Just a little venting for ya'll. So nwo that it's winter nobody wants to put up a fence. and stupid me didn't save enough this summer. With no work, I've been filling out applications, but nobody want to hire me for a few months, so I stopped filling out that temporary bubble, but I think they realize from my work experiencethat I want temporary. My mom tells me to call the credit cards, and explain my situation, saying she's done it in the past and they helped. So I call up card #1. "We already give you 3% minimum, we won't go any lower. Ok, call #2 and #3. "Yes, we have a hardship program, but you only qualify if you're over 60 days due." "But don't you report me delinquent after 30 days." "Yes."
WTF. I tell 'em the truth, they know I've never been late on a payment, usually paying more than the minimun, but they don't care. So unless I get a call back for a job, my credit's going down the tube, and I'm gonna owe a whole lotta late fees. It's my own fault really. I shouldh've saved more money during the season, and looked for a job a month ago instead of hoping I'd get some wrok. I just wish these people would show a little compassion.

And a question. I've been putting $12/hour on the applications, because that's really what I need to pay all the bills. I'm thinking that might be a mistake, not even being given a consideration because of it. Do you think I should lower that, hopefully having better chances at getting a job and paying some of the bills?
Thanks for listening/reading. Any feedback appreciated.

 

Sounds like me and you are in the exact same boat. Only I have been trying to get a decent enough job to cover everything for over 9 months. The job I have now will not even cover everything. After I get all of my cards paid out, I will probably never have another card again.

 

Instead of putting $12/hr on your job apps, put "will discuss at interview" or "competitive". Keep your mouth shut on what you want until the right time. You have no bargining power whatsoever ( 0% ) on wages until they actually want you, and they will be more inclined to want you after you sit down and talk to them and tell them all the great things you can do for them. Generally, the longer the interview lasts, and the more exchange of information between you and the interviewer, the greater your bargining power. When that lil' subject of $ comes up, I like to ask them what they had in mind rather than spill my guts. Compensation can be negotiated; think of it like buying a car. They want to give you the least and you want the most. I have learned over the years that there are strategies to get them to ante up more than the initial offering salary.

As for the credit cards, my thoughts are my own on that one. Good luck in your job search and I hope this helps.

 

Just a thought: you could look into debt consolidation for the cards. Believe it or not there are some reputable companies that do it, there is one here that is free. They will merge your payments into one smaller one. Some banks even offer this, I don't know a lot of details but I had to use one once and they cut down the amount I owed by half.

 

I hope you can find a job. I think you might be asking too much money, but you didn't say what kind of jobs you were applying for. I would reccomend getting a lower paying job, and just working your butt off, but its up to you.

 

what part of the country do you live in? If you are near the DFW Metroplex I'll could probably hire you.

 

Sounds like your a prime canidate for any job you can get. Some money is better than no money. I've been in the $24,000 hole before (and it wasn't a truck loan, student loans and credit cards). I took whatever I could get and looked for a higher paying job along the way. You'll probably have to do something you don't like and work your rear end off.

 

I've been applying for carpenter's helpers, carpenter/insulator's helpers, small engine mech, and any position available at Lowes. I talked to a rew debt consolidation places tonite, thanks for the tip. Yeh, I'm just gonna get any job I can get. That "will discuss at interview" is a good one, wish I wouldh've thought ahead on that one. Thanx for the replies.
Thanx shakespeare, but I live just north of Philadelphia. BTW, do you install fences also?

 

I'm freaking out also. I keep hearing that I'm "overqualified"

I don't have much experience in anything except waiting tables!
I've had interviews, but they seem to always be for selling something door to door, or telemarketing, once you find out what the job REALLY is.
I am about to go back to work for Domino's, as an assistant manager. The job sucks, but it's a damn job.
Try looking for job fairs, also; you can usually scrounge up something at one of those things.
BDV

 

Job fairs are great. Plenty of oportunites and such. And you can see a lot of things and find out what you might like.

 

bcf, do you turn in apps and wait for the phone to ring or do your follow up? I hope it's the latter as this is important. Your goal when filling out an app is to get the interview then sell yourself and get the job. Apps alone generally will not get a person a meaningful job; I'm sure somebody out there is the exception. When you turn in your app, try to get the NAME OF THE PERSON THAT HAS THE ABILITY TO HIRE YOU and communicate with him/her. I'd follow up a few days after turning in your app. Also, on your interview, if you feel you REALLY want that job, tell that to the interviewer!

bdv, the overqualified thing can be tough, but what I'd do before an interview is to research the company so that when you are on the 'view you can draw similarity between you skills, what they are looking for, and how you can fulfill their needs. Giving examples which demonstrate how you produced positive results are ideal. Make sure to use the interview to probe for what they are looking for in the person they want to hire (BTW asking that as a ? during an interview, at the right time, IS fair game) then, with your responses thought out before the interview, seize the moment. There are resources that will provide lists of common interview questions, but no list will ever be complete.

Hope these thoughts help.

 

I am not sure what my dilemma is, the only thing that I won't do is work for wal mart, I would work anything else, for any pay, and any shift, and I don't plan on leaving the job anytimne soon, so seasonal isn't out of the question. Yet nobody has any use for me. I'm more in the boat that I need a job because I am extremely bored.

 

Sorry to read this. I don't know what it's like in your part of the country but here in KC, you have a strike against you already. You speak English. Why hire you for $12.00 when Pedro will do it for $8.00? Plus, you'll be wanting a W2 at the end of the year, no messy paperwork with Pedro. Just cut him a check every week and everyones happy. No sarcasm intended. It is really getting pittyful. I see it everyday. Good luck. I am teetering in the same boat right now. Phone is supposed to be disconnected Monday, just found out my truck payment check bounced (Novembers payment) Haven't even thought about making Decembers yet. 3 credit cards call daily. Damn child support!!! takes 60% of my net.

 

I was out of work for just over 3 months while steady looking for a job. I kept saying the same thing, that I would not stoop that low but I finally had to go there. I never would have went to work at Walmart had I not known the co manger of the store I am at. It is sad though, that I have had a job for over 6 months now and things are getting farther behind. Had to even sell my boat just to eliminate a bill.

 

The only bill that I will have is my student loan, $5,000 and I still have 5 1/2 months grace.

My truck insurance is a measly $420 due in early march, and I don't drive anywhere so my fuel bill is null.

I really won't work for Wal Mart, I know I can't work with the slime that they already hire, and I hate the store with a passion.