It's Who Ya Know

My son finally got a job.  After two years (really 1 year and a half.  The first half he was half-heartedly trying) of applying and applying and applying, he's gotten a part-time job.

He's a full-time college student in desperate need of funds.  We're helping as much as we can (I did the prepaid college plan for him when he was in Kindergarten - 5th grade. For five years, every month I paid into a fund that he is now using) and we're tapped out.  I'm keeping track of his expenses.  He has to pay us back; he's 19 and we're not rich nor are we a bank.

The frustrating thing, the thing that just makes me mad, is that it all boils down to who you know.

Retail outlets post "Now Hiring" signs.  When you ask, they say you have to apply on-line. So you do.  Then you wait, and wait, and wait.  You call and they have no information to give you. Thirty days later, you have to update the application on-line again.

Walmart is half a mile away.  He applied over a year ago, and updated his application every 30 days.  The "now hiring for the holidays" signs were up.  No call.  I know a manager who works there.  His suggestion: apply for every single position, even if you know you can't do it.  What? That's crazy!  My kid did it anyway.  No call.

Target was hiring for the holidays.  Same thing; apply online. Wait, wait, nothing.

Publix a mile away - same thing.  He applied on the computer in the store.  He talked to an assistant manager one time to let them know he had full Friday through Sunday availability.  *I* talked to the head manager twice while shopping there.  Nada.

Costco  - online.

The kid had Fridays (no classes) through Sundays completely free and most nights too.  He applied (online) at the movie theater too.  Nothing.

The two interviews he got?  One because my co-worker also has a part-time job at Winn Dixie at night and suggested Jacob.  He was told to, guess what....apply on-line BUT this time, the manager called him because my co-worker kept pushing.

The second interview was because David works for the same company in a different location.  They went to the closer location where David worked once before transferring,  called the local shop, went to the local shop again, called again, applied on-line again and again, called, and 5 months later, he was given the job today.  He starts tomorrow.

There are jobs out there?  So they say.  If you are trying to get one, I wish you all the very best of luck. I do.  I know how very hard it is to get one.  I can only imagine being the main supporter of a family and going up against what my kid, who has us, had to go through.

Sadly, it's who ya know.