I agree completely with Ian, Rindy and others regarding be willing to start "at the bottom." Before I felt able/worthy of getting a "more respectable position," I had paited house, cut and fried donuts, worked all jobs on a dairy farm (no shuffling cow crap is as close to the bottom as you can get!) as was having (too gross, ask me that one at the Christmas Meet), slaughtered pigs, sheep, cattle, rats, and then some really gross stuff.
However, all these references of my dependabilty, promptness, and willingness to do any job and do it right, ended up with me working in a high level job with the Federal Government. Also made me appreciate as well as be respected by those in the aforementioned jobs because "I had been there."
Good luck Mate!
Brian