End of job

Spikey2

I had a job as a sales agent for a company selling vehicle tracking systems. The job was advertised as maternity leave, and there was no mention of it becoming in any way permanent after the other lady came back from her maternity.

I got plenty of new customers, and made a good amount of sales. The job was commission only so I do not see why the company did not keep me on. They always got good feedback from customers about my work, no complaints. Now the maternity leave is over and I am out of a job. Of course I do understand that the lady had to get her job back, I just thought there might have been space for me too. Its not as if they were paying a base wage too.

The company told me they were happy with my work and that they'll give me a reference. But will it look a bit odd to other employers that they didn't keep me on as it was a commission only job? Or am I overthinking the whole thing?

Spikey2

marleyboy

The reference is hardly going to make you look dodgy. You were merely filling in for someone who was away for a short while, no matter how good you were at the job (there is nothing to say the other employee wasn't just as good), the job was advertised and offered as a temporary job.

A reference will go in your favour as someone who managed to fill another's shoes with confidence and outstanding ability, particularly for a temporary position.

A time may well arrive when they have a vacancy available that they feel you could successfully fill. That time isn't now, that's no reason to feel disheartened about it, dust yourself off and keep looking with the confidence you have.

DKLS

I wouldnt see anything dodgy in it, you took the role as matty cover and she came back.

LittleMax

It's just the way it goes. A few years ago a maternity cover was a good way into a company as they could see how good you were, but now times are tight companies can't afford it. I have just been in a similar position started a 6 month temp contract in August and was due to finish the end of January. I was really lucky that they extended my contract to end of March, and then most surprisingly a further month even though it went into the new financial year. This overlapped with the person I was covering for returning. So I finished at the end of April.

Anyway yesterday I have had a message from my former boss to tell me that a full timer is leaving and if since they are restructuring they will not be able to recruit a replacement but if they can make the figures work would I be interested in a further 3 months.

So don't be disheartened, and if you enjoyed the job keep in touch with them, as you may be offered something else in the future.

Don't worry about the reference and CV just make sure you list it as a temporary post.

With regard to the job being commission only, if they had kept you on, presumably you would then be in direct competition with the person who went on maternity leave to generate sales. Since there are only so many leads out there, it wouldn't be very fair to reduce her opportunity for earning commission.

Spikey2

Thanks all Some great advice there. Looks like I was just worrying too much then

lincroft1710

Maternity cover is exactly what it says. You should have no expectation of the job continuing and any decent future employer is well aware of this scenario.

Spikey2

It was my brother who put the notion in my head. Thanks all sorted now