February 5, 2009
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It's starting to look a little grim on the employment scene. The last time I was between opportunities work just kinda found me. A friend needed temp help in his medical office while his office manager was on medical leave, then a friend of his called me to cover for his front office girl while she was indisposed. One thing just led to another and sooner than I would have liked, I was back working full time.
This time feels different. Nobody is ringing me asking if I would condescend to grace their office with my expertise. Even Mike hasn't offered me any serious work, unless you call grinding epoxy off the back of marble tiles for $15/hr serious.
Thank goodness I have a little put away for a rainy day and Mike still has a backlog of jobs waiting. That said, he let the homeowner chisel him down about 30% on the job he's doing now rather than let it go to Jesus (that's Haysoos to you gringos).
Mike is one of those skilled craftsmen who have been all but pushed to extinction by the influx of cheap labor from south of the border. He's never short of work however, because he has a clientele who not only appreciates his meticulous attention to detail, but is willing to pay for it.
Early on in this job he ran into complications that were clearly going to extend the job way longer than his bid had allowed. He normally works only on a time and materials basis but made an exception because the client is really good looking. Seriously, she's a friend from the gym and is a nice girl AND she's beautiful. But I digress.
So, when he encountered said impediment to his making craftsman wages, and was wracking his brain to find a solution to the problem which would allow him to at least make minimum wage, I suggested he ask himself, "What would Jesus do?". (Again, that's pronounced Haysoos for the sake of the joke).
It remains to be seen whether he makes a living wage on this job but I know for a fact, the customer will be pleased with the job when it's finished and five years from now, when she decides to redecorate the palace, he will be cursing himself for laying a marble floor that would have lasted a lifetime.
My heart goes out to those folks out there who have lost their jobs and need to find other employment fast. Kenwats, Queenie, and others whose blogs I read, are so obviously talented that I'm sure they will find something even when they are competing against 113 other applicants for a $15 an hour job. (Queenie, if you didn't get hired on the spot, they're idiots.)
The important thing to remember is that we are not less valuable than when we were gainfully employed. We aren't less intelligent, less witty, less loveable, less sexy or even less happy, just because we are less wealthy. If we are healthy and loved, we can succeed at life. (Kenwats, quit smoking!!!! You're too brilliant to do self-destructive shit like that.)
Oh, dear, I shouldn't drink wine at the keyboard. Please forgive me.
Comments (19)
we have a lot of illegal immigants in florida too, as if the economy weren't bad enough without that additional bump in the road to employment.
What WOULD Jesus do? Oh man, I wish the best for you and all of us!! I thought I'd be more funny, unemployed, ya know? Tragedy being the root of all comedy, and all that shite.
One question: red or white?
@kenwats - Red, of course, for the health benefits.
I just learned that I can't tag you unless you are listed as a friend. I guess I should remedy that.
If you were any funnier we would have to pay you and I can't afford it.
@curtainsopen - I'm pretty liberal when it comes to immigration. I have some friends of dubious immigration status and they're very decent folks. They just have a different background when it comes to construction. Like my immigrant grandparents who were very poor, "just good enough" is what they aim for and, when all goes well, it's what they end up with.
I, uh... how do I phrase this? There are OTHER *ahem* forms of payment, ya know? *nudge-nudge* I'm sure there's something that- For God's sake, I was talking about a nice, polished marble floor!! Geez!! Put that bottle down, man! No drinking and rut-riding! (Beats your "boy" habit, though!!)
Actually, the "funny" comment was payment enough. Thanks
I'm *easy* aren't I??
@kenwats - That's what I hear from the girls down at the museum.
Speeking of all that I have a job interview this morning with a construction company. It is a temp job but more moeny, more hours and a set schudle. So what does one do, give up the less paying job and hope I get enough hours and that it to dosn't slow down. Because it could. We never no if we are going to get 2 hours or 20. Or take the hire paying job work my off hours at the job I have now and hope that when this temp job is over they like me so much they keep me on or I find a new job or the old job give me back more hours.
REMEMBER when there where jobs out there
Recession is never fun for anyone. But you do what can do, if you really want to work. Sometimes, you have to take a lesser job which can work to your advantage when the one you have your eye on comes along. It shows potential employers that you are willing to work and believe me, in these times, they have the luxury of waiting for people to come along that will put in a good days work. Think about it, who would you rather hire, a candidate who just puts in resumes all day long then goes home and waits for the phone to ring or one who takes the lesser job AND finds the time to apply for a better position. When the interviewer asks what have you been doing these last 6 months, it sures sounds better to say you have been working while looking for a better postion that fits your skills and abilities. Been there, done tha,t a couple of times, not fun.
Meanwhile, do you need to put in a breathilyzer next to your computer so you know when you might reach the "lethal limit" for blogging?
@Tuesday928 - For most people I'd say wait to worry about it until they offer you the job. But, since you always get the job offer if you get an interview, maybe it depends on how much more money you're talking about. Normally, I'd say stick with the job you have over the temp job since you like it so much.
@zarnicki - Thankfully, Kenwats didn't take offense at my insensitive comment about smoking. He really has a good sense of humor.
. (that's a small pun on the word perchloroethylene, the solvent used to clean clothes before the EPA mandated a more environmentally friendly substance.) Ugh, that was bad; better go back to drinking.
I'm sure you're right about taking any job no matter how menial and I really have loved every job I've ever done so that's no issue for me. As you may recall, even working in a dry cleaners had its perqs
Yeah, the dry cleaners. Of course, you were a real risk taker back then, you even drove one of those "exploding" Pintos.
@judyrutrider - damn them, kissing and telling... easy and hard at the same time.
@zarnicki - Risk taker?!? I was poor! Or did you mean marrying the Airman?
@kenwats - Now you're just bragging.
@judyrutrider - Ha ha ha ha! I think you're giving me too much credit now! *blush*
Gee I never thought about the risk you took with him...
AND it wasn't disclosed about the Pintos exploding until years later.
I hope you find a job soon, ,my hubbie is a bricklayer and when he gives a price for a job he feels that people thinks it too much so he tends to air on the low side
@englishjuls - Mike is the same way. I try to convince him to start with a high price and then, if they object, suggest things that could be done differently to reduce the cost or even extend a discount. People love discounts, makes them feel special. I doesn't make sense to negotiate before you have to.
If Mike works well with patience , precision and art he has to ask the good price . His work must be valued . I prefer a work well done and pay more than something not serious for a light price .
The job market becomes hard everywhere . It ' s worrying .
But this don' t bother your nectarine trees to be in full bloom and your strawberry bushes to already be in fruits . And who is going to dig the ground for a summer garden ??? It ' s Judy !
Love
Michel
@fauquet - Yes, I have no time to look for work when the garden needs digging. I must bore you with a blog on my latest endeavor.
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