This is not how I wanted to start my day. This is not a blog I want to write. This is a day that is happening anyway, and this is a blog I have to write, for honesty’s sake and for my peace of mind because I am first and foremost a writer.
I was fired from my part time job this morning.
Trust me, I feel even worse when I look at it in print. Every thought you’re thinking right now as you read this, I’ve already thought with about 150 times the guilt and self pity that you can’t feel.
So why am I writing this? Because the reality that most people avoid is this: even good people get fired from their jobs. I sincerely believe that I worked hard as a hostess at that restaurant, as hard as I could, and my boss did not like me or appreciate that hard work. It’s not an ideal situation, and it’s one I never thought I would be in; no one ever does, but it’s real and true and hard and scary.
They said that my work was sub-standard and ill fitted to their establishment, in so many words.
My question, after 6 months worth of weekdays and weekends dedicated to this position where I worked to the best of my abilities, is:
To what extent can I take responsibility for this failure without losing faith or confidence in my ability to be a productive, hard-working employee just like everyone else?
I was kind, considerate, polite, consistently on time (which is no easy feat for me, I’ll admit), and I always tried to do what they told me no matter what. The restaurant industry seems like easy money for wait-staff. The reality is, it can be really complicated. It is impossible to please both the customer and the boss at the same time when the boss says, “Seat them here” and the customer says, “May I sit there instead?” A customer’s wants and needs come before those of the establishment (within reason), and so the seating plan can become disarrayed, and the boss gets upset.
It’s over now. I am starting from scratch in a down economy with a black mark on my resume and a Bachelor’s Degree I’m not sure I can use. I am writing this because my story is the reality of many unfortunate circumstances trying to get back on their feet.
As my mom says, I can only look forward. I can choose to take what I can learn from the experience and lay it to rest.
I don’t know what that means for my future, but I’ll keep you posted.
2 comments:
Bethany:
Take heart: some of the most industrious workers in the world get fired. It doesn't have to be "a black mark" on your resume. Part-time work is so fluid, that you only need to note your experience in a restaurant; if you're open to another restaurant job, that experience -- and your great enthusiasm for customer service -- will mean everything. No one will care about why you left that last job. . . and, frankly, it's no one's business but your own. Sure, you won't get a reference there from your boss, but I'm guessing you have some great references without it. Take care! Bob
oh sweetheart, i'm sorry that hapepened. i've worked as a hostess at 2 different restaurants. i can honestly say it would be the LAST job i would consider taking presently if it were offered to me. i can totally see where you're coming from, i've dealt with similar instances of that nature, and it isn't easy. i'm sorry this unfortunate series of events has occured, but maybe God was trying to get you out of something mediocre so that he can put you in something great. i believe very much that everything happens for a reason, and God has a reason behind everything He does. so, chin up, even if it stinks. you ARE a great and wonderful person, and any job that doesn't see that, doesn't deserve you. i'm sure your work will be better placed somewhere else, and in the mean time, just take it as a learning experience. good luck!! never forget that sometimes painfully, God takes us out of situations to put us in better ones. it's just not where He wants you right now.
always,
Cat
Post a Comment
Share your thoughts: