starting wages and the fact that they don't go near unions, but the pay builds up very quickly over time (hell, there's a guy at my store that makes 17 an hour to work part time in electronics) and there are plenty of benefits to take advantage of if you look into it all carefully.

well at least on the sams club side of things, I don't know about the namesake store.

2010 SLF Tag Champ Joined: Jun 07 2006 Posts: 12294

also, as a former resident of NJ, I can definitely agree about the food.

Joined: Aug 13 2008 Location: Watertown, NY Posts: 131

Quote:

You're not going to go anywhere washing dishes or parking cars - and the only way being a law clerk will get you places is if you eventually graduate from law school.

That depends on where you wash dishes and park cars, doesn't it? Washing dishes is a pretty good way to get into being a cook or server. Sure, you're not going to make much money working at Joe's Beff n' Brew, but if you can get yourself into a good, expensive restaurant, you can make damn good money as a server. I sure as hell wouldn't mind collecting 15%-20% of a $300 bill, would you?

Shame on you, Cat, telling people they need to go to liberal universities and be inundated with "sekrit Communist code wordz" to get ahead financially.

Joined: Apr 14 2006 Location: Lake Michigan Posts: 3332

mjl1783 wrote:

That depends on where you wash dishes and park cars, doesn't it? Washing dishes is a pretty good way to get into being a cook or server.

True, only if you're enrolled in a culinary school at the same time, though. Just like Jack Tripper in "Three's Company"! ha HA!

Posted: Nov 11 2008 01:24 pm

I can say being from pa, though I live in Harrisburg, that it isn't a bad state at all, a larger one, but not bad. I can say that outside of the university, State College Pa is really in the middle of nowhere. Also, as previously stated, education helps. I can say though I have worked up from a series of hard jobs, and been in the position where I am working harder then most, and not reaping the rewards. It is a combonation of the hard work, relationship building / networking with the right people, and being able to communicate well that will help to get you ahead. I had a boss years ago that said something that makes so much sense, and I use it as my mind set during every review at work, or time to ask for more money, "Everybody could use more money, but why do you deserve it, what are you doing for us to get that money, and it isn't what you have done last year, but what are you doing for me now, and what have you done for me lately" If you can prove to your boss these things, that helps. Granted, if you are working in entry level positions, in places like a wal mart, or restaurant, or so on, that can be difficult. Remeber it can always be worse. We're all in this together, keep your stick on the ice.

Joined: Apr 09 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3112

I realize a degree will help me later on, but I'm not talking about a sustainable career. I'm talking about right now. I just want a part time job that can help me live a little more comfortably while I'm in college. I'm talking at least $8 or $9 an hour, not that much.

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

Greg the White wrote:

I realize a degree will help me later on, but I'm not talking about a sustainable career. I'm talking about right now. I just want a part time job that can help me live a little more comfortably while I'm in college. I'm talking at least $8 or $9 an hour, not that much.

Try to get a job at a GNC.

They usually pay ok, and the hours are good.

Joined: Aug 24 2005 Location: Mount Holly, NJ Posts: 1062

Greg the White wrote:

I realize a degree will help me later on, but I'm not talking about a sustainable career. I'm talking about right now. I just want a part time job that can help me live a little more comfortably while I'm in college. I'm talking at least $8 or $9 an hour, not that much.

If you're currently in State College, and plan on being here for the upcoming year, I suggest calling Adecco downtown. They're a temp agency, but they hooked me up with some relatively easy gigs for about 9 bucks an hour last summer. Cleaning apartments, data entry, that sorta crap. It's mindless work, but if you're just looking for scratch, you might want to give them a ring.