Possible to get free hrt??

[Semira]

I mean I love to land a union job if it meant having good benefits heck I've applied to Kroger the most just the fact they're union though they rejected my application probably about a 100 times by now. One would think getting hired at a grocery would be easy

I think it's the fact I been fired from the two jobs that I did work at.

I spent almost 10 years working at a Grocery store, many of them in management.  I've sat in on countless job interviews and I've dealt with the full spectrum of employee types. Have you gone into the stores in person and asked to speak with the person in charge of hiring? Were you actually rejected or did they just not contact you? Showing up in person and being persistent gives you a leg up over a pile of anonymous applications the store probably gets every day.

And in person, only say positive things about yourself. Almost everyone lies in an interview so don't be afraid to embellish yourself because they will assume as much and mentally bring you down a couple of pegs. The better you make yourself sound, the better you will look after being brought down those pegs. When it comes to a grocery store, probably half the employees are lazy, apathetic, and have attendance issues (basically, careless kids out of high school). Believe that you are better than those kinds of people and you will succeed.

I had an employee working for me once that was learning disabled. I would have gladly taken 15 more of him. He wasn't the fastest or had the best customer service skills, but he was genuine, friendly, and worked to the best of his ability every single day. Any shortcomings he had were easy to ignore knowing that when I walked in the door each morning he was there to support me 100%.

[EmilyRyan]

Have you gone into the stores in person and asked to speak with the person in charge of hiring? Were you actually rejected or did they just not contact you?

It's mixed I either get no contact or get a rejection email usually stating I'm just not what they're looking for right now. I have visited the store at least a few times to speak to the person in charge of hiring and usually got told to apply online and that's it.

And in person, only say positive things about yourself. Almost everyone lies in an interview so don't be afraid to embellish yourself because they will assume as much and mentally bring you down a couple of pegs. The better you make yourself sound, the better you will look after being brought down those pegs. When it comes to a grocery store, probably half the employees are lazy, apathetic, and have attendance issues (basically, careless kids out of high school). Believe that you are better than those kinds of people and you will succeed.

Oh yeah I will make sure to sound enthusiastic and caring if I ever can land an interview. Also I'm not afraid to embellish myself I did that during an interview for Walmart last year even though I know I was gonna get the job anyway since they were needing people at the time.

I had an employee working for me once that was learning disabled. I would have gladly taken 15 more of him. He wasn't the fastest or had the best customer service skills, but he was genuine, friendly, and worked to the best of his ability every single day. Any shortcomings he had were easy to ignore knowing that when I walked in the door each morning he was there to support me 100%.

This alone is why I wish managers could be more like you giving someone with a few shortcomings but willing to work. I'm not the fastest either nor the most competent I'll admit (as to why I was let go from the two jobs I worked previously) but I will show up when I'm supposed to and do my job like if say if I was stocking soup cans and a manager came up and asked me to go into the back and bring out a pallet of soft drinks and start putting them on the shelf I'll have no problem doing that.   

[Raye]

My first Wal-Mart had biases towards me being trans, but I never got the cases documented because I'm too nice and naive at the time. They fired me off in mid winter because of point issues when you damn well know who's going to walk on the icy roads to work for an 11 hour shift. No one goes into work in TN if it's snowy and icy conditions and I didn't have a car. I worked at the Dickson Wal-Mart and lived in Fairview. And my roommate wouldn't take me. So I told them I couldn't make it because why should I walk 13 hours to get to Dickson and work an 11 Hour Shift. I wouldn't leave the store I'd sleep there for my next shift the following day. And that was the only time I called out on 2 weeks of bad weather 9 days in total accumulation.

6 weeks later I got rehired back at the Fairview Wal-Mart because the assistant called BS on the whole issue. He knew I was one of the best hard working person(s) over at the Dickson. Because people would call in referrals and be like who's this long blonde headed dude we be getting about... Oh that's JP from the Dickson WM. Dunno why the callers are coming over here. And ever since I came out and began my transition there I've never had anyone start anything with me. They actually cared more about the situation I was in than to let anyone say anything negative.

The thing about employers especially Wal-Mart or Kroger is pretty simple. And before I disclose this - this is some A Grade stuff here. Bring a well printed resume with you + perhaps a cover letter in person. Introduce yourself to the hiring manager with your name and the position (or positions) your applying for. Give them a bit of some background and show interest in that position. Hand them your resume + cover letter at that point. Let them know you have a solid work history and that your a very hard working person and highly versatile. Show some intelligence and skill to intimidate them a bit, but not too much. If your successful you'll know if they become intrigued. Intimidation by your success and how the company will grow your success is key. Manager's at Wal-Mart especially love those types of people. Enthusiasm is key, but too much will show your way too desperate for work. Try and play it cool, but professional as possible.

I got my first gig by starting up a company, which the assistant was of interest in he was impressed by my management skills and my go-getter attitude. Then we exchanged tips about running individual businesses, which got me on his good side and he hired me. I kept running my own business at the time while working at Wal-Mart fluidly. Sadly, it didn't last after 6 mo, which was going on for about 8. I had issues with Level Designers and Coders who wouldn't pull their share of the weight and I had to pick up the pieces. And I decided enough was enough and shut down the whole project.

[EmilyRyan]

I worked for Walmart last year. My job was to help unload the trucks in the back my picking up boxes from the line and putting them on the assigned pallets then after the truck is unloaded I then pull the pallets to their designated area on the sales floor. Sounds like an easy job right? I thought so too until the realization set in that they expected the unloaders to be very fast and unfortunately I didn't quite cut it and was let go after only two months.

Sometimes I think getting fired from Walmart has blacklisted me from future employment.

[Kitty June]

Sounds like a job I got at UPS loading trailers. Very hard, but you work only a few hours. I was getting hurt a lot so they put me on small sort. That was fast paced but not as hard on my body. Unfortunately they put me back in the trailers and it was killing me. I lost my car so I couldn't make it in anymore.
They don't discriminate on gender identity and if you can stay for a year, even part time, you get benefits. You join the teamsters union right away. If you can work hard they'll take you. They have a high turnover because it is hard work and it takes a while to get full time. Over the Christmas season you might get a lot of hours but during the slow times I was getting about 20 hours. They are always hiring because I know I couldn't pay my bills on the limited hours and they stipulate that their job comes before all others. So if you get another job, they could screw you over.

[EmilyRyan]

After working my last two jobs working as a donations attendant for Goodwill and an unloader for Walmart I soon realized that type of work isn't suitable for me. The summer months were worse when working at Goodwill was always having to go into the break room so I wouldn't pass out from the heat. I even have trouble lifting over 50 pounds. I mean it's not like I want a job where you do nothing it's just I know where my limitations are based on past experiences.

As for UPS I worked there temporary during Christmas 2013 season only got called in to work one day. All the other days were spent waiting for them to call and they had it fixed where you couldn't call to see if there was any work.

[Katiepie]

Oooh, looks like a topic I can jump in to. I mean job related gigs and all.
I remember back in 2006 when I started working for the first time. My first interview, my first job as a whole, started from the ground up. Worked for Rite Aid, union job and all. By my second day the cashiers were calling me a manager with the attitude I had for work, even though I was one of them. At the time i was 4 months in I was previously growing my hair out, and started painting my nails and such. Was rather fun, and by my 6th month i was promoted to auditor, well (price accuracy coordinator), then 3 months later i sign up for the army (reserves anyways).
Fast forward through my military opening as I do not see this congruent to the topic.
Anyways for that I followed under a leave of absence under military guidelines, also promoting the userra act. But once I returned, and tried to get my job back, their hours were completely frozen, and locked out, this was for both stores close to me.
Anyways fast forward to later on, I get a job at Target, working graveyard, at first as a presentation coordinator, dealing with plan-o-grams, and building displays. Also at the time was when I helped out create their pFresh grocery section for the store. Once I had a good foot in the door with that and the work slowed for the displays and such, I was inter-recruited to their truck team. I was never one of the strong arms for the truck itself, or one of the ones that stacked from the conveyor belt, to pallets, but I was a pallet runner. I was dealing with handling the pallets to their respective areas and rushing back to grab the next when it was prepared, generally I had a walkie, and coordinated with my manager and other supervisors, when the truck was done, we would then line everyone up, and rush from the pallet to the respective section in the aisles, then had a person for every section in the aisles, then we collaborated and basically took the store in a tidal wave of a storm to finish the work in minimal time. That went on for about two years. The majority of my time was working in the San Francisco bay area, and then partial out in Augusta, Georgia.
Fast forward to my last job, in which working with Rite Aid again, working as a floater between several stores in the Fontana/Rancho Cucamonga areas, in California, before I moved up and transferred to the one in Blue Jay, up in the mountains when I moved that way. Was a union job, yet I claimed non union, even though the union still let me use their medical at the time.
Then when I moved back to the bay area, I transferred into the final straw with Rite Aid. It was such a roller coaster of emotion, struggle, and this is where I finally had made my connection to being transgender. And about the time I started working there was the time I joined this wonderful family here at Susan's!
But as per my story and hardships through this time, you could look way back into my previous posts as it is so much to say about this place. I did not disclose where I worked, or maybe I did in the earlier posts. Its been so long since I had started this ride. But needless to say I abandoned ship in a rather sinking vessel, and glad I did.

I just thought I would jump into this conversation with my own experience. I hope no one minds!

Kate <3
Always remember to smile your face

Edit; if you want to land a secure union job, try not to land one in a drug store (i.e. CVS, Rite Aid etc...) the union really does not care about the smaller chains like those, but focus more on their top named grocery stores (i.e. Safeway/Vons/the many other faces of the name, I think if I remember correctly food4less/WinCo/Lucky's and Kroger are all union as well. Grocery stores who have unions are the favored group that the unions actually care about. I even had this information brought to me by my own union reps when I worked at Rite Aid, in all the different union locales. So be weary of the small chain drug store unions, all they do is take your money and provide sub par medical, which company medical is about the same, but without extra fees.
That is all!

[EmilyRyan]

Don't mind at all if you want to add to the conversation anyone is absolutely welcome to

Wish I was competent enough like you unfortunately if I'm ever to keep and perform well at a job it's gotta be some kind of slow paced where they don't care how ditzy I am. I'm also coming to terms now that I may possibly have high functioning autism and I need to get screened for that. If I were to be diagnosed I wonder what kind of can of worms will that open as far as getting and keeping a job as far as I know employers don't like "slow people".   

[Katiepie]

Hmm... I know if you have a military installation close by an option would to be to land a job working in the commissary, or exchange. I know that the jobs do not require much in the matter of experience, and they are really accepting of all walks of life in the means for their positions.
This is just an idea that may work, besides their medical is actually pretty decent as well.

Kate <3
Always remember to smile your face

[EmilyRyan]

Would that require to join the military??

Also your profile pic is cute

[Katiepie]

It would not require any form of being in the military to get a job in those areas.
Also in a ways with working with the commisary or exchange, there are also chances that you could travel to other parts of the world to work on bases (of course non combat zones), and such would be really fun, and I do believe they pay travel expenses and reasonable housing if you do.

And thankies, I really like my Christmas hat, though it makes me miss a different one I had back in 2009, in which I wore all year round.

Kate <3
Always remember to smile your face

[EmilyRyan]

What kind of pace is the work normally if you know?? Would they tolerate someone if they happen to be a bit slow??

[Katiepie]

I'm not too sure their exact pace. But I've seen many working of different backgrounds of autism, or handicapped, and others working with no issues, at least to my knowledge.
I know if the small base I go to has a small exchange in which doesn't necessarily need a high pace as is. But other areas can be different I suppose.

Kate <3
Always remember to smile your face

[Raye]

Sorry for the late reply always working late as usual. They've had me on the weirdest schedule of lately. Normally, I work like 1530-0100 every four days in a row. But they've cut my hours for 3 whole weeks and shift my hour(s)/day(s) around hehehe. So my sleep schedule has been a bit iffy of lately. I mean I guess I can't relate to how tough unloading trucks is to ya'll. I mean I did use to free lift 250 lbs and I've lost roughly more than half of that within my near 6 mo HRT. I can still lift a decent amount even having lost a considerable amount on my back. But I'm still handy with unloading trucks. I do have to be very careful not to stress my back as much, because of the huge impact in loss of support there; as other areas of my bodies lost support. I've told them that and they promised not to put me back there as much as possible. Just do your research on all the companies you decide to apply to. It doesn't hurt getting multiples of second or even triple opinions to active employees, former employees, unbiased sources, and from the leaders themselves. Although, I can't deny the fact I will never accept a job because of how the pay is or what kind of work it is. I still have a few notable traits I will never abandon from my service. I suck everything up and just work. Seriously, no job is really that beneath me. Last week, I had to stop helping the whole Grocery, Fresh, and Backroom areas to go push carts for a whole 3 hours a couple of consecutive day(s) in a row. I volunteered of course, but mostly the fact I knew no one else wanted to. I'd rather be the one out there than someone else who isn't trained to take care of the situation at hand or is completely disinterest in the position. Even if I see someone needing a helping hand I'll still help them out whether I get permission or not. If you have a weak team member help them out and grow stronger it only increases the capabilities of the unit as a whole VS. letting them fail and letting not only them down, but yourself as well. Upper management doesn't really consider me an asset much less an escape goat despite I can work a good pace with no sleep for at least +120 hours. But in the end they let me take care of my own and in return I take care of them.

EDIT:
Just because your not undergoing treatment options at this time do know that when you do you will most definitely have much more strength in your lower body than you will in your upper body. I know tons of guys that would love to have more strength in the legs that have difficulty working on it themselves. It takes time to build muscle wherever your looking to build it. This goes without saying despite Males having much more muscle mass than Females. Don't overshoot the fact women can be stronger than any man at that looks can be deceiving. There are plenty of women that are Rangers and for good reason.

[EmilyRyan]

Usually that's been my attitude where no job is beneath me either but lately I been coming to terms that my best bet are jobs with low stress (whatever those may actually be) mainly due to developmental issues I've had since grade school which I'm finally coming to terms that they're here to stay. I simply can't work the type of jobs I had in the past I'll end up fired again and become further unemployable than I already am.

If anyone knows of any slow paced jobs where they don't usually care how fast or slow I work just as long as I get the job done please let me know. Any links are appreciated as well. 

[Kitty June]

In going to suggest that you look into telemarketing. I know transportation is an issue and your not in a big city , but you never know.
Or, if your spelling and listening skills are good , look into doing closed captioning from home. Pays per job and it is possible to make some money.  If I can remember the link , I'll send it to you. I wish I could have done it , but my grasp of grammar and hearing abilities disqualified me.

[Raye]

My hearing skills are kinda shot these days with working in too many plant sites. I don't know about the other two. LOL... I've heard there are like tech support calling you could try from home or even some billing companies.

[EmilyRyan]

Yeah I hope my hearing isn't a hindrance especially after an accident back in October where I lost my hearing in my right ear for about 5-10 minutes and I'm sure I have long term damage. Main issue I have with my hearing nowadays is that certain background noises, and I'm talking ones that aren't normally too loud to prohibit any hearing, will cause me not to hear anyone that's talking where used to this was never a problem.   

[Kitty June]

If your using headphones, you should be good. I work as a telemarketer during the week and even with my hearing aids, I'm good on 80% of calls. I work in a restaurant at night and my hearing is an issue in that environment.

[CarlyMcx]

Usually that's been my attitude where no job is beneath me either but lately I been coming to terms that my best bet are jobs with low stress (whatever those may actually be) mainly due to developmental issues I've had since grade school which I'm finally coming to terms that they're here to stay. I simply can't work the type of jobs I had in the past I'll end up fired again and become further unemployable than I already am.

Exactly what are these developmental issues you are talking about.  Can you be more specific?  It would be a lot easier to help you if we knew exactly what your "workarounds" need to be.