Is my job really worth it?
January 15, 2007 3:00 PM Subscribe
I am a "girl friday." Neat title, but it means squat. I am unhappy with my job, should I stay or should I move on? (more details inside)
I have been with my company for two years now and I have been unhappy for about the last six to eight months of it. There are of course pros and cons to the job, and I do know that no job is perfect. I get paid $9.75 an hour, 40 hours a week with health insurance and a SIMPLE IRA. I answer the phones, put in all supply orders customers call or fax in into the computer, invoice all orders, handle all credit cards, take frequent inventory and manage it, purchace all supplies that we sell from about 20 different companies, match all packing slips with the p.os and invoices, file, call customers for money when their account is past due and keep up with finance charges to them, send out statements at the beginning of every month, and many other oddball tasks throughout the day including ocassionally shipping and receiving. My question is, I would like someone unbiased (ie:my fiance, parents or friends) to give me their opinion on whether I should stay there and work with it, or is it time to move on. Here is a short list of pros and cons:
PROS:
I know my job very well
I am very good at what I do
It is close to home (about a mile)
It is easy
CONS:
I feel trapped and bored
I am not appreciated
My boss frequently yells and even curses at me over things that I did not even do wrong
I have no distinct job title, I am to do whatever they feel like I should do that day
I have no room for promotion or growth or a career future
My company is going nowhere
I know that is a very short list, I can explain more if needed (new to metafilter) I know that it could be worse, but I really used to love my job, and I now feel guilty for being so unhappy. I know that I am a good worker, not perfect, but I am pleasant, punctual, detail-oriented and get the job done 110%. They know I am unhappy, I have sat down with them and told them. If anyone has any suggestions I would really appreciate it.
I have been with my company for two years now and I have been unhappy for about the last six to eight months of it. There are of course pros and cons to the job, and I do know that no job is perfect. I get paid $9.75 an hour, 40 hours a week with health insurance and a SIMPLE IRA. I answer the phones, put in all supply orders customers call or fax in into the computer, invoice all orders, handle all credit cards, take frequent inventory and manage it, purchace all supplies that we sell from about 20 different companies, match all packing slips with the p.os and invoices, file, call customers for money when their account is past due and keep up with finance charges to them, send out statements at the beginning of every month, and many other oddball tasks throughout the day including ocassionally shipping and receiving. My question is, I would like someone unbiased (ie:my fiance, parents or friends) to give me their opinion on whether I should stay there and work with it, or is it time to move on. Here is a short list of pros and cons:
PROS:
I know my job very well
I am very good at what I do
It is close to home (about a mile)
It is easy
CONS:
I feel trapped and bored
I am not appreciated
My boss frequently yells and even curses at me over things that I did not even do wrong
I have no distinct job title, I am to do whatever they feel like I should do that day
I have no room for promotion or growth or a career future
My company is going nowhere
I know that is a very short list, I can explain more if needed (new to metafilter) I know that it could be worse, but I really used to love my job, and I now feel guilty for being so unhappy. I know that I am a good worker, not perfect, but I am pleasant, punctual, detail-oriented and get the job done 110%. They know I am unhappy, I have sat down with them and told them. If anyone has any suggestions I would really appreciate it.
The best advice I ever got about jobs:
It's okay to look for a new job while keeping your old one.
posted by koeselitz at 3:08 PM on January 15, 2007
It's okay to look for a new job while keeping your old one.
posted by koeselitz at 3:08 PM on January 15, 2007
You can make lists of pros and cons, but the bottom line is that if you aren't happy with your situation, you should either find another job and leave.
posted by MegoSteve at 3:09 PM on January 15, 2007
posted by MegoSteve at 3:09 PM on January 15, 2007
Best answer: Get another job, keep the one you have and start looking, or if you're ballsy and have the free cash to manage, just quit and start looking. As you said, there is no room for advancement, so you have to look elsewhere.
It's one thing to settle on a mediocre job for 70 grand a year, it's another to settle for a 10 dollar an hour job.
Good luck in your search
posted by cschneid at 3:10 PM on January 15, 2007
It's one thing to settle on a mediocre job for 70 grand a year, it's another to settle for a 10 dollar an hour job.
Good luck in your search
posted by cschneid at 3:10 PM on January 15, 2007
Stay there and, in the meantime, start applying to other places like a madwoman.
You've talked to them, they did nothing. That's your cue to look for a workplace that WILL so something.
Don't feel guilty! Sheesh. If you hate the job, you hate the job -- this makes it, officially, a "crappy job for you," especially as there's no hope in hell of it getting any better anytime soon (see: your cons).
So make it less crappy by actively searching for employment that won't make you want to stick a nail in your head, find a good job for you, and just tell yourself "X more weeks until I leave."
But DON'T just leap from ship to ship, find somewhere you'll like. There was a recent AskMefi post on how to make sure you find a good job with a boss who isn't an ass. Read it.
Read it well.
Good luck.
posted by flibbertigibbet at 3:10 PM on January 15, 2007
You've talked to them, they did nothing. That's your cue to look for a workplace that WILL so something.
Don't feel guilty! Sheesh. If you hate the job, you hate the job -- this makes it, officially, a "crappy job for you," especially as there's no hope in hell of it getting any better anytime soon (see: your cons).
So make it less crappy by actively searching for employment that won't make you want to stick a nail in your head, find a good job for you, and just tell yourself "X more weeks until I leave."
But DON'T just leap from ship to ship, find somewhere you'll like. There was a recent AskMefi post on how to make sure you find a good job with a boss who isn't an ass. Read it.
Read it well.
Good luck.
posted by flibbertigibbet at 3:10 PM on January 15, 2007
...or address the problems that are making you unhappy.
posted by MegoSteve at 3:10 PM on January 15, 2007
posted by MegoSteve at 3:10 PM on January 15, 2007
It sounds like you're not happy, you're not challenged, and your boss may or may not be psychotic. It also sounds like you have 2 years of experience that would serve you well in any number of other jobs.
It's comfortable because it's familiar, and it gives you the bare basics of what you need (insurance, some money), but nothing so spectacular (e.g. full tuition costs to go to school, etc) that would make it worthwhile to stay there.
There is no reason for you to stay in a job that you are unhappy in. Brush up your resume and start spending some time each night looking for openings on Monster, Hotjobs, the local paper, etc. You can also call some local temp agencies - many temp agencies have temp-to-perm work that will pay up to $15/hour for office work. Often in large companies. And many large temp agencies provide benefits and even paid sick time after you have been there for a little while.
Start looking, but I wouldn't quit until you find a new job. Good luck! There *is* something better out there.
posted by tastybrains at 3:12 PM on January 15, 2007
It's comfortable because it's familiar, and it gives you the bare basics of what you need (insurance, some money), but nothing so spectacular (e.g. full tuition costs to go to school, etc) that would make it worthwhile to stay there.
There is no reason for you to stay in a job that you are unhappy in. Brush up your resume and start spending some time each night looking for openings on Monster, Hotjobs, the local paper, etc. You can also call some local temp agencies - many temp agencies have temp-to-perm work that will pay up to $15/hour for office work. Often in large companies. And many large temp agencies provide benefits and even paid sick time after you have been there for a little while.
Start looking, but I wouldn't quit until you find a new job. Good luck! There *is* something better out there.
posted by tastybrains at 3:12 PM on January 15, 2007
Is there anything that you dream of doing and getting paid for? Because maybe it's time to start thinking about what kind of job you would actually find rewarding above paying the bills. Being a Girl Friday is fine for a little while, but rarely for the long term. Don't underestimate your potential to accomplish bigger things for yourself. Whatever you do, don't spend years working for people who make you feel small. Let yourself grow. (Speaking as an ex Girl Friday...)
posted by miss lynnster at 3:13 PM on January 15, 2007
posted by miss lynnster at 3:13 PM on January 15, 2007
sounds like a similar situation I was in. Easy job, underpaid, taken for granted, abused by superiors. The goal, is, obviously, better employment. Make it known to the head of your department the way you feel. Then, start looking! If he/she is not responsive, then go down in dignity and go on a work slow down, let them fire you, after stringing them along and looking for your new real job. Take time off, call in sick, do what it takes to find a better fit. Do not let on to them you are looking, just do it. Employers these days are used to screwing their low level employees. Screw them back.
posted by cvoixjames at 3:28 PM on January 15, 2007
posted by cvoixjames at 3:28 PM on January 15, 2007
cvoixjames: that is a great way to turn a good reference into a shitty one. Being fired always looks so good on a resume.
posted by unSane at 3:32 PM on January 15, 2007
posted by unSane at 3:32 PM on January 15, 2007
who says they would give her a good reference?
posted by cvoixjames at 3:40 PM on January 15, 2007
posted by cvoixjames at 3:40 PM on January 15, 2007
My boss frequently yells and even curses at me over things that I did not even do wrong
There's no excuse for that. Unfortunately, it's unlikely the powers-that-be will be very responsive to your complaints, since they would rather keep your boss happy than you. Most places talk a good game about preventing abuse and harassment, but they won't really take any action until they are forced to by legal action or the threat of it.
If you can't transfer within the company to get a new boss, look for a new job.
posted by drjimmy11 at 3:44 PM on January 15, 2007
There's no excuse for that. Unfortunately, it's unlikely the powers-that-be will be very responsive to your complaints, since they would rather keep your boss happy than you. Most places talk a good game about preventing abuse and harassment, but they won't really take any action until they are forced to by legal action or the threat of it.
If you can't transfer within the company to get a new boss, look for a new job.
posted by drjimmy11 at 3:44 PM on January 15, 2007
She needs validation. Other workplaces understand when a worker has been treated poorly. She is not the target, and should not feel she has to suck up to a current suck job. I say go covert and look, and treat her current job as toast. let them fire her after she has taken advantage of her situation to the extent of moving up in life.
posted by cvoixjames at 3:45 PM on January 15, 2007
posted by cvoixjames at 3:45 PM on January 15, 2007
who says they would give her a good reference?
posted by cvoixjames at 3:40 PM PST on January 15 [+] [!]
Most companies are *extremely* careful about giving poor references because of possible legal liability. However if you have been fired, they can say that. BTW is this the situation you think is similar? Because it isn't.
To the OP: hopefully you are sensible enough not do take this guy's advice.
posted by unSane at 4:03 PM on January 15, 2007
posted by cvoixjames at 3:40 PM PST on January 15 [+] [!]
Most companies are *extremely* careful about giving poor references because of possible legal liability. However if you have been fired, they can say that. BTW is this the situation you think is similar? Because it isn't.
To the OP: hopefully you are sensible enough not do take this guy's advice.
posted by unSane at 4:03 PM on January 15, 2007
One last add on. You do not "get fired" You have, in hand, properly prepared, a "letter of resignation," which is brief but to the point outlining abstractly the reasons for departure from said workplace. It is addressed with dignity and clarity to the head of your work, and simply asks for acceptance of the resignation. This letter is drawn up strategically and presented before just being "canned". Then, your reference is intact, they are left holding the bag, and you move on. Never quit or be fired. You always resign your position. With dignity. Do not burn a bridge.
posted by cvoixjames at 4:06 PM on January 15, 2007
posted by cvoixjames at 4:06 PM on January 15, 2007
"My boss frequently yells and even curses at me over things that I did not even do wrong"
That's basically the dealbreaker right there. Everyone has a right to a safe and respectful work environment. Start looking.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 4:10 PM on January 15, 2007
That's basically the dealbreaker right there. Everyone has a right to a safe and respectful work environment. Start looking.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 4:10 PM on January 15, 2007
unSane
yes you linked to my earlier post.
I ended up resigning.
I was making 8.50/ hour
I think Wendy's will start you at that.
Not putting you down, you are on target, but we live in a caste soc iety, and those that got the wealth dictate what the peons do
posted by cvoixjames at 4:18 PM on January 15, 2007
yes you linked to my earlier post.
I ended up resigning.
I was making 8.50/ hour
I think Wendy's will start you at that.
Not putting you down, you are on target, but we live in a caste soc iety, and those that got the wealth dictate what the peons do
posted by cvoixjames at 4:18 PM on January 15, 2007
Look for somewhere better. But don't let go of what you've got 'till you get hold of something better.
posted by Count Ziggurat at 4:20 PM on January 15, 2007
posted by Count Ziggurat at 4:20 PM on January 15, 2007
Look for something better. I quit an easy but boring job making $9.50/hour to work an entry-level job at $7.00/hour. I just recently was informed that I got promoted (after a bit of help from some fellow MeFites) to a position where I'll make around $14/hour with this company, which I love.
Even if you have to take a pay cut, believe me, being a job that you love far outweighs the pay. Plus, if you have a positive attitude from being in a good job and enjoying said job, your superiors will notice (if they're good superiors) and want to move you up quickly.
Good luck!
posted by Verdandi at 4:32 PM on January 15, 2007
Even if you have to take a pay cut, believe me, being a job that you love far outweighs the pay. Plus, if you have a positive attitude from being in a good job and enjoying said job, your superiors will notice (if they're good superiors) and want to move you up quickly.
Good luck!
posted by Verdandi at 4:32 PM on January 15, 2007
Another recommendation for searching for another job while keeping your current one. Also, ask for a real job title to put on resumes.
Ideally, look for a job which either a) offers upward mobility or b) trains you in a specific area giving you desires expertise to further your career. Either of these can help a lot to fix the boredom problem, which to me is the biggest CON for any job.
posted by jmd82 at 4:37 PM on January 15, 2007
Ideally, look for a job which either a) offers upward mobility or b) trains you in a specific area giving you desires expertise to further your career. Either of these can help a lot to fix the boredom problem, which to me is the biggest CON for any job.
posted by jmd82 at 4:37 PM on January 15, 2007
It's easier to get a job when you already have a job.
Look. Don't set a date when you're going to leave or anything, but there's no harm in looking. Cons 3, 5 & 6 are good reasons to quote if you're asked by a potential new employer why you're looking.
I had a friend with con 3, and I'd have to say she's much happier now that she's moved to a new job.
Finally, if you believe others share your opinion of the place, you will typically experience a high turnover as everyone who can get another job, does. This in turn leaves the company full of incompetent people, who can't get a decent job.
posted by krisjohn at 4:39 PM on January 15, 2007
Look. Don't set a date when you're going to leave or anything, but there's no harm in looking. Cons 3, 5 & 6 are good reasons to quote if you're asked by a potential new employer why you're looking.
I had a friend with con 3, and I'd have to say she's much happier now that she's moved to a new job.
Finally, if you believe others share your opinion of the place, you will typically experience a high turnover as everyone who can get another job, does. This in turn leaves the company full of incompetent people, who can't get a decent job.
posted by krisjohn at 4:39 PM on January 15, 2007
My boss frequently yells and even curses at me over things that I did not even do wrong.
Unacceptable, especially for somebody who is getting $9.75/hr.
Find a new gig, then tender your resignation.
posted by Tacos Are Pretty Great at 4:59 PM on January 15, 2007
Unacceptable, especially for somebody who is getting $9.75/hr.
Find a new gig, then tender your resignation.
posted by Tacos Are Pretty Great at 4:59 PM on January 15, 2007
I can't advise you strongly enough to quit!
I had a job like that once and it sucked away all my energy, motivation, happiness in life, etc. I quit, and got a better job. After about a year, I quit that one too, and got a better job (self-employment). Probably not the most highly advised career path, but it's working for me so far. Bottom line: there's absolutely no reason for you to settle for a job that isn't personally fulfilling for you. You give your job the best, most productive hours of your day, and thus your life. You deserve to have a fulfilling, personally rewarding life - and you especially deserve to be in a respectful environment where your boss does not yell at you. That's totally uncalled for.
I don't know where you live, so this may be entirely off-the-wall, but if you live near to a university, you might consider applying for a job there. They have lots of administrative departments so they have lots of positions for people who are good at managing lots of little things (which seems to be what you do, and you are good at it). Colleges tend to have deep pockets, so I would expect that the pay would be better, and people would probably be a lot nicer and more relaxed. (It's the non-profit environment).
Hope this helps. Quitting your job is scary but it's definitely worth it to move on to something better.
posted by crackingdes at 5:26 PM on January 15, 2007
I had a job like that once and it sucked away all my energy, motivation, happiness in life, etc. I quit, and got a better job. After about a year, I quit that one too, and got a better job (self-employment). Probably not the most highly advised career path, but it's working for me so far. Bottom line: there's absolutely no reason for you to settle for a job that isn't personally fulfilling for you. You give your job the best, most productive hours of your day, and thus your life. You deserve to have a fulfilling, personally rewarding life - and you especially deserve to be in a respectful environment where your boss does not yell at you. That's totally uncalled for.
I don't know where you live, so this may be entirely off-the-wall, but if you live near to a university, you might consider applying for a job there. They have lots of administrative departments so they have lots of positions for people who are good at managing lots of little things (which seems to be what you do, and you are good at it). Colleges tend to have deep pockets, so I would expect that the pay would be better, and people would probably be a lot nicer and more relaxed. (It's the non-profit environment).
Hope this helps. Quitting your job is scary but it's definitely worth it to move on to something better.
posted by crackingdes at 5:26 PM on January 15, 2007
You know, I m surrounded by people leading unfulfilled lives: a mom working as a custodian as a chance to get out of the house and escape the confines of being a cloistered housewife; a dad who came to the US only to find himself doing back-breaking labor for the next thirty years trying to raise a family; a brother and sister-in-law who are juggling school, work, and a baby and are being pulled taught by the demands of being a young family; a coworker who's a talented artist but cannot make the leap to focus on getting her own gallery show; a friend who's graduated from college and has been sitting in her parents' home for months now, because they encourage her to depend on them for everything, and she's never been her own person; etc...
Seriously, don't be one of the millions of people who meekly take what life doles out because it's safe. You only have a limited time to realize your dreams, want to be stuck at this job in the meantime?
posted by lychee at 5:59 PM on January 15, 2007 [1 favorite]
Seriously, don't be one of the millions of people who meekly take what life doles out because it's safe. You only have a limited time to realize your dreams, want to be stuck at this job in the meantime?
posted by lychee at 5:59 PM on January 15, 2007 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: If you can't transfer within the company to get a new boss, look for a new job.
The problem is that there is no one to go above their head. My boss is the president of my company.
posted by ForeverDcember at 6:02 PM on January 15, 2007
The problem is that there is no one to go above their head. My boss is the president of my company.
posted by ForeverDcember at 6:02 PM on January 15, 2007
I get paid $9.75 an hour, 40 hours a week with health insurance and a SIMPLE IRA.
Can you be a secretary? My secretary is paid about $70k per year. She is fast and prepares error free documents, but most of all, she is really bright. The less bright ones are only about $10k less well paid. Even if you don't forsee yourself in such a position long term, it is a great place to earn some cash for school (and many places will pay tuition) or whatever for another leap forward. Frankly, that salary is pretty sufficient to live on even without advancement.
posted by caddis at 6:31 PM on January 15, 2007
Can you be a secretary? My secretary is paid about $70k per year. She is fast and prepares error free documents, but most of all, she is really bright. The less bright ones are only about $10k less well paid. Even if you don't forsee yourself in such a position long term, it is a great place to earn some cash for school (and many places will pay tuition) or whatever for another leap forward. Frankly, that salary is pretty sufficient to live on even without advancement.
posted by caddis at 6:31 PM on January 15, 2007
My boss frequently yells and even curses at me over things that I did not even do wrong
Quit. No job is worth that.
But as everyone else has said, find yourself another job first. The great thing about a "girl friday" type job is that you do a bit of everthing and have a great range of experience. Which bits of your job give you most satisfaction? Which bits do you want to do more of? Tailor your CV to highlight those areas and go for it.
And resign gracefully. Tempting as it is to resign in a blaze of glory and tell them exactly what you think of them, resist - they're not worth it. Good luck!
posted by finding.perdita at 6:53 PM on January 15, 2007
Quit. No job is worth that.
But as everyone else has said, find yourself another job first. The great thing about a "girl friday" type job is that you do a bit of everthing and have a great range of experience. Which bits of your job give you most satisfaction? Which bits do you want to do more of? Tailor your CV to highlight those areas and go for it.
And resign gracefully. Tempting as it is to resign in a blaze of glory and tell them exactly what you think of them, resist - they're not worth it. Good luck!
posted by finding.perdita at 6:53 PM on January 15, 2007
Best answer: NO job is worth unhappiness like yours.
Lots of very excellent advice here. Indeed, no job is worth that kind of boss and the undefined job description - 'do whatever they feel like I should do that day' is servitude, not a job. I was in a very similar position, and my only regret is that I stayed at the place far longer than I should of. No job is worth being unhappy for. Everyone should have at least one crappy job in their life (hopefully just out of college, to get it out of the way) so that they have an appreciation of what the working world is like. Having said that, again, no job is worth unhappiness (yes, I'm a broken record here, but it's true).
Find what you want to do and make in roads to doing it - heck, even if you like the managerial aspects of clerical (which is fine - we're the ones holding the company together!), find some other workplace to do it in. They are out there. You deserve better - no guilt involved here.
All the usual caveats apply - see if you can find a job elsewhere while you still have your job. And Finding.perdita is absolutely right regarding leaving gracefully... these kind of companies are not worth it. Success truly is the best revenge. Get a resignation letter from these fine folks, make your escape, and don't look back. Milk your resume and experience for all its worth... contact me if you have questions or need support. And, of course, welcome to MeFi!
posted by rmm at 7:18 PM on January 15, 2007
Lots of very excellent advice here. Indeed, no job is worth that kind of boss and the undefined job description - 'do whatever they feel like I should do that day' is servitude, not a job. I was in a very similar position, and my only regret is that I stayed at the place far longer than I should of. No job is worth being unhappy for. Everyone should have at least one crappy job in their life (hopefully just out of college, to get it out of the way) so that they have an appreciation of what the working world is like. Having said that, again, no job is worth unhappiness (yes, I'm a broken record here, but it's true).
Find what you want to do and make in roads to doing it - heck, even if you like the managerial aspects of clerical (which is fine - we're the ones holding the company together!), find some other workplace to do it in. They are out there. You deserve better - no guilt involved here.
All the usual caveats apply - see if you can find a job elsewhere while you still have your job. And Finding.perdita is absolutely right regarding leaving gracefully... these kind of companies are not worth it. Success truly is the best revenge. Get a resignation letter from these fine folks, make your escape, and don't look back. Milk your resume and experience for all its worth... contact me if you have questions or need support. And, of course, welcome to MeFi!
posted by rmm at 7:18 PM on January 15, 2007
Said caddis:
>Can you be a secretary? My secretary is paid about $70k per year.
Let no one be misled: very few secretaries will make that much, outside of the large metro areas (where caddis lives).
posted by yclipse at 7:24 PM on January 15, 2007
>Can you be a secretary? My secretary is paid about $70k per year.
Let no one be misled: very few secretaries will make that much, outside of the large metro areas (where caddis lives).
posted by yclipse at 7:24 PM on January 15, 2007
You don't mention your location, age, education level. Employment is a bit of science- 'supply and demand'... and part high school-'who you know'. You are obviously feeling under-utilized and under-appreciated. If you have no dependents, I suggest 'go for it'.
I can't reiterate enough to you advice already given... do NOT burn any bridges. Give a two week notice, do NOT bad mouth the company to your cohorts, and bow out gracefully. I can make one promise to you... such an exit will be remembered and could very well help you in 3, 5, 7 or 15 years. Trust me.
posted by bytemover at 8:12 PM on January 15, 2007
I can't reiterate enough to you advice already given... do NOT burn any bridges. Give a two week notice, do NOT bad mouth the company to your cohorts, and bow out gracefully. I can make one promise to you... such an exit will be remembered and could very well help you in 3, 5, 7 or 15 years. Trust me.
posted by bytemover at 8:12 PM on January 15, 2007
What bytemover said. No matter how tempting, don't burn bridges.
posted by xammerboy at 12:06 AM on January 16, 2007
posted by xammerboy at 12:06 AM on January 16, 2007
I suggest you start looking for a new job now, while you're still at this one; an easy way to start would be to use a placement agency; they'll do a lot of the legwork with potential new employers so you don't have to make furtive phone calls on every lunchbreak. You'll only need to make one appointment to go in to their office for an interview and skills review kind of thing, and that can be passed off as a doctor's appointment. Subsequent interviews might be an issue, but that's true if you try this on your own, too.
Your experience and skill-set is VERY marketable; there are lots of companies that need people who do what you do, and now that you have 2 years' experience, it might be a good time to look for the next thing. Maybe a job at a bigger company, with more responsibility? Maybe a job at a company the same size, but with a purpose or philosophy that you find more attractive? Definitely a job where your work is more appreciated.
Stick with your current job as long as you can bear; you might find that once you have talked to one or two placement agencies, that your current job is more bearable because you're working on leaving it. Even if you end up finding a job on your own, talking with an agency will help you figure out what you want, and what the questions are you should be asking yourself and your potential next employers.
posted by Sprout the Vulgarian at 7:25 AM on January 16, 2007
Your experience and skill-set is VERY marketable; there are lots of companies that need people who do what you do, and now that you have 2 years' experience, it might be a good time to look for the next thing. Maybe a job at a bigger company, with more responsibility? Maybe a job at a company the same size, but with a purpose or philosophy that you find more attractive? Definitely a job where your work is more appreciated.
Stick with your current job as long as you can bear; you might find that once you have talked to one or two placement agencies, that your current job is more bearable because you're working on leaving it. Even if you end up finding a job on your own, talking with an agency will help you figure out what you want, and what the questions are you should be asking yourself and your potential next employers.
posted by Sprout the Vulgarian at 7:25 AM on January 16, 2007
Yes look for a new job. Don't quit till you have one. Give 2 weeks notice and don't be utterly shocked if your boss screams at you to get out right now. Be polite not punitive. Put something other than "girl friday" on your resume (sheesh what a sexist job title!).
So yes what everybody else said, except for one thing. Have a target date to start a new job in your head. Only you and your significant other need to know this date. But it is important to have an internal, flexible deadline to the effect of "I am going to improve my life by starting a new job on or by June 1." Write it down and tape it to the fridge if you have to.
posted by ilsa at 8:19 AM on January 16, 2007
So yes what everybody else said, except for one thing. Have a target date to start a new job in your head. Only you and your significant other need to know this date. But it is important to have an internal, flexible deadline to the effect of "I am going to improve my life by starting a new job on or by June 1." Write it down and tape it to the fridge if you have to.
posted by ilsa at 8:19 AM on January 16, 2007
Best answer: It is easier to find a job when you have a job.
Repeat.
It is easier to find a job when you have a job.
It's irrational, but it's human nature. You will be more employable if you are currently employed, and it will make your current job more bearable to know you have a path.
That said, don't jump ship to something worse. A deadline is good, but the right job is better. Not the perfect job, but the right one.
The problem with parents is that many of them think that you stay with a job forever. You don't say how old you are, but if you're in your 20's, it's likely you will have many different careers. Two years is a perfectly respectable amount of time to have stayed at an employer. (I realize there are exceptions, but not in this case. 2 years is fine.)
Most employers will be happy to schedule you for interviews before work, after work, or during lunch. All you have to say is, out of respect to my current employer, I need to schedule interviews to have the least impact on my work. EVERYONE will respect that; if they don't, skip them, you don't want to work for them.
Also, you should think about how to brand yourself. Don't think of yourself just in terms of line item tasks you can do, look at it from a marketing perspective. From what you've written here, you:
--Front-line position with constant customer contact
--Hands-on experience in accounts payable and receivable, including collections
--Handled heavy phones and excellent phone manner
--Computer literate [list all the programs you are good at]
--Assisted with shipping and receiving
--Managed inventory of [x business] consisting of [x items]
--Reported to president of company
...you get the idea. You yourself probably don't think of yourself this way, and you probably do a lot more than you realize.
Also, you're not a Gal Friday. You're an experienced Office Manager - if that's what you want to be. You could also be an executive assistant, work with bookkeeping, or get a job as an administrative assistant in an office in an industry that interests you.
finally, what everyone else said: make your letter of resignation as simple as possible: "it is with regret i tender my resignation effective x date. thank you for the opportunity and i wish you and the company every success." is what i have written EVERY time I have resigned, no matter what the circumstances are.
luck.
posted by micawber at 2:17 PM on January 16, 2007
Repeat.
It is easier to find a job when you have a job.
It's irrational, but it's human nature. You will be more employable if you are currently employed, and it will make your current job more bearable to know you have a path.
That said, don't jump ship to something worse. A deadline is good, but the right job is better. Not the perfect job, but the right one.
The problem with parents is that many of them think that you stay with a job forever. You don't say how old you are, but if you're in your 20's, it's likely you will have many different careers. Two years is a perfectly respectable amount of time to have stayed at an employer. (I realize there are exceptions, but not in this case. 2 years is fine.)
Most employers will be happy to schedule you for interviews before work, after work, or during lunch. All you have to say is, out of respect to my current employer, I need to schedule interviews to have the least impact on my work. EVERYONE will respect that; if they don't, skip them, you don't want to work for them.
Also, you should think about how to brand yourself. Don't think of yourself just in terms of line item tasks you can do, look at it from a marketing perspective. From what you've written here, you:
--Front-line position with constant customer contact
--Hands-on experience in accounts payable and receivable, including collections
--Handled heavy phones and excellent phone manner
--Computer literate [list all the programs you are good at]
--Assisted with shipping and receiving
--Managed inventory of [x business] consisting of [x items]
--Reported to president of company
...you get the idea. You yourself probably don't think of yourself this way, and you probably do a lot more than you realize.
Also, you're not a Gal Friday. You're an experienced Office Manager - if that's what you want to be. You could also be an executive assistant, work with bookkeeping, or get a job as an administrative assistant in an office in an industry that interests you.
finally, what everyone else said: make your letter of resignation as simple as possible: "it is with regret i tender my resignation effective x date. thank you for the opportunity and i wish you and the company every success." is what i have written EVERY time I have resigned, no matter what the circumstances are.
luck.
posted by micawber at 2:17 PM on January 16, 2007
« Older Looking for Attractive Fluid CSS Examples | How do I trick me into doing what I want me to do? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
My advice to you is move on, but do it the smart way-- give notice after you've been hired for the next job.
I've known people in exactly your situation with exactly your job, and if the company isn't doing anything to make you happier, bolt as quick as you can find another job. You'll never look back.
posted by mcstayinskool at 3:08 PM on January 15, 2007