gomer1701ems
join:2001-08-23
Minneapolis, MN
| Temp agencies in MN
To make a long story short, I got hit with my second DWI, and consequently, lost my job back in April. I've been looking for work, but I've hit many dead ends. Some friends have recommended I try temp agencies, as I could be getting my job back (gotta love unions). I've never done this before, so I'm asking for some advice:
1. I found some in my area (Bloomington). Do I just call them on the phone, or stop in? What is the best way to say I'm looking for work?
2. My only "lead" is yahoo yellow pages. Can anyone recommend any temp agencies? (Is it worth even asking that question; are they pretty much all the same?)
Thanks.
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burner50
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edit:
May 28th, @08:22PM
| DWI? I'm pretty sure you cant be fired for a DWI... Where I work they have to send you to rehab first. Maybe losing your license... IDK... well anyway, I'm sure you can find a temp agency at your local job service office...
»www.mnwfc.org/ |
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ArgMeMatey
join:2001-08-09
Milwaukee, WI
·AT&T Midwest
| reply to gomer1701ems
I was a temp years ago and I've hired temps more recently. I am obviously not hiring in Minneapolis but wondering: what's your occupation? Involves driving, I'd guess?
As you may know, employers will not hire you if you have a conviction or judgment that might affect your work. For example if I have a theft conviction they're not going to set me in front of the cash drawer.
If they interview a number of people with similar qualifications, and find out you have a DWI, it will be exceedingly difficult to prove that they didn't hire you because of the DWI, even if that's why.
Anyway, I went to an agency open house, gave them my resume, filled out an application, had an interview, and a few weeks later they called me to interview with a client. Now a lot more is probably done on the internet before you go to the office. Same idea.
Keep in mind who's paying who: The temp agency has a customer, and that customer is not you. You are the product. What have you got that they can sell to their client? Do they want to sell you to a client?
More than likely they will check full civil and criminal court records as well as credit, so although you don't want to trumpet your legal problems, and they can probably only disqualify you for job-related convictions, you have to decide when is the appropriate time to reveal them.
I can tell you that when I got hired, it was because they didn't have anyone else available that listed Macintosh experience along with the usual DOS and Windows blah blah blah.
As a temp, you meet lots of different people at client sites. Some of them are going to be looking for help after your temp job ends. Others are going to be asked "Hey do you know anybody who can ... " So building a reputation is good, as is making sure all those people have ways to contact you even after the gig is over.
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gomer1701ems
join:2001-08-23
Minneapolis, MN
| reply to gomer1701ems
Maybe if I expand a little bit, that would help? I was a fueler at the MSP airport, and the airport (not my company), requires you to have a valid drivers license. Doesn't matter if you are driving anything; you need to have a license. By losing it, I lost my job. The union is fighting to get my job back, and there is a very good chance that we'll win, but that could take a month to a year.
As for the convictions, I agree; it does affect my job searching. I have an alcohol related careless driving (my first DWI plea bargained down to that), misdemeanor assault, and now my recent DWI. I tried to get an interview with Verizon Wireless to sell cell phones and what not, and the nice lady said that even though it's only a misdemeanor, anybody with assault (or theft) is inelgible for hiring. So I'm wondering how many other companies look at it like that? I like customer service type jobs; front desk, bank teller, etc. Anything that involves human contact. With an assault on my wrap sheet, methinks it's gonna be a bit more difficult to get ANY type of job. Any employers out there care to tell me if my fears are founded or not?
ArgMeMatey, would it be wise to call the places I found on the internet, or just show up with a copy of my resume? Other than asking the temp agencies directly, I don't know the best way of doing this.
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burner50
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| Well I think you have finally screwed yourself out of any decent jobs.
OWI's and Assult... Even misdemeanors... Unacceptable, first thing is to get control of your drinking and begin attending AA. That way when they ask about your OWI's you can honestly tell them that it is behind you and you are seeking help.
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gomer1701ems
join:2001-08-23
Minneapolis, MN
edit:
May 28th, @10:13PM
| reply to gomer1701ems
What's an OWI? Never heard of it.
My problems are under control, thanks. I have gone above and beyond what was needed to take care of the situations.
People with felonies can work at wal-mart, so someone like me with a misdemeanor assault should be able to find work, right? That's what I was getting at.
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"Don't argue with stupid people; they will beat you with experience." |
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burner50
Pinlifter
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join:2002-06-05
Broken Rail | Sorry... OWI=DWI, except its more "catch all" Operating while intoxicated. |
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ArgMeMatey
join:2001-08-09
Milwaukee, WI
·AT&T Midwest
| reply to gomer1701ems
I would just show up. They are often at career / job open houses and you can introduce yourself and drop a resume, strut your stuff and all that.
Still, finding something involving public contact is going to be tough. Get some advice from a social service organization (AA, non-profit, public, etc.) on what to do in your situation. They are going to have experience with lots of people in your boat and may be able to refer you to somebody who is comfortable with the risk.
I've worked with people who had a past. Some of them work out fine. Others come in to work smelling like closing time, so all I can say from an employer's perspective is that it's hit or miss. When that's the case, a referral or personal relationship and a verifiable period of sobriety free of legal encumbrances are going to be far more valuable than anything else.
Good luck.
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