I need huggles... and advice

[AMY22]

I’m kind of stressing at the moment, I have finally got to the point that I really need a job. Well I should have had one ages ago since I’ve lived on my own for 4 years, I’ve had a few jobs since then, but they have been mixed in with family drama and study.

I have been sending some resumes off, then I found a job on the net in a pet shop. I have finished my study last year so I’m totally qualified, I have studied and worked with critters since I was a little tacker. Problem- panic mode has hit. For you see my dear herpers, this pet shop, used to be the place in which one of my fellow students worked, then last year he was my freaking lecturer (and he’s 2 years younger than me :shock. Thankfully he’s gone interstate and I never have to see him again. But I have always felt as though I’m not good enough or smart enough. I have been in pet shops doing work experience but I’ve never really attempted for a job because I am the kind of person who has to know EVERYTHING, and if I don’t know something, I’m not good enough.

I am terrified at the concept of applying for a job in this industry, yeah I will look freaking awesome working in a pet shop, and I will be able to rub it in the faces of people who have doubted me, told me that working with animals was a stupid move because it’s one of the most competitive industries around, but I maybe, just maybe, have some anxiety issues. I’m not clueless to the concepts, I have experience in almost every aspect- wildlife, environmental, pet shops, grooming, bird care, plus years of study, but I have never had a paid job in that area because I’ve never felt like I’m going to be good enough to get it. Although as stupid as it is, having a paid job is really no different to anything I’ve already done, except that I’m actually getting money.

I’m always making excuses, ‘it’s too far away’, ‘they won’t want me’, etc. What should I do? Should I just go for it?

 

[naledge]

Anxiety's terrible hey.

Go for it, every second of life that you're worrying is a second that you will never get back, completely wasted.

You've put in the work, you more than deserve the job, and you're obviously good enough.

Just do it, don't live life regretting things, in five years you don't want to look back and think about how you could've gotten this job.

You might as well go for it, you're obviously good enough.

And maybe, if you're comfortable with it, you should talk to someone about the anxiety, they might be able to clear your mind a bit.

If you have confidence in yourself others will be confident in your abilities and things will fall into place. You know you deserve it.

 

[absinthe_616]

naledge hit that right on the nail go for it honey, you'll do fabulous. you never stop learning things, so put your knowledge to use and learn even more working in the store!

 

[trickedoutz31]

hey, i was un employed when i moved to townsville and centrelink didnt help at all so i took matters into my own hands and spray painted up a sign wich read " i want a job" then walked up to the closest buisy road when everyone was going to work in the morning and held up the sign.. 1 hour later i was on the local radieo stations and channel 7 news. i was offered 42 jobs within 3 hours and took one working in a restaurant. all im trying to say is if you really want a job dont wait around... go get one!

 

[shellfisch]

I second what everyone else has said.

In years to come, you won't think to yourself 'Gee, I'm glad I never attempted to get that job' You will think 'Gee, I should have...'

Go for it!

 

[Sel]

I have learnt over the last 5 years or so,that if u really want something bad enough you can make it happen. Dont think, just do it..it will be worth it, and you will get a little rush while your doing it

 

[gozz]

Just do what you want to do,
life to short to worry about
what other peeps think of you

 

[waruikazi]

Are you serious? You've done higher education just to work in a pet shop?!?!? Sweetie if you've studied then ur too good for a pet shop, they wouldn't pay you nearly enough and you would end up knowing more than even your boss. Take the job if it gets offered but you make sure you're looking for something better with the full intention of moving on.

 

[jessb]

Wow, sounds like your issues run much deeper than whether to take the job or not...

The recurring theme in your post is that you are "not good enough". Not good enough for whom? If it is about what others think of you, then really, get over yourself. Other people are far too busy with their own lives to worry about what you are doing and if you have achieved a set of imaginary goals. Your ex-colleague/lecturer probably won't know and certainly won't even care if you get a job in a petshop or leave the industry altogether! He is busy succeeding in his own career rather than spending time and energy thinking about what other people think of him.

If it is for yourself, then maybe you need to sit down and set yourself some realistic, achievable goals (hint: "I need to know everything" isn't realistic OR achievable) Break it down to smaller steps and celebrate each achievement.

It sounds like you are surrounded by some not very supportive people, and I would suggest that you find yourself a new support network made up of people who are behind you no matter what, instead of people who make you question your ability and shake your confidence.

It's not about whether you are "rubbing people's faces in it" or whether you "look freakin' awesome" working in a pet shop, it's about whether you enjoy the job that you will be doing for 8 hours a day (or whatever). If you are taking a job just to prove a point to others, then you will be miserable.

But mostly, I'm amazed at how you have managed to live out of home for four years without a steady job! :shock:

 

[Dipcdame]

Amy, time to bite the bullet lass! roll up those sleeves, and GO for it! and whats the worse that could happen if you don't get the job? Well, it's all experience, and you've then had practice at all this applying business etc. so, just take a deep breath, and jump, life has a wonderful way of surprising a person! But for you it shouldn't BE a surprise, with your education, I agree wholeheartedly with waruikazi, go for it, but keep you eye out for something better...... MUCH better, that you deserve.

All the best, and good luck (not that you'll need it!)

 

[da_donkey]

this is the funniest thread ive read in ages, thankyou.


donks

 

[AMY22]

this is the funniest thread ive read in ages, thankyou.


donks

Um, I’m glad you find it amusing, I think...:shock:

 

[Grantlington]

whats the worst that could happen?

just so it and screw the haters.

and at the end of the day, if you dont know something that isnt life or death, wing it!

 

[naledge]

Are you serious? You've done higher education just to work in a pet shop?!?!? Sweetie if you've studied then ur too good for a pet shop, they wouldn't pay you nearly enough and you would end up knowing more than even your boss. Take the job if it gets offered but you make sure you're looking for something better with the full intention of moving on.

I agree with this too.

You could do much more than work at a pet shop, you're better than them, so you have nothing to worry about.

 

[AMY22]

Thanks guys,

Yeah I have some confidence issues, I have PTSD (possibly C-PTSD), I’m still learning to deal with and work around that, and it does affect a lot of things. I am at the point where I can begin move on now, it’s going very slowly but it is happening.

Yeah I haven’t had a steady job in 4 years, I won’t delve into the details but there are reasons. I have had jobs, I worked in a service deli, and did 2 delivery jobs, in between studying. It was difficult to be 17-18, have a job, study, and pay my rent and bills and food and clothes and transport, on top of other things that take an emotional toll.
Now that I’ve had a chance to grow up a bit and get past that I want a year off studying and get a good job and really get things in order properly, I know I am fully ready to move on and this is the year I’ve dedicated to doing just that.

I do enjoy working in a pet shop, I LOVED my work experience and know it’s what I want for now just for some stability. I did study to get employment in this industry, my last qualification was to work in the companion animal industry, and I am building up to more in the future. I did have huge goals but I realised I was looking too far ahead, I’m just looking for work now and although I’m not focusing singularly on the animal direction (because I have to be realistic in the fact I might not actually get a job in the places I apply for), it is my hope.

I do have my standards in working in a pet shop, there are some that I refuse to even acknowledge as I walk past (I won’t name names). I don’t care for franchises, to me working in any part of this industry should be about the welfare of the animals-both the ones you are working with and the pets of people you work with; and education. I love educating people, giving advice, and having the variety of everything. It’s not the same thing every day, everything I’ve done has always had something different, it’s not the same thing over and over, even when it is the same job every day. I’d go insane working in an office, I guess that may be part of the reason I instinctly went to animals, I’ve been working with them since I was 9 years old and it’s always been entertaining.

I just doubt myself, I think I’m going to mess up and I am insecure of how I come across to others. I need to stop being petty and just do it.

(and the thing I said about looking awesome working in a pet shop was a joke, I don’t care if I look awesome to people because this is what I enjoy).

 

[Andrais]

hahha had a similar sort of thing when i was doing drama....
Was always thinking about what people would think about me, u know doing crazy acts on stage and putting on funny accents ect... yeh there were always people that would say afterwards 'u looked like a retared and people are gonna think your messed up ect...' after a while i listened to these comments, and my grades went down, and i couldn't get into anymore school acts or musicals because all the teachers knew i would freak out about what people thought about me and not play the part correctly. I became so anxious about my self image that after a while i would no longer volenteer or be choosen to do parts in anything. I missed out on alot of great oppertunies and fun. I suddenly realized that it was the crowd i was pleasing not some small group of negative people that thought that doing drama meant u destroyed your self image and became a loner... It sounds silly really, but i beleived it for a while until i realized i just had to go for it and take every opertunity to be a great actor and improvisor.

Do what others say, go for it, dont look back. So what maybe if its not for you, if ur happy, but u dont get so much pay as you would like, it doesn't matter, maybe yeh u have to cut back on spending a bit, but aslong as your hearts in the right place and your doing the right thing, then it doesn't matter. There is no point in life if you have a job that you dont like, and that you dont want to bother trying to do it, its just going to fall behind and eventually your going to end up very unhappy. follow your heart and your dreams and you will find the right path for yourself.

 

[naledge]

I just doubt myself, I think I’m going to mess up and I am insecure of how I come across to others. I need to stop being petty and just do it.

You come across as a well-educated, friendly person to me.

I don't even know you and I have confidence in you. So have confidence in yourself, you've worked hard, now enjoy yourself and follow the career that you want to.

 

[Jungletrans]

Like any new job just turn up keen , friendly and willing to learn .ln a week you will be running the place , then after a while keep an eye out for something better . Employers love to headhunt someone already employed .

 

[AMY22]

hahha had a similar sort of thing when i was doing drama....
Was always thinking about what people would think about me, u know doing crazy acts on stage and putting on funny accents ect... yeh there were always people that would say afterwards 'u looked like a retared and people are gonna think your messed up ect...' after a while i listened to these comments, and my grades went down, and i couldn't get into anymore school acts or musicals because all the teachers knew i would freak out about what people thought about me and not play the part correctly. I became so anxious about my self image that after a while i would no longer volenteer or be choosen to do parts in anything. I missed out on alot of great oppertunies and fun. I suddenly realized that it was the crowd i was pleasing not some small group of negative people that thought that doing drama meant u destroyed your self image and became a loner... It sounds silly really, but i beleived it for a while until i realized i just had to go for it and take every opertunity to be a great actor and improvisor.

Do what others say, go for it, dont look back. So what maybe if its not for you, if ur happy, but u dont get so much pay as you would like, it doesn't matter, maybe yeh u have to cut back on spending a bit, but aslong as your hearts in the right place and your doing the right thing, then it doesn't matter. There is no point in life if you have a job that you dont like, and that you dont want to bother trying to do it, its just going to fall behind and eventually your going to end up very unhappy. follow your heart and your dreams and you will find the right path for yourself.

Yeah I know what you mean.

When I did my work experience recently it was the first time I’d got back into it after quite a while so I was stressing I was going to do wrong. I thought I’m going to go blank, I’m going to mess up. But you know what, other than letting the managers dog out of the shop and almost getting hit by a car, absolutely nothing went wrong. I was on such a high and just wanted to get straight into it and get a job, but that high has slowly dropped again.

It’s not about the money, I mean I’m with the lovely Centrelink at the moment so even if I didn’t earn a lot it would still be more than what I get now, plus the experience, and getting out of the house. This job is casual and on weekends, plus I’m over 21 and this is one of the better pet shops in Adelaide, so the money won’t be too bad.

 

[AMY22]

Okay so I sent of my resume yesterday, now we wait...

While I'm here, I just realised I can finally type on here properly without having to copy and paste from Word! Woo hoo!