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I need my life back on track
Death of Rats
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So I've been fucking up my life pretty badly for the last few years. There's a few big problems that I just don't know how to deal with anymore.
First off in May 2006 I got kicked out of school in Chicago IL and had to move back home to bumbfuck IL. This of course left me with debt that I sooner or later have to deal with. Around $7000 of my own debt, and $70000 of loans that my parents took out for me to go to school. So basically I have a hell of a lot of debt, which limits my options a bit.
When I got back home I started going to a community college, but the idea of starting over after 3 years (my credits wouldn't transfer) coupled with my dad's migraines and my inability to pay for school without going further in debt made me decide to leave school to look for work. This is when I discovered my biggest problem.
No matter how many places I apply at, no matter how well I do on the interview, I can't seem to find work. After 9-10 months of looking (with a 3 month break for going into and getting let go of the Air Force) I'm still unemployed. I'm getting to the point where I don't think I'll ever be able to find work.
And I don't know exactly why I'm having such a hard time. I've never gotten fired from a job. I've never been arrested. I don't do drugs. I've only had 3 interviews in the past year, so obviously it's something to do with my applications or work history that's doing it. And it's not like I'm only apply at a few jobs, I've handed in hundred of applications at all different types of places. Fast food, office jobs, retail, movie theaters, call centers, walmart. Pretty much anyplace I can. About the only thing I haven't tried is temp agencies, but I'm worried that they won't be able to do anything with me either.
The only thing I can think of that's doing this is my work history. I've had 5 jobs since 2001 and the longest I've been at any one of them is 8 months. The last 2 jobs I was at for only a couple of months. And there are multiple gaps in my work history. But at the time I wasn't trying to support myself. I was "focusing" on school (which turned out to be untrue. I was too busy having fun and eventually getting kicked out).
Anyway, so basically my problem comes down to this; I can't find work because of my spotty work history. I'm running out of places to apply at that are in the area (small town surrounded by other small towns). I can't move to go somewhere where I might have a better chance at finding work because of not having any money at all and not knowing if I'd be able to find work once there.
I need some sort of help.
First off in May 2006 I got kicked out of school in Chicago IL and had to move back home to bumbfuck IL. This of course left me with debt that I sooner or later have to deal with. Around $7000 of my own debt, and $70000 of loans that my parents took out for me to go to school. So basically I have a hell of a lot of debt, which limits my options a bit.
When I got back home I started going to a community college, but the idea of starting over after 3 years (my credits wouldn't transfer) coupled with my dad's migraines and my inability to pay for school without going further in debt made me decide to leave school to look for work. This is when I discovered my biggest problem.
No matter how many places I apply at, no matter how well I do on the interview, I can't seem to find work. After 9-10 months of looking (with a 3 month break for going into and getting let go of the Air Force) I'm still unemployed. I'm getting to the point where I don't think I'll ever be able to find work.
And I don't know exactly why I'm having such a hard time. I've never gotten fired from a job. I've never been arrested. I don't do drugs. I've only had 3 interviews in the past year, so obviously it's something to do with my applications or work history that's doing it. And it's not like I'm only apply at a few jobs, I've handed in hundred of applications at all different types of places. Fast food, office jobs, retail, movie theaters, call centers, walmart. Pretty much anyplace I can. About the only thing I haven't tried is temp agencies, but I'm worried that they won't be able to do anything with me either.
The only thing I can think of that's doing this is my work history. I've had 5 jobs since 2001 and the longest I've been at any one of them is 8 months. The last 2 jobs I was at for only a couple of months. And there are multiple gaps in my work history. But at the time I wasn't trying to support myself. I was "focusing" on school (which turned out to be untrue. I was too busy having fun and eventually getting kicked out).
Anyway, so basically my problem comes down to this; I can't find work because of my spotty work history. I'm running out of places to apply at that are in the area (small town surrounded by other small towns). I can't move to go somewhere where I might have a better chance at finding work because of not having any money at all and not knowing if I'd be able to find work once there.
I need some sort of help.
No I don't.
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Also, just to let you know, it's spelled "debt". Don't mean to be a dick, and I don't want to be infracted for saying so, just thought it might be something you want to know.
No worries about the spelling. It's never been my strong suite.
As far as the interviews go, as I've said, I've only had 3 since I started looking for work. And for every one I've found out that I didn't get the job because someone more qualified interviewed for the position.
My real problem is that I can't seem to get to the interview phase. Out of those 3 interviews only one was from them calling me. The other 3 were from job fairs.
Not saying that I won't keep your advice in mind though.
I worked on a golf course for two years and I must say, its hard work and early mornings but at least its something.. plus, it will get you in shape. Also, most courses offer free golf for their employees and sometimes family members, which is a nice bonus.
Regardless, good luck, and remember that if you can't get a job where you are, there are plenty of towns with shallow labor pools, and some that are maybe nearby. I understand that, due to the debt, moving isn't exactly an option, but if things get bad enough you should consider the pros and cons of a lengthy commute.
Talk to your parents and have them talk to all their friends who work somewhere where they could put in a good word for you, or could even hire you themselves. Thats definitely the easiest way to get a job. My parents always knew tons of people when I was younger who could give me restaraunt work or various other things from manual labor to factory work. Beg your friends too.
Other idea. Develop a skill. You've had 9 months, and if you'd spent all that time learning a skill, you'd get a job. Personally, I'm a 3d artist, and can get lots of freelance work that way, but for someone with no artistic apptitude, perhaps you could teach yourself web design and then start whoring yourself out on the net. Frankly this is kind of a long term approach, but I dont know what else to tell you if its impossible for you to get a minimum wage job. Developing an employable skill will serve you well. Find out what interests you and can be self taught. Not shit like accounting or management or any bullshit you need college for. I'm talking arts and crafts.
Craigslist has a couple thousand listings a day for jobs and part time gigs where I live. Probably not so much where you are. Still look. There are lots of remote jobs if you have a skill that can be done from anywhere, so don't just search in your city if you have a skill set.
Get some social skills and learn how to my schmoozy. Chat people up and make them give you a job. You say you've handed in hundreds of applications? Well shit, it sounds like you're pretty fucking desperate considering your parents situation in the other thread. This time, apply, and then follow up a couple days later and start talking to people. Have conversations. Even do this as you apply. Invite them to lunch and talk about the bussiness they're in. Show an interest. Doing this type of shit can be really hard, but it sounds like you need to actually put some work into getting some money, so schmoooze. Dont just turn in an application. Ask to talk to whoever is in charge and talk about the establishment. Ask questions. Act as though you have tons of options and are just looking for the best place for you. Have fun with it and people everyone if your bumbfuck town.
Beg.
Have you tried calling them?
The best way to get hired somewhere is to call them back.
Do you have a resume? I'll look at it for you, if you want. That sounds weird, but I am looking into a career in copy-editing and I would be glad to help you spice up your work info. There are ways to make it sound better, you know? I just finished a class in Business and Professional Writing and it taught me some crazy things...I had no idea such small things were so important.
Turn in a resume to everyone. No matter if it seems like you're just applying to McDonald's or somewhere crappy, and they won't need a resume. They'll appreciate the added professionalism.
Also, you can never dress too professionally. Wear slacks, a button down, a nice tie (if you're a guy). You know, work it.
And yeah, schmoozing is never bad (unless you're terribly uncomfortable doing it...then, don't).
You could also consider leaving them off your resume altogether, but it sounds like you don't have much else to put on there.
IOS Game Center ID: Isotope-X
Are you treating it like a job and spending full time job like hours on it? If you aren't, you should be. Are you getting out of the house? Thats always helpful for treating it like a job IMO. Go to a library or a job search centre.
Are you following up with the places you apply, and doing your best to convey the message that you specifically want to work for them? It doesn't have to be true but showing even the appearance of interest and desire to work for that specific employer will help.
Try the temp agencies. They're a good way to get into the workforce and get working. It would help to know what your skills are though, and what kind of work you want to do.
As for gaps on your resumes, there are ways to get around that. Don't do a strict chronological resume, do one that focuses on your strengths and skills.
Do not fudge any aspects of your resume or work history just to get a job. I've done it once and while it did not backfire for me *this time*, it almost always assuredly will. I regret doing it and I will never do it again. Pretty much the only advice I can offer, and I know this really doesn't help, is to not give up. You need to land a job and stick with it. I would suggest a position at a University. My uni always has pages and pages of listings for jobs. Most jobs don't pay less than $8-9 and some are $11-13. Positions range from groundskeepers to data entry to student aid. They've got jobs out the ass. Also if you're near a community college check there as well. My CC always had a big job board packed with listings.
Worst comes to worse, try a temp agency. I despise temping with a seething fury, and if it were up to me the guy who created temp agencies would be drug into the street and shot in the face. But, alas, this isn't my world, thankfully. A temp agency might be just what you need to get you back on your feet, but I would not stay one minute longer than necessary.
And did I read that right? $70,000 in student loans? If I may ask, what school did you attend?
Shogun Streams Vidya
Also, stop spending so much time on the internet. If you have a stable job and life and you can work lots of internet time in without really affecting that, okay whatever, that's fine. But considering that you've been kicked out of college and aren't in school now, you're living with your parents, and have been unemployed for almost a full year, I'd say there are better ways you could be spending your time. How much time per day do you spend looking for a job? As a rule, if you don't have a job, you should spend the amount of time per day you would have spent working to look for a new job. Until you have a permanent job, finding a job should be your job. If you aren't spending at least several hours a day working on finding a job, you aren't trying hard enough. And considering how much you post here, I can almost guarantee that you haven't been trying hard enough.
Look, I'm not trying to dump on you here, but at some point you just have to face reality. It should not be this hard to find work. McDonald's or Taco Bell or places like that will hire just about anyone with a valid ID and a pulse. Even if you have the worst work history in the world, you should be able to get work in fast food or retail. Are you dressing up nice with a shirt and tie (and this includes when you hand in applications, not just the interview - if you hand in a job application looking like a slob, they'll probably throw it in the trash without a second thought)? Are you calling these places back after a few days? Are you showing them that you really want to work there, even if you don't really want to work there?
Basically, it sounds like you just need to step up your efforts. However much you think you're doing now, you need to do more. Don't be too proud to do certain jobs - for example, mowing lawns can earn you some good money. Just remember that anything is better than going ten months without a paycheck.
Oculus: TheBigDookie | XBL: Dook | NNID: BigDookie
The degree can probably help overlook your past work history of not having held a job for any periods longer than 8 months.
I would urge you to consider contacting temp agencies. Around here, typical job stints are 1-3 months. After that, the place either hires you on full time or they find you a new place to try. You can use this as a chance to get some money while figuring out what you are going to do, if anything, about the 3 years of credits.
For what it's worth, I have found that depending on the type of work you do or want to do, it's easier to get into a company via a temp agency or contractor agency. I was a contractor for the company I now work for, 2 years before they hired me on. I was self-employed. However, many companies, as has been mentioned above, incur noticeable costs upon hiring someone. Using temps or contractors is easier to get through some budget processes, giving you the easier option of getting jobs through that.
For what it's worth, I would also be willing to look at your resume. If you'd like to tell us what town you live in, some of us, myself included, can probably help you look for some options coupled with know what's on your resume.
One other thing, you might consider letting us know whether you'd be willing to finish school if you can reclaim some/most/all of those credits you've already earned. Folks can also probably help you with some information on finding various routes to getting more school loans and such.
Above all, I wish you good luck. If you'd like any possible help on a resume or finding temp/contractor places, I can try to help you if you want to pm me.
I want to know this, too, at least in general terms. Something like this could be what's holding employers back if it's a serious enough case, especially if it involves violence.
I'm also wondering what, if any, references the OP has.
I host a podcast about movies.
As far as my Air Force experience, I got an entry level separation because of suffering horrible panic attacks. It had nothing to do with my commitment to it or my willingness to do what they asked me. I just couldn't handle that amount of stress and that caused them to let me go. It wasn't a dishonorable or honorable discharge. It's an uncharacterized discharge.
As for college, I got kicked out because my academic completion rate was too low. I didn't take the school seriously and I am now paying for that mistake. The school was the Illinois Institute of Art Schaumburg, and the amount of my debt is again because of my mistake of not taking it seriously. However no prospective employer would know that I got kicked out of college (actually, I was told that I wouldn't be able to attend the quarter after my current one and I decided to quit before completing the quarter. Funnily enough a few months ago I got a letter from the school asking me to come back... at a higher locked in tuition). I could honestly say that I quit school to enter the work force.
Neither of these involve violence. I have thought about finishing out school, but I am very wary of incurring more debt. The $7000 that I have on my own wouldn't stop me from getting loans to finish out, but the $70000 that my parents have wouldn't be deferred if I went back. Considering their financial situation I don't know if I could go back to school and have them deal with the payments on their own. It seems like it might be the wrong thing to do.
Also, seeing how I've basically given up on artistic persuits over the last year, I don't know if I'm at the right level to go back and try to finish up. If nothing else I'd have to spend 3-4 months trying to get myself back to the level I was before.
As far as references, I only have my friends. I've worked with a few of them before, but that was years ago and wasn't in the same fields they are in now.
I'll post my job history in a little bit. This post is getting a little long.
You don't have any work references? Even from those jobs you didn't have long? Not one of them will say "DoR is a nice kid, but it wasn't a good fit."?
I host a podcast about movies.
US Air Force
May 2007-June 2007
Loews Streets of Woodfield
Cashier
September 2005-October 2005
Duties: Selling tickets, Concessions, Cleaning
Reason for leaving: Moved out of the Area
Real reason for leaving: My grandmother died and I decided to take a quarter off of school to go back home and help my mom deal with it.
Target
Overnight Stocker
March 2005-May 2005
Duties: Stocking Shelves, Unloading Trucks
Reason for leaving: Hours interfered with college schedule
Real reason for leaving: I couldn't handle having an overnight job while going to school during the day
Sonic Drive-In
Cook
May 2002-Sept 2002
Duties: Cooking, Cleaning
Reason for leaving: Summer job during High school
Real reason for leaving: My boss was going to get fired. A lot of the employees were worried that they would as well. I decided I didn't want to stay if a new store manager came in, so I quit so I could focus more on my high school classes.
Hardee's
Cashier
March 2002-May 2002
Duties: Cooking, Cleaning, Serving customers
Reason for leaving: Found a better paying job
Real reason for leaving: One of my friends worked at Sonic so it was not only a better place to work, but it also payed $.25 more per hour.
Boyd Memorial Hospital
Receptionist
March 2001-October 2001
Duties: Registering Patients, Filling out paperwork, Switchboard operator
Reason for leaving: Summer job during Highschool
Real reason for leaving: I was obsessed with a girl and after she turned me down I got depressed. I quit my job mainly because of this.
I could probably get a reference from someone at the hospital. As far as any of the more recent jobs, well, I wasn't at any one of them long enough for someone to want to give me a reference. Also, at this point most of those places are under new management.
I really wish I could start fresh on this. Whenever I get a job I'm going to make damn sure that from then on my work history is solid and without any gaps.
Even on these little services jobs, you can stress things like key responsibility - if you had to open or close any of those places, your boss obviously felt you were trustworthy and prompt. If you were ever trusted with the combination to a safe or making/walking deposits, that's something to get on there.
Also, do you do ANYTHING on the side? fix computers, mow lawns, anything like that? Because you can list any sort of small business you own as well, even if it's very thin, and it will provide some continuity and make you look a little more ambitious.
I host a podcast about movies.
But on most minimum wage job applications you do.
That's not my resume.
DoR why don't you aim a little higher then minimum wage? Work some construction or something for a year and pay some of that money back. Then whatever people think when they look at your resume, they will know you have some grit and will actually work while at work.
I don't know about ill, but out where I live you can get a job in the oil industry if you can pass a drug test, and it's hard work but its a license to steal payrate wise.
I host a podcast about movies.
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!
Right now, your resume portrays you as someone who isn't very reliable. You didn't complete college, you've never lasted more than seven months at any of your previous places of employment, and, to top it off, you didn't complete your Air Force training. The last one isn't your fault, but after reading through your resume, I'm not surprised that employers (apparently) haven't wanted to see the reasoning behind your departure from the military.
You need to show employers that you can be reliable. Create and finish a complex media project, or volunteer at some non-profit organization, anything to show that you can follow through on things. The latter may be your best bet as you'd gain references, too.
Just some ideas.
You should be customizing your resume based upon what the job is, only including relevant job experience, and being detailed as to what, exactly, you were doing for those jobs.
I mean, really, the technical resume I have only includes 3 jobs, but at 10-point font with wide margins, fills a page. It's got tons of description for what I was doing.
That job history section you have doesn't tell anyone anything other than "I had some jobs." The skills section is a bit better, but try to go into more detail, with basic/intermediate/advanced descriptions for the skills.
Definetly cut out any job that you only had for a month. You'll have to explain your lack of a work history and probably not finishing school in the interview.
You really should try temp agencies. The general labor temp agencies are basically looking for warm bodies. The ones I deal with through my work have a large turner over and are constantly cycling new people. From talking with the temps I've learned that if you show the ability to keep a job they will keep finding you more work. It almost definetly won't be fun work but it will be a pay check.
As for the resume like Thanatos said add some descriptions to what you were doing at the jobs you had. I would suggest adding an objective and changing the order of the sections on your resume to objective, skills, work experience and then education. Your biggest selling point seems to be your skills and you would want that to be the first thing that a potential employer sees. I think that with your current resume many people aren't even bothering to look at the second page.
Try to keep positive and don't give up, it will happen for you eventually.
The reason I don't have any work references is because I have a rather bland personality and never really stick out at any places I work. I just do my job, do it right, and that's it. I'm not an extraordinary employee, but I'm also not a poor worker.
I understand that I need more on my resume, but really it's just not there. I have very little professional experience at anything. All but one of my jobs were basically me moving one thing from one place to another and possibly taking money from someone.
I mean the only skills I've obtained at my jobs are "simple cooking", cleaning, and money handling. All my media production experience is rather worthless in Roodhouse IL and surrounding areas, so working up those seems stupid to me. I'm rather good with computers, seeing how I've built numerous machines over the years. I'm rather good with Windows seeing how that's the operating system I've used for over 15 years. I'm not good at networking seeing how I've never had any experience with a large network. I just don't know how to build this stuff up into something that anyone would look at and go "yeah, lets take the risk on hiring this guy. It might pay off".
(I'm venting a little bit. When I read things like "That would be a red flag and tell the potential employer that they would just be wasting their time in hiring you." I tend to initially take it personally, even if I do know what you mean.)
Does it make any sense at all that I don't have a good work history because I tended to focus on school and family? And that I didn't finish school because of the expense of it, not a lack of motivation? It doesn't have anything to do with my actual work ethic.
All I want to do at the moment is find a simple fast food or retail type job within 30-40 miles of me so I can build up my job experience. I'd stay there as long as it would take for me to find a more age-appropriate job. I can't, however, work at a minimum wage job if it's going to be 50+ miles away. My car can't handle it, and I wouldn't be able to get it fixed at that wage. Damnit, this is very frustrating.
It's not an unsolvable problem, but it's not going to look bright in the short term at all. I've had the same problem myself, moving from job to job within 1-2 months. It's a very bad thing and the only solution I found was to do something similar to the above.
I wiped my employment slate clean and join a lift firm (elevators, escalators) and worked there for 15 months or so, a bit longer. It's good pay but the benefits it does to your resume and potential job searching in the future is unbelievable. You won't believe how many offices and/or technical vocations really enjoy knowing that you had a job where you got down and dirty, worked to deadlines, had responsibility and good work ethic. A construction or trade job does all of these things for you, even if your official job title was "Brick Carrier".
So, if I was in your boots, wondering what I should be doing, my plan of attack would be something like
a) Throw away CV. I hate to say this, and it's going to rile you up, but your CV there isn't worth the paper it's printed on. Don't take it personally, understand that a prospective employer only sees you as a bunch of numbers until you are interviewed or hired.
b) Sign up with an agency, or better yet, several agencies. Preferably labour, it really is for the best
c) Come up with an plausible explanation for the time between when you left college and looking for work now. You can explain away years of your life under a single term, "Travelling". Prospective employers want to know what you have been doing, and saying you've been travelling gives a good impression in that a) You've got it out of your system, it's a common theme and everyone relates to it and b) It shows you are willing to broaden your horizons. Don't say focusing on family, it's almost like saying, I really didn't feel like working so I went to my parents. As an employer, I'd have to wonder if you just escape jobs since it seems hard.
d) Create catered CVs for every job you apply to after 9 months working the above. If you want to join a Media/Animation studio, that requires a portfolio, if it's not what you want to do, use the 9 months to work it out a bit. Call the places you apply to a few days after applying to see how things are. If they have a deadline date, call them 2-3 days after the deadline has gone through. You have to appear eager but not so eager that you are harassing them twice a day ; )
Edit: Waitering jobs aren't bad if you can get them, but they don't always carry the same ideas that a labour centric job does.
As mentioned, you need to hone your resume a little more to demonstrate the skills you have and to appeal to your employer. Even if it's a couple of bulletpoints:
Loews Streets of Woodfield
- Responsiility for cash-handling and till operation
- Constant customer interaction
If I were you I'd write a few short sentences for three highlight jobs, (go for cashier, stocker, cook) and give a couple of unique attributes and responsibilities that those jobs fostered. Don't be afraid to jazz it up with creativity, if you can demonstrate some intelligence it's much better than a chronological list that looks like it could have been composed by a Parole officer.
If you've done all this and you're still not having luck I'd seriously recommend getting out of your current environment and going to a big city. You'll find something in no seconds flat. You're saying you can't afford to go anywhere else but with the debt you're sitting on, can you afford to stay? Another loan or a plea to your parents for more help might seem like adding more fuel to the fire right now but if you're a year in a place with no work opportunities you've cost yourself far more than the expense of setting up a flat in town.
Good luck! There is a lot you can do, so don't give up.
Aim low. Aim really low.
I finally found a job working at a car wash. It sucks. I make five bucks an hour (under the table at least) plus tips. I work 48 hours a week. When you include my twice daily on foot commute, it expands to be about 65 or 70 hours. I hate it. But it's a start.
There is always somebody hiring somewhere. Ask a friend of your parents. Mow lawns (you can actually make a killing doing this). Find local newspapers, church bulletins, etc. and place an ad: "Computer Repair/Tune Ups. Call 555-5555 for a free estimate/consulation". You'd be surprised at the number of middle aged housewives who will pay you $50 or $75 to install and run spybot and ad-aware on their computer to get rid of all the spyware that came with the pack of smileys they downloaded. The important thing is to take a job, any job. No matter how bad the pay is, it's still better than what you're making now. And there's a real risk of being caught in the inertia of not working. To quote "Fight Club": "This is your life, and it's ending one day at a time". The world doesn't need any more Raymond K. Hessels.
As to the loans, the only advice I can offer you comes from the source of all wisdom in the world: reformed heroin addict and daytime TV judge Greg Mathis. He said not to be afraid of of student loan debt, as long as you were serious about seeing it through and graduating. The debt is intimidating, but the earning opportunities opened up by a degree will make up for it, and usually pretty quickly. To wit, it will probably pay for itself and thensome.
Good luck.
You could use a strategy to take the risk of employing you off the employer. They're not going to employ you at the moment, because in their eyes, you're a bad investment. So offer to cover the costs of any training you receive if you leave their employment within say 6 months. Then don't quit for 6 months. Doing that makes you a risk-free candidate.
You never know, manning up and taking responsibility for your past might just put you ahead of the rest of the pack.
Your job experience section needs to actually explain what you did, sure you were a "cashier" but cashiers do different things at different places. If it's a grocery store, you stand at a cash register, if it's a video rental place, you check in/check out movies, probably call people up about lates and the such.
Your "experience" section is TOO specialised. Do you really think your local mcdonalds cares if you can use firefox? If you're applying to computer jobs (or even temp jobs it would be pretty good to have the software you're good with listed) then it's great, but from the sounds of it you've been trying more retail places.
With references, as you only have one on there, you should put "References Available Upon Request" , it makes there appear to be at least a few, and shows that you aren't just giving out people's information (which shows respect to people's privacy.) Also, if you're listing someone, you should have their relationship to you. Saying that they work for "Washington University" doesn't really give them a sense of who they are to you, for all they know the person could be a janitor, or a gardener (not saying that there is anything wrong with that, just that it doesn't quite hold the same as someone who was your professor.) You want them to get a feel that this person didn't really know you to begin with, and took a chance on you by hiring you, and was glad they did, as that is the same situation the interviewer is in now.
Under Media Production Software you spelt Macromedia wrong. Little things like that can reduce any positive effects your resume may have on a potential employer. Also, I'd take web browsers and cd burning software off there, they make the resume feel really superficial. Perhaps replace them with something about honesty, commitment, kindness, and ambition (should go above computer stuff to show that you feel it is more important.) It'll make you seem more like a positive person rather than a robot with the ability to do certain functions.