View Full Version : Kerfuffle about Jobs
Heylo. I'm in a little bit of a pickle at the moment and would like to hear peoples thoughts on my situation.
I have just started up my own business (YAY!) in card designs. All I have to do is do card designs/merchandise and then attempt to flog them to the industry. I also need to create a website by January (I think I can achieve this fairly easily).
I am about to leave my current job as a Teaching Assistant. The aim of this was to cut down ours and focus more on card designing.
I still need to work to keep things ticking over.
SO.
I applied for a job as a general sales person at Paperchase (newly opened in town). I got an interview, did an hours trial and was offered the job yesterday (I accepted 32hours a week mon - thurs, giving me friday off.) All's dandy.
HOWEVER.
Today I receive a phonecall from the manager saying she wants me to apply for the Assistant Manager post. She basically sings my praises down the phone and says they will do all they can to accommodate me (if I needed to go to meetings I would have days shifted round etc.) There's another person going for it - same age - less "life experience". The manager has basically said she would probably prefer me over her.
The hours are 39 a week, 5 day jobby (some weekend time - especially up to Christmas.)
I've accepted the interview for the moment but don't know whether to accept the job if I'm offered.
My problems if I take the job:
1. I would be worked silly and no doubt knackered.
2. This means less time to focus on business.
3. Loads more responsibility (though I kinda like this. Being a GDB bugs me).
4. If I did well with cards I would have to back out of the job and let them down.
Good points/reasons for taking the job:
1. Work experience. If my cards flunk, I have the opportunity to progress to managerial positions in a company I like muchly.
2. Money. I would be getting lots more money than usual.
3. The job itself. These jobs are rare down south here and therefore this opportunity may not arise again.
4. I'm in the right industry for cards. I can see what sells and figure out how these people tick (I want to hit this chain eventually).
5. I'm young and have no major commitments (ie kids). I wouldn't be able to take this opportunity up in a few years time (we're making babies Picky in a few years time btw ;))
My parents and Rogers parents have basically said go for it and accept if I get it. Their reasoning is - it's experience - and if I need more time for my business and have to leave then so be it. You have to "think of yourself" and no one else in this business and I wouldn't be letting anyone down as such as apparently it's quite a turnover (assistant managers etc) and not exactly in a "caring" industry.
I still would feel guilty.
Up til christmas, all I need to do is set up a website. As soon as that's done I will get it hosted and try to get as many hits as possible. There's no point approaching companies at the moment with designs in the run up too Christmas - it's all too busy. I ideally want to hit them January/Feb time.
WHAAAAAAAT DO I DOooooOOoOOO! :huh:
Feeling well complimented though. YAY for me doing well in interviews! :D
Dymetrie
10-11-2007, 14:53
I say go for it. Like you said it's an opportunity which doesn't come up that often and it'd earn you more wonga.
You'll still have enough time at evenings/weekends/days off to work on your website and card designs.
Bear in mind that whilst it would be great if your card business took off straight away it's not guaranteed so you could do quite well in this job before you need to devote more time to your cards (or earn so much from the cards you don't have to work, yay).
Kell_ee001
10-11-2007, 15:03
Go for it tbh :D
Blackstar
10-11-2007, 15:09
I'd definitely go for it, it will obviously be of benefit to you and your future in the industry.
Kamikaze_Pigeon
10-11-2007, 15:41
It is always better to regret doing something than regret not doing something.....
Go for it :D
Wellington
10-11-2007, 16:56
Go for it, you may be able to negotiate different work hours at a later date, especially if your card business does well as it will give you abit more leverage. Also the managerial experience may help you with running your own business.
goldilocks
10-11-2007, 17:00
go for it! and best of luck!
Go for it! Yes it'll be hard work juggling the job and your new card business, but if you can use it to your advantage and make inroads into the industry, that's one massive bonus. Besides, Paperchase rocks!! I'd love to work there :)
I'd definitely go for it, it will obviously be of benefit to you and your future in the industry.
Thats what I was going to say.
The assit man job would give you more opps to put out your feelers in the industry and also perhaps do some stealth market research ;)
Good luck sweetums :D and well done for getting them interested!
BB x
I'd go for it for much the same reasons as above :)
I am probably biased though because I'm desperate for supervisory experience somewhere so I'm probably extending it to everyone ;D
Sorry to be the realist here, but currently Pheebs you don't have a business. Until you start earning some money from the cards, you need to take that job offer (I'm assumng you need the money here, I don't know your financial situation) to keep things ticking over.
You can do all the cards designs you want, set up a nice website and get some hits. But until you get some definite orders in, it means nothing.
Sorry to put a slight downer on things...but I have been there. Running a business is not all fun and games, it's not easy and it doesn't always go the way you want or expect it to.
I've not been in any of the meetings you've atteneded so I really have no idea on your chances of making a success of this. I really do hope you can make it work...your designs do all the talking and I think they're great :) But I believe you have to stay focused and realistic about how well this will work and how much you can earn.
Good luck Pheebs :)
Pheebs, it's going to be hard work as your will have extra work pressures as well as trying to set up your own business, but I think you should take the role as it's a very good back-up plan if all else fails. They obviously think you have what it takes so go for it. The experience can only be an advantage for the future.
The only problem I will have if I'm offered and take this job is being fully committed to my new business. I need to be able to get out there and meet people and sell the designs to them. If I'm in full time employment I will struggle to do that. Des - I get what you're saying fully but I don't even have a business if I don't have any clients/contact with them :)
We'll see...
I will probably take it if it's offered - I can't really say no. If it doesn't work and I need to leave it in a few months then so be it (/me feels like a big big horrible meanie)
Going to the first interview for it tonight and finding out more. I remember hearing the manager on the phone when I was there talking about the other candidate to her area manager and saying she could only work 20hours to begin with. Maybe I can break down the hours slightly to give me more time. I dunno. Won't push it - will wait and see what is said!
All good fun :)
I say go for it. It's only 39hrs a week which really isn't that much. If you can move shifts around it means you can still work out to have some days off a week. Yes it might mean some weekends you'll have less time, but overall you'll gain more and have more weight under you. Let us say god forbid the card business is slow to start this will give you a good safety net. This may also provide you with managerial and organisational and work place skills that would be vital for you later in your career.
Starting your own business is ambitious and exciting but it will take a LOT of effort and a LOT of time - and doing another job like that shouldn't get in the way, yes it will mean less free time for you, but you have to prioritise things which are more/less important to you. Bear in mind this may only be a situation for a year or less/more until you get your business off the ground - which unfortunately you're not there yet.
I say get the experience, get involved with industry, network, get a feel of what's going on, and in a managers role you can see both sides of a business which is vital.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
I'd go for it :)
Management roles normally mean some unpaid o/t but as long as it doesn't get excessive can't beat some experience.
Plus the extra dosh always come in handy, and it's generally far better to be the boss than the GDB :)
Had the first interview - would say it went alright! Got the second tomorrow with the regional manager.... he's the one that basically makes the final decision (*eak*).
Really want it now - sounded like good fun and it's more managerial gumph for my growing CV!
I don't expect to make any monies on my cards for a looooong time (good 3 - 6months at least) but I'm still worried I won't be able to put as much heart and soul into it as I was hoping!
Not to worry. I'll get there in the end :D
Fingers crossed for tomorrow! Yay!
Interview - I thought - went really well! Very intensive. Had to be on the shop floor with 3 sheets full of questions and answer them (things like "Observe one team member for 30mins. Describe their strengths and weaknesses" and "What ways could you improve commercial sales in quieter periods" etc etc)
So yeh! Was thrown a bit in the deep end as I haven't really done stuff like this in yeaaaaaars! To be honest though, it all seemed a bit common sensey - not particularly rocket science stuff :)
I gave it my best shot and have to wait two odd days to find out whether I'm going to get it!
*waits patiently for phone call*
:)
The thing about management is you have to be quite empathic and have a good feel for people and how to deal with them (different to being a leader I might add) - and you come across as having those qualities so I'm sure you won't have a problem. :)
LeperousDust
15-11-2007, 13:40
You'l be fiiiiine, good luck Pheebs :)
The thing about management is you have to be quite empathic and have a good feel for people and how to deal with them (different to being a leader I might add) - and you come across as having those qualities so I'm sure you won't have a problem. :)
I agree completely. Keeping my fingers crossed for you Pheebs :)
I didn't get it... but was offered Assistant manager in Bath and Manager in Bristol!?!??!?!?
Apparently the other girl pipped me due to having more retail experience and due to it being a new store and getting off the ground they needed someone to be used to the environment straight away!
Feedback wise, there was nothing I could have done better (huzzah!) He said it was a tough call and he put it to some colleagues further up the chain to make the final decision. In his words it was "do we employ a girl with better team, managerial and people skills and train her in the business or a person who has been in the industry longer but needs training for managerial".
Not to worry! Means more time with my business! Either way I figured I was a winner :D
Well everything happens for a reason Pheebs so I guess your business must take priority now :D
Don't you want to move to Bristol? I hear it's nice there?
WAGH!
Received an answer phone message today:
"Hi Clare, it's Jade. Just wondering whether you'd be able to pop into Paper Chase today so I can put something to you. If you could get back to me that would be great, thanks hon, BYyYe"
Soo.. I call her up and said I couldn't make it today as I was busy (but really am still recovering from weird throat thing *shh*) and she says "okay well, I wanted to do this with you here but I will ask you now... we would like you to be the assistant manager here in Exeter"
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaa?!!?!
After a bit of chin wagging it turns out the other girl started to muck them around a bit saying she had another job interview to go to. Turns out she wants the other job and has turned down the paper chase one... leaving me next in line. Poor Jade was saying how she really didn't want me to feel like I was second choice and that she would love me to be part of the team.
Said I would think about it and pop in tomorrow for a chat. Have said I have now made arrangements for Christmas and she it would be fine... so yeh. I think I may be the assistant manager of paper chase in Exeter now!
How bee-zaarr!
LeperousDust
19-11-2007, 15:45
I knew it would be fiiiine ;D :p
Well done :)
Just popped into Paper Chase... looks like I'm the new Assistant Manager!
Have to admit, am nervous in the respect that I haven't done something like this for a long time. I don't think it's rocket science but it's all new so will take some getting used to.
Also concerned it will eat up every bit of my time I have (it's a 39 hour week but I'm sure I'll be expected to do more). Hoping it won't have too much of an affect on my new business venture nor Picky and I's little life.
Fingers crossed it will all go well!
Trainings going to either be in Southampton or Bath (starting Monday next week) Will be going in tomorrow though to be introduced to staff and just generally get used to the shop.
Shift starts at 7 tomorrow (which means I need to catch the 6:25am bus - gonna be an early bird!)
Eaaaaak!
*mixed emotions*
Congrats! If you can get a 06:25 bus to be in 7am as well that's not too bad a commute at all!
Good luck!
Piggymon
20-11-2007, 20:56
Go Pheebs ! :D
Woohoo!
Once you get into a routine and system and used to the job, you'll find 39hrs a week will still leave you plenty of time to do other things without being tired. Certainly someone like you that has so much energy you won't struggle at all IMO. :) Good luck and have fun!
Focus on the positives see this as an exciting opportunity! Don't let it scare you, let it make you thrive.
Glad to see that more and more people are getting up at sensible times :D
Sorry to let all this hype down and all your nice words of encouragement etc buuut I turned the job down last night.
I want to put my heart and soul into my card designs. Yes, they may screw up, but time will tell and if they do at least I can say I tried my best.
I don't need this job. I didn't even go in for it in the first place. It's added hours and stress which will, okay, get me some experience on paper... but I've managed a bar for a year of my life! I've got that experience!
As explained elsewhere, if all else fails I will go back to the police. It's much more of a job for me, helping people out, running around doing different things each day, variety of different lines to go in.... than working in a shop to hit targets.
Can I say though I am the happiest girl alive today! Tired but happy. Very very very Happy. I can make this work card wise and yeh. Watch this space. Dilemma over. Happy girl now :D
Yuuuuuuuurp! Yup yup yup yup yupppy yup yup!
I'm SOooooooooOOo Happy! I'm going to go do some market research today and and and see my Mummy too! YAY!
I heart you guys! You remind me I've done this in the future and to get my arse in gear when I need to focus on my cards! They will happen! I'm sooo sooOooOO happy!
I hope like monkeys other people feel better soon! Changing it all and moving on has done me the world of good! Risks are good - if you don't take risks (calculated ones) you take longer to get somewhere!
/me boogies!
I'm going off into the world today a changed lady! Hell! I might even get my hair cut this week (with the no-money that I have now!)
Thank you people for listening! When you spill your guts out and listen to what you say/look at what you've written things become so much more clearer! I hope some of you look at what you've said and action plan some changes to be super happy!
YAAAAAAAAY!
*runs off excited about everything and anything*
Glad you're happy with your decision Pheebs. You're obviously certain that this is the right thing to do, so GO PHEEBS!!! :D I'll be first in the queue when your lovely cards go on sale.
OOPS!!!! WRong forum
Good for you Clare - if it feels right then it's probably the right decision. I wish you the best of luck, and if ever you need support or help you know where we all are. :)
good for you. You obviously know deep down that it's the right decision *hugs*
What she said :)
You've got to make sure you're happy with what you're doing and sounds like you're very happy now, so good :)
Kell_ee001
21-11-2007, 14:08
Yay for Pheebs! You wouldn't be this happy if you were completely sure of your choice, and as Will says we'll support you no matter what! :D
Glad you're so happy - it's much better than "meh" of yesterday!
Just have to say, Market Research is evil.
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