Ok so here is my first ever blog post. I'll start out talking about how I ended up unemployed. The beginning was back in July, I was working for a Real Estate company well known for their Erik Estrada infomercials and property for sale all over the us. Things were not going well for me there. I was a Land Acquisitions manager there and in charge of locating potential projects through research via the internet, contacting Real Estate agents, and traveling to different areas all over the US. One of my fellow colleagues was let go and they decided to drop her workload on top of mine. The problem with that was I had no clue how to do what she did. I wasn't aware of all the proper procedures of MLS (Multiple Listing Services) sales. I was extremely stressed out everyday and my blood pressure was through the roof for a 26 year old. I couldn't take it anymore so I started to search for other options of employment. I stopped into my local Harley Davidson dealership to pick up a few things for my Buell, I was talking with the Manager about my situation and he said we have some sales positions open. I thought now I could do this, how hard is it to sell a Harley?! They pretty much sell themselves. I've grown up around Harley's and owned a few of them along with my Buell. So we did the paperwork and I went back to my current employer and asked the owner and HR director if they would lay me off so I could collect unemployment if need be, after some convincing they finally agreed and I was on my way to becoming a Harley Davidson salesman. The next week I went in to the Harley store and told him I was done with the other company and ready to come to work, to my surprise and disappointment the manager told me he needed a couple of weeks to sort some things out. Ok I thought no problem I can wait to weeks. 2 weeks went by and I returned to the Harley store to another disappointing and frustrating answer, 2 more weeks. I was a little discouraged but thought ok I can go a couple more weeks. Another 2 weeks go by and I return to the Harley store with my hopes extremely high only to have them crushed. I'm sorry sales are slow we're not going to be able to hire you. I stood there in shock! I couldn't believe it I had given up a really good paying job that I wasn't able to return to since they had already hired a replacement. Well here I am 6 months and 115 applications later and still no job. Unemployment was a joke to try and collect as I hadn't lived in California long enough to file online everything had to be done through the mail. I had to wait 2 months to get a check and by then I'd already given up and forfeited the rest of my unemployment. Only offers I've had for employment recently have been $8-$12 an hour jobs. In Southern California thats equals about $5-$6 and hour. When I left my home town to come here I was making $20 an hour in construction. I applied for several construction jobs here, with 12 years experience mind you and have basically been laughed at one time even told that they can hire mexicans for $8 why would they want to pay me anything above $12. So there you have it thats my unemployment story and my first blog enjoy.
2 comments:
Wow! That totally sucks. Harley Davidson dealers not making enough money? Yeah right! Waiting lists are measured in years (I have been on one for three years so far). That would be a dream job, though. Any other Harley dealers in your area, willing to sell rice burners (why not, it's like comparing John Deere's to a Ferrari)? I say go for it. You were willing to take a HUGE risk to get that job, look for another one along those lines. Good luck to you my friend. Three years at UPS and you can be making $29+ per hour and get full benefits, not as glamorous but it pays the bills.
that's a really cool story man. Video games stopping you from drinking. I already tried to reach you on myspace. My name is John Crandall I'm a reporter with the Orange County Register. i'd love to talk to you about your story. my number is 949-454-7308. I cover video games and RAncho Santa Margarita so you're story would be a cool article. Anyway, sorry for sending you so many messages. I wasn't trying to spam you. ocregister.com/rsm and ocregister.com/gaming are my sites (though I haven't added a post to the gaming one yet).
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