What would you do in my position?
Discussion
Hello all,
Just after some different opinions on what you'd do in my situation.
Sorry for the sheer length of this post, I just want to be thorough so you can put yourself exactly in my shoes.
In March 2012 I got a job with a small company that sells Wireless and VOIP equipment as a box packer on £12,000 a year.
I put in a hell of a lot of effort and care into what I did, doing voluntary overtime to ensure everything was done and by December I'd moved up in the company to being an Order Processor, we hired a new member of staff to take over my old job, in addition to my new role I was also now the new guys manager and I also ran the stock/warehouse department on the side. None of this resulted in a pay rise though.
Over the Christmas period, we implemented new systems and as you can expect there were a few teething problems to start with; particularly around my role as that was the only part that hadn't actually been built, which I was a bit miffed about, and as a result, I was doing 16 hour days January 2013 - May 2013 which I did without complaining but I did think it was taking the piss a bit, seeing as at the end of the day I was only on £12,000.
A lot happened between May and August; so I will summarise. My job around August 2013 consisted of:
So all of those roles are what I did on a day to day basis. I was genuinely expected to fully complete all of that during my 0900-1700 role.
But I ended up getting into the habit of 0800-2000, going home and then doing 2100-2300 via remote access. By this point I had racked up what me and the head accountant had worked out to be around £4,000 of unpaid overtime and between March 2012 when I started and August 2013. I had complained numerous times that I had way too much work for one person and was seriously underpaid; still on £12,000.
So, at the end of August the new sales manager (who didn't have clue) held a meeting with me, telling me that I wasn't pulling my weight and if I didn't shape up I was going to get sacked. After being treated like s
t for 15 months I thought enough was enough and decided that I'd start applying for jobs mid September time - I had lots of leave booked between mid September and early October, so planned to job search then so #1 I could attend interviews and #2 I could hand in my notice and move into a new role without any leave occurring as I go into the new role.
15th of September I applied for a particular role, 16th of September I had the interview, 17th of September I had the second interview and a few hours after that I was offered the job. Finally I would be free. I handed in my notice on the 18th of September last year, and I had 3 weeks leave over that 4 weeks. I came back from my holidays with 1 week left, where I did a bit of digging to see that whilst I was gone turnover dropped by 30% - The company would tend to turnover £400,000 per month and looking at records September is one of the busier months. So that puts into perspective that impact I had on the company.
I started working at my current job 18th October 2013, I work 1600-0000 on an emergency line in a customer service role; unfortunately for me there is literally no work. I get in at 1600, I work for around 2 hours, then spend the rest of the night doing nothing at all, I watch films on my phone. The polar opposite to my old job, and I get £18,000 for that.
Problem being, I miss my old job like mad, yes I was treated like crap but I enjoyed worked hard, I enjoyed the business aspect and I enjoyed the thousands of emails and hundreds of phone calls I would get a week, my colleagues (aside from the Director and Manager) were all awesome and I still regularly talk to them and I do kind of miss normal working hours.
Also, speaking to my old colleagues I have since found out that 3 new people have been employed to do the work I used to do on my own and apparently I still did a better job. Since I've left, even after hiring more staff, turnover still hasn't risen back to what it used to be.
In my new job, I now feel useless, I feel like if I didn't exist it wouldn't make a blind bit of difference to how the company was ran. I don't really have a purpose any more, I don't even feel employed. Because of the hours, I can have a lay in, lounge around the house and then at 1600 I go into work and do exactly what I've been doing all day, just sitting at a desk... (I'm at work whilst typing this).
I don't feel comfortable looking for a new job when I'm barely 4 months into this one - and funny enough I should be getting a pay rise here anyway!
Surely if I apply for something else it will look like I'm job hopping?
I don't know what to do! I spent 18 months being treated terribly and moaning about being overworked and underpaid and now I'm in a piss easy job for considerably more money I'm moaning about that!
What would you do in my position?
Just after some different opinions on what you'd do in my situation.
Sorry for the sheer length of this post, I just want to be thorough so you can put yourself exactly in my shoes.
In March 2012 I got a job with a small company that sells Wireless and VOIP equipment as a box packer on £12,000 a year.
I put in a hell of a lot of effort and care into what I did, doing voluntary overtime to ensure everything was done and by December I'd moved up in the company to being an Order Processor, we hired a new member of staff to take over my old job, in addition to my new role I was also now the new guys manager and I also ran the stock/warehouse department on the side. None of this resulted in a pay rise though.
Over the Christmas period, we implemented new systems and as you can expect there were a few teething problems to start with; particularly around my role as that was the only part that hadn't actually been built, which I was a bit miffed about, and as a result, I was doing 16 hour days January 2013 - May 2013 which I did without complaining but I did think it was taking the piss a bit, seeing as at the end of the day I was only on £12,000.
A lot happened between May and August; so I will summarise. My job around August 2013 consisted of:
- Order Processor
- Systems 'Janitor'
- Invoicing and invoice query handler
- Stock management
- Customer Service
- Sales and smaller tasks
So all of those roles are what I did on a day to day basis. I was genuinely expected to fully complete all of that during my 0900-1700 role.
But I ended up getting into the habit of 0800-2000, going home and then doing 2100-2300 via remote access. By this point I had racked up what me and the head accountant had worked out to be around £4,000 of unpaid overtime and between March 2012 when I started and August 2013. I had complained numerous times that I had way too much work for one person and was seriously underpaid; still on £12,000.
So, at the end of August the new sales manager (who didn't have clue) held a meeting with me, telling me that I wasn't pulling my weight and if I didn't shape up I was going to get sacked. After being treated like s
t for 15 months I thought enough was enough and decided that I'd start applying for jobs mid September time - I had lots of leave booked between mid September and early October, so planned to job search then so #1 I could attend interviews and #2 I could hand in my notice and move into a new role without any leave occurring as I go into the new role. 15th of September I applied for a particular role, 16th of September I had the interview, 17th of September I had the second interview and a few hours after that I was offered the job. Finally I would be free. I handed in my notice on the 18th of September last year, and I had 3 weeks leave over that 4 weeks. I came back from my holidays with 1 week left, where I did a bit of digging to see that whilst I was gone turnover dropped by 30% - The company would tend to turnover £400,000 per month and looking at records September is one of the busier months. So that puts into perspective that impact I had on the company.
I started working at my current job 18th October 2013, I work 1600-0000 on an emergency line in a customer service role; unfortunately for me there is literally no work. I get in at 1600, I work for around 2 hours, then spend the rest of the night doing nothing at all, I watch films on my phone. The polar opposite to my old job, and I get £18,000 for that.
Problem being, I miss my old job like mad, yes I was treated like crap but I enjoyed worked hard, I enjoyed the business aspect and I enjoyed the thousands of emails and hundreds of phone calls I would get a week, my colleagues (aside from the Director and Manager) were all awesome and I still regularly talk to them and I do kind of miss normal working hours.
Also, speaking to my old colleagues I have since found out that 3 new people have been employed to do the work I used to do on my own and apparently I still did a better job. Since I've left, even after hiring more staff, turnover still hasn't risen back to what it used to be.
In my new job, I now feel useless, I feel like if I didn't exist it wouldn't make a blind bit of difference to how the company was ran. I don't really have a purpose any more, I don't even feel employed. Because of the hours, I can have a lay in, lounge around the house and then at 1600 I go into work and do exactly what I've been doing all day, just sitting at a desk... (I'm at work whilst typing this).
I don't feel comfortable looking for a new job when I'm barely 4 months into this one - and funny enough I should be getting a pay rise here anyway!
Surely if I apply for something else it will look like I'm job hopping?
I don't know what to do! I spent 18 months being treated terribly and moaning about being overworked and underpaid and now I'm in a piss easy job for considerably more money I'm moaning about that!
What would you do in my position?
Edited by TREMAiNE on Tuesday 25th February 20:51
Edited by TREMAiNE on Wednesday 26th February 00:32
Start applying for somewhere else, just because you got this one quickly doesn't mean the next one will come along so easily and it's easier to get a new job when you're working at the time.
Don't make any attempt to go back to the old place, they didn't appreciate you then and they won't appreciate you now.
Don't make any attempt to go back to the old place, they didn't appreciate you then and they won't appreciate you now.
As much as I do miss my old job, I won't go back - I would like to but I know exactly what would happen, I just hate that all of the relationships I built up with my customers and suppliers has now all gone to someone else when it was me who earned it all.
Unfortunately there is no other tasks for me to do here, I have asked and occasionally there is stuff to do but it takes 30 minutes, not the 6 hours I need it to! I finished my tasks by 1730 today, I've been on Netflix and PH since then and still have another 2 and a half hours left!
Whilst being paid to do nothing was fun at first the novelty has quickly worn thin. If I was to start applying again would it not look like I'm job hopping and potentially go against me as an applicant for yet another job a few years down the line?
Like most people here on PH, I'd love a job in the motor industry but I don't really know what to be honest. I've written articles for websites, done videos for websites (the first of which comes out next week) but really don't know what I want to do. I can walk into a high paying job any time I want, working for my dad but I don't want that; I want to make my own success.
Unfortunately there is no other tasks for me to do here, I have asked and occasionally there is stuff to do but it takes 30 minutes, not the 6 hours I need it to! I finished my tasks by 1730 today, I've been on Netflix and PH since then and still have another 2 and a half hours left!
Whilst being paid to do nothing was fun at first the novelty has quickly worn thin. If I was to start applying again would it not look like I'm job hopping and potentially go against me as an applicant for yet another job a few years down the line?
Like most people here on PH, I'd love a job in the motor industry but I don't really know what to be honest. I've written articles for websites, done videos for websites (the first of which comes out next week) but really don't know what I want to do. I can walk into a high paying job any time I want, working for my dad but I don't want that; I want to make my own success.
You are hard working, diligent, honest, a good communicator, and are able to build and sustain business relationships.
This suggests to me you ought to be working for yourself providing a product or service that uses the skills you have.
In your shoes I would be approaching dad for help in launching such a business.
This suggests to me you ought to be working for yourself providing a product or service that uses the skills you have.
In your shoes I would be approaching dad for help in launching such a business.
As others have stated :
Do not go back to your old job.
Apply for other jobs.
Do a few courses, there are lots of well regarded free ones you can do before you commit to spending money. though you will not get a formal qualification any prospective employer will look upon this favourably.
http://www.businessinsider.com/best-free-online-bu...
Do not go back to your old job.
Apply for other jobs.
Do a few courses, there are lots of well regarded free ones you can do before you commit to spending money. though you will not get a formal qualification any prospective employer will look upon this favourably.
http://www.businessinsider.com/best-free-online-bu...
Thanks for the suggestions.
I love the idea of doing courses or getting some qualifications with all my unused time at work but my biggest flaw is I don't won't put the effort in and do it.
I'm an intelligent guy and was predicted A*'s in all my exams in school, but I did no revision and spent all of that time selling sweets in the playground and then working from home (via remote access) for a breakdown recovery company in the evenings. Selling sweets turned out to be quite profitable, £12 profit on average a day isn't too shabby at that age! My monthly income from 15 years old was just over £500 (all cash in hand though) which I was quite proud of but because business and work was my focus, I ended up getting straight C's.
I didn't bother with A levels or Uni after that because I knew that I just wouldn't commit to the work and went into full time employment. I'm lazy when it comes to education, and that's why I don't think I'd make it through an online course; I'm hard working and willing to learn within the workplace but not from an educational perspective - I know that's the wrong attitude but its something I've always struggled with.
Boo152 - That is definitely something I'd like to do, I always have - but at this stage in my life I am not too sure exactly what product or service I can offer that others can't...
I love the idea of doing courses or getting some qualifications with all my unused time at work but my biggest flaw is I don't won't put the effort in and do it.
I'm an intelligent guy and was predicted A*'s in all my exams in school, but I did no revision and spent all of that time selling sweets in the playground and then working from home (via remote access) for a breakdown recovery company in the evenings. Selling sweets turned out to be quite profitable, £12 profit on average a day isn't too shabby at that age! My monthly income from 15 years old was just over £500 (all cash in hand though) which I was quite proud of but because business and work was my focus, I ended up getting straight C's.
I didn't bother with A levels or Uni after that because I knew that I just wouldn't commit to the work and went into full time employment. I'm lazy when it comes to education, and that's why I don't think I'd make it through an online course; I'm hard working and willing to learn within the workplace but not from an educational perspective - I know that's the wrong attitude but its something I've always struggled with.
Boo152 - That is definitely something I'd like to do, I always have - but at this stage in my life I am not too sure exactly what product or service I can offer that others can't...
Boo152 said:
You are hard working, diligent, honest, a good communicator, and are able to build and sustain business relationships.
This suggests to me you ought to be working for yourself providing a product or service that uses the skills you have.
In your shoes I would be approaching dad for help in launching such a business.
Couldn't agree more .... Lots of entrepreneur traits here ....This suggests to me you ought to be working for yourself providing a product or service that uses the skills you have.
In your shoes I would be approaching dad for help in launching such a business.
Q. Why change into something else? ... Think Evolution rather than Re-Invention.
If you KNOW the industry you were in and most importantly you enjoyed it, you potentially have customers you could call and a team of good ex colleagues who'd maybe even come with you if you started up on your own ... Kind of says something to me.
And don't be afraid of going head to head with your old bosses; they don't expect you to succeed, so it's a no lose.
Selling insurance is very different to selling biscuits ...... If you excelled in what you were doing, maybe you found your calling.
I don't know what line of business that was in, nor what part of the country it was based, that matters not ... Just don't put it on here. So time to consider your future at what is IMO your inflection point
Your challenge, should you choose to accept it .... And if your half as good as you say you are .... Is to stop sitting on your a*se moaning about what once was and step up to CREATE your own future, so ... Here's a start ...
In the spare time you have ...
1. Research the business plan model
2. Prepare a start up cost plan
3. Prepare a cash flow plan for next 2-3yrs
4. Think about customers, people, employees, how can you get going
5. Think about premises (only if req'd) and tools/equipment to get going
6. Consider routes to market/customers, Websites, marketing etc
7. Do a basic SWOT - a good sounding board ... But don't get too hung up on that (if you work hard, you can overcome).
8. Consider potential exit routes and rewards for investors (most important to investors)
Then prepare a top level, clear & concise, 8-10 page business plan, with facts and data (not just emotional "I can do it") about how to set up in business to do what you did before ... But do it better, faster, sharper and how over time you'll grow the business to be twice the size of your former employer.
Once you get there, PM me if you like, or seek local advice from people who can help you.
There are many many options available .... Most obvious one would be dad/family, but angel investor groups, banks, or private investors are others.
Time to see if you are better as the trusty, hardworking employee, or the balls out risk taker .... High rewards come to only one I assure you.
Good luck either way .... It's nice to see someone motivated in working hard for a living!
Edited by S1M VP on Wednesday 26th February 00:11
S1M VP said:
...
Quoted nothing just to stop the thread from getting clogged up with repeat textThat really is some great advice. I don't normally mope around feeling sorry for myself but I've had a bad few days - but maybe if I hadn't been at my desk miserable I wouldn't have posted this and thus would have never had this response from you?
I have a good 12 hours per day that I can use to make this all happen and after what you've said (and Boo152 for that matter) I'm going to crack right on tomorrow.
I'll take it slow and do it properly and try my best to get everything right and hopefully one day in the not too distant future when the prep work is done; I'll take you up on your offer and PM you for advice.
Thank you, truly.
Also, love the Aventador, I've seen it at a few Sunday Services, at least I assume its yours - how many green Aventador's are their!?
I would analyse what it was you enjoyed about the role, what you miss and what you were good at then look for something that focuses and builds on that but pays better and offers career progression.
It sounds like you're good on the sales/customer service side, but you will know best.
Watching films and working 2 out of 8 hours might sound like a breeze, but it's dull as hell, and will drag you down and stifle you ultimately. You at least need the fun cat & mouse game of the boss trying to catch you skiiving!
It sounds like you're good on the sales/customer service side, but you will know best.
Watching films and working 2 out of 8 hours might sound like a breeze, but it's dull as hell, and will drag you down and stifle you ultimately. You at least need the fun cat & mouse game of the boss trying to catch you skiiving!
You won't be classed as 'job-hopping' by one short time at a place, where you can easily explain your reasons for seeking more responsibility and prospects.
It's hardly a regular occurrence is it?
Don't be put off and start looking again.
If your old place realise the mess that they have created and want you back at all, let them contact you and come up with a better offer. You owe them nothing and you have learned from the experience.
It's your life - enjoy it...
It's hardly a regular occurrence is it?
Don't be put off and start looking again.
If your old place realise the mess that they have created and want you back at all, let them contact you and come up with a better offer. You owe them nothing and you have learned from the experience.
It's your life - enjoy it...
Edited by Davel on Wednesday 26th February 21:05
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