Back to work after 3 and a half years
Discussion
Back story.
Started in security industry at 17, finished as operations manager at 32.
When I was made redundant, I became a carer for my wife, wife in now recovered enough to look after herself and the kids while I work.
I've had trouble finding a job due to employers not regarding been a carer as worthwhile, and thinking I was a dole sponger.
I've now found a company willing to employ me, and I start with them tomorrow.
But I have a few worries, I have never worked in the industry, and I am starting at the bottom as a picker/packer, now only ever having worked for employers with less that 50 staff, how do I make an impression on a company that employs 2000?
I can't see how to prove you are the one that wants to move up the ladder and work towards becoming a manager, when there are so many other staff there.
Any advice is welcome.
P.S. Yes I know MTFU, everyone else on here is a company director that works 25 hours a day, 8 days a week.
P.P.S. working on minimum wage will put us £21 a week worse of than been on benefits, no wonder the sponges have no motivation to find work.
Started in security industry at 17, finished as operations manager at 32.
When I was made redundant, I became a carer for my wife, wife in now recovered enough to look after herself and the kids while I work.
I've had trouble finding a job due to employers not regarding been a carer as worthwhile, and thinking I was a dole sponger.
I've now found a company willing to employ me, and I start with them tomorrow.
But I have a few worries, I have never worked in the industry, and I am starting at the bottom as a picker/packer, now only ever having worked for employers with less that 50 staff, how do I make an impression on a company that employs 2000?
I can't see how to prove you are the one that wants to move up the ladder and work towards becoming a manager, when there are so many other staff there.
Any advice is welcome.
P.S. Yes I know MTFU, everyone else on here is a company director that works 25 hours a day, 8 days a week.
P.P.S. working on minimum wage will put us £21 a week worse of than been on benefits, no wonder the sponges have no motivation to find work.
Edited by englisharcher on Tuesday 3rd July 19:24
Good on you for finding a job even though worse off
All I can say is be on time/early. Be eager to learn/pick things up and be pleasant to be around hopefully line manager will notice. Things like staying late or taking the initiative to solve problems (NOT try do managers role) should get recognised after a while.
It may be hard starting at the bottom again but you are doing the right thing. Only you can improve your life.
It's all about attitude (have a good one!!!)
Very best of luck
All I can say is be on time/early. Be eager to learn/pick things up and be pleasant to be around hopefully line manager will notice. Things like staying late or taking the initiative to solve problems (NOT try do managers role) should get recognised after a while.
It may be hard starting at the bottom again but you are doing the right thing. Only you can improve your life.
It's all about attitude (have a good one!!!)
Very best of luck
Remind yourself what took you to the previous role that you had, sounds like you have an interest in bettering yourself, trust your own instinct, familaries yourself over time with your new environment and the ways in which they work. Fit in with your new work collegues but also stay away from the dead beats that will not have an interest in getting on in life. Good luck
Firstly, Thank you for getting back to work and good luck with it 
I've had a similar conversation with a friend about the financial hit. Seems she'd need to walk into the job on £20k+ (after tax?) to match all the hand outs she's getting and not spend all day with her kids.
If you're starting work at the bottom it will be so much easier to stand out from the people around you. A bit of commitment, effort and hard work should get you noticed. Even if that fails, being in work gives a much better impression should you decide to apply for other jobs.
Just don't p
s off your manager and you'll be fine 
I've had a similar conversation with a friend about the financial hit. Seems she'd need to walk into the job on £20k+ (after tax?) to match all the hand outs she's getting and not spend all day with her kids.
If you're starting work at the bottom it will be so much easier to stand out from the people around you. A bit of commitment, effort and hard work should get you noticed. Even if that fails, being in work gives a much better impression should you decide to apply for other jobs.
Just don't p
s off your manager and you'll be fine Thanks guys.
Minimum wage is all new to me, and a few "friends" have commented that I am nothing now I work for minimum wage.
It was a major shock going from £500 a week security wage, to £100 a week carers allowance, and a major shock that working makes you even worse off than been on benefits.
But I need this for me, the few months I've been on job seekers was horrible, you are treated like scum, and every step you take is scrutinised, if they think you haven't done enough, your money stops immediately.
Minimum wage is all new to me, and a few "friends" have commented that I am nothing now I work for minimum wage.
It was a major shock going from £500 a week security wage, to £100 a week carers allowance, and a major shock that working makes you even worse off than been on benefits.
But I need this for me, the few months I've been on job seekers was horrible, you are treated like scum, and every step you take is scrutinised, if they think you haven't done enough, your money stops immediately.
As others have said, good on you for making the right choice, that alone shows a lot of the right characteristics of a good egg. Be keen, learn the role first. Once that's sorted get in with your immediate manager. Suggest a few improvements if possible, through a friendly chat one day, nothing demanding. Smile, good morning to everyone, put in additional time when you can, and show the kind of "can do" attitude that will stick out amongst your colleagues.
Sounds to me like you have the right stuff to do this anyway....good luck to ya.
Sounds to me like you have the right stuff to do this anyway....good luck to ya.
Well done for getting back on the job wagon
Give yourself a few weeks to settle in and learn the ropes. Once you've settled in, show willingness, go to your manager or supervisor with problems but suggest solutions and let them make the decision. Once they realise you have a bit more about you, they will probably give you more challenging tasks.
What you need to remember is that although this company employs a lot of staff, the majority of the minimum wage staff will not really apply themselves and switch off as soon as they start working.
I worked in a factory for a while and found the atmosphere to be almost soul destroying, but if you keep at it and show some brains you'll stand out and move up the ladder.
Good luck OP
Give yourself a few weeks to settle in and learn the ropes. Once you've settled in, show willingness, go to your manager or supervisor with problems but suggest solutions and let them make the decision. Once they realise you have a bit more about you, they will probably give you more challenging tasks.
What you need to remember is that although this company employs a lot of staff, the majority of the minimum wage staff will not really apply themselves and switch off as soon as they start working.
I worked in a factory for a while and found the atmosphere to be almost soul destroying, but if you keep at it and show some brains you'll stand out and move up the ladder.
Good luck OP
Eric Mc said:
If you demonstrate aptitude and intelligence, you won't remain a picker for long.
Is there any qualification you could pursue to give you more leverage for promotion?
I've undertaken numerous computer courses while been a carer, and have recently resat my GCSE maths and English.Is there any qualification you could pursue to give you more leverage for promotion?
I'm also waiting for a date for a reach and counterbalance forklift truck test.
I need to see what the job entails before deciding on further courses.
I can't believe I'm nervous, the 4pm start time can't come soon enough.
Edited by englisharcher on Wednesday 4th July 11:18
englisharcher said:
Eric Mc said:
If you demonstrate aptitude and intelligence, you won't remain a picker for long.
Is there any qualification you could pursue to give you more leverage for promotion?
I've undertaken numerous computer courses while been a carer, and have recently resat my GCSE maths and English.Is there any qualification you could pursue to give you more leverage for promotion?
I'm also waiting for a date for a reach and counterbalance forklift truck test.
I need to see what the job entails before deciding on further courses.
I can't believe I'm nervous, the 4pm start time can't come soon enough.
Edited by englisharcher on Wednesday 4th July 11:18
Best of Luck - much admiration for trying your best.
crofty1984 said:
englisharcher said:
Thanks guys.
Minimum wage is all new to me, and a few "friends" have commented that I am nothing now I work for minimum wage.
Well fMinimum wage is all new to me, and a few "friends" have commented that I am nothing now I work for minimum wage.
k 'em. [/Yorkshire]I would certainly ditch them as friends. They sound like horrible nasty materialistic people from that one statement alone.
englisharcher said:
the few months I've been on job seekers was horrible, you are treated like scum, and every step you take is scrutinised, if they think you haven't done enough, your money stops immediately.
Apart from the scum bit, I'm actually quite pleased to hear this. You can sort of understand the folk on the other side of the jobseekers window having a bit of an attitude when they're probably in a very similar position to yourself, ie working all the hours and doing no better than many of the oxygen thieves on the other side of the window who have sussed out how to work the system.Well done to you on giving it a go.
All the best to you OP. I can imagine getting back into the workplace after so long must be both exciting and a little daunting. I really wish you well.
Aso, don't trivialise the fact that your grammar and spelling are sound. It means you'll be joining the ranks of PH powerfully built directors in no time
Aso, don't trivialise the fact that your grammar and spelling are sound. It means you'll be joining the ranks of PH powerfully built directors in no time
To pick up on one of your first points, I wouldn't worry about the move from a 50ish employee company to one of a couple of thousand. You will still have a manager/supervisor to impress, the only difference is that in a larger company there is more room to move (either horizontally or up the chain as appropriate).
Best of luck with it.
Best of luck with it.
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