You'll probably get it. You'll probably hate it. The interview experience is what u will take away with you.
Go ahead... BUT...
Along with Panda, I would also try securing a government job such as postal worker, city employment as anything available, or you might want something in the soda pop industry working for one of the big guys like Coke or Pepsi in delivery, warehouse, office, or whatever.
In other words, something with a pension, maybe a union, including some decent paychecks.
There are jobs, and there are jobs.
With your experience and education, you could do better.
And if you stay at something that I suggested for 10+ years or so, up to retirement, then that life long pension really builds up and comes in handy.
Unlike that 401K crap. Where one hit to the economy can wipe you out.
You do not want to go back to Panda at 85 asking if they have any job openings.
Or Wally world.
Young folks seldom think too far ahead, but thinking long term is better than 2 years here, 1 year there, 4 years here, 3 years there, and before you know it your looking at the age of 30+ thinking what the hell happened to the time?
Before you realize it and with a better job, you are looking at 30 and could easily have a nice pension built up, stability, very decent pay, possibly even a union, and with that comes a nice car, house, wife, kids, and a lot of long termed financial stability.
And grabbing a job at Coca Cola, the post office, city employment, is much easier to get than one might think.
I mention Coke and Pepsi because they are huge world companies with strong revenue and great employee benefits.
Yeah sure, its just a job.
And a job is a job, so why short sell yourself in fast food if you can do better up front?
Your factory experience places you leaps and bounds ahead of most applicants.
There is your advantage, so use it.
Your too good for fast food.
And you could grab something entry level with a pension, long term stability, and eventually a much higher wage.
All for the very same entry level qualifications as anything in fast food.
Look at larger well known companies where people tend to stay working years and years, and eventually retire from.
There is a reason your average fast food worker has only been there for 1 year or less, while that postal worker, city worker, or soda pop bottling company employee has 20+ years under their belt. With looking to retirement and their pension.
Planning long term is everything.
Especially when you are young. I know, that is hard to do. Plan long term when your 20.
And never underestimate your ability to win a better job with some nice perks.
Even if those perks will not pay off for 15 - 20 years, its worth the effort and personal investment.
I know a guy that started at the age of 21 and worked for the city in basic construction and repair, an entry level position requiring only a high school education.
He retired three years ago at the age of 55, with nearly a full salary "life long" pension.
Just 55 years old, healthy, and that SOB is now retired with a life long person.
He and his girl friend just got back from visiting England and plan to vacation in Germany this Summer. Talk about a lucky duck!
Now wouldn't you like to comfortability retire at, oh say 55 with a nice life pension?
That is what to shoot for.
There are companies that offer that. Usually the better well known companies.
Coca Cola is a perfect example, as well as General Foods Inc.
Think big! Think stability.
Think of those employers similar to Coke, Pepsi and General Foods Inc.
The big guys that have been around forever.
The really good jobs, entry level too, are out there and easily doable.
All that one need is a decent education, drug free history, crime free history, stability with your past endeavors, a positive attitude, plus good basic hygiene.
Accept Panda if offered, but also continue to shoot higher. Make it your quest.
Include the local jobs services department which can be a great source for finding decent paying city/government employment.
Also, for example, simply walk in to your local bottling company like Coca Cola, or a company like General Foods inc, and ask what they have open.
Fill out an application anyway if you can, regardless of openings or no openings.
I keep bringing up Coca Cola just as an example of large well known and highly profitable companies where their employees are treated extremely well. Especially long term.
Be creative in your job search.
You might have never imagined yourself working for, say, Coca Cola, or General Foods Inc, but both pay very well and many employees stay employed to the age of retirement.
And there is good reason they do.
Gaining employment with well known, stable, highly profitable companies can be just as easy as with gaining a job in fast food.
Maybe one day you too can retire at 55 with a nice pension and touring in Europe.
And you might remember way back at the advice from some guy on Anandech?
And think, shit, I was almost satisfied just working for Panda.
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