Help! I Need a Job!

Recently Middle Child has been trying to come up with ways to earn money. He is 12. He can't work at McDonald's. He can't work at Macey's. He could babysit if there were kids in our neighborhood to babysit, but there aren't. I talked to Olaf and we came up with a great idea. On the way home from Middle Child's play practice I told him that over dinner we'd talk about an idea for a way he could earn money.

After we had all dished ourselves some food and started eating, Middle Child asked, "So, what's this job that you think I can do?"

Olaf gave him the first idea. "We thought you could donate plasma in town."

Middle Child's smile diminished somewhat. "Does it hurt?"

I jumped in, "I've never given plasma, but I've given blood. It only hurts a little bit when they poke the needle in your arm."

Olaf then added, "It does hurt a little. But it's not a big deal. But if they don't do it right they could mess you up."

Middle Child's smile completely disappeared at this point.

Olaf added, "You're supposed to be 21 to give plasma, so when they ask you your age you'll need to add 10 years."

Middle Child got a little upset, "I don't think this is a good idea! Any other ideas for a job?"

I then mentioned, "You've got two kidneys and only really need one. There's a pretty good black market for organs. We could try to find out how to sell yours on the black market."

Olaf piped in, "You'll have to have surgery and probably not in a hospital since it's illegal. So we'll have to make sure we get someone that will take almost as good care of you as a regular doctor and hospital."

Now Middle Child looked completely dejected. "I don't think I should break the law!"

We paused and ate a bite or two of food.

Then Olaf brought up one more idea for a job for Middle Child. "Why don't you come with me to clean the office once a week. You'll have specific things you have to do. You'll have to do them really good. And if you do a good job we can pay you a certain amount each time."

Middle Child jumped out of his seat he was so excited. "That sounds like an awesome idea! I'd love to do that!"

I added, "Now, you'll need to pay your tithing and put some money in savings every time you get paid."

This didn't dampen his spirits at all. He was so excited at the prospect of what he thinks will be painless employment. Yesterday we went to Best Buy and he spent his time there figuring how long it will take him to earn enough money to buy a Laptop and his own account for World of Warcraft. At least he's got goals.

New Job

I got a new job! I'm so excited it's ridiculous. You'd think I'd just been asked out on a date with the guy I've had a crush on all my high school years. I'll be working for Orem City. I drive right by it on my way to work every day, so I'll be about 1 1/2 miles closer to home. Not much when you realize I'm already 20 miles away. But in 13 work days I'll have saved the amount of one trip to my old job. But the reason I'm so excited is because it is a real accounting job but it's only part-time, five hours a day! I'll get to go home so much earlier and be with the kids and cook dinner and bake cookies and clean house and go on walks and. . . The list could go on forever. I'm just super excited!

Patience is a Virtue

For months I have applied, interviewed, turned down low-paying jobs, and been depressed as I was told several times I was a "Very Strong Candidate but we went with someone else" The time has finally come. I have been offered a job! I was not their second pick (at least not to my knowledge) and they want to pay me what I thought I could make fresh out of college in Utah County!

Of course the only reason I got the job was because I didn’t really want it. Before I applied I googled their address; it was placed on West Center Street in Provo. (Their street had a name, not a number) ‘That's not too far,’ I thought. I applied and they called me. Not for an interview but for a two-hour assessment that all candidates must take before they are even allowed to interview. When I got the directions to their office I was shocked. It may be in Provo but NORTHEAST Provo, almost to the mountains! I wouldn't have applied had I known that first.

I went and took their ghastly assessment. Whenever I got stuck, which was often, I told myself not to worry, I didn't want to work this far away from home. Somehow I still passed the assessment. Then they sent me an application. It had questions on it like "What was your single worst failure and how did you deal with it? What was the best criticism you have ever received and how did it affect you?" and my favorite "Why do you want to work for our company?" to which I replied "It seems like a nice place to work." That was my real answer and they still called me for an interview.

I went in for a brutal interview. First I interviewed with two people, then the boss, and then the HR Recruiter. She didn't like my answer to ‘Desired Salary’ of ‘Negotiable.’ I didn't want to put something out there and not get a call back because I thought I was worth more than they were willing to pay.

When the HR Recruiter called me two days later and told me they wanted to send me an offer letter (they're actually professional), talked about the pay (which was in my desired pay range), and asked if I was interested, it was all I could do not to sound excessively excited. Today I turned in all the paper work and took a drug test and, depending on the results, I should end self-employment on August 11!

Job Offers

I have been madly applying for jobs, trying to get that perfect job for me and my family. Granted the perfect job doesn't exist! Part-time at my discretion all while paying me $40 an hour. But I have been searching for a great job where I can make good money. I know that many people like working for themselves, but it's not all that it's cracked up to be. I am looking forward to Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, Benefits, 401k, the occasional free lunch, and maybe even some travel to exotic locations (getting back at the hubby and all his business trips to great places like Vegas & Reno). I have now turned down three jobs. Count them, 3! The first one wanted to pay me $10 an hour!! I would make more and have a more flexible schedule at Target and get an employee discount. The second one was more Office Manager and less Accounting. I decided with that one that I needed to actually get a real accounting job before I spread out to other things. The last one was a great job with decent pay. The only problem was that I needed to start TOMORROW! I could see the note on my door in the morning for all my daycare parents:

"Thanks for letting me tend your kids for the last 10 years, they have been great. I got a job and will not longer be tending your sweet children. Sorry for the short notice but my new employer doesn't seem to care about my loyalties and will not be upset when I leave him with a 1 day notice." Talk about burning bridges!

In the meantime the march continues. I will let you know when that semiperfect job becomes available!