THE HOME DEPOT

     

      I am so grateful the Lord opened a door for me to get a job at Home Depot. It came at the perfect time. During the month of January this past year I was down to one job. The job I had at the machine shop ended in December and I'm glad it did. I was basically being paid "off the books" and ended up paying for it from my good friends from the lovely IRS. My other job was being a personal aide to a handicapped college student who attended Stony Brook University. That job was not scheduled to start until late January. I knew I needed a "3rd job" and decided "Why not give Home Depot a shot?" Truthfully, I applied to Home Depot many times in the past and was never granted an interview. As we all know in today's day and age, the only way you can apply for a job was to do it all online. And that's what I did in late January. On February 5th I was called in for an interview. The interview lasted maybe 10 minutes and I was told "If we feel you are a viable candidate, you will receive an email and we'll ask you to come back for a second interview." I just left it all in God's hands. After all, this would be my third job maybe 20 hours a week tops. I went in for the second interview and I was asked the same exact questions I was asked in the first interview and was offered a part time job in the Garden Department. I was thrilled! I attended an orientation class on February 29th and began training on March 3rd. The training was all done online. On March 7th I made my debut as a Garden Associate. My training consisted of following another Associate for a few hours to learn the in's and outs of the Garden Department at Home Depot South Setauket, NY. 

     When I say this job turned out to be a blessing I sincerely mean it. In Early March the pandemic hit us hard. My job with my college student was put on "hold" and on March 23rd, Chick Fil-A was forced to close its doors because a team member tested positive for COVID-19! We were closed for 3 weeks but the owner graciously paid us for the time we missed. That meant I was only really working one job! The Home Depot! I knew I needed to make more money to survive so I approached the HR department and told them my other job was forced to close its doors. I am available and day and any time you need me. Well, Home Depot did not disappoint me. In fact they offered me 40 hours a week. Not too shabby for a guy who never worked for them before. When Chick Fil-A reopened on April 13th, there were no guarantees they were going to stay open. I realized someone could test positive again. They also did not open at 6:30 a.m. but 11 a.m. I was not given my usual 24 hours I was used to only maybe 12 -14 hours. So since late March I've been pretty much full time with Home Depot. My job with the college student never started up again. I've learned a lot at Home Depot! Our department handles all garden supplies including lawn mowers, weed wackers, chain saws, garden tools, plants, topsoil, sod and cleaning supplies. Of course dealing with the general public in New York is so much fun and provides great comedy on a daily basis. This past week I was told I would be switching a different department...DELIVERIES! I have been training these past few weeks how to shop for BOPUS orders (Buy online pay in store). I think it's ironic that I am being paid to shop because that is one thing I always hated doing. The only place I did like to shop was the hardware store. I remember being very young and my Father took me with him to a hardware store in Chatham, NJ. he man behind the counter always gave out tootsie rolls. I also loved the smell of a hardware store. Now I'm being paid to shop for people at  hardware store. God has a sense of humor!! So we shall see what is next in my adventures in life!