Low Wage Jobs- Please Help (Boston: apartment, rental, insurance)

[sirtoff]

Hi guys been browsing a few days and you guys seem to be real helpfull so i figured I'd ask some questions.

My wife an i are contemplating the move from western mass to LAS VEGAS and have many questions.

#1 Jobs- Right now my wife works making $11 an hour as a reservationist/receptionist and I recently left a job making the same working as a residential counselor (overnights with juvenile delinquints). She has also worked front desk at a spa,houskeeping,waitressing,etc. Myself have worked in grocery stores (produce clerk/cashier/etc). We have also been running a small internet home business for a few years that brings us in a little bit each month ($300+).

We are wondering is competition that tough for blue collar/ no degree needed jobs? Are there really like 250 applicants for a housekeeping position? Will we have to return for 4th and 5th interviews for such positions? We are willing to pretty much work anywhere to start. Id work at mcdonalds if need be. How long should we expect to have to wait for these types of jobs? Months? What about the pay? $8 an hour, or is it more like $6???

****Also we have very poor credit and filed BANKRUPTCY a few years ago. I know this makes it tougher to secure an apartment, but will it prevent us from getting these types of jobs? Will we be able to get work permits (so we can work in the casinos) with a past bankruptcy and poor credit?

Thanks in advance more questions to follow.

[MAtoNC!]

OK, I have to ask: Why Western MA to Las Vegas?

[twiggy]

OK, first, I hope this was posted on the Las Vegas thread too. Second, I might be able to help a little because I live in AZ. Because the west is close to Mexico the amount of blue collar workers is very high. Plus the wages are low. I was amazed at how much people get paid in MA compared to out west. Housing is not that much cheaper either, unless you live in a crap hole! So be careful what you rent over the internet. Your bad credit will probably not hurt you as much out here, most blue collar workers have it, it's hard to pay the bills on a low salary. People in AZ are foreclosing like crazy because a bunch of people bought homes during the "spike". So the west has a lot of credit problems right now, you should be ok. Oh, and I hope you can handle the heat, make sure your car has air condition! If not, it's like living in Boston without heat! You have to have air condition.
There are a lot of good jobs in Vegas, you will probably do fine. Good luck to you! You have to visit to find a good apt. or rental home. You can probably find a rental for 800 to 1000 a month. Rent a little further from the strip, it will be nicer and cheaper.

[NY'er lost in MA]

I like to tell this success story of a friend from high school. He did receive an Associates Degree in Business or something like that, but always wanted to head out to Las Vegas. He finally did- got a job as a valet attendant. It wasn't abnormal for him to make upwards of $300/night in tips alone. After 2 years and mingling with the right management, he switched into guest services and became a host (at the pool) and then a bar within the casino. New hotels/casinos open- more opportunities. I think he switched hotels 3-4 times.

He is now a VIP host and hangs with the high rollers and makes more money than Doctors, MBA wizs, and attorneys.

Downfall- you have to work alot of nights and be willing to work your way up- 5-7 years...

Good luck!

[LeavingMA]

Originally Posted by NY'er lost in MA

I like to tell this success story of a friend from high school. He did receive an Associates Degree in Business or something like that, but always wanted to head out to Las Vegas. He finally did- got a job as a valet attendant. It wasn't abnormal for him to make upwards of $300/night in tips alone. After 2 years and mingling with the right management, he switched into guest services and became a host (at the pool) and then a bar within the casino. New hotels/casinos open- more opportunities. I think he switched hotels 3-4 times.

He is now a VIP host and hangs with the high rollers and makes more money than Doctors, MBA wizs, and attorneys.

Downfall- you have to work alot of nights and be willing to work your way up- 5-7 years...

Good luck!

I've heard similar stories. I've heard and spoke with bathroom attendants in Las Vegas who made alot of money, but they give up basically every night, especially their weekend nights.

The one thing that most who moved to Las Vegas said though is that after a few years they were bored there and wanted to move out.

Everything revolves around the tourism industry there.

[NY'er lost in MA]

I would also add that there are plenty of jobs and different positions to choose from....

The gambling industry is enormous and the casinos bring in billions. I'm sure you'll both do fine there.

[CityGirl52]

I've been to Las Vegas 7 times, I love it out there. I'm sure it's a completely different story residing there though. I would think you'll do fine; you're both young and if you don't like it? Move, that's all! From what I know of it? Even waiters and waitresses do well for themselves. For instance, one day out there we wanted to check out the Palms Resort, so we had lunch after touring it all in their 24/7 Cafe. The waitress was from the east coast and told us she was making $15 an hour plus tips. That's extremely good for waitressing! I was a waitress when I was young and never made that an hour, try 1.00 or 2.00 an hour plus tips back then! I know that this Palms Resort has openings all the time, so it's a place that you could check out:

www.palms.com

It's also where a lot of high profile celebrities hang out, that's why we hopped in a taxi from where we were staying, along the main strip to get ourselves over to this Palms resort. We wanted to see what the big draw was for these high profile entertainers and celebrities! This particular waitress was so funny, she told us that you never know who's going to sit down at a table any hour of the day or night, that she served quite a few entertainers while working there that year alone, and a lot of their tips were just awesome, so remember that!

After checking that Palms Resort all out, I actually really love the main strip's hotels better than this Resort; but to each his own! Whatever floats their boat! As long as every ones having a good time and they TIP, that's all that matters, right?!!

As far as your bankruptcy is concerned? Remember that in this country these days there's 1 in 6 people that have filed bankruptcy believe it or not
at least once in their lives and if they haven't? They know some one that did!
A lot of people are in denial with this fact, but it's life now in our country,
unfortunately. It's usually credit card debt and these companies I think should be held accountable, they're a disgrace now playing in to this the way they do and I myself think it's making these corporations richer and richer and no ones telling me different with that one. They're lining their pockets with their insurance and all that. It's a big game and no ones telling me it isn't, every one in this country with credit cards in their pockets are playing in to this game. The federal bankruptcy courts are averaging 700 people a day filing all around the USA and that's just an average figure; so don't think you're alone, because you're not alone, trust me. You'll get through it all. They don't want to see people without roofs over their heads and without wheels; oh the laws might be stricter now than they were before, but that's not going to change things one iota with this whole issue.

Good luck and hope you make out great!

[miu]

Why not move closer to Boston and get work at the convention center for a start? They are busy and the pay is very good. Get the hotel work experience and save up your money. Then move out to Vegas. You don't have to travel far to get good work.