Which job?

britboy4321

britboy4321

britboy4321

Permabanned
Joined
10 Dec 2008
Posts
4,080
Location
London
Choose for me! IT contracts ..

1) 6 months contract. May be renewed to 9 but then THAT'S IT project over thanks for your time goodbye! Amazing money. Been there just 6 weeks. Boss said today I seemed 'out of my depth' and she 'likes the enthusiasm but not sure I can handle the work'. 6 minute walk to work. Very hard work and I am getting things wrong which a contractor ain't supposed to do ... did I mention ruddy good money? by the way I am already trying my hardest at this job at the 'I seem out of my depth' comment .. so dno't say 'man up and get on with it' I do not have the capability to try harder ..

2) Back to old job I was at for years. Boss said I could definately have job back. 6 month contracts but highly likely to be extended (and extended and extended). Job easy but maybe dull. not challenging at all but I don't get any grief from anyone ever (because I can do it with my eyes shut - the job is pretty 'librarian' meaning for every problem there is a pre-defined solution already so just follow the instructions for 8 hours a day ...) 60% the money of job #1. 55 minute commute.
 
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Stick with job one until you're asked to leave?

Why does she say that you can't handle the work? Is it a lack of skill/knowledge? Also, the offer from your old boss. Is that likely to disappear from the table?
 
JHeaton said:
Stick with job one until you're asked to leave?

Why does she say that you can't handle the work? Is it a lack of skill/knowledge? Also, the offer from your old boss. Is that likely to disappear from the table?
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Well here's the gig.

I had to produce something called a 'detailed test execution plan' for 9 people that work for me.

I tried my best to do it. I mean -- really tried. thought I had something half decent.

Today we had a meeting about the doc. and she basically scribbled through 95% of what I had written not saying exactly what was wrong, saying 'You are supposed to be a test manager, can you please try again to do your actual job' :( Followed by the other harsh comments (I know - man up!).

I don't really know how to do it. Sat here googling 'test execution plan' because can't do it at work because if anyone saw it'd be disaster! Basically I'm supposed to be the expert ...

All a bit embarrassing really. ..
 
Easily job 1. Challenge yourself, save time commuting, earn more.

By the time you're finished it job 2 might still be wanting you back, win win.
 
1) Were you given a spec of the test manager role?
2) Did you know you couldn't do the new job with your current knowledge?
3) Have you tried very hard at all to rectify this, especially prior to starting?
4) Did you inform them that this isn't your strongest area? Is there any option for training?

There's lots of key details missing from your post. It sounds like you took something you knew you couldn't do and 6 weeks in are Googling it. This makes you sound like an arse. You say you are a contractor, but I don't think you really are as I know it. A contractor wouldn't get any training, but then they wouldn't take on a job they couldn't do. If they did, and they performed poorly, the contract would go elsewhere pretty quickly and you'd never get work from them again.

I'd say sit down with job 1 and speak to them about your role, your strengths and weaknesses and desire to do the job properly. Get training, either through them or yourself, with an intensive crash course. Get books. Spend some of that extra 40% on giving yourself a chance to succeed!
 
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gord said:
1) Were you given a spec of the test manager role?
Yes, just a few paragraphs really
2) Did you know you couldn't do the new job with your current knowledge?
No I've worked for test managers my whole professional career .. didn't seem too hard to me. She wants more frmo me than the previous test managers, er, managers wanted from them!
3) Have you tried very hard at all to rectify this, especially prior to starting?
Yes. It's difficult because I can't ask anyone for help. I have tried the hardest I am capable of trying. I do not have the constitution to put in 14 hour days -- I've tried, and after about 9 hours hard slog my productivity reduces to zero and there is no point in continuing for the day
4) Did you inform them that this isn't your strongest area? Is there any option for training?
No option for training (I'm the 'expert'!). I didn't tell them this isn't my strongest area as I wouldn't have got the work!

There's lots of key details missing from your post. It sounds like you took something you knew you couldn't do and 6 weeks in are Googling it. I thought I could do it .. its more difficult than I thought This makes you sound like an arse. You say you are a contractor, but I don't think you really are as I know it You are mistaken I've been a contractor for all but the first 6 months of my professional life. I'd be tempted to say I know more about IT contracting than anyone on this board.. A contractor wouldn't get any training, but then they wouldn't take on a job they couldn't do Don't be daft man of course they would. If I got offered £1300 a day to milk goats I'd tell them I'm the best goat-milker in the UK. So would most!. If they did, and they completely cocked it up, the contract would go elsewhere pretty quickly and you'd never get work from them again I haven't completely cocked it up. I have some snotty comments coming my way thats all -- concerning about 15% of the work which I am really struggling with. but the comments are pretty bad .. .

I'd say sit down with job 1 and speak to them about your role, your strengths and weaknesses and desire to do the job properly. Get training, either through them or yourself, with an intensive crash course. Get books. Spend some of that extra 40% on giving yourself a chance to succeed! think you're right.
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Ride out job 1, and then move on to job 2.

... but you also need to learn some harsh lessons from job 1. Don't jump into something so deep in a contract basis if you aren't 100% hot to trot. As a contractor, you don't EVER want to have the **** taken out of you by a manager like that. You're supposed to be the best, and you should really just be thankful in this situation that you aren't being marched out the door pronto. Harsh, but true, I think.
 
britboy4321 said:
I'd be tempted to say I know more about IT contracting than anyone on this board..
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I think the fact you need to ask us which job to pick suggests that the problem here is the overinflated opinion of your own ability that got you into this mess in the first place.
 
#1 - Man up and work smarter, not harder.

Also try to be less cocky about your abilities whilst you're failing. I'm willing to bet theres a lot of IT folks on this board who are bloody good at their jobs. Theres also a lot of people who coast through half arsing it, until the day they meet someone who actually knows what they're talking about. Guess which one you sound like. ;)
 
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'detailed test execution plan'

detail how you are going to test something. easy.

if she wants detail, go to bloody town and write a whole process map in there too if need be.

it would be handy if you knew what you were supposed to be doing, but in all honesty drawing up a plan (even detailed) on how to test computer systems is not hard.

it's boring long and tedious.
 
PardonTheWait said:
I was wondering when Britboy would make an opportunity to mention his wage. He hid it well, but he slipped it in there.
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Yeah, I was getting worried too. It still amazes me that someone who apparently gets paid quite well is unable to make their own decisions regarding job choice. Most of the threads he starts are of the HAI GUYZ WAT SHOULD I DO???? nature. Very unusual for such a high flier :)
 
at least you're being honest and up front, that's a good quality, can you not sit down with her (with pen and paper) and get more details of exactly what she wants...?
 
britboy4321 said:
Don't be daft man of course they would. If I got offered £1300 a day to milk goats I'd tell them I'm the best goat-milker in the UK. So would most!
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Umm, no most wouldn't.
I'm a contractor and have worked with plenty of other contractors over the years and 95% of them have been able to do the job they were brought in for.
 
Not going to be overly harsh as this is only a forum but if you write the way you do here on your test plans, then it is no wonder that they are not impressed.
 
So you're incompetent?

You've said you don't know what you're doing, simples, jump ship before you screw up properly.
 
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