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You make your decisions first. Then get in the truck or car or whatever.
Pick your area and go for a drive. 90% of the lanes you go up will not throw you off the property until you have your say - the others will just turn you around quiet like. Just watch out for the family "pet"! LOL
Remove any jewellry you might have (if you have any) from your ears and such. Put on a clean pair of jeans and a pair of clean work boots. Have some leather gloves and a hat handy - you might strike gold pretty quick and I would bet your hands are fairly soft - that will change I can assure you.
Go to the door and knock. Be polite. Take a resume if you want. Make sure you have a couple of references. They will be checked.
Best time to show up - early. 0730 - 0800 and you will find folks thinking about either having breakfast after morning chores, or going out from breakfast. Next time is right around noon. This place has a tendency to be best if you show at around 1630 - someone is always home at that time. We generally start out at about 0530.
Tell them you are looking for work and know nothing about the business. Tell them you are available at all times - hence making your "decision" first.
You go to work as a hand at my place we expect you to come when called - work when asked - and no back talk.
In return we generally pay on time - the cheques are always good. We feed our hands at our table and if necessary we bed 'em for the time we need them close by. So, manners and cleanliness are important - if you do not have them do not bother knocking.
Bonuses do happen - usually not in money. If you live at home with parents, you will end up taking home fesh vegetables from the garden - provided you have helped / some meat from the freezer at times - provided you were involved in the raising / shop is available for minor projects on your own time - provided you immediately replace what you use.
You will not be a friend or respected person until you have earned it. When that happens, you will find work is just as tough, but around here you will know you are on the upswing when my wife takes the 4-wheeler or the truck and delivers you a drink or snack in the field because you are out in the hot and working your butt off. She is the true test here. If she stays away from you, plan on looking for work elsewhere.
Most places you will deal with the husband or foreman - but the ladies on the land usually have the largest say - at least in this area - so treat 'em well or plan on moving along.
You'll work your @ss of on schitzen jobs for a bit - just to see if you have any staying power. Once you're proved out - might take a few months - you'll get some pretty good responsibility - and the pay goes up. IF the money is available.
Find a place like mine that has no money, you'll work even harder - but you will be treated well. That is why I said we generally pay on time - but I guarantee we always pay - you are on the top of the pile when the money comes in.
Show some interest and you might get the first orphan as your own to look after - raise - and do with as you see fit. Two young girls in the neighbourhood are now raising a few of their own after starting with us a while back on an "as needed" basis. we generally do not have the time to fuss with calves that are on their own - so we sell them at the barn or give them to selected folks who can benefit from them.
Even though there are many who will not need your help, the talking circle is big - that person may find you a job with someone else.
So git out on the road and start looking.
It is a schitzen life at times and yet there are times you will be the richest person on earth - and I ain't talking money. You will meet all types, but they will give you the respect you earn.
Put your notice up in every feed store and sale barn you can find. tell them you have a strong back and are not afraid of work. Tell them you are drug free and crime free. If you are not, it will be found out soon enough anyway. You might not like the treatment you get when you are asked to leave.
Look and listen lots - talk little. Ask questions before striking out to do something. Remember that dirty rancher or farmer with dust or grease on him / her has risked much to allow you on the place.
They risk everything on a daily basis to put food on their own table and hold the tax man at bay. They may not be educated, and they may talk different - but if they are still in the business, they are likely pretty savvy folks. Prove yourself to the folks that take the risk and you will never be out of work.
You will never get rich, but it may give you a new perspective on life. Do not be looking for "overtime" - it ain't there.
That's how I got started almost 35 years ago - it is no different today.
Stay well,
Bez
