Need Advice! Hope fellow disers can help.

[Stacey2grls]

Sorry, but this is long. A couple of months ago, I was talking to my next-door neighbor, about her job (she's a real estate agent), and I told her I really needed a job, and if she thought this would be right for me. Since I have 2 children in school, and no babysitter it has been so hard to find a job. She told me that her brother would definately hire me. I asked doing what, since I had no clue what her brother did. As it turns out, he owns his own real estate appraisal company and needs apprentice appraisers. But, I need to go to school for it, and the course would cost $985, and would take about 4 weeks. She said her brother would let me pick my own hours, pay me very well, and the job was mine for the taking as long as I passed the course. Well, before I signed up for the course, I would daily ask her at the bus stop, "are you sure your brother will hire me", I'm nervous about spending that much money, and what if he doesn't need me when I pass the course, etc. Well, everytime she would reassure me, saying "ofcourse he will hire you" don't worry. Well, fast foward 3 months, I passed 2 months ago, and everytime I bring up the job, she says her brother is busy, I will give you info next week. I call her and she gives me the same story. I have to say That I am the last person I thought would every be in this position. I rarely ask anyone for favors, to the point that family and friends say that it is annoying. So, it is not that I am being too pushy, because the job was her idea in the first place. Well, now my husband is mad with me since I spent that money and now no job has come of it. And I don't want to continue bothering my neighbor, I am always so nice to her, saying I appreciate everything she has done for me. What should I do? Sorry this is so long.

 

[AllyandJack]

I'd go to another company. You have the license. It's not a waste - no job training and licensing is ever a waste, it is always an opportunity. Start putting some feelers out there for a job. Then, when they come crawling to you, you can tell them it's too late, you've already been hired.

 

[Christine]

Can you contact her brother directly or maybe contact some other appraisal companies? I'm sure that they must be looking for people who have paid and done the course.

I'm sure you don't really want to her "negative" feedback at this point, but I'm going to anyway. You REALLY should have insisted on meeting with her brother before you committed to the course. Using his sister as a "go-between" on a serious job probably isn't the best thing to do. Yeah, there is nothing wrong with her helping you out and referring you. Very early on she should have put you in touch with her brother. She could just be one of those people that is "all talk." Does she work with her brother? How is it any of her business who her brother hires?

 

[disneyaggie]

First of all, congrats on passing!

I would immediately contact other places to work. You have the training, now let someone else have a crack at you! If he is "too busy", that would cause me concern. I suggest taking the education you now have and applying it somewhere that can use your new talents! Good luck!

 

[Stacey2grls]

Can you contact her brother directly or maybe contact some other appraisal companies? I'm sure that they must be looking for people who have paid and done the course.

I'm sure you don't really want to her "negative" feedback at this point, but I'm going to anyway. You REALLY should have insisted on meeting with her brother before you committed to the course. Using his sister as a "go-between" on a serious job probably isn't the best thing to do. Yeah, there is nothing wrong with her helping you out and referring you. Very early on she should have put you in touch with her brother. She could just be one of those people that is "all talk." Does she work with her brother? How is it any of her business who her brother hires?

Thank you everyone for your replies. I agree with you Christine, I should have insisted on meeting with her brother. I totally dropped the ball on this one. The reason being is, I have been a SAHM for the past 8 years, and I haven't had that much experience in the work force before that, so I rack this up to my total ignorance. Also, my neighbor is the kind of woman that is definately not an "all talk" type of person, that is why I trusted her. Thank you for your advice, I have to say on most accounts I agree with you.

 

[Christine]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I agree with you Christine, I should have insisted on meeting with her brother. I totally dropped the ball on this one. The reason being is, I have been a SAHM for the past 8 years, and I haven't had that much experience in the work force before that, so I rack this up to my total ignorance. Also, my neighbor is the kind of woman that is definately not an "all talk" type of person, that is why I trusted her. Thank you for your advice, I have to say on most accounts I agree with you.

I'm glad I didn't offend you and I really don't like to "smack" someone when they are down.

I've been working all my life and, as such, professionally I have a lot of confidence. But I can certainly understand how staying at home for so long and then trying to get back into the workforce can be very intimidating. Hang in there and, hopefully, you will be able to use that schooling that you just got. I'm sure there are other appraisers out there who may be willing to help you out. But I know it's hard to call up perfect strangers.

 

[Disney Doll]

I would make up a resume and start sending it out to all the appraisal companies in your area with a cover letter. Include her brother in this list. Then in about a week or so, follow-up to everyone you sent your resume to with a phone call, including her brother.

Leave your friend out of any further dealings with her brother.

Find a good website or resume writing book to help you with that aspect.

Tell your DH to back off about the nagging. Jobs aren't found in a day. When I first graduated nursing school (early 80's) there wer no nursing jobs available in my area. No nursing shortage back then like there is now!!!! Anyhow, I sent a resume to every hospital within a 50 mile radius of my home...nothing. I worked at an ice cream store all summer that year, which, while it was fun, was not exactly the best use of my college education, if you KWIM?? Finally, in September I got a call from the hospital where I currently still work. Sometimes a job search takes time.

 

[SillyMe]

Do you have your license or do you still need to put in your hours of apprenticeship? I work for a real estate company/appraiser. There is great money and very flexible hours in it, if you can open your own business. I'm thinking with the laws changing and such, you probably still need to put in those apprenticeship hours. I would hurry up and start sending out resumes. They are going to be changing the guidelines and requirements for getting your license. It's hard enough as it is to get those hours in. Don't wait around for him. Call him directly and speak with him and in the meantime, start calling other appraisers and sending those resumes out.