Chapter 2 - Help Wanted

There was a time when I was over-employed. In my younger years I juggled a minimum of two jobs. It has been a while but I used to work part-time after my day job. It isn't as easy to pick up some temporary work just to be under-employed these days.
The secret is to be willing to work, willing to learn, and most of all willing to listen. Employers that are willing to take a chance on hiring you should not have to worry about whether you are going to show up or not. They will accept the learning curve if you apply yourself, don't make them have to repeat themselves over and over again. It's never a good idea to tell someone how to run their business. This isn't to say that you should hold back giving your opinion or making suggestions. This is to say you need to build a level of credibility before you tell your boss how to run their business.
Simple advice for interviews: - "I don't know is a good answer." That's my best suggestion for you during an interview if you get stumped on a question. You will not leave a good impression with an interview panel by faking your way through an answer. You can gracefully explain that you do not know the answer than ask what the correct answer is.
I'm wandering all over the place with the blog entry tonight. It's just a matter of dumping out some thoughts as they come to me. Like... "Leverage Networking" by telling your friends, family, neighbors, church, Batista, and barber/hair-stylist that you are looking for work. I picked up a few odd jobs when I was younger by word of mouth. It helped knowing someone that worked at a convenience store that saw a lot of lunch traffic.
Be creative and be flexible! Think of a new way to present yourself or inquire about openings. Be willing to start at a lower wage as long as there is room for advancement. Be willing to start the job if you are currently unemployed. Not quite what you want an hour is more than nothing an hour! Never leave a job unless it is to go to another one and certainly do not pass up a solid offer. Get in there and saw them that you are worth having around.
An important fact to remember is that you'll be employed as long as someone else can make a profit from having you around. This is a fact the working class must keep in mind. It's sad that jobs are sent overseas because greater profits can be had by paying foreign labor a fraction of what we are paid. This isn't going to change any time soon so we might as well face it as a fact.
Here's how greed has outsourced the American worker.

• A company makes $40.00 by selling a widget for $100.00
• The material cost is $30.00 for the widget
• The labor cost is $30.00 for the widget

Now the labor is outsourced:

• The material cost is $30.00 for the widget
• The labor cost is $10.00 for the widget
• Profits is now $60.00 for the widget

Now the materials labor is outsourced:

• The material cost is $10.00 for widget
• The labor cost is $10.00 for the widget
• The profit is now $80.00

The workers from the first company that made the widgets are now unemployed as are the workers from the company that made the materials for the widgets. The CEO's and shareholders are making millions and the American workers are left out.
This is the view the farm. Actually, it's the view from many farms, small towns, and cities around our country. Maybe we shouldn't have gotten hooked on "Life styles of the rich and famous".
Make sure you know what you are up against when you are out there in the work force.