My new job :(

[alissaroot]

I've started a new job this week. I hate it. I operate a machine that makes metal tubes. It's hot, noisy, and I have to wear so much safety equipment that I'm always uncomfortable. Steel-toed shoes are like torture devices.

I'm glad I have a job, but I hate it. And everyone introduces me as my father's daughter. I don't think they know my name. (My dad has worked there for 11 years. He's a shipping supervisor.)

Job search tips, please! I never got any responses from applying on monster.com, are there any better websites? Also, any sites that give good resume and cover letter writing advice? I'm more motivated than ever to find a decent job, but the employment agency that helped me find this job doesn't care, they just send you to the place with the most openings. Any advice would be helpful, since I want to cry every time I go in that place.

I'm definitely using my tax check to start a grad school program, because tuition reimbursement at this place isn't available until I work there 18 months, and there is no way I'm going to stay that long, but I won't quit until I find something else. banghead

My dad just told me I'm soft from 7 years of working in a climate-controlled laboratory and that once I toughen up I will like the job. He seems to think I will want to stay there.

No I won't.

[Bob]

I get my safety boots with a composite toe, I assume a plastic material rather than the steel toe type. I find they are a little lighter and more comfortable. Is there any chance at advancement away from the machines at a later date?
Bob

[tbradford1]

Careerbuilder has some good articles on resumes. Are there other employment agencies in your area that focus on more office-type jobs? I hope you find something you like better soon.

[cookderosa]

I've started a new job this week. I hate it. I operate a machine that makes metal tubes. It's hot, noisy, and I have to wear so much safety equipment that I'm always uncomfortable. Steel-toed shoes are like torture devices.

I'm glad I have a job, but I hate it. And everyone introduces me as my father's daughter. I don't think they know my name. (My dad has worked there for 11 years. He's a shipping supervisor.)

Job search tips, please! I never got any responses from applying on monster.com, are there any better websites? Also, any sites that give good resume and cover letter writing advice? I'm more motivated than ever to find a decent job, but the employment agency that helped me find this job doesn't care, they just send you to the place with the most openings. Any advice would be helpful, since I want to cry every time I go in that place.

I'm definitely using my tax check to start a grad school program, because tuition reimbursement at this place isn't available until I work there 18 months, and there is no way I'm going to stay that long, but I won't quit until I find something else. banghead

My dad just told me I'm soft from 7 years of working in a climate-controlled laboratory and that once I toughen up I will like the job. He seems to think I will want to stay there.

No I won't.

>>

My advice is that NO MATTER WHAT you decide to do, don't screw up your dad's reputation. You are a reflection of him -like it or not- so just be careful of how you plan your exit.

[jody28]

Hi Alissa,

sorry to hear you are so miserable!

Good advice cookderosa! Especially in the general climate of "you're lucky to have a job" (which I HATE to hear!!) But if you move on to something better you don't have to burn bridges. Just grin and bear it for now. This IS only for now!

I've been wearing steel-toe shoes all my life and some of them are terrible. Try Sketchers, they are cushioned and womens shoes, so they fit nicely.

I have had the best luck finding a new job through networking. Figure out where you want to work and try to meet people. What industry are you looking to get into? What do you want to be when you grow up?
Is there any training for those people or local conferences, where you could go and mingle and make contacts? (They also might have notice boards where they post jobs or where you can post your resume)
Once I asked for a tour of the place I wanted to work at and got to meet the boss and gave him my resume before I left. He called a couple of months later and offered me a job.
I've never applied through monster.com, I've only found jobs posted on industry specific websites.

If there is a company you want to work for, you could ask to meet with a manager/supervisor there, to inquire about qualifications and what you would need to get in. If they have some job you're mostly qualified for, you might be the best candidate because you showed initiative. Besides, people LOVE talking about themselves and giving advice. I do, I love what I do, and would always talk to anybody about what I know. Others are like that too. Find those people.

Don't be afraid to go after what you want! Bad economy or not. There are hundreds of applicants for each waitressing job, so you might was well apply for the job you want. Apply for a job you can do or learn, even if you're not the most qualified. You don't know what they are looking for. In my opinion somebody overqualified is a pain in the neck anyway!

One one last thing that I haven't figured out yet, but some people have, is how to translate your current skills into a new industry or a new job. Well, you must have gained a lot of knowledge in PPE? Maybe that applies somewhere else?

Keep trying, hang in there!!

Jody

[alissaroot]

Thanks so much for all the tips, guys! I did purchase new shoes, socks, an cushioned inserts today before work and my feet feel so much better. I hated to plop down $80 for it all, but it was worth it to be able to walk out of there at a normal speed instead of dragging my feet.

I also think it's important when you work with family not to jeopardize their reputations. My dad already told me to make sure I put in two weeks notice whenever I leave, which of course I will do. I know I'm a good worker, I just don't like this work.

I did have a better experience last night, anyway. My machine was down because there was no raw tube for it, so they put me inspecting returned pieces. Since QA is my bread and butter, I puttered happily through that all night. The best news is that the QA guy--friends with my dad--says there are two people in the lab who will be retiring right around the same time I finish my probationary time. Since they promote and move people based on experience and performance once the probation is over, I have a good shot at getting in there. So now I have something to work toward and look forward to, hopefully it won't seem like such a grinding, soul-crushing place.

Thanks guys!

[peace123]

Alissa,

Will your company reimburse you for all or part of the cost of the safety shoes. Many companies do this but only after an employee passes probation.

Is this a union job? if so check out the contract to see it this is one of your benefits. Or better yet ask your dad.


Peace123

[alissaroot]

They do reimburse for safety shoes after the probationary period, but I couldn't wait that long since the shoes I had were killing me. However, I will definitely make sure to use the reimbursement when it comes around, I didn't use it when I last had the opportunity at my old job and that's why I had sucky old shoes when I started this job.

It's not a union shop, but it is Japanese-owned, and in my experience they have benefits and hours that are fair. In fact it is right across the street from the Japanese-owned place where I used to work, so sometimes we would send samples over to their lab to run and vice versa. Half the lab stuff is the same as what I used to work with. If I do get in the lab here, I'll be doing almost exactly the same job I used to do. It just sucks to have to go through the employment agency and get put on a machine first. I have to wait six months to bid on a job that I know I am qualified to do, one of the lab openings has already been posted for bids for the last six months, but no one wants it. It's stupid that they can't just go ahead and put me in there. I know the head guy likes me, when I was sorting parts last night he paged me to ask me questions even though I've only been there a week instead of the guy I was working with who had been there for a year. After talking with him, though, I feel a lot better about my chances, and I now don't feel so pessimistic about this job. I just have to make it through six months, right?

I do still plan on starting an M.A. somewhere asap, too. I won't work there forever, but after six months I will no longer be so miserable, and I can look to move into a new industry.

[cookderosa]

Thanks so much for all the tips, guys! I did purchase new shoes, socks, an cushioned inserts today before work and my feet feel so much better. I hated to plop down $80 for it all, but it was worth it to be able to walk out of there at a normal speed instead of dragging my feet.

I also think it's important when you work with family not to jeopardize their reputations. My dad already told me to make sure I put in two weeks notice whenever I leave, which of course I will do. I know I'm a good worker, I just don't like this work.

I did have a better experience last night, anyway. My machine was down because there was no raw tube for it, so they put me inspecting returned pieces. Since QA is my bread and butter, I puttered happily through that all night. The best news is that the QA guy--friends with my dad--says there are two people in the lab who will be retiring right around the same time I finish my probationary time. Since they promote and move people based on experience and performance once the probation is over, I have a good shot at getting in there. So now I have something to work toward and look forward to, hopefully it won't seem like such a grinding, soul-crushing place.

Thanks guys!

That's the spirit!! Way to find the bright side I'm sure things will be better soon.

[P00057870]

Great spirit! You are far too bright to remain in the lower level positions, even if you choose to stay in the same field -- Keep on working.

I have one question, remember here in Florida we don't have any manufacturing industry, so I am ignorant of how things work in those industries -- why would you have to wait 6 months to be transferred to the job you want?

Down here, they would transfer you to where they need you -- even though you would still have to work through the same length of probation.

Any chance of negotiating something like that -- with the help of the lab supervisor who seems to want you in their department ?