Friday, February 18, 2022

All That Glitters Is Not Gold, And Some Crazy-Ass Selfies

Hi folks! I wanted to give you an update on the new job.

I'm always reminded of a saying my mother would use whenever I realize that not everything I anticipated as being "gold", ends up being so.

Such as the new job I was so very excited about prior to actually starting the job.

I initially thought the position was one thing, but it ended up being many, many other things. Part of that I take responsibility for because I should have been more probing during my two interviews. Usually in this type of industry when you're being interviewed for a position, companies are very direct and clear about the job details and what they expect of you. My two interviews, however, were a series of questions that sounded almost homogenized. Nothing went very deep. But I thought, "Hey...if that's how they want to conduct this interview, so be it." Still, I should have asked more questions because I felt like they were leaving something out.

Here are a few things I quickly discovered about the position, once I started:

The job itself and my daily sales goals:

I thought that I would primarily be spending my time training the store staff on all the products and the proper way to use them; assisting and educating customers; and of course, selling. But I was not given an hourly goal that was expected of me until only a few days before I started working in a store. And let me tell you, it's a HIGH hourly goal, considering our economy at the moment and how people are watching their pennies.

The phone app:

I was also required to download a phone app onto my cell phone, which was not unusual because most companies do that now as a means of checking your work schedule and clocking in and out each day; checking your pay stubs; and using it as a way of communicating with the company. Phone apps are very common. I actually like them for work-related things because it's like having everything you need in one place.

HOWEVER....

....this company is constantly, and I mean constantly sending notices all day long about requirements, new trainings, new rules, and schedule changes. For instance, one day several weeks ago while I was working, I got multiple notifications that my schedule had changed. And not only did it change, but it changed THREE times in one day. I went from originally being told I'd be working a 4-hour shift, to an 8-hour shift, and then back to a 4-hour shift without asking me if I was available to do that. They also had me scheduled one night until 7PM, not even knowing that the store closed at 6PM. And on a different day, I was notified there would be a new product training class via Zoom that I was required to attend, yet the training was scheduled on my day off.

Inventory:

Additionally, the job requires that you send in an inventory count and a list of low-stock items from each retailer you work. And you are required to do this every day, even if you work two consecutive days in a row at the same retailer, which makes no sense to me because how much can inventory change in two days? You are also required to have conversations with the store managers about why the stock is low and what are they doing about it. I'm sorry, but something like inventory should be part of an Account Executive or Account Coordinator position, not a position like mine who is hired as a trainer/educator/promoter. My job should consist of being out on the sales floor, training the employees, creating excitement about the products, and assisting customers to build the business.

Epilogue -

This job seems to be one in which the company wants you to be available for whatever and whenever.

I'm a good worker. In fact, I give 150% of myself when I work. I'm dependable, reliable, and consistent.

However, I'm at a point in my work life (and my life overall) where I don't have a problem speaking up if something becomes more stressful than enjoyable. You see, that's one of the most liberating things about aging, you no longer have any reservations about coming out and saying, "No...this is not what I signed on for."

So, that's what I did.

And guess what?

I already have another part-time job lined up.

-------------------------

I'd like to conclude this post with some selfies I took earlier this week when I was outside, sitting in a park and feeding the squirrels.

I suddenly got the idea of rotating my cell phone camera lens towards me and making crazy faces.

And I'm sure anyone walking by thought I had escaped from the nearest mental institution.

Selfies by Ron -

This is the face I make whenever anyone asks me if I like cilantro...

I love how the tree branches behind me appear as though I have antlers coming out of my head. And I didn't even notice that until I uploaded the photos to my computer...

This is how I look whenever I see one of those horrifyingly HUGE black, flying roaches/water bugs in my bathroom during the hot, humid summer months...