Decision Time...

[Reephdweller]

I've been working at my company for close to 9 years now. I've worked my way from customer service rep to national account monitor to my current post as an administrator. I also do a lot of IT work as well. I've put in for, and I have a good chance of being promoted to supervisor at the call center which is in the same building where I work. The very same place where I got my start.

My current boss was given an ultimatum basically to relocate to a different part of the country which is something he don't want to do. So he's exploring working for another part of the company and has offered me a chance to work with him there which would be over by JFK airport. That is of course if he actually gets that job.

The problem is, is that the pay isn't that great in my current capacity with my boss and likely won't be any better for me if I work out of JFK.

Though on the flipside as a call center supervisor I would have more money (likely), and I would move in a salaried position as opposed to being an hourly employee.

The call center itself however is in jeopardy of being shut down as the company is looking to cut costs and is looking at every location, and this one is in the radar right now. So my situation is that I could get this job though it would likely be short lived..maybe 6-7 months.

If I take the job with my current boss I'll have added travel expenses which don't appear the company will pay for and my car is in need of being replaced so I'm in a tough situation. On one hand I could make more money and show progression on my resume (for a short period of time), or I could work with my boss in a place that will likely have a solid future and I might find in the new place other opportunities.

I just don't know what to do, if I should a chance at the supervisor job and see if that experience can help land me somewhere else six months from now, or see what is at the place in JFK. It's a tough decision for me to make and I just don't know what to do and I don't want to be foolish so I'm giving this a lot of thought. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

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[curtoid]

DAMN!

I hate decisions like this. A few months ago I had two job offers and went with the one that had the better pay and what seemed like the right direction for my career. Once there, I found out the person who hired me wasn't going to be my boss - that guy had just started a week before I showed up, and the two of us really didin't get along. Not only that, but he clearly had designs on completely overhauling the entire department, so afer the election I was let go.

Thankfully the place I turned down in July still hadn't found what they were looking for, and I worked out a deal with them and start work next week.

Anyway...I'm normally of the mindset to go or the most secure over money - unfortunatly working someplace for 9 years doesn't seem to be worth much anymore - but if you don't continue to progress with your career, you run the risk of being trapped in a rut.

* Is there room for advancement with the secure job with old boss?

* Can you negotiate anything with the old boss for compensation because of the transportation?

* How much of a risk is there of the call center going under?

* If you were with the call center when they made the cuts, could you be transferred to someplace else?

* Which job do you really want to be doing?

Good luck.

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[JPMNICK]

Damn - curtoid basically said everything I was going to!

Reef - what about applying to other companies? do you really love where you are working now?

personally I would go with the call center and then start looking for a new job. with 9 years of experience in a variety of different aspects, I am sure you will be able to find something.


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[angrymissy]

My current boss was given an ultimatum basically to relocate to a different part of the country which is something he don't want to do. So he's exploring working for another part of the company and has offered me a chance to work with him there which would be over by JFK airport. That is of course if he actually gets that job.


how does he know he could definintely hire you at the other company he might "possibly" work at? Don't count your chickens before they hatch, especially in this job market.

The job market is shit right now. I took almost a $10k paycut for the job I'm at now and I'm grateful to have it. I'd stick it out where its stable.

Also, it doesn't look good on your resume if you move up to a supervisor position and are then laid off after 6 or 7 months. You will be in a "limbo" situation where no one will want to hire you on as a supervisor because you don't have enough experience as a supervisor, but no one will want to hire you at the lower level position because you have that tiny bit of experience as a supervisor. If you want to try and take the step up to supervisor, try to do it in a spot where you'll be able to grow with the company and stay longer than 6 or 7 months.

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This message was edited by angrymissy on 11-23-04 @ 1:42 PM

[Doctor Manhattan]

Answer Time...

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[furie]

i say stay. unless your situation is dire where you are working now, then keep slugging out where you are now.


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[sr71blackbird]

I think you should hit the boss up to get him to flip for a company car, or you give him the ultimatum that your leaving him for the call center. If he gives you a car, youll save money on gas an repairs and youll still be doing the same kind of job, but having the schlep to JFK. The added benefit of woking by JFK would be the experience for one, and the possibilitys of exploring other jobs in the same industry that surround that complex. The only benefit aside from extra cash in the call center is that its close to home. I think your boss is looking for ways to save his own hide and you might be able to ride his coat tales until you find something better. (Remember, if you leave, youll have to give the company car back!)

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[Reephdweller]

* Is there room for advancement with the secure job with old boss?

I'd say no since I asked my boss to change my position from administrator to supervisor which is something I know for a fact he could do and has done for others. Instead he told me that they "won't allow it". Yet he's an executive with the company and I've seen him do it for numerous other people.


* Can you negotiate anything with the old boss for compensation because of the transportation?

I doubt it. He just gave me a raise (which was very little) and when I told him I needed more money especially if he plans on having us work out of a place that's much further away from me his only response was "Hey we all have expenses." If anything he has a very selfish attitude and I know for a fact would ask for and demand transporation costs added to his pay and would get it. Yet for me he wouldn't.


* How much of a risk is there of the call center going under?


Right now it's a toss up. We have two call centers in question that are on the block (the one that is in the place where I work, the other is in Chicago). They are working to get the Chicago center closed, if that does close then the one where I work will be around much longer than 6 months at least. However they cannot close the center in Chicago then it will be the one where I work. It's a real toss of the dice for me in this regard.


* If you were with the call center when they made the cuts, could you be transferred to someplace else?

It's possible. I would probably have the option of transferring to our New Jersey call center. Though that's an even bigger commute for me. It would be something I'd have to consider at the time.

* Which job do you really want to be doing?

In reality I'd rather be the IT analyst though my current location doesn't have one and there isn't a position for it yet. However the possibility is there if they do keep the place and decide to expand upon it down the road. I could be a very good position to get it. Aside from that from a progression standpoint I would definitely like to move up to the next level and become a supervisor. Not that my current job is bad, it has many advantages, though at this point I want more challenges and oppotunities.



how does he know he could definintely hire you at the other company he might "possibly" work at? Don't count your chickens before they hatch, especially in this job market.


Well, it's the same company actually - just another division in the company. As I said my boss commands a lot of respect and power. When needed in his interest he can get a lot of things done. If it don't interest him or make him any better off though, then he won't do the same for you which is very frustrating.

So on one hand I have this position which in many ways feels like a go nowhere job. It would probably be more secure ultimately. Though if I took the supervisor role I would have the chance to prove myself. Many of my peers in management have told me that they think it would be very good for me to take the supervisor position because I would have the chance to progress. That it is the next logical step for me.

If I had my way, I would like to take the supervisory role and do it for a year then move to another part of the company, either in a lateral sense or move into IT or something else. I also have a good degree of human resources experience in my current position so it might help me to get a job in that field. Ultimately I think the supervisor job is the way to go, though it's a huge risk. I just don't know what to do. Part of me says "Go for it, save your money and get a new car, see where the day takes you." and the part of me says "Go with what you know and don't risk losing your job."

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[Reephdweller]

I think you should hit the boss up to get him to flip for a company car


Not going to happen. They don't give anyone company cars anymore. Even the executives and regional managers were all forced to give up their company cars or outright buy them from the company.

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[Mike Teacher]

If my posts get this long; shoot me.

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[Reephdweller]

Sorry Mike, I was just answering the questions. It's my life so it's kind've important to me.

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[Doctor Manhattan]

Sorry Mike...It's my life...

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[JPMNICK]

hey reef do yo live alone or with the parents? would you move to NJ if thats hwere you had to work?

with all the car trouble/repairs you have been making in the past few months, a long commute may become more expensive than anticipated.

I think the call center jobs looks the most promising if you want to stay within the current company. But there are a lot of call center jobs out there. Maybe you should take this one until you find another. Or take it and hope for the best. Usually companies plans change, and maybe they will not close the current one you are going to be working in. Is the whole company restructuring?

will your current boss be offended if you do not go with him? I am sure you do not want to burn any bridges and that is something to think about.


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[A.J.]

Ummm...I'm pretty sure Mike was making a joke about his own posts which tend to be rather lengthy.

As for your original question, one of the goals of any job is long-term stability. Why take a job that may last only 6-7 months?



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This message was edited by AJinDC on 11-24-04 @ 9:12 AM

[Mike Teacher]

Ummm...I'm pretty sure Mike was making a joke about his own posts which tend to be rather lengthy.


Exactly. Guilty. I was ripping on me; I can now see it doesnt come across that way. Job decisions are complex, and essentially, stink.

Wish I had some advice, but being a teacher essentially means usurping any real sense of corporate resposibilities or morals or ethics. One of these days I'm gonna figure what I want to be when I grow up. Or rather, if...

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[Reephdweller]

Ummm...I'm pretty sure Mike was making a joke about his own posts which tend to be rather lengthy.


I know, and I'm sorry Mike. I thought about it after I responded and figured you were joking. My bad.

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[keithy_19]

I know, and I'm sorry Mike. I thought about it after I responded and figured you were joking. My bad.



It's ok. We'll just have to shoot you both. Two times to the head. Have to be sure they're dead.(This is why I'm a poet) :p

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[Reephdweller]

Today I am having my second interview for the supervisor position. The regional manager is flying up from Syracuse to see me for this. I have decided to throw caution to the wind and take a chance. I am feeling pretty confident because for one thing I know the guy who will be interviewing me and we're pretty friendly with one another so it's not as intense. I will be having it today at 12:00. My only concern at this point is tripping up or getting stuck in my thoughts if I'm cornered on a question. Though I won't give it much thought.

On the up side, the manager of the place is a huge fan of mine and my interview with him went very well so I'm only hoping to pull it off a second time around.

One of the things that is motivating me is the prospect that I could make more money which will be a tremendous help for the short term. If I can save up enough to get a new car and hopefully this place will stick around beyond six months in that I can have a good experience on my resume I think it will help me down the road towards other jobs.

In addition to that I am also motivated by the knowledge that my current boss has never done anything to help me along with my career or salary (aside from hiring me initially), so for me I keep thinking about that every time I start to feel the nerves kicking in.

I hope it goes well.

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[JPMNICK]

Reef - I know you will do well. i think you made the right decision. Best of Luck



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[Reephdweller]

Reef - I know you will do well. i think you made the right decision. Best of Luck



Thanks. I think it went very well. The regional closed the interview by saying the ultimate decision is up the manager and I think you'll be very happy with the results when it happens.

I definitely got stuck in thought a few times, something of which I absolutely hate doing, but luckily every time I was fumbling for words I ended up saying what I needed to say. In some cases even better than I intended to.

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[JPMNICK]

awesome job, i hope this works out well for you. I am sure it will, it sounds promising. best of luck.



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[Reephdweller]

The word I got back from the manager was that the regional manager was very impressed with me that I did really well in the interview. Looking good so far. I'll probably know within the next week.

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[Reephdweller]

Earlier this week I was told that I would find out if I've gotten the promotion within the first week or so of 2005. Which was fine and all, until I got home tonight and find a package from the US Post Office (who i applied for a job a few months ago) to come in for an interview this Tuesday. First of all, nice how they give me no fucking notice and all of a sudden I have to be available to take a day off from work. I had taken a test for a carrier position and passed several months ago but never heard back.

Now all of a sudden on the verge of a promotion other people are showing an interest in me. The idea of the postal job is very interesting to me. It starts at $17.50 or something around that. Which is less than I make now but it's a good secure job and perhaps could be an opening for me to go into another position for more money.

So to make my decision making even more difficult I now have to add this to my plate. I'll do the interview and go through the motions and see what happens from there. Though I will most likely take the supervisor position if it's offered to me. Most importantly it's more money, and if I end up getting offered the postal position down the road, I'll consider it as well.

It's just funny to me how when you want a job no one wants to know you. But when you have a prospect for a job or take on a new one, all of a sudden others will take an insterest in you.



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This message was edited by Reefdweller on 12-30-04 @ 8:32 PM

[mdr55]

I hear you. I had 3 interviews at different programs 2 weeks ago. And going for a second interview for one of them. But I'm also pretty sure that one of the other jobs I applied for I got a good shot of getting. So now I'm hoping that I hear from them before I make a committment. Also I applied for various teaching jobs previously and was put on the different lists. Watch me get a reply from them during the summer saying their interested in me then. You know it's going to happen.


Good luck with what you chose.

[furie]

good luck!


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[sr71blackbird]

Congratulations on the new gig bro!!

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[Reephdweller]

Congratulations on the new gig bro!!



Thanks bro. Yep, I got the promotion and the $$ I asked for, so hoepfully this new position will be a good experience for me.

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[newport king]

stay away from the post office, you'll get hit with garbagecans, and make an ass out of yourself infront of the regular route guys when they give you money.

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