on trial: wht will they expect?
Discussion
I finally managed to get into a position doing business admin, and have been offered the job on a one month trial.
I am desperate to make a good impression as although it appears to be office monkey work for minimum wage (£3.80/hour
) it is a foot in the door for admin work, and everyone has to start somewhere!
The job description is:
I want to make the best impression possible so I will be doing a bit of research into the company (heatpac) so I don't look a complete numpty, but other than competence, what will they be looking for?
I am desperate to make a good impression as although it appears to be office monkey work for minimum wage (£3.80/hour
) it is a foot in the door for admin work, and everyone has to start somewhere! The job description is:
job centre job description said:
no experience is required, as full training will be given. Duties include answering telephone, booking in work, some typing will be involved, and general office duteis
I want to make the best impression possible so I will be doing a bit of research into the company (heatpac) so I don't look a complete numpty, but other than competence, what will they be looking for?
Display a bit of character - not overbearing or in-your-face but don't simply "exist".
Try to make something "your own" - even if it's something like changing water bottle - make it something that "WD does".
Research is good but don't go in on your first day with a full business plan proposal with power point and handouts. Subtlety is key.
Other than that, enjoy it!
Good luck!
Try to make something "your own" - even if it's something like changing water bottle - make it something that "WD does".
Research is good but don't go in on your first day with a full business plan proposal with power point and handouts. Subtlety is key.
Other than that, enjoy it!
Good luck!
Plotloss said:
So the minimum wage is graded according to age?
That makes sense.
A 19 year old buying a loaf of bread obviously has to spend a lot less than a 40 year old...
Don't get me started on this one..
The minimum range is, AFAICR £3.80 for 18-21 yer olds, and £4.50 for 22+
Although i am lacking in the experience that someone older may have, I am just as capable as someone older at doing a job well, and I have a mortgage and car like someone 10, 20 even 40 years older than me, so why should I be paid less for being born later?!
It will actually be the first time I have been paid according to my age sine my saturday job in a newsagents where I got paid £15 for 8 hour shifts before minimum wage wasa brought in. Everywhere else i have worked has never differentiated, based on the fact i could do the job as well as anyone else..
The different minimum wage levels are there partly to reflect the (reasonable) expectation that those under the age of 22 are most likely fairly inexperienced. Also, if the government wants to encourage the rebirth of the apprenticeship system, a fundamental part of that was the ability of the employer to pay someone who was "in training" or "under articles" or "indentures" at a rate something less than that of a "normal" worker.
At one time "trainees" PAID their principles for the priviledge of learning a trade or profession. Their "wages" were then paid out of the sum they had already paid the principle. I lnow someone who trained as a Chartered Accountant under that system between 1966 the years 1971. I'm not advocating a return to that but maybe younger people today should recognise the fact that getting the experience is essential before making progress and that maybe there might be a price to pay to get that experience.
>> Edited by eric mc on Tuesday 24th February 15:53
At one time "trainees" PAID their principles for the priviledge of learning a trade or profession. Their "wages" were then paid out of the sum they had already paid the principle. I lnow someone who trained as a Chartered Accountant under that system between 1966 the years 1971. I'm not advocating a return to that but maybe younger people today should recognise the fact that getting the experience is essential before making progress and that maybe there might be a price to pay to get that experience.
>> Edited by eric mc on Tuesday 24th February 15:53
It depends on the context of what the individual plans to do as a career. When I was a trainee accountant in the 70s, "office junior" tasks were part of the training. I had to put up with doing the bankings, running to the shops, collecting timesheets, going to the post office etc for my first two years as an articled clerk. It was all useful work actually, especially now that I'm running my own practice and having to do all that kind of stuff again!
It's good to see I've advanced over the past 25 years.
>> Edited by eric mc on Tuesday 24th February 15:56
It's good to see I've advanced over the past 25 years.
>> Edited by eric mc on Tuesday 24th February 15:56
eric mc said:
maybe younger people today should recognise the fact that getting the experience is essential before making progress and that maybe there might be a price to pay to get that experience.
I realise that you caan't just walk into top exec job and that everyone has to start somewhere, but I own my own home, run a car and have been working since I was 14, albeit parttime to begin with.
When the job states no experience required, why should they be able to pay differently depending on age when experience isn't a factor?!
As I said - it depends on context.
Like all legislation - it was brought in to satisfy a general requirement that trainees were "paying" to some extent for their training. Employers will exploit it for commercial reasons. In the end, market forces will dictate - if they find they can't recruit at these low levels (although they've managed to recruit you
)they'll have to up their rates - or hire an immigrant!
Like all legislation - it was brought in to satisfy a general requirement that trainees were "paying" to some extent for their training. Employers will exploit it for commercial reasons. In the end, market forces will dictate - if they find they can't recruit at these low levels (although they've managed to recruit you
)they'll have to up their rates - or hire an immigrant!Postive mental attitude. You have to be pleasant and enthusiatic without overdoing it. Own the job, ie try to take responsibility for tasks rather than pass them on or leave early. Respect the bosses but don't be cowed - if you ask intelligent questions they (should be) impressed. But if you are too keen and try to do much, you could be submerged 'cos you can't say no. A tricky balance but I hope you make your mark: good luck.
Hate to say it but as the office monkey, I was nearly sacked for having more initiative than my boss
There will probably be someone who has worked there for ever and will still be there long after you've gone onto a much better job
Do not, under any circumstances annoy this person, they will make your life hell
Always keep you eye out for other jobs in the same company, they love employing someone they know (how I went from photocopy monkey to database programmer (although I'm wondering why I bothered ATM))
Best of luck
There will probably be someone who has worked there for ever and will still be there long after you've gone onto a much better job
Do not, under any circumstances annoy this person, they will make your life hell
Always keep you eye out for other jobs in the same company, they love employing someone they know (how I went from photocopy monkey to database programmer (although I'm wondering why I bothered ATM))
Best of luck
Incorrigible said:
Hate to say it but as the office monkey, I was nearly sacked for having more initiative than my boss
There will probably be someone who has worked there for ever and will still be there long after you've gone onto a much better job
Do not, under any circumstances annoy this person, they will make your life hell
Always keep you eye out for other jobs in the same company, they love employing someone they know (how I went from photocopy monkey to database programmer (although I'm wondering why I bothered ATM))
Best of luck
Thanks Ben,
The situation is that there are three positions in the office.. the head position, doing accounts and such is leaving, so the other two girls are moving up a position and I am coming in at the bottom of the food chain, so the girl previously doing the role is now in one above but in the same office. I suppose that is beneficial in the sense that if I need help she is the best person to ask but on the other hand I don't want to come across as a complete numpty. Also, the impression I got is that the two girls that are there are quite pally, so I need to make a good impression to be able to fit in with them!
:wibbles:
Been said before, but Positive Mental Attitude. Keep a small notebook with you at ALL times. When you get the chance take notes of what you can - what to do, who to phoen, what they take in coffee. In the early days, that kind of attention is noted. Ask now and write it for later. In the first few weeks there is no such thing as a stupid question - it shows willingness to elarn and ask, rather than go hide in a corner and spend three days reinventing the wheel.
No matter what the task, develop a can-do attitude. Others might feel it beneath them, but you never know which tasks will develop into something for the next CV. Volunteer to take the chance.
Good luck.
No matter what the task, develop a can-do attitude. Others might feel it beneath them, but you never know which tasks will develop into something for the next CV. Volunteer to take the chance.
Good luck.
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