The Work Sux Thread

[Jeysie]

Yes, but how do you know for sure you've already found all that you've got?

I don't... however, I have determined that I am lacking in the skills I find enviable, as well as the skills my observations tell me are necessary for most high-level jobs.

Peace & Luv, Liz

[copycat]

I don't... however, I have determined that I am lacking in the skills I find enviable, as well as the skills my observations tell me are necessary for most high-level jobs.

You can also get satisfaction from a bit less than high-level jobs too, you know, and sometimes even be able to live fairly comfortably, at least overhere and where I work. I know the situation in the US is probably a bit different from ours, which is yet another reason why there's only quick-wins involed if you move (to) here.
BTW, yes there are also skills I wouldn't mind having, but that doesn't mean I am not happy with what I've got.

[dew7]

Yeah, convince her Copycat!

[Jeysie]

You can also get satisfaction from a bit less than high-level jobs too, you know, and sometimes even be able to live fairly comfortably, at least overhere and where I work.

Heh. I can't even get a medium-level job. Heck, I can't even get a full-time job, a fact which Harrison b****es at me about on a regular basis.

BTW, yes there are also skills I wouldn't mind having, but that doesn't mean I am not happy with what I've got.

I'd be happy if I had some skills that produced results that were unique to me, as opposed to all my skills being things a robot could do. There's no joy in knowing that the stuff you can do well, *anybody* could do just as well, and thus you're disposable/expendable. (Which is why I can't get anything other than disposable jobs.)

Peace & Luv, Liz

[Yonkey]

The key is finding a job that you like.  It doesn't matter if it's high-level or low-level, it just has to be something that makes you happy.

I would start by going over what your interests/skills are, then seeing which jobs require such things.  If you're not sure what they are, then start trying out new things.  You can never know your true talent until you discover it.  

[copycat]

Heh. I can't even get a medium-level job. Heck, I can't even get a full-time job, a fact which Harrison b****es at me about on a regular basis.

Maybe that comes from concern that you're not using your 'full potential'?

I'd be happy if I had some skills that produced results that were unique to me, as opposed to all my skills being things a robot could do. There's no joy in knowing that the stuff you can do well, *anybody* could do just as well, and thus you're disposable/expendable. (Which is why I can't get anything other than disposable jobs.)

I am a realist too, I know everybody is expendable. I do not kid myself, there are very few jobs in the world that cannot be done by a robot, and their number is decreasing rapidly. Heck, probably there's somebody out there who can do my job better and faster. However, I do what I'm supposed to do, at an acceptable pace, so there is no need for my company to go and find a replacement, be it human or machine. There's probably still some unique skill you haven't discovered yet, or not noticed, and unfortunately I can't help you in that, other than tell you to keep looking.  

[Jeysie]

Yonkey: Well, I already have a job that fits most of my skill set. The problem is that I hate it and it pays crappy.

CC: Well, theoretically everyone is expendable, yes. However, to give an example... let's say a company needs a logo done. Both artist A and artist B can make a logo. However, the chances are high they will make two different logos, and thus it matters which artist makes the logo.

But when all you're doing is filing papers, there's really only one good way to file them, which is file clerk-independent, and thus it doesn't matter who does it.

It might not matter to other people, but it matters to my mind-set. It's just the way I am.

Peace & Luv, Liz

[copycat]

CC: Well, theoretically everyone is expendable, yes. However, to give an example... let's say a company needs a logo done. Both artist A and artist B can make a logo. However, the chances are high they will make two different logos, and thus it matters which artist makes the logo.

And yet, there's only one logo that will be used, so either artist A is expendable for that job, or artist B is.

But when all you're doing is filing papers, there's really only one good way to file them, which is file clerk-independent, and thus it doesn't matter who does it.

If only we had someone on our department that could file paper the right way... The one we have now is, unfortunately, 'protected' from high places. And yes, it's not a full time job, but we manage to keep her busy most of the time, and to be honest, I think her skill-set is even less than yours, Jeysie. However, maybe in a few months/years (politics supply a very uncertain time-frame), with all the changes that are happening now, the filing position will be a full-time job. So in short: not every clerk knows how to file papers the good way.

[Jeysie]

And yet, there's only one logo that will be used, so either artist A is expendable for that job, or artist B is.

Ah, but the person who gets the job will have gotten it because of their own unique personal skill, not because they just happened to be the right monkey in the right place at the right time.

short: not every clerk knows how to file papers the good way.

Not to start with, maybe, but since there's only one way to do it right and it doesn't require any unique thinking, just following instructions, you can always train a clerk how to do it. Of course, basic sorting skills are taught in public school, and fairly young at that, so there's little excuse for someone not to know them if they've had normal schooling.

Peace & Luv, Liz

[Yonkey]

Ah, but the person who gets the job will have gotten it because of their own unique personal skill, not because they just happened to be the right monkey in the right place at the right time.

I don't completely agree with that.  Luck does play a huge part in getting jobs and opportunities.  If you didn't apply to the right place at the right time you wouldn't even be considered for the job, regardless of your skills.  Skills do play a role, but I've been qualified and even overqualified for jobs and still never received call backs for even an interview.  

The other thing is you are lucky to even have a job!  It's incredibly hard to find any job with this economy.  Even though you may hate it, it gives you some income to pay bills and financial freedom to save up and buy something.  You also never have to hear the constant nagging from family, friends and relatives about where you're working and/or why you still haven't found something.

[J-ROC]

Not having a job is awful.  It's been five months now.  Kinda fun at first, especially when playoffs were on.   Now it sucks, bigtime.

Looking for work is depressing.  I'm getting desperate enough to take a job that I know I"m going to hate so I don't have to stress about money so much.

And advertised jobs only comprise of UP TO 30% of the jobs out there.  Jobs are found with good timing and good networking  (approximately 70%, of course).  I'm having trouble with this networking bit.  Bleh.  All someone in your network has to do is know what you do and think of you when they know a job is available.  Put a face with your name and skills and your chances increase greatly.

[Jeysie]

I guess what it boils down to is that I wish I had creative skills for a job... so I can look at something I did/made and say, "There's a little of me in there." Everything I do/am good at is person-independent... it doesn't matter whether *I* do it or not. There's nothing unique or original about my skill set at all.

As for money I can pay bills... or rather, I give Harrison a lot less money per month than I should be and he pays the bills, which is also something that bothers me... but I can't save up any money. My math tells me I should have extra money, but it keeps going to buy stuff I couldn't afford with my previous even-more-poorly paying jobs.

The money thing bugs me a lot... the fact that if for some reason Harrison made me move out, or was too broke to pay the bills, I'd have to move back in with my mother because I can't make enough money to support myself on my own.

I've been out of a job and looking for a job 11 times now, so I'm used to that. And every single job I've taken has been "just because I needed the money" because I could never find anything better.

And networking is my downfall. I'm terrible at small talk, so the only people I talk to often are people I know well enough to have "meaningful" conversations with. Which means I've only ever had just a very small group of close friends... and right now I have exactly one close friend.

And then there's the whole "personal contacts" thing, which is also a problem for me, because I have none. (Or rather I have Harrison, but who's going to take serious a personal contact that lives with you?) I never understood that anyway. If you want to know how good a worker is at their job, shouldn't you like, just call the bosses at their previous jobs? What does their personal life have to do with it?

My shyness and tendency to keep to myself is a problem... not only does it interfere with my getting a job, but most medium and high-level jobs require strong people skills.

Peace & Luv, Liz

[J-ROC]

I guess what it boils down to is that I wish I had creative skills for a job... so I can look at something I did/made and say, "There's a little of me in there." Everything I do/am good at is person-independent... it doesn't matter whether *I* do it or not. There's nothing unique or original about my skill set at all.

Nothing unique about mine, either.  I'm a chemical engineer.  Plenty of those out there.  I was a corporal in the military. Dime a dozen.  I didn't do anything spectacular at my last job either.  But somehow I've found a way to make it seem like I've actually accomplished stuff.  Instead of saying "I supervised cement jobs", I say, "Entrusted to supervise a technical service with multi-million dollar equipment".   You, Liz, are a unique person, whether you're willing to admit it or not.  You need to find out what parts of your personality make you different from other people and use THAT as your selling point.

And networking is my downfall. I'm terrible at small talk, so the only people I talk to often are people I know well enough to have "meaningful" conversations with. Which means I've only ever had just a very small group of close friends... and right now I have exactly one close friend.

Networking isn't making close friends.  Networking is making contacts.  People you can call every so often and ask what's going on in the workplace.  Instead of making small talk, develop a script of questions.  Ask questions about the company the person works out.  Ask questions about what employers are looking for in the position you want.  Ask if they know of anyone else you can talk to.
It's not easy, but even the shy can do it.

[Jeysie]

You, Liz, are a unique person, whether you're willing to admit it or not.  You need to find out what parts of your personality make you different from other people and use THAT as your selling point.

If I could think of any, I would.

Networking isn't making close friends. Networking is making contacts.

I know networking isn't making close friends. I meant that I'm bad at talking to people who are (and ever going to be) just acquaintances.

Plus I already have the only type of job I'm good at, and it's not exactly the type of job that requires "connections" to find. I'm more worried about the fact that non-retail jobs almost always want personal/business contacts from you.

And being shy hurts in interviews, too. While I've been to several interviews, I've only gotten one job from them, and that's only because (as my bosses told me) every other applicant either was a moron or didn't really understand what the job was/required. That's why I've had so many retail jobs... they pretty much sign up anyone who shows up.

Peace & Luv, Liz

[copycat]

I don't completely agree with that.  Luck does play a huge part in getting jobs and opportunities.  If you didn't apply to the right place at the right time you wouldn't even be considered for the job, regardless of your skills.  Skills do play a role, but I've been qualified and even overqualified for jobs and still never received call backs for even an interview.  

I agree, you need some degree of luck. Okay, so my knwledge got me a 13th place in the ranking, but even then it was lucky those 23 ranked above me did not respond to the job offer (maybe they already had a job, or they just didn't like it, you could refuse two at that time) and I did. And now I have good luck in the colleagues I work with.
BTW, I don't have any networking skills either, and they surely didn't help with me getting this job either. I can safely say I did it all by myself. My luck also consisted in the fact I didn't have to take an interview to get this job, because I too was bad in 'selling myself'. At least that's what one interviewer once told me. At that time I also didn't know exactly what [”]all of my skills were (I discoverd the SQL-part by, yes, chance), but being depressed might also account for that at that time

The other thing is you are lucky to even have a job!  It's incredibly hard to find any job with this economy.

I thought the economy was on the rise again? In any way, our department doesn't care about the economy, we just ask for more personnel as the workload increases, and it increases year after year. And nobody[b/], except maybe the filing clerk-lady, (who I'd rather have replaced with someone like Jeysie). has lots of time to spare. Although the department head does seem to have a lot of time to go take a walk around the office, and calling people into his office... but that's because he's transferred almost all (if not all) of his duties to the financial expert. And the fact that has managing skills seem rather inexistant, that ofcourse does not do good in how we look at him.

You also never have to hear the constant nagging from family, friends and relatives about where you're working and/or why you still haven't found something.

No nagging for me, or rather none I can remember. Nowadays, I get the occasional nagging about my relationships to (certain) females, but that's as far as it goes.

[Jeysie]

My mom doesn't nag me about my job... as long as I'm happy she's happy. My mom's family doesn't bring up the matter either... they seem more concerned with the career of any man I choose to closely associate with.

Relationships, on the other hand... *that* they nag me about frequently. Any time I so much as passingly mention a fellow I know, they pounce like I'm engaged to him. (They were rather disappointed to hear that Harrison and I were just friends.) I haven't the heart to tell them I don't want children... they might never recover.

Harrison nags me often about not having a full-time job, and not being able to afford to own a car, however.

The job economy here in the US is horrible. Higher productivity (via both positive and negative ways) and needing to cut costs has resulted in the loss of many jobs, as well as the increasing trend of porting a large number of jobs into foreign countries to further cut costs by being able to get away with paying terrible wages and no benefits.

And I find some of your phrasing curious CC... the "right to refuse two jobs"? Why would someone not be able to choose not to pursue a job they applied to? It's unusual perhaps, but I don't see why someone would not be allowed to do so.

Peace & Luv, Liz

[Yonkey]

I thought the economy was on the rise again?

Nope.  Well maybe it is rising, but it's no where near as good as it was 4-5 years ago.  There's too much supply and not enough demand.  And as Jeysie said, most companies are outsourcing from third world countries because they can get away with cheaper labour there.  

The nagging I'm talking about is more like "When are you going to get a job?  Have you found one yet?  WTF are you doing all day? etc, etc, etc".  The unintentional nagging is when people ask "So, what do you do?  Where do you work?  Have you tried...?"  As if it's so easy to find a job period, let alone finding a decent one.  

[copycat]

Relationships, on the other hand... *that* they nag me about frequently. Any time I so much as passingly mention a fellow I know, they pounce like I'm engaged to him.

Yes, I've had that too, I was just going to meet a female friend of mine (and yes, those encounters are indeed rare) and they were already asking if they should go and bring out the champagne.

And I find some of your phrasing curious CC... the "right to refuse two jobs"? Why would someone not be able to choose not to pursue a job they applied to? It's unusual perhaps, but I don't see why someone would not be allowed to do so.

They took part in an exam to find a job as 'expert (bookkeeper)', which would put you in a 'pool' from which certain governmental companies could choose from when they needed such a person. So, those who refuse might think it's too far, so they'd have to travel too much to get there, or maybe they just have other plans at that time, and it doesn't suit them. that's why they could refuse, but only twice though. More than that, and you'd be removed from the 'pool'.

[Jeysie]

Blast it, I am well and determined to get this post into the right fluffin' thread!

Yes, I've had that too, I was just going to meet a female friend of mine (and yes, those encounters are indeed rare) and they were already asking if they should go and bring out the champagne.

In my case, it's especially bad because my mom's family are all Catholics. (groan)

They took part in an exam to find a job as 'expert (bookkeeper)', which would put you in a 'pool' from which certain governmental companies could choose from when they needed such a person. So, those who refuse might think it's too far, so they'd have to travel too much to get there, or maybe they just have other plans at that time, and it doesn't suit them. that's why they could refuse, but only twice though. More than that, and you'd be removed from the 'pool'.

Ahh. Hmm. I'm not certain how such a thing would work here... the only application I ever made for a goverment job was an abortive attempt to apply for a mail sorter position.

Peace & Luv, Liz

[Yonkey]

Blast it, I am well and determined to get this post into the right fluffin' thread!

Hehe, that was my fault for splitting it while you were still writing.  

Anyway, I know lots of people have gripes about work and work-related stresses, so that's what this thread is for.