Job Interviews

[Bobs69]

I work at a factory for over 12 years.  And had enough of it.

I have an interview coming up, at another factory, this one is a food grade.  So I'm assuming the standards would be higher, and they wouldn't let things slide like they do at my employeers.

I would like to get out of the factory scene all together, I have been unhappy here for some time and just want a change, until I can find myself. 

I am hesitant, what if I get myself into another dump, except now I've given up my vacation and seniority.

The interview is a "situational" type.  Where they ask you what would you do in this situation.......................

I'm thinking I should answer everything 100% truthfully.  If they offer me the job then I know the place is no better then where I work now!  If not, then maybe I screwed myself.

Anyone done one of these before?  Any advice on changing jobs?

[JB400]

Talk with someone that currently works at the plant that your wanting to work at.  They would be able to tell you what to expect.

Best of luck finding happiness at work

[Bobs69]

thanks and that's part of the problem I don't know anyone there!  which is good too

[Silver R/T]

Sounds like you're in the same situation as myself. Been working at same place for 7.5 years and it seems like dead-end job. Going back to school is not an option as I have mortgage and bills to pay. I'm considering going trucking, at least nobody's going to be breather down my neck.
Best of luck in your search for a better job.

[Daytona R/T SE]

It will be 26 years next month.

Industrial slave labor.

No way out.

I'm in Hell.

[Mopar Nut]

I took some time off from one job to start another, just too make sure it was a right move. Ended up quitting the old job and taking the new job, never looked back. Could you do something like that, a little scary starting a new job in this market.

Good luck.

[2Gunz]

I think I would answer truthfully.

And I wouldnt give wishy washy answers. Be firm.

I think I also would attempt to ask questions to show that I can think in my feet and Im intelligent.

At my old job I used to do the interviews and people would get hired or not based on my review.
To be honest I never really asked them about work or their skills. It was already on the resume, and they could lie in person and on the paper.
So I just asked them about hobbies and random stuff to see if I could stand working with them day in and day out.


I also think its important to stand out in a positive way. If somebody is interviewing say 20 people at about person 10 they are going to all blend together. Unless one or a couple have something unique about them.

A perfect example of this.......  When I graduated my technical school a very good company was hiring and it was a great opportunity for whoever got the job.
Im sure they received hundreds of resumes from our school alone.... not to mention the rest of the US.
One guy in my class sent his resume rolled up and stuffed in a rubber chicken..... he got the job.
At the time I thought it was retarded. Why would they hire him?
But now.... If I had to pick 1 person from a huge stack of all the same BS resumes.... I would pick the chicken one.


As far as should you take the risk?   HELL YA   Life is to short to hate what you do for a living.
Maybe it will work out. Maybe it wont.
But me personally.... I would rather have the new job fail horribly, then to spend the rest of my life wondering what if.



Anyway....

Best of luck to you. And I hope it all works out.

ME

[kab69440]

  I'm considering going trucking, at least nobody's going to be breather down my neck.

Wrong. EVERYONE is breathing down a truckers's neck. Shippers approve routes and drivers are paid by that, the shortest possible route. It doesn't matter if a truck may not be permitted on some of those throughfares or if you had to drive 500 miles out of your way around construction. My old man jazz been pulling hazmat tankers for a lot of years and he is disugusted with it.

[Cooter]

Anybody who stays on a job over 5-10 years today is a fool. A Damn fool. After the 5 year mark, bosses tend to think "Well, your not going anywhere, and I see you just bought that new house so I can treat you like sh*t and you gotta take it"...I usually swap out every 5 years or so. NEVER been on a job for longer than 5 years. In the auto repair business, you go where the money is, and f*ck the guy that thinks he's got the corner market on it.

Anybody on a job over 30 years is either
1. Lucky
2. Got something on their bosses
3. Part owner
4. Just so dumb, they don't know any better

Grass is never greener on the other side, but it is different. And sometimes that's all thats needed. a change. Go for it.

[71green go]

Anybody who stays on a job over 5-10 years today is a fool. A Damn fool. After the 5 year mark, bosses tend to think "Well, your not going anywhere, and I see you just bought that new house so I can treat you like sh*t and you gotta take it"...I usually swap out every 5 years or so. NEVER been on a job for longer than 5 years. In the auto repair business, you go where the money is, and f*ck the guy that thinks he's got the corner market on it.

Anybody on a job over 30 years is either
1. Lucky
2. Got something on their bosses
3. Part owner
4. Just so dumb, they don't know any better

Grass is never greener on the other side, but it is different. And sometimes that's all thats needed. a change. Go for it.

I could not disagree with you more.....I have now been at my Job 30 years and LOVE it...I started at $6 an hour 30 years ago in the lowest position in the company....I worked hard, didnt complain and proved I was a great worker...I learned about the company and started moving up...lead hand , supervisor, now Plant manager.......I get treated with great respect because I show respect
I have seen so many people complain their way out of jobs over the years.....I have had many a bad boss through the years and learned how to deal with each and everyone of them, and outlasted them without kissing ass...they are gone and I am still here loving it..I will retire here with a great pension, currently have 7 weeks vacation and as many sick days as required
So I believe you get out what you put in..not every time is staying at a place along time bad...
Dumb certainly Not ,Lucky maybe...but I tell you I earned it

[Bobs69]

Sounds like you're in the same situation as myself. Been working at same place for 7.5 years and it seems like dead-end job. Going back to school is not an option as I have mortgage and bills to pay. I'm considering going trucking, at least nobody's going to be breather down my neck.
Best of luck in your search for a better job.

It's definately a dead end.  Pays really good but not satisfying at all.  A lot of game playing here.  By management.  I'm married, still on my first marriage.  So that saves who knows how much!

Mortgage is done in less then 3 years.  However, I may want to move again some day.

I have my AZ but never used it for a job.  No experience.

[Bobs69]

It will be 26 years next month.

Industrial slave labor.

No way out.

I'm in Hell.

They trap you by paying you good.  And yes it's hell.  That's why us factory workers often build cars.  We are looking for satisfaction in our work.

[Bobs69]

I took some time off from one job to start another, just too make sure it was a right move. Ended up quitting the old job and taking the new job, never looked back. Could you do something like that, a little scary starting a new job in this market.

Good luck.

A safety net.  Yes people have done that here.  You can't tell them that's what you are doing.  It has to be stress leave!

[Bobs69]

As far as should you take the risk?   HELL YA   Life is to short to hate what you do for a living.
Maybe it will work out. Maybe it wont.
But me personally.... I would rather have the new job fail horribly, then to spend the rest of my life wondering what if.



Anyway....

Best of luck to you. And I hope it all works out.

ME

I like this and agree.

[Dino]

Go back to school.  Community college.  Part time, 1-2 classes per semester until you can ramp it up.  Apply for every scholarship that exists.  Don't wait, start now.

I was a body man for 15+ years and although I love working on cars, I will never work in an industrial setting again.  Going back to school was one of the best decisions I have ever made.  I work full time so I do 2-3 classes per semester, you lose your free time but it's well worth it.

[Bobs69]

As for being "typed as a go no where factory worker by your bosses."  I can see that.  It's hard to break the mold.

Also, being with the same place would be nice, security, good feeling about a pension.

This place however is toxic.  I'm angry alot and it's because of this place.  I don't like the person I'm turning into.  People keep saying "Oh it's the way YOU percieve things."  

So I need to learn to turn a blind eye and not give a rats ass?

[Bobs69]

Go back to school.  Community college.  Part time, 1-2 classes per semester until you can ramp it up.  Apply for every scholarship that exists.  Don't wait, start now.

I was a body man for 15+ years and although I love working on cars, I will never work in an industrial setting again.  Going back to school was one of the best decisions I have ever made.  I work full time so I do 2-3 classes per semester, you lose your free time but it's well worth it.

This is something I will look into.  Working 12 hour shifts makes it harder.  Like you said, could be worth it.  Keep the payoff in sight.

[Dino]

Go back to school.  Community college.  Part time, 1-2 classes per semester until you can ramp it up.  Apply for every scholarship that exists.  Don't wait, start now.

I was a body man for 15+ years and although I love working on cars, I will never work in an industrial setting again.  Going back to school was one of the best decisions I have ever made.  I work full time so I do 2-3 classes per semester, you lose your free time but it's well worth it.

This is something I will look into.  Working 12 hour shifts makes it harder.  Like you said, could be worth it.  Keep the payoff in sight.

Those shifts may actually work in your favor.  I am planning on adjusting my schedule so I work 4 days and go to school one day + nights on work days. 

Once you are used to having classes you can always revise your methods. 

Make an appointment with an advisor at your local college and take it from there.  I'm 39 and half way into my bachelor's.  It's a long route and a lot of work but it's more than worth it.  Even if you go real slow, ask yourself this.  10 years from now do I want to be doing what I am doing now, or do I want a degree?

[Cooter]

I could not disagree with you more.....I have now been at my Job 30 years and LOVE it...I started at $6 an hour 30 years ago in the lowest position in the company....I worked hard, didnt complain and proved I was a great worker...I learned about the company and started moving up...lead hand , supervisor, now Plant manager.......I get treated with great respect because I show respect
I have seen so many people complain their way out of jobs over the years.....I have had many a bad boss through the years and learned how to deal with each and everyone of them, and outlasted them without kissing ass...they are gone and I am still here loving it..I will retire here with a great pension, currently have 7 weeks vacation and as many sick days as required
So I believe you get out what you put in..not every time is staying at a place along time bad...
Dumb certainly Not ,Lucky maybe...but I tell you I earned it

30 years ago one could do this....Just try to do it today and See what happens. Seen it too many times. Hadda buddy that thought the same way you do, busted his ass, even did a little ass kissing just for good measure. Come time for layoffs, he was one of the first to go. After I saw that, I made up my mind never to give my all to companies that hire you knowing they got you by the balls. I once read a "Management handbook" once for a promotion. This is almost WORD for word what it said: "Do not worry bout the worker that shows up everyday on time, he will be there no matter what. Try and focus on your worker/s that don't show up on time. These need your attention to be molded into the model worker you want"...
Yeah, right....I think it's great you will be able to retire, but for the rest of us that were in the work force 30 years too late, we will work until we die. No longer are people able to retire from jobs lasting 30 years or more. ....Call it what you like, but Many in this country put in WAY more than they get out and are forced into early retirement. This ain't the same country you began in back 30 years ago.
Hell, there's College graduates here that hold all these degrees....Yet, they are delivering Pizzas for a living....

[Silver R/T]

Anybody who stays on a job over 5-10 years today is a fool. A Damn fool. After the 5 year mark, bosses tend to think "Well, your not going anywhere, and I see you just bought that new house so I can treat you like sh*t and you gotta take it"...I usually swap out every 5 years or so. NEVER been on a job for longer than 5 years. In the auto repair business, you go where the money is, and f*ck the guy that thinks he's got the corner market on it.

Anybody on a job over 30 years is either
1. Lucky
2. Got something on their bosses
3. Part owner
4. Just so dumb, they don't know any better

Grass is never greener on the other side, but it is different. And sometimes that's all thats needed. a change. Go for it.

Have to agree with you to a point. Yes bosses do use you, thinking you won't go anywhere. Sometimes they don't care, you're gone and they have another person start tomorrow for 1/2 of what they were paying you.
There's a few guys at my work who have put anywhere from 18 all the way to ~30 years now. Of course they have decent positions and have way better pay than I do. A hard working guy like myself can't "climb the ladder" as these guys used to. Unless I was related to a boss and did "favors" to get promoted. They say its "equal opportunity" workplace which is big load of bs.
I say take a chance and see where it goes.

[Silver R/T]

I could not disagree with you more.....I have now been at my Job 30 years and LOVE it...I started at $6 an hour 30 years ago in the lowest position in the company....I worked hard, didnt complain and proved I was a great worker...I learned about the company and started moving up...lead hand , supervisor, now Plant manager.......I get treated with great respect because I show respect
I have seen so many people complain their way out of jobs over the years.....I have had many a bad boss through the years and learned how to deal with each and everyone of them, and outlasted them without kissing ass...they are gone and I am still here loving it..I will retire here with a great pension, currently have 7 weeks vacation and as many sick days as required
So I believe you get out what you put in..not every time is staying at a place along time bad...
Dumb certainly Not ,Lucky maybe...but I tell you I earned it

30 years ago one could do this....Just try to do it today and See what happens. Seen it too many times. Hadda buddy that thought the same way you do, busted his ass, even did a little ass kissing just for good measure. Come time for layoffs, he was one of the first to go. After I saw that, I made up my mind never to give my all to companies that hire you knowing they got you by the balls. I once read a "Management handbook" once for a promotion. This is almost WORD for word what it said: "Do not worry bout the worker that shows up everyday on time, he will be there no matter what. Try and focus on your worker/s that don't show up on time. These need your attention to be molded into the model worker you want"...
Yeah, right....I think it's great you will be able to retire, but for the rest of us that were in the work force 30 years too late, we will work until we die. No longer are people able to retire from jobs lasting 30 years or more. ....Call it what you like, but Many in this country put in WAY more than they get out and are forced into early retirement. This ain't the same country you began in back 30 years ago.
Hell, there's College graduates here that hold all these degrees....Yet, they are delivering Pizzas for a living....

I couldn't have written it better myself. I know way too many people with college degrees that make minimum wage or don't have a job at all. Some did get lucky and are making good money with 2 year degree, some are making same money without a degree at all. It's all about choices you making in life.

[Dino]

It all depends on the job and the degree.  You can get a doctorate in Chinese literature but what are you going to do with it?  Why would a boss give someone the chance to climb a ladder and make more money if the replacements are waiting at the door? 

Nobody is going to give you what you want, you have to fight for it.  If you're doing a job that cannot go anywhere then eiyther accept it or go do something else.

I was in a dead end job for a long time and I could bitch about it just as good as the next guy.  I wish I pulled my head out of the sand sooner.  As soon as I quit that type of job life got a little easier.

[Cooter]

There are way too many college kids that drank the kool-aid way back when thinking they will need a good education to get that cushy, good job...
Sad, but all those jobs are gone. Too many are still thinking this, when in fact, they need to take up that "trade" that all of 'em used to think were below them. Like being a grease monkey. We have one of the hardest jobs on the planet reapiring today's computer controlled cars. Yet, we are still looked at as "Grease Monkeys"....I ain't got no degree, but graduated college. I never expected to come out of college and be making $100K/year. There are those that have a stack of paperwork that think this very thing today.

[Bobs69]

There are way too many college kids that drank the kool-aid way back when thinking they will need a good education to get that cushy, good job...
Sad, but all those jobs are gone. Too many are still thinking this, when in fact, they need to take up that "trade" that all of 'em used to think were below them. Like being a grease monkey. We have one of the hardest jobs on the planet reapiring today's computer controlled cars. Yet, we are still looked at as "Grease Monkeys"....I ain't got no degree, but graduated college. I never expected to come out of college and be making $100K/year. There are those that have a stack of paperwork that think this very thing today.

I have two years of college.  There are people in here with better education then me.  One sitting next to me with a bachelor of arts from University.  We all work in the same place.  Gotta make damned sure that the education I go for will keep me out of here, or places like this.  Shit.


Keep it coming guys.  Lots of experience here.  I'm sure your  vision is 20 20 by now.

[Dino]

There are way too many college kids that drank the kool-aid way back when thinking they will need a good education to get that cushy, good job...
Sad, but all those jobs are gone. Too many are still thinking this, when in fact, they need to take up that "trade" that all of 'em used to think were below them. Like being a grease monkey. We have one of the hardest jobs on the planet reapiring today's computer controlled cars. Yet, we are still looked at as "Grease Monkeys"....I ain't got no degree, but graduated college. I never expected to come out of college and be making $100K/year. There are those that have a stack of paperwork that think this very thing today.

I have two years of college.  There are people in here with better education then me.  One sitting next to me with a bachelor of arts from University.  We all work in the same place.  Gotta make damned sure that the education I go for will keep me out of here, or places like this.  Shit.


Keep it coming guys.  Lots of experience here.  I'm sure your  vision is 20 20 by now.

What field are you looking to get into?