Zen,

Not sure where you are, but personally, I wouldn't recommend any employment resource centres right now. In the past they had more integrity but currently they are all vying for provinical monies to keep going so they seem to be pushing their services (by the way this competition was happening before the transfering of federal to provincial funding.) There just doesn't seem to be a watch dog for them or a sense of accountability. Unfortunately, it seems to be more about staying afloat than helping clients. There are likely are a few that have maintained their integrity but finding them would be tricky.

You have some wonderful references without mentioning the other two places you have tried to work at. Having seen a number of people's resumes, in my time, I would say yours is as good if not better than many. Mention the skills learned and tools you bring with you from those places and you'll be a winner! You can find on-line places to practice your interview skills too. Heck, you can find on-line how to do your resume too. Let me know if you need any help.

You also now have the personal knowledge about yourself that you didn't have before. I support you!

At Safeway you can go into a store and fill in a application form and just offer the two volunteer positions as reference. They may or may not ask you for a resume. If they do you can have it ready to give to them. Give your volunteer references, a heads-up, that they may be receiving a call. Let me know if you need any help.

Have you taken a Foods course? I think they are about $50. Gives you a bit of edge. Also, what about taking first aid training? I think you can do it in one day and it also shows them you are taking the initiative.

Also, just wondering if you would enjoy working in a less high profile environment. Those coffee shops are frequented by some fairly intense caffeine addicts , who can be quite demanding at times . (I take about two coffees a week, presently, and that is quite enough for me. Heehee Or, are there some smaller coffee shops around that may have more people coming in for the ambiance and maybe a bite to eat rather than those intense coffee only shops

Hope this helps some.

H

What are you taking at school, if you care to share?