Frustrated with work

[Burt_Macklin]

Management really doesn’t hold anyone accountable and it is starting to get frustrating and cause more work than it should.

For example

I’ve had a few of my colleagues recently who’ve failed drug tests and shown up too drunk to work. This includes one coworker who ran up a 1500 dollar bill at a strip club and then accidentally put it on the company credit card. Nobody has lost their job for any of it. The only difference is that we’re all getting drug tested much more frequently and supposedly we will be given no more mulligans. I wouldn’t really care but I’m supposed to be training some of these men and they’re just useless. It’s just easier to do the work myself than ask anyone for help. So far in the past 2 years nobody has made any progress in training or shown any signs of being able to lighten the work load.

There are also a good number of corners being cut during work. Things are getting pencil whipped or done incorrectly and it takes forever to get anyone to correct the mistakes. You have to look at any of the information that you receive with skepticism. It’s frustrating to try and solve a problem when the information you receive is at best outdated and at worst deceptive.

Anyway, I went to interview with our main competitor recently and interviewed right after the only coworker I have who’s of any use. He was selected over me. I’m happy for him and all but also frustrated that I’m left all alone now. We have the same educational background and same years of experience so I think he just had a better interview and asked for less money.

I guess what I need is good resume and interviewing tips because I’m getting nowhere with the job search. I’m keeping an excel sheet; In the past 6 months I’ve applied for 54 jobs which has resulted in 4 phone screens and 1 second interview. But now the job market is really slowing down and I’m worried I’ll be stuck where I am longer.

 

[1ke]

That stinks. There is no excuse for tolerating such behavior. If management is unable or unwilling to do their job, yes it is time to leave.

Besides just commiserating with you… I can offer some practical advice. As with all free advice, YMMV and you may have already done/thought of some of this.

First, if you haven’t joined LinkedIn do so. But beyond simply joining take the tutorials on how to use LinkedIn effectively. Join relevant groups on LinkedIn also.

Secondly, join national or local professional organizations that represent your area of expertise. This is a resume builder as well as a networking and job posting opportunity.

Third, sign up for a Lynda.com account for a month or two and take the courses on the site related to resume writing, interviewing, presentation skills, dress for success, etc.

Also, use the time on that site to bone up on any technical or soft skills you wish you had but don’t, or skills that need updating. For example, Excel, SharePoint, Project Management, Six Sigma, Sales, Business Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, etc. They have so many courses, and you can build your resume through online courses.

 

[Burt_Macklin]

Thanks, 1ke. I’m couldn’t get any feedback from the interview but I did get some advice on what I need to improve on from my old coworker. The bad news is that he also advised me to stay put as there a number of layoffs coming up where I want to go. The one thing that I have going for me is that I’m not likely to be let go in my current job as I’m currently the only one certified to work on a number of our products. I’m building a Linkedin profile and I’ll give Lynda a try. In your experience is it worth hiring a resume writer as well?

 

[SWolf]

Management really doesn’t hold anyone accountable and it is starting to get frustrating and cause more work than it should.

For example

I’ve had a few of my colleagues recently who’ve failed drug tests and shown up too drunk to work. This includes one coworker who ran up a 1500 dollar bill at a strip club and then accidentally put it on the company credit card. Nobody has lost their job for any of it. The only difference is that we’re all getting drug tested much more frequently and supposedly we will be given no more mulligans. I wouldn’t really care but I’m supposed to be training some of these men and they’re just useless. It’s just easier to do the work myself than ask anyone for help. So far in the past 2 years nobody has made any progress in training or shown any signs of being able to lighten the work load.

There are also a good number of corners being cut during work. Things are getting pencil whipped or done incorrectly and it takes forever to get anyone to correct the mistakes. You have to look at any of the information that you receive with skepticism. It’s frustrating to try and solve a problem when the information you receive is at best outdated and at worst deceptive.

Anyway, I went to interview with our main competitor recently and interviewed right after the only coworker I have who’s of any use. He was selected over me. I’m happy for him and all but also frustrated that I’m left all alone now. We have the same educational background and same years of experience so I think he just had a better interview and asked for less money.

I guess what I need is good resume and interviewing tips because I’m getting nowhere with the job search. I’m keeping an excel sheet; In the past 6 months I’ve applied for 54 jobs which has resulted in 4 phone screens and 1 second interview. But now the job market is really slowing down and I’m worried I’ll be stuck where I am longer.

You’re doing the right thing by trying to make your exit.

1. What’s your field?
2. Are you willing to move?
3. Are you willing to take a pay cut?
4. Do you enjoy your field of work?

For interviewing, the best strategy I have employed is learning the company you are interviewing, and asking about how well they implement the best practices of your field and the processes they have in place. If you put them on the defensive and make them prove their company is good enough for YOU, instead of the other way around, it can work wonders.

Also, never tell them your current salary, only expected salary, and even that preferably only after they make an initial offer.

Obviously though, don’t overdo it

 

[1ke]

In your experience is it worth hiring a resume writer as well?

You know, I really don’t know. I think the resume writers will say that it is.

Frankly, I’d try going through a resume writing online tutorial and work up a good Linked In profile first. If I still wasn’t getting interviews, then I might try a writer.

With the ratio of 54:4:1 you definitely need to polish the resume. But also, interview practice is important too. I worked with a friend’s husband who had been getting many interviews and no offers. We did three rounds of coaching on interview questions-- he supplied list of questions he’d been asked on prior interviews-- and then we role played answers. I could immediately spot the “red flag” answers that were probably hanging him up. We talked through alternative verbiage. He had a new job within a month.

Maybe I should charge for that?

Find someone who has experience as a hiring manager (doesn’t have to be in your field if they are experienced, I didn’t know anything about what my friend’s husband did and I was able to give a lot of interview feedback) and role play the heck out of interviewing.

 

[on_the_hill]

Have you read the book, “Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters”? It’s a good one.

 

[steido01]

I guess what I need is good resume and interviewing tips because I’m getting nowhere with the job search. I’m keeping an excel sheet; In the past 6 months I’ve applied for 54 jobs which has resulted in 4 phone screens and 1 second interview. But now the job market is really slowing down and I’m worried I’ll be stuck where I am longer.

First off, props on the excellent Parks & Rec. reference.

Secondly, I feel your pain.

My situation is the academic version of yours. My boss is a depressed, abusive, bitter, paranoid --and incompetent-- divorcee who takes out his frustrations on the student workers if I’m not around to take the verbal beatings for his mistakes (I should have seen it coming, considering the entire department of 9 people quit/retired the month before I was hired and each filed reports with the administration). But the fool has tenure and is… well, very close with the college president. So he’s able to get away with horrible nepotism, contracting out “work” to his adult children, and having almost total autonomy from the college thanks to an associated non-profit “governed” by elderly community members who rubberstamp his every whim.

My degree is in Communication Studies and Religion, and the only jobs within 100 miles are manufacturing and manual labor. I wouldn’t know how to operate a machine even if I wanted to. I’d just as soon take out the loans, move away and head to grad school (likely seminary) – but the wife has her dream job, and she’s contracted for 3 years, minimum. So I’ve applied to 47 jobs in 4 months; 5 phone screenings, 3 requests for more information, 2 interviews, 1 second interview, and 0 offers.

It doesn’t matter how experienced you are (I have Capitol Hill experience, for crying out loud!) or how tenaciously you follow up. It’s all about who you know. And I guess we don’t know the right people.

If you want me to look over your resume, I’d be happy to do so. Or I can send you mine as a good template. It’s what I went to school to do.

 

[AKDee]

As a former interviewer, here’s a few tips that you may or may not know. Hopefully at least some of it will be of help.

1. Show up early for the interview, perhaps by 10 minutes. If you can, dress in a manner that you would dress for that job. This may mean you need to scout the job before your interview to see how other people dress.
2. Phone on silent and do not answer it if it rings. The only exception to this is if there may be an emergency situation, and if that might happen, inform your interviewer before your interview. If it does happen, apologize immediately, take the call, keep it short. But best practice is not to use your phone at all.
3. Watch your body language. I actually had a guy who broke rule #2 and took a phone call in the middle of an interview, but added to that, when his phone rang he stuck his hand out in a “Stop” motion in my face. That was extremely bad form, and if he’ll do it in an interview he’ll do it to a customer. He was not hired.
4. Do not- DO NOT- badmouth your current employer. I’m sorry, but on this one, honesty is NOT the best policy. Don’t lie, either, but find another reason that you’re interested in working for this other company and make that reason sound positive. Perhaps you know a number of people who work there and they’ve all told you it’s a great company, or perhaps you think you’ll have more opportunity for growth. But do not tell them how poorly managed your current company is, or how frustrated you are. You may be 100% justified in how you feel, but what an interviewer will hear is that you’re a malcontent. On the flip side, people love positive people.
5. As always, firm handshake, make eye contact, practice your interviewing skills in front of a mirror or with a friend, etc. Be prepared with questions to ask the interviewer that show you have a genuine interest in their company and what you can do for them, and not just what they can do for you in terms of salary and benefits.
6. Send a follow up email a day later thanking the interviewer for their time.
7. If you don’t hear back within the timeframe they told you they’d be making a decision, contact them and ask. I have known of people who were hired because they bothered to follow up.

I would, personally, contact the company you applied with and thank them for the interview, tell them they made a great choice by hiring so-and-so, and then tell them if they have another position come available you’d very much appreciate it if they’d keep your resume on file and contact you. That would be very gracious, and might land you a job there later.

Edit to add: Re applying for jobs- use the exact keywords in your application that the job posting had in it. Many companies use bots to screen applicants, and the bots are looking for keywords. Modify your resume to include those keywords so that the bot will pick up on them.

Also, check all your social networking pages. Set them to private, and scrub ANYTHING that puts you in a bad light, including any posts about “I hate my job” or where you look like you’re at a drunken frat party.

 

[Burt_Macklin]

You know, I really don’t know. I think the resume writers will say that it is.

Frankly, I’d try going through a resume writing online tutorial and work up a good Linked In profile first. If I still wasn’t getting interviews, then I might try a writer.

With the ratio of 54:4:1 you definitely need to polish the resume. But also, interview practice is important too. I worked with a friend’s husband who had been getting many interviews and no offers. We did three rounds of coaching on interview questions-- he supplied list of questions he’d been asked on prior interviews-- and then we role played answers. I could immediately spot the “red flag” answers that were probably hanging him up. We talked through alternative verbiage. He had a new job within a month.

Maybe I should charge for that?

Find someone who has experience as a hiring manager (doesn’t have to be in your field if they are experienced, I didn’t know anything about what my friend’s husband did and I was able to give a lot of interview feedback) and role play the heck out of interviewing.

I think the poor ratio has a lot to do with poor plate discipline; I’m just taking a swing at anything and everything that comes close. Plus I’ve applied for and gotten calls for jobs that haven’t fit my criteria. Mostly because they require an insane amount of travel every year, like 80% or more.

I did have a job offer about 3 years ago but when I turned in my resignation I was offered a 30% raise and promised fewer days from home. It was a different manager then, too. He was pretty good at holding people accountable but wasn’t very popular with my coworkers because he actually made them work. I was thinking at the time he would have more of an influence on things but he left pretty quickly.

I think my main problem is I’m not showing confidence in the interviews and some of of my answers tended to ramble on and not really get to the point quickly enough. Something to work on I suppose.

 

[Burt_Macklin]

You’re doing the right thing by trying to make your exit.

1. What’s your field?
2. Are you willing to move?
3. Are you willing to take a pay cut?
4. Do you enjoy your field of work?

For interviewing, the best strategy I have employed is learning the company you are interviewing, and asking about how well they implement the best practices of your field and the processes they have in place. If you put them on the defensive and make them prove their company is good enough for YOU, instead of the other way around, it can work wonders.

Also, never tell them your current salary, only expected salary, and even that preferably only after they make an initial offer.

Obviously though, don’t overdo it

I’ll be job searching on difficult. I’m not willing to relocate and I really would rather not take a pay cut. I mean, some of my pay now comes from hazard pay for dealing with places like Chad and Nigeria so I’m willing to be somewhat flexible for better accommodations.

I might be on the high side with salary. The rule is you’ll never get what you don’t ask for. If it’s unreasonable the recruiter will tell me, but I usually get it about right.

 

[StGerardMajella]

Management really doesn’t hold anyone accountable and it is starting to get frustrating and cause more work than it should.

Some ideas to consider - Try researching “Best Companies to Work For” either in your particular industry, or in industries where your skills are transferable. Your local librarian can help.

If you worked in banking, you might, for example, easily transition into accounting. You get the idea. Don’t pigeonhole yourself into a single industry if your skills can transfer to comparable industries.

This will help you broaden your search. Your resume should reflect tangible skills of value.

16personalities dot com has the Meyers Briggs test online. Take the test and take an inventory search of your skills, personality type, and aptitudes. You will be surprised at the results. Do a deep dive on your aptitudes, skills, etc. from the test I mention above.

I’ve had a few of my colleagues recently who’ve failed drug tests and shown up too drunk to work.

Wow. Talk about liabilities to management, both financial and safety-wise.

If I had to stick around, I would probably make management aware of the financial costs associated with drunk employees, let alone the reputation risk and safety concerns.

If you want to play hardball, get in anonymous contact with OSHA or one of the regulatory agencies to make them aware of the situation - key here is anonymity.

There are also a good number of corners being cut during work.

Time to move on.

I guess what I need is good resume and interviewing tips because I’m getting nowhere with the job search. I’m keeping an excel sheet; In the past 6 months I’ve applied for 54 jobs which has resulted in 4 phone screens and 1 second interview.

People tend to hire personality and attitude over technical know-how. Technical know-how is important - you have to be competent. But attitude and personality can make the difference.

If it were me, I would start with the local trade association. Start attending the events of the local trade association and make contacts in-person.

I’d also look at educational opportunities that can broaden your horizons. Is there a subject matter that really captures your attention and piques your interest? Take some night classes in a subject area that appeals to your interests, whether they are career-related or not.

Frustrated with work

Frustration can be erased with better work-life balance. Focus on improving social, spiritual, financial, career, physical fitness, family, and mental (reading, classes, etc.) areas of your life - Be well-rounded. If you are lagging in physical fitness, make that a focus. It will help with the frustration. If you haven’t pursued spiritual endeavors lately, make that a priority.

It’s hard to frustrate a well-rounded individual. Take an inventory of the seven areas mentioned above and make some commitments to taking action in those areas that are lacking.

 

[Jelrak_TB]

Have you brought your concerns to management?

 

[mommy_k]

Here is a resource for Catholic’s at work. I tried to post the link but it is not working.

Google: Catholic in the cubicle.

It gives good advice.

 

[Burt_Macklin]

As a former interviewer, here’s a few tips that you may or may not know. Hopefully at least some of it will be of help.

…

Also, check all your social networking pages. Set them to private, and scrub ANYTHING that puts you in a bad light, including any posts about “I hate my job” or where you look like you’re at a drunken frat party.

I think I’ve been positive during the interview. When they ask why I want to switch I tell them that I’ve kept in touch with my colleagues that have left for them and I feel they do a better job of training and advancing their engineers. Which is completely true. I joked with the hiring manager during the interview that they should just start calling themselves former members of current employer. I also have the hiring manager on Linkedin so hopefully if something comes up again they will think of me.

 

[Burt_Macklin]

I got two calls from prospective employers. Unfortunately, I’m out of town on a business trip so I will not be able to attend either one. The hiring managers are unable or unwilling to reschedule an interview for me and I can’t cancel or take vacation either because it took me about 4 days travel to get to site. I think I’ll have to schedule a doctor’s appointment for the same day I have an interview to ensure I can go. I just need to know far enough in advance to schedule.

Another thing that is bothering me is there is one company I’m applying for that doesn’t give me the option to not self identify on the EEO forms. I suppose that they will find out that I’m white and male before too long but I’d rather keep them guessing for as long as possible. I’m even thinking of faking a diversity if it will help me get an interview.

 

[dedo]

I am not in your field so I cannot identify with your situation.

However, although I am grateful to be where I am and amazed by how talented by coworkers are, there are still things I would like to see done differently.

My focus is to just keep trying to be the best I can be and just try and fix what can be fixed.
Thus, I don’t worry about what I do not have control over.

Many people here have encouraged you to move on, but it sounds to me that in spite of all the problems where you are, you are a valued asset in your current situation in a very tough job market. Few people can say that in this day of age.

So another option is to be the best you can be where you are, and change what you can as your responsibility increases.

One day, you may be the one in charge and will have the ability to change the issues you discussed.

Getting to that point requires continuing to be the great asset that you have made yourself.

Good luck.