Trying to find my place in the job market (Spokane: mortgage broker, home)

[ArcticPhoenix]

I get asked that a lot. My response is why don't you deploy to a third world rat hole every other year for a year of your life. I've already been there and done that.

It seems to be right up your alley... you seem to have a problem with pretty much anything you could get here. You're not going to start at the top of the ladder, you have to climb it in any organization you go to.

Do I have an attitude, yeah it's a called a Type A personality.

No, it's called a "bad" attitude.

I'm not going to accept anything less than what I am setting out to do.

Hate to break the news to ya, but you already are. You have to accept unemployment, which is even LESS than a "dead end job". A "dead end job" is still a job... and no job will never be better than that.

I'm not going to take some dead end position where I'm going to hate waking up everyday and have to drag myself in to do a job.

There really isn't any such thing as a "dead end" position. Every job offers you the opportunity to hone some type of skill. If nothing else, a "dead end job where you hate waking up every day" would inspire you to find work even moreso than collecting a check for doing nothing right now.

I guarantee you with persistence and perseverance I will be able to report on here that I found a job that fits the goals I have set in what is suitable employment. It might be Monday, it might be in a month or it might be when I get back spring of 2011. There's no reason to accept anything less though. That's part of what drives Spokane's poverty. People here just accept and settle for what's out there.

Uh huh. People accept and settle for what's out there because guess what? When your stomach is growling and you are cold, that small wage means you can at least afford to put *something* in your stomach and, even if you can't afford to turn up the heater, you can afford a blanket.

Honestly, with the things that you've said, I'm surprised you're in an officer position in the military. I would think that that world had taught you something valuable about life in that sometimes you just have to grit your teeth, bear it, and make the best of whatever situation you've got.

Spokane isn't poverty stricken, either. You've been to places that are poverty stricken, and on an intellectual level you must realize that $10/hr isn't "poverty wages". A buck an hour would be, but 10/hr isn't.

[Spokanejobseeker]

Originally Posted by ArcticPhoenix

It seems to be right up your alley... you seem to have a problem with pretty much anything you could get here. You're not going to start at the top of the ladder, you have to climb it in any organization you go to.

No, it's called a "bad" attitude.

Hate to break the news to ya, but you already are. You have to accept unemployment, which is even LESS than a "dead end job". A "dead end job" is still a job... and no job will never be better than that.

There really isn't any such thing as a "dead end" position. Every job offers you the opportunity to hone some type of skill. If nothing else, a "dead end job where you hate waking up every day" would inspire you to find work even moreso than collecting a check for doing nothing right now.

Uh huh. People accept and settle for what's out there because guess what? When your stomach is growling and you are cold, that small wage means you can at least afford to put *something* in your stomach and, even if you can't afford to turn up the heater, you can afford a blanket.

Honestly, with the things that you've said, I'm surprised you're in an officer position in the military. I would think that that world had taught you something valuable about life in that sometimes you just have to grit your teeth, bear it, and make the best of whatever situation you've got.

Spokane isn't poverty stricken, either. You've been to places that are poverty stricken, and on an intellectual level you must realize that $10/hr isn't "poverty wages". A buck an hour would be, but 10/hr isn't.

Spokane is poverty stricken depending on the size of the family. If your average Spokie makes $22,000 a year and then that average Spokie is also the sole provider for a family of four, then they are in poverty by definition of the US government. In 2005 almost 20% of the population of Spokane met the US guidelines for poverty. Now at $10/hr that come out to $19,200 a year. If they are a family of three then they are just a little over the poverty line. So no, you are right, technically they are above the poverty level if they are single or have no other mouth's to feed.

2009 Federal Poverty Guidelines

Now if being willing to deploy away to make a living isn't showing grit and bear, I don't know what is.

I don't know what you're talking about collecting a check for doing nothing? I assume you are talking about unemployment benefits which I do not draw.

You're babbling on and on and you're not going to change my thoughts. I know what I'm willing to do and what rate of pay I'm willing to do it at. And on Monday when I finalize selling the car that's been a major thorn in my side I'm going to get an even worst "bad attitude." I will probably be able to hold out until next Spring without employment if need be. I hope not and I continue to apply for 5-7 jobs a week but for the most part I don't get a call back. I'm applying for the few professional jobs I see here and there but they're competitive. I applied for a promising one this afternoon. I'm not holding my breath but we will see.

[ArcticPhoenix]

Spokane is poverty stricken depending on the size of the family. If your average Spokie makes $22,000 a year and then that average Spokie is also the sole provider for a family of four, then they are in poverty by definition of the US government. In 2005 almost 20% of the population of Spokane met the US guidelines for poverty. Now at $10/hr that come out to $19,200 a year. If they are a family of three then they are just a little over the poverty line. So no, you are right, technically they are above the poverty level if they are single or have no other mouth's to feed.

Spokane is not poverty stricken. This is not Appalachia, India, nor is it Peru. We are not "poverty stricken".

Now if being willing to deploy away to make a living isn't showing grit and bear, I don't know what is.

Oh good, so you just don't know what it is, then...

You're babbling on and on and you're not going to change my thoughts. I know what I'm willing to do and what rate of pay I'm willing to do it at.

And I will continue to build wealth while you will continue to lose what's left of your savings.

And on Monday when I finalize selling the car that's been a major thorn in my side I'm going to get an even worst "bad attitude."

Why you would have a car that costs over $400/month to begin with is beyond me....

I will probably be able to hold out until next Spring without employment if need be. I hope not and I continue to apply for 5-7 jobs a week but for the most part I don't get a call back. I'm applying for the few professional jobs I see here and there but they're competitive. I applied for a promising one this afternoon. I'm not holding my breath but we will see.

Enjoy your free time until next spring!

[noah]

You aren't getting paid very well, you are UNEMPLOYED and acting like you are the president of a company. Just because you made ok money in the past doesn't mean its smart to take $0 now. By being in the hole so much each month you care killing your business prospects.

BTW I worked one of those $11 an hour jobs which lead to my first house which appreciated greatly, pay increases, 401k growing, employer paying for going back to school for a 2nd degree which lead to a salary which is now more then double. A lot was learned in that job and really any job. That great new job with pay beyond what you expected always happens when you are not expecting it.


Because people are smart enough to take the best position they can and work their way up. I don't know a lot of people who start their career at the top. I do know a lot of high level managers who started at the most entry level job. Its not just Spokane but Everywhere, Spokane as a smaller metro just has less opportunities for young professionals.

Originally Posted by Spokanejobseeker

Then get paid very well to do it on top of that. Then let me know how those $10 an hour job offers from companies that have no plans or desire for growth sit with you.

There's no reason to accept anything less though. That's part of what drives Spokane's poverty. People here just accept and settle for what's out there.

[noah]

5-7/wk??? Man, if I was unemployed I'd be applying for that many a day. And I've found that in job hunting, especially in this economy, networking is the key (very true in Spokane too). Are you on Linkedin, are you going to groups to network, local alumni meetings, meetup.com events, anything, is your college career services helping.

Originally Posted by Spokanejobseeker

[I hope not and I continue to apply for 5-7 jobs a week but for the most part I don't get a call back.

[noah]

Actually No. Check your math. $10/hr x 40 hrs = $400/wk x 52 wks = $20,800. So you just shorted it by $1,600 or $133/month, quite a difference.


[quote=Spokanejobseeker;10720595]Now at $10/hr that come out to $19,200 a year. QUOTE]

[Spokanejobseeker]

Originally Posted by noah

You aren't getting paid very well, you are UNEMPLOYED and acting like you are the president of a company. Just because you made ok money in the past doesn't mean its smart to take $0 now. By being in the hole so much each month you care killing your business prospects.

BTW I worked one of those $11 an hour jobs which lead to my first house which appreciated greatly, pay increases, 401k growing, employer paying for going back to school for a 2nd degree which lead to a salary which is now more then double. A lot was learned in that job and really any job. That great new job with pay beyond what you expected always happens when you are not expecting it.


Because people are smart enough to take the best position they can and work their way up. I don't know a lot of people who start their career at the top. I do know a lot of high level managers who started at the most entry level job. Its not just Spokane but Everywhere, Spokane as a smaller metro just has less opportunities for young professionals.

Look I'm not asking to start at the top. I'm asking for a position that is commensurate with my previous experiences and at least considers my salary history. Yes you bought your first house at $11 an hour probably over a decade ago. A 2LT right out of college and just commissioned makes $45,000 a year. That is not a top position, that is an entry level management position. You have quite a bit of equipment to manage and maintain at that level and anywhere from 30 to 100 personnel you are responsible for depending on what your branched as an officer. In three years that 2LT will be a Captain and their salary will be around $75,000. Now those numbers include BAH and BAS and vary slightly based on where they are stationed. Now I have served previously as an enlisted Soldier and have 9 years experience to go with my current Officer grade. The Army takes that into account and gives me increased pay based on my time in service plus I get an "E" designator because of my time spent as an enlisted Soldier which gives me additional payment increases.

I have quite a bit of management experience with the Army managing large organizations with personnel numbering well into the hundreds. To say I should be happy to "sweep the floors" is a bit pompous to say. I couldn't realistically stay motivated at that position for one day let alone the 10-12 months it would take to be considered for a promotion to something that is still most likely not anywhere close to the level I have been at before. I realize coming from Spokane you have your blue collar work attitude. I respect that but understand I am not just some inexperienced "kid." I have had more leadership and management responsibility than most 26-28 year olds have had.

[Spokanejobseeker]

Originally Posted by ArcticPhoenix

Spokane is not poverty stricken. This is not Appalachia, India, nor is it Peru. We are not "poverty stricken".

Oh good, so you just don't know what it is, then...

And I will continue to build wealth while you will continue to lose what's left of your savings.

Why you would have a car that costs over $400/month to begin with is beyond me....

Enjoy your free time until next spring!

Look stud, while you were getting denied from joining the Coast Guard for a little boo boo I was humping the mountains in Afghanistan as a young infantrymen. While you were probably telling everyone what you would do if you were there while watching the invasion on tv in 2003 I was there at the tip of the spear. I spent almost all of 2008 preparing new hard chargers to take the fight to the enemy so that the worst you find in your day job is an improperly packed bag of women's toiletry items. So yeah, I have a pretty good idea of what sacrifice is and what it means to grit and bear.

You have no idea what my current financial situation is so it's hard to compare yours to mine. I will say I do not live in a $500 a month rat hole and I have no future plans on moving from my current living situation nor do I forsee a future need to. Don't talk about building wealth to me. You will still be a one day, some day, one day guy I'm sure like most people are three years down the road.

The car payment I acquired while married and had a second income. Now that I am divorced I no longer need the car. It was in my name and she was unable to get it in her name so I was left holding the bag in the divorce. It is sold now and that is one less financial drain.

I can't wait for your response to this one.

[David Aguilar]

Originally Posted by Spokanejobseeker

Look stud, while you were getting denied from joining the Coast Guard for a little boo boo I was humping the mountains in Afghanistan as a young infantrymen. While you were probably telling everyone what you would do if you were there while watching the invasion on tv in 2003 I was there at the tip of the spear. I spent almost all of 2008 preparing new hard chargers to take the fight to the enemy so that the worst you find in your day job is an improperly packed bag of women's toiletry items. So yeah, I have a pretty good idea of what sacrifice is and what it means to grit and bear.

You have no idea what my current financial situation is so it's hard to compare yours to mine. I will say I do not live in a $500 a month rat hole and I have no future plans on moving from my current living situation nor do I forsee a future need to. Don't talk about building wealth to me. You will still be a one day, some day, one day guy I'm sure like most people are three years down the road.

The car payment I acquired while married and had a second income. Now that I am divorced I no longer need the car. It was in my name and she was unable to get it in her name so I was left holding the bag in the divorce. It is sold now and that is one less financial drain.

I can't wait for your response to this one.

Well, I'm not going to wait for Arctic to respond to this one.

Kudos to you for 'humping the hills' so I can sit on the couch and scratch my butt. And kudos to you for serving our country, but is this really the attitude you have when you leave home? If so, it's no wonder you haven't found a job yet, and are divorced, and hate Spokane. Honestly, you probably intimidate the hell out of some people.

I'm sure you've had plenty of successes in your life (well, you do mention them constantly), and I'm sure you've had your share of failures. It's natural for most people to not want to fail again, but with this attitude you are only setting yourself up for failure. I suppose modesty is one thing the military failed to teach you.

Actually, I hope your exchanges with Arctic are nothing more than 'drunken rants', and I do continue to wish you luck.

[Spokanejobseeker]

I'm a college grad and have some fair amount of rank in the military so when I apply for jobs here I'm a bit discouraged at what employers want to offer up as far as salary goes.

What industries are paying $45,000 and up here? I would love to hear who is making $45 K plus a year, what your education is, and what level of experience you have.

I have thought about going back to school but I would like to choose something that is very employable as soon as the school is complete.