| So recently, I have decided to reiterate my hobby.......work. Yes, I am indeed a workaholic if you will: I enjoy the time spent on making money as much as the pay itself. Here's a bit of my work history. At the ripe age of 14 (and I now realize how young and naive I was during that short episode) I thought I was old enough to make my own money and start being independent. I thought I had all the experience from volunteering and girl guides to easily get hired, start making them big bucks and live life. Early December, I held a folder with sets of printed resumés and held onto it carefully and made my way around the mall. A middle-aged Russian lady with flaming red hair had a few questions for me, but other than , I was basically greeted with fake friendly smiles. Thinking I had undoubtedly aced the Russian woman's questionaire, I held onto her business card and happily waited for the call for notice of employment. That, of course, did not happen. By Early January, I was a little brought down - I had openly went against my parents' will and went about applying to stores around the mall, but they had proved me wrong once again... no one wanted to hire me. It was not 4 months past my 15th birthday when I decided to try again, and this time I was in desperate search of a summer job. I revised my resumé over and over, editted little details and moved different sections around to make it look neater, and even wrote out a cover letter to earn more points. I searched up "most commonly asked interview questions" and yes, talked in front of the mirror to make sure the façade of my confidence seemed real. And as a tip to future job seekers: all efforts are never unseen. Immediately I was hired, at surprisingly, a big corporate, world-wide retail store. This store originates from Turkey (I believe) and is internationally known. Everyone I knew, even more so myself, was shocked to learn that I had gotten hired at a place like this, and what is even more ridiculous was that it was my first job! So I worked there happily for a year, and the next summer when I was 16 years, my mom offered me a part-time summer job at her company. The position was a receptionist/data entry, and I enjoyed every bit of my summer days spent inside that cooler, sitting, typing away, and transferring phone calls. But don't forget my job at the mall! So basically, my summer was spent working two jobs back to back. In the morning, I would be a sales associate, and in the afternoon, after I quickly bus across the city, I become a young receptionist. 7 days of work for a 16 year old? Tough, but I handled it. Eventually, due to my dissatisfaction towards the management at the store I worked for, I quit that job in mid-August. Many people questioned me why I had quit the "dream job" , and I bluffed it off with a "I was too tired from working 2 jobs". School began in the Autumn, and I was forced to quit the office job due to unmatched schedules. Being unemployed felt a little weird in the beginning, but I was soon enjoying the free weekends of sleeping in and such. It was this January when I noticed my bank numbers had gone a little low, and I realized that I needed a job not just to earn money, but to prevent myself from spending. How does that work? Well, if I'm busy at work, then I wouldn't have time to go out....therefore abolishing the possibility of spending money unneccessarily! Finding a job post off Craigslist, I quickly sent in a resume and cover letter. This job was a little different: instead of retail or office, the setting was in a restaurant. Almost immediately, I was asked for an interview, and during my second interview I was officially hired! I couldn't believe it - I was hired at a four restuarant in the heart of the city, the centre of business. Perhaps it is my employment luck. Or not. I told my dad once he got off the plane. His reaction? "No. You are not allowed to work at a restaurant, no discussion." I was blown away. I successfully got hired at four star restaurant downtown, and my dad says no? It was ultimate humiliation when I called in and informed the assistant manager of my situation. She was extremely nice about it, told me it was alright and that she had gone through something similar. I asked her to tell my manager to call me back......but the phone call was never made. I had just done the most embarrassing thing - tell my employer that my FATHER will not allow me to work at restaurants. I was constantly on the look-out for more job postings, now only in the retail section, but no stores ever caught my eye. My standard had been set too high from my previous retail job....although my boyfriend told me sometimes I have to put my pride aside in times of these, I still couldn't quite agree to working somewhere I looked down on. Maybe it was this stupid pride that ended me where I am now, and maybe it is, like I said before, employment luck. A small but quick-growing company was opening its fifth store at the mall I live close to, and I knew that I could not let this opportunity slip away. Although small, the store's presence in our city has made its way up the ladder, especially to the 20-something fashionistas that are always looking for new ideas and fresh styles. Here's another tip: Agressiveness DOES work (but do not mix this with being plain annoying!). Although the owner made it EXTREMELY clear that they do not usually hire part-timers, he agreed to give me a try. Which all leads to where I am right now. Tomorrow will be my third trial shift! The owner, before hiring me, continuously warned me of the expectations of this position. He told me about the expectation of image, sales, and knowledge of the industry and product. He stressed the difference of working styles compared to my previous retailer as this company is ran by Chinese (Hong Kong-ese) guys. The Chinese like to give it tough to the newbies apparently, but rewards are great if all goes well in time. All seemed quite exaggerated, and I thought "It's okay, he's just exaggerating so that I would be prepared for the worst." Being proud of my previous retail position, I forced myself to believe that selling wouldn't be hard at all - just smile and know your shit. With this, I accepted the job without thinking twice and told myself that this could be a new challenge. Now the pros of this job is the bragging rights. In conversations, you get to sneak in the company you currently work for and people will go like "WHAT?! You work at _________?! I wanted to work there! Hook me up man!" and you nod your head and you smile that sneaky little smile. People WANT the job. People WANT the title. People admire your job-hunting ability! Cons: This job made me realize LIFE IS FUCKING TOUGH. I'm only in highschool and still mooching off my parents. Imagine needing to support yourself with this job. The position demands all aggressiveness and socializing skills you have ever learnt or know. On the first day, I was still adjusting to the massive change of working atmosphere. Suddenly, I needed to unwillingly strike up awkward conversations with people who do not want to be bothered, who want to shop with their ipod music or conversing with their friends. No one responded to me that shift. I have never felt so hopeless, ugly, and ignored. At the end of the night, one of my bosses...nicely gave me shit (in a way). He taught me how to approach different customers etc etc. I began the second shift as if I was on fire. I converesed with all customers, repeating almost the same idea to everyone. I can dare say I have never talked so much, for so long, in my entire 17 years of life. I was excited and I was feeling good. Moreover, I made new friends and even quickly developed a crush on a coworker!! However nearing the last 2 hours of my 6-hour shift, my energy level was slowly diminishing. My words became a little more slow and I didn't jump at all entering customers in a split second, like I had before. This was when my boss came in. He completely missed the high point of my shift and only observed my weak hours. Obviously I cannot blame this on anyone but myself, but damn, does that suck!! Before I left, he told me that although I was dressed very nicely, I needed to step up my game, and double my focus. We took a look at the daily sales of that day on the computer and I had the lowest sales. He told me that he would really like to hire me, but if my sales continued to be that bad, then he is very sorry to be saying "bye bye". Afterwards at dinner, I analysed my day's performance. True, I put in my best effort for most of my shift..... but I am sadly no longer living in this protected little bubble where work is just sitting around or standing around looking pretty. True, effort is never left unseen, but the importance of effort is nowhere near the expected results. So what if you tried your hardest? If you can't produce the results, then you're nothing. If you don't try your hardest but you (somehow) are able to meet the expectations, well , great job! In addition, you get the employee of the month award!! All sarcasm aside, I realized that in the end, results are the what matters the most. I might just have to rework my selling techniques as everyone else in the store didn't talk as much as I did that day...combined. I have tons of excuses of course. "He has too high expectations of me! It's only my second shift! He should give me time to get used to the job and get to know the products! I know nothing about the store, and he expects me to sell alot? The people who come in this store don't even want to buy shit. They are trashy and lower class. They don't understand the value and the brands. The don't even know the brands. They just come in because it's a new store and they want to check it out. I can't possibly sell to people who are not interested in spending on stuff they have never heard of. The other sales have been working way longer than me and they know how to talk about the product better, so they usually get all the sales. He should give me time to work on everything, he can't actually expect me to sell $600 per 5 hours! " and so on, so on. But it all comes down to one thing: I wasn't able to meet his expectations. And I'll admit so much. And I will work my ass off for it, tomorrow. Right now, I'm not even working for the money anymore. I'm working for a couple of things: 1) To keep my job. 2) To prove to myself, my dad, my boss and everyone else that I'm not a fucking princess who can't handle a little bit of pressure. I don't even care if this job lasts or not anymore. This has now become something that I need to overcome, for myself more than anybody. And my pride will fuel me forward, with full force. I cannot promise that I will not eventually get fired, but I will not stop trying. I will not be only doing my best, but I will be doing more than what I believe I can handle. OK, I am sounding a little demented and when I fail, I will be embarrassed that I have said any of that. Anyway on a brighter note, tomorrow I will be opening with my assistant manager. I don't know what to make of him......He's fob, but he's really ....pretty? His hair and make-up and eyes are perfect - perfect colours. He almost looks like a doll. Although not very helpful, he encourages me alot and even though it may be a little awkward (an awkward pat on the back included), he makes me feel a little better that my efforts are not invisible. Everyone working with me that shift knew I was working my tiny ass off! Results, results, results..... I can't beleive I am considered a "baby" YET AGAIN...at work. At my first job, it was expected I guess...seeing as I had just turned 15 within those months. At my second job, I was known as my mother's daughter therefore treated like a little princess as well. Here, I thought being 17 would be old enough, but NO, the word "baby" is still my name. How ........curious..indeed... Time for sleep babes. Will Miss.Work-a-holic survive? Stay tuned kids....... :) |
