WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB??

[size=large]This is fascinating! I love threads like this!

My first job was working for Littlewood's in Chester on the counter on Saturdays. I think I did it twice but kept making a muddle of the change so quit! Can't remember how much I got paid for that but then I was taken on full time 2 weeks clearing tables in the cafeteria. I got paid 15 shillings a week for that (75 pence!) but that was quite a sum for a 15 yr old in 1957.

When I started nursing in 1958, our monthly wage was £10 all found (meaning plus board, food and laundry).[/size]

 

When I was at school I did a bit on a market stall selling records - no pay just the odd '45' for my day's work.

Left school at 16 in the early 50's and went to work in a laboratory across the road from the school - did day release up to HNC and subsequently became a salesman (why/how, I'll never know) - it was all too long ago to remember wages. Eventually travelled to many parts of the world doing my job.

That was in the days when there were job opportunities all over the place, unlike today. One
has to wonder where it all went 'pear shaped' and will future school leavers enjoy a better situation.

 

My first full time job, back in 1990, paid £45 per week, which was considerably better than benefits or YTS training allowance. I worked in a TV and video repair workshop. I was the gopher (go for this, go for that).

As far as youth unemployment is concerned, I genuinely believe that this is either out of pure laziness, or unrealistic expectations. Before you all pounce on me let me explain:

There are jobs out there. Not necessarily 'good' jobs, but jobs all the same. For the last few years (or few decades) youngsters have been brainwashed into believing that they can have everything served on a plate. The concept of starting at the bottom and working up has long gone.

To give you an example, in my current job I am lucky enough to have gaffers that actually care about people. A few months ago they decided they would bring in a new graduate, just as a trainee on a low wage but they'd get the benefit of our experience and we were all told that we should push them so that they were always progressing. It was the perfect opportunity for a new graduate, a foot in the door and training and mentoring from those of us that have been in the industry for years. The wage on offer was low by the standards of someone with enough experience to actually do the job, but above average for a fresh graduate. The local universities bent over backwards to help us find someone. They put our ad on their notice boards and offered to help with the selection process. Four people applied. Not 4000, not 400, 4, out of all the universities in the area. Two of those four withdrew their application before getting to the interview stage. The reason given in both cases was that as our company is small and very specialist, they felt it wasn't worth it. Of the two remaining applicants, one decided that the six mile/45 minute bus journey from their home to our office was impractical. The other was 45 minutes late for interview. We advertised it again, and got a grand total of three new applicants. One of which dropped out before interview. We eventually got a young lass who has been with us for months, and loves it. She came to us knowing nothing but theory, and is now a very productive member of the team, and has been promised a pay rise in line with her increased capability.

In the last few weeks, despite the fiasco of last time, the bosses decided to do it again. First they asked universities and colleges within a 20 mile radius, then they widened the circle, until eventually we got five people to interview, one of which got the place. He's been here less than a month, he's shown no interest in doing or learning anything, and just the other day he's handed in his notice.

 

When my dad was posted to RAF Credenhill in Hereford I was lucky to be able to go and help on the farm next to the married quarters, I was 7 at the time. The farmers wife was always picking me up and cuddling me. Got taught to driuve a tractor and do simple stuff around the farm. Loved every minute of it, especially the pigs. Then my parents divorced and I had to move into Hereford and my stepfather began casting his wicked twisted shadow over me.

I worked part time for a master butcher after school and weekends. Loved the job as the old boy ws teaching me all about butchery and animal anatomy. He was old school and a wonderful role model. My stepfather took any money I earned. I saw no point in working only to have my wages taken so I quit. The butcher was really upset about it.

I got a weekend job working in a motorbike shop and the same thing happened. My stepfather just took my hard earned wages, usually accompanied by a punch in the face or a slap round the head with whatever was nearby. Great shame because I was learning from the mechanics and the boss. Another golden opportunity destroyed by my asswipe stepfather.

I was very small up until I was 14. I could sit on my hair and had a beard. I could also run like the wind and swim like a fish. I came home from the bike shop one day and my stepfather punched me in the face and tried to take my wages. I completely lost the plot and hammered him. My brothers pulled me off him when he started puking blood. I didn't know he had an ulcer, which I had burst when I retaliated for the first time. He never picked on any of my much bigger and stronger brothers. First thing he did when he woke up after the surgery was have me arrested. I did 31 months in a naughty boys home.

I was sent to work on the farm at the naughty boys home. I was in heaven. We got pocket money, but the huge benefit was that those of us working on the farm, there were 5 of us, got treated as real blokes, doing a real job. We all knew how lucky we were and protected our positions. Nobody misbehaved and we all worked very hard. The guy that ran the farm was a screw but also a farmer. Mr Cook. His wife was wonderful and so kind to us. We all had the greatest of respect for Mr Cook and his wife. Mrs Cook used to bring us ploughmans lunches out to the fields. Huge flasks of steaming sweat tea. Home made tea and cakes inthe afternoon. She gave allof us little presents on our birthdays and christmas. Gave us bars of chocolate at easter. Really looked after us all. Better than any wages. Wonderful people that gave so much and asked for so little in return.

After I was released I wanted to join the army. As I had beenin a naughty boys home I was told by the army that I had to get and keep a proper job for a year before they would take me. Only thing I could get was working in a poultry slaughter house. It was absolutely gross. Killing and gutting chickens. I stuck it out for 4 months when I was asked if I would like to work in the abbatoir next door. Same company. My job was to fetch and carry for the slaughtermen. I learned fast and soon knew just what was needed and when. I made the tea at break times and on Fridays it was my job to go fetch the cakes from the bakery. They had a whip round for me when I left to join the army. My pay then was £32 a week including all the overtime I could get. I paid my own rent, fed and clothed myself and saved really hard to buy a motorbike before I joined up.

I joined The Life Guards, Household Cavalry. First time I went on the ranges the army found out that I could shoot. Didn't know myself, so instead of doing ceremonial duties which is what I wanted to do, I was sent for sniper training. I still did some ceremonial duties, but I spent a hell of a lot of time hiding in some pretty grim places waiting for something to happen. I loved it and would still be doing it now if I hadn't broken my neck. The last ceremonial duties I did was Trooping the Colours 1984. I miss the army every day. I would give up everything I have to be as fit as I was and doing the job I loved. Nothing has come close ever since.

Chopper.

 

My first job at 16 was a filing clerk for a glass company, hated it, horrid elderly spinster for boss, thank goodness one of their factorys closed, they needed less staff and as I was the last one in they offered to find me another job. Second job was in a large Bank in the City of London, loved it and continued to work in Banks until I had my first child. Now I could do with robbing a bank!!!!

Val

 

Chopper, some life. Makes me appreciate my step dad all the more.

Redstar, I'll help with the garden for free, just meet the commuting costs.

Cheers
D

 

First job was a general dogs body at a buildings maintenance firm. I did everything from answering the phones, helping out in the accounts office, washing the bosses car on a friday and going out with the engineers on jobs.

My almost first job was in a chip shop, but i was turned down as i had dirty nails - was a keen gardener even back then!

 

Like a lot of people in 1959 leaving school I got s job in the local leather works, We had two big leather works in Wrexham at the time, I was not there long, and with my dad being a miner,I persuaded him to get me a job down the pit, but not the job for a young lad, Cant remember the wages involved not much I dont suppose?