Cunundrum update

[Don-Wi]

I've really been thinking it over while working on some projects, and I'm kinda leaning towards staying where I'm at. Still didn't get an actual offer form my last employer, but I'm thinking it'd have be a pretty good one for me to go back. Not because it's a bad place to work, but I just don't see much room for advancement. It's a small 5 man shop, and you do a little bit of everything there. I did about 95% of the welding when I was there, which on a hot summer day was anything but a good time.

I talked to a guy that graduated form high school 3 years after me, he started up there the week after I left. He said he called about a truck for sale sitting in the parking lot at a competitor's gear shop, and it was a buddy of his from high school.

Well they got to talking, and his dad was higher up in the company. 2 days later this kid's dad calls him up and offers him a job outta the blue, and it musta been a fair one so he took it. (personally I won't ever work at the competitors shop, not just because of loyalty, but it's basically a friggin' sweat shop)

The old shop is very busy right now, I was out there about a month or so ago getting some sprockets made up for our haybine. Now basically 20-25% of their workforce is gonna be gone with the one guy leaving right in the middle of a really busy period.

If I were the boss man right now, I'd be pretty mad at him for that move, and I'm sure they are. The other shop started as couple guys who broke off of them a long time ago.

Puts me somewhere between a really good spot for an unsolicited job offer, but also a bad spot if I mention it to my current employer and they take it the wrong way. Pretty sure the second one won't happen though, they know I still keep in contact with my former boss and do business with them once in a while. I even try getting them to do business with each other, but so far it's been a no-go.

Will let you guys know when the offer is made, and how it compares. One thing I absolutel;y have to have is benefits. Right now I'm putting away 10% into a 401K, I have insurance, 10 days of vacation, and paid holidays. The wage could be a tad higher though, but I've already gone up $4.50 in the 15 1/2 months I've been there.

Donovan from Wisconsin

 

[super99]

If at all possible, put more into 401K right now. When you get married and have kids, odds are you will need more spending cash and can cut back on amount then. It would pay off well in the long run, Glad to hear you are planning to live a long time, better be prepared for it. Chris

 

[Tradititonal Farmer]

The coming stock crash and US dollar slide will probably reduce the value of any investment in US
dollars including cash to 50% of the real value it has today according to many economists that have ben right in the past.A lot of those holding 401(k)s are in for a very unpleasant surprise as many of the companies were heavily invested in the mortagage hedge funds that are now going belly up

 

[Anonymous-0]

Since I got my farm paid off, I buy a used tractor every year as my "retirement fund". Something I can use and enjoy now and hopefully hold value if I need to sell any. Other than that all my money is in 'stock. (livestock) :>)

 

[msb]

Crash? When do they say it will occur? If we get through this sub prime fiasco, I don't see it happening for about 8 or 10 years, but it WILL happen.

 

[Anonymous-0]

It's good to see you have taken the time to consider the merits of both situations, benefits certainly are important, job security, what happens when things get slow etc.

In some respects, I am a firm believer that you can better your salary and benefit package during your career path, as you gain experience, knowledge, confidence and become a valuable asset to your employer, through negotiation.

One of the key things I consider to be important is one you mention, is recognizing a go nowhere type of job, is it possible to advance within the organizational structure of the company, and what are the politics involved to do so. No matter what you do, it is smart to at least know what the culture is like at a company and where you stand as a loyal and productive employee.

Steady income is most important, even if it means longevity with a go nowhere type of job, you just keep your eye out for a better situation, really depends on your local area and what it has to offer, sometimes you have to move to get the job you want with a company that is attractive, which is not for everyone for a variety of reasons, nor is possible for everyone, assuming that to be the case here because of your farm, have to be close by.

As an employee, you are a small business and being diligent about keeping a close eye on things to better your business is nothing any employer should ever hold against any employee, especially one who shows up on time, is loyal, productive and does their part to keep things profitable for the company. If you can better yourself so be it. Like you said though, it's good to keep your prospects in confidence, with yourself, I'd not want that information to get to your current employer by any means, and if you do decide on something, it's good to not burn any bridges, I used to give 1 months notice instead of 2 weeks, in good faith to whomever I worked for and made sure there were no hard feelings, never had any trouble doing that either. Another thing that is important is the experience you get, and how it looks on a resume, it's good to build ones resume with experience that is diverse and that benefits you in value to a company, meaning if you do the same menial tasks day in and day out, that is all you know and can do, so whenever possible it is in ones benefit to get more experience in different areas within the career outline of what you do whenever possible. A well built, well rounded resume is certainly more attractive to an employer and increases your worth.

The thing that bothers me is that these companies today don't seem to retire people, benefits can be real thin, yet the workload, working conditions can be harsh depending on what you do, it is good to know or at least have a reasonable idea, in advance as to what longevity with a company will bring you. I worked for many different companies, advanced to high saleries in the construction industry, but never had any real longevity with a company, (finish a project sometimes means a change in employer) also built a solid resume in the process, and am a capable person in my field, but I look at friends who stayed or tolerated jobs at UPS and other places that are not easy to work, but they have longevity and retirement there vs. being a hired gun like myself. ALso, fair to mention that one never knows what may happen, a company may just fail and everyone is on the street. I worked for a big NY company, same one that built the sears tower, recently new pittsburgh steelers stadium, and major work at JFK airport, they were aquitred by a parent company from the UK, eventually they closed the company, not sure who went on with the parent company. This was a company you could have stayed with and had been around a long time, things change, most went to other companies, but not all, there are only so many jobs in the industry. Just some opinion and or thoughts ont he subject, no preaching here, sounds like you will make a well thought decision, best of luck with it !

PS - I used to get up to Wausau once in awhile to deal with a window manufacturer there, seemed like manufacturing is keeping afloat there.

 

[Tradititonal Farmer]

The US gov't is going into to debt at the rate of 24 million dollars an HOUR. The dollar is loosing value as the Chinese and oil rich nations holding US dollars are flooded with them.
The Fed 'increased' the money supply which means they made some up out of thin air thus devalueing
every dollar you and I have in our pockets.The real estate problem as big as it is,is only the tip of the Iceberg.Most savvy investors are moving cash into other curriencies

 

[msb]

Aw, thats only $213 a day per person.Chicken feed---lol. Might as well sell the farm now and buy something to barter with.
Actually , I quite agree with you, but it will have to come to a melt down first. That will happen when the public finally wakes up.China is already quietly selling dollars.Mr.Magoo had left the building too.He saw the mess he helped to create.