Daily Archives: February 2, 2010

Path to Wisdom

Well today was day two. It didn’t go well. I did well but I was so terribly unhappy. The workload was more than I could handle. The area of phones I did well in, but overall I was feeling overwhelmed. I know, it’s only day two.

But I just kept finding more things that I didn’t like about the job. I was being thrown into the deep end so suddenly and found myself grasping at and gasping for air. I knew it wasn’t going to work out. I was on a 3 month probation and a much lower salary than I used to have.

Greg Stevens advised me a few weeks ago not to take the first job offered to me but that is exactly what I did. I should have learned the lesson from McMann and Tate a few years ago, getting a job through a Craigslist advertisement isn’t the best method.

I know I could find something out there. I feel that way. One of the interviewers I met with couple of weeks ago told me when I told her about this job that I was definitely worth more than what these guys were paying me.

Am I disappointed? Yes. Have I disappointed other people? Yes. Perhaps even you reading this, feel some disappointment towards me. I just didn’t feel like it was a good fit. The people were generally nice but walking to the office felt like I was walking to the gallows.

Just such a feeling of melancholy. I know there is something else out there. But this wasn’t it. I shouldn’t have settled. That was a big mistake. I texted Greg Stevens this morning while waiting in reception at 8:30 for the woman who was training me.

I wrote, that I was still willing to be his assistant more than ever. I didn’t get a reply. On my half hour lunch break I was at wits end. I called up Bill who was home. His back and knees were messed up. He was reassuring and as supportive as ever.

I went through the rest of the days routine, eating bananas since that was all I had time to eat. The half hour lunch break allowed me to get to an ATM and the first machine wouldn’t read my card so I had to get online and try for another machine.

The whole time I was on the phone with Bill, who was searching my email for the phone number of the woman who interviewed me a few weeks ago. He got it and once I got off the phone with Bill, I called the woman and left a voice mail. She hasn’t gotten back to me yet, but I will try again tomorrow. And I will sign up with other staffing agencies.

I had to lie. I called up the company and left a voice mail saying I found a message when I got home and decided to take a job with better pay. I’m sure they would understand. They weren’t paying me that much and the workload promised to be more than I originally anticipated. In fact it didn’t even resemble the job that was listed on Craigslist.

“Office Business Center Operator in Manhattan seeks experienced bright self-starter to join our Front Desk team to greet guests, service incoming customer calls and existing customers in full service office centers. Must have strong PC skills & switchboard experience and be able to multitask. We offer competitive salary and a full package of benefits.”

I do have these qualities and can multitask but the competitive salary was not competitive at all. Even if I kept working there while looking for other jobs, the half hour lunch break would definitely hamstring my job search.

I feel I’ve done the right thing and moved while it was still early and while the company could still go with the number two person they had considered. I didn’t fill out any forms or paperwork so that shouldn’t leave me with any strings attached.

I know I can do better and I know I can get a better job. I think this is for the best. Sorry if you’re disappointed, but I am sure that this wasn’t the job for me. I think I know what I’m doing.

http://www.box.net/shared/z6yfzv7lrc