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| Actively Job Hunting (Yet) Again; And a new chapter begins, in a land far far away | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 28 2013, 12:15 PM (8,959 Views) | |
| 94RHDRollerskate | Nov 28 2013, 12:15 PM Post #1 |
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Forum Stud Muffin
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Okay, as most of you know, I retired from the Air Force back on 1 Oct 2013, after serving for 24 years. It took a long while to find another job, after applying for months. I finally came across a bus repair/leasing company, and was hired as their Fleet Maintenance Supervisor. Well, after only 15 days, I was released. The only verbal reason I was given, was "I'm looking for a certain person to fill the Supervisor position, and you just aren't it", and was handed and signed a document that states 'Unsatisfactory Trial Period'. I am now back on the job search market, and need to know how to proceed... particularly when I now apply for a job, and am asked if ever released from a job for unsatisfactory performance, and have to now answer yes. Let me give you all some background, on what happened during those 15 days first. This was a salary position, advertised as 8am-5pm Monday - Friday. In actuality, it ended up being 6am - 7/8pm Monday - Saturday and no OT pay. It (the bus industry) is a fast-paced one. These buses are repaired and leased to a private security organization who works with/for the US Border Patrol. These buses can see 500 miles in a single run, and with a 24/7 operation hauling illegals back to Mexico, they can even run multiple runs a day. It's nothing to have the same bus in for an oil change 2-3 times in a week. Very fast paced, and a lot of mileage computing to ensure servicing intervals are met. The main reason I ended up working extra hours is that each shift needs to have work orders assigned to clock into and the mechanics all come in at 8am, and 4pm. The supervisor has to be in early to find out what's in the shop, and what line items remain to be able to assign work out. The boss, has been at it for 35 years, and does know his stuff. He is however, IMO a controlling, micro-managing asshole. I have worked for/with people from all walks of life, and never have I run into someone with his managing style. And I'm not exaggerating when I say he will call/ask every 10 minutes how things are going. And if it's not happening the same way he has it pictured in his head, it's wrong. He expected constant step-by-step updates, and if he didn't get them, he would call/ask and say "Information not passed on is information lost". He also stated many times, that he does not do 'I think', Possibly, almost, etc. Only 'Yes' or 'No'. He even has his wife call from California and check in multiple times a day. I wondered why her calls were only about 15 seconds long, and all I heard him say is "That sounds good honey. Be safe". The supply guy, who was wearing two hats and covering the supervisor slot when I joined, was always forgetting stuff and seemed to get side-tracked easily. And every time this happened, we both would get taken aside, and basically verbally abused for it. Me included, because I was now his boss. Hard to do one's job and meet deadlines, when this happens each hour. At one point, he had me, the supply guy and a parts orderer in his office and while receiving one of his 'You're a worthless use of skin' sessions, he actually said, "If any of you three would like to go home tonight, and not come back, I will be fine with it, because I run this place anyways." I mean, who actually says that to subordinates? I would come home each night, having worked 13 hours and getting paid for 8. I was physically and emotionally tired and beat up. My wife saying I was never home and that she missed me. I wasn't happy, but needed the work. So, I was released on 8 November, and need to find new employment... again. My wife supports me, and says that I'm happy now, even though unemployed. And I am. I honestly feel like there was no pleasing that guy. The only one that could successfully do so, is if he cloned himself. I was told when interviewed, that he was not a micro-manager. Ha! He's the worst. I won't sit here and say I never screwed up. There were things I forgot, and it's a lot to grasp quickly. I will say that I received no formal training. He referred to it as 'Baptism by Fire'. If I asked the supply guy (who was doing the job before I came aboard, I was scolded because he wouldn't train me correctly. I truly feel I was set up for failure. The parent company is in Riverside, and the owner came to our site a few times because of issues. I found out the day after I was let go, that the boss was given a week to clean things up, or that he was out on the street. My release also came the day after I accepted an interview with AZDOT. Can't help but wonder if a) I was cut to create a supervisory hardship so that boss could save his own skin, or b) he found out about my accepting an interview to work elsewhere. I emailed the owner of the company after my release and let him know what really goes down under this roof. That he should come for another visit, and instead of talking to the boss, he should talk to employees and ask them what's wrong with the place. What they would change. What they hated about working there. They would also say the boss is an ass. Anyway, now I am applying for new jobs, and hope I can land something. Only problem is, some applications ask if I have ever been released from a job for unsatisfactory performance, even if I don't agree with it, to which I have to truthfully answer 'yes'. I feel this will hurt my chances of being hired, but I also can't/won't lie. This sucks. What's everyone thoughts, on how things went down, and how do I word what happened on applications? I don't want to go and bad mouth the old boss, because that won't look good either. Edited by 94RHDRollerskate, Dec 6 2014, 10:24 PM.
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| 94RHDRollerskate | Nov 28 2013, 12:33 PM Post #2 |
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Forum Stud Muffin
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And before any think that I'm picky in my employment choices, a manager friend of mine at O'reilly Auto Parts, who grew to love my RHD skate, has a parts driver position to fill @ $8/hr. He mentioned it, saying he was sure I wanted/needed much more than that pay amount to make ends meet. While, he's right, I am going to accept the position so that I have a job and some income coming in, while I continue to apply for a career. I also just sent off for my Postal exam. |
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| idmetro | Nov 28 2013, 12:38 PM Post #3 |
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You're right that bad mouthing the old boss will only hurt you. You can however say something like the company appears to have grown so quickly they outran their support structure (give an example of what was wrong and what you believe it would have taken to fix it) explain that 15 days was not enough time to be able to have a meaningful impact in getting the systems in place that are necessary to support an endeavor or that magnitude. Have a couple of S.O.A.R. stories in your hip pocket around the experience. (S)ituation (O)bstacle (A)ctions taken (R)esults keep them relatively short, one of your obstacles might be that the home office did not truly know what was going on and the local manager was fearful for his position, did know seem to know what to do, did not solicit help from either the corporate office or his teammates resulting in a constant fire-fight... Out of all this you have learned the importance of learning as much as you can about the culture of the organization you are trying to work with. You've got some legwork to do to find the right fit - are you on Linkedin? |
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| idmetro | Nov 28 2013, 12:41 PM Post #4 |
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Think of it as a paid networking opportunity. While $8/hr isn't enough to keep the wolves from the door you are being paid to do something you are at least interested in and you get a chance to talk with a bunch of folks. It's kind of like how you better treat your date right even if she isn't the one for you - she's got friends, her friends have friends, their friends have friends and they all talk... |
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| 94RHDRollerskate | Nov 28 2013, 12:47 PM Post #5 |
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Forum Stud Muffin
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The owner is loaded. I've heard he has 3 jets and he did come to visit twice in the 15 days I was there, so that does seem legit. I hear he used to own Blue Bird. Every impression I got from the shop I worked in... cheap. As in pinching pennies. The shop was dirty. Equipment was so-so. Definitely not enough mechanics hired, and not enough equipment. Only 4 jack stands in the whole place. On top of supervising and submitting reports, I was also asked many times an hour to unlock the tool room and parts section. So, not enough support techs hired either. Definitely not how I'm used to seeing a maintenance shop run. |
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| 94RHDRollerskate | Nov 28 2013, 12:48 PM Post #6 |
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Forum Stud Muffin
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And who knows... foot in the door. Something better may open up I can ease into. |
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| ZXTjato | Nov 28 2013, 12:59 PM Post #7 |
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bass heads
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Since I don't have a career like you, to upy chances of landing and other crap job, when they ask for your race and if you speak Spanish I put Mexican and si I know it sounds awfull bit every job I've applied for this way they called me back. If I leave the race part black or put Caucasian of non Hispanic origin and don't speak Spanish then I dot get calls back. Some may say this is unjust research but it's happened many times to me,recently actually also michals never called I put white the nursery called I was Hispanic. Maybe fuge your application a bit to land the job then BS your way out of it when you get there. |
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| ONEHARDHEAD | Nov 28 2013, 01:03 PM Post #8 |
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I found myself in a similar situation almost 2 years ago now. While it was only a short period, I believe you'll never go wrong in being honest with a prospective employer about your past. The learning experience is part of who you are today, and you should be better for it and therefore a valuable asset to that prospective employer. I was also offered some other jobs while I was out of work, and it's awfully hard to turn down a job when you don't have one. I stayed prayed up, and tried to trust that He would show me the right job He had in mind for me. Right now, I enjoy my job, have better insurance than I've had since leaving the military, and life ain't bad. I wish the same for you. Thank you for your time serving our country. |
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| ZXTjato | Nov 28 2013, 01:14 PM Post #9 |
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bass heads
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I agree with being honest but some situations to get ahead and do for your family you some times need to do whatever it takes. A good deed never goes un punished! |
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| Old Man | Nov 28 2013, 01:20 PM Post #10 |
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Research the positions you are applying for. So far you have been 'hoping for a job'. You now have an $8 job that eases finances a little bit. Look for a job that can work into a position. Look for a company that fits your requirements and bullshit them that you fit their requirements. Don't hire into salaried. Wage is usually a lower $$ but makes up for it in overtime pay. You have learned a bitter lesson. Salaried jobs always mean unpaid overtime, usually lots of it. These damn civilians have no idea how to run things. You must learn to do "civilian speak and action". different ballgame. |
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| 94RHDRollerskate | Nov 28 2013, 03:27 PM Post #11 |
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Forum Stud Muffin
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I am now. Having a hard time adding more than 2 employment history entries. |
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| ONEHARDHEAD | Nov 28 2013, 03:32 PM Post #12 |
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My experience showed www.indeed.com to be very helpful, as it is more-or-less a clearinghouse of job sites. I got several interviews from jobs I applied for through them. Be diligent online- the old "shotgun" principle applies- the more pellets you put out there, the more likely you are to hit your target. |
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| 94RHDRollerskate | Nov 28 2013, 03:38 PM Post #13 |
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Forum Stud Muffin
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My inbox fills with messages daily from multiple agencies. Indeed is one of the preferred. |
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| evmetro | Nov 28 2013, 04:05 PM Post #14 |
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I am sorry that you first civilian job did not work out. It sure sounds like you have the right attitude to get yourself into another. It may become challanging to maintain this attitude as time passes, but stay focused on it! Remember that self employment is possible as well, where you create your own job. Many feel that it is too much time and or money to become self employed, but the primary thing that limits people from pursuing this is in their own head. |
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| truckjohn | Nov 28 2013, 04:30 PM Post #15 |
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You know.... I will be honest... Put it on your resume so you don't get flagged for LYING.... Don't say you were fired for poor performance.... You were fired because you aren't a tool.... BUT... Here would be my explanation for questioning prospective employers "It didn't work out." If they press you... say something polite to the effect of "The job turned out to be very different from what I was hired for." I wouldn't offer anything more. Don't bad mouth anyone... Likely that place was a revolving door... There are more jobs out there... Find one. Thanks |
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