Forget that I ever existed

ushjr

Forget that I ever existed

Dakta

I think your question is 'would I hate my career if I did the same type of job but for a company in a different industry?'
for me it would make no difference at all, technically I've no interest in the industry I am in - but because my job would be largely the same in another industry I never got around to noticing. 

[Deleted User]

Why is your new job not making you happy? (perhaps we can help) There are just so many factors and being able to know what you are working with 100% is only one element. There was an industry I really wanted to get into but I was way to close to it. I don't know I get to just over 20 years in the work place when my fundamental failing was never to establish how many customers were had - as a result I'm reticent to leave a job that is a nice pace for now (though only because down to a couple of thousand customers and for the record I don't have what we do for the current custom base and was told don't bother reading and researching it) (hide behind couch mo!) to go somewhere that is triple the custom base and feels over whelming because of. As I've got myself in a sorry state where I am practically a one man band role (again once upon a time I thought I could cope with that but actually I worry about long term and it changing my character negatively and then start thinking what about the day the rug could be pulled from under me and you could end up with no option but to do something different and out of your perceived comfort zone) But then they say the grass is only greener because more cowpats! (a great quote about team working kind of! from one of the rather historic threads on here) so I'm torn.

MovingForwards

Plenty of people like cars, doesn't mean working on a production line gives the same excitement as going to a car show, working on cars or anything else to do with them (car fanatics also tend to look after their cars and not ignore any repairs / faults needed).

How about going over every job you've had, write a list of likes, dislikes, was ok, for everything done within each role and see what kind of job that would lead you to. It's what I did when turning my back on my professional career.

Mickey666

ushjr said:

Am I onto something here or is it just the grass being greener?

I'd say so, but maybe not for the reasons you might think.
It's possible to have the same basic job in different companies working in very different markets.  Imagine two different companies;  Company A might operate in a very competitive, low cost market and might struggle to remain profitable whereas company B might operate in a more specialised but highly profitable market and regularly meets or exceeds its profit targets. 

Company A is basically struggling to keep its head above water with all the stress that involves - not much cash in the bank, constantly worrying about its cashflow to pay bills and staff, constant pressure on sales staff to bring the orders in, a general culture of money saving rather than investment.  Travel expenses are scrutinised to the penny.  Budget flights and travelodges are the norm.

Company B is basically very successful, can probably win more business than it can cope with with, meaning it can choose the most profitable contracts.  It's sitting on a small cash mountain and never has to worry about paying the bills. It regularly beats it's financial targets meaning that bonuses are the norm rather than the exception.  The whole place has a 'buzz' about it and there is constant investments - staff training, up to date PCs and the latest other equipment it needs for its business instead of stretching things out and 'making do' with old equipment.  Staff parties are a regular occurrence when a big new contract is landed, all expenses paid of course, including overnight hotels for families.  Travel expenses are not scrutinised unless outrageous.  Business class flights are the norm, as are 4/5-star hotels.  Everything is simply 'more fun'.

And all of that is before even thinking about a specific job.  Sure, not all jobs will involve business travel, for example, but all will benefit from bonuses, staff parties and managers being relaxed and not on your case when 15 minutes late for work.  I've worked for company A and Company B and believe me there is no comparison - I'd choose Company A over Company B in almost all cases, regardless of what my actual job might be. 

Of course if, in addition to all that, Company A also works in a market that you are personally interested in then it gets even better.  So yes, I'd say the industry you work in can make a huge difference.

AskAsk

my first career could have been done in a few different industries but i never did change industry and stayed in one.  i did look to change as i got so bored with my job, but by that time it was difficult to do so as it would mean taking a big salary cut as i would need to get training if i were to move.

i did move away to a different career, but after a few years, i actually moved back, and i really liked the job.  the reason i liked the job this time round was the employer, so although the industry had not changed, the employer had. 

i think the employer is more important in whether you like the job or not, and i don't think the industry makes much difference, except possibly the mentality of different industries.  that is, some are more relaxed in their working life than others.

Thrugelmir

Job satisfaction is often self created. Take pride in what you do and it will reflect outwards. I spent the whole of my working life in finance. Many of my opportunities arose as I simply got on with whatever was asked of me. Many tasks are mudane, repetitive whatever level you ultimately achieve. Work in the main isn't meant to be exciting. We work for money.  We trade our labour. In every job you do you'll gain different experiences, some good some bad some indifferent. Never stop learning. Listen and learn from the best around you. Ignore the plonkers. 

Mickey666

Thrugelmir said:

Job satisfaction is often self created. Take pride in what you do and it will reflect outwards. I spent the whole of my working life in finance. Many of my opportunities arose as I simply got on with whatever was asked of me. Many tasks are mudane, repetitive whatever level you ultimately achieve. Work in the main isn't meant to be exciting. We work for money.  We trade our labour. In every job you do you'll gain different experiences, some good some bad some indifferent. Never stop learning. Listen and learn from the best around you. Ignore the plonkers. 

In the main, perhaps, but ask someone who works for an F1 team, for example.
One of my old bosses worked on the production engineering of the Saturn V computer that controlled all Apollo missions ascent to orbit.  I'd call that fairly exciting.
What about all those people who worked on building the Shard in London for example?  Or the channel tunnel?  Or crossrail.  Or HS2?  Or those who maintain commercial aircraft, or military aircraft come to that?  Or a million other examples.

Thrugelmir

Mickey666 said:

Thrugelmir said:

Job satisfaction is often self created. Take pride in what you do and it will reflect outwards. I spent the whole of my working life in finance. Many of my opportunities arose as I simply got on with whatever was asked of me. Many tasks are mudane, repetitive whatever level you ultimately achieve. Work in the main isn't meant to be exciting. We work for money.  We trade our labour. In every job you do you'll gain different experiences, some good some bad some indifferent. Never stop learning. Listen and learn from the best around you. Ignore the plonkers. 

In the main, perhaps, but ask someone who works for an F1 team, for example.

To be part of such a team you need to be top of your game though. Requires a complete character set to survive in such an environment. Really really tough. Work comes before family. Not for everyone. Repetitively changing tyres isn't exciting either. F1 wheels are surprisingly heavy. Nor is the pay great. As there's no shortage of people wanting the role. 

Mickey666

You're right.  Awful job, surprised anyone puts up with it

theoretica

I certainly find it helps to be interested in what I am doing, but it works both ways - very nice if I get to do things I am already interested in but if not then take/develop an interest.  There are some things I am actively negative about and wouldn't develop an interest in, but when it is merely neutral boredom I have usually been able to increase my interest.