It paid to talk on the CB!

by Lucy
(Chicago, IL, USA)

In the mid 80's I used to talk on the CB. One day I happened to mention that I was looking for a job. One of the men I happened to talk to on the CB mentioned that his brother-in-law worked for an employment agency and I should go see his brother-in-law. I didn't go at first, until this man asked me again, so I finally went to the agency.

I filled out some information at the agency and didn't think much about it after that. In the meantime, I had found a part-time job at a local bank as a proof operator.

About a year later, I received a call from the agency asking if I was interested in a full-time position at a downtown bank. They were looking for a proof operator with one year experience on an NCR machine. This was good, as I just happened to have that exact time and experience at the local bank. I was also ready to move on, since it didn't appear that I would advance to full-time in the local bank.

I went back to the agency and they gave me tips before I went on the interview with the downtown bank. I then had an interview with both the controller of the bank and the supervisor of the position. It seemed pleasant enough, and I headed home to get ready for work at the local bank.

By the time I got home, the agency had called and said that the downtown bank wanted to hire me and when could I start? After giving the local bank one week notice, I started at the downtown bank as a proof operator.

Twenty-two years later, I am still at the bank, now as a loan secretary. I am grateful for all the opportunities to experience different positions and learn from them. And it all came about from talking on the CB!

It definitely pays to let people know that you are looking for a job. You never know what connections they may have to help you in your job search.

Follow up on any leads you receive. It may take some time, but as they say, "time is money", and that is ultimately what you are looking for.

Return the favor to others. If you have information to share, or know someone who can help concerning a job lead, let that other person know. Remember that feeling you had when you got lucky, and give someone else a chance to have that experience as well.