More developments (is she getting bigger still?)

[calientra]

Yesterday can only be described at.... INTERESTING.

Ok. You all know about the sucky mustard bottle job I got through Manpower last week. Well, needless to say, it did not take me long at all (5 minutes tops) to decide that that was not going to be my life-long career. I had received an email on Monday from the Illinois Dept. of Employment Security (unemployment and job search office) about a company interested in me for my mad forklift driving skills. The instructions were to go to the IDES office in Ottawa, IL on Wednesday, between 8 and 5. Now, most of you probably aren't familar with the area I live in. I live in Jonesville, which is an unincorporated area bordering on Oglesby, IL. Directly across the Illinois River are the twin cities (towns) of LaSalle and Peru. Most of the jobs in the area are in Peru, for some reason. Now Ottawa is about 15 miles east of here, along the Illinois River. Well, I was supposed to work 8 to 4... and the easiest way to Ottawa from work would have been to take I-80 east. Now, this intersects Ottawa at the far north end... and of course, the IDES office is at the far far south end, in fact, outside the back door is a soybean field. Ottawa is split in two parts by the Illinois River also. Take into account that I-80 is under a lot of construction and is now reduced to one lane in each direction from Peru east 8 or 9 miles... and the fact that it usually takes at least 20 minutes to traverse Ottawa... and there was no way I could have made it to the IDES office on time. So what did the silly vixen do, you ask? She was bad, and didn't go to work, that's what she did. But wait!... I had other business to attend to in Ottawa. See, it's the county seat here for LaSalle county. Thusly, I had to also go there to reapply for food stamps, mainly because between the crappy unemployment checks I got while off work were not near enough to even pay rent... and the fact that I have virtually no other money... I was at the point of being willing to do what ever it took. Now, again, with the work hours, no way to get there... so I combined the trips into one. So went to the food stamp office first and got the paperwork taken care of. Then went to IDES and filled out more paperwork (I wonder how many tree's worth of paperwork I've filled out in my lifetime so far?) and had the interview there. It would be a sweet job, driving forklift for a large building materials company for $12.90 an hour to start. Well, on the way into the parking lot, I saw a sign that said "Teleperformance now Hiring" So... I went in there after the IDES office. Filled out the paperwork... and was hired on the spot, and told training class started that same afternoon at 4pm. Was I ever startled! Now... the only real bad thing about this job.... and I'm sure you can guess by the company's name... it's telemarketing. But honestly, I don't care. I've been wanting an office type job now for ages, mainly because my messed up back can't seem to handle hard physical labor anymore. And talking on the phone trying to sell insurance shouldn't be that bad for me to do. Yeah, I know I'll get bitched and yelled at, cussed out, hung up on... but that happens to me some times anyway... and I can deal. My normal shift will be 4pm to 9pm M-F, with extra hours to take me to 40 hours a week when ever I want to go in early. Plus, if I do manage to get the part time cashier's job at Home Depot I interviewed for last week, being as it was day hours only... I could work both part time jobs and come out ahead money wise. So all in all, I think it was definitely worth taking the day off to do the trip.

Comments

[beetiger.livejournal.com]

I did a summer of telemarketing-type work, about 12 years ago, when this was still a moderately new thing. Make sure you are getting a plausible base rate, not just commissions. You can get realyl screwed otherwise.

Re:

[cal-foxx.livejournal.com]

The base rate I'll be making is the same pay I was getting at the mustard bottle place.... so it shouldn't be too different as far as pay goes. Plus the bonus schedule seems fair to me. Sounds also like they have a pretty high turnover rate... so if I stick it out, as I plan to do unless some miracle job comes along... I should be doing fairly well in a short time. Hoping so at least.

[wesha.livejournal.com]

Purrsonally, I would've chosen the forklift. It's a sure pay at least, and driving is more fun as it's seemingly not gonna be monotonous.

Re:

[cal-foxx.livejournal.com]

I haven't been offered a position at the forklift place yet.... but we shall see. I do know they are hiring a lot of people to add 2 more crews in the newly expanded plant there.

[beetiger.livejournal.com]

When I did it, I actually enjoyed the work, most nights. People were a lot less nasty to random callers then, though. Turnover was very high - I saw different coworkers week-to-week, and after a month I felt like an old-timer. (It was a summer job for me.)

I did the same .. . almost

[goldenzoltan.livejournal.com]

I worked at a telemarketing place in charlotte last summer. After about three weeks into working, they said they had to move their offices and fired all the current employees.

I never saw a paycheck :-/

those dirty rats!

Re: I did the same .. . almost

[cal-foxx.livejournal.com]

This place has been in the same office and in business for 12 years, so I don't think they will be closing any time soon.

[wesha.livejournal.com]

Yupyup! Honey, please ensure that you get a nifty baserate. If there's only pay-per-deal, then just run outta there.

Purrsonally, I prefur to drain the telemarketers who call me before hanging up. Like, giving them fake credit card numbers, address information, asking them lotsa questions etc, so their time is wasted nicely (hey come on, it's just a self defense!)

Re:

[cal-foxx.livejournal.com]

I know... I do the same thing most times too. But... it's a job. Seems like the best choice for me right now too... mainly 'cause my poor back has been screaming at me again for the physical labor stuff lately. It's weird though... when I was at Eakas, it didn't bother me much. But the last two places... much pain.

[beetiger.livejournal.com]

Not nice! I usually just get them off the phone quickly, let them get on to their next call. It's a second or third job for most of those folks. "Thanks for calling, not interested, please take me off your list as per NY State law, g'bye, *click*" usually does the trick.

Then again, sometimes I am in a mood, and I ask them what they are wearing, mew into the phone, or otherwise act bizarre.

[cloverr.livejournal.com]

Well, I guess even telemarketing would be better than mustard bottles! However,I think the forklift job would be better in the long run if it comes through for you. Good luck on it all. Hey, at least you are looking for and willing to work!

Re:

[cal-foxx.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, if I am offered the forklift driving job, I am so there! Where else can a vixen sit on her butt all day and make good money?

Um.... well, maybe I shouldn't have asked that question... *grins*

And yes, I'm very willing to work, just so long as it doesn't kill me in the process.

[shockwave77598.livejournal.com]

Sure beats the bottleworks, I admit :)

Re:

[cal-foxx.livejournal.com]

Exactly. I still cannot imagine any place needing so many mustard bottles...

[wesha.livejournal.com]

You should've added a creative touch. ;) I've already thought up a simple cardboard 'device' that would 'automatically' arrange the bottles into the box.

looks like you got alot windows

[roo3k.livejournal.com]

Wow I wish I had so many possiblitys and chances for money I am loosing money I think By not looking right now defanatly a Ispiring story I jusat have to get off my Roo But And find I place I would actualy be able to work at

[jess-k.livejournal.com]

Wow... Yeah, good move skipping work :P I say give the telemarketing a shot (no choice now I guess :>) and go for the Home Depot thing too if they want you... BUT...don't take your eye off the driving job... for a long-term thing, from what it sounds like, you'd be both happier and better paid there... Best of luck foxie :D

[sarahskunkie.livejournal.com]

There's an Ottawa in Illinois?

An American settlement named after the Canadian Capital?

I wonder if the people there know alot about Canadians..

Re:

[cal-foxx.livejournal.com]

Actually, quite a few towns and places named after French explorers in this area. Seems like early European settlers and explorers favored this area. Lots of history here.

[redvixen.livejournal.com]

*smiles* there's a Vancouver in WA and there's actually a place called Canada altho I forget which state

[delphi-of-clf.livejournal.com]

*huggles* To make a long post short, congratulations :>. I've had other friends in the same business, *not company, mind you, but still*, and they've all reproted good things about it :>. You should like it, and if you're creative enough, you might get better jobs within the company :>.

Awsome!!!

[drakeoth.livejournal.com]

Thats Great! I am glad you have found something better than mustard bottle packaging (Yuck I don't like mustard anyway). It looks like thinks are beginning to look up for you. *Purrs* Keep a positive outlook and things will go your way. *smiles*