Job offer...

I got my first job at a fish store when I was 12 so go ahead and go for it if you really want it. It didn't hurt that I was already around 5'8" at the time but here's what I did. I got started on making a resume, I wrote down everything I'd done with aquariums, the books I read, the fry I spawned and sold and I even included my (then for a 12 year old) extensive collection of books and literature dealing with aquaria. I filled out the application, submitted it with my resume and kept calling. One thing you'll find, and this rings true for when you're older as well, is that determination always counts for a LOT. If you are calling every few days asking if they "had a chance to look at your resume and application" they're going to get the clue that you WANT to work for them; and there is nothing more attractive to a prospective employer that tenacity. Keep working on it and you'll get your foot in the door. One thing you should be prepared for (as it happened to me) is that you probably won't make a lot of money because you will put a lot of products on your bill lol.

Cheers,
Joel

p.s. good luck
 
I got my first job at a fish store at 13, they even offered. I didn't have to ask. Have worked a fish store since (up till Jan of this year when I transferred from the Pet care department at Petsmart to Equine-now I'm a lead too!). I am not into fish currently as much as I used to (too busy running my farm) but prior to this summer I would go into fish stores even in Denver (which is 1 hour from where I live) and they would offer me jobs ALL the time! When I was 13, I started just by cleaning tanks, feeding the fish, and pulling dead, but soon moved up to regular employee offering advice! I would say go for it too! Good luck and hope this helps!
 
I saw the local oaf at the LFS but it is only a coincidence, just a coincidence
 
My LFS wouldn't hire me even if I applied... They know me too well.
They couldn't pay me enough anyways... $50-60.00 per day vs $150-200. I don't think so.
They (The Management) don't take delight in me coming thru door, I point out every dead, diseased or injured fish and ask why its there, why its not in quarantine, why why why?
I give good advice when I hear bad being given... By some of the employees!
They'd lose fish sales if I worked there, and lets face it the majority of the ignorant joe schmoe public wouldn't like the questions I'd ask or the answers I'd give. They can be very unscrupulous in their sales to the ignorant masses, the knowledgeable employees can make suggestions but not deny a sale. Customer wants a Oscar for his 20gal tank, shutup and sell it to him.
 
A buddy of mine is in charge of the Fish and small animal area at a Petsmart and wishes I would apply there. He stated that he would love to have me or someone like me as knowledgable on fish and small animals.
As for my favorite local fish store? Well I go in there, I basically told to help myself since they know me. Customers will come up to me and ask questions or would like to get a pet. Last time this happened, I sold a 10 gallon aquarium, a pair of hermit crabs, a beginner book, sand and a small food and water dish for the crabs. The owners just smile and laugh, they get a kick out of me helping out every blue moon like that.
 
i owned a pet shop but not alot of people came so it kinda got shut down :sad:
 
ChileRelleno said:
My LFS wouldn't hire me even if I applied... They know me too well.
They couldn't pay me enough anyways... $50-60.00 per day vs $150-200. I don't think so.
They (The Management) don't take delight in me coming thru door, I point out every dead, diseased or injured fish and ask why its there, why its not in quarantine, why why why?
I give good advice when I hear bad being given... By some of the employees!
They'd lose fish sales if I worked there, and lets face it the majority of the ignorant joe schmoe public wouldn't like the questions I'd ask or the answers I'd give. They can be very unscrupulous in their sales to the ignorant masses, the knowledgeable employees can make suggestions but not deny a sale. Customer wants a Oscar for his 20gal tank, shutup and sell it to him.


I hear ya!!! One of the LFS's by me, I do not go to anymore... except if I need emergency supplies. They mark everything up 100% higher than the one I go to now, they know very little about fish (three people told me they knew jack when I asked), and they will sell anything to anyone with no questions asked (like my bala sharks before I knew it needed a tank 10 times the size I was putting them in).
 
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