Work history and my Resume.

[beastmaster]

I have never in my life filled out an application or a Resume for a job.(Maybe when I was a teenager)Its kind of a humbling experience.
Trying to fill in my work history alone is causing me stress. I've been a climber so long and worked for many Campanys, I can't fill in dates.
90% of the companys I have been employed are no longer even around anymore. I worked 4 years for one company, but I left on bad terms with the owner, and hate to imagine what he would say.(he still spits when he hears my name)
My current job(been part time last two years)I have been there3.5 years or so. I've been paid under the table. The owner says he can't give me a reference because I've been working under the table and he's scared of the labor and workers comp. people getting him if he admits I was an employee
For the same reason he's forbidding me from using management from an arboretum his company works at as a reference. I could say screw ya, but we remain friends and I don't want to burn any Bridges.
I am not crying, I just know there are probably others who may have experienced this, being the nature of this buisness, and what did you do?
I am not a flake, by a long shot, but my resume with out dates and good soild references, kind of gives that impression. I would really like a city or county job, thats why I need the Resume. Beastmaster

 

[ducaticorse]

I have never in my life filled out an application or a Resume for a job.(Maybe when I was a teenager)Its kind of a humbling experience.
Trying to fill in my work history alone is causing me stress. I've been a climber so long and worked for many Campanys, I can't fill in dates.
90% of the companys I have been employed are no longer even around anymore. I worked 4 years for one company, but I left on bad terms with the owner, and hate to imagine what he would say.(he still spits when he hears my name)
My current job(been part time last two years)I have been there3.5 years or so. I've been paid under the table. The owner says he can't give me a reference because I've been working under the table and he's scared of the labor and workers comp. people getting him if he admits I was an employee
For the same reason he's forbidding me from using management from an arboretum his company works at as a reference. I could say screw ya, but we remain friends and I don't want to burn any Bridges.
I am not crying, I just know there are probably others who may have experienced this, being the nature of this buisness, and what did you do?
I am not a flake, by a long shot, but my resume with out dates and good soild references, kind of gives that impression. I would really like a city or county job, thats why I need the Resume. Beastmaster

You should explain to your "employer" that you will make sure he comes up on a WC and Liability audit if he doesn't give you a reference. That's absurd.... Do you know what an audit entails? Without tax documents, the ins co can't prove anything. There is no harm in giving you a reference, especially if the company you are applying for is legit.

 

[TreeAce]

I would just fill out the app as best you can and write down where and who you worked for. You maybe at a disadvantage against other applicants but what r u gonna do? U chose to work the way u did and this is a draw back to it now. I am not knockn you, just pointing it out. If they do call past employers, well....whatever. Seems to me that if they are interested in your skills (ALSO on the app!) they will ask u why so n so said such n such. For a city or county job...well....IDK...hard to say because there could easy be people involved in the hiring who know NOTHING about tree work so u cant sell your self verbally. Well, not as easy as u could if it's just one actual tree man who u need to impress. The other thing about muni jobs, from what I have experenced and heard about, is that u need a pull from inside. If u have that whats on the resume may not even matter much. I was a bitter, bitter guy for many years over a job I didnt get for a city. They hired the son of a VP of a local bank, who knew NOTHING about trees, but worked for Chemlawn for year! And I had the soon to retire forestry dude telling them to hire me! And I still didnt get the job.... But thats a different thread. Good luck and Maybe there is somthin worth while for u in all this I just wrote.

 

[treeslayer]

I have never in my life filled out an application or a Resume for a job.(Maybe when I was a teenager)Its kind of a humbling experience.
Trying to fill in my work history alone is causing me stress. I've been a climber so long and worked for many Campanys, I can't fill in dates.
90% of the companys I have been employed are no longer even around anymore. I worked 4 years for one company, but I left on bad terms with the owner, and hate to imagine what he would say.(he still spits when he hears my name)
My current job(been part time last two years)I have been there3.5 years or so. I've been paid under the table. The owner says he can't give me a reference because I've been working under the table and he's scared of the labor and workers comp. people getting him if he admits I was an employee
For the same reason he's forbidding me from using management from an arboretum his company works at as a reference. I could say screw ya, but we remain friends and I don't want to burn any Bridges.
I am not crying, I just know there are probably others who may have experienced this, being the nature of this business, and what did you do?
I am not a flake, by a long shot, but my resume with out dates and good soild references, kind of gives that impression. I would really like a city or county job, thats why I need the Resume. Beastmaster

Needs to be said, but as an employer, sounds like you're a glorified hack.......whether or not you are, ( which I doubt) you sound like one. you worked for cash in a business rife with headache children, but now you have to pay the repercussions, consequences. call it it what you want, but don't cry now.
Darwin got ya.........
Try wal mart....:hmm3grin2orange:

sell your skill, not your resume, wrong field of endeavor.....

 

[IcePick]

As much as I hate to agree with someone that calls themself "treeslayer", I have to admit the slayer is spot on.

 

[flushcut]

You maybe a solid guy and employee but you need to be careful it's that whole guilt by association thing that my bite you in the ass. More so if you are going for a city gig.

 

[beastmaster]

sounds like you're a glorified hack.......whether or not you are, you sound like one. repercussions, consequences, call it it what you want, but don't cry now.
Darwin got ya.........
Try wal mart....:hmm3grin2orange:

sell your skill, not your resume, wrong field of endeavor.....

I didn't know an employee could be a hack? If that is the case, I'm a well paid hack. I'm not crying, and it wasn't Darwin's law that got me. It was years of working and producing for owner/operators of small tree services who cut corners on worker comp. or didn't want to put me on payroll. I like Cash, but it has came around and bit me.
I keep telling my self, I have to get my degree. If I don't get that paper I'll stay at the mercy of owner/operators who just care about the bottom line.
I had my ISA cert. but it's a joke in my humble hack opinion, I need that college degree I hope then I'll be taking seriously. I pay taxes on the 1099's I get for Contract work I do.
Is it because I don't have a 401 k and a lot of fancy equipment you judge me a hack?
I am happy with the life I've lead, I ask for some advice on a subject I'm unfamiliar with. I have close to 30 years in this buisness as a climber. I have an excellent reputation.
Why bother even posting, couldn't find the dog to kick?I found in my life that people who are always calling others name, have issues themselves.
I'm not hating, Just took me by surprise is all. Beastmaster

 

[TreeAce]

I think he said...hack "on paper". and that ...."he doubts u r" (a hack) . I even said kinda the same thing, about past work choices, just not so bluntly. I just dont think slayer, or anyone else, is calling...or even thinking...u r a hack.

 

[treeslayer]

I didn't know an employee could be a hack? If that is the case, I'm a well paid hack. I'm not crying, and it wasn't Darwin's law that got me. It was years of working and producing for owner/operators of small tree services who cut corners on worker comp. or didn't want to put me on payroll. I like Cash, but it has came around and bit me.
I keep telling my self, I have to get my degree. If I don't get that paper I'll stay at the mercy of owner/operators who just care about the bottom line.
I had my ISA cert. but it's a joke in my humble hack opinion, I need that college degree I hope then I'll be taking seriously. I pay taxes on the 1099's I get for Contract work I do.
Is it because I don't have a 401 k and a lot of fancy equipment you judge me a hack?
I am happy with the life I've lead, I ask for some advice on a subject I'm unfamiliar with. I have close to 30 years in this buisness as a climber. I have an excellent reputation.
Why bother even posting, couldn't find the dog to kick?I found in my life that people who are always calling others name, have issues themselves.
I'm not hating, Just took me by surprise is all. Beastmaster

Bro, I'm not hating. I said I doubted you were a "hack" from my limited knowledge. No matter how good you are, you are now at the mercy of someone reviewing your lifes work, goals and accomplisments on a piece of 8.5 x 11 paper who doesn't know ####.
BUT, you asked a question, and please don't shoot the
messenger. I know what I'm talking about as an employer, and if you don't.............:msp_sad:
I do know enough about you to hire you in the blink of an eye,
but hindsights 20/20. and I'm not a guvment wank....

sorry about the bluntness, you paid your dues.
Heck, tell jeffy to give you a job.

 

[treeslayer]

and I was rude... my apologies.:msp_sad:

 

[beastmaster]

Bro, I'm not hating. I said I doubted you were a "hack" from my limited knowledge. No matter how good you are, you are now at the mercy of someone reviewing your lifes work, goals and accomplisments on a piece of 8.5 x 11 paper who doesn't know ####.
BUT, you asked a question, and please don't shoot the
messenger. I know what I'm talking about as an employer, and if you don't.............:msp_sad:
I do know enough about you to hire you in the blink of an eye,
but hindsights 20/20. and I'm not a guvment wank..
Heck, tell jeffy to give you a job.

No need to apologize. I ask for it, and got it. I can accept criticism
It just takes me a while sometimes to digest it is all.
My point is after a life time of living on the edge, making many many mistakes, I want to move on a different path. I have a lot of damage control to take care of. I do look like a hack on my resume, I know it, that is why Im looking for advice on how to fix it.
I live and breath trees, study trees, nothing else interest me(well fishing) I don't care if people said Im a piece of - - - p, so long as they follow it by,"but he does good work".
Getting work isn't a problem for me. But everyone wants beast the climber, no ones interested in beast the Arborist. I am typecast sort of speck. Man Im 53, how much longer can I climb everyday. I don't want to be that old guy groundsman who takes care of the truck and everyone calls pops.
Treeslayer I respect you a lot, Maybe thats why I got so defensive. Its all good.
Jeff's guys work to hard. I am a little spoiled.

 

[IcePick]

Man Im 53, how much longer can I climb everyday. I don't want to be that old guy groundsman who takes care of the truck and everyone calls pops.

I know I'm not going to get rich in this industry, but if 20 years down the road I'm still a tree worker, I can only hope to have a full head of gray hair, a long gray beard, a secure job, and a nickname pops who takes occassional naps in my company issued pickup only to wake up and buck a few logs now and then. #### sales.

 

[treemandan]

No need to apologize. I ask for it, and got it. I can accept criticism
It just takes me a while sometimes to digest it is all.
My point is after a life time of living on the edge, making many many mistakes, I want to move on a different path. I have a lot of damage control to take care of. I do look like a hack on my resume, I know it, that is why Im looking for advice on how to fix it.
I live and breath trees, study trees, nothing else interest me(well fishing) I don't care if people said Im a piece of - - - p, so long as they follow it by,"but he does good work".
Getting work isn't a problem for me. But everyone wants beast the climber, no ones interested in beast the Arborist. I am typecast sort of speck. Man Im 53, how much longer can I climb everyday. I don't want to be that old guy groundsman who takes care of the truck and everyone calls pops.
Treeslayer I respect you a lot, Maybe thats why I got so defensive. Its all good.
Jeff's guys work to hard. I am a little spoiled.

Hell dude, if you stayed at one place as a tree climber for more than 5 years I would think you were stupid. #### it! Its not us crazy tree climbers it the crazy companies we get stuck with.
Just make some #### up and have a few good references. I usually ask what happened to the last guy they had. That usually levels off the playing field right quick. But if you are applying for a non-arboricultural job the last thing I would admit to was ever being a tree climber. Sure they might look interested but inside they are saying " this guy is nuts".

 

[newsawtooth]

Beast, sounds like to me you've been an independent contractor that other companies depended on to fill vital gaps in their technical experience. Off course with a career as long and varied as yours there will be owner/operators that you did not get along with. But you were able to maintain a professional relationship in order to accomplish objectives and provide a valuable service to the customer. And quite frankly, that particular employer had a less than stellar track record in safety and customer satisfaction. He was upset because you called him on it....or something like that....

 

[mikewhite85]

Hi Wade. I am not as experienced as the other guys you have worked with but if it helps you can use me as a reference for the contract work you do for me.

I wish I was big enough to hire you full time doing arborist stuff. With your experience you certainly have an edge that most around here don't.

I'll be praying for your situation.
Mike

 

[sgreanbeans]

As much as I hate to agree with someone that calls themself "treeslayer", I have to admit the slayer is spot on.

lol-ICEPICK!!!

Course then ya got me, Greanbean, then Beastmaster etc! Cant harp on names-lol
my first choice was Bedonka Bump, but that was taken

 

[sgreanbeans]

BM- I worked out there for 2.5 years in SD and Riverside for Gothic. There are many a opportunity for someone of your skill out there at one of the big shows. I wanted to stay, but elderly parents brought us back, when they are gone, so am I. Back to SD.
Those large scale Landscape company's have full bennies and love having tree guys on staff, I would expect you to walk thru the door a supervisor. Hook up with Mike Gillette with the Brickman Group in SD.He could steer u in the right direction. Drop my name. They sub out big stuff to Jeff, but I know Mike likes to have an Arborist around to monitor the progress of all the street trees they plant. Good money, company truck, phone, gas card and good bennies.Little climbing, but still all the respect.
When I was there. I was getting a 11 a week salary,after taxes, basically around 32 bucks an hour, my wife, they put on another team and she was getting 8 a week. Our personal vehicle never moved, we both had company trucks and Gothic encouraged us to take them to the grocery store, as long as they were clean!
They even hired my father-in-law, he was called poppy! And he drove around and measured square footage for the estimators, the paid him 8 a week as well.
Point is, the big shows are decent jobs, if that is what your looking for, with room to excel. If you are bi-lingual, well then you will be a account manager
Sucked, I love it out there, but mom needed me home, so here I am.

 

[sgreanbeans]

I hate it in the mourning, when your getting dressed and u realize after ya put your boots on.....................that you have no pants

 

[treeslayer]

I know I'm not going to get rich in this industry, but if 20 years down the road I'm still a tree worker, I can only hope to have a full head of gray hair, a long gray beard, a secure job, and a nickname pops who takes occassional naps in my company issued pickup only to wake up and buck a few logs now and then. #### sales.

Wake pops up, the logs down.....

 

[treemandan]

BM- I worked out there for 2.5 years in SD and Riverside for Gothic. There are many a opportunity for someone of your skill out there at one of the big shows. I wanted to stay, but elderly parents brought us back, when they are gone, so am I. Back to SD.
Those large scale Landscape company's have full bennies and love having tree guys on staff, I would expect you to walk thru the door a supervisor. Hook up with Mike Gillette with the Brickman Group in SD.He could steer u in the right direction. Drop my name. They sub out big stuff to Jeff, but I know Mike likes to have an Arborist around to monitor the progress of all the street trees they plant. Good money, company truck, phone, gas card and good bennies.Little climbing, but still all the respect.
When I was there. I was getting a 11 a week salary,after taxes, basically around 32 bucks an hour, my wife, they put on another team and she was getting 8 a week. Our personal vehicle never moved, we both had company trucks and Gothic encouraged us to take them to the grocery store, as long as they were clean!
They even hired my father-in-law, he was called poppy! And he drove around and measured square footage for the estimators, the paid him 8 a week as well.
Point is, the big shows are decent jobs, if that is what your looking for, with room to excel. If you are bi-lingual, well then you will be a account manager
Sucked, I love it out there, but mom needed me home, so here I am.

Brickman!? Holy ####! I didn't realize they also had outfits in other states. I want a job there... NOT! #### those ilegall alien hiring ##########s. What a crock of ####! It just goes to show employers don't want employess, they want slaves, people who will work for cheap. Everybody knows you can't make money doing landscaping and tree work if you pay people a decent wage.
I give the mexicans a few more generations til they start getting sick of it themselves. Oh they seem happy with it now, that's cause it better than what they had but they will start to complain soon too.

Beasty, ask yourself why you never filled out a job application and ask yourself why you want to now. Think about it real hard. Then go write yourself a resume based on the same bull#### they have been feeding you. Ya feel me? #### em dude, #### em hard, especially Brickman and people who write economy on their trucks. Its all bull#### and it sells.