Farcanal
Debutant
A word of advice from a weary worker.
Like many of the above posters, I applied for a job at Woolworths when I was 14 (could work down here at 15 then). Group assessment, involved lots of paperwork. After 10 minutes I was tapping my pen looking around. Went to the door where the manager was sitting, and was told I they couldn't help me with any questions. I looked bemusedly at the manager and gave him my paperwork. 100% in less than 1/5 of the time. I had the job before others had even finished the inital test!
Was put onto a 'management development pathway' - essentially it would now be a traineeship. Given a years worth of workbooks, and 200 hours to complete. Took me a good 8 hours to do, and when I 'graduated' they were told they had to pay me. Thought I was on a roll, but 200 * $6 was still bugger all.
Then they put me on an 'executive development' pathway - one day a week in head-office, one day a week running a department, 3 days normal work. Hardest thing was trying to get customers to believe a (no doubt snotty-nosed) 15 year old was in fact the most senior manager on the floor.
Long story short, after 3 years of working my arse off for little pay, I finally told them to get stuffed when I was turned down for the Store Managers job. I'd been doing it in an acting capacity for three months while they fielded applications, on my normal wage.
When I left I was earning $18 an hour, working as Acting Store Manager, as well as my normal position of Grocery Manager, and weekend Front End manager. They replaced me with a Store Manager ($32), Assistant Manager ($23), and Grocery Manager ($19). I was good, but probably not THAT good.
Looking back now I would find it hilarious if it wasn't so sad. I was the most dedicated worker, always early, skipping breaks, working late, taking additional responsibility, etc. All on minimum wage.
I have friends from back then who still work in the same store I did 15 years ago, more or less in the same positions as back then. Funny thing is, all the 'good' employees (work hard, responsible, etc) have gone. The alcoholics, pranksters, and 'misappropriaters' are those remaining.
Don't let my story put you off, it's a great start into working life, and these days you need experience to get started in many employers eyes, but for god's sake - don't define yourselves by it. It's a job, it's $$$ (not much mind you), but (unless you are unable to do anything else), it's not a career.
Thats an interesting post
Im a Store Mgr at Safeway
My package is well in excess of 100k a year (Car, Options, super, base wage, bonus etc)
I would only do 50 -55 hours a week (no more)
Never ever heard or seen an 18 year old acting SM... extremely rare to see a SM under 30.
You say only drunks and ratbags remain??
My staff are Sharp. Extremely hard working and dedicated to the job they do.
Its just an interesting point of view you hold Simon.
Your last point, saying unless you can't do anything else its not a career is utter bullshit....
im a qualified Panel Beater who chose to leave that dirty prick of enviroment for a better one.