Just trying to find a "job" *requires*:
A criminal background check
A credit check
A drug test
Proof of citizenship
Proof of residency
Proof of identity
A SSN
Jesus fucking Mohamed!!!!
Oh yeah, baby, we live in a free country, all right.
Don't mind me, I'm just blowing off some steam right now.
Much of that stuff is required by the Mafia-like gang who call themselves government. It has little relevance in a free market.
Of course, I recommend creating your own job.
Quote from: error on March 05, 2007, 11:46 PM NHFT
Much of that stuff is required by the Mafia-like gang who call themselves government. It has little relevance in a free market.
Of course, I recommend creating your own job.
I just need to figure out what that is... creating my own job, that is.
I don't even need all that much to live on.
I'm paranoid, and suspicious of things which run counter to that which I "know" - but I am now in the process of re-examining everything I "know" based on what I can divine of the real truth, or as close as I can get in any given situation. That said:
For any computer tech who knows his/her stuff, and can learn how to market him/herself, there is plenty of work in any community with both numbers of people and computer equipment. I'm already employed, and the hideous healthcare costs for those outside the system are scaring me away from the edge, but if I were already unemployed, there'd be nothing keeping me from writing up a flyer detailing my skills (i.e. Windows 3.1-XP-2003, wired/wireless ethernet networks, computer hardware, various Linuxes, etc.) and passing them out all over town, to both individuals and small businesses, asking for the going rate for technical services. Apparently, there are a *lot* of tech monkeys already out there doing bad jobs, and all it takes is a little time to show someone else that you can do it better.
I suppose one doesn't need any paperwork at all to start, if the customers are agreeable...
Most of my customers are quite agreeable to a lack of paperwork, especially of the government variety, and I almost have more work than I know what to do with.
James. I don't know what your education, training and experience is or in what, but, if you want a job where there is little paperwork, find a small building or painting contractor and work for them under the table. This is the time of year they get back to the outside work.
You may say: "but, I'm a ____________!, not a laborer!"
A year or two working outside of your desired profession isn't going to kill you, the jobs are more casual, and, you learn something you didn't know. In the case of constructing stuff, you learn about the way the buildings in which you are going to live in the rest of your life, are put together.
Something to consider.
why would customers want paperwork? Most don't
I would recommend not looking for a standard job either. Start doing the things you are good at and show people you know your stuff and you will get customers. You can advertise your skills here and in our paper.
Old folks can't get neighborhood teenagers to do Shit! A guy with a box of tools, a snow shovel, a lawn mower and a rake could probably develop a following.
A friend's father who lived in Bangor, ME who was well into his retirement started mowing lawns for old ladies he knew. He got a lot of exercise and during the summer made more than his SS. He did it into his 80's.
That's so true, lloyd. We do odd jobs for the old people in our neighborhood. Don't see any kids doing it.
I'm certainly not "above" manual labor.
I did give my father a call last night and asked him if he had any projects I could work on. Interestingly enough, the project he really wants to have done is the same project he wanted to have done ten years ago!
My father owns his own business; he produces and maintains real estate management software.
So that might end up being a gig for a little while.
Or a long while. Who knows?
[Edit] - Is it a lame excuse to not want to do snow shoveling due to rather intense sciatic pain? It also prevents me from standing comfortably for a long period of time... not that I end up sitting comfortably afterwards, but then I'm not trying to support my body weight on a spasming muscle.
Ha! Ha!
I just got this e-mail from RadioShack:
QuoteThank you again for completing the RadioShack preliminary questionnaire. In order to move forward, you will need to complete an Employment Application and survey. Please go to Radioshackcareers.com to complete the application process.
Thank you,
xxxxxxx xxxxxxx
District Administrator
I had participated in their online application process up until the point where they asked if I would submit to various checks and screenings, after which point they said, "Thanks for playing! Goodbye!"
I figured, for the hell of it, why not reply to this email? Maybe it's automatically-generated, maybe not... if not, well, you never know, do you?
QuoteDear xxxxxxx xxxxxxx:
I began by filling out the preliminary questionnaire. However, I was booted out of the application process, presumably because I do not consent to question #6, which involves a criminal background check, a credit check, and a drug test, at minimum.
I have never committed a crime, my credit history is absolutely none of your business, and neither is whether or not I use drugs. I refuse to consent to these invasions of my privacy in order to prove my innocence.
I won't pretend to know exactly why these procedures are in place. My guess is that they are there to minimize loss somehow. While I have no desire to make your job harder, the price I have to pay in order to minimize your loss is far too high.
Good luck,
James Pyrich
Quote from: James A. Pyrich on March 05, 2007, 11:24 PM NHFT
A criminal background check
A credit check
A drug test
Proof of citizenship
Proof of residency
Proof of identity
A SSN
I think you're applying at all the wrong places.
I had to provide an SSN and had to sign a paper that said I was not a felon (or if I was, I've have to fill out the "more details" box)
I think maybe I had to provide an ID.
I *know* there was no drug test and there was also no credit nor criminal check (though I had to allow them to do a criminal check at their discretion).
They do the criminal check only if you do something weird, like threatening your co-workers... if you threaten someone with violence, or initiate violence, and then they find out that you have been arrested for a violent act, you get summarily dismissed. Which personally I have no problems with.
Gov't gobs are the most red tape.
Franchises like (Radio Shack) will generally have the worst red tape. It's all CYA.
Large companies have somewhat less.
Smaller companies typically have even less.
Mom-n-pop shops are typically minimal red tape and maximum flexibility.
Starting your own business, of course, buries you in red tape (if you do it legally)
You can start a small business and avoid red tape and still follow some government rules.
At the point I was at, it was like, "I need money rightnow," so I was applying to minimum wage-type shops which, for some reason, request all that bullcrap.
In any case, my outbound e-mail was rejected anyway, so nobody at Radio Shack will read it unless I send it again.
Right now, I'm contracting. When I have a little more breathing room, I'll think freelancing a little more here and there, but right now, hey, I have income.
Contract shops all over in Boston (live in Salem & commute), fewer in Nashua and Manchester.
Quote from: d_goddard on March 07, 2007, 10:35 PM NHFT
Contract shops all over in Boston (live in Salem & commute), fewer in Nashua and Manchester.
He lives in Ashland.... :) Remember he already moved.
Yeah, I did it ass-backwards. ;)
with out knowing your skills... I can't be much help.
But underground money is always the best IMO. I would suggest bartending... I made more money bartending on some nights than entire weeks salaries at most of my jobs & even my businesses. My record is just over $600 in 1 night... I gave my barback 300 because if it were not for him I would not have done it. The most I ever took home after tip outs was over $400. I averaged about $250/$300 before the club went to h3ll. Of course you need to be able to stand long hours & move fast. Plus you need the right place & customers to make that kind of money. Same goes for waiting tables... right place & attitude you can make a lot.
I don't have any experience w/sciatic pain... but I have experience in pain... near fatal motorcycle accident (broken femur & a "ton" of soft tissue damage), torn rotator cuffs (plural), bruised kidney's, etc.... from rugby to kick boxing, motorcycle road racing to snowboarding... I have been in some painfull situations. Acupuncture, deep tissue massage, ART (a type of massage), laser treatment, yoga, tai chi, martial arts, & hitting the gym have all helped. I will never be 100% I am affraid, but I try everything to get there... the only thing I can't really do is run. Maybe you should look into some of these things if you already haven't.
If all that is a bust... well then
It sounds like you may have a good deal w/your dads business.
Learn to weld - I am not sure about there... but a shop I used to powder coat at hired welders at $12 to start & it was all under the table.
Consulting is usually good too - master something & tell others how to do it.
A really good service in my town is a delivery service. You can call them at like 3am & they will go to the store for you, buy what you want & deliver it... They make good money, I guess, as they have radio commericals on at prime time (not cheap). They charge for the goods, mileage, & a per run fee (so your taco bell or cocoa pebbles can end up costing $25 or more)... but if you are drunk, high, pregnant, lazy, sick, etc... it may be all worth it.
Another option I saw in AZ (college town) once was a free taxi. These guys had some really cool cars decked out & loaded w/monitors inside & out. They drove people home for free & some would take your car home (they had 2 man teams). They sold advertising to local companies that played on the monitors... the drivers take tips only... of course this would probably take more capital than you may have... but you could joint venture w/some one that has the money.
A hydroponic garden can produce year round yields & you could sell those at local markets (farmers, flea, etc..). tomatoes, carrots, herbs, etc...
Near the ocean? Harvest sea salt & sell it on the internet. 1 backyard outfit smokes it & I hear it is killer good (hickorey salt? I want some).
Near tourist areas? Organize tours... historical, ocean, borrow a boat & have fishing tours, borrow a jeep & have a 4x4 tour.
Lots of options out there for freedom lovers.