12-12-2003 14:18									#181
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Having sat in boardrooms and on management committees, I can assure you that some managers are complete twits that will hire & fire consistently for all the wrong reasons. Some of them, especially the long lived ones have an unfortunately knack for creating whatever evidence they require to dismiss you. No one performs with 100% efficiency 100% of the time; a twit/manager can extrapolate whatever "shortcomings" you have to make you look unemployable.

I would suggest you insist upon a "letter of reference" from them. I'm not sure how British laws work, but in Canada their reaction to that can definately help your cause if you decide to sue.

That's why I belong to three unions.

	12-12-2003 14:37									#182
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Three! Respect is due, comrade.

	12-12-2003 15:08									#183
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quote: Originally posted by Theben We've all been unemployed for a length in the past.

No we haven't. But I have applied for a lot of jobs that I didn't get. I remember once going for an interview at Goldman-Sachs (a big Merchant Bank). They had clearly fogotten that I was coming, even though I had to take the train down from Scotland to London. So they pulled this arrogant twit trader off the floor to interview me. He was extreemly antagonistic, to the point of insulting (when I said I wanted to be a researcher rather than a trader he called me a 'conehead'). I was taking it on the chin because I wanted to get the job (although in my heart of hearts I didn't realy want it) and didn't let him rile me. But the level of stupid question he was asking me just displayed such incompetence that I realised I didn't want to work for this bank anyway.

I told him so, got up and left.

So remember, you are interviewing them too.

	12-12-2003 16:26									#184
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Thankyou people, this stuff has been good. I definitely played the interview well. They played it very informal so I did likewise. The chemistry seemed to be good. But there is a point that the difference in paying me and paying the fresh graduate could be a matter of £5000 difference. Fact is I'm returning to a job where I am earning less than he is. I feel in technical positions I have been up against this 'blank canvass' thing and they have gone for the fresh graduate. I am certainly not going to play dumb and I have huge amounts of experience in my field. Hell, since my old department got it's finger out of it's arse at last, a published researcher.

So my question is, where would I be suited? I seem to be able to handle the more basic level jobs with ease. I would like a challenge but there seem to be few jobs that can actually provide that.

Laz, I've been getting feedback from the interviewers, but the feedback I get seems to be fairly random from interview to interview.

	12-12-2003 17:56									#185
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quote: Originally posted by Lazarus and the Gimp Three! Respect is due, comrade.

And dues are due, too. x3.

quote: No we haven't.

Okay, a good number of us have. Maybe your time hasn't come yet.

	12-12-2003 22:48									#186
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Also note - I am not particularly materialistic. As I have said I just want my own life. But this problem seems to be endemic to people of my own age. The government has been pushing people into science education on the promise there are loads of jobs and opportunities there. And it has been nothing but a lie. Compared to other sectors, the pay is poor, and the jobs seem to be few and far between. Returning to Reckitts I realise just what a pool of talent there is at my age - brilliant minds completely underutilised.

But I have been to lunch with my colleagues today discussing what is the plan. They are a good bunch of people and I get along really well with them. These assertions that I can't get along in a team and stuff are complete bullsh*t in fact. In fact I am very pleased I am returning in many ways because I like the people there. And the general concensus has been that Grimsby is full of sh*theads...

	12-12-2003 22:54									#187
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PH, I think if your arrogant QA is perfect for you. Come to America! There are plenty of QA positions, wanting to be filled with arrogant arseholes

	12-12-2003 23:04									#188
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I think arrogant is harsh. Confident and competent would be a fairer description. I don't just talk the talk, I can walk the walk as well.

That is a good idea though Japher, I think I have the kind of work ethic that would probably go down well there, and I can run QA things very well because in terms of compliance and the associated efficiency and organisation, I verge on OCD

	12-12-2003 23:25									#189
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Yeah, didn't mean to be harsh. Here, all the QA are the most pompous folk you'd meet. Yet, they have to be. I sit amongst the QA folk, and they have to make judgement calls all the time, so you need to be sure of yourself and your skills.

	13-12-2003 00:23									#190
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I know what you mean Japher I know they can be arrogant gits myself. But I just play along with them, it can be easier.

	13-12-2003 01:01									#191
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Rich, you seem resistenct on becomming a Yank. You should consider it, seriously. Remember, with that sexy Brit accent, you'd have scads of chicks wanting to snuggle up to you. Haven't you seen, Love, Seriously?

	13-12-2003 01:04									#192
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Love, Actually?

	13-12-2003 01:07									#193
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It wouldn't be a bad idea, but it sounds like a minefield. Finding the job, green cards and all that crap...

	13-12-2003 01:34									#194
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You're educated and you're a Brit, so why should getting a green card be that much of a problem? And you'd have the same problems finding a job here as in the UK.

	13-12-2003 02:18									#195
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In order to get a green card (outside of the lottery) you have to prove you have skills that americans dont possess. If you dont have a PhD its virtually impossible without a company requiring your services.

	02-01-2004 06:04									#196
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*bump*

How are you now, Rich?

I lost my job in November, but I haven't been 'poly to complain about it. I'm still unemployed and despairing at finding a job. You?

	02-01-2004 07:01									#197
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Well I have my old job back now (before I went to Novartis) which is cool because the people are a lot cooler anyway and the work is more interesting. Only the pay isn't as good...but then again I have shorter hours and a fraction of the commute so it has worked out OK really. I am just stepping back, continuing the job I was at before (straight back into it, hardly like I'd been away - well, it was only 10 weeks).

So getting on with stuff. Can't grumble really...just need a plan. And as I said, this whole business was actually rather lucrative in the end...

	02-01-2004 07:04									#198
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quote: You're educated and you're a Brit, so why should getting a green card be that much of a problem?

LOOOOONG line. It took my uncle's family (him and his wife are both doctors, the eldest daughter graduated from dental school, the youngest daughter graduated from law school, and the son is in a good medical school) TWELVE years to get a green card.

	02-01-2004 07:10									#199
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Exactly Imran...more hassle than it is worth...

	02-01-2004 07:12									#200
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Oh, and I forgot to add, in addition to ALL that skill, they have plenty of family in the states .

It is easier for some of my family in Pakistan, who aren't as skilled to get in.

	02-01-2004 07:15									#201
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quote: Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui quote: You're educated and you're a Brit, so why should getting a green card be that much of a problem? LOOOOONG line. It took my uncle's family (him and his wife are both doctors, the eldest daughter graduated from dental school, the youngest daughter graduated from law school, and the son is in a good medical school) TWELVE years to get a green card.

Which country was your uncle emigrating from? I'd imagine that your home nationality can make a big difference to how the application is processed even if it doesn't change the application criteria.

	02-01-2004 07:15									#202
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Oh I have family in the States, that isn't a problem (fortunately my dad comes from a big family, many of which have emigrated )

	02-01-2004 07:16									#203
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quote: Which country was your uncle emigrating from?

BRITAIN! Which is why I brought it up!

	02-01-2004 07:18									#204
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My dad never got a green card, he never really wanted to become a US citizen, but he did work under some visa or other in the US during the 70s and again in the 80s. The thing that made him leave first time around was that the US government wanted to draft him for the Vietnam war if he stayed beyond a certain length of time (2 years I think it was).

	02-01-2004 07:20									#205
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Even though they have their green card, they are waiting to come over. As I said the son is in medical school in London, and that is much cheaper than it would be in the states .

	02-01-2004 07:21									#206
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quote: Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui As I said the son is in medical school in London, and that is much cheaper than it would be in the states .

Kings College by any chance?

	02-01-2004 07:51									#207
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Glad to hear you got a bounce your way, PH. Have a better 2004.

	02-01-2004 08:31									#208
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quote: Kings College by any chance?

I believe you've got it .

	02-01-2004 10:26									#209
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i'm glad you have something provost. you have...a starting point..

	02-01-2004 15:00									#210
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Hi dm, how you doin'?