Oppo-career. Things are changing

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
03/26/2019 at 20:32 • Filed to: None

Waiting for my business license application to go through so I can start getting leads from all of my old sources. In the meantime though....

’m applying for new jobs ! I don’t really want my business to be my main focus. More of a weekend thing. I also r ealized I have absolutely zero idea what I want to do career-wise. Like, nothing. Nothing at all. I think the firefighter dream is dead. I wouldn’t mind trying to climb the management ranks in the hotel industry, but I don’t have many prospects outside of starting from the bottom, which I can’t make work financially. I’ve given a biiiiit of thought to becoming an air traffic controller, but I don’t know too much about the requirements. The closest I can come up with for a career I want.... is investing and managing my own rental properties, but that’s going to take more money than I currently have to get started.

For now I just want decent money, and to learn new skills if possible . Going b ack to school to finish a degree is a possibility, but again... I have no clue what I’d go for. applied for a job installing fireplaces and windows, and that’s currently my top choice. Pay is fantastic, training is provided. Owner responded and we’re meeting in person soon.

Applied for a window washing job with above-average pay and solid benefits, but I’ve yet to hear back. Not a great sign seeing as they’ve posted hiring ads since I emailed them. I’m genuinely concerned I might be giving off over qualified vibes for this kind of work.... This one would be nice as I’d get a company truck to take home, with all expenses covered.

There was an entry-level insurance position, but I’m 90% sure it’s either a scam or grossly misrepresented based on the pay claims in the ad.

Last but not least, an electrician apprenticeship, no experience needed. Pay isn’t great, but benefits are good and these are skills I really, really want.

Oh, and I got fired, “effective immediately” . I found out via an email on Saturday morning from my boss t hat was also C C’d to my fellow employees. It gave absolutely zero reason. I later found out that the locks at all company properties were replaced immediately after. Which... Is not standard procedure. H uh. I’m not upset to be out, but I’m slightly irritated to see it go down like this. No warning, no reason, n ot even the courtesy of doing it in person, plus some implications completely out of left field that I might try to steal company property..? And all this from I boss I had respected quite a bit. Alrighty then. Consider that bridge burned.

In other news, I spent Monday doing a food tour and mountain biking, t oday I cleaned up paperwork and got drinks with friends , and tomorrow.... I’m finally tackling some home projects that I haven’t had time to do! I had honestly forgot ten what it was like to live without a constant, low-level feeling of dread and anxiety lol.

DISCUSSION (26)

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > AestheticsInMotion
03/26/2019 at 20:40

Insurance? Don’t get involved with that scam

MM54 > AestheticsInMotion
03/26/2019 at 20:42

My guess? Old boss found out you were getting back into business yourself and wanted you out of there before you had the opportunity to take clients or tools/materials (not that you would have, but people are strange).

I’m not sure what to tell you in regards to career advancement/choice, though.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
03/26/2019 at 20:44

They get paid so poorly I know a guy who drives a Forte sedan with no AC

AestheticsInMotion > MM54
03/26/2019 at 20:45

Yeah, that’s totally possible. While I didn’t advertise it , I also didn’t try hiding anything. I guess if he actually thought I'd steal clients/gear than that's a good indicator that I should have left looooooong ago

AestheticsInMotion > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
03/26/2019 at 20:46

I barely even know how my own insurance works. I'm not koalified

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > AestheticsInMotion
03/26/2019 at 20:46

Maybe your (now former) boss reads oppo lol.

LOREM IPSUM > AestheticsInMotion
03/26/2019 at 20:49

If said company happened to get their name mentioned, certain folks might just take it upon themselves to absolutely tank their online reviews.

I’ve got some time to kill. Just sayin’

Good luck though . You’re an extremely motivated person, so I suspect doors will open for you again soon.

AestheticsInMotion > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
03/26/2019 at 20:50

That would be hilarious.

Maybe he was a fan of “I just washed these windows, AMA”

AestheticsInMotion > LOREM IPSUM
03/26/2019 at 20:52

Oh god. Sometimes I wish I was more spiteful haha

Thank you for the kind words!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AestheticsInMotion
03/26/2019 at 20:54

Sucks about getting shitcanned, but one of your coworkers definitely reads oppo.

TheRealBicycleBuck > AestheticsInMotion
03/26/2019 at 21:05

I can give you some feedback on selling insurance. First, you have to get licensed. That involves training and a state exam. It’s not terribly difficult, but it’s a hurdle. Second, most companies will pair you up with a regional-level guy who will train you on their way of selling the product. They may ask you to move to a territory which doesn’t have enough agent coverage. There’s usually a reason there isn’t enough agent coverage. If you’re lucky, the local agent just died and they’re going to pass along his clients , but more often than not it’s because there weren’t enough sales in the region to support an agent. In some cases, the local agent will be selling his business along with all of his clients. That, and the residuals are his retirement. If you don’t land in one of these situations, you will be advertising and making cold calls trying to drum up some business. To me, that was the worst part of the business. You start by listing out your friends and family. Then you ask them to provide two or three people you can connect with. If you’re good at building networks and talking people into giving you an opportunity to bid on their business, you might be successful. Me? I sucked at it.

gettingoldercarguy > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
03/26/2019 at 21:08

Yep, that’s how it goes down when management finds out.

random001 > AestheticsInMotion
03/26/2019 at 21:10

You got in his head, boy. He’s running scared! Strike now!

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > AestheticsInMotion
03/26/2019 at 21:13

If you’re thinking Electrician, seriously look at doing it through the Army. You’ll come out with enough certifications and experience to be making 60-70k a year.

Chariotoflove > AestheticsInMotion
03/26/2019 at 21:20

Since you mention an interest in property, I’m wondering about breaking into the real estate industry. You have to learn about your properties, but the barrier to entry doesn’t include putting your financial neck out to get started. You’d have to get with a company, like Keller Williams or Ebby Halliday or something.

Tristan > AestheticsInMotion
03/26/2019 at 21:25

You can come to Oregon and work on Uncle Sam's airplanes.

Sovande > AestheticsInMotion
03/26/2019 at 21:42

66P1800inpieces > AestheticsInMotion
03/26/2019 at 21:49

Congratulations! Normally it would suck but it sounds like they really underappreciated you. I like your approach that this is an opportunity to get into something new while keeping windows and such as a side hustle. I vote for Electrician. I was in the local electricians union for a while as Class B networks and telephone but as a profession it is probably better to do higher voltage standard electrician work . Brother in law was Class A which was higher voltage and pay.

Even non-union, take the apprenticeship as you will learn a lot on the job. Pay attention to the theory and codes and in a couple of years (depends on state but it isn’t that many) you can get your own licence. By that time your current company will be bigger and might throw you the smaller work. It’s really good money. I would say stay away from the real high voltage/amperage stuff as there were always a couple of guys with limps from zaps.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > AestheticsInMotion
03/26/2019 at 22:57

Insurance is sketchy. At a low point in my life I applied for a job with one and it turned out to be some kind of MLM/scam type thing. If the pay sounds high, it’s probably a scam. I know there are legit employers, but you almost need to be an independent agent with a good “in” somewhere to actually make decent money. Like the AAA guys I work with are all tight and probably make crazy money.

That is pretty crazy the way they let you go. That’s next level bizarre. I’m a little afraid of how it’ll go down when I leave my employer, as they seem to have a similar weird belief that someone moving on is some kind of total betrayal or insult ...

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
03/26/2019 at 23:08

I’ve been at my company too long go quietly into the night. People know stuff about me that I’d prefer to keep in. I know stuff about the company (and of course coworkers and bosses) that we don’t want out. I can think of several people that might take great glee in sabotaging any potential networking if it pertains to my current career. I don’t have plans to go anywhere, but it would be difficult if I were to experience “sudden involuntary unemployment"

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
03/26/2019 at 23:17

Remind me never to hire you. ;-)

Seriously, though, that’s a good situation to be in.

Future Heap Owner > AestheticsInMotion
03/26/2019 at 23:20

Well, not the best way to leave, but I’m glad you’re out & feeling better already . You’re clearly a hardworking, resourceful guy with a good head on your shoulders, so I think you’ll figure something out.

As long as you’re kinda asking, I will throw in my two cents and say you should look into the electrician route. The skilled services trades that everyone actually needs (electricians & plumbers) seem to be in high demand for the last few years, and from what I hear people are making bank (not sure how many years of training that takes, though). I hung out with some guys in the Oregon Brotherhood of Electricians a few years ago and they really enjoy their work life. If you have a natural interest in it, you should check it out.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
03/26/2019 at 23:30

Even if I was chopped down, I wouldn’t spend my time looking at ways to get back at anyone, what with being preoccupied with how to pay my mortgage . It's more like an armistace that deters dramatic changes.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
03/26/2019 at 23:44

It sounds like the way it was at the company I worked for in San Diego . They couldn’t get rid of me because there was just too much wrapped up in our relationships and I knew too much. My leaving basically ended the line I worked on (which they were already neglecting) and the company tanked shortly after because they had no income. It was their fault, mind you.

They messed up the balance before then, though, which is why I left.