Created a bad situation for myself at work

purplelila-2007

m0t wrote: »

The training manager was extremely angry at the situation and was about to call my bosses director to sort it out. He was very clear about who had dropped the ball on this one, this business unit bid for my time and now are wasting it when other areas were desperate for it.

With regards to the menial work issue I am being given work that would usually sit 2 levels below me. For the record I have been doing this scheme for 2 years and have at various points done menial tasks and have been promoted based on my hard work. Prior to that I worked as a painter/decorator for a year because it was the only job I could get, before I went to university I spent a year doing an admin job. I do not consider myself too good for the work but if if I don't gain the correct type of experience by doing the right sort of work at the right level I will not be able to qualify as an accountant.

You know what , it doesn't matter at least you have a graduate level job.

Me , I'm a grad who finished uni in 05. I took on menial temp jobs, landed myself a job that was a little mess menial and now due to the economic situation I've got another job in the company that is a step down from what I used to do .

I have applied for over 150 jobs in the last three years . But when the only experience you have is of menial jobs like me , it's hard to get someone to take a chance and let you take a step upwards careerwise.

Thank you're lucky stars you're on a grad scheme , on a grad level salary . Some of us grads would do anything to have your opportunity . It's now been 4 years of menial work for me in the same company , and I get so sick of it I want to walk out . I can't because I have bills to pay to keep a roof over my head.:mad::(

At least you're somewhere that is willing to train you up to become an accountant , it might take longer than you anticipate but the important thing is you have the CHANCE.

You're not stuck in a position like me , where the thought of work fills you with dread , I am literally wasted where I am .

My manager has commented on this several times and seems shocked that I'm finding it so hard to get another job .

smileylondongal

In terms of the experience you need, are you sure you would need to leave the team to do it? The reason I ask is that sometimes my graduates have had a very narrow view of what's needed and it's only by my examining the situation and helping them to see a more wider view that they then see they can do these things in their current role. Is it about the technical work you'd need to do or is it about skills and behaviours you need to demonstrate?

It may be another placement isn't available or that you might have to wait a while by which time you might as well get as much as you can from the one you are on and build some bridges. Remember it is likely that your placement manager will have input into your reviews or possible promotion so I'd say staying and making yourself investable in their eyes would be more useful in your position.

The only alternative placements I found were those where grads were in impossible situations involving extreme clashes in personality or extreme working hours.

smileylondongal

purplelila-2007 wrote: »

You know what , it doesn't matter at least you have a graduate level job.

Me , I'm a grad who finished uni in 05. I took on menial temp jobs, landed myself a job that was a little mess menial and now due to the economic situation I've got another job in the company that is a step down from what I used to do .

I have applied for over 150 jobs in the last three years . But when the only experience you have is of menial jobs like me , it's hard to get someone to take a chance and let you take a step upwards careerwise.

Thank you're lucky stars you're on a grad scheme , on a grad level salary . Some of us grads would do anything to have your opportunity . It's now been 4 years of menial work for me in the same company , and I get so sick of it I want to walk out . I can't because I have bills to pay to keep a roof over my head.:mad::(

At least you're somewhere that is willing to train you up to become an accountant , it might take longer than you anticipate but the important thing is you have the CHANCE.

You're not stuck in a position like me , where the thought of work fills you with dread , I am literally wasted where I am .

My manager has commented on this several times and seems shocked that I'm finding it so hard to get another job .

I think that's a little unfair as it's not the OPs fault he found a grad role and you didn't. He's trying to make the best of a difficult situation and simply asking advice.

Also just to say that grad programmes aren't for everyone. I didn't actually ever want to be on one, despite good degrees, simply because I wanted to take the opportunities of working my way up - I did menial to becoming an administrator and then became a manager. It took me longer, but I'm proud of where I am and don't bear any grudges to those who took a different route.

You will get there, but it may take a while and some patience, but don't begrudge those with different opportunities.

pineapple

I think the op should 'think outside the box' and be proactive in seeking out and suggesting work which would be useful to the employer. There must surely be things that need doing even if they don't fit strictly within the OP's remit. Maybe there is a little project out there just waiting for the OP. Some all round experience and a display of initiative will go down well with future employers.

Emmzi

pineapple wrote: »

I think the op should 'think outside the box' and be proactive in seeking out and suggesting work which would be useful to the employer. There must surely be things that need doing even if they don't fit strictly within the OP's remit. Maybe there is a little project out there just waiting for the OP. Some all round experience and a display of initiative will go down well with future employers.

But OP tells us they have exhausted this avenue....

purplelila-2007

smileylondongal wrote: »

I think that's a little unfair as it's not the OPs fault he found a grad role and you didn't. He's trying to make the best of a difficult situation and simply asking advice.

Also just to say that grad programmes aren't for everyone. I didn't actually ever want to be on one, despite good degrees, simply because I wanted to take the opportunities of working my way up - I did menial to becoming an administrator and then became a manager. It took me longer, but I'm proud of where I am and don't bear any grudges to those who took a different route.

You will get there, but it may take a while and some patience, but don't begrudge those with different opportunities.

It's got nothing to do with begruding anyone opportunities - can't you see that , it's to do with being ungrateful and not making the most of the chances given!

smileylondongal

purplelila-2007 wrote: »

It's got nothing to do with begruding anyone opportunities - can't you see that , it's to do with being ungrateful and not making the most of the chances given!

I'm sorry you must be reading something different as I can't see where the OP has been ungrateful. Perhaps they might be guilty of not seeing the potential opportunity but that's nothing unusual when you can't see the wood for the trees. If anything you sound as if you might be in a similar situation from what you've described.

pineapple

Emmzi wrote: »

But OP tells us they have exhausted this avenue....

Well I'm not sure. That's why I mentioned thinking outside the box. Maybe the op could think of something which might improve the productivity of the organisation or something which would make life easier for people. The sort of 'extra' which we never have time to do because we are too busy doing our jobs.
It's about being creative. Taking on tasks for people and helping them out is not quite the same thing.

Emmzi

pineapple wrote: »

Well I'm not sure. That's why I mentioned thinking outside the box. Maybe the op could think of something which might improve the productivity of the organisation or something which would make life easier for people. The sort of 'extra' which we never have time to do because we are too busy doing our jobs.
It's about being creative. Taking on tasks for people and helping them out is not quite the same thing.

If you can see anything from the OP that indicates they are willing to take on suggestions, please do show me!

I find them frustrating (and would think twice about renewing their contract) because it is all someone else's fault...

m0t

I typed up a long response but my phone ate it so I will be brief.

I made the mistake of not explaining the environment in which I work. There is an extremely rigid structure which means every bit of work I want to do has to be approved by my boss.

I can't start doing tasks that he hasn't agreed to because when he finds out I will be in trouble. I can and do make suggestions to him but he does not agree to them because he wants me ready for whenever he happens to need me.