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Author Topic: Job thread  (Read 992795 times)
Rendakor
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Reply #1855 on: October 30, 2014, 01:44:16 PM

I think appearing to work hard is more important than actually working hard, as far as performance reviews and job security go.

"i can't be a star citizen. they won't even give me a star green card"
Paelos
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Reply #1856 on: October 30, 2014, 01:53:56 PM

The people I work with seem to think I'm working much harder than I actually am.  I alternate between positive and negative opinion on this situation.  What does the group think?

Costanza says, good thing.

CPA, CFO, Sports Fan, Game when I have the time
pxib
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Reply #1857 on: October 30, 2014, 02:23:42 PM

Are you getting less done than other people who aren't receiving similar acclaim?

So long as there's nobody else out there seething about your undeserved status, there is literally no down-side. If you're slacking off and feeling guilty about it, then stop slacking until the guilt fades... but if the work that's required of you simply doesn't take the full exhausting measure of your time, shut up and enjoy the praise.

if at last you do succeed, never try again
HaemishM
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Reply #1858 on: October 30, 2014, 02:41:02 PM

but if the work that's required of you simply doesn't take the full exhausting measure of your time, shut up and enjoy the praise.

This. Looking busy is the most important skill to learn in an office environment.

Rasix
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Posts: 15024

I am the harbinger of your doom!


Reply #1859 on: October 30, 2014, 02:46:25 PM

Similar situation at work.  It won't save me in the end.

It's just not hard to look good here.  I'm in an overlooked and maligned area in a declining business unit in a floundering company.   

It's nice to go home every day at 5 and not miss any of your kid's activities.

-Rasix
RhyssaFireheart
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Reply #1860 on: October 30, 2014, 03:29:09 PM

Well, the husband is still looking for work.  Which sucks but whatever.

The good news for me is that my boss is pushing hard to keep me from having to take the required contractor's furlough any time soon.  I know part of it is to alleviate the department's pain for when I'm gone, since I'm the only me, there isn't anyone else in our group who does what I do (I handle the financials for all our projects).  She's going to get an extension for me for at least another year, which would be fabulous.  Basically, every two years, all contractor's who come in through Manpower have to take a 30-day unpaid furlough to "reset" our contracts and make sure we don't get the silly idea that we might be employees or something.  Now, consultants can come in via an SOW and we just need to keep reupping their SOWs each year, they don't have to take a furlough.  Contractors do though.  Stupid rule.

Viin
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Reply #1861 on: October 30, 2014, 03:43:28 PM

The 2-year rule is in place because if you are there after 2 years you actually get counted as a full time employee per the IRS. Not sure how you get around that other than getting hired as an FTE or going to SOW-based work (which is usually scope limited - but you can always do new SOWs).

- Viin
Selby
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Reply #1862 on: October 30, 2014, 06:08:54 PM

What does the group think?
My former bosses always used it as an excuse to keep from giving me anything new.  Like when developing a new system came along that I would have interfaced perfectly for, they said I was "too busy" and gave it to a lazy PhD who dicked around with it for 6-8 months inevitably failing before it got passed on to another.  On the one hand, it was great to be needed and get a raise or bonus when raises and bonuses weren't forthcoming solely because I was busy keeping machines alive that no one else knew anything about or wanted to know anything about and to be honest it wasn't THAT time consuming once I had spent 18 months getting systems in place and procedures to mostly automate any problems that came along.  But on the other hand being stuck doing the same job for 5 years with no chance of professional growth sucks and after you've been doing it for 10... 15... 20 years you may end up unable to find work elsewhere.  I left because I got fed up with it before I got stuck.
schild
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Reply #1863 on: October 31, 2014, 05:22:41 PM

There is fucking nothing better than not doing shit and looking like you're an over-achiever.

Edit: Shit, look at the gaming industry. Most of these executives haven't done a fucking thing in their entire life. Or the lead designers. Hell, extend this shit to C-Level technology and software companies. Or any company. Failing upwards is the name of the game. If you can look like you're successfully moving upwards, grats, you've manipulated the system.
Abagadro
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Reply #1864 on: October 31, 2014, 10:11:14 PM

but if the work that's required of you simply doesn't take the full exhausting measure of your time, shut up and enjoy the praise.

This. Looking busy is the most important skill to learn in an office environment.

Heh. I perfected this years ago. Always look a combination of harried and tired and make sure there is a pile of something looking like work on your desk.

"As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”

-H.L. Mencken
Count Nerfedalot
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Reply #1865 on: November 14, 2014, 07:12:37 PM

I actually am a (late) boomer, although I split the characteristics of both boomer and X-er. I hate working in an environment where 90% of my coworkers can't be bothered to even try to be marginally competent at their job, much less actually work to do it well.  Welcome to state government! It's like union work but without the pay.  ACK! On the other hand, even broken and only partially and imperfectly healed/repaired I can outproduce anyone even remotely close to my pay grade/job requirements without even trying.  If only I didn't continue to stress myself out by trying to do my best/everything that needs doing in spite of all the obstacles I'd be on easy street to retirement.  On the other other hand, I haven't had a raise in 4? 5? years now due to budget cuts (after taking a 45% pay cut in the switch from private to government, along with a 35% reduction in hours), and I have no possible path for promotion that doesn't involve management which I refuse to do because I hope to live more than one more decade. If I was insurable outside of large group policies or Obamacare I'd reconsider public service, but I doubt I'd bail even then as I don't think I would survive another decade of 55+ hour work weeks at any level of pay.  Two more years and I'm vested in a pension including health care, and the retirement payout goes up from then on as long as I can stick it out, until way past mandatory retirement age (starting over at 45 kinda sucked).

Yes, I know I'm paranoid, but am I paranoid enough?
shiznitz
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Reply #1866 on: November 15, 2014, 11:35:26 AM

I actually am a (late) boomer, although I split the characteristics of both boomer and X-er. I hate working in an environment where 90% of my coworkers can't be bothered to even try to be marginally competent at their job, much less actually work to do it well.  Welcome to state government! It's like union work but without the pay.  ACK! On the other hand, even broken and only partially and imperfectly healed/repaired I can outproduce anyone even remotely close to my pay grade/job requirements without even trying.  If only I didn't continue to stress myself out by trying to do my best/everything that needs doing in spite of all the obstacles I'd be on easy street to retirement.  On the other other hand, I haven't had a raise in 4? 5? years now due to budget cuts (after taking a 45% pay cut in the switch from private to government, along with a 35% reduction in hours), and I have no possible path for promotion that doesn't involve management which I refuse to do because I hope to live more than one more decade. If I was insurable outside of large group policies or Obamacare I'd reconsider public service, but I doubt I'd bail even then as I don't think I would survive another decade of 55+ hour work weeks at any level of pay.  Two more years and I'm vested in a pension including health care, and the retirement payout goes up from then on as long as I can stick it out, until way past mandatory retirement age (starting over at 45 kinda sucked).

I think what you are experiencing is more the general type of person attracted to your employer than generational differences.

I have never played WoW.
Rasix
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Reply #1867 on: November 17, 2014, 11:03:25 AM

I got some sort of cash reward today for whatever.  I have no idea what this means other than free money.

-Rasix
Maven
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Reply #1868 on: November 17, 2014, 04:29:50 PM

Any recommendations on places to look for someone looking to intern or get part time work in an office while in college? I don't know if I want to browse craigslist ads. Ideally bookkeeping to add some resume fodder for my Accounting career.
Viin
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Reply #1869 on: November 17, 2014, 05:58:13 PM

Try the local bank. They seem ok with part-time tellers and it looks good on a resume.

- Viin
Cheddar
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Reply #1870 on: November 17, 2014, 06:30:53 PM

I got some sort of cash reward today for whatever.  I have no idea what this means other than free money.

Management not engaged.  Shallow attempt to boost morale, with additional consequence of confusing the peons.

Classic!

edit.  CYA.  Usually a sign someone is feeling pressure and will turn against you.  Unless it was an exec, in which case you were random peon to be selected by glorious leader.
« Last Edit: November 17, 2014, 06:33:04 PM by Cheddar »

No Nerf, but I put a link to this very thread and I said that you all can guarantee for my purity. I even mentioned your case, and see if they can take a look at your lawn from a Michigan perspective.
Yegolev
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Reply #1871 on: November 18, 2014, 06:36:50 AM

I agree with Cheddar that alarms should be going off.  Best case is lack of engagement.  Worst case, your position will be eliminated shortly.

Why am I homeless?  Why do all you motherfuckers need homes is the real question.
They called it The Prayer, its answer was law
Mommy come back 'cause the water's all gone
Sky
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Reply #1872 on: November 18, 2014, 10:05:55 AM

Bonus check here translates to 'you're not getting raises this year'. Easier to give a 1-time check than commit to the annual cost of raises. Keeps the peons happy, infuriates the professionals.

Still, better than no raise AND no bonus...
Chimpy
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Reply #1873 on: November 18, 2014, 08:03:10 PM

I agree with Cheddar that alarms should be going off.  Best case is lack of engagement.  Worst case, your position will be eliminated shortly.

His unit is probably next on the block to be sold to Lenovo.

'Reality' is the only word in the language that should always be used in quotes.
Rasix
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Reply #1874 on: November 18, 2014, 08:13:10 PM

Settle down, fellas.  It was an award. Our product line / department rarely gets these, so it's pretty nifty.

Gets announced tomorrow or whatever.  I hope people aren't expecting donuts.
« Last Edit: November 18, 2014, 08:19:54 PM by Rasix »

-Rasix
Yegolev
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Reply #1875 on: November 19, 2014, 06:56:30 AM

I had all of my stuff at work boxed and taken home at least ten months before I was outsourced, so I might be a light trigger.

Why am I homeless?  Why do all you motherfuckers need homes is the real question.
They called it The Prayer, its answer was law
Mommy come back 'cause the water's all gone
Maven
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Reply #1876 on: November 19, 2014, 08:26:58 AM

We had a CPA come on campus and give a talk about Careers in Accounting. He gave some valuable insight, including job resources, like AccounTemps. I've got a pretty good picture of the next 6+ years.

Shit, did you know that CPA's unemployment rate is around 1%, and even then those are guys between jobs?
Yegolev
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Reply #1877 on: November 19, 2014, 08:28:41 AM

Already with the statistics!

awesome, for real

Why am I homeless?  Why do all you motherfuckers need homes is the real question.
They called it The Prayer, its answer was law
Mommy come back 'cause the water's all gone
Paelos
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Reply #1878 on: November 19, 2014, 09:35:10 AM

We had a CPA come on campus and give a talk about Careers in Accounting. He gave some valuable insight, including job resources, like AccounTemps. I've got a pretty good picture of the next 6+ years.

Shit, did you know that CPA's unemployment rate is around 1%, and even then those are guys between jobs?

Be wary of AccounTemps. They work for certain things, but they take forever to place you at times, and they will often throw you into a shitty temp job you hate. Then if you complain, you get nothing for even longer.

Yes, you can and will get hired at will if the economy isn't a complete shithole. However, can and will means doing tax. Nobody wants to do tax now. It also means putting up with what that entails and making less than you would in private industry.

CPA, CFO, Sports Fan, Game when I have the time
Maven
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Reply #1879 on: November 19, 2014, 12:27:49 PM

I'll expand my search to multiple temp agencies -- I had failed to consider that as an option in lieu of more steady options.

I'm anticipating spending at least 2 years in one of the Big 4 post-graduation. My chief observation: if you don't have something lined up after graduation, you'll have a far more difficult time securing work. So I'm being aggressive during school.
« Last Edit: November 19, 2014, 12:39:36 PM by Maven »
Paelos
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Reply #1880 on: November 20, 2014, 06:40:36 AM

How old are you? Big 4 is a young man's game. If you're over 30, you will find yourself working with a bunch of 20-somethings that can bury 80 hours a week without batting an eyelash.

The experience is invaluable, but they often start you between 55-65k region dependent, expect you to have your CPA on track to be done in two years, in addition to the other work you do which takes all your time. If you're young, go for it but expect to be abused for the privilege and shit pay. Upside if you can leave for a Fortune 500 job on a whim after a couple years, and everyone does that for the most part.

If not, I highly recommend doing slightly smaller firms that aren't Big 4. Grant Thornton, CohnReznick, BDO, McGladrey, etc. You'll only do 60-70 hours a week there during busy seasons, but you'll get better access to partners and management than you would in a big four. You'll also get better client relations for the most part if you're not a suckass. You still have a shot at a Fortune 500 job out of here, but not as good at Big 4. However, if you handle bigger clients on audits, they love to hire people from audit teams that are familiar with their business.

Then the next tier down is local firms. Local firms will pay less, but your quality of life is better. Typically these firms have between 5-25 employees, 1-4 partners, and they emphasize family first. The pay is less, but not much less when you take into account hours work versus payment. These guys typically do 50-60 hour weeks during high seasons, you'll get instant access with clients and likely handle your own book, and you'll have a shot at increasing your pay quickly if you bring in more business. You'll also get to do more than just one facit, ie - you'd do both audit and tax. Downside is the training is usually on the fly, the pay is less, and the opportunities aren't as good when you leave. You'll have shots at getting local business jobs, not Fortune 500.

CPA, CFO, Sports Fan, Game when I have the time
Viin
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Reply #1881 on: November 20, 2014, 09:15:33 AM

Anyone going to CES in January? Looks like I will be making my first trip.

- Viin
shiznitz
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Reply #1882 on: November 20, 2014, 09:22:09 AM

How old are you? Big 4 is a young man's game. If you're over 30, you will find yourself working with a bunch of 20-somethings that can bury 80 hours a week without batting an eyelash.

These 20-somethings will not include many attractive women, but it will include a lot of lonely women.

I have never played WoW.
eldaec
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Reply #1883 on: November 20, 2014, 11:04:44 AM

Settle down, fellas.  It was an award. Our product line / department rarely gets these, so it's pretty nifty.

Gets announced tomorrow or whatever.  I hope people aren't expecting donuts.

People always expect donuts.

"People will not assume that what they read on the internet is trustworthy or that it carries any particular ­assurance or accuracy" - Lord Leveson
"Hyperbole is a cancer" - Lakov Sanite
Paelos
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Reply #1884 on: November 20, 2014, 11:32:06 AM

How old are you? Big 4 is a young man's game. If you're over 30, you will find yourself working with a bunch of 20-somethings that can bury 80 hours a week without batting an eyelash.

These 20-somethings will not include many attractive women, but it will include a lot of lonely women.

If you bang a co-worker at the Big 4, there are some really negative consequences though.

CPA, CFO, Sports Fan, Game when I have the time
rattran
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Unreasonable


Reply #1885 on: November 20, 2014, 01:14:50 PM

Run from accounting, tax time sucks your life away. I watched one of my old roommates who ended up going to be a help desk minion as it was less soul grinding than being a CPA. If you love maths, be an actuary instead, not much more schooling, niftier tests (lots more of them now though) and free swag from the Society of Actuaries.

Then when you burn out, you can run away and join the circus.
Maven
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Reply #1886 on: November 20, 2014, 01:25:04 PM

I'm set on Accounting as a career, but I will look into actuary.

I'm 33. I expect it to be rough, but I anticipate that I'll dig the work and won't mind putting in the hours, at least for the first two years. 55-65k starting salary would be amazing right now. I devoured my initial accounting course from a MOOC and was left hungry. My ambition has been reignited after the terrible experience with casino work.

I'll keep my options open to regionals, not sure I would be interested in doing local firms. The goal is to get recruited right out of college and bang out my CPA ASAP.

I haven't given much consideration to Fortune 500 work, will put it on the radar. I'm still attenuated to the gaming industry / corporate entertainment and even float the idea of working for Blizzard again. I keep telling myself it's a terrible idea, but like my taste in women, I'm not thinking about the long-term whenever I entertain the thought.

Oh, and just for shits, let's bang a 20-something co-worker, because my career is worth that.  Ohhhhh, I see.
Paelos
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Reply #1887 on: November 20, 2014, 01:31:40 PM

Accounting is well worth it if you can get past the entry level. The mid-tier management of accounting is usually very interesting stuff. You're dealing with how a business runs from top to bottom in many cases. I swtiched from tax to being a controller as a contracting firm for paint and drywall. Now I do:

- Payroll weekly for deposits
- Cash management
- Job costs along with WIP runs for our jobs
- Implementing new controls
- Running insurance documentation
- Going over contracts for new jobs, deciding whether they fit for the business
- Signing shit constantly
- Cutting checks for vendors
- Managing the AP, AR, and Billing people that work here
- Doing monthly close, and the financials for the bank LOC
- Going to job progress meetings with the PMs and estimators

And a bunch of other crap. It's about 10x more varied and interesting than doing another 1040 for the 200th time, or doing the same type of small business return for the 300th time late in the season because the fuckers couldn't get it to us in February.

CPA, CFO, Sports Fan, Game when I have the time
Arinon
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Reply #1888 on: November 20, 2014, 04:32:48 PM

I'm set on Accounting as a career, but I will look into actuary.

I'm 33. I expect it to be rough, but I anticipate that I'll dig the work and won't mind putting in the hours, at least for the first two years.
I got into accounting in my early 30's too and I'm probably two-ish years from designation.  Not in a hurry for it but I keep plugging away.  Avoided the whole crazy work hours and insane tax nonsense by working for a University i.e. not-for-profit. Worst it gets is a couple of months of 50 hour weeks around year-end. 

Love the work.  Picked the field for much the same reason you mentioned, low risk of unemployment.  Also lets you work in all sorts of industries, which is useful if you aren't willing/able to move very far for a job.

Looked into actuary work during my early accounting education, as I have a pretty reasonable mathematics background, but it seemed a bit too specialized.  Larger risk of getting bored.  Probably a step up from getting sucked into a tax black hole though.

koro
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Reply #1889 on: November 21, 2014, 05:25:17 PM

Well, work is going to be interesting for the foreseeable future.

http://www.11alive.com/story/news/local/rome/2014/11/19/chemical-spill-causes-massive-fire-in-rome/19284887/

From my understanding, this plant is one of only three in the US that does what my plant does. The other one was bought by us and is undergoing renovation and upgrading.

That leaves only my tiny 120-employee plant, whose management has so kindly volunteered us to pick up that burned-up plant's slack...

...when we're already barely making production while running 6-7 days per week, while picking up the slack of two other plants.
« Last Edit: November 21, 2014, 05:26:49 PM by koro »
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