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Why was I nervous yesterday!?

Posted: 18 Mar 2017, 07:55
by Rossgo
WARNING LONG POST!!! MAY NEED A COUPLE OF SITTINGS TO COMPLETE!!!

Well I've banged on about this for many years now and I've known where I've wanted to be.

So for the past 2 months I've been applying for a job/ career within Mars Slough Manufacturing Plant. This is my fourth time applying!!

I've tried to keep it as quite as possible because these type of companies (like many of you know) you have to go through lots of different hurdles just to even be spoken to on the phone and honestly didn't think I would get much further.

Quick back story

I'm a Team Leader in a processing medical breathing system Plant, worked there for 8 years, have worked extremely hard to get to where I have got to today and have had long days, been on the other end of the phone helping other shifts, ordering parts and supplies etc but recently (around 6 month) our orders have been less and less and I'm spending more and more time sorting out other people's crap in their departments rather than my department.

So this has meant learning a load of other bits and pieces that ultimately no one is appreciative of and also having the shifts I'm trying to help resenting us because we are taking their work, their chairs, tables, areas etc and team leaders over in this department don't really want to teach you anything and I'm tired of having to learn all by myself. I worked hard to change my departments attitude with this sort of crap, it's not a threat that someone knows the same or more than yourself, it's great it means you can learn off each other without escalating the problem. Anyway that's a different story

So I feel like i have been pushed to change something within my work life. I have talked to the production manager about orders and the situation in the other department and although he respects me and treats me pretty well ultimately I don't see this changing even though he garantees it will go back to normal soon, we've just built our stock up to a huge amount and we don't need to produce anything. I also realise that I'm lucky to have a job and I could be working for minium wage pushing trollies about etc. But how I feel is how I feel and I can't stop that

So I managed to pass all of the tests throughout the last couple of month and also a phone interview!!

Yesterday I went to a panel at Mars and had 4 different tests/ interviews to see how I was. All day thing. I was applying as a Lead Operator so simliar to what I do however less involved ordering wise and supplier wise but more on the running of machines. I won't lie and I even told Mars guys this, I struggled with their interviewing and tests, others might be fine but it was relentless when you were in there, they may put you at ease with their tones of voices but everything is timed and they know what they are looking for so you Try to show them different ways of working, even if like me you were confused

4 people turned up yesterday all highly experienced only 2 people walked out with jobs. I was one of them! I didn't get Lead Operator but I managed to get in as an Operator, which is fine as Mars really look after their associates and as I'm so young I could be looking at a nice pension when I retire and also there's loads of positions to move up in a handful of years etc.

Worries

Pay!! Im used to a nice life and I tend to spend my money on a fair few holidays and little luxuries plus savings. I'm unsure how well an operator gets paid as I do have bills to pay plus have a 60 mile round trip 4 times a week for work. I can cut down on certain things but travelling I can't I need to earn enough to cover that. I am finding out more next week about everything so I will have to wait and see, whether it is a realistic move

All in all

I'm happy. They said they thought I had a good day, although they could see me struggling they saw the necessary raw skills and mindset for them to mould into what they need and teach me more than I ever need to know!!

Re: Why was I nervous yesterday!?

Posted: 18 Mar 2017, 09:11
by Kwacky
Fantastic news mate. You're a hard worker and someone who cares about his job, you may have taken a step back for now but you'll soon catch up and be rewarded.

If you weren't happy in your old job then you should move. You spend too long at work to do something you're not enjoying.

Good luck with the new job.

When do you start?

Re: Why was I nervous yesterday!?

Posted: 18 Mar 2017, 09:18
by D6Nutz
Congratulations mate, that sounds like a really tough interview process so you obviously know your stuff.

Kwacky is right about catching up, when I switched over to contracting I was in the same boat but within a couple of years I was better off than where I was before.

Fingers crossed the salary package matches up to what you want.

Re: Why was I nervous yesterday!?

Posted: 18 Mar 2017, 10:30
by kiwikrasher
Congrats Rossgo, I know how you feel with the interview process, this job took a 1.5 hr phone interview, 5 hrs of aptitude testing, a 4 hr medical, and a 4 person panel interview over an hour on the other side of the country!!

You find moving to a bigger company a lot of the stuff you didn't like about your old job will be more refined and sorted, but they also come with their own quirks, but the progression opportunities will suit you I feel. It's obvious you work hard and try to improve the processes and they will have room to reward you for that.

Good luck with it all!

Re: Why was I nervous yesterday!?

Posted: 18 Mar 2017, 10:33
by Blade
Congratulations Rossgo. I ve taken a step backwards / side ways to change role and take 2 steps forward and it sounds like your doing similar.

You are a hard worker and motivated. In a good company with opportunities you will quickly progress through the ranks.

Re: Why was I nervous yesterday!?

Posted: 18 Mar 2017, 11:29
by DaytonAndy
Well done mate. Like others have said it's obvious you're an honest hard worker. Definitely the new companies gain and the old companies loss. I suspect the old company are going to realise just how much you did very soon!

Re: Why was I nervous yesterday!?

Posted: 18 Mar 2017, 15:05
by D41
Rossgo got a new job?? I missed that in the OP....what chapter was that in??

Congrats Ross..../

Re: Why was I nervous yesterday!?

Posted: 18 Mar 2017, 17:08
by TonyB
Great news Ross.

Mars hey? There's some fit women there. Mad as a box of frogs, but fit all the same.

Image

Re: Why was I nervous yesterday!?

Posted: 18 Mar 2017, 18:25
by D41
LOLOL!! Ouch!!

Re: Why was I nervous yesterday!?

Posted: 18 Mar 2017, 18:55
by Blade
Head of quality control and tasting (inlove)

Image

Re: Why was I nervous yesterday!?

Posted: 18 Mar 2017, 20:50
by Monty
Nice one Ross, sounds like you're doing the right thing for the right reasons. My office used to be next door to the Mars factory in Slouff and every couple of hours everyone would go mmmmm chocolate on account of the smells.

Good luck with it dude, hope it works out for you.

Re: Why was I nervous yesterday!?

Posted: 18 Mar 2017, 21:43
by Rossgo
Thank you fellas. I've tried to keep my mouth sealed about this all. I've been pulling my hair out about it to be honest!!

Kwacky - they say it should take around 5-6 weeks to get into the company for my induction. So still a bit of time yet

Nutz - I know what I need as a salary to be able to afford bills and travelling costs however it won't be enough for luxuries which would be a bummer!! I will find out more through the week and will give me more of an insight on how my life could change...maybe I've had it too good for too long and need levelling a bit but I shall see!!

Kiwi - screw that!!!! That's crazy although understandable for how regimented and all all the hours you do especially all those night shifts, I suppose they have to ensure you are the right person for the job!

D and Tony both comments have made me laugh my head off

Monty - must of been a nightmare working next to it, bet a lot of people become chocoholics from your office lol

Re: Why was I nervous yesterday!?

Posted: 19 Mar 2017, 09:39
by Blade
You need to get in before Easter to get all the free eggs Rossgo (giggle)

Re: Why was I nervous yesterday!?

Posted: 19 Mar 2017, 10:55
by Rossgo
Blade wrote:You need to get in before Easter to get all the free eggs Rossgo (giggle)
Image Image Image Image oh know don't I love easter eggs...I'd get really really fat Image

Re: Why was I nervous yesterday!?

Posted: 19 Mar 2017, 11:29
by Blade
Just send them to me Rossgo (happy)

Re: Why was I nervous yesterday!?

Posted: 19 Mar 2017, 13:08
by Rossgo
Hahahaha no worries Blade!!

Re: Why was I nervous yesterday!?

Posted: 19 Mar 2017, 14:33
by Blade
Rossgo wrote:Hahahaha no worries Blade!!
Congratulations on signing your new contract to be the sole Mars Easter Egg supplier to Blade Enterprises, we look forward to receiving our first order imminently (giggle) Thank you (y)

Re: Why was I nervous yesterday!?

Posted: 19 Mar 2017, 16:00
by Rossgo

Re: Why was I nervous yesterday!?

Posted: 19 Mar 2017, 16:04
by Rossgo
Just got my conditional job offer through - need a medical first to make sure everything is good with me! Also had all the information through like pension, pay.....FREE WEEKLY CHOCOLATE ALLOWANCE is also mentioned in BOLD clearly that is more important than entitled holiday etc etc
In short I shouldn't of worried I went out for a really long hour walk this afternoon mulling everything over in my head...needn't of worried everything will be peachy!!

Re: Why was I nervous yesterday!?

Posted: 19 Mar 2017, 17:18
by Blade
Rossgo wrote:Image Image Image Image Image
There obviously tears of Joy Rossgo (nod)

Your welcome mate (happy) ;)