Job advice

[Sam_2.0]

Our company is currently going through a merger. It was originally supposed to have closed last year, and I was to take a supervisor position with another department. That didn't happen, and now it is supposed to close later this year. As far as I know, I am still slated for the same position. But now I am really 2nd guessing it. As a supervisor I would have less flexibility with my schedule and I would need to travel at least once a week to our other locations 3 hours from here.

I am barely hanging on at home as it is. Having a less flexible schedule and longer hours isn't going to work for me personally. Professionally this is a step up, but I don't know that I want it, especially right now.

I don't have a new offer yet. But the last offer I got basically said "sign or resign." I feel put in a hard spot between having a job I hate, or having no job at all. I don't really know what to do, and I've learned enough along the way to know that asking for advice here can be sketchy since people often turn that against you.

Being a grown up sucks

[Sam_2.0]

More ranting than advice, I guess. DH has a commission only job, so I am the main income and the steady income. He is having to put more time in at work and is unable to support more at home. I really want to find a way to work PT if possible, or work a day or two from home once DS1 starts preschool. I want to lean OUT, not in.

[Waffle]

Have you considered looking for a job with a different company? See what's out there before you get put in the take it or leave position.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

How hard would it be for you to find another job?   Can you start looking to see what is out there now?

Can your DH move to a job that isn't 100% commission?


I feel you on being the steady income.   I carry our benefits and have the most flexibility so everything has fallen onto me.   DH has a better job now but he still doesn't get much PTO and it would be over half his paycheck to have us on his benefit plan.

So I'm stuck.    If I was in your position I wouldn't have much choice but to sign.  DH would be supportive of me choosing not to but if I look at reality it is just not feasible for me to walk away from a job.

[flamingo]

Can you look for a new job at a totally new company? If I'm remembering right, you've been with the same company for years, but that doesn't mean you have to stick with that company forever.

Can you talk with your current supervisor about your concerns? I don't know if that would make a difference if the company is being sold and restructured, but it might be worth a shot.

Good luck, it definitely sounds like a tough spot to be in!

[andi9899]

Look for a different job. The way I see your situation is you're either going to continue in job limbo for who knows how long, or you're going to basically be forced to take a job you don't want. Who wants to live either way? At least see what's out there. If you don't find anything, you're no worse off than you are now. If you find something good, then it's a win.

[gooddecisions]

Update your resume, update your LinkedIn profile and start casually looking. Post if you find something you might like.

In the meantime, stay the course until you get an update on future job with current company or a job offer with the new company. Good luck!

[chiver78]

Jan 4, 2018 11:14:36 GMT -5 gooddecisions said:

Update your resume, update your LinkedIn profile and start casually looking. Post if you find something you might like.

In the meantime, stay the course until you get an update on future job with current company or a job offer with the new company. Good luck!

right now, you do still have that job. you have the flexibility to take your time in looking for something else that will work for you, because it sounds like your current place really doesn't. 

I honestly thought that when I hit the 10yr mark with my last company, that it meant I was a lifer and would never leave, good or bad. and then all the shit that went down about a year later changed my mind completely. I know you've been there a long time, but you didn't sign a life contract. you'd be doing yourself a disservice not to look for something else that complements your life better. hugs, and good luck! 

[Sam_2.0]

So, can I admit I've not had to really look for a job before? I got on with this company by working in the call center when my dad worked here. He told me when they were opening up jobs and I got in the first class I had applied for. From there I have more moved around based on which managers I knew and some forced moves due to restructuring. This is all I've known. I work as a business analyst for a utility company, so it's not like there are a ton of those around to move over to. My sister works for the other one and loves it, and keeps forwarding me jobs that they have open - so far nothing really in my skillset (re: they want engineers/accountants, I don't have those degrees).

Before I had this job, I worked at Target unloading trucks at 4am. There are days I wish I could go back to that. Nothing came home with me, I got paid basically to work out, it was pretty nice. Only problem is it won't pay the bills

[andi9899]

Look at examples of resumes or work with a staffing agency. I had a recruiter give me some pointers for interviews and I have nailed every job I've interviewed for since. Do you do any IT sort of work? It was an IT company that helped me tremendously. And who cares abiut the industry, your skill set would probably fit well with other industries. I can send you her info if you'd like. She's really good.

[chen35]

Sam, what is your skillset? I think you are pretty familiar with SQL. What about SAS?  

[swasat]

Jan 4, 2018 12:16:26 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

So, can I admit I've not had to really look for a job before? I got on with this company by working in the call center when my dad worked here. He told me when they were opening up jobs and I got in the first class I had applied for. From there I have more moved around based on which managers I knew and some forced moves due to restructuring. This is all I've known. I work as a business analyst for a utility company, so it's not like there are a ton of those around to move over to. My sister works for the other one and loves it, and keeps forwarding me jobs that they have open - so far nothing really in my skillset (re: they want engineers/accountants, I don't have those degrees).

Before I had this job, I worked at Target unloading trucks at 4am. There are days I wish I could go back to that. Nothing came home with me, I got paid basically to work out, it was pretty nice. Only problem is it won't pay the bills

Sam, let me start by saying that your past "industry" experience is irrelevant   Now that I have that out of the way, I'll just share my experience. As most of YM knows, I work in IT software. Over my career I have worked in health insurance company, major US bank, a not-for-profit academic, a pharmaceutical company and most recently I work at a bioinformatics company. All varied industries!

DO NOT be bogged down by the lack of experience in a certain industry. You are a BA, BAs are in great demand everywhere. 

If you don't have a LinkedIn profile, create one. [Most companies these days do their job research or even candidate research on LinkedIn] Its a great tool for job search, or even for putting yourself out there.

Update your resume with all the relevant info.

Get on Glassdoor too. You can create job alerts on Glassdoor and LinkedIn and you will get alerts any job matching your keywords/job profile opens up in your area.

And then apply, apply, apply

I understand you want to lean out, not in. But as the stable income for your family it might not be in your best interest to lean out just now?

Job searches are ALWAYS easier if you already have a job. Not only you can be more choosy, you get a lot more bites from employers AND a lot more respect. You are in a good position to actually start searching for one. I would strongly suggest you start and then see which way the wind blows. 

If you want anyone on here to look through your resume I am sure we can help out. Just change all your personal and job info to something random.

Good luck!!

[Sam_2.0]

Jan 4, 2018 12:32:49 GMT -5 chen35 said:

Sam, what is your skillset? I think you are pretty familiar with SQL. What about SAS?  

No idea what SAS is, other than my initials

[swasat]

Jan 4, 2018 13:02:23 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

Jan 4, 2018 12:32:49 GMT -5 chen35 said:

Sam, what is your skillset? I think you are pretty familiar with SQL. What about SAS?  

No idea what SAS is, other than my initials

Its a software, its used for business intelligence, analytics and data management.


en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAS_(software)

[Sam_2.0]

I have seen that, but never used it.

[MJ2.0]

Jan 4, 2018 13:07:14 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

I have seen that, but never used it.

How about SQL? If not, Khan Academy has a free SQL course. A business analyst with SQL exposure is definitely in demand, and as swasat said, it doesn't matter what industry you're in, a BA is a BA is a BA.

I definitely sympathize with thinking/planning for your life to go one way and then it's all out the window.

[swasat]

I think Sam is already very well versed with SQL. 

[MJ2.0]

If that's the case, all she needs to do is update the resume and apply! Lol

[Tennesseer]

Sam-is there any way, at least for the time being, you can stay at your current location but in a lesser position?  That is until you can find a local business to work for?

[midjd]

Looking long-term, if you do want to lean out, is your husband receptive to finding a job with more stable pay? For your purposes I’m sure you can find something more flexible/family-friendly, but finding one of those jobs that also offers FT benefits seems less likely.

Might be time for him to take on the responsibility of being the stable wage-earner. Especially if his job demands don’t allow him to pick up the slack in other ways.

(Short-term, everyone else has had great advice.)

[Sam_2.0]

I was able to talk to my current boss today about some of this. He said they thought I had wanted to move on, so that's the direction they had been planning for, but that my job equivalent is possibly still open after the merger and I could probably stay. He was going to confirm some things and let me know. Another manager heard I was somewhat available and talked to me about maybe going downtown. The job would be ok, but the commute is what I was trying to get away from. At least my current boss was understanding about things. I wish I could just stay working for him!

The final org charts are being drawn up by the end of this month. I should know one way or the other by then.

[chen35]

Jan 4, 2018 13:45:37 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

If that's the case, all she needs to do is update the resume and apply! Lol

Agreed. Those skills are in demand in every industry. 

[chen35]

Jan 4, 2018 14:14:36 GMT -5 midjd said:

Looking long-term, if you do want to lean out, is your husband receptive to finding a job with more stable pay? For your purposes I’m sure you can find something more flexible/family-friendly, but finding one of those jobs that also offers FT benefits seems less likely.

Might be time for him to take on the responsibility of being the stable wage-earner. Especially if his job demands don’t allow him to pick up the slack in other ways.

(Short-term, everyone else has had great advice.)

This! At what point does his having a job with sucky hours and sucky pay stop being worth it? Does he love what he does? 

[Sam_2.0]

Jan 4, 2018 14:38:59 GMT -5 chen35 said:

Jan 4, 2018 14:14:36 GMT -5 midjd said:

Looking long-term, if you do want to lean out, is your husband receptive to finding a job with more stable pay? For your purposes I’m sure you can find something more flexible/family-friendly, but finding one of those jobs that also offers FT benefits seems less likely.

Might be time for him to take on the responsibility of being the stable wage-earner. Especially if his job demands don’t allow him to pick up the slack in other ways.

(Short-term, everyone else has had great advice.)

This! At what point does his having a job with sucky hours and sucky pay stop being worth it? Does he love what he does? 

All good questions, no good answers. His income was basically cut in half this year. So very, very frustrating. He is unwilling to do something else, and what he is licensed for is pretty much all commission work (broker/advisor).

[Shooby]

I think you should just keep an open mind and try it.  Then if it isn't what you want, then look for another job.  And, if you are getting a step it, it is also an opportunity to negotiate some new terms as well.

[chen35]

Jan 4, 2018 15:19:45 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

Jan 4, 2018 14:38:59 GMT -5 chen35 said:

This! At what point does his having a job with sucky hours and sucky pay stop being worth it? Does he love what he does? 

All good questions, no good answers. His income was basically cut in half this year. So very, very frustrating. He is unwilling to do something else, and what he is licensed for is pretty much all commission work (broker/advisor).

That makes it more difficult, because it's not like it was always paying so poor. What are the chances he'll get his income back to where it was? Will it just take time, or do the new regs make it nearly impossible to make a good living doing what he does?

At any rate, I think you have an awesome skill set and shouldn't be afraid to put some feelers out in different industries. 

[andi9899]

Jan 4, 2018 15:19:45 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

Jan 4, 2018 14:38:59 GMT -5 chen35 said:

This! At what point does his having a job with sucky hours and sucky pay stop being worth it? Does he love what he does? 

All good questions, no good answers. His income was basically cut in half this year. So very, very frustrating. He is unwilling to do something else, and what he is licensed for is pretty much all commission work (broker/advisor).

People who have mouths to feed don't get the luxury of being unwilling to do things.

[andi9899]

Hell, this thread has got me thinking about looking at other jobs outside my industry. I can market anything, maybe I'm wasting my time in insurance. Maybe not, but looking can't hurt.

[alabamagal]

Jan 4, 2018 12:41:55 GMT -5 swasat said:

Jan 4, 2018 12:16:26 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

So, can I admit I've not had to really look for a job before? I got on with this company by working in the call center when my dad worked here. He told me when they were opening up jobs and I got in the first class I had applied for. From there I have more moved around based on which managers I knew and some forced moves due to restructuring. This is all I've known. I work as a business analyst for a utility company, so it's not like there are a ton of those around to move over to. My sister works for the other one and loves it, and keeps forwarding me jobs that they have open - so far nothing really in my skillset (re: they want engineers/accountants, I don't have those degrees).

Before I had this job, I worked at Target unloading trucks at 4am. There are days I wish I could go back to that. Nothing came home with me, I got paid basically to work out, it was pretty nice. Only problem is it won't pay the bills

Sam, let me start by saying that your past "industry" experience is irrelevant   Now that I have that out of the way, I'll just share my experience. As most of YM knows, I work in IT software. Over my career I have worked in health insurance company, major US bank, a not-for-profit academic, a pharmaceutical company and most recently I work at a bioinformatics company. All varied industries!

DO NOT be bogged down by the lack of experience in a certain industry. You are a BA, BAs are in great demand everywhere. 

If you don't have a LinkedIn profile, create one. [Most companies these days do their job research or even candidate research on LinkedIn] Its a great tool for job search, or even for putting yourself out there.

Update your resume with all the relevant info.

Get on Glassdoor too. You can create job alerts on Glassdoor and LinkedIn and you will get alerts any job matching your keywords/job profile opens up in your area.

And then apply, apply, apply

I understand you want to lean out, not in. But as the stable income for your family it might not be in your best interest to lean out just now?

Job searches are ALWAYS easier if you already have a job. Not only you can be more choosy, you get a lot more bites from employers AND a lot more respect. You are in a good position to actually start searching for one. I would strongly suggest you start and then see which way the wind blows. 

If you want anyone on here to look through your resume I am sure we can help out. Just change all your personal and job info to something random.

Good luck!!

Great advice above for anyone in any career.  Even if you get what you want in your current job, you should always be on the lookout.  Everyone should have a current profile on LinkedIn, even if you are not looking.

From what you have done in your career so far, you are obviously a very good employee, you just need to convey what you want.  If you want to be a business analyst for the next 5 years and not a supervisor, then convince your management that you are an excellent business analyst and that is your goal (for now).  

Your skills are very transferrable, you just need to find the right position.  Work on getting what you want at your current job, but always keep looking for something that fits what you want, which may mean a 9-5 job with a short commute.

I have been through the 3 kids phase, and let me warn you that it will not get easier just because they are all in school.  I had a supportive husband with a somewhat flexible job (even though I was primary earner and had insurance).  I think I was most stressed family-wise when my kids were about junior high to early high school age.  Don't want to scare you, just being honest.

Good luck!

[finnime]

Great step to have talked with your manager. Sounds like they were not aware of your career wants, and even better, they want you to be happy.

From what you've written, you need to focus energy on your family and I imagine the prospect of job-hunting is daunting. What you can do that will always be helpful and needn't drain you more is take small steps to be ready for whatever the future brings.

List your current job responsibilities. Keep it updated.  When you do something big at work, add to the list. Enter and maintain a profile on Linkedin, if you don't have one. Other people you know will be on there and happy to link with you.

Keep abreast of what's going on at work politically. Listen and show interest in any discussions of future plans. Always a good idea.

If  you learn of a position, including where you are now, that sounds promising, go for it.

Aside from that, conserve yourself for your family. Your kids are so young. It's good to know what your real priorities are and focus there.

Best to you.