First Commercial Job

[Boxoffrogs]

washing up is never reciprocated!

[Dinosaur]

If possible, avoid sites with skellies in mid-winter - your knees will last a lot longer!

[thehorribleknuckles]

1.Find somebody who looks friendly and ask them about anything you're not sure of... they've hired you now so unless you're a total catastrophe you've probably got a job until the end of the site, you're not going to get sacked for asking questions. You might not get taken back on again if when it comes to post ex all your sheets are unintelligible and none of the strat makes sense, much better to check first, providing of course that when you've been told you remember and don't keep asking the same questions over and over again. There's nothing worse than people who turn up fresh from uni and think that they know everything already.

2. String line tight as possible. Tape along string line not along top of section. Straight sections. Archaeologists respect straight sections.

3. Dig everything as fast as possible because a) Archaeologists also respect this, and b) it leaves you more time for recording, which always takes longer than you think.

4. Accept that some stuff you do will be wrong. This is not something that will ever be completely eliminated.

[P Prentice]

1.Find somebody who looks friendly and ask them about anything you're not sure of... they've hired you now so unless you're a total catastrophe you've probably got a job until the end of the site, you're not going to get sacked for asking questions. You might not get taken back on again if when it comes to post ex all your sheets are unintelligible and none of the strat makes sense, much better to check first, providing of course that when you've been told you remember and don't keep asking the same questions over and over again. There's nothing worse than people who turn up fresh from uni and think that they know everything already.

2. String line tight as possible. Tape along string line not along top of section. Straight sections. Archaeologists respect straight sections.

3. Dig everything as fast as possible because a) Archaeologists also respect this, and b) it leaves you more time for recording, which always takes longer than you think.

4. Accept that some stuff you do will be wrong. This is not something that will ever be completely eliminated.

excellent advice

[monty]

Start saving those hard earned wages, think about what you are spending on the drinking ( save save save) even on minimal wages you can still put a bit to one side

................??????????????????????????? Ha ha you gotta be kidding there Wax................... i haven't managed it in the last twenty odd years on minimal wages...... !!

[monty]

Hi folks

I have been lucky enough to land my first commercial job and I know there are differences between research digging and commercial. Im not expecting plain sailing and Im expecting to work bloody hard! but Im just looking for hints, tips, wise words of wisdom you wish to pass on to me.

Thanks

Thermal undies !!

[kevin wooldridge]

Thermal undies !!

This might be another thread altogether, but a site hut conversation this week. Ww were offered thermal clothing for a project we are undertaking over the next few months. Whilst this might be warm and dry, it is likely to be bulky and slightly restrictive for day to day work for anyone other than the site surveyor (me!!) The alternative suggested by one field leader was lots of thinner layers which might be better for moving around, but less conjusive to keeping the water and chill out. Given the choice......?

[Wax]

Silk thermal undies, my mum gets me a set every few years or so for Christmas. light flexible and oh so toasty warm. As for saving it's the one thing I wish I had done more off even a couple of quid a week instead of booze and fags will mount up. Do not run up credit bills and if you cannot afford it don't buy it. Possibly a very unfashionable view but look where debt and unlimited borrowing have got us ( up the proverbial creek without a paddle)

[Marcus Brody]

As one of those grisled lags in the corner sucking the beer dregs spilt down the front of his shirt the night before, or was it the week before or even the year before.....NEVER EVER EVER walk into a site hut where I might be sitting and start to witter on about any of the following 1) DR 'BLOODY' WHO (it's kiddy TV - grow-up!!) 2) LORD OF THE BLOODY RINGS or HARRY BLEEDING POTTER (they are childrens books - grow-up!!) 3) HOW YOU GOT THROUGH UNIVERSITY BY INVESTING YOUR STUDENT LOAN IN BARCLAY'S BANK SHARES 4) TOP effing GEAR......but that apart welcome to the job. Have fun and buy me a drink sometime.....}

Ah, Site Hut Sci-Fi, how I hate it! When I was regularly based on site, every other break was Buffy the effing Vampire Slayer.

[monty]

This might be another thread altogether, but a site hut conversation this week. Ww were offered thermal clothing for a project we are undertaking over the next few months. Whilst this might be warm and dry, it is likely to be bulky and slightly restrictive for day to day work for anyone other than the site surveyor (me!!) The alternative suggested by one field leader was lots of thinner layers which might be better for moving around, but less conjusive to keeping the water and chill out. Given the choice......?

If you get decent thermals they are skin tight and unrestricting....best from a mountaineering shop. may cost a vit more than bog standard but will soon pay for themselves and last for years.... i swear by em for digging and mountaineering in winter