Frank McCoy
2004-04-01 01:37:12 UTC
Well ... Here we go again.
I've been working "temp" so long, it seems like only a dream when I
worked "for real" at a company.
Around Last Christmas (OK, December) I worked (temp) for a small
company about 20 miles away. Nice company, nice work, and (Surprise!)
they seem to like me there too. The job was scheduled to only last
until the end of the year. It seems that as the quarter comes close
to an end, they hire temps to get the needed work done ... and then
the bean-counters WAY up in the Corporate Ladder call for all temps to
be dismissed at the end of the quarter ... so they don't appear on the
company books as "people working for the company". I guess that makes
them appear more productive or something. This goes on ALL the time
there; and I wonder exactly who they're trying to fool?
Anyway, the people I worked directly for, have no say in the matter.
They can hire temps as-needed to get particular jobs done; but hiring
somebody *permanent* has to go clear to Corporate Headquarters three
states away; and the company has been in a "belt-tightening mode" for
several years; even though business has been picking up. Again, I
wonder who is fooling whom?
AS I left, I left a job-application listing my last few jobs (mostly
temp) along with a big resume at the HR department. About a week
later I got a, "Sorry, but we're not accepting applications for that
position right now," letter.
So ... about a month and a half later (Middle of February) I get a
call from my temp agency again. Seems the same company needed more
help (again) and had asked for me by name. (Good feelings there.)
The work this time was a little different, and under a different
supervisor. Assembling switches of a particular type they make by the
hundreds.
The switches needed testing before being boxed; and this was done by
ohmmeter, move-switch, ohmmeter, etc., method. I thought this a bit
... uh ... tedious, and not completely satisfactory test for the
switch; so *on my own time AT HOME and with my own parts, and without
asking for approval*, I designed and built a switch-tester that gave
unambiguous and FAST test results for the switches. (I have done this
before at various companies: Built test-equipment, THEN asked the
boss what he thought of it.) Sometimes it's easier to get approval
when you've got the demo right there.
The boss (supervisor, whatever) LIKED the tester, paid me for the
parts, and volunteered to pay me for my time (which I somewhat regret
turning down; but not much). The trouble is: My supervisor, though
he would *love* to hire me permanently, has no say in who gets hired;
and the company is still ... well, you know.
OTOH, when I asked him about any possible jobs, he suggested I check
with HR ... So I did. SHE told me that any jobs available were posted
down in the lunchroom. There I found TWO postings for Software
Engineer and Product Development Engineer ... BOTH of which have
specifications that meet my qualifications.
SOOOO ... I talked to the HR gal, and she asked me to fill out ANOTHER
job application. This I did; applying for Either position. Also,
instead of mentioning a lot of little temp jobs I've had, I mainly
listed the job I was currently doing AND that I had developed their
new switch-tester while working there! I also skipped back several
jobs (ignoring the temp ones) and listed the major jobs I've had in
the past that matched the job descriptions.
I also put down my current supervisor as the person who had referred
me.
I *did not* include a resume this time.
I handed THAT into the HR person, and she told me she would be sure
and pass it on to the R&D engineer ... who will be back from vacation
next week. She sounded sincere.
So ... any good vibes would be appreciated for my application getting
a good reception will be appreciated.
Oh yeah ... Tomorrow is my last day there (again). End of the
quarter, you know. Time to count beans ... ah, heads. Ah well. So,
I won't be there when the person looking at the job app. gets back.
That's why I'm asking for GoodThoughts.
I really really really could use a good job that could use me.
This looks like it *might* be the best shot I've had in a long time.
Of course, I could be wrong, too.
I've been working "temp" so long, it seems like only a dream when I
worked "for real" at a company.
Around Last Christmas (OK, December) I worked (temp) for a small
company about 20 miles away. Nice company, nice work, and (Surprise!)
they seem to like me there too. The job was scheduled to only last
until the end of the year. It seems that as the quarter comes close
to an end, they hire temps to get the needed work done ... and then
the bean-counters WAY up in the Corporate Ladder call for all temps to
be dismissed at the end of the quarter ... so they don't appear on the
company books as "people working for the company". I guess that makes
them appear more productive or something. This goes on ALL the time
there; and I wonder exactly who they're trying to fool?
Anyway, the people I worked directly for, have no say in the matter.
They can hire temps as-needed to get particular jobs done; but hiring
somebody *permanent* has to go clear to Corporate Headquarters three
states away; and the company has been in a "belt-tightening mode" for
several years; even though business has been picking up. Again, I
wonder who is fooling whom?
AS I left, I left a job-application listing my last few jobs (mostly
temp) along with a big resume at the HR department. About a week
later I got a, "Sorry, but we're not accepting applications for that
position right now," letter.
So ... about a month and a half later (Middle of February) I get a
call from my temp agency again. Seems the same company needed more
help (again) and had asked for me by name. (Good feelings there.)
The work this time was a little different, and under a different
supervisor. Assembling switches of a particular type they make by the
hundreds.
The switches needed testing before being boxed; and this was done by
ohmmeter, move-switch, ohmmeter, etc., method. I thought this a bit
... uh ... tedious, and not completely satisfactory test for the
switch; so *on my own time AT HOME and with my own parts, and without
asking for approval*, I designed and built a switch-tester that gave
unambiguous and FAST test results for the switches. (I have done this
before at various companies: Built test-equipment, THEN asked the
boss what he thought of it.) Sometimes it's easier to get approval
when you've got the demo right there.
The boss (supervisor, whatever) LIKED the tester, paid me for the
parts, and volunteered to pay me for my time (which I somewhat regret
turning down; but not much). The trouble is: My supervisor, though
he would *love* to hire me permanently, has no say in who gets hired;
and the company is still ... well, you know.
OTOH, when I asked him about any possible jobs, he suggested I check
with HR ... So I did. SHE told me that any jobs available were posted
down in the lunchroom. There I found TWO postings for Software
Engineer and Product Development Engineer ... BOTH of which have
specifications that meet my qualifications.
SOOOO ... I talked to the HR gal, and she asked me to fill out ANOTHER
job application. This I did; applying for Either position. Also,
instead of mentioning a lot of little temp jobs I've had, I mainly
listed the job I was currently doing AND that I had developed their
new switch-tester while working there! I also skipped back several
jobs (ignoring the temp ones) and listed the major jobs I've had in
the past that matched the job descriptions.
I also put down my current supervisor as the person who had referred
me.
I *did not* include a resume this time.
I handed THAT into the HR person, and she told me she would be sure
and pass it on to the R&D engineer ... who will be back from vacation
next week. She sounded sincere.
So ... any good vibes would be appreciated for my application getting
a good reception will be appreciated.
Oh yeah ... Tomorrow is my last day there (again). End of the
quarter, you know. Time to count beans ... ah, heads. Ah well. So,
I won't be there when the person looking at the job app. gets back.
That's why I'm asking for GoodThoughts.
I really really really could use a good job that could use me.
This looks like it *might* be the best shot I've had in a long time.
Of course, I could be wrong, too.
--
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