Ugh... searching for a "real" job sucks.

Benjamin Strange · #1 10-24-2008, 02:42 PM

I haven't had a "real" job in years - I've been playing bass for a living. Now that I'm in San Francisco, I'm going to need a steady job to pay rent every month, and I'm having a hell of a time figuring out what I'm going to do.

Every job I've ever had since I was 19 has been music related in some fashion. I've been a sales monkey in guitar stores, managed music retail chains, done purchasing and inventory control, built amplifiers for Mesa/Boogie, repaired and restored stringed instruments, worked in recording studios, played bass full time, owned my own record label... now what? I've got a million skills, but they're all over the map, and although I do have some college experience, I don't have a degree. I feel like I'm qualified for all kinds of jobs, but it's hard to convince a potential employer that I'm worth hiring. I'm intelligent, a self-motivator, have some pretty serious business savvy, and have an excellent taste in avatars.

I'm a little nervous here - I'm 31 years old, and that's all I've done my entire life is music. Trying to join the real world workforce for the first time in my life is scary.

I don't have any real point to make here - I'm just taking a break from sending out resumes to scream out into the anonyminity of the intarwebz...

TheVoiceless · #2 10-24-2008, 02:44 PM

Just make sure you don't have any facial hair.

Ben Lesser · #3 10-24-2008, 02:47 PM

I wouldn't worry too much, man. Your resume should speak for itself--you've got a hell of a lot of things under your belt. Maybe if you were younger and less experienced the lack of a degree might be an issue, but with everything you've already done and learned how to do, that should (in theory in a perfect world, sadly) override any nitpicking on the topic of a degree.

And when are you putting up music for UFO Death Cult?

Benjamin Strange · #4 10-24-2008, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheVoiceless

Just make sure you don't have any facial hair.

I don't have any facial hair, but I chalk that up to genes rather than personal preference.

I do have a mohawk, earrings, and a lip ring, however. Somehow I suspect that those might be an obstacle to getting a corporate gig.

bongomania · #5 10-24-2008, 02:52 PM

Haha (re lack of degree not being an issue). I was able to get by without a degree for many years, but in today's economy we have people with MBA's begging for pizzeria jobs. I have heavy duty work experience qualifications, but a lot of the time this year I apparently don't even rate an interview with hiring companies.

Ben, IMO you're best off trying to skip the "real world" for the time being, until the economy settles down, and just focus on making money the ways you have in the past.

TheVoiceless · #6 10-24-2008, 02:56 PM

***!!! Why do you want to go corporate in the first place.? To me it sounds like your in a funk and should stick with your field.

Good luck on your search. My bro lives in San Fran. I could see if he knows of any job openings.

Benjamin Strange · #7 10-24-2008, 03:01 PM

Well, I don't necessarily want to go corporate, but I don't have any gigs lined up in San Francisco yet. I made a good living playing music in New Orleans, but it's a totally different scene here and I don't anticipate being able to do that here. It would be nice to have something steady, and perhaps even have something unheard of as a musician: benefits.

scorpionldr · #8 10-24-2008, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjamin Strange

I haven't had a "real" job in years - I've been playing bass for a living. Now that I'm in San Francisco, I'm going to need a steady job to pay rent every month, and I'm having a hell of a time figuring out what I'm going to do.

Every job I've ever had since I was 19 has been music related in some fashion. I've been a sales monkey in guitar stores, managed music retail chains, done purchasing and inventory control, built amplifiers for Mesa/Boogie, repaired and restored stringed instruments, worked in recording studios, played bass full time, owned my own record label... now what? I've got a million skills, but they're all over the map, and although I do have some college experience, I don't have a degree. I feel like I'm qualified for all kinds of jobs, but it's hard to convince a potential employer that I'm worth hiring. I'm intelligent, a self-motivator, have some pretty serious business savvy, and have an excellent taste in avatars.

I'm a little nervous here - I'm 31 years old, and that's all I've done my entire life is music. Trying to join the real world workforce for the first time in my life is scary.

I don't have any real point to make here - I'm just taking a break from sending out resumes to scream out into the anonyminity of the intarwebz...

well i don't know if there is this sorta thing by you, but I worked with guys about your age and up at a musical instrument repair shop as a "cleaner" of woodwind instruments........little backround on the exact purpose of this particular shop just so it's not quickly dismissed: our business revolved around sending instruments out to "affiliates" (small music stores) who would have the instruments loaned out to kids in high school/middle school/elementary school bands, as well as provide those instruments direct, in which if we were not selling the instruments ourselves, we would do our yearly summertime check-ups (fixer-uppering and cleaning) to make sure they werent destroyed, and then redistribute. It doesn't pay too much (I think 15 bucks an hour for a "full time employee"), but its got set hours, a solid payrate, and it isn't too mentally or physically taxing.

MJ5150 · #9 10-24-2008, 07:59 PM

The holiday season is fast approaching, and many retailers will be looking to hire. Maybe you can get another sales gig. I think they have a GC or two in the Bay Area.

I know people bag on GC as full of wankers, but I'm sure more than a few "real" musicians shop there. That could put you in touch a little more with the local music scene. Maybe?

-Mike

Lazylion · #10 10-24-2008, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjamin Strange

I... owned my own record label...

I would think San Francisco would be a great place to have your own record label.

(I'm looking for work too... +1 on the sucks part.)

DigMe · #11 10-24-2008, 10:22 PM

Just walk into the nearest corporation and introduce yourself as "the guy from Burnt Infant and UFO Death Cult". You will be hired on the spot.

bc