Job stuff *Update*

[KLR600]

Hi all,

Ok, I'll try and explain this as best I can but bare with me as I'm not the best at explaining things.

I've been jumping from temp job to temp job since I left college last year (I won't be going to uni in the forseeable future) and I'm trying to sort myself out. As is the nature of temp jobs I've pretty much hated every one of them but I stuck them all out untill the end of my contracts and tried to do my jobs to the best of my abilities without letting on I didn't like the jobs. Every employer I have worked for has been happy with my work and I've had some good references.

My inital plan after leaving college was to work temp jobs to fund my music career but I'm beginning to realise temp jobs are not the way forward!

Anyway, throughout this whole temp job period my friend who works in a (mountain)bike shop has been trying to hook me up with some work there, after doing the odd casual day I've been hired on a fulltime basis but only for a month as one of the workers is having a months paternity leave. It's only a small business but this is pretty close to my dream job as I love bikes and have been messing with them since as long as I could ride them! I'm not sure what will happen after the month is up, I guess it'll be back to the job centre although there has been talk of perhaps keeping me on over the summer as it'll be busier then.

Now in my last period of unemployment I applied for a job at my local halfords in the bike section as I thought this would be a good job. It was a full time permanent position and I'd heard nothing for a few weeks after I'd applied and then also just got this job in the other bike shop. Since working in this bike shop I've heard bad report after bad report of working at halfords as I've spoken to 2 previous employees of halfords and they both said it was demoralising and not a good job at all and the staff turnover is pretty high as not many people stick it out.

I just got a phone call from the guy at halfords asking me to go for an interview and not actually thinking properly I told him I'd got another job and was no longer available for hire although in hindsight I don't think this was a good idea. As I'm looking to move out as soon as I can this year I'm going to need a fulltime job with a little security so that I know cash is going to keep coming in but on that same ticket I'm not going to want a permanent job I'm going to end up hating as I'm really fed up of working really crap jobs I hate.

So my question is, do you think I did the right thing in turning the interview down? The pro's of the halfords job would be:

fulltime permanent job
Still working with bikes

But the cons:

Heard lots and lots of bad things about them as an employer and that the job satisfaction is next to nil


I'm in 2 minds as to wether I did the right thing as my current job is going to run out in a month and like I said i'm hoping to move out soon but I also don't want another job I'm going to hate. I think if I change my mind (soon) I might still be able to arrange an interview by ringing the guy and saying I lost my other job due to budget cuts or that no-one explained my current job is temporary or something but I'd have to be quick as he's arranging interviews now.

Thanks for any help, it really is much appreciated!
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Now: '00 Kawasaki ZRX1100R - Past: '84 Yamaha DT125, '89 Kawasaki KLR600, '97 Yamaha XJ600N
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[southlondoner]

Ultimatley its what you think that counts. If what you'd heard about halfords was true - it was probably best that you turned it down.

Really theres no point in going for Temp Jobs. You may as well get a full time job, and then when uni calls - hand in your notice. Full time permanent jobs will normally pay slightly better, and you will get the employee benefits (discounts, etc) that temps may not get.

If the possibility of keeping you over the summer at the Mountain bike place happens, you may as well stick with that. That way you enjoy your work - and basically get paid to have fun
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-southlondoner-
2002 Honda CG125

[KLR600]

That's what I've been thinking too but the security of a permanent job sounds so very tempting!

I'm just a little worried about what'll happen if I'm not kept on over the summer at the bike shop as it feels like if I don't leave home now I never will
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Now: '00 Kawasaki ZRX1100R - Past: '84 Yamaha DT125, '89 Kawasaki KLR600, '97 Yamaha XJ600N
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[karen_moomin]

Call Halfords, tell them you've secured a temp job for a month, so would love an interview with them with the view of starting in a month's time if you were sucessful.

That way, you can work your month and most employers expect you to have some sort of notice period to work anyway. If you're not sucessful with Halfords at least you gave it a go, and you have a summer job at the other bike place to fall back on.

Don't worry about what's been said. You've got nothing to loose by trying.

[DucatiEVO]

I know someone who worked at Halfrauds once, said it sucked; so I'm inclined to say you did the right thing.


____________________
aKa: Ducky

[KLR600]

I managed to get an interview for next monday after trying all week to get in contact with the guy!

Now I'm worrying about stupid stuff like what should I wear
Every other job interview I've been to this year I've donned the suit but I don't know if this would be overkill for halfords?
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Now: '00 Kawasaki ZRX1100R - Past: '84 Yamaha DT125, '89 Kawasaki KLR600, '97 Yamaha XJ600N
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[Lawnie]

My brother works in the bike section at Halfords, and I know he didn't wear a suit. I don't think he wore a shirt either, but whatever you feel comfortable with.

[fast_tzr]

I'd go with a shirt and trousers

[ash t]

Yeah, smart casual always wins.

Remember to be confident too! Show lots of interest and ask lots of questions!


Best of luck!
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When You're Starting To Choke, Take Some Pills With Your Coke, Its Hyserical

[Mary Jane]

[@17500rpm]

maybe a full-time monday-friday styleee job will give you the stability you need.

I know it helped me when I was in a similar situation....believe me!

[KLR600]

Well I had my interview today (wore a shirt and tie and tidy trousers) and to be honest I don't think I will of got the job. He was saying he was sort of toying with the idea of another employee as he has someone going on transfer soon but he isn't super desperate and he said a million times through the interview about keeping me on file. Also he asked me this question about the stop screws on a rear derailleur on a mountain bike and I didn't know how technical he wanted me to answer so I launch into this big technical speech about adjusting the gears and at the end he goes "So you'd adjust the stop screws then." and I'm thinking

I also totally blanked when he asked me if I had any questions about the job and I was kicking myself on the way home I didn't ask about the salary and all that biz.

He seemed impressed with what I was wearing though.

Just hope I get more hours over the summer at where I am now!

Thanks for all the help, really appreciated
____________________
Now: '00 Kawasaki ZRX1100R - Past: '84 Yamaha DT125, '89 Kawasaki KLR600, '97 Yamaha XJ600N
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[karen_moomin]

[Lawnie]

[KLR600]

Ha ha, well we went into the interview place and I took my bike jacket off and he did a double take and went "oh" in a sort of surprised way when he saw I was wearing a shirt and tie
____________________
Now: '00 Kawasaki ZRX1100R - Past: '84 Yamaha DT125, '89 Kawasaki KLR600, '97 Yamaha XJ600N
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[Lawnie]

Haha, cool