First job: Babysitting neighbor kid when I was 16.

Second job: Dorm office guy for three years. Handled keys, made change, answered phones, called RAs to have them pick up baked college students or convince the guy on the third floor that Metallica isn't better at 120dB.

I think if they decide to have a chat with me about it, they'll get my two weeks.

Any chance you could set up a webcam in advance?

I never worked in retail or food services. I've always been an office worker. My first job was working in real estate at Columbia, which was scary.

I've always had this phone phobia. It's gotten better as I've gotten older but, when I was a teenager, I couldn't even call to order a pizza without having to spend an hour working myself for the task.

So, of course, I get to my first day of work ever and they say, "Our receptionist is on vacation this week. You'll be filling in for her."

I thought I was gonna throw up.

I never worked fast food, although I did work in a deli once (and got fired for being completely inept during lunch rush), and in a frozen yogurt place. I quit after my fourth night breaking down and cleaning the machine. Ugh.

I've worked:

as a private nanny
in afterschool progams and summer day camps
at a video store (we still had some Beta tapes at the time!)
in a movie theater
retail in a drug store and at Bloomingdale's
in a dentist's office
as a professor's office assistant

Edited because working a private nanny and working *as* a private nanny are two different things. One is less fun.

"Our receptionist is on vacation this week. You'll be filling in for her."

Yipes. I used to be the same. I still don't like talking on the phone particularly (exceptions made for long distance friends and family) but the dread is gone.

Well, unless it is certain work people calling.

There are large men with drills and caulking guns suspended outside my window.

Oh yeah, I started doing chores around the farm when I was in second grade. After a few years, it was a couple of hours a day, seven days a week and (starting when I was about 13) every morning I didn't have school too.

Kristen, I have the same story. Phone fear. One of my first jobs was as a receptionist at an auto body place which I felt compelled to take because of nepotism. That's right, answering the phones from people where were 1, in a car accident; 2, missing their cars for an unknown amount of time for massive amounts of money, and 3, talking to someone who had NO IDEA what was going on with their car. It was psychologically scarring.

And then my next job: interviewing political candidates for a newspaper's election guide. All day spent on the phone.

When I was temping for a living, reception work was always my least favorite. It was always the lowest pay and the most work (and the most ANNOYING work, 'cause, phones.)

There are large men with drills and caulking guns suspended outside my window.

See what happens when drill operators play with caulking guns?

His mother is Gloria Vanderbilt and he couldn't get a job out of Yale?

This was a surprise to me. Not an unemployed Eli, but, his mom is Gloria Vanderbilt? WTF?

Next thing you know, all those little twidgets on The O.C. will turn out to be Tom Cruise's secret love children. Michael Caine had a secret affair and produced Owen Wilson. Cats and dogs, living together!