Work Woes

I like my "new" job. I've had it for 7 months, and unlike past jobs, it's permanent. I had 3 one-year contracts in a row with three different employers. The first and third were great companies to work for, but there was no chance to become permanent. The middle job was a good job but not a great company to work for. There was a slight chance it could become permanent, but I wasn't interested in pursuing it.

This job, my fourth job since finishing grad school, is a good job. I'm a consultant, which I didn't think I'd like. It's not as rewarding as working for a company - I just go in, do what I need to do, write a report, and leave. Working for a company means you get your hand's dirty, you create the project, you identify solutions, you work it through, you implement, you follow up, you evaluate its effectiveness, etc. You really own the project. Being a consultant means you do your job, regardless of what they need, you just do what they ask. (Of course you suggest if there's a better solution, but ultimately the client chooses what you do.) Then you leave. It's not as satisfying for me. Some people prefer to just do the consulting role. You don't leave your comfort zone as much, you do what you're there to do. Sometimes, a client brings you into the project at the beginning and involves you form the start to finish, but often you're there for a specific, small piece of their puzzle.

I'm not always happy because there are times I feel that there are certain individuals who taking advantage of me. I don't want to get into in on my blog, just in case my employer were to stumble across it. I don't link friends to my blog in any way (I've sent select people the link); but since I'm not blogging anonymously, I should be cautious before divulging too much information.

Basically, among other things, I was asked my past salaries in my interview. I know I don't have to answer that question, but it's very difficult to deflect that question in a polite and respectful manner during an interview for a job one wants. The interviewer acknowledged it was a difficult question, and asked me anyway. I answered, and was told they wouldn't be able to offer me that high an amount. Fine. I presumed, therefore, that the amount I was offered was the highest they would go. I realize I shouldn't make that assumption, and I knew it at the time. Since I made myself vulnerable by declaring what I made at past jobs, I thought they would be honerable by taking that into consideration when formulating their offer. Upon having some idea of what coworkers make, I know they could have come higher. I negotiated for more vacation (which is great) and accepted the offer. Now that I know more about the company, I know I should not have been so naive. Of course, I knew it at the time, but it all comes down to me not being able to deflect a question I should not have been asked. My feeling of being minorly exploited is partially due to my own mistakes and assumptions, which (naturally) makes me angry with myself. And yet it all comes down to the interviewer, now one of my bosses, asking a question that person knew they shouldn't ask (and said so) but asking it anyway.

My new job ...

I've talked (or rather, typed) about the fact that I have a new job. I've been there about 2 months doing a very specific realm of occupational health and safety. To be honest, I'm not "learning" new skills, but rather expanding on existing skills. I enjoy the job, but I get a lot of pressures - some from head office (to take on as much work as possible, regardless of if I can handle it) and some from myself (to meet and exceed client's deadlines).

My company has occ-health in other offices, but I'm the first occ-health person in my office, so I'm also expanding a new service within my office. Expanding a new business is exciting, but it means the jobs can ebb-and-flow: I've been very busy the fact 3 weeks. (Remember how I said I've only been there 2 months!) I have two worries: that this rush is permanent (which will BURN ME OUT) and that this rush is temporary (and I'll have nothing to do in 2 weeks). Neither's an enticing situation. Also, I'm already taking on the role of project manager, something I didn't expect for a little while. I thought a senior person in the head office would be official project manager of my local projects. That was what I was told when interviewing for the job. Now I'm thinking I didn't negotiate my salary properly: if I'm doing project management this early, I am being underpaid. Yeah, sure, the economy's not great, and yeah, I'm was unemployed when I was hired ... But if I'm doing project management (a more senior role), I am definitely underpaid. So I'm partially ticked off with my employer (for offering me such a low salary and then giving me very big responsibilities) and I'm very ticked off with myself (for only negotiating for more vacation and not attempting to ask for more money, too). My thoughts in negotiation was that, while this job was a slight paycut compared to my last job, an extra week's vacation is nice. Now I'm thinking that was a mistake: I should have been super-aggressive and just waited to see what their counter-offer was.

Anyway, I'm just rambling now.

Any opinions or comments?

What an odd week-end

I played baseball on Saturday in an all week-end tournament. In the last game on Saturday, I took a line drive off my shin (well, my glove had deflected it), which smarted. But Saturday night, it really started to swell. A lot. I was quite worried, actually, so I iced it, then slept with my leg elevated. But Sunday morning, there was still significant edema, so I opted not to play on Sunday. However, in exchange for not playing, I had to look after another girl on the team's baby. Baby Liam was a joy and a delight! So we hung out all day Sunday and watched his mommy and daddy and my husband play baseball.

Our team went to the A finals (like in the mid-season tournament). Unlike in the mid-season tournament, we lost to the same team we beat earlier in the year. It was too bad, but it was a good day. I wished I was played, but I doubt my team missed me! I'm very good defensively, but I can't hit to save my life. And I'm not being modest: I batted 0 for 7 or 8 on Saturday. That's right, I never got safe at first. Boo!

Anyway, the shin's swelling today is down, and in its place is an awful bruise. Bruises are manageable, and in this case expected. I am so happy that it's healing, and will probably spend the next week or two mesmerized by the colours my shin will change!

I'm still on the job hunt - I probably will be for at least a month. I'm not worried yet, and I'm sending out plenty of resumes. But at what point will I get frustrated?

Job Applications

There aren't a lot of jobs posted right now. Frankly, the economy's not that bad in my part of the world. My city's main employers are a large hospital (actually three affiliated regional hospitals and a regional cancer research centre), two universities, one college, the province and the federal government. These are not employers particularly hit by the economic downturn.

There are employers in the area that have done some small lay-offs. But not many. However, many employers are being frugal, because of the economy. Frankly, most of them are using the economy as an excuse to be conscientious of spending. It's never bad for a company to be frugal, but it wasn't been popular when the economy was booming. Now it's not, and companies are being over-zealous in their reigning in the spending.

And so no one is posting hiring. But I need a job.

Yesterday, I mailed letters to five firms. Today, I mailed off another five. Tonight, I'll do another six. And in a few weeks, I'll follow-up by calling them. Anything I can do to improve my strategy?

Day 1 of unemployment

Today, I:
-slept in a bit
-applied to a job with the Government of Canada
-got groceries
-contacted our internet provider for our move
-thought about doing some dishes ... then decided against it (for now)
-thought about going appliance shopping (might still happen this afternoon ... we do need appliances for our new house)
-watched the news
-thought about what places I should cold call

Well ... not particularly productive. I'll have to improve my efficiency in the next few days!

Well, things could be worse . . .

. . . But it still hurts when you find out you've been laid off.

That's what I found out last week. I've been asked to work out the notice time period, so I'm doing that with the best effort I can.

I'm working a contract for a utility that was to end at the end of November. I had been assured repeatedly (after asking my boss point-blank) that my contract would not be ended early. I was assured there was work for me to do. Evidently, there just isn't money to pay me.

I'm not bitter, but I'm a little annoyed. But that's not constructive. I'm working off the next week until my contract ends and starting to look for a job. If you hear of any Environmental, Health and Safety related jobs, or any jobs that will apply to someone with an undergraduate degree in Life Sciences (anatomy, genetics, pharmacy, toxicology, etc) or a graduate degree in Health Sciences / Public Health (occupational health, environmental health, health & safety, epidemiology, etc.), let me know!