Is it time for a job change???

B

breederofkoi

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Well, I've been working 60-65 hrs. per week since the 2nd week of november.. I'm run down, and now with the latest happenings at work, I'm pissed & comptemplating a career change. I've been with this present company for 7-8 years, love working there, get along with everyone well, always busy (sometimes too busy). I'm a construction equipment mechanic by the way. Anyways, a few of the guys in the shop must have gotten a burr up their asses. They have since been talking to some union representatives, we had a vote the other day, and the union was voted in favor 5 to 2. I have since told my boss that I will not be part of any union and that I will be looking for other avenues of employment. They have urged me not to rush to any decisions (claiming I'm their best mechanic as far as punctuallity, loyalty, ability getting stuff done right and on time, rebuilding motors and troubleshooting electrical issues & personality). My service manager actually told me that I do his job better than he does (I fill in for him when he is on vacation). They have told me that they want to move me to a management position, make me a foreman or assistant service manager/rental coordinator (basically create a position for me so that I am not in the union's scope), but I will have to give up wrenching, as that will only be able to be done by union members. I don't mind wrenching for another 5-10 years, I enjoy it, but I don't wanna do it forever, its too hard on the body. This is a small family company (4 stores/80-90 employees) and there is not probably not much room for advancement, other than what they may be trying to do for me right now.

On the other hand, I have a buddy that has been pestering me for 4 months to come in for a interview at the "BOSCH" (international company) proving grounds, I guess they need a heavy engine tech and are very interested in me. This is a much larger company & there is a lot more room for advancement (my buddy used to be a tech and was promoted to a supervisor after 4 years). As I understand from talking to my friend, I would still be wrenching (installing components on BRAND NEW VEHICLES, NO MORE DIRTY OILY BULLDOZERS!!!) Then testing them until they fail, report failure reason and give suggestions for modifications to engineers. I don't have all the specifics yet.

Anyone have any ideas or suggestions what I should do?? Warning signs I should look for?? Things to be concerned about when talking to "BOSCH"??

I want to say that I have nothing againsts unions, it's promoters, or its members, I don't want to upset anyone on here. It's just that those views are not mine, I don't want anyone to stand up for me, I take pride in the fact that I take care of myself & I will tell it how it is (even if it gets me in hot water once in a while). Also, I don't agree how it has come about at my present place of employment, it was done out of jealousy and spite. Nor do I feel the pay or conditions are bad enough to warrant needing union representation.

Sorry so long, damn that felt good, I needed to vent.
 
Bro, I wish I had your problems! Seriously, you are in a good position from where I stand. I think you need to work both sides of this one and see who comes through first.

Have your present company try to work you into managemant if they can to avoid the union thing, and go for the Bosch interview. It can't hurt.

Just be careful not to burn any bridges at your present job. Going to Bosch may work, but you may find that you don't like the way they do things, you just never know....
 
I agree, don't burn any bridges

Do some listening, interviewing and no snap decisions

VJ
 
Age plays a factor in what you want to do. My problem as well. You might find the same passion in a supervisory role. Best of luck to ya!
 
walenator said:
Age plays a factor in what you want to do. My problem as well. You might find the same passion in a supervisory role. Best of luck to ya!
Click to expand...
Age is always a factor, I'll be 30 in June, so I have a little time left (maybe).. I definitely am not goin to burn any bridges at my present job, I enjoy working with everyone there, even those in support of the union, I hold no grudge, just not my views. I'm not really sure how to bring this up with them. I know management is already upset because of the union issue. I don't want to make them more upset because they going through the trouble of trying to "do right by me" and I'm talking to another company. I don't want to make any rash or hasty decisions, but I'm kinda in a time crunch. My buddy at BOSCH has been trying to talk me into coming over for 4 months, now they are getting ready to do a hiring freeze, so he's wanting to know in 2-3 weeks, that doesn't give me much time. I'd be happier with a little more time to think it through. I don't think my present employer can meet that deadline and I know union negotiations will take a few months (current employer will fight it tooth and nail).

I'll update as I find out more. I do plan to at least go and talk to BOSCH, but nothing is set in stone other than that.
 
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Rule #1 - Always keep as many options open as possible. Having another job (especially if it's a higher paying job) lined up is the best way to negotiate a better deal where you are. This is not because you hold the cards, it is because you can be more confident knowing you have something else to fall back on. I went from making $35,000 a year to $300,000 a year in 12 years by doing this. I had the same talents when I made $35,000 a year with the exceptionj of negotiating skills. I also worked much harder and longer hours. When you know you can do better because you have lined up other work, you will be better off no matter which way it goes.

Rule #2 - Good employees are always worth more than they think and more than they are making. If you are as good at what you do as it sounds like you are, your boss would surely pay you more if it came down to it. I know this because I have employees just like you. I would pay them more but as long as they are happy, I do what is best for the company and give them the normal raises like everybody else.

I gave my buddy who I had not seen in 18 years this same advice. In less than one year he got a job making $100,000 a year when he had been making less than $50,000 a year.

Bottom Line - Make sure you are happy at what you do. It is worth much more than money.

To recap, go after that other job. Get to the point where you have a job offer and then go to your employer and see what they will do. And remember that you are worth more to your boss than you think. Good luck. If you can find any negative consequence to this advice I would like to hear it. This is a win win deal for you. If you want any help at all or have any questions let me know.

Seriously, I am really good at negotiating for more pay and or a better job/promotion. I have done it myself and being the boss, I know that many of my people are worth more and I would pay them more if it came down to it so I know both sides of the fence.
 
ChrisAZ said:
Rule #1 - Always keep as many options open as possible. Having another job (especially if it's a higher paying job) lined up is the best way to negotiate a better deal where you are. This is not because you hold the cards, it is because you can be more confident knowing you have something else to fall back on. I went from making $35,000 a year to $300,000 a year in 12 years by doing this. I had the same talents when I made $35,000 a year with the exceptionj of negotiating skills. I also worked much harder and longer hours. When you know you can do better because you have lined up other work, you will be better off no matter which way it goes.

Rule #2 - Good employees are always worth more than they think and more than they are making. If you are as good at what you do as it sounds like you are, your boss would surely pay you more if it came down to it. I know this because I have employees just like you. I would pay them more but as long as they are happy, I do what is best for the company and give them the normal raises like everybody else.

I gave my buddy who I had not seen in 18 years this same advice. In less than one year he got a job making $100,000 a year when he had been making less than $50,000 a year.

Bottom Line - Make sure you are happy at what you do. It is worth much more than money.

To recap, go after that other job. Get to the point where you have a job offer and then go to your employer and see what they will do. And remember that you are worth more to your boss than you think. Good luck. If you can find any negative consequence to this advice I would like to hear it. This is a win win deal for you. If you want any help at all or have any questions let me know.

Seriously, I am really good at negotiating for more pay and or a better job/promotion. I have done it myself and being the boss, I know that many of my people are worth more and I would pay them more if it came down to it so I know both sides of the fence.
Click to expand...

Very,Very well put!! Some excellent advice Chris:rock:
 
Well Breed, I was about to say some things here, but it looks like Chris hit it on the head. You are only becoming 30, you have time still on your side. I went back to college at age 29 and successfully finished. Now I'm 36 and making more money in the oil industry traveling the globe than I ever thought I could... with no prior experience. I believe you should find what you like to do, the money WILL come after. Since you've found your calling and have years of experience behind you, the only direction for you now, like me, is up.:D
 
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Awesome advice Chris!!

Especially the part about being happy at your job! It is definitely worth a lot of money to be happy. If you have never had a job where you look forward to going to work everyday, you seriously need to consider changing jobs, even if it means lower pay IMO.
 
ntw0rk said:
Awesome advice Chris!!

Especially the part about being happy at your job! It is definitely worth a lot of money to be happy. If you have never had a job where you look forward to going to work everyday, you seriously need to consider changing jobs, even if it means lower pay IMO.
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I'm verry happy where I am, other than whats been goin on.. Pay has never been an issue for me as long as I can live modest lifestyle and enjoy what I'm doin. I know I don't get payed what I'm worth, but the enjoyment of the job has outweighed that, until now (plus the fact that I won't be able to wrench here anymore). I used to love coming into work and really looked forward to it.. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have been willing to put in all the hours that I do. Not so much the case over the past few months.
 
ChrisAZ said:
Rule #1 - Always keep as many options open as possible. Having another job (especially if it's a higher paying job) lined up is the best way to negotiate a better deal where you are. This is not because you hold the cards, it is because you can be more confident knowing you have something else to fall back on. I went from making $35,000 a year to $300,000 a year in 12 years by doing this. I had the same talents when I made $35,000 a year with the exceptionj of negotiating skills. I also worked much harder and longer hours. When you know you can do better because you have lined up other work, you will be better off no matter which way it goes.

Rule #2 - Good employees are always worth more than they think and more than they are making. If you are as good at what you do as it sounds like you are, your boss would surely pay you more if it came down to it. I know this because I have employees just like you. I would pay them more but as long as they are happy, I do what is best for the company and give them the normal raises like everybody else.

I gave my buddy who I had not seen in 18 years this same advice. In less than one year he got a job making $100,000 a year when he had been making less than $50,000 a year.

Bottom Line - Make sure you are happy at what you do. It is worth much more than money.

To recap, go after that other job. Get to the point where you have a job offer and then go to your employer and see what they will do. And remember that you are worth more to your boss than you think. Good luck. If you can find any negative consequence to this advice I would like to hear it. This is a win win deal for you. If you want any help at all or have any questions let me know.

Seriously, I am really good at negotiating for more pay and or a better job/promotion. I have done it myself and being the boss, I know that many of my people are worth more and I would pay them more if it came down to it so I know both sides of the fence.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice chris, I may be trying to ahold of you when I find out more about whats goin on. Hell, I may need you to negotiate for me, I've never been to good at that. I don't usually budge from my ground, I know my shit and I defend it, whether people will like the answer or not. I have decided that I will at least go and talk to BOSCH, dunno about anything after that right now.
 
I have always told my kids to do what they enjoy and the money will follow. Money isn't everything, if you truly enjoy turning a wrench and am not sure about a management role then state it. Personally I don't like management positions I have been in when I am working for someone else, self employed is a different animal. I find I don't have the patience to deal with the peccadilloes that some employees bring to the job. I guess I just don't delegate well. Anyway the point is you need to understand yourself and your limits, what are your strengths and weaknesses. The difference between a job and a career is the enjoyment you get from performing that activity. If you are doing what you really enjoy doing you are actually getting one over on the "man" because they are paying you to do it! In my view, in a position that is created for you in a family owned and operated business, it would not take much of a down turn for them to realize they may need to make some cut backs. Middle management is always a volatile position to be in. Whom will you manage if the union members decide they aren't getting the benefits they need and strike?

Now this new position you are considering sounds like a fantastic opportunity. You get to wrench not only in a clean environment but you also would get to help create these new products, working hand in hand with the engineering staff. Most large companies have educational benefits for employees, consider when was the last time you got a scholarship to got to school? Larger international firms can endure the ups and downs in the market better than some of the small ones can. Besides this sounds like an R&D department and any company worth their salt, as Bosch is, realizes the importance of continually developing new or improved product.

Kind of windy but my $0.02 worth...

S
 
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