Here's a question just about everyone can help me with: Which job should I accept?

Question

For whatever reason, I go from long periods of "having no job" to "having a million job offers" quite frequently (when I'm out a job, that is). Within the same day, I got two different job offers. I need some advice and opinions on which one of these I should stick with.

JOB #1: Kennel
The first job is a kennel.

Pros-
-No evening hours
-People are friendly
-VERY laid back working place. (Get to wear jeans!!!)

Cons-
-Must work holidays
-VERY cold in the winter (most of the work is outdoors)
-Probable make min. wage ($7.65)


JOB #2: PetCo (Groomer Assistant and Dog Trainer)
Pros-
-Get experience with grooming and training.
-Paid on commission (pro or con, depending on how you look at it).
-Get paid vacation! (As a part-timer!!!)
-Pet store
-Have holidays off

Cons-
-Not as laid back as kennel.

Distance is NOT a problem for either.

I would really value and appreciate other people's opinions on this. And any experiences you may have with either setting would be fantastic!

Sorry- probably

Wow, a whole lot of feedback, thanks a bunch guys!

Nancy M- I am a college student. 18 years old, living with the parents.

For whoever suggested working both (apology, I don't remember)- I doubt I would be able to. My schedule for classes is all over the place. Plus I have a three and a half year old Border Collie that is my responsibility, so she needs A LOT of attention. Two jobs wouldn't be fair to her. I'd rather stick with one of the two.

My issue with the kennel is that I feel I'll become bored there. When there is nothing to do, everyone just sits around and talks. I prefer to go out and play with the dogs (which I do).

To clarify: I have worked one day at the kennel. I just interviewed for Petco. I feel like I really want that Petco job though.

But then...the kennel...

*sigh* Any more advice?

Sorry Nancy M, it was you who asked about both.

Poms- I know, I know. I was waiting for that.

I am glad I asked though. A lot of things were brought up that I never even considered.

Answer 1

My advice is to take the kennel job over the Chain store any day but I don't get how you would be able to work days when you are also in school?

I have worked for both chain stores and got a foul experience at both, mostly from the management. Both of those were my highest ever stress jobs because you are constantly pulled in 15 directions if it is a busy store and more nights than not, I would drive home so exhausted out of my mind that I felt like I wanted to pull over to sleep on the way home! THAT is TIRED!

The reason I vote with the kennel is that if you are in school now anyway, you don't need a job you can fall back on if you are learning a skill at college. You need the least amount of stress as possible so that you can stay focused on your grades. Also, being that you have to work the weekends, those are the days you are most available to work anyway so I don't see that as being a problem. I also don't see the chain stores being all happy to give you weekends off either.

Where you said that the people at the kennel are nice, I would like to say that the management I worked under at the chains were just nasty. They mainly worried about their bonus checks and the money YOU have to generate in order for THEM to get their bonus checks. A funny thing about those chains, who or whatever drives them from the top, seems to be under the impression that every week must outsell the week before and if it doesn't, you hear about it! It is insanity.

I say start at that kennel, if you hate it, you can always move on to the Petco because the turnover there is insane because they just can't keep people there so don't worry, they will always hire you at another time when the position becomes open again. You won't have to wait long for that to happen. Besides when I think back to my days as a kennel worker, long before Petsmart even existed or Petco ever THOUGHT about doing grooming and training, I remember it as a job that I could handle, I remember the dogs LOVING to see me come around rather than frightened to come in the door like they are at Petco. The people at the kennel were real and they were human beings which was a bonus I found out years later when I went to the chains and had to deal with the sub-humans.

Answer 2

as a professional dog groomer for 11yrs..
(I was a petco grooming manager)
You have a better chance of making more money and learning a life long skill taking the Petco job. Grooming talents can be used anywhere and if you are good and working fast and safe, you could make upwards of $200 a day (later on). I make in excess of $200 a day, doing 8 dogs with my repeat customers.
If you learned the Training, that is also a skill you could take anywere. Maybe not as highly paid as a groomer but still a actual profession.

the commission is a "either, or" situation with them. Your hourly will be (like) $8.00 a hour but you may do a $30 dog in a hour in which case you will make $15. But you are guarenteed at least the hourly. Its a good deal for a person just starting out at your age.

Almost anyone can work at a kennel. It does not give you a skill that is "in demand".

This is the advice I'd give my own daughter. You could actually begin a "profession" from this, not just a "job"
Good luck.

Answer 3

Well, I currently work at Petco, and have worked there as a bather. I've also worked in kennels.

If the kennel is a stand alone business, observe closely over the next few days and see if they do things the way you like. If their focus is in the right place (the dogs and not the profit). I worked at a kennel for a short while that you couldn't pay me to keep my animals at. Especially during the holidays.

I love PetCo, but grooming can be a hassle. Groomer Assistant is basically - BATHER. It's not so bad as being a full groomer, but it is harder to make commission. Ask about the current bathers and what they make on average. Also, ask about what it's like after the holidays. Holidays are a MAJOR rush at groom shops. Can be stressful, but fun. As far as training, I don't know what experience you have, but if you love talking to people and working with dogs, it can be great fun. It is hard to go from grooming to the sales floor if you find it's not for you. The hourly pay in grooming SUCKS if you don't make commission (I only made 6 an hour as a bather, i make 8 an hour as a sales associate. I left PetCo for PetsMart and made 8.75 an hour as a bather. But the PetsMart I worked at treated their bathers like crap so I went back to PetCo.)

Answer 4

Can you do both? I mean can you do each part-time? The Petco one is partime so maybe you can do it as well as do the kennel job, if they will work with you a bit on times.. I am not sure about the worth of what you would learn as far as training dogs at Petco -- haven't been too impressed with the petco or petsmart trained dogs I have seen at all but could be fun and if you could maybe do it on your 'off' time from the kennel job, might be nice :) Cold, they got coats, gloves and hats for... having minimum wage is better than no wage at all and if you rely on commission that could be what occurs but it could also work its way into good pay... just a thought.

Are you in school or have a family to have to do for? Those might be deciding factors as well.

Answer 5

I would say go with PetCo. If grooming is something you are interested in, it can be a great way to learn. It's also a good way to find out if grooming is not for you.

If it's not, then you'll have more options. More than likely you can go to another department if you wanted.

If you are the type of person that would rather not deal with the public and the laid back atmosphere is important to you, then go for the kennel job.

Good luck to you either way.

Answer 6

I did the kennel job and to tell you the truth I loved it! I did it all through college and the person who owned the kennel became my mentor too. I learned so much from her and working at a kennel than in any books I have read since. Sorry but that's the job I'd do. Plus I got to be around some very nice and beautiful dogs all day too!

Answer 7

Try Petco, step outside your comfort zone just because you get to wear jeans on the other job doesn't mean that's the right job! You might get too comfortable with the Kennel job and get bored real quick!

Answer 8

I would go with the PetCo job. The experience that you will get will help you in the future to be able to keep a job for longer periods and find a job easier when you need a new one.

Answer 9

Kennel. I am waiting for the day when I kiss Vet Tech-ery GOODBYE and get a Kennel job!!!!!!! NO PEOPLE and NO WORRIES!!!!!
Maybe it is sad that I am looking forward to that.

You could NOT pay me enough to be a groomer again. There is just NO pleasing some people and at this point in life, I try less!!!!!

Answer 10

Honestly no one can make the decision for you. Only you can make the final decision.
I know its not what you want to hear but, go with your gut on this one. Do what feels right.

Talk to some of the people in petco and see how they like the job.