I went to a class today that talked about values of the company and then we were divided into groups and were to answer some questions about ourselves.
One question that got me thinking today was what do you do for the company. So I started explaining my duties and one lady in my group asked how many people were on my team and I said I work individually, I don't have a team. Her response was a raised brow.
Then the next subject/question was asked. My thoughts were, "Wait, there's more...I'm not done telling you what I do".
I know I have a lot of work and am pretty sure I work outside of my classification, but I like keeping busy and I like learning new things. But, I am tired and would like to see our pay rate freeze be unfrozen anytime soon.
So, I just looked at 4 local utilities and found a position I could easily fit into and make more money. I will assume it is less work because it is focused on one thing. How do I find out about the benefits they offer? Do I call HR and ask them? Before making a move, I will need to weigh all the benefits and pay combined, as I have 16 years in this job.
So, I will call and ask unless there is a better way of finding out. Can anyone share their career change experience, to be sure it is right for you.
I haven't done this in a while and would like to make more money. I have waited for our pay freeze to end and it has been about 5 years now. The contract has ended and the negotiation is tiresome at my current job. I shoot photography on the side, so if I get bored, I can just pick up more work that way.
Thanks everyone. I will do some searching online and see if I find anything about the company and call their HR department. As well, I forgot I have a friend in the HR field, I will ask what is acceptable.
I am not in a position to settle right now. I have a job that pays well, however, I work outside of my class. That means my employer DOES NOT pay me for some of the level of work I do. They are getting off cheap. If it seems I am all about the money, that is the reason I go to work. After 4 quick online searches, I found an opening that I may or may not apply for that I easily fit the listed qualifications for. If that doesn't wake someone up, what will??? Before I bother to apply, I would like to see if their benefits and pay out weigh what I currently have. Why would anyone in their right mind leave a job for less pay & benefits, if they didn't have to. Just to be clear, I don't go to work to do my employer a favor, nor does my employer pay me as a favor.
Yes, I could always use the interview experience, so I may apply just to gain experience in the outside world. I have interviewed many times within my current employer, as sometimes they make it mandatory that people within certain areas apply and go through the practical testing.
As for the job posting that would be easier, I get bored easy. In my 16 years, I have worked in just about every capacity of the office. The other position is a phone position. I am afraid I may get bored.
So for anyone who thinks a job is not all about the money, you have bills to pay, and children at home...rethink why you get up and leave your family for 10 hours everyday. Further, when an entry position pays better than what someone is making after 16 years, hellooooo. Sometimes you have to make changes.
Everyone else, please feel free to drop in your advice. I would love to hear of any ways of finding out how an employer is good to work for or not, without hearing only the bad stories. I know there are some great places to work out there. Kind of like a rate your professor.
It's like a face/palm to me...should have looked a long time ago.
Thanks again.
You should just apply for the job and see what happens. If you get an interview, it sounds like you could need the practice since you have been at the same place for 16 years. You could always discuss duties and benefits at this time. You always have the option to take or not take the job if it is offered to you.
Generally you ask about the benefit package at the interview, generally things like what is offered but no specifics. You get the specifics if a job offer is made.
Like if you were interviewing here you would be told you get paid vacation and sick leave, 401k, profit sharing and health and life insurance. There would be no mention of how these look very different for different positions. To ask for more information than that would be a huge turn off for the employer. Although no one works for nothing when it sounds like you are only about the money and having an easier job you don't sound like someone a new employer would want to deal with.
Even if a job will be easier a potential employer wants to hear you are looking for a bigger challenge.
It seems to me like you are getting way ahead of yourself.
You found a position at another company which interests you. GREAT. Apply aka submit your resume.
If you are offered an interview, go on the interview and ask questions only about the workplace, the work, and the interviewer's experience being there.
WHEN AND IF you are offered the position, THEN you CAN discover benefits and negotiate what would be best for the company and for you. This is the point where you get to consider if the total package is something you can agree to or not but not before then. It's bad form and can get you NOT hired fast.
Call the HR at the place. Also it never hurts to interview. At the close of the interview ask those questions.
Yes, 16 years at a company is long but you are probably burnt out. The 'raised brow' was a sign. You are going to be under the radar now. Stay and prove them wrong or move elsewhere and start fresh. But, know that the new company may call them for a reference so don't show that you are frustrated a work. Have plan B ready and move when you find a suitable replacement.
I really hate the world of work nowadays. They want blood from workers. The problem is that workers are so scared of firing or layoffs that bosses and companies get away with so much!
After my last experience working I would talk to people who have left the company and why they left. The last place I worked they mico-managed you to death. If your break was 15.5 or 16 minutes they called you out on it but if you skipped your second break or stayed late that day nothing was said. It was a call center or phone job and you had to punch in and out on the computer you worked on that day. You also had to change your status from available to away from desk if you had to go to the restroom. If you changed your status to away from desk you got called on it, restroom visits were to be done on breaks or lunch. You also had no assigned work area, you sat in whatever spot was open when you got in. Since it was not outbound calls but inbound calls you could sit an hour between calls but you couldn't leave your desk and you couldn't leave anything when you were done each day. So if you wanted to bring a book to read between calls you had to lug it back and forth each day. I also had a 4 block walk to and from my car every day. It took me longer to walk to and from my car than it did to drive it to work. And you had to lug everything with you each day.
When I applied for the job and I accepted it and at orientation I had no idea what I had agreed to. For me it was a hellhole to work in, I quit after 5 weeks.
The grass is always greener..... But talk so some friends, see if they know anyone who worked for this company and how they treated their employees.
I also applied for and accepted a job at Joanne Fabrics and quit after one day. I had worked in 2 other fabric stores and have been sewing longer than the manager has been alive but when I was told at orientation a manager would be looking through my purse and all employees to make sure I hadn't stolen anything I quit. They did a background check on me. I have no police record -- have never been arrested or even questioned -- have no traffic violations etc. I was highly insulted.
Again the grass is always greener....
I completely get what you are saying. You obviously can't really just call and ask about pay and benefits because you might not get answers or it doesn't give a good impression of you. On the other hand, you need to know this information in order to figure out whether or not you want to even waste your time applying for the position. My favorite website is www.glassdoor.com. When I changed jobs, I was able to read feedback from past and present employees as well as get an idea of what the salary and benefits package looked like. Anyone can add feedback and a salary (anonymously) so it isn't necessarily the most accurate, but it does paint a really good picture for you. I was able to negotiate a higher salary based on what I saw my position made on there. It gave me the confidence to counter offer and they accepted what I was asking. Good luck to you. I do find that companies these days overwork and underpay big time. I hope you find what you are looking for.
