introduction

I will be starting a new job at Walmart shortly, and thought I might keep an online journal of what could be a fun-filled, action-packed adventure.  Or not.   I am not good at maintaining blogs.  I have started several in the past, and after a week or two of setting up the blog, adding my favorite photos, and diligently adding entries several times a day, I simply abandoned the blogs.    And the way you set up blogs and enter info. changes constantly.  I'm not even sure that I know how to blog these days.

After several years working in a business-related field, I decided to return to school for further education, and  specialize in one particular area.  I thought that with a 3.9 GPA and my expeirence, I would probably have a job within a week after graduation.   That was not the case.

After sending out resume after resume and going on interview after interview without any luck in landing a job, I decided to look for any old job, until the right one came along.  I sat down one Sunday evening and applied online at every fast-food restaurant and big box store in the area.   I thought maybe I would get at least one call.  Maybe two.

Monday morning the phone rang.  It was Pizza Hut, asking me to come in for an interview.  The phone rang again.  It was one of our local McDonald's.   The phone rang again, and again, and again.   Since I have no experience with any of the jobs I applied for (other than customer experience), it appears that these business establishments were as desperate to fill these minimum-wage jobs as I was to find a job.

Walmart called.  I ignored them.  They called again.  I ignored them.  They called a 3rd time.  I decided to call them back, just to tell them to quit bothering me.    I was annoyed by their lengthy online application, the 65 (?)  "psychological questions" they asked as part of the application process, and the fact that they required so much for a job that offered so little in return.

They asked if I was still interested in a position. "Yes."   "What position did you apply for again?"   Seriously?   "Um, I think cashier or customer service."   "Oh. Okay.  Well are you still interested?"  "Most definitely."   I lied.    "Great!  We would like to schedule you for an interview...."

One of the calls from Walmart was from their assistant manager, who I immediately developed a strong dislike for...  just because of his Facebook page.   He seemed nice enough when he left a message, but when I called him back on the number he left (his cell phone), he seemed annoyed because I had actually called.  He was too busy to talk.  He promised to call back, but never did.   When I set up the interview with personnel, I decided I might give the guy a second chance.  But when he passed me in the store while I was headed to personnel, he never even acknowledged me.  It doesn't matter that he didn't know who I was.  Walmart supposedly has their "10 Foot Rule", which is when any associate comes within 10 ft. of a customer, you're supposed to make eye contact, smile, and say hello.  He virtually ignored me.  I can understand that, since I have a general dislike for people.  I don't talk to them unless it's to insult, and my middle finger often gets tired from "acknowledging" people while driving down the road.   But, the 10 Foot Rule is a requirement of the job, so clearly he was in the wrong. 

I did get called for an interview.  More on that momentarily....