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  1. #1
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    Job Rant and need a bit of advice

    Ok first of all..
    I'll try and keep it to the point to avoid rambling here, i apologise in advanced if i do happen to get carried away though.

    So I used to love my job but in the last year or so there have been some changes and it just hasn't been working out. I have been dreading work it just isn't enjoyable any more, i knew it wasn't a forever thing(i work commissioned retail) but i'm also not fully ready to go back to school yet. I'm just really frustrated the way management(rolls eyes) does things or doesn't do things i should say. To start off they've jacked up the store targets which in turn brings up our personal sales target which makes it very difficult to make any decent money and as a result what used to be a fair environment between staff is now becoming more and more cut throat. There is also endless amounts of drama. Of course every job is going to have one or two people that are a little off but here everyone feeds into everyone and ends up irrupting into a huge deal and it's happening more and more often. Part of the problem is this one chick that has been there for years and has a personality and attitude that stinks. No one cares for her and everyone has voiced their opinions and presented facts yet, they wont do anything. Management knows she is rude to customers and staff yet they don't seem to care. If you give her attitude back management always takes her side. Literally everyone wants to quit because of this one monster. I've gotten to the point where i just can't physically hold myself back from being nasty back to her.. its a daily struggle that constantly ends with stupid arguments between the two of us. I've tried to fight for change for a long time now, i speak with upper management as much as i can but nothing is happening i present them possible fixes and they don't want to hear it. I've done my part and then some and i am tired of everything. It is emotionally and physically draning me out. I remember talking to someone a few years ago who said retail jobs are mindless and easy and i wish i could go back and slap them across the face.

    I've started updating my resume but my problem is i dont have a whole lot of references and i don't want my current job to know that im looking. Is it apropriate to have a coworker in the same position as a reference or is it better to have someone above you

    I also don't exactly know what to say in an interview if they ask why im leaving my job. I realise its jumping the gun a bit as i havent even applied for anything yet but i can't exactly say "theres this bitch who i can't stand etc' I could say i want to grow or no longer find it challenging etc but i feel like those answers are so fake... i guess all interview quesitons are a bit superficial though.

    Any pointers or advice is greatly appreciated.

    Ps. sorry for the spelling errors its late and my computer is on the brink of death and has keys that don't work.

  2. #2
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    I'm sorry your job is so awful. My sister worked in retail for a year and the stories she had about her co-workers and managers were horrifying. So much drama! She just got a job at a bank and I'm sooo hopeful that things are less crazy there.

    The 'rules' of job searching can be field specific, but in general you just need 3 references. In my field (higher ed) it's perfectly okay to put colleagues as references.

    I feel on stronger ground saying you HAVE to sugarcoat why you are leaving your job/why you want a potential job. Nobody wants to hire someone who is running away from something. Plus, nobody wants to hire someone who seems like they are going to bring the drama (and believe me, saying you don't get along with co-workers or management would be a huge red flag!) In white collar positions, you are much more likely to be asked why you want the new job rather than why you are leaving your present job, so you are set up to answer positively. Job hunting is a bit like dating; your potential new employer wants you to want them. If you ARE asked why you are leaving, the "looking for new challenges" is a good one.

    A very good Website about job hunting is Ask A Manager.
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  3. #3
    Senior Dog Meeps83's Avatar
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    I'm in a similar situation. I recently interviewed at a place that specifically asked for supervisory references and/or performance evals. You can use co-workers, but may be asked for more.

  4. #4
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    I left government for similar reasons and started my own business so did not need references. But, for years in gov't., even with summer students, we could not give references, good or bad, unless the student or other person had given us permission in writing to do so. Lots of people/students were unaware that their former employer, direct manager might be contacted for a reference even if that person had not been listed as a reference. The person calling for a reference might not know this of course, and I'm sure it made some perfectly good employees look back when we said they had not given us permission to speak on their performance. We usually did manage to say something good if there was something good to say though. Watch out for this. I don't know if you are in the private sector or if this is done in the private sector, but my guess is it is. Don't burn your bridges, as the saying goes.
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  5. #5
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    My daughter is in a similar position. Quitting her job is not an option as she is a single mom. She's also in retail and it's gotten progressively worse over the past few years. She's so tired of all the politics and crap. She is looking for another job.
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  6. #6
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    Is it appropriate to ask about pay in an interview
    I realise traditionally you're not really supposed to but what if it really is a factor in the job haha.

  7. #7
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    In general I would not ask about pay until a formal offer is made. Now if they bring it up during the interview, by all means engage.

  8. #8
    Senior Dog Abulafia's Avatar
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    I am in academia, so I know it is a different area entirely, but in general I would not bring up pay until an offer is made.

  9. #9
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    Do not bring up salary, but be prepared if they bring it up during the interview to give a salary range adding that it depends on the roles and responsibilities and total compensation package (for example much better benefits or more paid time off may justify taking a lower salary).

  10. #10
    Senior Dog arentspowell's Avatar
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    I agree with what's been said about not brining it up unless it comes up in the interview, however, I would just keep in mind that when you give a range your low number should be what you're hoping to get.

 



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