kanikapila
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Aloha, I see there's some ukulele factory/shop owners here so I thought I ask to see if you guys need an extra worker?
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You'd have to knock very hard on my door for even the workshop cat to give you a look in:nana:
I'm with Pete...at the very least I'd expect someone looking for an unsolicited job to do some legwork, find out as much as they can about each company they're interested in, then send a resume (or at least a letter) and follow up with a phone call. (Not everyone has time to meet in person, so I'd leave that as a last resort.)What do you expect? This is hardly an employment forum. I think I'd want anyone interested in my business to come and see me to present their case, not for me to go grovelling after them, resume unseen and little apparent commitment to the business.
What do you expect? This is hardly an employment forum. I think I'd want anyone interested in my business to come and see me to present their case, not for me to go grovelling after them, resume unseen and little apparent commitment to the business. I'm sorry, uless this is an attempt at humour/irony, it is an inappropriate and lazy posting. You'd have to knock very hard on my door for even the workshop cat to give you a look in:nana:
If someone came to my workshop without introduction looking for a job, I would not turn him/her away per se because they would have shown the first great strength in a builder/employee - initiative!
Next and very important point. It costs an awful lot of money to train someone and if they have anything about them, they will learn the trade and then set up on their own. So if a potential apprentice came to my door they would have to PAY ME to train them as in the old days. This then 'binds' the apprentice to the master and ensures that you, the employer are not out of pocket. This is known as an indentured apprenticeship.
Third, they would have to work long and hard hours on boring stuff. Not many people can do that and it would surely break most youngsters today who want everything instantly. A good friend of mine has just taken on a business partner - a retired banker. he knew nothing about building but was practical with his hands and was keen. ideal - Dave said "Do this" and he went away and did it - no questions, no agenda.
So young felow think long and hard - your current approach is lame:smileybounce:
I think you just made Pete's point for him where he said:I went graduated from Hana Lima Ia, so I know how to build ( though not as well as the best I'll admit ). But, before I ever went to Hana Lima, I was working at G String Ukulele Co. ( no longer there though )
`auwe! Pete was giving straight dope. sure, he was blunt, but that's the real. nobody gets free rides. put in the work, young buck! you in o`ahu, right? hit the spots. face to face>message board posts any day. for reals, i don't think these small businesses, no matter much product they drop can rely on a message board post to give what few jobs they have (if they have any).
kaneohe, you lucked out, but did you just post a blanket "get job or wot?" or you did the dirty werks and you went after it. then good for you. you earned it and nobody's getting on your case.
Now I have got your attention (and hey, thanks for the 'grumpy old man' tag - I'm working on it :shaka let me explain...
Building is a hard job that any old Jo/Jane will struggle to do well in. You have to have the right temperament to take the rough with the smooth and engage in often boring and repetative tasks (if you are a production company). The rewards come little and often most days and fill you with exhaustion and anxiety. It is often a very scary ride - ask anyone who starts rubbing out after days of careful preparation only to find a spec of dust in what was originally thought of as a perfect finish.
There are very few people out there in this climate who can afford the time and energy to take on an unskilled apprentice (one off builders who often need an apprentice but because of cash flow pressures just can't do it) and provide them with a rewarding experience. If you employ someone it is an 'investment' that you want to see a return on and in many cases, as an individual luthier you will not see because once your apprentice has your knowledge, they up and leave and set up in competition to you. I sort of did that but was in a business partnership where the other party was less than honest. I left and took the ukulele business because he never was involved in it so I squared that one with my conscience... It would spell disaster for me here in the UK if an apprentice did that to me (to my former business partner it had no impact) where the market itself is very small and where I spend at least 2 hours a day/night networking to get business and still often have to find 'other' work to pay the bills for 30% of my work week.
I honestly wish you well and hope you get to live your dream. If you do, recognise the sacrifice your employer is going to make and be sure to return the goodwill that has come your way. If you simply see it as an opportunity to set up on your own in short measure, be clear in your mind that this will be seen as a betrayel by someone who put a lot a trust in you. If you live in a small community as I suspect you might classify the Island of Oahu, this is going to go bad for you. Please read this advice in the spirit it is given - remember my opening comment? You have initiative - something all employers are looking for. Use it to take the advice given on this thread and with clear objectives and an honest heart get to do your thing
And hey you guys, if I am feeling down or my brain is not in gear, I don't go into the workshop to build ukes - I do something else. Check out my website to see some of my latest offerings to the music world... I may come across as harsh but ask those who meet me what I'm really like :biglaugh:
you really dont want to hear harsh words when looking for encouragement.