I'm 22 years old and I live in Provo (moved here about 5 months ago). I'm having an obnoxiously hard time finding a job here. I've got just about no money at this point. I'm mostly applying to really low-level jobs (like fast food places). I've applied to lots of jobs over the past couple months, had a couple interviews, but ultimately I have not been offered anything yet.

To give you some background, I've got pretty limited work experience but I have a high school diploma and some college. Not the most glowing resume, but enough for simple jobs. I do really well at interviews (potential employers have actually told me so). I even dyed my hair black to be more presentable (I usually like to dye it blue). Yet I cannot get a job.

One of my most notable work experiences (in my opinion) was work as a multimedia coordinator (not paid) for a baptist church a few years ago when I was living near Chicago. I list this on my resume and I was wondering if showing that I attended a non-lds church might hurt my chances of getting a job. Do you think this is possible? Or am I crazy for thinking this?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/2013 02:24AM by goodscreenname.

it's no doubt hurting your chances at getting hired. cult members always give preference to other cult members.

I can't believe I didn't consider this sooner. Wow. I think I'm ready to move again.

No Doubt! Ive known 3 lds people whove decented from the church and couldnt get a good job! The best they could get was fast food.(not a living wage). Provo IS one of the most mormon places to live. A& Its sounds like youd be competing against TB, return missionaries too! Ya Id take out the babtist thing. There r counter cult people out there but theyre had to find! I know it sound extreme but MOVE if you can! have u looked in counter culter places? tattoo parlors,smoke shops?

Provo has got to be one of the most Mormon places in the universe. What on Earth are you doing there? Even Salt Lake City would be more welcoming.

Well, a few reasons: I'm an aspiring music producer and I know Provo has a budding music industry. As soon as I moved here, I made great connections. Turns out that just about no one here is interested in electronic music though. Fortunately, I've recently been contacted by a music business in LA that's interested in working with me, so I might be looking to move there soon.

It's also super cheap to live here since it's a college town. Plus, it's safe. And, honestly, my knowledge about the LDS church was much more limited when I moved than it is now.

I'm glad to have lived here for a short time, but it might be time for me to move.

consider Portland Oregon if LA doesn't work out for you. There's a nice up and coming music scene here as well.

That scene has been "up-and-coming" since I worked in it 30 years ago. Seattle is actually doing something, LOL.

Even Mormons can hardly stand Provo. Get out ASAP!

" One of my most notable work experiences (in my opinion) was work as a multimedia coordinator (not paid) for a baptist church a few years ago when I was living near Chicago. I list this on my resume and I was wondering if showing that I attended a non-lds church might hurt my chances of getting a job. Do you think this is possible? Or am I crazy for thinking this?"

You're not crazy for thinking this, you were just too willing to think mormons in general are actually good people. Mormons in general belong to a club where they consider themselves better than "gentiles".


Oh, am I painting with too broad a brush??? Yes there are exceptions. Have any of the exceptions hired you yet? That's how few and far between they are.

Try a coffee-related business?

+1

Getting any job in Provo is difficult, even for cult members. You're competing with starving students from all around the world who came to find a church member mate or a degree from the church's university while paying for it by working while attending school. Those odds are grim to begin with. Then add the fact that you're not a part of the cult and your odds are slimmer. Even within the church the saying goes "how do you make a million dollars in Provo... work a million hours".

Your problem is your age and lack of experience. You are competing with literally thousands of similarly unexperienced Returned Missionaries and other LDS youth who will immediately rise to the top of any LDS employers application stack...Provo just is not going to work for you...Sorry.

Buy yourself a cheap CTR ring and put it on your middle finger.

The interviewer will see the ring, but not notice the middle finger reference.

If you get the job, toss the ring. If you don't get the job give them the international sign of disapproval.

You dont need to mention which religion the multimedia project was for. A local church projec will instantly bring byu or mormon projects to mind. And with your ctr ring on you cant go wrong.lol

I was thinking the same. You could say you worked for a non-profit. That's very trendy anyway.

If you don't mind driving a bit to get to work, Ikea in Draper is hiring.

If you do decide to apply, email me and I will put you in touch with my son who works there. That way he can get a referral bonus.

I would definitely consider that, but I don't have a car to get there and back. It was either keep my car and sleep in it, or sell it and get an apartment here.

Provo loves

Mormonism
Meth

and

Porn

Mormons are really sensitive about appearance. You may not even know that you're setting off their built-in alarm system.. It goes off if you look at all like you may be a free thinker, free spirit, a little non-mainstream or whatever. This may be an issue. If you don't have a missionary haircut or have some tats, piercings or earrings they'll file that in their mind immediately as negative. Being a barrista would be good, as Mormons seldom run coffee outfits. I grew up in Provo and most stores, restaurants, etc. are of course operated by Mormons.

I'm going to have to change jobs soon because of layoffs and am really afraid I'll have to cut my really long hair. I don't want to and am going to try without doing that, but we'll see.

If you are interested in electronic music, move to So. California.
The field is expanding.

Paris Hilton is coming out with a housemusic album, she recently signed with Weezer's/Birdman's label and Afrojack is the producer.

You may want to get in touch with Paris Hilton's friend Mike Oliveri@Very_Accessible

He has Muscular Dystrophy and is wheelchair bound, so he always needs daily help.
But he is putting together a crew for EDC Las Vegas.

He is a nice guy. Keep dropping by his place. You never know, it may be a way in for you.

It would be amazing if I could get involved in that. I might try to get in contact with him.

You need to know someone who can hook you up or tell everyone you are a convert and are trying to get a break so you can live your new religion. I was going to say, tell them you went on a mission but you could be seriously called out on that one.

PS. I cant promise u anything,BUT If you're looking for a artistic conection; Look-up Origanal Hooligans on FB! THey r an Counter Culture ex mos. who grew up in slc & have lived in prove. I know ones been interested in music in the past!

I wish you luck. Have you considered playing your non-mormon-ness in a way to your advantage? Pretend like you are interested in the Mormon church...the potential boss will get a morgasm over a possible convert. He may hire you on the spot! :)

well, thats probably because there are only about 3 REAL jobs for every 1000 people that live in provo/ Utah county. And One of those 3 is working for BYU and another one is delivering babies for all the Utah County breeders, so if you are not a doctor/ nurse, or a BYU professor / administrator then things look pretty bleak right now, in Utah county. You are stuck hoping Arbys has an opening.

and NO, NU (SCAM) Skin or any of its many pee into the wind MLM splinters does not count as a real legit employer and employment.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/2013 03:58PM by lucky.

I live here in UT Valley as well. Honestly I don't think it is that big of factor, especially for the type of job you are trying to get. There may be a few that weed you out, but most don't care. Also if that were the reason you would never get an interview in the first place - they would weed you out based on a resume.

I was an active Mormon and hired hundreds of people for a company in Orem. I never gave a shit if the people I was hiring were LDS or not and it was very obvious in many cases that they weren't practicing Mormons. All I cared was selecting the person that would do the best job and give me the least headaches.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/2013 04:29PM by The Oncoming Storm - bc.

Sorry, but there are many employers in the Provo area that are not tied too tightly to the Mo church. The parent company to where I now work has a big facility in Springville. I know there are many others down there as well. What about the big chip manufacturing plant in Alpine or Highland? That is INTEL and Micron, neither is Mo controlled. Not saying it is a slam dunk, but there are companies out there.

What is your skill set? That is probably your biggest issue. If your skill set limits you to the companies that are MO controlled or influenced, then you would have a hard time.

Good Luck!

I moved back to SLC last Fall from TX; something I swore I would never do 16 years ago. So far no regrets, and I am enjoying DRY air and mountains.

My skill set is irrelevant to most companies, which is why I'm applying to mostly fast food places and other low level jobs. The only thing I think I can do well is audio production. When I first moved here, I got involved with a recording studio that records all the big lds superstars. Unfortunately, work has been slow there and none of it has come my way.

I think the best option for me at this point is to try and move somewhere that actually desires my skill set.

Spoke to a friend in provo. She told me CENTER STREET is all non mormon-type stores! I know theres a Guitar shop there that handmakes 'em. Called Salt Lake Guitars. I dont know em anymore. But the origanal owner was nonmormon, think out of the box guy.I hear his son runs it now,so i dont know but u could check it out.

Hmm, I should look into this. And if the places on Center Street aren't posting job ads online, I might just take a walk down there and go from store to store, asking if they're hiring.