Unemployment.

[Grim_Reefer]

This sucks, I'm out of money damn near, and seriously... every place I have walked in to to apply has shot me down like... nearly instantly. So I have switched to using online methods of finding a job. I figure, if I can at least get an interview, I can woo them with my speech-craft and high I.Q.... what was I gonna ask? Oh yeah. Anybody know anything about finding jobs online? Does it really work as easily as the commercials say? Where can a dread-headed stoner like myself find work? I am honestly really quite intelligent and have amazing work ethic and people skills, but society today shuns people who look like me apparently. I don't know, some of established adults have any ideas for a young up-and-comer like myself trying to make it in the job market?

[Raargant]

Well, two questions. First, what skills do you have/what types of jobs are you looking into?

Second, how are you presenting yourself?

I don't know how you look, but judging from your own comment of 'society today shuns people who look like me' and self-describing yourself as a dread-headed stoner, I'll guess that you perhaps aren't quite that clean-cut.

Getting a job is about marketing two things; your skills, and your image. I'm not saying that you can't get a job, based on the way you seem to present yourself and dress, but I am saying that you will have considerably more difficulty if you don't spruce up a bit. There will be people who will refuse to hire you. This is because they will have questions about your competence (dread-headed stoners do have that reputation), as well as questions about (this depends partially on the job) the image which their employees are projecting to their customers. Both concerns are reasonable on their part.

I'm not saying you must change your appearance; I'm just saying that if you really want to preserve your 'independence' in the way you dress, it's going to be considerably more difficult than it otherwise might be. There is a price for everything; basically, the question is, which one are you more willing to pay?

[Guest emp_newb]

I recomend going to call centers, ordering centers, or billing centers. All places focusing solely on your communication skills, charisma, and customer service.

[KRins]

Raar is very right, but I can tell you from experience...image is every bit if not more important that skills. I hired a 5'3 100 pound girl to do landscaping because I know we will get more sales with her sauntering around the job site even though she doesn't know which one is the business end of a shovel.

[Grim_Reefer]

The major problem with my appearance I believe is my dread-locks, but I refuse to cut them off as they are there due to spiritual beliefs of mine. The only real trade skill I have is swimming pools. I did pool cleaning and maintenance for a few years, but there isn't a big market for that kind of work around here apparently. As far as my hair goes, I can tie my dreads up and look pretty professional, and I wear glasses so that makes me look cool. I don't know, this is a hassle. I'd prefer to have a manual labor type job that pays well, like I'll shovel **** all day if it pays well enough.

[Kyzarius]

Sell yourself, you would be amazed how little your own skill-set matters if you sell yourself.

Find a job that fits your lifestyle, dread's and an easy going attitude can really cook on the bar scene. It takes just a little effort to take some training classes get your bartender cert's and bartending can pay LOADS on tips. Especially if sleeping till the afternoon then working from like 4pm till 2am fits your normal hang-out habits.

note : the biggest pain running a bar is employees ( I was floor manager for two clubs in college for two years) who come to work for you yet have the, oh this isnt a REAL job im just here for free booze and partying. People who come to these kinds of jobs with a strong work ethic and treat it like a JOB can make one hell of a killing. For some the loud music and weird hours wear them down after time, but others just seem to strive and like I said you can come home with fat ads of cash if your a good charmer.

[Iyorvin]

Get a hair-cut, shave, and go work at mcdonalds.

[Quigt]

The only thing I can give you knowledgeable advice on would be restaurant work. If your appearance is that big of an issue, then you can always opt to work a job in the back doing the dishes, or preferably as a cook's assistance. That way, it'll be easy to work your way up to another position like cook/waiter/whatever the hell you want. I mention dishing like it's an actual option, and for most people that aren't 16 like I am, it's really not. But if you're that desperate for work, it's better than nothing. Plus, if you bust your *** doing low-end work, then it'll really make some references for you if you should decide to search for other jobs.

[Grim_Reefer]

My last job was at a bar, I'd really like to escape that kind of environment and have a day job where I can work outside potentially, that would be nice.

[Quigt]

Have you looked into construction?

[BigPapa]

Do you want an 8-5pm office job?

Go to a staffing agency, Spherion, Manpower, Adecco etc... Present yourself in a suit and tie and tell them what you are seeking and your skill sets.

The best parts

1) You get in the door much easier

2) You can check out the company they send you to, if you dont like it, no big deal, they will send you elsewhere

3) If you like it, and they end up lliking you, the company will buyout your contract from the Staffing agency, or after 90 days they can normally roll you over to their payroll.

Dreads are not a big deal, if you walk in well dressed and you are articulate and well mannered. Most of the staffing Coordinators are younger and will love your look if you do not have an attitude to go with it.

[TheNewGuy]

I'd go for studies in your situation, but if you live in the US, that might be tough if you're short on money. Otherwise, I'd have to agree with BigPapa. Suit and tie will not only cover for the hair, but give a damn professional impression. Wish you good luck!

[killalou]

Raar is very right' date=' but I can tell you from experience...image is every bit if not more important that skills. I hired a 5'3 100 pound girl to do landscaping because I know we will get more sales with her sauntering around the job site even though she doesn't know which one is the business end of a shovel.[/quote']

That girl needs more meat on her bones....*shiver*

[KRins]

I don't think she is literally 100 pounds... but if you saw her I doubt you'd complain...I have no clue why she wanted to do landscaping though

[killalou]

My last job was at a bar' date=' I'd really like to escape that kind of environment and have a day job where I can work outside potentially, that would be nice.[/quote']

Everyone is right, if you want a job you have to clean yourself up and your act. Since you want a job outdoors I would going to a trade school and becoming a technican. The pay is good and the work is hands on. Right now there is a big industry in infrastructure/utilities. If building construction, or helping set up substations is your thing try those business venues. If all else fails you can always join the army for a couple of years.

['tarako]

'Try and become a city construction worker. Take a test. join the union. work year round. amazing pay. maybe even get up to foreman or whatnot. city crew is the way to do it if you're looking for construction.

[Dizz]

Ditto on the cleaning up part. Suit, tie, dress pants or at least a pressed polo shirt. Tame the dreads so the flyaways aren't too wild and hide any jewelry other than a gold/silver tone watch. Image is huge for most businesses.

As far as options go: smoke shops, art district shops, outdoor work, mining, mechanics. OR you can go into business yourself (legal ) Start with a product that you always seem to need and have a hard time finding and market it.

[Raargant]

OR you can go into business yourself (legal ) Start with a product that you always seem to need and have a hard time finding and market it.

Note: NOT weed.

[Ex-D&Der]

I haven't had much luck with Monster or those kinds of search sites. Too many ads and I get the sense that the employers get inundated with resumes (although someone I know who is quite successful swears by CareerBuilder). If you went to college, I would recommend you start with their resources. Sometimes they have a version of one of the search sites tailored for their alumni. They get a smaller number of ads for more interesting jobs and also the employers are going to get fewer resumes and will probably be looking for graduates from your school. Also, web sites (not search engines) with listings specific to a certain field (in my case education) I have found to be very helpful, with real listings, and I have gotten interviews and job offers through them. I would ask around from people you know who work in the area where you want to work for web sites with good listings--that's how I found them.

I would also suggest you check classifieds in the newspaper in your area (on-line if you wish). I got a job that way once and I think a lot of people still rely on it.

Also it's good to use any kind of personal network you have. You can make a list of everyone you know and contact them and ask if they know about anything. I got some pretty interesting information about different kinds of jobs that way.

The job I have now I ended up getting through my school--it was posted on a department listserv.

Good luck!

[Kyzarius]

I put an add in the local paper here for data entry people a few months ago and got 47 resumes in two days..heh, so yes people still read the paper

[Anume]

An agency might be a very good idea as they can work out where you would fit in just perfectly often better than you can yourself. If you feel you must keep the dreads (And I know Rastas without ), get the rest to look immaculate (started from shave, fingernails, going over what you wear, including socks and shoes). Glasses are ok, no colored ones though if you have an interview. Avoid any odd beltbuckets and logs on your clothing as well. Simple, classic, well-cut.

[Pali]

Avoid any odd beltbuckets and logs on your clothing as well.

I don't know, a respectable employer might appreciate seeing some good old RP or PK on your clothes.

[Guest emp_newb]

Look, get ahold of some local union halls.

Good ones to look into are:

Iron Workers

Electricians

Carpenters

Stone Mason

Brick Layer

Hell go to some local suburbs that are doing a bit of construction and walk up and ask for the foreman, I got an $11 an hour job by doing that to a window installer.