Job Hunting for Ole Folks

I started my work experience in 1969 at a local bank, shut in the vault, filing checks making about $1.00 an hour. I am claustrophobic so you know how much I enjoyed this job. Then in 1971 I worked at a day care center in South Carolina - nope not for me! Their idea on child care and mine didn't quite mesh and it was their day care center. I went on to work at Sears in South Carolina and loved the job. I worked at the catalog desk and took phone orders as well as helped customers at the counter. I like people and this job made me happy. I am also a seamstress and have taken in sewing for many years.

Then a move and the birth of 2 children kept me out of the work force until 1978 when I went back to work at the local Sears Catalog Center. After a short time, I worked in the credit center, cash audit, and parts and service. When hours were cut back I knew I needed a more stable income and went on the job hunt. I found a receptionist position with a local manufacturing company and was there about 4 years. That was something different and enjoyable as I pre-billed the orders from teletypes in addition to answering the phone. Then I became the head bookkeeper. Then I went to the cost engineering department of another manufacturing company and hated the job. I loved the people, but 4 of us in a tiny office was too much and entering data into the computer all day was boring!

My husband and I took over a beer tavern and pool room. The hours were horrible, the pay lousy, and the benefits were terrible. This was probably the worst job I had endured in my lifetime. I still miss some of the people but would not do this again. During this time, I opened a toy and hobby store in town and really enjoyed working with the kids and yes I opened the store on Christmas morning to furnish something that had been forgotten or didn't work. The children that came in the store were respectful and pleasant and I enjoyed the time spent with each and everyone, but our small town could not support a toy and hobby shop and I was forced to close the doors.

My next job was a true learning experience. I worked for a lumber treatment plant. I was the only person in the office for quite a while. I did hiring, payroll, sales, shipping, receptionist, bookkeeping, clerical work, secretarial work, and set up a computer program to track the cost analysis for the products made. I enjoyed every facet of this job and especially the people. These were hard working people that cared about the finished product. They took pride in their work.

Then I worked part-time installing, setting up, and training business employees on Accounting software. I had to cold call new businesses to offer my services as an analyst of their accounting practices and make recommendations. There is a downside right off to this - I had owned and operated a business and I was fully aware of the lack of financing available in the start up of a new business. The dollars need to go in the product or service, not in the support. My second downfall was I had to market myself. I don't know how to do that. It may seem easy to others, but I was raised not to toot your own horn. I picked up several customers by word of mouth, but the selling end of this job was the hardest thing I ever attempted. The computer software and training part of the job brought me much joy. Installing the software and setting up the accounts thrilled me to no end and I really enjoyed the people I worked with. I have the patience of Job when dealing with people, accounts and computers. Each business was unique and so were the people I encountered.

Stability and security was what I was seeking in a position though and I hadn't found it as yet. I went to work for Department of Corrections in 1990 and Department of Public Safety in 1991. I found the stability I was looking for working with the state. I started as an Accounting Tech, moved to the secretarial group, then the technical group.

You think my job past has nothing to do with job hunting - oh, but it does. Everyone's past can tell you about that person. It took me some time before I found my niche and that is true of many people. I have acquired new skills with each and every job. When you look at my resume, it does not let you know that I can repair a pool table or juke box, I can assemble a remote control airplane, I know how to staple lattice and build a picnic table, I can inventory beer, chips, toys, operating supplies, I have learned to figure the cubic feet in lumber, I am efficient on the computer and a whiz at spreadsheets and databases, I know how to count how many stitches are in the seam of a garment and how to figure the cost of those stitches, I can run and balance a cash register and have been known to repair a few, I can locate the model and serial number on most any washing machine, dryer, or lawn mower, and so much more. I can motivate people to work and those that don't want to work, I can put in the wind. I believe in people. Some people like to work, others like to draw a paycheck, some care, some don't - I have been blessed to have worked with good people.

My point is don't just look at the employers and the job titles when reviewing an application. Take into account the skills required in the jobs held. I am asking those working in personnel, look beyond the words on an application, unless you are personally familiar with each and every job, you have no idea the skill level of an applicant. Management, do not limit yourself to those with a college degree as you are passing up some really good talent with lots of experience. A college degree is as close as the computer and skills are not learned on a keyboard. I was told by an employer that I was useless unless I was a certified officer. Wrong! Wrong attitude and wrong about me. There is nothing useless about me.

I have told a lie in this article and in the writing have learned something about myself - I can market myself and so can you. It is as easy as sitting down and writing down what you have learned, the skills you have acquired and the goals you hope to attain.

Ole folks rock! Happy job hunting and good luck!