What would you do? Job related

[Lauren8211]

Ok, here is the story.

FF just started a new job. He was hired in as a PHP programmer, with a very likely chance that he''d be doing other assorted IT work. He happened to mention on his resume that he has some Photoshop experience. This was more just resume buffer, although it is true. He never meant for it be part of his job, but just there to help out if the company was in a bind. He was absolutely hired in for programming.

They had him help out on some ads that were going out, and LOVED his photoshopping/layout skills. Now they have him primarily working on ad layout and photoshopping, and are slowly taking away his programming assignments.

He loves programming and has no real interest in doing graphic design for the company. There is a person who was hired for graphic design, but they don''t like her style apparently, and keep having FF do the touch up work and he ends up staying late to do graphic design stuff.

He doesn''t know how to handle the situation. I suggested that he stick it out for a while to help build his resume which is NOT strong right now. I told him "as long as they''re treating you well, I think you should stick it out, even if it''s not your ideal job. Think if it as a stepping stone"

He said he was still going to keep an eye out for jobs. He just got fired in September after 6 months at his last job, so I think leaving his new one after a few months is a bad idea.

So, should he stay for a while? Look for another job? How do you address something like that with your boss? It seems like most attempts at addressing it have been shut down. I just want to know what I should tell him, since he''s kind of at a loss.

 

[joflier]

I agree with you on the stepping stone thought. If his resume isn''t real full yet, and he is being treated decent, then I think he should give it some time. Build up the references to do something he''ll truely love. He doesn''t have to stay forever, but a couple years with the same company usually looks good to employers.

 

[neatfreak]

I think he needs to tread carefully. He doesn''t want to burn bridges or not be seen as a team player, but at the same time, if he wasn''t hired as a graphic designer it isn''t right to have him doing that work all the time.

It''s a hard situation to be in...personally if it were me, I would talk to the boss and say something like "I really appreciate the opportunity to help out the company, but my real love is programming. It would be great if I could transition back to my programming position, as that is where I feel I can really contribute to the company."

Could backfire, but I know how miserable I am when I am doing things I hate, so that is what I would do...

 

[Shoopy]

My Department is project based and a lot of times I''m given projects that weren''t necessarily what I was hired for or part of my core skill set. However, I still take it as an opportunity to learn.

When there are months that I''m doing something other than what I know, I tell my boss. I just say "C, this project should be wrapping up in a few days. I know that project A is on the pipeline and I would like to work on that project to enhance whatever skill." I''ve never been told no.

He should finish up whatever project he''s working on now while keeping his eyes open for the next programming project. Then, he should go to his boss and mention wanting to work on that project. He shouldn''t say anything about prefering to do that over anything else because he won''t be seen as being open to change which is a normally a big selling point for businesses.

GL to him!

 

[omieluv]

This is a tough spot to be in, however, I would say he should stay put for the moment. I am not sure what his resume looks like, but if he is starting out in his career, it would be a good idea to build up some stability in his work history. Also, you mentioned he just started, so if I were him, I would give the job a chance before giving up on it. I work in the HR industry and often times I have found that people on a new job can become frusterated because they do not start doing the work they thought they would right away, but in time, they do eventually get to do what they were hired for. Also, we have to consider the state of the economy at this point. Unless he is in a high demand field, it might be a good idea to hold on to what he has at least until he is eligible to collect unemployment, in the event he is laid off by his new company.

From an HR perspective, the company should be addressing the individual who does hold the graphic design role. That person either needs to be trained on how to do the job the way the company wants it to be done, or take corrective action by hiring someone who is able to. Perhaps they are in the process of replacing that individual...

 

[Italiahaircolor]

First of...as a boss...if I give someone "extra" work outside of their "on paper" responsibilities, that means a lot. I have done this in the past if I am looking to promote him/her, gain a full scope of what his/her talents are, and fully utilize him/her so they don''t get "bored".

Secondly, being a team player is totally key. One hand washes the other. It sounds as though he''s only been employeed there for a short period of time, prehaps this how this company works.

Also, I think he needs to say in this position for at least a year. Not only will this bulk up his resume, but "job hopping" speaks poorly of someones work ethic, even if it isn''t a totally accurate repersentation. I know, if I get a resumes from two equally talented artists, and one has held a position for an extended period of time and the other is a "floater" with a history of termination, I will hire the one with the proven record, period, no questions asked. I strongly suggest this, and that goes double since he was fired from his last job...he needs to work twice as hard to get a postive employment record on paper now.

Lastly, everyone has to pay their dues. In this economy, he''s lucky to be working truth be told. Not every job is dream--true--but thats life. When I started this position, I had an assistant whom I worked to the bone...and I''m sure she hated me a lot, probably most of the time. I''d pull her in a million directions, pile work on her, and I was typically demanding...but she stuck it out. Now, she is my 2nd in line here in Chicago. She put in the time, she proved herself...and her reward, at least in my opinion, was worth it.

Give your FF a big hug, tell him how incredibly proud of him you are...and support him. He''ll land on his feet!

 

[kittybean]

Between the previous termination and the economy, I think he should hold onto this job. It would be a good addition to his resume to have a year (or more) there under his belt, and the economy should be looking better in a year to year and a half. I know a LOT of people looking for jobs in a variety fields right now, and things are quite difficult across the board. Unless your SO is ready for a couple months of unemployment, he shouldn''t leave this job.

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 10/30/2008 12:02:28 PM
Author:elledizzy5
Ok, here is the story.

FF just started a new job...

Sorry...not sure...FF...is that friendly Fiance? I did check here first...

Anyway...I guess you''re asking this...

Date: 10/30/2008 12:02:28 PM
Author:elledizzy5

So, should he stay for a while? Look for another job? How do you address something like that with your boss? It seems like most attempts at addressing it have been shut down. I just want to know what I should tell him, since he''s kind of at a loss.

...but I''m motivated to encourage you to support your partner...in whatever they choose. Have their back. At some point, if you don''t feel secure personally, because of the consequences...you may want out...but that would be your choice, not his.

Just my musing based on a first thought.

Also...hard to say what your friend would actually, ultimately, do...based on their own instincts, independent of your very reasonable concerns...

Regards,

 

[bobbin]

Date: 10/30/2008 11:24:50 PM
Author: Regular Guy

Sorry...not sure...FF...is that friendly Fiance? I did check here first...

Anyway...I guess you''re asking this...

FF is future fiance.

I don''t think Elle was suggesting she wouldn''t support him with whatever he chose, more about what advice she should be giving him to help him make the best decision for him in the long run.

I agree that he should stick it out there for a bit longer. The only time I think you should leave a job that soon is if you are really unhappy, like almost crying before work every day kind of unhappy (been there before, I got out after three months). He should try and talk to his boss to get more programming projects, and if it doesn''t get better a little bit down the track, leave for a better position.

 

[strmrdr]

At the end of a project right after they say they love it... he should mention that while he was ok helping out with the advertising/photoshop do they have some programming that he can tackle as his next project?
timing is everything on a request like this.
Do it in the middle of a project and your toast.

 

[purrfectpear]

He has to stay two years IMO. You say he was fired from his last job, as opposed to laid off. He definitely needs at least two years on this job to overcome that negative mark on the resume.

 

[Lauren8211]

Ok, thanks everyone for pretty much telling me what I wanted to hear!

He''s one of those people that just has a lot of ideas and wants to contribute all of the time, even when he''s new. I tend to assimilate first, but he just likes to go in guns blazing. He''s very passionate and likes to do things that he''s passionate about. Graphic design is NOT one of those things, but hopefully he''ll stick it out for a couple of years. I think it''s really important, so I''m trying to tell him that without making him feel like it was my idea.

Omieluv: It''s funny that you say that maybe they''re in the process of replacing her because she IS the replacement! My FF knew more about graphic design than the "graphic designer" and she would come to him for help, so they fired her, and replaced her with this new person whose designs they still don''t like. Strange! You''d think they''d look at a portfolio or something first?

Italia: I told him that he should take it as a compliment, because that''s exactly what it is. I take piling on the work as a GOOD thing, especially if they treat you well and take care of you. I definitely gave him a hug!

Kittybean: I''ve definitely been stressing the economy thing. We''re in Michigan, so it''s even worse here. I was surprised he even mentioned looking elsewhere in this economy! Bad idea!!

Strmrdr: The problem is that he keeps getting new projects. They keep pulling him away for these advert edits, so he feels like he needs to say something before they keep depending on him to do that. I told him just be happy he has a job that doesn''t treat him badly and he somewhat enjoys. That''s more than most people can say!

PurrfectPear: Two years was actually exactly what I told him. Especially since before his last job he worked for himself, so he doesn''t have a strong resume at all. He has about 5 years of on/off contract work and then a 6 month stint that he got fired from.

 

[girlie-girl]

I wanted to throw this out... don''t programmers generally make more money than graphic designers? If yes, then I wouldn''t sweat doing the graphic stuff for the time being as he''s being paid more than what a graphic artist/designer would get to do the same work. He could use the opportunity to prove that he''s a team player and willing to do whatever to help the company succeed, whilst padding his resume at the same time. If programmers don''t make more, then I would definitely take that into consideration and speak up about doing so many graphic projects. Perhaps if they love his layouts so much etc., they''d be willing to pay him accordingly. But since I don''t know who makes more, it''s hard to know what route to take. LOL

Otherwise, I pretty much agree with what everyone is saying above with regard to sticking it out and getting more time under his belt before thinking about moving on again.

 

[MonkeyPie]

Date: 10/31/2008 10:01:15 AM
Author: girlie-girl
I wanted to throw this out... don''t programmers generally make more money than graphic designers? If yes, then I wouldn''t sweat doing the graphic stuff for the time being as he''s being paid more than what a graphic artist/designer would get to do the same work. He could use the opportunity to prove that he''s a team player and willing to do whatever to help the company succeed, whilst padding his resume at the same time. If programmers don''t make more, then I would definitely take that into consideration and speak up about doing so many graphic projects. Perhaps if they love his layouts so much etc., they''d be willing to pay him accordingly. But since I don''t know who makes more, it''s hard to know what route to take. LOL

Otherwise, I pretty much agree with what everyone is saying above with regard to sticking it out and getting more time under his belt before thinking about moving on again.

That''s a really good point. I''m pretty sure programmers do get paid more, but just in case, it''s something to consider.

 

[omieluv]

Date: 10/31/2008 8:53:19 AM
Author: elledizzy5
Ok, thanks everyone for pretty much telling me what I wanted to hear!

He''s one of those people that just has a lot of ideas and wants to contribute all of the time, even when he''s new. I tend to assimilate first, but he just likes to go in guns blazing. He''s very passionate and likes to do things that he''s passionate about. Graphic design is NOT one of those things, but hopefully he''ll stick it out for a couple of years. I think it''s really important, so I''m trying to tell him that without making him feel like it was my idea.

Omieluv: It''s funny that you say that maybe they''re in the process of replacing her because she IS the replacement! My FF knew more about graphic design than the ''graphic designer'' and she would come to him for help, so they fired her, and replaced her with this new person whose designs they still don''t like. Strange! You''d think they''d look at a portfolio or something first?

Italia: I told him that he should take it as a compliment, because that''s exactly what it is. I take piling on the work as a GOOD thing, especially if they treat you well and take care of you. I definitely gave him a hug!

Kittybean: I''ve definitely been stressing the economy thing. We''re in Michigan, so it''s even worse here. I was surprised he even mentioned looking elsewhere in this economy! Bad idea!!

Strmrdr: The problem is that he keeps getting new projects. They keep pulling him away for these advert edits, so he feels like he needs to say something before they keep depending on him to do that. I told him just be happy he has a job that doesn''t treat him badly and he somewhat enjoys. That''s more than most people can say!

PurrfectPear: Two years was actually exactly what I told him. Especially since before his last job he worked for himself, so he doesn''t have a strong resume at all. He has about 5 years of on/off contract work and then a 6 month stint that he got fired from.

Seriously? Sounds like they keep hiring the wrong person, I wonder what their hiring strategy is for that role. Whatever they are doing, their strategy does not lead to hiring the right candidate. I wonder if it is possible for your FF to take a look at the job description they use for that role, perhaps that is no longer current. I hope the "replacement" is at least getting training he/she needs to be successful, I cannot imagine it would be difficult for someone with a design background to be able to learn a different style, but I could be wrong. If the person is open and can be trained, maybe your FF can take the lead on that. After the person is trained correctly, he could then resume his preferred line of work as a programmer.

I also saw that you are in MI, my suggestion for your FF would be to stay put. So far, FF has shown his value to the company by being a good designer AND a by being a good programmer, which might keep him off the chopping block in the even they need to downsize in the future. I would advise that he continue to be a good team player until the economy in your area improves. Besides, he needs to show more stability in his resume...if he can put in 3-4 years, that would set him up nicely for his next job.

 

[Tuckins1]

Date: 10/31/2008 8:50:34 PM
Author: niko08
please help me more info here

Why do you keep posting this all over on different threads? What is this?

 

[mimzy]

elle - at first i had to make a triple mental check that you aren''t my FI''s friend''s girlfriend! He''s in the exact same position - was hired on as a programmer but keeps getting assigned graphic design projects...and now no one is taking him seriously as a programmer. he''s pretty frustrated.

but i would encourage him to stay put. it''s sort of lucky that he has a job right now at all here (especially if you say his resume isn''t strong), and booking it just because the job description changed a little isn''t a great move. my FI was actually in a similar position a few months ago - he''s a software engineer and he was doing a lot of one type of programming that he didn''t think would be applicable in another environment, so in his spare time he''s do extra tutorials and projects to sharpen his skills that weren''t being utilized at his job. eventually he got some different types of projects and stopped doing extra work. but i think that that was sort of a smart move on his part....yoou might want to encourage him to do something like that too