Any tips?

**tundrabadger** · 05-08-2015, 11:07 PM

Hey Everybody,

So, last year I got laid off...probably mentioned that at some point. It took me a few months, because nobody wants to hire a former store manager whose store got closed down, but I eventually I got full time work nailed down, albeit as a shipping clerk.

Now, it;s good to be working, and while the pay is not good at least I'm earning it....I did not care for taking EI one bit. but my boss is a particular kind of person, she can be kind of difficult to deal with. Finds fault a lot, tends to come in to a situation like she's looking for a reason to tell somebody off and then wonder why people seem defensive. Doesn't seem to fully understand how long certain tasks take.....she told me to do a build on a dresser today, and then 20 minutes later asked me why I was still working on it. That sort of thing.

Does anybody have any advice for dealing with this sort of situation? Experience with difficult bosses like this?

**kyratshooter** · 05-08-2015, 11:41 PM

I have dealt with that situation many times, there is a solution.

Find a new job, you boss is bat $h!% crazy.

**tundrabadger** · 05-08-2015, 11:45 PM

Originally Posted by kyratshooter

I have dealt with that situation many times, there is a solution.

Find a new job, you boss is bat $h!% crazy.

I do sometimes wish that was an option, but I'm 3 months in after a 7 month layoff due to store closure. If I got a resume with that work history on it, I probably wouldn't call me in for an interview.

**natertot** · 05-09-2015, 01:06 AM

Originally Posted by tundrabadger

I do sometimes wish that was an option, but I'm 3 months in after a 7 month layoff due to store closure. If I got a resume with that work history on it, I probably wouldn't call me in for an interview.

Still look for other employment opportunities. I work hand in hand with HR and can tell you it isn't what is on your resume, but how well you can explain it. Don't lie, but be sure to emphasize your strengths, goals and desires. If you present yourself with the attitude of "they won't like me" then they won't. I once got hired for a job that I wasn't really even qualified for. The only reason I got hired was because of three things. 1: I was the only person to wear a suit and tie. 2: I had a positive attitude. 3: I didn't make excuses for my past and took responsibility.

Yes, your resume has to have work history, but it should have more than that. References from high positions and "diverse" are good ticket items. Also include achievements, the harder, the better. Listing volunteer activities, civil activities, club memberships, and service items are good stuff too. If your lacking on any of these things, it's not too late to start working on them.

Good luck.

**Rollicks** · 05-09-2015, 01:18 AM

Having a record that you are a dependable hard working individual means a lot, regardless of why you left your previous position. That's a feather in your cap. It is not likely nor is it legal for a previous employer to say anything bad about you either, though they may imply something about your character. Hey, if you do good, then everyone will know. If you do bad, then they will also know.

It is always a good idea to keep yourself open to new prospects, but keep in mind that you should always give notice before leaving. It is poor taste to leave your previous employer high and dry (no matter how much they suck), also, it will follow you throughout your career if you'e a dick, because people will expect that they will be treated the same way from you. I'm sure you already knew this, but I'm saying it anyway.

Just know that you're not stuck with that job and that you're not the only person in that place. Hell, I was working side by side with a guy who used to program video games for blizzard, but is now selling riding lawn mowers. I had a teacher who was making more money as a waiter on the side. We don't all get to do what we want to do, but we do get what we need.

I would suggest though that you get used to it, or you leave before it becomes too awkward. Your boss will never change. If you decide to stay, just know that even though you are doing the best you can, your boss is still going to demand that you do it better or faster because that's what good bosses do. They know your limits and they try to push you past them.

Well, I guess you probably already knew that. Anyway, goodnight yall.

**WolfVanZandt** · 05-09-2015, 02:17 AM

It used to be that the strategy was to get a job you wanted, dig in, and become one of the indispensable employees - rise in the company and all that. The key words was "job security". There's no such thing anymore. The strategy now is, develop a portfolio and contacts and be ready to slide into another job if something happens. Good advice above....

job hunting is part of the modern human's career...it's an indispensable skill. And it changes continuously so you have to keep up with it. I don't know how good it is now but I used to be pretty impressed with the OneStop (http://www.careeronestop.org/). And the sister site ONet Online (https://www.onetonline.org/) is also very useful, especially since you can identify jobs that you want to checkout and then go straight to local job searches.

**madmax** · 05-09-2015, 05:31 AM

I'ld rather live in a frickin' tent than put up with an azz*^le like that. But I'm 50 something and retired. Sometimes you gotta suck it up and endure.

**ClayPick** · 05-09-2015, 06:05 AM

While your looking for a new job try killing the ***** with kindness.

**ClayPick** · 05-09-2015, 06:06 AM

Rymes with itch.

**Rick** · 05-09-2015, 06:44 AM

There are a lot of folks with a 7 month gap or longer because of the recession. Your store closing is pretty easy to explain. Update your resume, work your network contacts and realize you might have to move. Unless there is some compelling reason to stay in one location (ill parents or siblings for example) then consider other locations that might be in a much better recovery. We're a mobile society today. 250 miles is a half day drive. But finding another job would be my goal in that situation. Life is too short to work for someone that doesn't know how to manage people.

**tundrabadger** · 05-09-2015, 08:16 AM

Thanks everybody.....I guess I should brush up the resume to be on the safe side. I'd like to stick around long enough for it to look like a decent stretch on my resume...at the moment, my wife's just finished school, she's looking for work. If we can get her well launched, I was thinking I might look at going to college and getting qualified to do something that isn't retail. In answer to Rick...actually, now you mention it, my sister hasn't been at all well the past year, which does kind of keep me in one place. Although even if that wasn't the case, there's probably more opportunities in Ottawa than in most other places nearby.

**hunter63** · 05-09-2015, 12:01 PM

Work for many bosses over the years, have to say most were pretty good, but I was able to do what was needed, or what they thought they needed pretty well......so they looked to others for their power trips.

So if you do your best, to learn and to work hard,.... to satisfy your self....Will be more than enough to satisfy bosses.

Always tried to make them look good...........

If it doesn't, something has to change....Did quit a couple of trades jobs working for azz-wholes.....but had a pension covering my butt.

Funny story about Resumes......
Worked at the same place for 33 years....for walking in the door as a grunt laborer....ended up walking out the door a Manger of Inventory and Production for 2 plants.

Applied to many places....application said "List last 3 employers"....and the lady/guy taking it says "You worked in the same place for 33 years?....when I only listed one.....time was longer than there were alive....LOL

**tundrabadger** · 05-09-2015, 01:03 PM

Funny thing, hunter... I had some interviews where I was asked "why did you stay in that job 4 years? Why not move on?". That might just be a retail thing.... Jumping around is pretty common. But hell, I liked the work, I was making nice commision and I was a good manager.

Thinking even if I can't get back to school, this is a good thing to have experience in.

**hunter63** · 05-09-2015, 01:14 PM

Going and taking classes in most anything, you have an interest in, will build your contacts, exposes you to new things....and generally expand the whole list of fields available.

Good way to get your foot in the door of whatever occupation you are interested in.

Where do you want to go, for a job,.....and where do you want to be in 5 years, 10 years?

**Rick** · 05-09-2015, 01:25 PM

Excellent post, Hunter. It also shows potential employers you are eager to learn and self motivated.

**tundrabadger** · 05-09-2015, 01:26 PM

Pertinent questions... Actually, I'm starting a creative writing class tuesdaym. Hoping to make some contacts and have some fun. Plus get a beTter idea of where I want to go in life