This is a comment by Tom B on the post “Odd Jobbing“.
“Years ago, when I was in the corporate world, something that was obvious when I was interviewing was that people right out of college with their new degree appeared to believe that the degree was enough to warrant them the job and pay that they wanted. Being in sales management and development, I needed people who could come out of the gate quickly. Are colleges leading students to believe that once they have a college degree, the rest is a cake walk? I don’t know but I do know a lot of college grads disappointed that they aren’t able to simply walk into the jobs they want with the pay they want.
“We’re currently in the process of hiring an administrative assistant for the unit. We’ve had everything from Masters level candidates to store clerks apply. The job market in Illinois sucks and unemployment is still way out there. For anyone to take their inability to land the job they want sure as heck shouldn’t take it personally. Employers can cherry pick the people to fill these jobs … they have countless candidates to choose from.
“Common thread I often see is ‘show me the money.’ People, it’s not there! Truth is and I hear it all the time, ‘people are lucky to even have a job.’ This is the first year in three years that the company I work has given any raises. And at that, the most anyone is getting is 2%. I work for an international company where we are a subsidiary that can be on the block any time if we don’t show a profit. They’ve made it perfectly clear where we stand. Very small cog in a very big wheel.
“As an old guy who had been on top, who has experienced cut backs, mergers, acquisitions on both ends, back when things were going well, no one at any time in last 30+ years was never immune from the potential of being drop kicked and shown the street. Back when I was in my early 20’s, I strived to get into management. A wise boss once said, ‘careful what you ask for.’ I asked for it and got it and I have to tell ya, it looks great from the outside. After years of hard work I had what I asked for. The Company car, expense account, corner office …. I ‘thought I had it all.’ But what one has to wonder, is all the stress worth it? At the age of 40, I had my first heart attack. At the age of 41 I had a quintuple bypass. I have since had 4 more heart attacks.
“When guys ask me I tell them one thing about this ‘career’ thing and that is whatever you do, don’t lose sight of what’s important and by all means BE HAPPY in the career you choose. Yeah, you have to make enough to live but take a close look at what you need to live. When it’s all said and done, people really won’t remember you for the income level, the office you had, the titles you achieved.”
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Damn, 4 heart attacks. Glad you survived. In Australia it’s often seen to work hard but I feel it’s becoming to the point that we’re ignoring our health and overworking ourselves. Depression, stress, health issues are very common and I can’t help but feel that lately there has been a push to work more n more, harder n harder. What’s it all for though? Is the quality of life better than previous generations?
@Archy …As I read your response, something that came to mind and that’s my commonly hearing people say things like “I give the company 110%, 120% … 200%” Wow, why are people not just giving 100%. That’s what they hired you to do, isn’t it?
I go back to what I said “careful what you ask for” comment and can only apply it to women and feminism in modern society. You asked for it, you got it … women are now experiencing all that men have experienced for years. More and more studies are showing a rise in women and heart disease, high blood pressure and a myriad of other medical/mental issues. Someone painted an inaccurate picture of the lives of men and didn’t include the negatives in the so called “man’s life.”
Funny thing is that where I’m at now is far less stressful then the life I had in the corporate world. As you know I work with adolescent males in a residential treatment center. My stress is a fraction of what it used to be. AND I’m happy … My salary now is less then what I used to pay in taxes but I’m happy and I love what I do..
Yup, I too can’t understand why people give 110% even for their job unless they are the owner. Too often I’ve seen people put in their all but their bosses don’t respect it, will use them until they end up with stress, depression, etc. Saw close friends go through this, it was enough to teach me that a job is NOT your life.