Random Random Chat Thread XL

[Howard Moon]

When you left

like acid!

 

[Howard Moon]

ive backed myself into a huge corner at work...

To be brief, i was having trouble with a manager and the way we managed my area, i had ideas that i know are better but he wouldnt budge.

I called their bluff and said im out, find somebody else who will do it the wrong way.

Put my hand up for another role which isnt really to my likling but ive kind of done it out of equal parts pride and spite.

now i have two weeks left til i start my new role, which happens to be managing 20 or so people.. and its way out of my comfort zone.

In the back of my mind im not concerned because ive been in exit mode anyway, just a matter of time, just eneded impetus to leave but i was on the train yesterday just looking at the job market.. man! its an absolute jungle out there!

its seriously bad, all casual, wages pitiful, just scraps... i was actually getting depressed just looking at it - i had to check myself and say hang on, you still have a job, relax!

But yeh, i guess they double called my bluff and here we are, but i stand by it, im not going to keep doing something i dont believe in.

Time for the guy who avoids conflict at every opportunity to lead people.. i know i already have their respect, but is that respect cause we know he dosent rag on us? or respect cause hes an ok worker and we will work for him?

Time will tell.

anyone got centerlinks number?

 

[Mercurial89]

ive backed myself into a huge corner at work...

To be brief, i was having trouble with a manager and the way we managed my area, i had ideas that i know are better but he wouldnt budge.

I called their bluff and said im out, find somebody else who will do it the wrong way.

Put my hand up for another role which isnt really to my likling but ive kind of done it out of equal parts pride and spite.

now i have two weeks left til i start my new role, which happens to be managing 20 or so people.. and its way out of my comfort zone.

In the back of my mind im not concerned because ive been in exit mode anyway, just a matter of time, just eneded impetus to leave but i was on the train yesterday just looking at the job market.. man! its an absolute jungle out there!

its seriously bad, all casual, wages pitiful, just scraps... i was actually getting depressed just looking at it - i had to check myself and say hang on, you still have a job, relax!

But yeh, i guess they double called my bluff and here we are, but i stand by it, im not going to keep doing something i dont believe in.

Time for the guy who avoids conflict at every opportunity to lead people.. i know i already have their respect, but is that respect cause we know he dosent rag on us? or respect cause hes an ok worker and we will work for him?

Time will tell.

anyone got centerlinks number?

Change of roles for you as well?
Jesus everyone I know is getting a new job or changing their role. They are all telling me to do the same thing but im like you when I look at job market. I just think, "I don't stand a chance". The word trapped comes to mind.

Im sure they respect you for your work ethic, just remember that as a leader sometimes you cant be everyone's mate, you are going to tell them things they don't want to hear and get them to do things that they want to do.
Best thing to do is keep an honest two way dialogue with all your staff, treat them like adults.

(that's said with no management experience at all so yeah grain of salt all that.)

 

[Howard Moon]

HR came thru here with a huge sword, hundreds went in a restructure, you may have seen the story on 4 corners.

Lots of middle to high management roles gone, so they can spread the work down to lower people like me...

 

[Whispering_Jack]

Change of roles for you as well?
Jesus everyone I know is getting a new job or changing their role. They are all telling me to do the same thing but im like you when I look at job market. I just think, "I don't stand a chance". The word trapped comes to mind.

Im sure they respect you for your work ethic, just remember that as a leader sometimes you cant be everyone's mate, you are going to tell them things they don't want to hear and get them to do things that they want to do.
Best thing to do is keep an honest two way dialogue with all your staff, treat them like adults.

(that's said with no management experience at all so yeah grain of salt all that.)

I don't think the job market is anywhere near as bad or as daunting as it looks. It's just a matter of getting yourself out there in front of prospective employers and applying for the roles that interest you and you think you might be good at. There's no harm in doing job interviews because at the very least you will learn lots from them. They're especially good to do when you've still got a comfortable job.

 

[Howard Moon]

I don't think the job market is anywhere near as bad or as daunting as it looks. It's just a matter of getting yourself out there in front of prospective employers and applying for the roles that interest you and you think you might be good at. There's no harm in doing job interviews because at the very least you will learn lots from them. They're especially good to do when you've still got a comfortable job.

Ive done one or two pretty much every year in the last 5 just to stay relevant, I enjoy them. But I can't even see anything worth applying for!

 

[Whispering_Jack]

Ive done one or two pretty much every year in the last 5 just to stay relevant, I enjoy them. But I can't even see anything worth applying for!

I enjoy them too, although I haven't actually been hired from an interview as such since 2012 - my last few jobs I've been approached directly #humblebrag

 

[baz_machine]

Runk, I'm going to descend in corporate w***ery but it'll probably help your wife.

Most office conflict arises from there not been clear lines of who does what. So I'd suggest to your wife is to create a Roles and Responsibilities document, even just to keep herself.

In it, just list all the jobs that are done in the office and who she wants to do them. So been in a beauty salon something like

- answering phones
- making appointments
- restocking
- paying bills
- feeding the fish

that kind of thing. she'll probably be surprised about how many things there are to do.

this also comes in handy when worker A comes in a says i want more responsibility (ie more money), great, you can do shit job X, Y and Z that i'd rather not do!

as for dealing with conflicting employees, well i'd suggest never to employ a friend unless it's absolutely crystal clear on what you need them to do. your paying them to be your worker, not your friend. and as others have said, a executive desk manager to the regional division manager associate is NOT what she needs; she needs someone to answer the phones and manage the appointment book, which is not a hard position to fill.

now in relation to the other worker, well i imagine it goes a bit with the territory but been 21 and from the country, i wouldn't expect any high level of professionalism. conflict management is hard and i've seen many many many poor examples of it. I'd never expect someone that young to have the courage to do it themselves and it's always best to suggest these things over a coffee then text message.

the final thing, is made she should make clear to everyone what exactly the business priorities are ie making customers happy and coming back. I know it's a simple thing but if she frames things to the employees in that fashion (ie pls tell me when you are having a hissy fit so i can rearrange a time for client), you'll probably get better traction.

 

[Runk]

Runk, I'm going to descend in corporate ******y but it'll probably help your wife.

Most office conflict arises from there not been clear lines of who does what. So I'd suggest to your wife is to create a Roles and Responsibilities document, even just to keep herself.

In it, just list all the jobs that are done in the office and who she wants to do them. So been in a beauty salon something like

- answering phones
- making appointments
- restocking
- paying bills
- feeding the fish

that kind of thing. she'll probably be surprised about how many things there are to do.

this also comes in handy when worker A comes in a says i want more responsibility (ie more money), great, you can do shit job X, Y and Z that i'd rather not do!

as for dealing with conflicting employees, well i'd suggest never to employ a friend unless it's absolutely crystal clear on what you need them to do. your paying them to be your worker, not your friend. and as others have said, a executive desk manager to the regional division manager associate is NOT what she needs; she needs someone to answer the phones and manage the appointment book, which is not a hard position to fill.

now in relation to the other worker, well i imagine it goes a bit with the territory but been 21 and from the country, i wouldn't expect any high level of professionalism. conflict management is hard and i've seen many many many poor examples of it. I'd never expect someone that young to have the courage to do it themselves and it's always best to suggest these things over a coffee then text message.

the final thing, is made she should make clear to everyone what exactly the business priorities are ie making customers happy and coming back. I know it's a simple thing but if she frames things to the employees in that fashion (ie pls tell me when you are having a hissy fit so i can rearrange a time for client), you'll probably get better traction.

Very sage and workable advice baz! Thanks mate.

 

[baz_machine]

Very sage and workable advice baz! Thanks mate.

no worries, hope it goes well

 

[Howard Moon]

Ask her to write her own job description and tasks...

Let's see how far the delusions of grandeur flow

 

[Beerfish]

I don't think the job market is anywhere near as bad or as daunting as it looks. It's just a matter of getting yourself out there in front of prospective employers and applying for the roles that interest you and you think you might be good at.

Well **** me.. who would've thought it was that simple? Just find the job you want and apply for it. Brilliant!

 

[Whispering_Jack]

Well **** me.. who would've thought it was that simple? Just find the job you want and apply for it. Brilliant!

Well yeah - instead of just saying it's daunting and there's no hope and just going through the motions in a job you hate. I'm saying if you want to see what else is out there then you've got to put yourself out there.

 

[Mercurial89]

Well yeah - instead of just saying it's daunting and there's no hope and just going through the motions in a job you hate. I'm saying if you want to see what else is out there then you've got to put yourself out there.

Pretty sound advice I would have thought.
Take the proactive step, seek out change instead of waiting for it to fall in your lap. While it may be difficult to actually find things you want to do, nothing bad can happen from applying.

Well **** me.. who would've thought it was that simple? Just find the job you want and apply for it. Brilliant!

Not sure there is anything wrong with what was said?

 

[Beerfish]

Not sure there is anything wrong with what was said?

I just thought it was funny coming from a bloke who by his own admission hasn't had a job from an interview in 5 years. Not sure what the job market in Melbourne is like but if it's anything like Perth I would think bad and daunting are two quite apt descriptors. It's all well and good to say hey just find a job you want and apply for it if your underlying assumptions are there are jobs you want actually available and that they pay the requisite amount needed to meet existing commitments (both of which Howard had already said aren't there).

 

[Whispering_Jack]

I just thought it was funny coming from a bloke who by his own admission hasn't had a job from an interview in 5 years. Not sure what the job market in Melbourne is like but if it's anything like Perth I would think bad and daunting are two quite apt descriptors. It's all well and good to say hey just find a job you want and apply for it if your underlying assumptions are there are jobs you want actually available and that they pay the requisite amount needed to meet existing commitments (both of which Howard had already said aren't there).

I've applied for jobs that I've wanted but I was ultimately unsuccessful and there was no harm done by doing this - this was my point. My point is that if you want something the only way to get it is to put yourself out there.

I also never responded to Howard, I responded to Mercurial.

 

[Mercurial89]

I just thought it was funny coming from a bloke who by his own admission hasn't had a job from an interview in 5 years. Not sure what the job market in Melbourne is like but if it's anything like Perth I would think bad and daunting are two quite apt descriptors. It's all well and good to say hey just find a job you want and apply for it if your underlying assumptions are there are jobs you want actually available and that they pay the requisite amount needed to meet existing commitments (both of which Howard had already said aren't there).

I think he was more just trying to be supportive and to let someone know there was no harm in just applying for things. there is loads of jobs (there isn't a shortage, more the type of roles don't stand out to people), and many people's issue is they are too picky.

The purpose is to open up opportunities. If you are sitting there waiting for something to happen you are just holding yourself back.

 

[Beerfish]

I've applied for jobs that I've wanted but I was ultimately unsuccessful and there was no harm done by doing this - this was my point. My point is that if you want something the only way to get it is to put yourself out there.

I also never responded to Howard, I responded to Mercurial.

Who was responding to Howard.. It was part of the same conversation and you were also the one that said the job market is neither bad nor daunting yes? My point is it's all well and good to say put yourself out there etc but it's really not that simple for the reasons I've already outlined.

there is loads of jobs (there isn't a shortage, more the type of roles don't stand out to people), and many people's issue is they are too picky.

lol righto.

 

[Whispering_Jack]

Who was responding to Howard.. It was part of the same conversation and you were also the one that said the job market is neither bad nor daunting yes? My point is it's all well and good to say put yourself out there etc but it's really not that simple for the reasons I've already outlined.


lol righto.

OK mate.

 

[Mercurial89]

Right not posting might be a pretty good policy, ill remember that for next time.

 

[Howard Moon]

The other point might be as you reach 40 elements of imaginary panic can set in....It's ok being young and desirable

 

[Beerfish]

The other point might be as you reach 40 elements of imaginary panic can set in....It's ok being young and desirable

I totally hear that. I'm the wrong side of 40 and it scares the shit out of me to be perfectly honest.

But maybe we're just being too picky. There's loads of jobs out there after all. Just need to take one that you're not interested in for less pay than you need. Simple!

 

[Howard Moon]

As the years tick by I reckon it feels like your options of career change feel more distant. Which might limit you to your own field or menial work... Then you feel like it's you vs buc young go getter..

Or you can stay in a place you are entrenched...With respect , in the middle of the pile.

Plus supporting a family...Dial up the pressure, can't just flim flam on a whim, ever thing needs to be solid and secure and safe.

 

[Runk]

The other point might be as you reach 40 elements of imaginary panic can set in....It's ok being young and desirable

I must say I worked for one company for 10 years in Melbourne and had 5 different jobs and only one of those I had to apply for. I was very fortunate in that respect. In fact the day I left I was offered a job within their Logistics division. Sorry Jade, but I passed.

Upon moving to Ballarat where the average wage was far lower than in Melbourne, I was still able to find a number of jobs I could do due to a large skillset learned within that original company I worked for. In fact in the 10 years I've been here I've had 5 jobs. Sacked from none. Not moved on nor asked to leave before anyone asks. I simply didn't enjoy them enough to want to do them forever. I am now in a role and at my happiest I've ever been workwise. Salary is still no where near Melbourne levels but it doesn't matter.

I will say age has played a factor in my thinking so you're not alone there. It's not like I'm 28 anymore, damn it.

 

[Howard Moon]

As the years tick by I reckon it feels like your options of career change feel more distant. Which might limit you to your own field or menial work... Then you feel like it's you vs buc young go getter..

Or you can stay in a place you are entrenched...With respect , in the middle of the pile.

Plus supporting a family...Dial up the pressure, can't just flim flam on a whim, ever thing needs to be solid and secure and safe.

Also I've never been a career person ( which I have no regrets for) it makes looking for work not ideal but I've always been of the mindset that I work to support my life, not live to build a career and live life with what's left.

I find people who are fighting to climb a cotporate ladder are people who are looking for validation and maybe dont know who they are or are maybe unhappy with what they see (massive generalisations I know)

Ive never been fired from a role, always give 100% out of personal pride but the minute the clock ticks I'm out and my mind is on what matters.

Ive been called a flake but I don't take it personally.